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OPeNINg sOON. The multi-million peso iloilo City Hall is being constructed on the old city hall grounds fronting Plaza Libertad. Local government officials slated its opening in August this year.

Union to file new cases v. Admin

By Kevin George Barrios

VOl. 56 NO. 2

the OFFIcIal stUDeNt NewsPaPer OF the UNIVersIty OF saN agUstIN

December 2010 - may 2011

City fire incidents doubled in 2010

By Febrielyn Tumines

AFTER the last case has been resolved, the University of San Agustin Employees Union (USAEU) is once again preparing to file new cases against the Administration.
The USAEU, composed of academic, non-academic and maintenance personnel, including office clerks who are in the rank and file, demanded the release of their share of the Tuition Incremental Proceeds (TIP), this time for Academic Year 2003-2004. It must be noted that the TIP for Academic Year 20012002 was released in March 2010, to 471 rank and file Union members who received their individual shares. With that settlement, the closure of TIP case, referred to as GR 77594 in the final and executory Supreme Court (SC) decision, took place after eight years. On September 2003, the then set of Union officers, together with the departmental representatives and the Union members, held a strike to make a demand for the same, as well as to show support and opposition to the officers termination. As part of its goals this year 2011, the USAEU is in the process of pursuing the other cases that have been decided on and are subject for arbitration. The Unions move aimed at enforcing the stipulations in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of 20032004, specifically on the TIP share that has not been given to them yet and on other economic issues. USAEU is a group of employees who work for the improvement of working conditions, salaries, employment, as well as peaceful and industrial developments in the University, thus we are following up such benefits due the employees... to achieve our abovementioned goals,
UNION/Page 3

USASC prexy outlines reform agenda

By Jefferson Magbanua

THE number of fire incidents in Iloilo City increased by 116.67% in 2010 amidst the frequent brownouts last year. According to the comparative record of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Office of the City Marshal, the number of fire incidents doubled in 2010, with the number of calls for fire aid reaching 481. In 2009, the number of fire calls totaled 222. However, the estimated cost of fire damages based on the affidavits of loss submitted by the fire victims decreased by 6.21%, from P16,062,050 in 2009 to P15,065,350 in 2010. The Fire Bureau added that despite the recurring brownouts last year, Fire accidents cant be [attributed] to the frequent brownouts because 370 cases out of
FIre/Page 3

TWO days after their strategic planning and team building activities in Casa Fiametta, Barotac Nuevo, incoming University Student Council President Patrick Daniel Ladrido told The Augustinian that he aimed to transform the student government into a welfare-centered and issueoriented organization. I want to re-image the Universitys Student Council or SC this Academic Year 2011-2012. I will work for a government that is conscious of student welfare, rights and issues, not just a team focused on organizing events, emphasized Ladrido. Ladrido said the incoming SC officers four-day strategic planning conducted on May 4 to 8 this year, resulted in the adoption of a new mission statement, furthering the reorientation of the Councils major roles. In re-wording the mission statement, the newly-elected

The University of San Agustin Student Council (USASC) officers for academic year 2011-2012. Photo by norman Posecion

officers used six performance indicators as their parameters: quality, product and service, audience, repertory, education and geographical scope. SC to reach students via Web Ladrido also highlighted the relevance of putting up a five-way online visibility project to pull off his goal.

The new Council president said that the possibility of having a joint project with the USA Publications in putting up and maintaining a P50,000 screen monitor at the Alumni Hall for news updates and announcements are the main components of the online
Prexy/Page 2

University tightens ID, ID strap policy

By Andre Karl Faculin

Illustration by Jerson eLmido

TO reiterate the policies stated in the student handbook, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) issued a new memorandum dated September 27, 2010, on the proper wearing of student identification (ID) cards and straps. Memorandum No. 4, series of 2010, intensified the policy on the use of the official ID and ID straps in the University premises. The ID cards confiscated by security personnel which were surrendered to the Office
ID POlIcy/Page 3

PAASCU update Bus. Ad. program passes; 9 others in candidate status

By Ray Adrian Macalalag

THE Business Administration program of the University has passed the reaccreditation evaluation and has been re-accredited Level II for five years (AcademicYears 2010-2015) with a clean slate, that is, without an interim visit, according to Gladys Confesor, executive secretary of the Accreditation and Quality Assessment Office. Nine other programs of the University are now in candidate status for their accreditation by the

Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU): Accountancy, Engineering (Civil, Mechanical and Computer), Computer Science, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Information Technology, Nursing, and Tourism, and upon compliance with the PAASCU recommendations for the next two years, these programs will be ready for their formal survey, the results of which will determine their

accreditation status. In a recent development, the Doctor of Philosophy/ Master of Arts in Education, and the Master of Business Administration programs of the Graduate School have also been granted candidate status and are given a year to comply with the PAASCU recommendations in preparation for the formal survey in February 2012. The phase of the PAASCU accreditation in the University varies from one program to

the other depending on the year when it first applied for accreditation. The University had accredited programs before but later lost them due to various reasons, such as non-compliance with the PAASCU recommendations, loss of jurisdiction over some programs [such as the College of Law whose accreditation is now under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court], and lapse of time for complying with PAASCU requirements, Vice
PaascU/Page 2

Kristine Louise andrade

2 NEWS Devicente earns post in natl SK board

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011 By Genessa Buenafe

CBAA conducts SAP training

By Jerson Elmido

AN Augustinian made it as the National Sangguniang Kabataan Deputy Secretary in the recently conducted National Sangguniang Kabataan Elections of the National Executive Board held at the Bayview Park Hotel, Manila. Charmine Padernal Devicente, a student taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BS BA) major in Marketing Management, was elected as the countrys National Sangguniang Kabataan Deputy Secretary. The 18-year old SK chairperson of Brgy. Tambunac, San Enrique, Iloilo and daughter of Dennis and Dolores Devicente, said that she didnt

expect to reach the national level since her main goal was simply to be the SK chairperson in her barangay. God is really good that He planned and gave this (position) to me as the leader of the youth and the responsibilities that go with it; so I must face [them] andthe challenges that He [may] offer me, Charmine added. When asked about the qualities she had that made her stand out, Devicente stated that it was her strong personality. She added, In whatever problem that I encounter, I dont dare give up. I think I have the [will] and the dedication which my other competitors

serbIsyO PUblIKO. This card was used by Devicente in her campaign for the national sK Board.

[didnt] have. As a newly-elected public official, Devicente took her

oath of office at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on December 11, 2010.

CN dean clears issues on declining NLE rates

By James Marthy Esleyer

COLLEGE of Nursing Dean Sofia Cosette Monteblanco ended speculations on the low passing percentage that the Universitys graduates obtained in the December 2010 Nursing Licensure Examination (NLE). According to Monteblanco, the latest 81% rate garnered by the Universitys NLE takers could be attributed to the

decreasing national passing percentage. The national NLE passing percentages for the past three years declined as shown by the following figures: 40% in 2008; 39.73% in 2009; and 35% in 2010. In the December 2008 NLE, the Universitys board takers garnered an 88% rate while those who took the same

examination in December 2009 and 2010 had 83.82% and 81%, respectively. Despite the downward trend in the passing percentage rate of the Universitys NLE takers, Monteblanco said, ...the 81% passing percentage still made us rank 13th among the 307 Nursing schools (with more than 50 examinees) in the country and 3rd in Western Visayas.

In preparing for the NLE, Monteblanco confirmed that since the beginning, the school had always been the one organizing reviews for the Nursing graduates, inviting speakers from other institutions and review centers. We have never been acquainted with the RGO Review Center or any other review center for that matter as some [people assume], said Monteblanco. She added that though the permit to hold reviews for the Universitys NLE takers was approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) only on September 22, 2008, the schools Nursing Review Center had already been around several years prior to the said approval. Moreover, Monteblanco emphasized that the review center isnt the determinant in producing a topnotcher in the board examination: The review center [or the schoolled reviews] dont determine whether you top or pass [the NLE]; its your foundation and determination as a student that will help you. building activities facilitated by Dr. Doris Lauron, a faculty member of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy, Prof. Evelyn Sorianosos of the Biological Sciences Department and John Jesner Perce Punsaran, former Asst. Secretary of the USASC, produced positive objectives and guidelines that shall be placed in a module for strict observance and implementation. Punsaran, the facilitator of the SCs strategic planning, commented: I saw that theyre really committed [to the SC] and though I think it would be tough for them to follow their step-by-step guidelines for community outreach, I believe they can get through it with their modular approach for the upcoming semester. The new SC officers were elected unopposed on March 3 and their term commenced on June 1.

TRAIN the Trainer. This was the theme of the training given by the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) to 10 Accounting and Computer teachers, May 23 to 27. The said training was intended to integrate the Systems Applications Products (SAP) in the curriculum of the abovementioned courses with the approval of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd). The SAP is a systemized data processor which provides the business industry collaborative solutions, such as helping streamline all the processes needed to run business operations, making information instantly accessible across the organization, eliminating unnecessary costs, related errors and duplication of data entry, and triggering automatic response when important business events occur. It also allows the user to monitor and focus on areas that require immediate attention. To facilitate the seminar, the University entered into a memorandum of agreement with Fasttractsolutions, Inc. About three months prior to the five-day training, an orientation and consultation meeting with the faculty members, students and some parents were conducted by the College. The said application will be integrated in Ecom subjects in CBAA programs, such as Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA), Bachelor of Science in Accounting Technology (BS AcT), and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BS BA). Based on the schedule of fees, students enrolled in Ecom subjects with the SAP will pay a minimal fee ranging from Php400 to Php500. Upon fulfillment of all course requirements, students shall receive SAP training certificates. With the advent of new and emerging technologies, we cannot afford to be left behind. Hence, we find it very important to enrich our curriculum to provide our students the SAP training, said CBAA Dean Lucio Encio.

UAPSA holds green talk series

By Josefa Maria Castro

A GREEN talk series entitled Paradigm of Eco-living was held on December 2, 2010 at the USA Review Center, Urdaneta Hall. It was organized by the United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary (UAPSA), the prime and duly-recognized student organization of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), in cooperation with the Silvers Magazine. Architect Miguel Guerrero was the guest speaker. A licensed architect since 1981, he graduated from the University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture in 1979. The said talk coincided with the National Architecture Week and was open to all Architecture, Interior Design, and Engineering students. The UAPSA-organized forum tackled the LuzViMinda ECO House 2008, an envisioned catalyst for improving the well-being and quality of life of every Filipino through a sustainably-built environment. ...PAASCU/Page 1 President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Rev. Fr. Generous Gonesto, OSA said. Moreover, he said that there are also programs in the University that have been consistently and substantially complying with the recommendations of PAASCU, such as Education, Business Administration, Pharmacy, Medical Technology, Arts and Sciences, and Grade School. The consistent compliance of the College of Education with the PAASCU recommendations enabled it to hurdle and pass the assessment of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), thus it has been recognized as a Center of Development in Region VI, clearly a distinct h o n o r, c o n s i d e r i n g t h a t there are dozens of teacher training institutions in the region. Furthermore, it has regained its Level III status as certified by the Federation of Accrediting Associations of the Philippines (FAAP), the VPAA pointed out. In the latest PAASCU directory dated June 30, 2010 published on its official website, the University of San Agustin has the following accredited programs: Bachelor of Elementary Education (Level III), Bachelor of Secondary Education (Level III), Bachelor of Arts (Level II), Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (Level II), Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (Level II), Grade School (Level II), and High School (Level I). The PA A S C U accreditation is a continuous process. It is a series of survey and re-survey visits to assess whether the institution has complied with or has made significant and substantial implementations o f t h e PA A S C U t e a m s recommendations in line with its vision and mission. Gonesto explained. Once PAASCU sees that a program has complied with the minimum requirements of CHEd and reached
PaascU/Page 3

...PREXY/Page 1 visibility plan. A website, an official Facebook page, a blog and an E-mail address were the four other elements that Ladrido identified for the said project. According to him, Mas maging malapit sa Student Council ang mga estudyante sa pamaagi nga ini kag amo ina ang gusto namon matabo (The students will become closer to the Student Council through this system and that is what we [SC officers] want to happen), adding, Through this, we in the SC, will be more open and transparent; and hopefully, we could [act as] the bridge between the students and the Administration. Free services for students Aside from going online, the new SC officers started tapping professionals who could help in giving free student

services, such as the issuance of affidavit of loss for free. Ladrido announced that the free services may be availed of starting this semester of Academic Year 2011-2012 and are intended to cut down the financial and procedural burdens experienced by the students and free them from other hassles. To strengthen its student services scheme, the Council will appeal for financial assistance or any other form of service from former officers of the recognized student organizations under the VicePresident for Student Affairs (VPSA) during the December 18, 2011 alumni homecoming for members of the VPSArecognized associations. Outreach: a top agenda Aside from the said internal projects and programs, Ladrido also cited the enhancement of the community involvement

aspect of the SC as a top priority. Kung magkadto kami sa isa ka community, indi lang namon paghatagan tinapay ang mga naga-istar didto; tudluan man namon sila nga mag-ubra sang ila tinapay (when we go to a community, well not only give the residents bread; well also teach them how to make their own bread), said Ladrido. Ladrido decried the one-shot deal approach in community service and said hell make sure that the community outreach that theyll independently conduct shall be turned into a series of individual activities for it to be comprehensive. It will be a year-long community outreach program and our target is a rural, indigent community, stressed Ladrido. For Ladrido, the Councils strategic planning and team-

3 Community Service Center poised to adopt Sitio Panos-on

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011 By Febrielyn Tumines

THE University of San Agustin Community Service Center (USACSC), commonly called Tilipunan, held a string of activities as preparation for the actual service delivery in its target community, Sitio Panos-on, Barangay Nabitasan, Leganes. According to Annie Pedregosa, program director of the Tilipunan Community Development Program, the Center has been coordinating with the local government units (municipality and barangay levels) since January 2011 and had a meeting on February 16 with the mayor

of Leganes and other sectoral representatives, including the municipal planning officer, municipal social welfare officer, rural health unit doctor and municipality administrator. On the same date, the representatives of Tilipunan also met with the newlyelected officials of Barangay Nabitasan, Leganes and conducted an ocular inspection of the said area. The other activities of the Center consisted of a field visit and interaction with the residents of Sitio Panos-on on April 15 and a presentation of

the Baseline Survey result of the target locale on May 7. In earlier interviews, Pedregosa said that Sitio Panos-on was chosen as the next Tilipunan community site because of its poor sanitary and health conditions, mostly undernourished children, and people suffering from illnesses caused by poor environmental conditions. The adoption of Sitio Panos-on as the next service site of Tilipunan is in congruence with the Augustinian Social Apostolate mission on childrens welfare and poverty alleviation.

NEWS

test aND recOrD. The faculty members of the Chemistry Department, headed by their Chair, Prof. Aneline Tolones (standing, extreme left), test the acidity of the water and the composition of the soil in sitio Panos-on, Brgy. nabitasan, Leganes.

CEA board topnotchers honored

By Jerson Elmido

EDDIE Clave and Denrei Catalan, BS Electronics and Communications Engineering (BS ECE) and BS Architecture (BS Arch) graduates, respectively, were recognized and given awards during the Universitys 103rd Commencement Exercises

held in the USA Gymnasium, April 2. Clave was awarded for ranking second in the November 2010 Electronics and Communications Engineering Licensure Examination while Catalan was accorded the same recognition after

clave

catalan

placing fifth in the November 2010 Architecture Board Examination. The College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) was likewise honored, receiving a certificate of recognition from the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and a certificate of commendation from the Administration. University President Rev. Fr. Raul Marchan handed the certificates of merit to CEA Dean Reynaldo Asuncion. We hope that this will continue and well try to improve our passing p e r c e n t a g e t h i s y e a r, Asuncion said.

Intl lawyer, womens rights advocate featured in LA/CAS Jubilee lecture series
By Josefa Maria Castro

AS part of its Diamond Jubillee Celebration, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), organized the maLA/CAS ang Dating: The Rada Lecture Series, which featured lectures by Artian alumni and the best researches of the CAS faculty and students. The two speakers for the first lecture on December 7, 2010 in the Dean Josefa Castro Audio-Visual Room were Atty. Ricardo Castro (AB English 1970; LlB 1974; partner, Quisumbing and Torres, a member of the Baker and

McKenzie International Law Firm) and Atty. Evalyn Ursua (AB Political Science 1986; womens rights advocate), who were both awarded as two of the 40 Outstanding Artians of the Century. Castro had two lectures, the first of which was on the Augustinian response to the abuse of power in the Philippines. He talked about the worsening condition of Filipino politics, how abuse of power is very evident in our country and how we, students, can do something to prevent it

Christmas tree brings hope to poor families

By Kevin George Barrios

THE University of San Agustin Student Council (USASC), in collaboration with the College of Nursing (CN), Student Nurses Association of the Philippines (SNAP), and ABS-CBN Iloilo launched for the first time a uni-wide Christmas Tree of Hope project in line with the Universitys Christmas celebration which commenced on December 3, 2010 at the USA Quadrangle. Formally opening the celebration was the lighting of the Christmas tree, followed ...ID POLICY/Page 1 of the VPSA would also be invalidated and discarded if not claimed within the VPSAspecified period. Rev. Fr. Pederito Aparece, OSA, Vice President for Student Affairs, stated that this memorandum is a directive to students not to use the lanyards as straps for the ID. However, Aparece pointed out that he allowed the wearing of lanyards without the ID. I reminded the security guards to confiscate the lanyards with the ID. But I permitted the use of lanyards with cellphones and not with the ID. Students using unprescribed ID cords will have their IDs and lanyards

by the hanging of paper stars on which were written the wishes of Augustinians and all others who purchased them for Php10 each. This annual project was conceptualized by the Kapamilya network as a means of collecting funds to help the less fortunate families in Iloilo City. In his opening remarks, Vice-President for Student Affairs Rev. Fr. Pederito Aparece, OSA explained that the star on top of the Christmas confiscated and the students have to go to their respective guidance counselors from whom to claim their IDs, except if their IDs are kept at the Office of the VPSA. Effective the second s e m e s t e r o f 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 11 , students cannot anymore enter the school campus with their registration forms (RFs) only. I cant remember when it started becoming a tradition that [students] can enter the University only with their RFs [serving as their IDs]; therefore their tendency is not to wear their IDs anymore; they just present their RFs, Aparece said. Furthermore, he stressed that the recent memorandum on ID use will prevent the

tree symbolizes Christ who made Himself available for all. ABS-CBN Iloilo Station Manager Charie Ginete-Ilon said that the small price for a star will go far in bringing smiles and happiness to homeless families and street children. The Christmas Tree of Hope simply shows that the Augustinian family once again [showed unity] in giving hope to our less fortunate Kapamilyas, she added. students from breaking the school rules and provide the necessary disciplinary action with regard to the use of the IDs. With the implementation of the said memorandum, Aparece told The Augustinian that he is calling for the faithful observance of this University policy on the wearing of ID as part of the prescribed school uniform. He further stated that once students enter the University, it is presumed that they have accepted the policies of the school. Based on the security guards report from June 26 to December 13, 2010, a total of 149 students wore the unauthorized ID straps, with

JoHn Jesner Perce Punsaran

from worsening. His second lecture was on the importance of giving good oral advocacies and how it can determine our success in the future. Ursuas talk was on Mail Order Brides to Magna Carta: Filipino Women as Subjects of Law. She talked about her mothers experience on how women in the past were not treated equally in society and by the law itself. She shared the struggles that women had to go through in order to attain the equality that all women are enjoying today and how important it is that this kind of equality be preserved. At the end of the lectures, CAS Dean Isidoro Cruz gave the plaques of appreciation to the lecturers while LA/CAS Alumni Association President Dwight Trasadas ended the program with his closing remarks. ...UNION/Page 1 USAEU President Teresita Silma Balgos stated. Aside from this, the USAEU is also preparing for another negotiation tussle which is the CBA for Academic Year 2010-2011. Presently, the case still remains to be discussed with the Administration. Balgos is hoping that such cases will soon end positively and will not become another case of waiting on the part of the Union members. ...FIRE/Page 1 the 481 fire incidents were classified as miscellaneous fires which were caused by grassfires, electrical post fires and rubbish fires; and only 111 cases came from residential sources (such as electrical appliances, unattended cooking stoves, sulo, candles, gas lamps and lighted cigarette butts). Faulty electrical connections caused only a total of 15 fire incidents.

staNDINg tall. The well-lighted Christmas Tree of Hope became more meaningful with stars for charity.

the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) leading the list, followed by the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology (CPMT) and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Meanwhile, 402 students were caught not wearing the IDs, most of whom were from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) that topped the list, then the College of Nursing (CN), and the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA). Given the big number of ID policy violators, Aparece had this to say to challenge the students, Try to respect the ID inside and outside the University. [Respect] the policy to wear the complete and official ID and ID strap.

...PAASCU/Page 2 PAASCU standards, that program is given accreditation recognition. While PAASCU gives recommendations and accreditation status to the various programs, FAAP gives the corresponding level of accreditation to the programs of the institution. When asked about the other programs that would also apply for PAASCU accreditation in the future, the VPAA answered that the University is looking forward to the preliminary surveys of the BS Nutrition and Dietetics, B Library and Information Science, BS Architecture, and BS Interior Design programs.

tiLiPunan

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011

what can you say about the VPsas memorandum on strict ID, ID strap policy?

sandra Faye mercado (bs Nursing 3) If RFs are used, there are many students who could edit these documents with the advanced technology of our time. Thus, it is not that secured. Unlike IDs, RFs are not validated every semester.

FORUM

what is your stand on the pace of the ampatuan trial?

cyme cymric barnuero (bs Information technology 2) The proper authorities should give attention to the Ampatuan trial because many innocent lives were horribly taken. Until now, the government has not made actions to urgently solve the case.

Dianne Velasco (ab Political science 4) I think that this policy is appropriate, simply because this is a University. In a university, there are rules that are set. How will you be identified as a student of San Agustin without your ID and the appropriate strap? Basically, all schools have ID straps, so it is rightful that we wear the right strap instead of the improper one. It would be inappropriate if the administrators do not take action.

Jake allen arguelles (bs special education 2) Its a matter of how the judicial system could perform its tasks properly. Looking at the status of the case, it seems that there is something fishy because the case is barely progressing.

lucia lagance (bs hotel & restaurant management 3) Its OK because the rule states that the ID and ID strap are components of our complete school uniform. Although many students prefer to wear their personal ID straps, we Augustinians should project an image of the University through our school uniform.

apple sancho (bs business administration 4) I consider the lengthy process of the Ampatuan case as natural, merely because everything passes through a thorough examination. It does not necessarily mean that judgment should be given immediately because the courts must carefully study and determine the circumstances behind the crime.

Patricia bierso (bs Pharmacy 3) I am in favor of this policy. The ID cords should be uniform in order to ensure fairness in following the rules and regulations for the common good.

Jason morales (bs civil engineering 1) The Maguindanao massacre case is a huge responsibility of our government. Hence, it is saddening to see that the case has not advanced that much. They must maximize their efforts to pursue justice for the victims as soon as possible.

stephen calambro (bs Psychology 3) I am against the memorandum because I often leave my ID at home and present my RF instead. In spite of the inconvenience in my part, I cant do away with the rules of the University.

Nio torreblanca (bs Psychology 2) It simply shows that the Philippine government is not that serious in handling the case. The case is of great importance. As a Filipino, it is frustrating to perceive the sluggish status of the trial for this gives the world a picture of how poor Philippine justice system is.

Denfield Padilla (bs Information technology 2) For me, its quite good because the students will easily be recognized. It would also guarantee the safety of the University. Outsiders who may use RFs would no longer be able to penetrate the premises because of the strengthening of this policy.

argiel resurreccion (b music 4) Lets accept the reality that we are in the Philippines and the so-called justice in our nation is not attainable without money. And on the side of the Ampatuans, I presume that they are doing all that they can to delay the case, possibly by shelling out their resources.

rema angelica luna (b medical laboratory science 2) I guess it is very favorable because we all have to follow certain policies and every school has the proper ID and ID strap. So, its not a very big deal at all.

Justine Pulgan (bs architecture 2) I think that our government needs to be more aware that this case has already taken a long time so they should act on it now instead of prolonging the rendering of final judgment.

eula marie caras (bs biology 3) I am in favor of the policy because it is better to see students in a University with uniform slings. Proper IDs should be used for us to be identified as Augustinians. Moreover, guards should somehow be strict with the entry of students since others may reason out wrongly.

rizza sumagaysay (bs Nursing 3) I am disappointed because of the slow-moving speed of the trial but we have no choice. We must instead relentlessly trust our government despite the strong connections of the Ampatuans to some people in the government.

red Flag alert

PERSPECTIVES

...let us spend time wisely for our life here on earth has no replays...
a standard time that limits things explicitly. Time has its various dimensions, various meanings depending on how one spends it or shares it, or worse, wastes it. In school, we are ruled by time on different occasions. We enter our classrooms as early as 7 a.m. for our first class and are marked late if we arrive past it. We plan boycotts and leave collectively if our lecturer isnt in after 30 minutes or so. Likewise, we pause to pray the Angelus at 12:00 oclock (unless were starving) to observe a feature of our faith. Requirements are also submitted on or before a deadline. Eight hours. To us student nurses, this is the time of our life. Our duty shifts serve as opportunities for us to attend to our patients, cater to their needs, and reach our goals SMARTly (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time bound). We are not only taking care of lives, we are also making life ourselves. For many, true friendship is measured by the length of time friends have been together. Through ups and downs, we can always lean on and be in company with friends. When immersed in fear and uncertainties, friends

KEVIN GEORGE BARRIOS

IT was the same old scene: I pick up the piece of white envelope hesitantly, silently read the question printed on a coupon bond held in my spastic hands, and soon journey freely in my own world of thought and imagination. In just a while, I stood up and beamed a fake smile, then I spouted a stream of wordy ideas that just seemed to come out of my mouth spontaneously while my cerebral neurons simultaneously processed and sent impulses to and from my brain. M o m e n t a r i l y, I w a s disturbed: a blue flag was raised. Aiming to finish, I squeezed out every single detail left in my subconscious and hurriedly wrapped things up. Now, the red flag was raised, which instantly put everything to a halt. I screwed up! The red ag it seems that this material screams at me with a fierce and ferocious glare, demanding to end things quickly. Yes, to extemporaneous speakers, this scene is very familiar to you, seeing the warning sign that signifies that time is already over, that time has definitely come to an end. Undeniably, time has become an immutable element in our everyday living. For different circumstances in our daily life, there is always

do come and lift our drooping spirit. Then a friendsary or a BFF (best friends forever) day or bezbordz day term was coined to mark the memories shared together through time. Personally, my four years of stay in this University brought out the person I never knew I had in me. Having been in literary tilts brought me laurels and honors for my dear University. Before my time ends here, may I just say thank you times ten to the power of infinity to Sir Eric, Sir Erwin, Sir Nic and Sir Wency, my USA Student Council family, my fellow Pubpips and chiefly, to my beloved Dean Monteblanco and BSN 4A classmates and friends, You made my life a shared moment, my stay here a memory of a lifetime. St. Augustine said in his Confessions Book XI, There is neither time past nor future time, only present is; a present of things past, a present of things present, and a present of things future. For these three do somehow exist in the soul, and otherwise I see them not: present of things past, memory; present of things present, sight; present of things future, expectation. Hence, whatever happens, let us spend time wisely for our life here on earth has no replays, no rewinds, no fast tracks; and we can never change the circumstances nor divine the future, only live the present as it is. After all, just hold infinity in your palms and think eternity in every hour. Dont wait to screw things up when the red ags already up.

OPINION

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011

babay Na
Hindi ko ikinahihiya kahit na ang Unibersidad na itoy talamak sa mga isyu.
nang lumabas ng silid. Alam kong totoo ito. Pangwalo ito sa probisyon ng Class Attendance sa pahina 50-51 ng student handbook. Minsan kasi, kahit labinlimang minuto na lang ang natitira para sa klase, dumarating pa rin ang titser at walang awang kumukuha ng attendance. Astig tuloy kasi magugulat ka na lang sa susunod na absent ka pala. Segue way. Sadyang kay bilis talaga ng buhay kolehiyo. Parang kailan lang na-badtrip pa ako sa Printing Press dahil nangingitim na sa libag ang leeg ng puting polo na pinasuot sa akin noong nagpapa-ID ako. Parang kailan lang din naligo ako sa pawis sa kapipila para sa enrolment. Hindi ko talaga naisip na ganito pala kabilis ang tatlong taon (transferee ako). Kung alam ko lang sana, gumawa na sana ako ng mga hakbang para makausap yung mga taong gusto kong kausapin pero hindi ko nakausap. Alam mo `yung mga sandaling parang piktyur? Yung tipong dapat kinac a p t u r e ? Ya o n g t i p o n g naglalakad ka sa Cafeteria tapos may makakasalubong kang magandang babae tapos magkakatinginan kayo, kahit saglit lang... tapos ngingitian ka iyon palay tatangayin niya kaluluwa mo. Yaong mga ganoon. Ang buhay talaga, sadyang may mga sandaling gusto mong balikan. Mga sandaling gusto mong itama pero hindi mo naitama kasi pwede namang hindi itama noong mga panahong iyon. Naalala ko pa, minsan nag-usap kami ng kabarkada ko tungkol sa pagbabasa. Sabi niya, wala raw siyang panahon magbasa dahil abala siya sa paghahanap ng pera. Nagulat ako sa sagot niya. Hindi ko akalaing posible palang wala kang panahon sa pagbabasa. Naisip ko kasi, importante ang pagbabasa dahil kahit papaano, binibigyan ka nito ng kaalaman kahit sa mga bagay na wala sa silid-aralan at kahit mismo sa paghahanap ng pera. Ang pangit kasi kapag wala kang alam, wala kang magagawa kung `di ang sumang-ayon. Syempre wala kang alam eh, natural susunod ka lang. Kapag wala kang alam, wala kang maipangangatwiran dahil paano ka naman mangagatwiran sa bagay na hindi mo naiintindihan `di ba? Pero ganoon man ang opinyon niya, ikinatuwa ko ang pag-uusap namin. Isang masayang usapan ang palitan ng ideya dahil mas productive ito kumpara sa pagpapalitan ng tsismis. Isa pa, bagamat sa tingin ko mali ang paniniwala YUNG TAGALOG

ANG bilis ng panahon. Marami na ang nagtanong sa akin kung gagradweyt ba ako o hindi. May sumpa raw kasi ang tambayan namin. Lahat daw ng nakaupo roon ay nadedelay o `di na talaga nakakagradweyt. Nakakatakot. Ang alam ko tradisyon na ng mga manunulat na kandidato sa gradwasyon ang pagsulat ng balediksyon sa kanilang kolum. Una sa lahat, para sa aking balediskyon, lilinawin kong wala kayong aasahang payo mula sa akin. Bagamat gradweyt na ako, marami pa rin akong hindi naiintindihan. Maraming bagay, pangyayari at hokus-pokus sa Unibersidad ang `di ko pa rin matalos hanggang ngayon. Halimbawa na lang ang minsang pagpalabas sa akin sa silid-aralan dahil walang pirma ng guidance counselor ang excuse letter ko. Hindi ko maintindihan ang pagpapalabas sa akin gayung pirmado naman ito ng dean at vice-president for academic affairs. Naisip ko tuloy habang binabaybay ko ang pasilyo ng CAS, Great! Talo pa pala ng guidance counselor ang dean at vice-president for academic affairs. Hindi ko rin maintindihan kung paano gumagana ang excuse letter. Hindi ko alam kung nabubura ba talaga nito ang A mo sa class record kapag absent ka. Minsan kasi, kahit meron kang excuse letter, absent ka pa rin. Minsan naman, kung mabait titser mo, hindi mo na kailangan ng excuse letter. Talamak rin ang bulungbulungan na matapos ang labinlimang minuto na wala pa ang iyong guro ay maaari ka

JOSH VON IRON TONDO

Keep Out of the Dark

GONE are the days when images of alleged bloodlusting aswangs would linger in the minds of children, keep them away from the streets, urge them to hasten on their way home and prevent them from going out at night. These aswang stories, aside from their entertainment value, have become effective tools used by parents in scaring their stubborn kids. Attributed to as the cause of peculiar maladies, manslaughter and miscarriages, the aswang,or witch, has continued to titillate the Filipino psyche until now. Analogous to these horrifying creatures are the recent crimes plaguing the city, attributed to the gang, True Brown Style (TBS) 13. Notorious for the robbery, hold-up and murder of taxi drivers, it is alarming to note that most of the gang members are minors and outof-school youth. Not only that, they were even allegedly involved in cases of illegal drug proliferation. Reportedly, the popular night spots in the city are frequented by underage

Minors will now be forced to go home early, away from the dangers of the streets...
juveniles hanging around the various bars and restaurants. Mostly belonging to afuent families, these young people have been apparently involved in various rumbles and ruckuses in the area. The association of minors with crimes, in one way or another, has prompted Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to execute the strict implementation of a curfew for minors in the city, most especially in the Smallville commercial complex. Embodied in City Ordinance 2006-020, the said law prohibits those below 18 years old from staying out of their homes from 10 in the evening to 4 in the morning. Mabilog has ordered the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Task Forces on Anti-

VOX POPULI

ANDRE KARL FACULIN

Prostitution, Pornography and Internet to detain minors who are wandering about in every nook and cranny of the city (not just in the night spots) during the curfew hours. Ye s , t h e i m m e d i a t e and stern execution of this ordinance has certain pros and cons. With the rising number of occurrences involving the youth, both as victim and as perpetrator, the revitalization and implementation of the law is indeed very timely. H o w e v e r, i t c a n n o t be denied that the curfew ordinance could become an inconvenience for business. For instance, many establishments offering fun and exciting activities for the youth sector which is their target market, would eventually decrease their customer base, and eventually their return on investment

(ROI). The financial and economic implications are very clear. Although I do not see myself placed in a similar scenario, I guess my fellow minors would feel quite disappointed over this regulation. I contend, however, that we must cooperate with the city government and prioritize safety over pleasure. Evidently, many minors have easy access to alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and other vices which they may otherwise not experience at home. Thus, I believe this ordinance will curb the growing number of misguided youths. Minors will now be forced to go home early, away from the dangers of the streets and the inuence of evil elements at night. In addition, youngsters will be able to spend more time with their families and focus more on their studies. Instead of gallivanting and wandering about during the witching hours of the night, the youth will now have more quality moments spent on purposeful activities under the guidance, tutelage, and care of their parents and siblings at home.

niya, kaibigan ko pa rin naman ang loko at hindi ako fan ng pagpipilit o pagpapalamon ng ideya ko as iba. At saka, naisip ko, ang pagpipilit ng ideya sa iba ay ugat ng pagkasira ng samahan. Minsan na ring tinamaan ng kidlat ang barkadahan namin. Sa umpisa, hindi ko maintindian kung bakit ito nangyari dahil noong una, masaya naman kaming lahat. Masayang nanlalait, masayang nag-iinuman at masaya sa kung anong diversity ang meron kami. Ang haba na ng naisulat ko. Bago ako lumayas sa Unibersidad na ito, gusto ko palang pasalamatan kayong lahatang mga mukha sa pasilyo, mga taong hindi ko nakikita, mga naging inspirasyon ko, mga titser na nagalit sa akin, mga guard na ayaw akong papasukin dahil `di ako mahilig mag-uniporme kapag isa lang ang klase ko, `yung mga tao sa Accounting at Cafeteria, `yung mga naging kaklase kong hardcore at lahat ng mga kaibigan ko. Salamat dahil kahit papaano, nagkita tayo sa magulong mundo na ito. Salamat sa mga kasama ko sa banda dahil sa tuwing bored ako sa buhay ko, you were the ones who gave me something to look forward to. Salamat sa USA Publications. Salamat dahil kayo ang naging pamilya ko sa tatlong taon ko rito. Salamat sa pag-unawa sa mga late articles at kadramahang walang humpay. Salamat rin dahil sama-sama tayong nanlalampaso ng ibang paaralan sa tuwing may kompetisyon. Salamat sa mga nagvavandalize sa CR ng iskul dahil napapangiti niyo ako sa tuwing nagsi-CR ako. Salamat sa lahat ng mga naging guro ko. Salamat sa lahat ng naituro niyo sa akin. Patawarin niyo po ako kung hindi ko maala ang pangalan ng iba sa inyo. Patawad rin kung nagkasagutan tayo sa klase at kung umaabsent ako dahil tinatamad akong pumasok. Higit sa lahat, salamat sa mga mahal kong mambabasa na nagtityagang basahin ang mga sinulat ko kahit minsan ang mga itoy walang kwenta. Alam ko marami akong naisulat na subject to argument, pero maraming salamat dahil `di niyo binasag ang ego ko. Hindi ko kinakahiya ang pagiging Agustino. Hindi ko ikinahihiya kahit ang Unibersidad na itoy talamak sa mga isyu. Naging masaya ako rito. Dito ako nabuo. Babay na. Non plus ultra.

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011

Editorial

Oversexed Country
IN her most recent visit to the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), Ilongga Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago strongly lobbied for the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill in a forum organized for the Womens Rights and Welfare Week celebration. Among the features of the RH Bill that Senator Santiago highlighted in her talk was sex education or the Adolescent Reproductive Health integrated in the grade 5 through senior high school curriculum and she viewed the bills passage as too necessary a measure to complement the Department of Educations Memorandum No. 26 that mandates the integration of sex education in Science, Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP), Health, Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika, and Mathematics. The Augustinian believes that passing the RH Bill, partly for the intensification of the governments sex education drive, is overkill. Going by global comparatives in basic literacy, science and math in which the Filipino students scores are relatively poor, it is apparently inexpedient for the government to burden them further with a subject on the more titillating aspects of the birds and the bees beyond basic biology where their performance is generally appalling. Why cant we just focus on improving our global competitiveness in more important disciplines such as the ones already mentioned, rather than teaching the students something that they already know by nature? If the RH Bill would be passed, taking up Adolescent Reproductive Health shall be required and the bills provisions shall be compulsory no matter what happens. Where then will the constitutional guarantee of the rights of the parents to be responsible for the development of their childrens moral behavior go? Clearly, the provisions of the said bill on mandatory sex education would not give Filipino parents and their children informed choices. Rather, they would curb a fundamental parental right the right to the moral formation of the children, especially on sexual matters. Parental guidance, so to speak. Its such a shame that even though most of our lawmakers are mothers and fathers, they seem to have forgotten the fact that as parents, they are more competent to teach their children reproductive health values. What would happen if there would be a clash between the ideas on sexual health values taught at home and those taught in school? Surely, the fragile young minds would be left in confusion, setting the ground for the fomentation of a new problem. Those in government, especially the policy-makers, should at least appreciate the principle of subsidiarity. Issues such as the teaching of sex education to the young are better left with people who are more knowledgeable and experienced than the children are the parents at home. Parents are the ones who should guide their children in growing up as responsible and morally sound individuals who are properly oriented on sex, regardless of creed and practices. After all, it is in the home where basic education begins. To reinforce the sex education program in schools would only waste the national governments funds and the teachers energy. Besides, most teachers are not even well-versed on the Adolescent Reproductive Health and not that trained enough to be instructors on the subject. While DepEds Memorandum No. 26 is already absurd for being justified solely on the grounds of overpopulation and not putting to waste the countrys HIV-Aids prevention program (when in fact there are no standard schemes to measure overpopulation and that theres no HIV-AIDS epidemic in the Philippines), pushing for the passage of the RH Bill will only complicate the state of our oversexed country. Our bachelor president does not need to closely monitor the direction in which the pendulum sways because the cardinal rule still applies: parents know whats best for their children.

OPINION

Quality over Quantity

A FEW months ago, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has issued a memorandum ordering the suspension of the opening of new undergraduate and graduate programs in higher education institutions, specifically in the fields of Business Administration, Education, Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM), Information Technology (IT) and Nursing. This implies that universities and colleges planning to open programs on the said disciplines will not be given permits to do so starting on Academic Year 2011-2012. For this columnist, the prime problems that caused CHEd to alter its policy on the opening of new courses in the abovementioned specializations are: 1) The non-compliance of schools to the quality control assessment demands of CHEd (despite the rush to open courses that are in) and the lack UNSPOILED HYPOTHESIS

Quality control in education doesnt end after graduation.

thought. However, some schools go overboard, putting worth on quantity over quality of students. In the University, for instance, when an applicant obtains a score lower than the cut off in the English sub-test in the entrance examination, he or she is offered an English (+) course and is admitted as a college student of the University if the same person chooses to enroll in here. Instead of making our academe more competitive, we succumb to a policy that will devalue the academic excellence of our institutions in the future. Perhaps, its the right time for the University and other schools to review their policies

RAY ADRIAN MACALALAG

of independent measures on quality control in schools; and 2) The leniency of college or university academic boards in accepting high school graduates who are disqualified or unprepared to go to college, basically for capital purposes. In the advent of new technology and the rising number of nurses, teachers and businessmen-wannabes, the tendency of our schools is to cater the interest of the high school graduates who want to take up the said courses fields that would easily land college graduates a job today, as shown in the trend in Philippine and worldwide employment. A logical decision it is at first

on accepting college students. A stringent entrance examination is one yardstick that could safeguard quality control in student admission. Add to that a Once Lower Than The Cut Off Score, No Admission policy in the entrance examination. Secondly, our schools should re-assess the status of the present programs that theyre offering and whether the graduates that they produce obtain a job that is directly connected to their field of specialization. Should there be major lapses in meeting the curriculum requirements for a certain program, among other academic difficulties met by the institution for the same, it would be more reasonable to close that program despite the high number of enrollees. Moreover, to make sure in the future that their graduates earn job positions close to their college degrees, universities and colleges should keep track of the whereabouts of their
hyPOthesIs/Page 7

Editors-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors Senior Writers

Staff Writers

Photographer Staff Artist Circulation Ofcer Moderator

Jefferson Magbanua Donna Isabelle Fresnido Ray Adrian Macalalag Mary Leslie Eregia Josefa Maria Castro Josh Von Iron Tondo Andre Karl Faculin Genessa Buenafe James Marthy Esleyer Mia Rose Emboltura Febrielyn Tumines Kevin George Barrios Jerson Elmido Darlyn Herradura Kristine Louise Andrade Nicole Fernan Caminian John Louie Esmaya Gladys Confesor

The Augustinian is the ofcial student newspaper of the University of San Agustin. It is published twice a year by the USA Publications with editorial ofce at the 2nd Floor, Alumni Hall, University of San Agustin, Gen. Luna St., 5000 Iloilo City. Comments, suggestions, and contributions may be sent to the Editorial Board through the E-mail address usa.publications@rocketmail.com.

IN Suzanne Collins novel The Hunger Games, we see a dystopic future in which, as punishment for rebellion, the beaten districts yearly send tributes of children ages 12-18 to the Capitol. They engage in a televised bloody battle to the finish for the amusement of the elite Capitol citizens, the victor having the privilege of a full belly for the rest of his/ her life. The Hunger Games has been condemned as nothing but violence for violences sake, a gratuitous bloodbath made sicker by the fact that children are the gladiators. The idea of children killing each other for survival and entertainment does bring a sick taste to the mouth, but Collins unusually graphic description of The Hunger Games has a deeper purpose than simple shock factor. Her message is clear: human dignity can be overridden when you

Nobody wins
Sometimes principles and values do get blurred when youre faced with the challenge of keeping yourself alive.
have nothing to eat, when you are hard-pressed to ensure your survival. And that dignity is most easily stripped away from children who deserve to hold on to innocence the most. In a country where private armies carelessly fire on women and children and the word tax is synonymous to sanctioned abuse, The Hunger Games is very much alive. You see it in the widening gap between rags and riches, the religiousness in which people place their bets on jueteng and lotto, in the monotonous tone of street children begging you for the INSERT LATIN PHRASE HERE

DONNA ISABELLE FRESNIDO

last bite of your burger. Upon one of my visits at the Women and Childrens Protection Desk just across the University, I happened to see two boys brought in after stealing food in a fastfood resto. They were already familiar faces to the staff, and it was clear that the boys understood the SOP well: they would be detained for a few days, and then let go, free to break another law for the sake of their stomachs. I c a n t b l a m e t h e m . Sometimes principles and values do get blurred when youre faced with the challenge

of keeping yourself alive. Unlike The Hunger Games, where death comes swiftly as possible, the unfortunate on the streets are eaten day by day from the inside by their own stomachs. I cannot dwell on the causes of such a predicament, for to cite one will lead to another, and another, just like cutting off the Hydras heads. I can only hope that whatever dignity these children have will remain intact. Still, happy endings are hard to imagine. The Hunger Games, indeed. This time, nobody wins. * * * For the first and only time in my 14 years of education, I get to write a valediction. Yay! Im thankful for the privilege, although I certainly am not fond of saying goodbye twice, unlike some Pubpips in the past. To my BS Psychology-4
latIN/Page 7

FOR the first time ever, I actually typed will the world end in 2012? on google. Okay, so this might not seem like the hottest new topic on the block since this whole 2012-end-of-the-world thing has been going on for quite some time now. The first time I heard of it two years back, I couldnt help but mischievously chuckle (mentally, that is) at all the gullible people who actually feared the dawning of December 21, 2012. After becoming a trending topic on the net, the 2012 prophecy became the basis of a movie which further heightened the hype and injected fear in the minds of even more people. I dont believe in ghosts, the supernatural, and superstitions, not even prophecies. Sure, Ive read a lot of stuff about Nostradamus and the like, but Ive always told myself that all of these were mere coincidences. I mean, lets face it, Im sure that a lot of prophecies didnt come true throughout the course of history. People only remembered and took into account the ones that did happen. When the earthquake in

signs
And so I keep telling myself that this is all but a huge coincidence.
Haiti happened last January and people said this was an early sign that the 2012 prophecy was real, I told myself that they were simply over-analyzing things and that they needed to stop being paranoid. There have been many reports that earthquakes all over the world have swiftly escalated in number over the past few years. Yet again, I keep telling myself that this is all just some sort of a huge coincidence. Apathetic as I am, I believed that all of these incidents were nothing to be gravely worried about. It was when the devastating earthquake that struck Japan last March did I begin to feel a tad bit worried. When I first heard of it, I thought it was just another regular, run-of-themill earthquake that probably caused a few damages here

BEAUTY AND MADNESS

OPINION

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011

JOSEFA MARIA CASTRO

in there. To say that I was wrong would be a colossal understatement. News ashes on TV, the radio, and even on Facebook, were all about the earthquake. I began receiving text messages saying that a tsunami was bound to hit the Philippines in a few hours, and thats when it suddenly hit me. This was no laughing matter and all I could do was pray. Thankfully though, the Philippines was spared. Another ongoing issue that has been running through the back of my mind is the fact that a lot of countries are feuding. Nations are up in arms, in rebellion, under a state of chaos and anarchy, and determined to oust their present leaders. While watching a news report about the on-going combat in Afghanistan, a mental image of World War II suddenly popped

up in my head. I didnt even want to think about it, but deep-down, a part of my gut twisted suggesting the possible occurrence of another world war. I kept telling myself to stop letting my imagination run wild. I gasped, paused for a moment, and prayed yet again. Ive been pondering on these things for quite some time now. Ive summed it down to two possibilities: If the world does end in 2012, it would be because of the natural will of Mother Nature, as clearly depicted in the movie. or, the people themselves would turn against one another, creating an outbreak of a new world war and nations would fall, bringing leaders to their knees. Okay, so its now clear to everyone that my imagination has gone a bit overboard. I dont know if everything that Ive written is a product of my over-indulgence in news reports, resulting in me becoming overly paranoid, or if the signs are true. Either way, its best if we prepare for the worst and hope for the best, every single day.

Not a bad Deal

At the end of a long and eventful road, I leave this organization with mixed feelings, both bitter and sweet.
PRODIGY

JEFFERSON MAGBANUA

HUWEBES. Mataas na ang araw noon nang pilit kong imulat ang aking mga mata. Nagtaka ako kung bakit hindi tumunog ang aking alarm clock. Nang tiningnan ko ang orasan, napatalon ako sa aking kama nang nakita kong 6:30 na pala. Sa oras na ito, dapat bumabyahe na ako papunta sa hospital para magduty. Kapag hindi kasi ako makakaabot sa 6:45 na cut off time, mabibigyan naman ako ng ekstensyon sa duty. Halos hindi ako magkamayaw sa mga dapat kong gawin. Pasalamat na lang ako noon kasi gumana ang adrenalin rush sa akin at nagawa ko ang maligo, kumain at magbihis sa loob ng ilang minuto lamang. Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip na pumara ng taxi para makahabol sa duty. Mabigat man sa kalooban at sa bulsa ang Php80 na binayad ko sa driver, naisip kong mas mabuti na lamang ito kaysa sa extensyon. Sayang, ...HYPOTHESIS/Page 6 past products and measure the number and percentage of graduates who have actually landed in a job that is connected to his or her degree. To illustrate what I mean and to crystallize why I push for the abovementioned evaluation plans for quality control, heres one question: Why are there a lot of Business Administration, Education, Nursing and HRM graduates working as agents in call centers when the job isnt directly associated to their degrees? Worse, there are those HRM graduates who work as staff in small eateries and IT graduates in internet cafs. While the lack of job opportunities is a factor, the lack of academic

sampung Piso
NAIVET

taxi.

MIA ROSE EMBOLTURA

Sakit sa ulo at sa bulsa lamang ang naidudulot ng lahat ng dagdag presyo

Para sa mga mahilig magtaxi, hindi biro ang sampung pisong dagdag sa pamasahe sa taxi. Kung napapalakas ang bwelta ng mga pasahero sa pisong patong sa pamasahe sa dyip, ano pa kaya ang sampung pisong dagdag sa flag down rate ng mga taxi? Sakit sa ulo at sa bulsa lamang ang naidudulot ng lahat ng dagdag presyo mapapamasahe o ano pa man. Sa bahin ng mga estudyante, lalo na sa mga takot mahuli sa duty o pasok gaya ko, malaking kaltas ito sa baon. Imbes na pambayad sa photocopy at pantawid-gutom, napupunta pa sa pamasahe sa ...LATIN/Page 6 and 1P-2 classmates, for showing me a beautiful, living Gestalt puzzle and how the whole is definitely not the sum of its parts. To Meatball Bermudo and Isabel Medez, for the books, balut, and imaginary boys. To my Psychology teachers, I would never have seen my own potential until you acted disappointed whenever I slacked off. To the University and CAS debating teams, whose motto is, strangely, In vino veritas, I am honored for the friendship and stressful nights. To Sir Demz Toledo, Sir Betito and Sir Anfred Panes, coaches old and new, I hope I can do you proud by mentoring other debaters who may turn out far

pambili pa sana ng pagkain `yun kung mas maaga akong gumising. Ika-24 ng Enero, 2011 nang ipatupad ang sampung pisong dagdag sa flag down sa ilang kumpanya ng taxi rito sa Iloilo. Mas mabigat ito kung ikukumpara sa nakasanayang Php30 na ag down rate. Bagamat hindi pa lahat ng kumpanya ng taxi ang nasasakop ng pagtaas na ito habang sinusulat ang komentaryong ito, sigurado namang magtataas din ng Php10 ang ag down ng ibang kumpanya dahil nga sa pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina sa pandaigdigang kalakalan. preparation while in college is another important cause. This is an issue that schools have neglected to address. Quality control in education doesnt end after graduation. Schools have to straighten the disillusioned paths of their clients, the students and measuring performance for quality control purposes will be of great help. The CHEds memorandum is just a precautionary measure to combat problems on quality of students and graduates, job-mismatch and underemployment. Its not an end-all be-all solution but it will pave the way to have an educational system that looks into quality over quantity. Besides, not all that offers more is good.

Apektado rin ang mga taxi driver sa pagtaas na ito kahit pa man ang ibig sabihin nitoy dagdag sa kita. Dahil sa sampung pisong pagtaas sa ag down sa taxi, tataas din ang singil sa boundary pass ng mga operator. Ilakip na rin natin dito ang patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng gasolina. Maaaring bahagyang mababawasan ang mga sasakay ng taxi dahil dito. Sa panahon ngayon kung kailang halos lahat ay nagiging mabigat sa bulsa, kailangan nating bigyang halaga ang bawat sentimo o piso na ating binibitawan. Sa mga mahilig mag-taxi, hanggat maaari, iwasan muna natin ang pagsakay sa taxi. Iwasang maburaw at kapag umuulay magdala ng payong. Tiyak makakatipid pa tayo sa dyip kaysa sa taxi. Dapat maging praktikal upang ang halagang katumbas ng ating peray higit na mapakinabangan. better than I. To Sam, Jai, Jenny, Ken, and Paolo, hi. To RV, please dont forget that you agreed to a 50% discount. To my spawns, all four of them, behave when Mommy graduates. To Darlyn Morla Herradura, mature ka guid man. To Louie, Jerson, and Sheena, hanga ko sa pagkamaabilidadan niyo. To Maam Confy Confesor, as you read this, I apologize for the unforgivable lateness of my articles. Thanks for being what a moderator should be; we sure fattened up this year. To Jeff and Josh, who were my fellow Pubpips for the longest time, look at how the kids have grown. And you, dear reader, how can I possibly forget you? Thank you all.

WHENEVER my then classmates ask me, Jeff, hows life in the USA Publications? I always reply with an array of safe, readymade answers that sometimes are so far off from the definite reality that it totally misses the point. And so, my life in the Pub, as we call it, is concealed from many people. Perhaps the reason why I opt to go for the safe answer is because it is too complicated to talk about the multitude of emotions one feels upon becoming a student journalist in this University. On one hand, it is an ennobling feeling giving back to the Augustinian community by chronicling the Universitys history in our newspapers and magazines. On the other end, there is the constant stress and pressure of the job to consider, which makes being in the schools media corps a daunting commitment not to be taken lightly. One such stress as a student writer would be the fact that you have to be deadline-oriented. I must admit that in most cases we cant publish on time and I apologize for that. I normally would have to badger the staff members first and wait for their articles to be completed and edit the texts on and on before we could produce the printed copies. Though we only intended to publish two newspapers and two magazines this school year (we had six 8-page newspapers in previous years), the work load to fill in two 16-page newspapers and two 40-page magazines with relevant information and discussions is extremely difficult a work load to consider thats because we put emphasis on the quality of the outputs. Its nothing short of a slow gory death reminiscent of Kill Bill grade. But amidst the insanity of this set-up, one must not forget that there still is the academics to consider. While on the surface it may look like your loud neighborhood student journalists live in the Publications office, we actually take our academics very seriously. Of course, to the untrained eye, this doesnt normally show because some of us are often late or even absent in class, making it look as if we were contestants in an a special episode of Who Wants to Get Dropped/Failed? It is only logical to put academics on top, considering that you cant be a student writer without being a student. And with academics and the extra-curricular activities taking most of our time, it is a given that some aspect of our life must therefore take a backseat less time for yourself, your friends, your family and even your love life. All these are from the writers perspective, of course. The student editors point-of-view, on the other hand, is a different story altogether. While the legwork is considerably less, the mental strain of the job more than makes up for it. There are story proposals to think of, stubborn staff members to discipline (or kick out), the red ink-filled drafts with corrections from the language critic and moderator, complaints from faculty members and administrators alike, the recurring No Comment Because Im Not in the Office responses from officials and sources (as if they were involved in a dark occult secret happening in the Ministry of Magic), not to mention the presswork days wherein at times you have to overtime just to finish the newspaper or magazine and usually coming home at six or seven in the evening, only to find in one time that your second cousin was born on September 13, too. So why bother being a student journalist at the USA Publications, if it seems to be one problem after another? The answer would be that it is well worth it. Despite everything you have to hurdle along the way I delight in the fact that, even after four years of staying in this organization, I still continue to learn something new every day. And not just writingrelated and political science lessons, mind you, but also things not directly related to my course and my special interest. And more than the goldmine of experience, there is also the people you meet to consider. A lot of times I have thought about giving up but its the bond I have established with my co-workers, my sidekicks that keeps me rooted to the school paper. Thank God for those crazy people for keeping me sane throughout the stressful years. At the end of a long and eventful road, I leave this organization with mixed feelings, both bitter and sweet. I am thankful to be free from the shackles of this very demanding job, but at the same time, I relish in the memories of success and hardships the staffers have endured just for the sake of writing for the Universitys students. Not a bad deal, I think, even it means pulling a few muscles from all the heavy lifting along the way. To the next batch of student journalists, especially to the next editors-in-chief, may you continue to chronicle the Universitys glorious history and the life of the students. And may the spirit of accuracy and objectivity guide your hands as you begin to ink each and every article over the course of your college writing career. No worries, I shall be with you in this and together, we shall live by what we have promised to live by to be excellent campus journalists for the common good.

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011

Finding the Victims of Child Labor

By Genessa Buenafe

STUDENTS, sin-o sa inyo naka agi pamasura? That one question became the open door for my non-ending search for something from someone I didnt know, somewhere in unfamiliar places. Frustration hit me as I thought about my articles that were overdue and my research in Filipino that was still left undone. Sitting by the window, I saw a wooden panel give way to offer me a view of a class of very young children in Pakiad Elementary School. An English teacher having her class at 4:00 p.m. gave me an idea for my articles and somehow eased my frustration. After a few minutes, I was

chatting with Lino (not his real name), the teachers student in Grade 3 who had survived a hard life weighing trash three years ago. He told me a very moving story about difficulties when his pregnant mother got sick, happiness when there was a cup of rice to cook, envy when his classmates had shoes while he only had Dragon slippers, and contentment whenever he found a heap of plastic bottles in someones trash. This is his story his quest for a handful of coins, his search through microbe-infested garbage, and his obligation to be his familys only hope of survival.

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owned He also had some fancy lines in him. Best in Interview As I gradually broached the issue on why he was doing the garbage thing, his eyes dimmed for a moment and he finally said, Paano ko magkabalon? Paano kami kabakal asin sa tinda? Waay kami sud-anon eh. His eyes were watery as he concluded that if he only had the money he wouldnt have had to waste time carrying sacks of garbage. Apparently, no child would ever want to do such things, to start work at four in the morning everyday and to carry out the responsibility of a provider. Having seen this reality, the government took action accordingly. The act against child labor was born. Republic Act No. 9231, better known as the Special Protection of Children against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, has provisions that safeguard every young child from the worst forms of child labor and afford stronger protection for the working child. Despite all the government efforts to eliminate cases of child labor, there are still unscrupulous groups or agencies that employ children who are desperate to work due to poverty. And work does not only mean pamasura; there are far worse jobs. Stuck in my thoughts, I pondered. Lino is somehow lucky after all, gathering household waste is not as strenuous as carrying packages from boat to boat, not as shameful as selling stolen mobile phones and not as dangerous as scaling skyscrapers to do paint jobs. The common question in anyones

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Best in Talent Kwarta na mo! Stunned about my negative reaction to his story of rummaging through trash, Lino gave me a lecture on how valuable every junk was: 10 pesos per kilo of plastic bottles, three pesos per kilo of tin cans and , if he got lucky, a stack of dry unsoiled newspapers for his personal library collection. He added that reading was his favorite habit as much as solving Math problems in school, contrary to the present interest of some young children who consider playing Tap Tap Evolution as a much better habit than gathering old reading materials and actually reading it. I almost couldnt get in a word while he was talking but I finally got a chance to ask him how he got all the trash despite competing with so many kids like him. Pa dasig-dasig lang na ya. The early bird gets the trash. smiles Lino. Talent wasnt the only one he

mind is, why couldnt child labor stop? Maybe its also a question of whos stopping them (child laborers)? Some people? A few people? No one at all? For the child laborers, looking for someone to help them and fight for them will never be easy. Imol lang si tatay kag nanay pero bal-an ko indi man ni nila gusto para sa akon. Nangita gid obra si tatay eh. Te subong waay na ko gapamasura. says Lino just to end the awkward silence. His face lit up and his feet wiggled again. Indeed, parents are the most responsible persons for their childrens welfare. Through responsible parenthood, there is a greater possibility that child labor would finally come to an end.

Little Mr. Basurero 2011 is... Tapos na, nang? Lino asked me. I nodded and kept smiling at him as I thanked him. He put on his worn out backpack and went on his way out of the school, smiling back at me a couple of times. My encounter with Little Mr. Basurero 2011 ended there. Soon another writer would have to do a similar search because there are still many victims of child labor out there. And that means, more awards would be given and not just Mr. Basurero but also Mr. Kargador, Ms. Tindera, Mr. Minero, Binibining Magsasaka and Ginoong Karpentero. And theyre all waiting to be crowned.

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Filipino christmas in the middle east

By Kristine Louise Andrade
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bajanfuhlife.wordpress.com

GROWING up far away from your homeland can deprive you of a lot of things. I myself grew up in the Middle East Jeddah to be exact. As many of us know, the Middle East, compared to the United States or Europe, does have a lot of restrictions such as absolutely no provocative clothing, not much public photography, no public displays of affection (holding hands, hugging and the like). Since the Middle East embraces Islam, it is understandable that Christian OFWs like my family refrain from publicly displaying the Christian faith and practices. Not that our Muslim brothers and sisters forbid it, but we did it just to avoid problems on cultural differences.

Because of that, we OFWs, had to be discreet in celebrating Christian holidays, especially Christmas. Our Christmas celebrations were quite similar to how we do it here in the Philippines. The only difference is that we didnt do the simbang gabi, caroling, hanging Christmas lights, and having ham for Christmas dinner. We usually started the celebration by taking walks along Malik Road by the seaside. Wed have a picnic there, my family and some of our close friends. Wed have shawarma (the good kind, the one that could actually make me full) and some Al-Baik (the Jollibee of Jeddah). After that, wed head on to Danube or Sarawat for grocery shopping. My mom usually did the

cooking for our tropas gathering. Our group consisted of about five families, including ours, and many bachelors or bachelorettes the more the merrier. If we could not come home to the Philippines to celebrate with our families, then we could do it with our second family, our tropa. Just like here in the Philippines, when wed say Come at six, we came at least an hour late, too. That would apparently never change. The venue varied. Usually we held celebrations out of town, in Obhur mostly. There, we would rent villas with a pool and a basketball or volleyball court. When we were not that many, we would spend it at a katropas spacious apartment. Cooking

came next, which meant Mom was on high alert and the other family members, if incapable of helping, must stay out of sight. The tropa would arrive and we were ready to start the festivities. We would have some Shisha (a non-alcoholic beverage), and of course, Sadiki (alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the Middle East, but Pinoys are very resourceful). Karaoke is always present in every OFW gathering, even here in the Philippines, right? Then we would have gift-giving, parlor games, more food, hugging, but underlying all of these, some pangs of sadness. No matter how much merrymaking we made, we could never get rid of that feeling, that longing to come home.

I spent most of my Christmas in Saudi Arabia. Growing up, I never really had that kind of Christmas my parents and grandparents told me about. When my cousins here in the Philippines would tell me how envious they were of me, I always wondered, Why would they be? The OFWs are somehow fortunate, yes, but they are deprived of something that can never be bought. They long for simbang gabi, Sky Flakes in a tin box and the beautiful melody from attened bottle caps. They long for that kind of Christmas in which even the smallest feast can bring families together from miles around and fill everyone with the spirit of the season. They long for a real Paskong Pilipino.

Fish Spa:

The New Way to Relax

By Darlyn Herradura

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FISH. When people hear the word, they usually imagine a goldfish oating around in a fish bowl, occasionally bumping its head against the glass. When people hear the term pedicure, they imagine a manicurist bending over a customers hand or foot, a nail file or some other instrument in her hands. The words fish and pedicure are almost never used together, but fish pedicures, commonly known as fish spas, have just hit the city. Most people think that fish spas are a recent discovery, but, contrary to popular belief, they were discovered centuries ago. Fish pedicures date back to the 1800s, when they were first used to help those suffering from psoriasis and eczema. According to a Turkish legend, a shepherd who injured his foot stuck it into a hot spring teeming with small fish. The foot healed, and word about the hot spring spread. A treatment center for skin ailments was built around the springs near the Turkish town of Kangalthe location of the most famous and oldest fish spa in the world. In such locations, doctor fishes abound in naturally occurring hot springs and spa pools. Technically, fish spas are a form of ichthyotherapy, which uses fresh water or marine organisms to cleanse or condition the skin. Although

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011

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different species of fish can be used in the process, garra rufa, also known as doctor fish, is most often used in fish spas. The so-called fish spa is actually a very simple operation. The patient immerses a part of the body, commonly the feet, or the whole body in the pool with the fish. The fish will then nibble on the dead skin, removing it and creating a ticklish sensation. Depending on the number of fish, the treatment can last from thirty minutes to an hour. Also known as the therafishes, doctor fishes can remove dead skin cells or cuticles, promote the healthy growth of new skin, clear pores, and improve blood circulation. The ticklish sensation produced when fish nibble on your skin is said to enhance the whole fish spa experience. Some have described the sensation as similar to very tiny, mild electric currents which activate the nerve endings in your body. Another said that it can be like a bunch of ants tickling your feet. The treatment leaves the skin feeling softer and smoother. But fish spas arent as harmless as they seem. Cosmetology regulators in the United States of America have insisted that fish pedicures are unsanitary. The problem is the cosmetology regulations generally require that tools need to be replaced

or sanitized after every use. In this case, the tools are the fish. However, doctor fish are too expensive to throw away and replace regularly. Fish spas have been banned in fourteen states in the US, including Texas and Florida. The ban has been a source of great consternation for spa and nail salon owners who have already bought the required equipment, including fish and custom-made tanks which cost as much as 17,000 dollars. Owners say that, amidst the recession, the ban has greatly affected their finances. Proponents of fish pedicures are already taking measures to save fish pedicures. They say that fish pedicures are safe as long as the water is kept clean. According to Kevin Miller the executive director of the Ohio Board of Cosmetology, fish spas are so out of the ordinary that the first reaction is to say no. Meanwhile, in Nevada, state Assemblyman Tick Segerblom introduced a bill that would lift the ban on fish pedicures. Mr. Segerblom represents a Chinese client with a foot-massage business in Las Vegas. Whether youre against or completely into fish spas, theyve definitely made quite a splash in the local scene. Its a fresh way to relax, not just by yourself but with your friends. Just make sure the waters clean, though. So I started typing my response. It was full of profanities at first. Then I told myself, This shizz wants me to get hurt. He wants me to react this way. Im playing his game. So I deleted the harsh words and tamed them a bit. The internet is indeed a dangerous place sometimes. People can be really mean to you and they can get away with it because theres the infamous anonymous button. Reects Medez, I thought I was strong enough (to face bullying) and I found out I wasnt. I thought by watching movies and reading books with a similar feel, I could live vicariously through them. But when the real deal actually comes, it has a different feeling because this time its my experience, not others. Murky area Recognizing that cyber-bullying is a murky area for law enforcers, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago seeks to define the boundaries a little bit clearer through her Senate Bill No. 2677, or the proposed AntiBullying School Policy Act. The bill defines cyber-bullying as an offense committed through electronic devices such as, but not limited to, texting, instant messaging, chatting, Internet and social networking websites. SB 2677 also requires schools to create anti-bullying policies and record relevant information on bullying, and allow parents and guardians to report anonymously bullying incidents. Another page While Medez and Cathy have the metaphorical scars to show the effects of bullying, they can only move forward and be glad that such an experience has made them stronger. Ive [re-built] myself and if people want to bully me, Id like to see them try, laughs Cathy. Adds Medez, There are no regrets. Im thankful it happened, seriously. Learning transpired. Its another page in my book.

Sticks and Stones

By Josefa Maria Castro and Donna Isabelle Fresnido

WHAT do teens Sladjana Vidovic, Eric Mohat, and Tyler Clementi have in common? Although they may come from different paths, all of them committed suicide after deciding that facing internet taunts, threatening phone calls and sullen stares on a daily basis were not simply worth it. Bosnian immigrant Vidovic hanged herself from her bedroom window. Mohat, accused of being homosexual by his peers, shot himself. Clementi, a talented violinist, jumped to his death from a bridge after a video of his sexual dalliance with a man was posted online. Rite of passage Seen before as a rite of passage some unfortunate child and teen must undergo to grow up, bullying is getting a lot of attention for getting out of hand and being more than just a mixed bag of childish pranks and hostile intentions. Here in the Philippines, the bullying situation has not reached the critical level of suicide, unlike countries like America and Japan. As of this writing, there had been no reported cases of suicide in the Philippines due to bullying. Audy Morphy de Asis, a guidance counselor at the University of San Agustin Basic Education Department (USABED), believes this is because of the Filipinos social structure. The Pinoy has his/her barkada. If someone pushed you around, youd tell your father, your mother, your friends. The ill feelings dont pile up in your chest. Westerners tend to be more individualistic. When youre alone, youre really alone. Left a scar Still, even with the Filipino family and friends as a sort of safety net for the bullied, the bullys hand

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reaches far and wide. Cathy (not her real name), a fresh college graduate, is consistently on the deans list throughout her undergraduate years and is eager to take up law. This accomplished persona is far from who she was in grade school. She attended grades 1 and 2 in a school run by nuns. Being a slight child, she attracted the eye of bullies. They were a group, and the leader, a big chubby girl, liked to pinch the back of my hands. She often drew blood. I couldnt complain to the teacher because she saw the bullies as model students. The bullies would tear pages from her books, bump against her in the hallways, and take the toys she bought from the tiangge outside. I shared my troubles with my parents but it was only when they noticed that I had dark bags under my eyes did they transfer me. My mother told me that it wasnt right for an eight-year old child to go home looking so stressed. She was transferred to another Catholic school and before long, she learned to speak out and her academic performance improved. These days, she can only recall the bullying incidents and heave a sigh of relief. They say sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. But those bullies really left a scar.

Im glad I got out in time. Dissecting the bully De Asis notes that, as in Cathys case, elementary bullies tend to be physically big. Usually the ones who start the teasing are the big kids. They can afford to be the aggressor because they can physically take on smaller kids. You can spot them in the way they interact with others their age. They always have this aura of authority. Physical size isnt the only factor in pinpointing a bully. In his experience as a guidance counselor, de Asis shares that sometimes bullies are formed through lack of self-expression at home. They behave well at home but they see the school setting as an avenue for expressing what they cannot express at home. In general, de Asis notes that bullying is most rampant during Grades 4 to 6, sometimes extending until second year high school. To help bullies re-understand the situation, the USABED Guidance Center talks to them and asks them to see things from the victims side. There are also individual and group counselling and values formation. He adds, The best way to stand up to bullies is to tell the authorities. Some may think that those who report to the teacher are tattletales, but this

is one misconception that de Asis wishes to correct. If you have already reported the bully and he/she continues to harass you, the school would have to step in and penalize the bully. They have rules and regulations for that. New tricks However, what happens if the bully remains faceless, anonymous? With the advancements of technology, the quintessential bully has stepped up from mere shoves in the school hallways to threats and character assassination online with graver consequences. It seems that this old dog has learned new tricks. These new tricks were played on Isabel Medez, a junior from the College of Arts and Sciences. Totally immersed in the online world with her accounts on various social networking sites, she was startled when an anonymous user on Formspring.com asked her pointblank, why are you soooooooooooooooooooooo fat? Medez admits that she was teased about her weight problem when she was a child, but that query just slapped it onto my face. She relates, I stared at it for a good few seconds. I felt numb, so to speak.... That was a first for me, cyberbullying. I wanted to cry, but the tears wouldnt come out.

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DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011

Cosplay at ang Pinoy

nina James Marthy Esleyer at Mia Rose Emboltura

PATOK na patok ngayon ang tinatawag na costume play o mas kilala sa tawag na cosplay. Ito ay isang pagganap kung saan ang mga kalahok ay nagsusuot ng mga kasuotan at palamuti hango sa isang karakter o ideya mula sa popular na palabas, komiks, pelikula, computer

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games, manga, anim at iba pa. Naging kilala man itong libangan sa bansang Japan kung saan unang ginamit ni Nobuyaki Takahashi ang salitang cosplay, una itong nasaksihan sa Estados Unidos. Dito ginaya ang mga sikat na pelikula tulad ng Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who at iba pa. Pakay nito na isabuhay ang mga karakter katulad ng pagsasabuhay ng mga aktor sa isang palabas. Masinsinang ginagaya ng mga cosplayer ang pananamit, kagamitan, kilos, emosyon, pananalita at mannerism ng karakter na kanila isinasalarawan. Sa paraang ito, nararamdaman nilang para ila na mismo ang karakter. Hindi madali ang paghahanda para rito. Kadalasan ang mga kagamitan at kasuotan na kanilang ginagamit ay ipinapasadya pang yariin upang magaya ng husto ang karakter. Umaabot nga ang ilan ng libu-libo. Kabilang sa Pilipinong

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naging kilala sa larangang ito ay si Alodia Gosiengfiao na binansagang Reyna ng Cosplayers. At sa popularidad ng pasinayang ito, naitatag na ang kauna-unahang cosplay museum sa bansa, ika-8 ng Enero, 2010. Bagay na nagpapahiwatig ng pakikisabay ng mga Pilipino sa hindi maiiwasang pagbabago. Hindi maikakaila na tayong mga Pinoy ay may tatak na mga dakilang imitator o may kahiligan nga sa pagsunod ng kung ano ang nauuso at sadyang hindi naman matatawaran ang ating galing sa larangang ito. Isa ring dahilan ang tinatawag na self-expression o pagpapahayag lamang ng saloobin ng isang tao upang makatawag ng atensyon. Sa kadahilang ito, nagiging madali para sa atin ang gampanan ang ilang pagsasabuhay ng mga sikat na karakter ayon sa ating mga nakikita dahil likas sa mga kaugalian natin ang mga ito. At lamang tayo rito. Kung saan man patungo ang mga pagbabago, siguradong hindi papayagang mahuli ng mga Pilipino. Sadlak man sa sari-saring anyo ng kahirapan, makasisiguro kang may mga ngiti ka pa ring masisilayan hanggang kinabukasan.

mYrtLe aBiGaiL sarrosa

Sunny Days in Singapore

By Gian Bermudo

SOMETIME in July 2010, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Isidoro Cruz, showed me a CHEd memo about a youth camp in Singapore. My interest perked up but I really didnt mind it that much; after all, only eight students in the entire Philipines would be selected to join the Singapore Sunburst Youth Camp, an annual event usually held in December and sponsored by the Singapore Technologies Endowment Program (STEP), designed to afford the Asian youth the opportunity to gather for a weeklong sharing of time, talents and resources in order to promote international understanding, bonding and goodwill. I thought I didnt stand a chance. Besides, the deadline for submission of all the required documents was right the next day. Anyway, I did what I could in a urry to comply with all the requirements and beat the deadline. A few weeks later, I received an E-mail confirming that I had made it to the semifinals to be held on August 5, 2010 at De Paul College. There were 12 qualifiers

who had to compete in an interview and a talent showcase round. The experience was a first for me since I had never been an extemporaneous speaker and I only had three days to prepare; but luck seemed to be on my side for I managed to snag one of the coveted eight slots. The preparation for the trip was extensive. As members of the Philippine delegation, the eight of us needed to prepare a cultural dance presentation and a country exhibit to be showcased on the last day of SYC (Sunburst Youth Camp). Our group rehearsed every weekend starting in October until a few days prior to our trip to Singapore in December. During the weekend rehearsals, we were hosted by and billeted in different schools here in Iloilo and USA was one of those generous enough to accommodate us. Arriving in Singapore was indeed an experience I would forever cherish, it being my first trip outside of the Philippines. We were housed at the RELC Hotel where I had a Vietnamese and a Cambodian roommate for two days. All of us participants were divided into eight groups, each composed of five
Gian Bermudo

Singaporeans and one from each of the 12 countries that participated. On the first day we were treated to a series of team-building activities at Outward Bound Singapore in Pulau Ubin. Here, we got to do all kinds of activities from rock climbing to catapultmaking. Our second day was spent on an educational trip to Nanyang Technological University and at Singapore Science Center. It was an informative and fun trip and we also got to have a little time for shopping during the night. For me, however, the true essence of SYC was on the third day, during our Singapore Discovery Challenge in which we were tasked to go to all the places and landmarks that were assigned to us. It was on this day that I really bonded with my group. I will never forget how we had to run from bus stop to bus stop, how we had to jump from train to train, all the while shouting nonstop, hurry, faster. Before this day, I was not really having the time of my life as I had expected it to be. However, the moment I taught them the hot to go cheer inside the train, I finally

opened up to the whole wonderful experience of SYC. On the fourth day, we went to Marina Barrage where we got to y kites representing all our dreams and just had a fun and wonderful lazy afternoon. That night, we saw Singapores breathtaking beauty when we went on a river cruise. We started getting jittery over the country exhibit contest on the last day of camp. Despite the buttery-in-the-stomach feeling, however, I felt that we had wowed the audience with our exhibit and show-and-tell. After all, we had brought an entire tiangge (Safari corn bits, Chocnut bars, three-inone Nescafe packets, Lucky Me instant noodles, Judge bubble gum, etc.) to Singapore and shared it with everyone for them to see and literally taste the best of Philippine culture. Based on feedback, the Singaporean organizers said they were truly amazed by our exhibit and show-and-tell presentation. With our emotions in high gear, we retreated to our chaperones room to prepare for the cultural presentation. When it was time for us to perform, we were inspired to do our best because we were loudly cheered on by a supportive and encouraging crowd. As we made our final bow, tears of joy were streaming down our faces. Doing our best to make

our country proud and acting as ambassadors of goodwill were very moving experiences for all of us. Later, I felt very emotional upon knowing that some Filipinos who were working at the hotel came to watch our performance. In all honesty, we expected to win in both the country exhibit and cultural dance presentation competitions. But when we found out that we could not bring home the bacon for the country exhibit and that the cultural presentation was not a contest after all, we were devastated. However, we didnt allow our depression to get the better of us and so we partied on stage with our fellow campers. We did not come for the contest anyway but for the experience to share our culture and to get to know other cultures as well. Most importantly, we had made an enduring bond with our fellow youth from across Asia. The whole experience has given me a new perspective. Having had a glimpse of other cultures was truly an eyeopening experience for me. I have realized that differences in nationality, traditions, beliefs and personalities dont matter because in the end, we are still the same people living in one world.

Gian Bermudo

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The Adventures of the Helping Hands

By Febrielyn Tumines

COMMUNITY
although some old houses are made of concrete. Since the place is marked by vast fishponds and salt ponds, fish vending, panalaba, salt-making and crab fattening are some of the sources of livelihood of Panos-on families. Based on Tilipunan records, sixty-nine families earn an average monthly income of P2000 from the seasonal livelihood activities they engage in. To augment the family income, some residents, especially the women, would take on jobs as domestic helpers. Malnourishment has been widespread in the community which is one reason why Tilipunan chose it as its new community site. In 2008, according to the records of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office, Leganes ranked number ten on the list of towns with a high prevalence of malnutrition, up from number sixteen only from the year before. Brgy. Nabitasan is the largest barangay in Leganes, sprawling over a 600 -hectare area with a total of 539 households. It is composed of seven sitios: Proper, Baybay, Bungsu-an, Kaingin, Aquaville, Dangyad, and Panos-on. The results of the Tilipunan survey further revealed that during high tide, some of the houses get flooded. To avoid getting wet, everyone and everything in the house should go up on an elevated bed that stands on a 2-foot high pile of stones. Councilor Rexcel Pusoc, a Panos-on resident exclaimed, Mayad lang na

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I FELL in love with a place called Sitio Panos-on, Brgy. Nabitasan, Leganes. It wasnt love at first, but believe me or not, it was love at second sight. Sitio Panos-on is the newly proposed community site of the Tilipunan Community Service Center. It is a place we would never dream of travelling to or have some wacky photographs taken at; a place of poverty, unemployment, malnourishment and - something very fishy, literally. Isolated, being the farthest from the sitio proper among the seven sitios comprising Brgy. Nabitasan, Leganes, Sitio Panoson is a typical fishing community where most of the residents homes are built out of scrap materials

gani subong mo, san-o na, tatlo gid kami ka tuig nga gina baha-baha sang tubig dagat.[Its better now; before, we had to endure the ooding of sea water for three years.] Some of the problems Panos-on residents wake up to every day include water shortage, unstable livelihood, lack of food particularly rice, and even their dilapidated chapel. Everyday, potable water is delivered to them by a private operator, each container costing three pesos. Although they have a water source, a deep well with very abundant water supply, they do not use the water there for cooking and drinking because it is yellowish and it ignites when lighted. If they cook rice using the water from the deep well, the rice will turn out yellow as if it has been cooked with turmeric (kalawag). Kung way naka-deliver adlaw nga dya, kaluoy mga tawo dia eh[If no delivery is made today, the folks here are pitiful], Pusoc shared. Compounding the problem is the high unemployment rate and the big number of out-of-school youth. Being isolated, Sitio Panos-on can hardly avail of basic social services such as the free day care center. The preschoolers need to walk more than 800 meters to reach the nearest day-care center so most parents have chosen not to send their children to school. The residents also pointed out their chapel in the distance. What a shock I had when, at first glance, I thought it looked like a waiting shed! The broken doors, the cracks on the

faade and even the very small oor area would not make one think of it as a chapel. The residents faith, however, has remained strong, so despite their difficulties, they still attend the holy mass held there every first Sunday of the month. So why did I fall in love with a place that most people would think of as impossible to live in? One clear answer is that, in a world of material convenience and social inequality, theres still a place where people smile despite their poverty and share whatever little they have, and that, at the end of the day, never fail to thank God for everything. I want to thank them, too, for a very heartwarming treat of Mountain Dew and Skyakes for me and my friend.

Just sweet Dreams

By Mia Rose Emboltura and Febrielyn Tumines
paranaque.gov.ph

pia.gov.ph

bulatlat.com

MAILIE* turned off the light, hoping that the night would offer her the promise of sweet dreams. Tomorrow would be Saturday and she would be helping her nanay prepare the chicharon and the salted peanuts she was going to sell. She closed her eyes to sleep. She was halfway to dreamland when she felt rough hands crawling up her thigh. She saw a mans dark figure leaning closer and closer towards her... The next scene became such a nightmare that she wished it truly was. A beam of moonlight struck the silhouette and she saw it was her stepfather with a leering, wicked grin on his face. She tried to resist his advances but he was too strong for her to fight back. Thenshe became like a piece of wood pierced by a hammered nail. She was sixteen and for her, the world had stopped. It wasnt until she was under the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that she started a new life again, together with other abused children. Under the protective custody of the DSWD, Mailie and the other abused children undergo rehabilitation through group therapy conducted by qualified social workers, house parents, and region-based psychologists who compose the rehabilitation team. Counseling is also given and the children are engaged in some productivity-skills training activities such as baking, pot-making, etc. The abused children,

with their cooperation and their familys support, are sent to school and are allowed to live and play like ordinary children their age. In order to avoid social stigma, their condition and history of abuse are kept strictly confidential. So far, indi mo makita sa physical [looks] nga abused [sila]. Damo ang defiant; ginagaan man sila choices kag freedom. Dapat may willingness gid ang bata. (You cannot tell the abused through their physical features. Many are defiant; they are given choices and freedom. An [abused] child should have willingness [to go through therapy]), Ms. Judith Tanahe, Center Head, Home for Girls of the DSWD Field Office VI explained. Other services provided by the department include: social services, home-life services through the provision of basic needs from food to toiletries, psychological services, health or dental services, educational assistance services through sending the abused children to regular schools, economic services through skills-training, recreational services, developmental and spiritual services. Presently, the laws that have been enacted to protect the women and children from abuse include AntiSexual Harassment, Rape Victim Assistance and Protection, AntiTrafficking of Persons, Anti-Violence against Women and Children, and Womens and Childrens Desks and Services. Despite all the legislation, however, there were still 4456

pinoyfrontier.blogspot.com

reported cases of child abuse based on the Child Protection Unit Network (CPU-Net) 2007. For children aged 13-15 years old, 1,328 cases of abuse were reported, while for those in the 16-17 age bracket, 954 cases were logged. About 77% of these cases were on sexual abuse, 16% on physical abuse, and 2% on physical with sexual abuse. In Region VI, Western Visayas Medical Center, a member of CPUNet, has treated 238 cases. The top five regions with the most number of child abuse cases, based on DSWD records in 2007, were (from the highest down to the fifth: Region IX, Region III, Region VII, NCR, and Region I. Mailie turned off the light. She isnt afraid of the dark anymore. Now shes assured that shell get sleep in the new haven she calls home. There will be no more creepies and nightmares, just sweet dreams. *not her real name

food.mindanao.com

12

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011

A Little Thing Called Art

Kristine Louise andrade

ARTS and CULTURE

By Jerson Elmido and Febrielyn Tumines
Kristine Louise andrade

SOME people live on strings; theyre called musicians. Others impress through graceful hopping; theyre called ballerinas. Few people express through ink blots on skin, tattoos, and when they do, we call them drug pushers, ex-convicts and worst of all, forsaken children of God. Its long been known that a social stigma is attached to tattooed persons who, even now in the 21st century, are still ridiculed as dirty bastards. Whenever we pass by them, we think, Oh, come on, get some decent life, man! Ex-convicts, criminals, black sheep, drug addicts, warfreaks, and drunken masters are some of the awful words branded on them. Face Off Art should never be mistaken for simple filthiness. Take it from Cris Louie Antig, 22, of Sergeant Ink Tattoo, an expert in tattoo art. Tattoo is a self-expression of passion or love for art. Art is everyday life, he continued. He was recently named the winner in the Metal Ink Tattoo Expo held in March this year at the PNB-Iloilo Multi-Purpose Hall. Before taking up tattooing as a career, Cris spent a lot of time on intensive research on tattoo culture and the technical aspects of rules or mechanics. Though he wasnt able to finish his degree in Architectural Drafting at Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, two years of schooling and plenty of innate talent made him pursue his artistic goal despite the lack of a college degree due to financial constraints. Vanishing Like the gradual disappearance

tattoo artist cris louie antig the human skin as a sketchpad, an artist faces a lot of risks. Cris proudly declares, ...Everything ... here [is] disposable - from the needles to the gloves; and we have a sterilizer, [too]. Everything [should be] clean for our customers. Why? Because its art, not rubbish! There are different types of tattoo designs: Oriental, Biochemical, Modern, Old School, Religious, etc. According to Cris, the most common or the bestseller is the Oriental, since many are attracted to the Japanese style, especially for his customers who idolize the Yakuza. They range in age from 20 to 40 years old, mostly males. People under 18 years old are not accommodated. Moreover, all customers need to set an appointment with Cris before they can be inked so he can give them the time to do his magic art work on their skin. Prep Before the application of a tattoo, Cris makes sure to check the customers blood pressure and asks whether or not they have diabetes. At his shop in Barangay. Hippodromo near Fine Rock Hotel, it is also customary for Cris to ask the customers why they want to be tattooed, what the story is behind their chosen design or how the design connects to their lives. He does this to make sure that his Trends are a consequence of one persons behavior or a small group of peoples preference perceived to be novel in some way. A good example of a fad would be the fashion trends and lifestyle set by popular stars and seen by thousands of people, thanks to the different forms of media. Television advertisements have proven to be very inuential in our choice of food, clothing and even daily household items. Not only that, even the cyber world has its fair share of trends. Trending topics on social networking sites and viral videos can also be counted as fads. These can quickly catch on among all kinds of people, male or female, young and old. But what is it that makes these fads become so viral in a very short period of time? The answer is simple: all of this is a result of
Kristine Louise andrade

Facade of sergeant Ink tattoo shop

customers will not regret getting a permanent tattoo. Before the process starts, the customers are always reminded that the marks will last forever, so Cris gives them a choice to either back out or go on. Ink Blot Tattoos can be either henna or permanent. Henna tattoo fades in a matter of two weeks or less. It is drawn on the skin with the use of a henna applicator. Permanent tattoo, however, lasts for a long time, even for a lifetime, as long as its taken care of. It is applied using needles, or a machine that Cris calls a rotary tattoo machine. Its healing period is one week but for those who have the allergic skin type, healing takes about three weeks. Costs may vary depending on size and color. The bigger and more colorful the design, the higher the cost. Having been a tattoo artist for almost five years now, Cris has built a name that commands respect - and the price - for his art. For a plain black permanent tattoo, a customer has to shell out P1500 and a thousand more for a colored one, but prices go up for more detailed and customized designs. When a violinist draws a bow across the strings, he creates music; when a dancer leaps elegantly in the air, its called ballet. When an artist creates an image with an ink blot, its tattoo - a little thing called art. basic human behavior. Being the social creatures that we are, humans feel the need to include themselves in any form of community or group. Also, the bandwagon effect, which states that people often do and believe things merely because many other people do and believe the same things, can be blamed for this kind of phenomenon. As more people come to believe in something, others also hop on the bandwagon regardless of the underlying evidence. Something as simple as deciding on what to wear on Fridays can be inuenced by the many factors that mold our perception of what a trend is. A lot of people feel the need to conform to society out of fear that they will be labeled as social outcasts, which is a very misleading habit that needs to be changed.

of dragonies in the meadows, tattoo culture has been slowly dying, too, especially in Panay. Tattooing was first documented by the Spanish explorers when they landed on the Islands in the late 16th century. But even before the arrival of the Europeans, tattooing was a prevalent practice among the island folk. Tattoos, according to history, have been symbols of rank and accomplishments because they were obtained by accomplishing challenging tasks or undergoing rites of passage. They were also seen as beauty enhancements for tribal women. Stereotype Breaker Having a tattoo is a form of selfexpression. The stigma associated with tattooed persons must be erased and transformed into a new idea that a tattoo is a form of indigenous art, innate in our culture. Instead of feeling outraged, people need to look at tattooing with respect, for a part of the tattoo artists life is stamped with every ink blot on the tattooed skin, just like the words that are

woven in every line of a sonnet that a poet writes. Every tattoo has its story to tell, every design its purpose or ... meaning and... for many a tattoo artist, a very close and mutual connection to the lives of the bearer, Cris added. Skin Deep Tattoo art is never an easy thing. Its not like sketching on your pad on which, if something goes wrong, you can simply erase it. True tattoo art is from artists, thats what were here for. Filthy art [is] ... from prisoners experimenting [on[ another prisoners skin, [pretending to look] like [surgeons] who finished [their] degree in medicine, Cris smiled while talking. Get the point? Art comes when we desire it so much from the deepest recesses of our [hearts] ... [that we[ need to express it in forms we find ... beautiful, not from things that [are considered] a joke. Sketchpad Since tattoo art is a very delicate form of art because it uses

The Truth about Trends

By Josefa Maria Castro
iloveohkpop.wordpress.com

stylezap.wordpress.com

WHEREVER we go, trends, from fashion to food, are very evident. A trend is any form of behavior that develops among a large number of people in a very rapid manner. With the advancements of technology, it has been easier for everybody to be updated on the latest fads.

speakoutgalz.wordpress.com

Kristine Louise andrade

By Ray Adrian Macalalag

gmanews.tv

WE were all thrilled by lot of news this summer. The death of Taliban leader Osama Bin Laden on May 2 really trended for a long time on Yahoo. The tsunami on March 11 in Sendai, Japan that killed millions was also in the news almost every day and months after that. Can we care for something not part of the trending stuff? The rude and bratty act of Justine Bieber when he left the country, as shown on YouTube, is not that important to know, neither is the cost of Dionisia Paquiaos Hermes bag. The Philippines has problems and issues we need to know that are not significantly shared with us through social networking sites, television, and text messaging, such as the decreasing number of species of birds in the country and the population of each species. In an article published by Bird Life International, the largest worldwide partnership of organizations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, the Philippines is one of the countries with the highest degree of endemism. Being localized, the birds have an even

higher degree of endemism in Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Negros, Panay, and Eastern Visayas. There are at least 22 species of birds that are severely threatened in the Philippines. The major cause of the threat is the loss of their natural habitat the forests. Because of excessive deforestation that gives way to housing development projects, mining industries, and wood product manufacturing, the breeding grounds of these birds are destroyed and their population continually decreases and such factors could lead to the birds extinction. According to Haribon Foundation, an organization devoted to the conservation of Philippine biodiversity, the country has 117 important bird areas or IBAs, those areas which are important habitats in conserving bird populations.114 of these IBAs are considered vital in saving the worlds threatened bird species. All 117 IBAs are mostly forest areas that are slowly being destroyed by livelihood and development projects. Soon, these areas can no longer be considered IBAs and the birds, as a result, could disappear.

It is important for us to take good care of our forests here in the Philippines. Bird Life International cited our archipelago as originally almost entirely forested during the early nineteenth century; but during the later part of the century, large areas were cleared for agriculture, notably in the Visayas area. To date, in Western Visayas alone, there are 18 species of birds that are threatened. As part of preserving the forests worldwide, the United Nations (UN) named this year 2011 as the International Year of Forests. The UN wants this year to celebrate the countless actions of people to save and sustainably manage our worlds forests. Unlike the UN and the Bird Life International, we are less participative in saving our forests. Are we doing something concrete that can save the forests and the birds that live in them? The country is fortunate to have numerous species of birds but we have not taken focused measures to allow the birds to continue to exist. For example, the number of Philippine eagles in existence can just be counted one by one as its number is declining. And to think that the Philippine eagle

Philippine eagle enforced environmental laws in remote areas, effectively addressed the needs and aspirations of rural people for improved livelihoods, and value and fund conservation activities against the wider backdrop of ongoing resource exploitation. It is time for the Philippines to undertake similar projects in preserving our forests not just for the sake of our threatened birds but also for other animals that consider the forests home. Young people like us must also show concern for these creatures because the world does not just belong to humans but also to all creatures that live in it. We humans have been brought to existence, destined to protect these beautiful fauna and ora.

is our national bird! In preserving the forests, an organization called Pax Natura (Peace with Nature) based in Costa Rica in Central America is doing a watershed restoration strategy by which it will acquire land to expand the forest area. The Amazon Region Protected Areas (ARPA) Project, another environmental project, has accomplished forest restoration and protection activities in Brazil through its governments assistance. The group has designated 24 million hectares of land as protected areas of which 13 million is under strict protection and 11 million is for sustainable protection. Overall, the ARPA Project has implemented and

The Salty Truth behind Desalination

By Andre Karl Faculin

Water is everywhere. With water comprising seventyfive percent of the earth and the human body, a simple molecule of dihydrogen monoxide (H2O) is basically vital to life. But let us face it. Only 3% of water on the planet is safe for mans everyday living. More than ever, sources of potable water continue to diminish rapidly. The root of the problem stems from climate change, droughts, population growth and pollution. The city of Iloilo has not been spared from such crisis. Our thirsty city cries out for waternot just water but clean water. In consequence, a desalination plant is considered to be an answer to this threatening scenario of water shortage. In an interview with Engr. Samson Nazareno Guillergan, Chief of the Pollution Control Division of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), desalination is a process

in which dissolved solids like sodium chloride are removed to convert it into freshwater. The untreated water undergoes diverse processes, methods and techniques to render it safe for human consumption. Generally, two major desalination techniques are utilized: distillation and membrane process. The choice of process shall be determined by the water source condition, the production rate and cost, and the energy supply. The distillation process is comprised of the procedure of ultraviolet (UV) filtration and chlorination. These stages of water treatment remove many forms of bacterial elements according to Guillergan. On the other hand, reverse osmosis (RO), a membrane process, uses pressure to force water through a special membrane, leaving the dissolved salts behind. After the water treatment, the brine solution by-product is returned to the water body. However, safety precautions must be ensured. We recommend that an Environmental

Impact Assessment Study [be] undertaken because there might be an adverse impact [on] the ora and fauna, Guillergan shared. In the Philippine setting, desalination plants are not operated for the general public. Instead, Guillergan said that many desalination plants in the archipelago are used by private companies for commercial use. Likewise, Engr. Warren Palermo, Officer-in-charge of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) Production Department, agreed that businesses such as export processing companies and shopping malls have desalination plants as alternative water sources. It is apparent today that the city is dramatically experiencing water shortage. Palermo revealed that two existing water sources are currently utilized: Surface water from Tigum River and ground water from Oton, Pavia and San Miguel. He stated that water shortage is attributed to numerous factors. Ang problema, ang supply namon tam-an kanubo kag ang demand

Desalination plant in lapu-lapu city

mataas man kay dasig katam-an ang pag-improve sang city, said Palermo. If pursued, the desalination plant may obtain water from brackish or salty water. Palermo recommended tapping the Iloilo River as a water supply source, while Guillergan considered the coastal areas as a probable source, if water is intended for consumption. When asked about the production output of the plant, Guillergan says that it could provide any volume of water. The requirement for the capacity would depend on the needs of the public. According to the International Desalination Association, as of 2008, there were 13,080 desalination plants worldwide that produce more than 12 billion gallons of water a day. However, as desalination becomes the wave of the future, are our pockets ready for the costs? At present, the price of water in the city is estimated to be at 15 pesos per cubic meter. According to Palermo, production costs for ultraviolet filtration range from 8 to 12 pesos while reverse osmosis charges may reach up to 80 pesos per cubic meter due to expensive maintenance costs. Because of that, Palermo asserts that desalination is only viable for commercial establishments in the city because they could afford its high prices. Furthermore, Guillergan believes that it [desalination] can help solve the problem but we shall consider the cost because it may result to high prices of potable water. If we sell that to the public, nobody will be buying the water at a higher price, Guillergan added. It will only be the last resort if there is no freshwater [supply] available. He also stresses that the city has enough freshwater source. Palermo concurs that the junction of the Tigum-

Aganan River is prospected as a better option for water supply apart from desalination. Yet, he does not close the doors on desalination as it can be a probable water source five years from now if price tags of the technology shall have lowered or if a worst-case scenario of extreme water scarcity shall have plunged the city into chaos. As mentioned, desalination plants could translate into high production, maintenance and treatment costs. Eventually, the burden would be passed on to the consuming public. On the contrary, Guillergan affirmed that it would be advantageous to the environment for it would prevent saline intrusion as the drawing out of ground water is minimized. For the meantime, Guillergan recommended that the proponent of the project must make a thorough economic and feasibility study of this project and take into consideration the willingness of the consuming public to pay the price. In addition, he asserted that it would be better to have the plant privatized because [private companies are] more efficient and the government does not have the expertise and experience in desalination. From salty to salt-free, desalination, in reality, requires a very sophisticated technology and specialized expertise which our city sorely lacks, thus it cannot accommodate such a project. Still, our government must continue to seek alternative solutions to address the alarming water scarcity. Similarly, each one of us has a role to play as a lifesaver, saving every drop of water for a drop of life. For now, let us taste this salty truth.

mactanrock.com

hazimiai.les.wordpress.com

ENVIRONMENT

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011

13

14

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011

SPECTACLE

Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco: A Review

By Darlyn Herradura

Usually, I buy secondhand books at BookSale, but I was willing to make an exception for Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco, a writer from a prominent political family here in the Philippines. When a Filipino writer makes it big in the international scene, I cant help but ride along on the wave of euphoria and hope I can be half as successful someday. So, youve been warned. I was determined to love Ilustrado from the very beginning. The book begins with the death of Crispin Salvadorthe fictional but nonetheless controversial panther of Philippine literature. His protg, also named Miguel Syjuco, tries to solve the mystery behind his death, and soon realizes that the manuscript of Salvadors magnum opus, The Bridges Ablaze, is missing. Armed with only a list of names, Miguel ies back to the Philippines, ready to map his mentors untraceable life and unable to avoid facing his own past. Salvadors life and fiction soon intertwine with, even begins to parallel, Miguels life. Mixed in with Miguels point of view are excerpts from Salvadors novels, news articles, blog posts, e-mails, and even corny, old jokes that every Filipino will instantly recognize. I had a love/hate relationship with Ilustrado. To begin with, it wasnt what I expected. I bought it, thinking it was a mystery novel focusing on the death of Crispin Salvador with the missing manuscript as a subplot. Instead, I got a postmodernist novel, with words that made my nose bleed, written by a very talented writer who, Im proud to say, also happens to be a Filipino. But then the book was all over the place. You get the sense that, while a ton of things are happening, nothing really is. Every time my attention started to dwindle, Syjuco came up with a new gimmick or plot twistsomething comparable to a shiny new toyand reeled

abookcoveraday.tumblr.com

me back in. Hence, the love/hate relationship. On the other hand, I luxuriated in Syjucos prose, which again, funny enough, wasnt what I expected. At all. I expected to read semipurple prose with lush descriptions, melodramatic characters (arent we Pinoys melodramatic, at the very least?), and a brilliant ending that would shock my socks off. What I got was this: an almost-technical narrative, a bit of wooden dialogue, and a brilliant ending whose shock value is cushioned by the last two, maybe three, chapters. The ending is the kind that makes you think for hours, maybe even days, after youve read the book. It poses the question: What now? It is shocking, but almost predictable by the time I finally got to Chapter Eight. Reading Ilustrado, for me, can be compared to going up a high, tortuous mountain. Youre tired and cranky when you get to the top, but, when you get a chance to look around, you realize that the view is worth it. When I closed the book, I felt light and airy. I lay back, took in the yellow walls, and stared at the dust motes for a while. Ilustrado broadened my vision of the follies of people, but, in the end, it gave me hope for my so-called third-world country. I went to Manila to audition and came back to Iloilo the next day without any hope of being accepted to the 2003 PBA Draft. Hon. Flores gave me the wake up call to go back Ronald declared. He did go back to learn he was drafted by the Shell Turbo Chargers as the sixteenth overall pick. And from then on, my dream has taken hold of me. Truly, the journey away from home is as tough as leaving a part of himself behind; the journey to his dreams made him lose more of himself yet he gained so much of the person he never knew was there. Ronald Tubid always finds his way back to his nest, to the people who love him, to his mothers arms, to the boy who made his fathers dream come true and now to a man that they call, The Fast, The Furious, the Fearless and the Saint.

...EAGLES/Page 15 their high school academic performance; the only academic requirement is that they should be graduates of secondary education their skill and talent are given more consideration than their academic performance in high school. Once accepted as Golden Eagles, the athletes are given full scholarships based on the guidelines provided for in the Student Manual and by the Office of the Vice-President for Student Affairs; they are expected to maintain passing grades in all their subjects; otherwise, they will lose the grant. To h e l p t h e a t h l e t e s overcome their poor academic p e r f o r m a n c e , t h e V PA A said that the University Sports Office is consistently monitoring their grades and properly setting the schedule of their practices so as not to

disturb their classes and to give them time to rest. ...TUBID/Page 15 small delicate hands. Lorna adds Even though his father wasnt here long enough to see the man that he has become, I know Rogelio is proud of him. Learning to y I was in Grade IV when I had my first ever real basketball game. Life was so simple back then in Iloilo. I studied at Oton Central Elementary School and Mr. Mannuelito Apuang was my first coach. I never forgot the feeling of shaking in my shoes and sometimes dropping the ball when I got too nervous. But, hey, I was young, smiles Ronald Tubid. Theres a first time for everything famous people and Nobel prize winners are not exempted. Learning to y can only be gained from

the gradual accumulation of experience including those unexpected bloopers, as they are usually called. Luckily for Ronald, those tough moments didnt turn into the worst. They opened the way for so many opportunities to come his way, such as playing in the Midget Basketball and the Southern Iloilo Sports Association (SISA). This time, he didnt drop the ball whenever he got nervous. He learned how to let fear go by directing it into the ball, letting it y up in the air and into the ring... and so he scores. Soaring high ...I still played basketball until I reached college at the University of the East. I even got to play in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines). says Tubid. The chance to fire up his

dream finally was at hand. Provided with a once-in-alifetime opportunity, his wish to become a professional basketball player came within reach. And, along with these opportunities, was a more unexpected event. While playing in the Amateur Philippine Basketball League, I was picked as the face of Blessed Pedro Calungsod. He wasnt even declared a saint back then, Ronald laughingly said. Thus, The Saint was born. But thats not all. Another opportunity came knocking at his door. Tubid was drafted by the Shell Turbo Chargers as the sixteenth overall pick in the 2003 PBA Draft and averaged 8.9 points in his rookie year. And midway through the 2006-2007 PBA Philippine Cup season, Tubid was traded to Barangay Ginebra Kings and became a key reliever in Ginebras title

conquest against sister team San Miguel Beer. With awards like PBA Mr. Quality Minutes (2003), PBA 3-point Shootout Champion (2004), PBA Mr. Quality Minutes (2005-06), PBA CoFinals Most Valuable Player (2008) and PBA All-Defensive Team (2009), Ronald etched his name on the wall of basketball fame. Flying back to his nest I always keep in touch with my family. No matter how busy I am, I regularly extend my regards to those people who have inspired me to become who I am today - my parents, the friends I [made] through basketball, my coaches and especially, the former mayor of Oton, Hon. Felix L. Flores, Ronald stressed. He added that Hon. Flores gave him the biggest push when he was just starting to tread the path of his basketball career.

The Flight: Ronald Tubids Journey

By Genessa Buenafe
nuKi saBio

They call him so many names but it all sums up to one man. The basketball court is the battlefield he plays with a keen eye and a sharp set of skills. Anointed with the number 71 on the back of his jersey shirt and a striking Barangay Ginebra Kings in front, he plays the game with the zest for victory. Amidst failures and trails, he showed strength of character and a true sense of sportsmanship proving that beneath the name, the game and the fame, is a real man: Ronald Gonzaga Tubid. Spreading his wings It all started when Toto (as he is fondly called by

SPORTS

DECEMBER 2010 - MAY 2011

15

Eagles soar in sports, sink in studies; VPAA reacts

By RAY ADRIAN MACALALAG

tubid

his family) was a year old. His father gave him a small basketball. He learned to love it and grew up with the dream of becoming a professional basketball player, reminisced Lorna Tubid, Ronalds mother. His father, the late Rogelio de la Cruz Tubid, was a varsity basketball player at the University of San Agustin in the 70s. I never thought that Ronald would follow his footsteps. It has always been that everything starts in the family, even dreams, and in Ronalds case, he never neglected the calling which was passed on so many years before from his fathers strong arms to his
tUbID/Page 14

The Golden Eagles have soared high bringing home trophies from the past months games sponsored by the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA), Iloilo Schools Sports Association (ISSA), and other organizers; however, the Eagles have nosedived in their academics. In an interview, Rev. Fr. Generous Gonesto, OSA, University Vice-President for Academic Affairs, pointed that one of the major factors that affect the studentathletes performance in academics is their poor study habits. These student athletes,

in my observation, just want to play rather than study, though, I know that they can also make good in their academic performance, if they study their lessons. Gonesto said. He added that, based on his own analysis, not from a good and valid research the poor study habits of the student athletes coupled with the strenuous daily practices make it difficult for the them to attend classes, open their notes, and study their lessons. The student-athlete scholars of the University are not chosen primarily on
eagles/Page 14

Its a sports thing

PULCHRITUDINOUS

Arnis: Sigaw-eskrima ng Ating Lahi

ni Josh Von iron Tondo

IF there is one thing Im nearly certain of, its this: Im not much of a sports enthusiast. Of course when the conversation steers toward Manny Pacquiao and his killer knock-out moves, I may be able to share a little bit of my so-called knowledge but talk about football and the thrill of the FIFA World Cup or the NBA Finals and you might expect me to cock my head to one side and wonder out loud What are you guys talking about? Yes, that sounded a little exaggerated but I never really considered sports (especially the ball games) a part of my social calendar. Of course, when watching sports events I would play the part of an ecstatic spectator by bobbing up and down on my seat, screaming at the appropriate moments, glancing at the scoreboard from time to time, and even biting my fingernails (this has gone overboard). However, at the end of the game, I would simply go back to my real world and treat sports as just another page of a book. Dont get me wrong there because I like sports. Well, who wouldnt? Its just that Im really not into it. Why I decided to write a sports column is way beyond my comprehension. Still, I pushed through with this topic simply because I wanted change (from my usual write-ups) and improvement to become a versatile writer. Having played chess during my elementary years, I learned that all sports were geared towards the same direction, the improvement of an individual. Improvement here is not only in the sense of the proper mechanisms employed in the game but also in terms of the character and well-being of the person. As Filipinos, we tend to lack discipline and perseverance. The bahala na or come-what-may attitude is also typical of Filipino traits that is why bagging gold medals in prestigious events like the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games spells difficult in our dictionary. On the other hand, given that we are only human and subject to weaknesses, I have to admit that engaging in sports has somewhat trained us to become more independent and will-powered. From what I have seen, athletes of todays generation seem to have this intense passion for their craft. Kids as young as four years old are already trained to perfect their respective sports. Whats more astounding is that they can still ace their classes despite their obviously busy schedules. This really shows that in sports everything is indeed a matter of balance. Another plus factor in engaging in sports is the friendship established and rekindled among players. Aside from the usual teamwork formed, those who used to be your fiercest enemies in court might eventually turn out to be your greatest friends (like Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales). Sports, like life, is a mystery after all. Weighing pros and cons will never be enough for me to make a 360-degree turn and suddenly hook up with sports the way I do with writing. Yes, sports will always be fascinating for me and I know that there will always be some things about sports that I may never learn to understand. But hey, its a sports thing. Im sure youll agree with me on that account.

fmapulse.com

MARY LESLIE EREGIA

...that is why bagging gold medals in prestigious events like the SEA Games spells difcult in our dictionary.

Nagkita kami sa isang kainan sa Robinsons isang Sabado ng Enero. Pinilit kong maging kumportable sa harap niya kahit masakit pa ang mga kalamnan ko gawa ng gig noong nakalipas na araw. Sa unang tingin, hindi halatang taglay niya ang ginintuang sining na halos burado na sa isip ng karamihan sa atin. At habang tinitingnan ko ang mapupungay niyang mga mata, bumabalik sa aking isipan ang sinabi sa akin ng isang matalik na kaibigan ilang araw na ang nakalipas: Bigyan mo siya ng dalawang patpat at posibleng mabali niya ang mga buto mo. Astig. Mukha lang tipikal ngunit hindi ganoon ka-ordinaryo si Dianne Velasco, isang Bachelor of Arts in Political Science ng College of Arts and Sciences. Sa likod ng balingkinitang anyo, lantikang mga pilikmatang nagkukubli sa likod ng kanyang salamin at basal na ngiting makatunawkaluluwa, dala niya ang karunungang umugat sa ating kultura: ang arnis. Sa edad na labin-anim, nagsanay si Dianne para matutunang dipensahan ang sarili at pagtibayin ang galanggalangan at panghawak (para sa badminton). Marami man ang naglipanang larangan ng self-defense noong panahong iyon, natangay pa rin siya ng bugso ng patriyotismo at pinili ang arnis dahil sa ito ay Filipino martial art. Ayon sa kanya, hindi lang ang paggamit ng patpat ang sentro ng arnis, bamat ginagamit ang mga ito bilang

pampalit sa bolo, sibat, o patalim. Bukod dito, posible ring magamit ang notebook, libro o empty-hand combat sa larangang ito. Ang arnis ay sining marsyal na nag-ugat pa noong kapanahunan ng ating mga ninuno. Pilit itong ipinagbawal ng mga Espanyol noong panahon ng kolonisasyon ngunit nabuhay pa rin ito nang patago at ipinaloob maging sa mga katutubong sayaw. Ngayon, ang arnis ay nahahati sa dalawang pamamaraan: ang tradisyunal na pamamaraan at ang modernong arnis. Wala halos pinagkaiba ang dalawa bukod sa pamamaraan ng pagsasanay hinggil sa defanging the snake o `yung akto sa pagdisarma ng iyong katunggali. Sa tradisyunal na pamamaraan, sinasabing tinuturing na sagrado ng mga arnistador ang kanilang mga sandata bagay na nagtutulak sa kanila upang huwag ito patamaan. Sa tuwing may isparing o tunggalian, ang dalawang magkalaban ay nagsasapulan sa kamay, braso o galang-galangan at hindi sa mga patpat. Hindi maikukubli na masakit ang ganitong pamamaraan. Ito ang bagay

na nagtulak upang komaunti ang bilang ng mga taong nakikibahagi sa kasanayang ito. Dahil din dito, maraming Pilipino ang nakuntento na lang sa mga nauusong sining marsyal ng mga Hapon gaya ng Karate at Judo na siya namang dahilan kung bakit muntikan nang mamatay ang larangan ng arnis sa mismong lupang sinilangan nito. Noong 1958, bilang tugon sa pangangailangang buhayin muli ang arnis, itinatag ni Prop. Remy Presas ang Modern Arnis sa kanilang lugar sa Hinigaran, Negros Occidental. Binago niya ang pamamaraan ng pagsasanay rito at ginawang sapulan sa mga pagsasanay ang mga patpat. Gumamit din siya ng padded canes para sa mga isparing at tunggalian upang hindi gaanong masaktan ang magkatunggali. Kaakibat ng pagbabago, hinaluan ni Presas ng elemento ng Judo, Shotokan Karate, at Small Circle Jujutsu ang sistema ng arnis upang mas mapaunlad ang versatility ng mga arnistador. Ngayon, ang kasanayan sa Modern Arnis ay kinapapalooban ng empty-hand self-defense (striking, locking, throwing, etc.), single and double stick, espada y daga (sword and dagger ghting), sinawali (double stick weaving

patterns), tapi-tapi (locking drills with the stick) at anyo (kata) o pang-isahang pormang may gamit o walang gamit na patpat. Muling nabuhay ang arnis sa Pilipinas, salamat sa pagpupunyagi ni Presas. Noong 2009, sa ilalim ng Republic Act 9850, tinaguriang pambansang sining marsyal ang arnis at isinama sa Edukasyong Pisikal at Palarong Pambansa bilang isa sa mga priority sports. Sa pagbabalik tanaw ni Dianne, hindi lang ang pagdidipensa sa sarili ang naituro sa kanya ng modernong arnis. Natutunan niyang mapagkumbaba at huwag magsimula ng gulo. Ang arnis ay isang disiplinang sagrado; hindi ito ginagamit para sa kabalbalan lalo na para ilabas ang galit sa kung sino man. Malayo na ang naabot ng arnis simula nang inumpisahan ito ng ating mga ninuno. Muntikan mang mamatay, nagpunyagi itong mabuhay at magpahanggang ngayon ay patuloy na pinagsasanayan at pinangangalagaan. Ang arnis ay sining marsyal na sadyang atin. Sa bawat palo ng mga patpat, sa bawat wasiwas ng mga baston at sa bawat eskrima at tunggalian; wala itong ibang isinisigaw kung `di ang ating pagka-Pilipino.

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