Aquinian Herald (Volume II, Issue 2) - Magazine Issue

MARCH 2014

AquinianHerald magazine Inside: DEVCOMM

Service scholarship, leadership Student Assistants speak out

WOMEN 10 World Leaders YOU SHOULD KNOW

CULTURE

PUT YO' MONEY WHERE YO' MOUTH IS The Rise of battle rap in Bicol

San Pedro Calungsod sings to Albayanos

Looking FORWARD,

BACK...

Looking

University Week / In Search of Pedro Calungsod's Light / The SC Elections

inside

MARCH 2014

VOLUME II ISSUE 2

Features

31

IN PICTURES

26

University Week 2014

28

Service scholarship, leadership

34

Ten Women World Leaders You Should Know

36

Put yo' money where yo' mouth is

In Search of Pedro Calungsod's light

The Uweek celebrations highlighted in pictures DEVCOMM

Following the leadership of young Saint Pedro Calungsod

Student Assistant speaks out DEVCOMM

41

CULTURE

LIGHTS & SHADOWS

The rise of battle rap in Bicol

Literary & Art

CULTURE

40

San Pedro Calungsod sings to Albayanos The Pedro Calungsod musicale visits Albay

20 FEATURE

Breaking out of their shells Defining the next generation of Aquinian leaders

more contents 4 6 7 8 9 10

12 16

Briefing 2014 Synchronized SSC and CSC Elections Editorial Make us ready for AEC Opinion Bear Hungry, Because we love this school Line of Sight, One's biggest failure Tongue's Tip, Enough of apathy Nightingale's Cage, Within your choice Goalward Psych, Where were we?

Sweat, Blood & Tears, Cause, not applause Invisible Glass, Autocrat complex Pilosopo Tasya, What's up with this academic calendar shift?

News Special Reports: SC amends constitution; OSS caps year with search for awardees

Istoryang Bikolnon. The Aquinas University community

gather in faith & love during the annual Rokyaw celebrations.

Photo by R. Diesta Jr.

Rokyaw

UNIVERSITY WEEK, Feb. 4, 2014

From the

Editor The academic year has come to an end. For a number of us, this March also marks the end of our stay in the school paper and in Aquinas University.

Thus this pioneering issue of the Aquinian Herald Magazine is born of the tradition started with the first ever issue of the re-established student publication which was called AQ Phoenix then. Now, two years on, the school paper has, dare I say it, come to its own.

I hope then that you enjoy this issue that we have painstakingly made with the best of our capabilities, to cover not just the relevant news stories in our campus but also give you, our reader, a smart, refreshing and maybe even moving experience.

Open the pages and read all about your stories; of your achievement, of your leadership, of your sacrifice, of the bright possibilities of your future, and the pitfalls of your past; of your responsibility to this country, and to your faith; or of your deep wish to run away and never look back.

Whatever it may be, Aquinian Herald has always been about your stories. We do our best to deliver you the best.

This is a product of our love. Behold it. Caress it. Immerse in it. Treasure it.

Thank you very much dear Aquinian for your trust these past two years. Enjoy! And for some, congrats as well!

AquinianHerald magazine Aquinian Herald Official University Student Publication Aquinas University of Legazpi 4500 Rawis, Legazpi City

Web: www.aquinianherald.wix.com/home www.facebook.com/AquinianHerald VOLUME II, ISSUE 2 A.Y. 2013 - 2014 | 2nd Semester | March 2014

Editorial Board & Staff executive team

Editor in Chief Aaron Marc M. Dimaano Senior Associate Editor Ralph B. Orense Junior Associate Editor Aldrin C. Brosas Senior Managing Editor Vianne J. Hermida Junior Managing Editor Luis R. Villanueva

section editors

News Ralph Erik B. Bermas Features Marisse M. Francia Culture Ace Z. Alba Literary Zarra P. Escurel Sports Rona Maricar C. Mi単a Graphics Romeo L. Diesta Jr.

circulation & logistics Karen Daniele Besmonte Charlyn B. Gomez

staff writers

In loving service,

Alfred Robert Babasoro Archie Ner Joan B. Sauler Odine Areola

Aaron Marc Misa Dimaano

art & design team

About the Cover Looking forward, looking back.

For 66 years, Aquinas University of Legazpi has stood proud as a center of excellence in many fields. This year, as we end another chapter and prepare to welcome a new one, we celebrate, we reflect and we regard our familiar and also fast evolving second home.

Cover Images by Romeo L. Diesta Jr.

Art Karl B. Briguera Michael Reyster B. Reyes Dominic Dicen Editorial Cartoon Jason Patrick O. Alcazar Photography Romeo L. Diesta Jr. Patrick Henry G. Ludovice Publication Design Aldrin C. Brosas John Richard Moreno Publications Adviser

Any comments, letters, and contributions can be directly addressed to the University Student Publication Office located at the AUL Dome or sent through e-mail at: aquinianherald@gmail.com

BRIEFING

Infographic By: Aldrin C. Brosas

2014 Synchronized SSC and CSC ELECTIONS

Voter Turnout

75%

CNHS - 197/217 CASE - 301/366

Students who voted

2,457

Total Student Population:

Turnout per College

1,854

CEAFA - 491/666 CBMA - 867/1208

91%

CNHS

50% + 1 As set by the new COMELEC Electoral Code

1,230

82%

Required no. of votes to win

CASE

(Supreme Student Council)

72%

CBMA 74

%

Election Results

Reporma Coalition

No winners were declared in the SSC because none of the candidates reached the 50% + 1 vote requirement.

League of Liberal Reformists

All positions with no winners,will then be

Election Day

Political Parties

February

26

CEAFA

appointed by OSS and the Rector & President.

CLAWS

According to the Rector,appointments shall be based on the candidates with the highest number of votes.

Coalition of Leaders Advocating the Welfare of the Students

50%+1 48%

V-PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

TREASURER

AUDITOR

30.4% 30.1%

27%

BUENCONSEJO

MARTINEZ

JAZMIN

YAP

HIPOLITO

HAPAL

NAVALES

PINEDA

BALDERAMA

PRESIDENT

19

22%

32%

QUINTOS

27%

%

%

36%

CADUNGOG

28

%

AZAS

33%

43%

BESMONTE

25

43%

CHATO

36%

P.R.O.'s

SUPREME Student Council 4 Aquinian Herald

Political Makeup

CASE-SC

SUPREME-SC

CBMA-SC

CNHS-SC

REPORMA

CLAWS REPORMAREPORMA

CLAWS REPORMA

REPORMA

CLAWS

REPORMA

REPORMA REPORMA

CLAWS REPORMA

CLAWS REPORMA

REPORMA

REPORMAREPORMA REPORMA

CLAWS REPORMA

REPORMA

CLAWS

REPORMA

REPORMAREPORMA

CLAWS

51%

SECRETARY

TREASURER

AUDITOR

P.R.O.

35% 25%

JUAN

37%

CASIMIRO

OBLIGADO

ANDANG

NAUPAN

25% BAZAR

ESITLLOMO

BONGAO

DEL CASTILLO

SABAO

31%

ROJAS

27

V-PRESIDENT

43%

30%

%

PRESIDENT

42%

40%

HENKELMANN

38%

GENTOLIZO

37

%

VIBAR

41

BUNAO

37

%

DELA CRUZ

49%

BUSINESS MANAGERS

CBMA Student Council % 50.2 50%

AUDITOR

CNHS Student Council

SECRETARY SECRETARY

34%

GONAZALGA

FERRER

BAILON

TREASURER TREASURER

MARIANITO

REALOSA

AQUINO

LANA

AUDITOR AUDITOR

P.R.O. P.R.O.

DIAMANTE

37% 18%

BUBAN

ARIENDA

MARQUEZ

ROLDA

BOMBITA

BERMILLO

BAÑEGA

47%

34%

30

57%

TABLAN

41

FIGUEROA

39%

V-PRESIDENT V-PRESIDENT

BACULINAO 59%

%

PRESIDENT PRESIDENT

19%

BUSINESS MANAGERS

56% 48%

30

31%

69%

%

%

P.R.O.

39%

33%

DELAROSA

58%

28%

TERWEL

DIAZ

TREASURER

23% BALAORO

SECRETARY

BRIZUELA

HERMOSO

COMETA

26%

V-PRESIDENT

33%

33%

BULAWAN

37%

33%

ATISO

PRESIDENT

30

%

DIRIGE

31%

ABOGA

FLORES

36%

BUSINESS MANAGERS

CEAFA Student Council 66% 53%

53%

54%

59%

59% 51%

V-PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

TREASURER

AUDITOR

P.R.O.

MORCO

BENOZA

BORNALES

NOBLEZA

ABAROA

MASARATE

CADAG

BICHARA

46%

PRESIDENT

CLAWS

CLAWS REPORMA REPORMA

CASE Student Council

%

CEAFA-SC

BUSINESS MANAGERS

CLAWS

CLAWS

CLAWS

CLAWS CLAWS

CLAWS CLAWS CLAWS

In a year of unprecedented results, this year's SSC Elections yielded no official winners for all positions even as voter turnout reached a historic 75%.

The election results also showed that the Reporma Coalition, riding on a campaign critical against incumbents, overwhelmed the once dominant CLAWS. The exceptional loss of all candidates in the SSC was because of a new COMELEC rule requiring votes for a candidate to reach majority of the total student population for that candidate to win.

The vacant positions will now have to be filled up by appointments by the Rector and President for the SSC and the Deans for the CSCs. Thus CASE and CBMA only had one winner each in the major eight positions.

Only CNHS and CEAFA had better showing in terms of the number of winners.

Meanwhile, according tothe new COMELEC rules embodied in an amended Electoral Code approved by the Rector and released this academic year, the OSS will be the one to recommend to the Rector the names of the possible appointees in the SSC. OSS Director Jesus Barizo decided that the choice shall be based on who got the highest number of votes.

The Rector Rev. Fr. Ernesto Arceo, O.P. also maintained that definitely the will of the students must be respected and he has directed the Deans to do the same.

Data Source: Commission on Elections Aquinian Herald

5

Editorial

Make us ready for AEC Barely a year from now, the Philippines will open its doors to a new world that will spell possibly challenging times for new Filipino graduates: the one ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

This milestone will affect every single university and college, and yet it is remarkable that the issue is not being discussed in this school – or if it is, it seems to be deafeningly muted.

What AEC simply means is that the economic borders of our country, along with the barriers to trade, will be removed to allow a freer exchange of goods and labor from one country in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to another. By 2015, Filipinos will no longer have to compete with fellow Filipinos alone to get a job or open up a business; we will now have to compete with the rest of ASEAN. To be more specific, AEC means that graduates of Aquinas will have to be the best or else they will lose out in terms of opportunities.

So in less than a year’s time, our nurses will have to compete with Indonesian nurses for jobs in Philippine hospitals; our teachers will have to outshine Malaysian teachers to be hired by Philippine schools; our engineers will have to be more capable and innovative than Singaporean engineers to get the opportunity for work; and our HRM and business graduates have to be smarter and more experienced than their Thai counterparts to get ahead.

6 Aquinian Herald

Thus, along with the transition to the K to 12 basic education system, we believe that the AEC is among the most pressing concerns our university must be ready to face. We must talk about it and prepare for it now.

To be true, the school administration has made headway in the improvement of the quality of Aquinian education by investing in infrastructure and the faculty of the school, and this deserves the utmost commendation.

Improvements are also being explored to make sure our curriculum and teaching are at par with the best Philippine schools, like the University of Santo Tomas.

But the question has to be asked if we simply cannot do more.

Is it impossible that our student organizations, led by the Supreme Student Council, be able to formulate short and middle term strategies to harness youth efforts towards readying ourselves for AEC? Is it impossible that the Offices of Student Services and of Research, Planning and Development come up with a framework of strategies (like lectures, pamphlets and film viewing, to say the least) to equip our students with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand and prepare themselves for 2015?

EDITORIAL PAGE 10

PERSPECTIVES

Bear Hungry

By Aaron Marc M. Dimaano ✉ marcosdimaano@gmail.com

Because we love this school

What do you say exactly when you say goodbye? I’m not really good at goodbyes. Do you say farewell and see you again? Do you wave and just go?

Or should you be more emotional and hug people tight when you say bye?

Well, I’m not really sure, but I do know one thing, we must impart something to the ones we leave behind; a token, a memorabilia, if you will, to remember us by.

And so at this point in time, when I can already count the days until I can go up the stage and get that hard-earned diploma, let me then speak to my fellow students about some things I have come to learn along the way as a student: thoughts that they may find useful.

First, some perspective. I am a great fan of excellence and, conversely, not so of mediocrity.

This is not to say that I am the most excellent person around, but I find that you can become excellent when you always challenge yourself to be excellent.

In the same way you become a loser when you never challenge yourself.

And so people sometimes wonder what my “secret” is for being good at a lot of things including debate, writing and other things. To tell you the truth, I myself am surprised by what I can do at times. And I don’t think I have a secret.

But then if there is anything I have, or think I have, that would be courage and humility.

And, personally, I find these two things very important to try to have.

The first one is courage.

Now, I am not the bravest bloke to come around but I have always tried my best to be courageous: to have courage to make myself be heard whenever other people want to drown me out, courage to fight for what I believe in even when I am being forced to believe otherwise and most importantly, even when I do my best, courage to know when I am wrong and that I need to learn more.

In essence then, it is courage to live life as you see fit to live it. We don’t always get to choose and sometimes our opinions are not even asked when our lives are being

decided. But I think we should always make a stand, whether to agree or disagree with someone. We should never let our life be dictated upon by anyone else without our consent.

It’s hard, but it is only with courage that you do truly learn and truly express yourself.

Besides, how can you be happy when you are too afraid to fight for your dreams?

But alongside the value of courage, is the value of humility.

On one hand, I am fond of people who are proud of who they are and what they have accomplished. But it is not the accomplishment alone that matters, but how their souls have been transformed in the process of success.

So for me, what matters more is how a person has developed their her maturity, ability and wisdom which has made them successful.

Conversely, I do not like people who brandish accomplishments that had more to do with their wealth, or good looks or empty titles but who have clearly not worked hard enough for what they have today.

That is why I find that the most successful people are those who are secure in who they are and what they can do, that all they do is be confident and they are able to do what they sought out to do or even more.

Humility then is not just about being meek or shy or being unable to lift a finger to put oneself forward. Rather, I think humility is our ability to be proud and confident in our strengths without feeling the need to disparage or belittle others and their weaknesses.

Thus I always remember that what I can do, I can do with or without the need for me to shout it out to the world. But more important, when I do showcase my skill, I also remind myself that excellent as I was, I have yet to learn so many things

still.

Humility then tells me to be confident in what I can do and still be open when I am proven wrong and then grow.

And so those two have always accompanied me in my life the past three years – courage and humility; my sword and shield; my fire and my light. And I have been immensely blessed because I chose to believe in myself even when others did not and because every time I eventually fail, I am not discouraged, rather I vow to be better.

I hope then that you may find these two to be your trusty companions.

But there is one last thing that I feel I must impart: it is, do not forget to love.

Be it a person or a cause, a hobby or a

“Paalam at salamat.” craft. Fall in love, immerse in love and live passionately for a person or persons who are dear to you.

Caress a dream and make love to your faith. Choose your belief and be committed to it.

Because the thing or the person that we love becomes a bright beacon to guide us through the storms that await us in life.

And so don’t forget to love this school as well. It may be imperfect and the walls that hold our community may sometimes have holes, but love it still.

We are the only ones it has to make it grow and make it better, and it has, in its own way, given us shelter.

And then love even more.

Because courage and humility is hard work. It is love that fuels us to choose to work hard in the first place.

Even the Lord moves in love.

And so we, the graduating batch, have done our part. Now, we must say good bye, even to the things and persons whom we gave our hearts for.

BEAR HUNGRY page 19 Aquinian Herald

7

PERSPECTIVES

Line of Sight

Tongue's Tip

By Ralph B. Orense

By Ralph Erik Bermas

One's biggest failure For the last three issues of the Aquinian Herald, you have seen my articles and columns discuss one topic and one topic only: Sports.

But certain changes were made over the last couple of months, so I felt the need to let someone else take over the sports section while I take on a bigger role in the university publication.

I was promoted to a higher position

by AH’s Editorial Board, a move that I didn’t want or even expect. Although I was hesitant to leave the section which I have taken care of the last year and a half, in the end, I decided to accept the responsibility.

You see, I was never a good leader.

Despite the intellect and skills that people see in me, I often fail to reach the expectations and meet the demands they want from me. I see leadership as a character trait that I don’t have. Before, I’d rather live behind the shadows of others than step out of it to make a name for myself. I have always seen myself as a disappointing leader.

But even though being in charge isn’t my forte, I never stopped trying.

One of the characteristics I have is my desire to improve. My shortcomings have always been my motivation to get better at what I do. I believe that when another opportunity is presented to me, it means that I get another shot to make things better. I don’t like quitting, especially because I believe in the things that I can do to contribute to a certain group or organization.

Every single person in this world started from being a follower, a subordinate of a higher being. From there, we learn through knowledge and experience. Then, we apply what we’ve gained and see if we’re ready to take on the next step. We will continue to move up, until we become the higher beings ourselves.

They say that a leader must be confident, skilled, intelligent, open-minded, and successful. But for me, a good leader is molded by their failures and their desire to continue despite their shortcomings.

Because failure is inevitable; no matter how good you are, you will have your fair share of disappointments.

The question is not how many times you have failed, but how determined you are to move forward amidst all the challenges. But once you’ve stopped to aim for success, then that’s the time you 8 Aquinian Herald

can consider yourself a loser.

Albert Einstein had tried a lot of experiments before he became a wellknown scientist. David Blaine heard a lot of criticisms before he was considered one of the greatest magicians in the world. Eminem went through a lot of disappointing auditions before he achieved his title as the most influential rapper in the world. And Michael Jordan had a lot of issues inside and outside the hard court before becoming a six-time NBA Champion and the greatest basketball player of all-time. Sorry Kobe!

These personalities never thought of quitting. They kept on trying until they became the great leaders and pioneers of their generation. These are also the people most of us are looking up to right now. We see them as role models, prime examples of what we should become in the future.

They’ve led not only their profession, but also humanity in a big way.

Some of us can and will be like them.

Some of us will not. But whether we become a world-famous leader or just someone capable of handling a small group, the key is always to try and see how far we can and will go; because one’s biggest failure isn’t based on the extent or the amount of the disappointments, breakdowns, and collapses we have experienced in the past.

One’s biggest failure is the failure to try.

Now, the publication has trusted me to be one of the leaders once its senior members graduate in March. Quite frankly, it’s not an easy job to do. But I promised my colleagues that as long as I’m here, Aquinian Herald will always exist. I will use the things that I’ve learned from my mentors and the seminars I have attended to fulfill the needs of the publication, and I will make sure that the legacy of its founders will always be remembered.

I may not be that prepared and equipped to best what the seniors have contributed for the paper, but I will make sure that it will remain as one of the best publications in the region. I will also make sure that the members who will remain and those who will join us in the future will have the same mentality as I do.

I am ready to take the next step. ■

Enough of apathy The student population of the Aquinas University of Legazpi conducts a general election annually wherein students of the tertiary level directly elect their student leaders in the Supreme Student Council (SSC) and the four College Student Councils (CSC).

At the end of every elections, a new set of officers emerges regardless of the voter turnout and for one year, they perform their tasks. Then the election will occur again and another set of officers will take their place. In a way, this has been a cycle that happens every year in the AUL campus.

But as far as my observation is concerned, I think that something is wrong and should be changed. This conventional cycle has been regarded by the students as something that has very minimal value. But I say no; a very big NO. In my three years of stay in the university, I have found out that students who participated during the previous three elections were very few with only about 30% of the population coming out to vote. Even so, the elections always proceed and the candidates chosen by the “few” represent the entire student body both in the internal and external affairs.

With these things, I can say that the right vested to the entire student population of Aquinas University of Legazpi, which is the right to suffrage, is being overlooked. With all due respect to all who became officers, I personally think that the quality of student leaders are being taken for granted because, usually, the candidates who run for office are unopposed and the students who give them legitimate power do not compose the majority of the population and thus it becomes all very undemocratic.

To be true, I am not blaming anybody especially the student leaders. My point is that there should be reform to the behavior that has been intoxicating and corrupting the Aquinians: political apathy.

The SSC Constitution and By-Laws statesunder Article XII Section 2 that “the Supreme Student Council Officers shall be voted into office by the members of the entire student body while the College Student Council officers shall be voted into office by their respective constituencies”. Meaning to say, every enrollee of Aquinas University of Legazpi is granted the right to suffrage and is considered as part of the electorate. The student body controls the government and the student leaders who are directly accountable to them.

TONGUE'S TIP page 11

PERSPECTIVES Power tops man’s earthly desires. Power is a right. Power is intoxicating. But above all else, power is consuming. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to gain the capability to stand out in a crowd in dominance?

It can surely make you feel good about yourself, thus boost your confidence which is good, right?

Of course in a world where only a few can and are actually entitled to supremacy, most are left to simply follow what orders they are given.

Sadly, however, some even have no concern whether or not what they are doing is just and right. They seem to care less of what they are capable of achieving. Thinking that going with the flow helps them avoid unnecessary

Goalward Psyche

By Rona Maricar C. Miña

Where were we?

Figure skating is characterized by the performance of various jumps, spins and dance movements and by the tracing of prescribed figures done on a surface of ice.

It’s a sport that is widely known in some countries in the North America and Europe, but not in the Philippines.

Aside from being a tropical country (meaning there is no snow), skating rinks are very rare and are often only found in malls. For so long a time, the Philippines has been irrelevant in figure skating conversations and events and it seemed that it will forever be that way, until our sole representative in this year’s Winter Olympics made history.

Enter the Philippines’ very own 17 year-old Michael Christian Martinez who made his mark in the world of sports after he surprised the entire nation with his skills in figure skating during the 32nd Winter Olympics Games held in Sochi, Russia from February 7 to 23, 2014. He is the only Filipino and Southeast Asian male Figure skater who landed in the long program or the finals. Ranked as 19th among the 30 participants, Martinez inspired the hope among Filipinos who are aspiring to be successful figure skaters, too.

I am pretty sure that you’ve read, seen, or heard this information before. After his triumph in Russia, Martinez made the headlines of news stories and follow ups of his success flooded social media.

Everyone suddenly became a fan of his and everybody seemed to love figure skating too. Quite amusing, isn’t it?

Nightingale's Cage

By Vianne J. Hermida

Within your choice

conflicts and unwanted complications, they suspend their right to give their opinions and offer contradicting opinion to those who lead them.

Reality check: going with the flow does not guarantee that you are saved from problems that come along the way.

Yes, people all over the world are used to the setting of merely following because (a) they’ve lived most of their lives doing so, (b) they don’t want to risk anything, afraid of losing But where were all of his supporters at before the competition?

A month before Martinez’s stellar performance at the Winter Olympics, there were no sufficient support for him, no fans, no media, no government assistance, nothing. SM Supermalls was the only institution who believed in him or I guess, had a vision that this young figure skater will steal the spotlight.

Whatever their intention was, the point is they helped Martinez in a big way.

Again, where were his fans back then?

I, for one, am not a hypocrite who would make excuses just to justify the government’s lack of effort in helping, or even promoting Martinez in his journey to the Winter Games because they really didn’t do much to support the young man in achieving his dreams. But here they are now, acting as if they were a big help to the Filipino figure skater.

In short, they’re bandwagon-ning.

But this is something that isn’t new.

In fact, the government had always been like this in the past. For example, the Philippine Dragon boat team who had major awards in the International Dragon Boat Racing Championships in Australia and Canada were always at it alone. Cobra, the energy drink, supported them though in their expenses in the said tournaments.

Only after their triumphs did they grab the attention of the government.

Smart-Gilas team Pilipinas has also had its share of being ignored by the government. For several years now, the national basketball team of the Philippines had relied heavily on the financial resources of business tycoon Manny Pangilinan. But after qualifying for the FIBA World Championships last year, the government offered them necessary, and at times, unnecessary assistance.

This seemingly predictable move by GOALWARD PSYCHE page 19

everything, or (c) they just don’t care.

Yet it seems the same people want change – change with how the society works, how equality is achieved, how life should be and a lot more.

The question then become what are you doing to make these wanted changes possible?

But then, how can we motivate ourselves from thinking outside the box, from not doing what everyone else is doing, from giving a shot to a new age? Perhaps in our lives Aquinians, let us start with the forthcoming elections in our university.

We have seen that almost every college had a contending party that will battle their way for student governance. Something like presence of opposition surely affected the students’ decision on who will be the faces of their college – the representatives to vote for, who should protect the students’ rights. Hopefully it was a matter of who’s the better choice.

The question is if when we voted, did we weigh the abilities of each candidate by looking in depth at their knowledge and involvement in the studentry? That is after all the responsibility of every student who’s voting. It should be done with fairness and objectivity in mind.

Remember, power is a right. Everyone deserves to be heard and must choose to be heard. Each one of us should be involved not for the sake of just getting involved but to expand our awareness in university affairs. We are conscious of the fact that at times we are not in favour of the actions done by those in position. We give comments on how rash certain events are, suggestions how it would have been done better, and reactions about the effects inflicted upon the students.

With that being said, we have the power to influence others and do what is appropriate. We have the freedom to take action with whatever means necessary given that it stands by the values we live by. As rational individuals, we can set ourselves on becoming leaders in our own way and on our own terms. That is our right.

Power is intoxicating. It’s no lie that some of the past leaders were blinded by the power they possess. Others try to hold on with the virtues barely left in them. Fortunately, there are those who remained true and yielded their authority with the virtues they uphold.

Power gives an elating feeling of acceptance and control over one’s subordinates. The bootlickers are confined with superficial knowledge that ends with prejudice.

Power is consuming. Make a choice. Did we really read between the lines of the platforms presented before us because for all we know it is NIGHTINGALE'S CAGE page 19 Aquinian Herald

9

PERSPECTIVES

Invisible Glass Sweat, Blood & Ink

By Marisse M. Francia

Cause, not applause Leadership is not showing off but showing that you actually care – that is something that I’ve learned from experience.

Although I don’t have much of an experience in terms of leading, it is what I’ve realized from two promising leaders who brought forth the birth, growth, and success of the Aquinian Herald – an organization that I’m proud to be a part of. And they are co-founders Roger Abitria IV, currently the Editor at large, and Aaron Marc Dimaano, AH’s Editor in Chief.

If it wasn’t for these two, Aquinian Herald wouldn’t have reached this far and wouldn’t have had these much achievements that the university would be proud of – nor would it even exist in the first place.

They are the ones who started it; because for five long years, there wasn’t a student publication in the university. They were the ones who brought it back and through their leadership it was put on the right track.

Personally, I believe that the publication will still continue to stand strong and give proofs of Aquinian excellence for many years to come even after Aaron and Roger’s graduation this school year, because of their words of wisdom and the inspiration that they give to the staffers of Aquinian Herald.

But behind all those victories, I see a much deeper reason for their leadership. It is not merely to collect trophies, awards and medals, but most important, for the passion and determination to instil awareness to the students about the things that are happening in the university; to become a voice for the students and to stand for what is right for the studentry and the university.

The school paper’s name is of course the Aquinian Herald and obviously, the name says it all.

With their initiative and admonishment, the school paper is able to publish issues that are relevant and timely to the events of the university. In assigning tasks to us staffers, they would always give clear instructions as to what is needed. They would also give words of advice whenever some members of the publication are unsure of certain matters and also words of encouragement to maximize the full potential of their subordinates and so that even we, especially the ones in the editorial board, would SWEAT, BLOOD & INK, page 19 10 Aquinian Herald

By Zarra P. Escurel

Autocrat complex When you have power, will you use it to hinder a cause? Will you give a choice or take it away? Will you try to break the hierarchy just so you could kneel to power yourself? Do you really know your place in society?

What happens when leaders become autocractic? Instead of seeing it as a responsibility, sometimes leaders see it as an opportunity. Greed clouded by envy blinding moral conscience.

And that my fellow students, is what power does best, especially to those who are vulnerable and unsure. That’s because authority has the ability to make you feel important and needed. It feeds on a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability making it hard for you to decline the chance to feel important. In the end, it all equates to everyone wanting to be in the spotlight; for a meagre short-lived fame.

How you perceive yourself is different from how people perceive you; though one must keep in mind that authority does not give anyone a right to cross some fine lines.

It means that not because you are in power you can already manipulate outcomes to your liking and bend impressions to your will.

Power can be overwhelming, even addictive; though there are always those few people who develop a conscience, there are others who remain blissfully unaware of what they are turning out to be. But the ignorant is not always innocent.

But what should our response be?

Sure, we are all different. We have different

ideas. We can perceive things in broader perspective and endless possibilities. We develop into different human beings. In short, we become our own person; though some grow old without growing up. Most develop certain characteristics that they are well known of; whether being industrious or being irresponsible. Let’s face it; there is always that one trait that brands you.

We remember people for some of the things they do and somehow it gives us an idea of who they are; the few that we come to know personally fascinate us. We come to admire their courage and confidence; their will to make a stand from the rest of the crowd.

But usually they are the ones that people misunderstand. People misinterpret their ways. Just because they have something to say or they do not like to follow the way they are told means they're branded as disrespectful.

You cannot simply say it is lack of respect when they decide to ignore a leader’s demand; because instead of listening and requesting, the leader demands inferiors to do his bidding.

As a leader, you may have your own position but that doesn't guarantee you that people will do what you want especially INVISIBLE GLASS page 19

EDITORIAL PAGE 12 Is it impossible that the Office of Academic Affairs along with the four colleges, be more proactive in reaching out to both its faculty and the students under its care, to come up with an education needs assessment of sorts that will identify points of necessary improvement and intervention in view of international standards of competency?

We think these are not impossible.

Or are we still mired in all the red tape, in all the petty school politicking and worse, in all the toxic mediocrity of okay na yan or mamaya na to slow us down and overburden our already overworked staff?

And yet, there is so much focus on

continuing tradition in this school – on the same student activities every year, on the same activities during University week every year – that we have become an ancient lumbering giant, unable to jump into the future.

But the future is here, the challenge is upon us. What is our response?

Let our response be dynamic, let it be bold and let it be excellent.

Innovate on our weaknesses, support our strengths, and discover new ones.

Otherwise, we will die as a university.

Maybe not by 2015 or a decade after, but we will.

Time to dust off our shelves, open up our curtains, and throw mediocrity out the window. ■

PERSPECTIVES

Pilosopo Tasya

By Charlyn B. Gomez

What’s up with this academic calendar shift?

I can never deny the fact that when it comes to intelligence and optimism; Filipinos are always frontrunners. But when it comes to competitiveness among nations, I can never dispel the notion that the Philippines is left behind.

It’s so ironic that despite the brilliance and quality workmanship of our people, our nation still lags behind in terms of economic development.

With the economic integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) taking place by 2015, universities in the Philippines, here and now, are cramming to be at par with the universities abroad enabling us to adapt to the planned ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

AEC aims to make our country a stable, prosperous and highly competitive nation with equitable economic development.

This is another step towards a change wherein great effort shall be exerted for the adaptation of such transition in our educational system. This issue has been the talk among students for quite some time now, not knowing that this has already been on the process of implementation in the past years. Some gave their warmest welcome to the said issue because of the extended summer vacation they will have during the first year of shifting and the opportunities for research exchange.

However, some viewed this impractical due to climatic factors of the country and the lack of the opportunity to ponder more about the issue.

Currently, De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas have informed the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) about their plans to revise their academic calendars.

Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines (UP) and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) have already declared the shift of their academic year from June-March to August-May. UP has yet to make a decision that will commence in academic year 2014-2015, while ADMU in 2015-2016.

Moreover, according to the official statement of CHED, these changes are motivated by the desire of these institutions to internationalize their programs and the experience of their students and faculty. CHED allows higher education institutions to change their academic calendars as long as these are in accordance with the law. Republic Act No. 7797, section 3, states “The school year shall start on the first Monday of June but

not later than the last day of August”.

But some students fear that the changing of the academic calendar to accommodate international students may lead to educational tourism, and eventually lead to privatization of public educational institutions. Indeed, several issues and concerns are to be considered.

Furthermore, focusing on improving the quality of education and making it more accessible for everyone is a more important issue for others.

As it was already pointed out by CHED, let me reiterate the statement that institutions are motivated with their desire to internationalize their programs and the experience of their students and faculty. The said shift allows greater synchronization with the universities of other countries. To clarify such claims, changing the academic calendar only helps in facilitating linkages and does not make one an international university.

Joint programs are also made possible due to identical academic calendars. There are broad opportunities that will be available for us, not to mention research exchanges and quality assurance benchmarking in other countries of the world because of this. Of course, foreign students may benefit from this, but that doesn’t remove the fact that we will also, in the first place, gain more benefits from it. Embracing this kind of change does not entirely mean that we are leaving behind the hunger for improvement of our education’s quality, for in a wider sense we are embracing new means for progress.

Adapting to this kind of change in the educational system of the Philippines can be compared to the implementation of K-12 system. It will be hard maneuvering the paths of a reconstructed road leading to a more effective and competitive educational development. Thus, I am hoping for a wider range of informing and educating others regarding this issue. It may not be that easy at first to adjust to such shifting but what’s harder is the fear of not being able to adapt to it. This is just another step towards greater improvement to the quality of education and mobility for everyone, opening doors for Filipinos for wider opportunities.

■

TONGUE'S TIP from page 8

Unlike the politics outside the school premises, platforms of governance of the political parties during campus elections constantly contain the unending promise of pure student service, which, fortunately enough, is being materialized somehow.

The student voters then, being the sovereign ones, can make decisions based on their observations as to whether they want to reelect certain student leaders into office or not.

The students may even change or abolish offices because of their power to amend the SSC Constitution and By-Laws. This sovereign will of the people can again be clearly manifested through suffrage.

The students, however, can never exercise the right to suffrage just any time they want.

Such is because they are still bound by the rules of the administration or the law that provides when election of officials shall be held may it be in the SSC, CSC, University-Based Organizations or College-Based Organizations.

Elections in Aquinas University of Legazpi usually is a once in a year activity. The voice of the people has no effect when expressed in a different time, place, and manner. Hence, the student body must therefore exercise their right to suffrage intelligently and responsibly.

The right to suffrage does not only guarantee the free exercise of the students to vote during elections. Such right also gives them the freedom to run for elective positions in order to put forward their interests in serving the student and gain a number of incentives as well.

At the end of the day, while it is true that there is not enough political education regarding the exercise of the right to vote by the AUL students, I think that they themselves should take the initiative to understand further what their right to suffrage is.

It is not just a simple process wherein voters will just wait for candidates to campaign and market themselves; not just an activity wherein they will see and vote for candidates with good looks; and most important, it is not just any annual event wherein they will let unopposed candidates “win” by being voted upon by a very marginal number of students and because these candidates are actually unopposed in the first place.

I am hoping that the time will come that during elections, every polling precinct will be filled with student electorates who are demanding that their chosen candidates will prevail over others for the reason that they share common beliefs and values regarding student governance with these candidates.

With the collective effort of a more active Commission on Elections, SSC, and a more participative student body, this will surely be materialized and will not just remain at the tip of every student’s tongue. • Aquinian Herald 11

News

SSC amends consti

Passed Amendments

Passes first changes since 2006

Article II Sec. 3.7

BY ALFRED ROBERT C. BABASORO

Marking the first time since 2006, the Constitution of the Supreme Student Council (SSC) has been officially amended after ratification of the proposed changes was done through a plebiscite on January 10, 2014.

The amendments were made through the initiative of the council, headed by Joseph Paolo Rima (4 ABPS), president, and the Office of Student Services (OSS), led by Jesus Barizo, director.

The plebiscite was specifically conducted by gathering the students per course or department and having them cast their vote as the college-based and university-based organization presidents tabulated the result.

The Commission on Elections and OSS did the final tally.

While some students have raised concerns as to the process, the SSC and OSS assure the community that the process was done right.

proposed all the amendments on the provision of rights of students.

Asked before the plebiscite, about how the students would possibly find the proposals, the political science senior believed that the students will vote for the amendments.

The voters did.

Rima ran on a campaign to work for the promotion and protection of student rights as a pioneering independent candidate in last year’s election.

Meanwhile, because of proposed changes to the qualifications of students who can run for office, OSS added that the ratification of the amended constitution was necessary for the recently concluded 2014 student council elections. Further delays were seen as crucial to the conduct of this year’s elections.

The proposed amendment intending to raise the required grade for a possible candidate failed to pass though.

‘Timely and necessary’ According to Rima, the amendments are timely and necessary to improve on current systems, and to empower the students and the council.

When asked about what the most significant amendments were, the SSC president explained, "Some of the amendments are technical, including a few complicated terms. In my opinion, the very important parts of the modification were on the bill of rights, which are patterned after the existing laws of the land.”

He added that he is happy because he was the one who

Controversy Some of the revisions, however, like the changes to the qualifications of officers have stirred controversy in the university. Sources within the different political parties have stated that some of the proposals were unfair.

Nonetheless, Rima says that there are always pros and cons to a constitutional amendment. He adds that now that it has been passed, it must be respected because it was decided by the students.

The SSC president however lamented that since the outburst

12 Aquinian Herald

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Article II Sec. 20

Article III Sec. 13

Article III Sec. 14

The SSC is founded on the principles of representation, participatory democracy, decentralization, consultation, equity, accountability, unity, cooperation, efficiency, efficacy in the delivery of services.

The SSC shall serve as the official coordinating channel of the Aquinian studentry, the University Administration, Faculty, Non-academic personnel, parents, and other sectors of the university.

Every student has the right to invite and hear persons of their own choice in convocations and assemblies.

Every student has the right to confidentiality of his/her views, beliefs, association, and academic disciplinary records. Such information which the administration, faculty, non-academic personnel, and fellow students acquire in the course of their work or study should not be improperly disclosed.

Article III Sec. 15

Every student has the right to know the resolutions, decisions, activities of the governing bodies of the SSC.

Article III Sec. 16

Every student has the right to initiate the recall and impeachment of appointed and elected SSC, CSC, CBO’s and UBO’s or any representative from office on any of the following grounds stated on article XIV of this constitution.

Article IX Sec. 1

The Elections of the SSC and CSC officers shall be held simultaneously on the 1st Monday during the month of February.

Article XVII Sec. 2

Article XVII Sec. 4

Article XX Sec. 3

The Student Council Fund (SCF) shall be determined and approved by the Legislative Board.

Adjustment in the Student Council Fund shall be proposed by the SSC in consultation with the students and information be given to the Administration regarding the said adjustment.

Any amendment or revision of this constitution under Section 1 hereof shall be valid only when ratified by a majority of all votes cast in a plebiscite.

Failed Amendments Article VIII Sec. 1.1

A general weighted average of not lower than 85 in the preceding two semesters prior to the election.

Article VIII Sec. 1.3

Enrolled as a regular student in the subjects required for his/her course as may be certified by the school registrar.

News of the controversies he has been unfairly maligned as the culprit. He clarified that the changes in the SSC constitution were not only his own ideas but a product of group effort coming from the whole council.

Another issue that has been raised by concerned student leaders is the lack of formal and direct consultation with the students in the process.

Rima explained that there is no need for a direct dialogue with students because the consultation was done through the CBOs and UBOs. Stating that it was difficult to gather the whole student population, he also mentioned that direct consultation was not required by the current constitution.

The SSC president and OSS, in the face of the concerns, are firm on their assessment that the process is aboveboard.

Long process, delayed The process started in the final quarter of 2013 when the desired amendments were first identified and presented to the UBOs and CBOs. According to SSC, the amendment of the constitution was already part of SSC’s operational plans.

However, based on the said plan, the amended constitution should have already been released by August, 2013.

Asked about this, the council pointed to certain issues on time constraints, loaded schedules, limited funding, and lack of manpower as the reasons for the delay.

On November 9, 2013, a Constitutional Convention (ConCon) was held at the Daragang Magayon Hall participated in by several student groups within the university.

After the ConCon, the proposed amendments were finalized and were presented to the student body for ratification.

The process proved to be challenging to the SSC, however. Rima says that the council does not have enough power to gather the student body for the plebiscite, so it was channeled instead through the presidents of the UBOs and CBOs. •

CASE, CEAFA celebrate college days

BY RALPH ERIK B. BERMAS

IDEAL CASEyanos. Queenie Hipolito (3rd from right) and Ralph Bermas (3rd from left) are crowned as the most ideal during the CASE days celebration at Daragamg Magayon Hall. PHOTO BY JOHN RICHARD MORENO

In order to promote camaraderie and establish competency among their students, the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE), and College of Engineering, Architecture, and Fine Arts (CEAFA) held their college days in February.

Organized by their respective councils, the college days of the two academic units of Aquinas University of Legazpi were filled with events and activities that showcased the talents of their students.

CASE conducted their college days on February 20 and 24, where students from different college based organizations like AQ Politika, Pilosopo AQ, Chemistry Radicals, TALAC, Psychology Society, and The Mentors actively participated during the event.

The first day of the event saw 55 students compete in different games that originated in the Philippines.

Five teams went head to head in games like Patintero, Longest line, Piko, Tumbang Preso, Sack Race, and Riddle guessing. Andrea Antes’ team “Labing Isang May Karisma” won the Laro ng Lahi tournament.

Afterwards, snacks were given to all the participating students.

On the second day, the search for “Mr. and Ms. Ideal CASEyanos” took place at Daragang Magayon Hall.

Students from the four colleges of the

university witnessed the prestigious pageant featuring CASE students.

Ralph Erik Bermas (AB Pol. Sci.) and Queenie Hipolito (AB Comm) were declared as the very first Mr. and Ms. Ideal CASEyanos.

Meanwhile, CEAFA days were conducted on February 26-28 the AUL grounds.

The first day of the activity saw the students compete in events like on the spot painting, wherein participants showed off their talent in creating beautiful art works, and the quiz bee “PaCEAFAklaban” which was won by Jepsie Aspra, a 2nd year ECE student.

“CEAFA in the Corporate World” was the theme of the second day as students from the department wore corporate attires to attend seminars about web development and photography.

During the third day, CEAFA students battled other gamers in different colleges in a Dota 2 tournament which was held at the computer shop just outside the university grounds in which College of Business, Management, and Accountancy (CBMA) won.

The three-day event was closed by a social night held in Capretti Goat ’n Grill at Cabangan, Legazpi City where CEAFAns celebrated the new appellation of their college.

•

Aquinian Herald 13

NEWS

In Sports...

Champions dethroned

FILE PHOTO OF 2013 PRISAA Nationals BY ROMEO DIESTA JR.

Tigers head to nationals Shine in PRISAA regionals

Aquinian cagers, spikers fail to defend titles in Governor’s Cup

After two years of dominance, the AUL Tigers and Tigresses took a major downfall in this year’s Governor’s Cup held from September 2013 to February 2014 at the Albay Astrodome.

The Tigers who finished Governor’s Cup last year with three titles, didn’t win any championship this year. The male and female cagers and spikers of AUL also had their own share of struggles during the duration of the tournament.

The cagers of Aquinas University were ousted by the Mariner’s Polytechnic College Foundation in the semi-final round, ending their Governor’s Cup campaign with a third place finish. Nino Delos Reyes, Kevin Rodriguez, and Maruelo Ferreras carried the team in that game, but the rest of their teammates struggled to maintain the energy and the lead whenever the trio went to the bench. The cagers managed to keep it close until the fourth quarter, but came up short due to fatigue.

Meanwhile, the Aquinas cagebelles were able to reach the championship match against Bicol University Polangui Campus (BUPC), but sophomore star Aira Ravago, who was coming off an illness failed to find her shooting touch throughout the game. Maria Luisa Buella and Patricia Agmata picked up the slack, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the BUPC, whose cagebelles eventually surprised everyone by winning the Governor’s Cup basketball women’s title.

The volleyball men’s and 14 Aquinian Herald

After a solid performance in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Regionals on February 21 to 23 at Daet, Camarines Norte, athletes from Aquinas University are now aiming for a more prestigious crown as they head to Tagum City, Davao to represent the university and the Bicol Region from April 6 to 12, 2014.

A total of 20 athletes from the university will be part of the delegation that also includes players from Divine Word College of Legazpi, Mariners’ Polytechnic Colleges Foundation, Amando Cope College, and Bicol College.

During the regionals, Aquinas University’s representatives for the Athletics men division led the way for team Albay, as runners Joebert Alcazar and Rey Anonuevo combined for almost 30 medals in the tournament. Rookie Eric Perez also demonstrated his skill in other athletic events.

Rising stars Nino John Delos Reyes, siblings King Abe and Maruelo Ferreras, and Mark Dane Ruaburo helped the Albay team dominate the basketball men’s division while Aira Ravago, Rhea Arana, Kreshia Llanera, Jessica Jacob, women’s teams, who both came into the tournament aiming for their third straight Governor’s Cup title, were ousted by the BUPC and Divine Word College of Legazpi (DWCL) in the tournament respectively.

The volleybelles were able to erase DWCL’s twice to beat advantage when they won the win-or-go home match to force a deciding game.

But DWCL came out with perfect execution in the clincher to finally put their long time rivals away. The volleyball men’s team meanwhile surrendered to BUPC in the semi-finals.

According to Wellness, Sports and Fitness Center president Aldin Soneja, there were several reasons for Aquinas University’s poor showing in the Governor’s Cup. First was that most of the athletes were struggling to maintain good grades, so he allowed the athletes to focus on

Sharmaine Velasco helped the basketball women’s team clinch the title.

Other athletes who will be playing in the Nationals are Jerome Prieto (Beach Volleyball Men), Rosalinda Bigtas, Maria Christina Rana, and Angeli Vergara (Beach Volleyball Women), Louis Jianno Aboga, Keith and Lucky Asejo, and Teddy Berjuega (Football).

Along with the athletes, coaches and officials will also head to Davao to help guide Team Albay to success. These include Arnold Beringuela, coach for the Volleyball teams and Athletics Men, Samuel Aguilar, assigned Delegation Prefect of Discipline and Assistant coach of Beach Volleyball Men’s team, Roland Jarque, coach of Basketball Men’s team, Loreto Barajas, Delegation Technical Liaison Officer and coach of Basketball Women’s team, Rafael Chong, Delegation Head of PRISAA Legazpi Chapter and Assistant coach of Basketball Men’s, and AUL Wellness, Sports and Fitness Center President Aldin Soneja.

The Bicol Region placed sixth in the PRISAA Nationals last year, which was held in Pangasinan. By Ralph B. Orense their academic performance, but it affected their training schedules. He also cited inexperience as another issue because some of the guys who played in the Governor’s Cup were rookies who found it hard to compete with the veterans of the league.

After a disappointing finish, the Aquinas University Tigers will be heading into the next Governor’s Cup with redemption on their minds as their motivation.

They will surely want those titles back.

This year’s Governor’s Cup was postponed midway from November to December because the provincial government of Albay used the Astrodome in the relief operations for the victims of the Typhoon Yolanda. Games resumed in January. By Ralph Orense

NEWS

Bicol psych majors meet in AUL

Aquinas prepares for UST-supervised MedTech offer

Aquinian senior wins beauty tilt Psychology students from different schools in the region attended the 10th annual convention of the Bicol Region Association of Psychology Students (BRAPS) on March 1, 2014 held at the Student Pavilion of Aquinas University of Legazpi (AUL).

The event which had lectures and contests also saw Aquinian Bhakita Mae Llames (4 BS Psych) win the Ms. BRAPS 2014 crown.

A total of 55 students from six Bicol schools participated in the convention which according to Athena Grace Macasinag (3 BS Psych), incumbent president of BRAPS, aimed at gathering all Bicolano psychology students to strengthen their ties and their profession.

Registered psychologists Ernesto Tan of Ateneo de Manila University and Dr. Salvacion Villafuerte of Bicol University College of Social Sciences and Philosophy were the keynote speakers during the event.

Tan discussed positive psychology in counseling psychology. Meanwhile, Dr. Villafuerte discussed the importance of positive psychology in the clinical setting.

Other highlights of the event include a workshop on handling sexually abused women and children, a quiz bee, and the search for Mr. and Ms. BRAPS 2014.

Participating schools in the event were Divine Word College of Legazpi, Ateneo de Naga University, University of Nueva Caceres (UNC), University of Saint Anthony, Universidad de Sta. Isabel (USI), and AUL. The group of UNC won the quiz while Jopet Villanueva of USI was declared Mr. BRAPS 2014.

Newly elected BRAPS officers for the school year 2014 to 2015 were also inducted to office before the event ended.

BRAPS organized the event in partnership with the AUL Psychology Society. By Ralph B. Orense

CBMA SC holds STRATA IV In its continuing effort to enlighten and orient its students of the ins and outs of the business and corporate world, the College of Business Management and Accountancy (CBMA) conducted its annual business seminar STRATA IV. The affair, with the theme “Leadership Imperative in Extraordinary Times," was held on held on February 8, 2014 at the Oriental Hotel and Resorts.

Motivational speaker, author and noted businessman Chinkee Tan graced the event and served as the guest keynote speaker who spoke on the rights attitude and mindset of successful persons in business.

The event was highlighted by a raffle draw that included books by Tan as well as flash drives for prizes.

“It was fun, inspiring, and motivating,” said Yoshua Daryl Urbina, an accountancy freshman. “I will always remember the line ‘Positive mindset plus positive actions equal to positive results,’” he added.

Earlier in the day, the seminar expounded on a series of lectures

recognizing the difference between a leader and a manager, guide to success in their respective professions, and lastly, a personality development workshop that taught students that to positive results are achieved with positive mindset plus positive actions.

The second part was dedicated on an open forum, wherein the participants were given the chance to raise their queries and concerns regarding the matters at hand.

According to Jenny Rose Polinar, CBMA Student Council (SC) President, the council prepared better for this year’s STRATA. “Months before the event, we already prepared every requirement that we would need,” Polinar said. She added, “we also made sure that we had a good speaker so that the students would get a lot from our choice.”

The event has been organized by the CBMA SC since the seminar’s launch in 2011. By Archie B. Ner and Rona Maricar C. Miña

After opening BS Pharmacy this academic year, the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS) of Aquinas University of Legazpi will be launching a Medical Technology (MedTech) course next school year.

MedTech, like the BS Pharmacy program, will be supervised and cohandled by professors from the University of Santo Tomas, sister university of AUL. According to CNHS Dean Vicente Peralta, RN, MSN, all the necessary requirements needed to launch MedTech next semester have already been submitted to the Commission on Higher Education. The college also have the needed permits from CHED, the Dean said.

Peralta added that Pharmacy and MedTech will help fill the need of the region for medical technologists and pharmacists. He added that course offering is aimed at giving students who want to study health science courses the chance to obtain quality education without leaving Bicol. With reports from

Archie B. Ner and Rona C. Miña

Red Cross trains CNHS students The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) recently supervised a Basic Life Support (BLS) Training that saw about 46 senior Aquinian nursing students participate on January 17 to 18, 2014 at St. Martin de Porres Building, Aquinas University main campus.

On the first day, the students were given a lecture on BLS, including the concept behind and the emergency procedures it entails.

Meanwhile, the second day consisted of demonstrations among the seniors from the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS). The student nurses performed Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and rescue breathing procedures on three age groups namely infant, child, and adult.

The two-day event aims to prepare the student nurses in facing and handling emergency situations in the future. By

Zarra P. Escurel

Aquinian Herald 15

News

OSS caps year with search for awardees

BY AARON MARC M. DIMAANO

Working together.

(L-R) SSC President Paolo Rima, OSS Director Jesus Barizo, Rector and President Ernesto Arceo and OAPA Director Gina Borromeo cut the ribbon to open the Organizatio Days on August 2013 at the AUL grounds.

PHOTO BY ROMEO DIESTA JR.

The Office of Student Services (OSS), the main office overseeing the university clinic, security, as well as the student activities is welcoming the end of the academic year with its annual special awards launched on March 3, 2014 for the non-graduating Aquinians.

The special awards are given to outstanding student leaders, organizations as well as students with exceptional academic achievements.

The awardees will be conferred with medals during the Welcoming Program next school year.

An earlier search has also been conducted among the graduating batch. The awards for them will be given during the Commencement Exercises on April 3, 2014.

OSS also highlighted its accomplishments for the year in a document released to Aquinian Herald.

Aside from the year-end recognition, the office pushed through as well with its projects on health for both the students and the faculty members including a blood pressure taking and monitoring event called “Bantay Puso, Bantay Presyon” on February 28, a

16 Aquinian Herald

symposium on Hepatitis and HIV/AIDS on February 19, a mass blood donation on January 30, and a free laboratory screening in the “Regalo sa Klinika sa AQ’ng Kapamilya” on December 2 last year.

The student services office, meanwhile, helped facilitate the 2014 synchronized Supreme Student Council and College Student Councils campaign period and elections during the last week of February.

OSS also oversaw a seminar for the OFW dependents as well as students with single parents and those who are differently abled on February 21.

According to the OSS Director, Jesus A. Barizo, his office delivers these services not just in accordance to the directives of Commission on Higher Education but also to contribute to the University’s thrusts.

NEXT PAGE

News

AUL debsoc 3-peat Don Buen champs Continuing its dominance in the region, the Aquinas University Debate Society (AQDS) won its third straight championship trophy as winner of this year’s Don Buenaventura Regional Intervarsities (IVs) on January 28 to 30, 2014.

AQDS also took home honors from the Manila Intervarsity (MINT) debate tournament organized by the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila Debate Circle on February 15 to 16, 2014.

In the Don Buenaventura IVs, the team was composed of Patrick Joseph Estillomo (2 ABPS), Jonalyn Bazar (2 ABPS) and Ralph Erik Bermas (3 ABPS). The team was coached by fellow student Roger Abitria IV, President of AQDS. Meanwhile, Kevin Hapal (4 Debate Champ. Patrick Estillomo of AUL delivers a speech in the Don Buen Finals against ABComm), was recognized as the third ADNU on January 30, 2014 at the Student Pavilion.

PHOTO BY ROMEO DIESTA JR. best adjudicator of the tournament. three-day tournament.

At the national level in MINT, which Bicol schools Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU), Bicol saw competition from the top schools of the country including UP, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, College, Bicol University Main Campus, Bicol University College University of Santo Tomas and San Beda College, AQDS also of Engineering (BUCE), Divine Word College of Legazpi, St. Louise de Marillac College of Sorsogon, and Universidad de won awards.

Aaron Marc Dimaano (4 ABPS) took home the 8th best Sta. Isabel (USI) went through four matches in the preliminary adjudicator award while Estillomo was included in the top rounds.

Along with AUL, only BUCE, USI and ADNU made it to the adjudicators of the tournament. semi-finals but it was Ateneo and Aquinas which met in the final round. The set-up was similar to the past two years where A bigger field This year’s edition of the Don Buenaventura IVs meanwhile the finals has been a perennial match between AdNU and AUL saw participation from more schools compared to previous teams.

Nonetheless, AQDS also won the regional cup in 2012 and years.

2013.

Tournament Convener Charina Robles (4 ABComm) said The tournament is annually organized by AQDS in close they did their best, with the limited funding and man power, to give the best edition of the tournament ever since its partnership with the Pilosopo AQ, AQ Politika and the College conceptualization. Robles added that this year, the society has of Arts, Sciences and Education (CASE). expanded the regional cup from a one-day event to a full-pledge OSS CAPS FROM PAGE 16

Earlier in the academic year, the OSS also held a symposium on “Healthy Lifestyle and Infectious Diseases” on September 19, the Environmental Summit on August 25, and the 9th Drug Summit on August 15.

It also facilitated the Organization Days from August 13 to 16 and the AQYLES 6 leadership seminar for students from June 10 to 11. With reports by Archie B.

Ner and Rona Maricar C. Miña

In preparation.

Aquinian rescuers carry a simulated casualty during the Fire and Earthquake Drill on February 26, 2014 at the AUL grounds.

PHOTO BY ENRICO MANALLO

Aquinian Herald 17

NEWS

In other news...

AUL scholars help Rawis youth Putting into action the mission of Aquinas University of Legazpi to share the fruit of one’s endeavour, Scholars’ Society (SS) carried out its Scholars’ Day Out on December 4, 2013 at Rawis Elementary School, the partner community for the activity.

The event had the Aquinian scholars dispersed from grades one to six to teach new learning and knowledge to the pupils.

They also conducted games and a rosary-making workshop.

Allan Navales (3 ABComm), SS President anticipates the continuation of this activity in the coming years.

The activity was earlier opened by remarks from Jordan Averilla of the College of Arts, Sciences and Education, SS adviser of SS, after a foot parade from AUL to Rawis Elementary.

Office of Student Services (OSS) Director Jesus Barizo was also on hand to give his message.

A total of 181 participants joined the activity. The different scholars of the university including the academic, sports and student assistants helped to make the activity happen.

The project was made by SS in collaboration with the OSS, Center for Cultural Affairs, Wellness, Sports and Fitness Center and the Human Resource Management Office. By Karen Daniele Besmonte

18 Aquinian Herald

Inspiring Youth.

UST Prof. Eros Atalia delivers the keynote remarks at the 13th LHEPC on February 12, 2014 at Lucban, Quezon before the hundreds of student journalists in attendance. PHOTO BY ROMEO DIESTA JR.

AH makes big splash in national presscon Aquinian Herald (AH), the official student publication of the university finished as one of the best Bicol campus papers after winning major awards during the 13th Luzon-wide Higher Education Press Conference on February 12 to 14 held at Batis Aramin Hotel and Resort, Lucban, Quezon.

Contributing to the victory of the publication, Aaron Marc Dimaano (4 ABPS), Editor in Chief, finished first in Editorial writing and ninth in Development Communication writing (English). Graphics Editor Romeo Diesta (1 BFA) won second place in the Photojournalism event (English) while Senior Associate Editor Ralph Orense (3 ABComm) placed fourth in Sports writing (English).

The student paper was also able to nab the second best news page and eighth best page design awards for the tabloid category while their literary folio “Layog” won seventh best in the Visual Arts category.

Fresh from big regional win Earlier, AH was declared as the first runner-up in the overall individual events during the 14th Region V Tertiary Schools Press Conference on January 9 to 11 at the Bagasbas Lighthouse Beach Resort, Daet, Camarines Norte.

Dimaano also bagged the first place in Editorial writing and Development Communication writing (English) while Roger Abitria IV (4 ABEL), Editor at Large, and former EIC, was declared first in Opinion writing and second in Copyreading and Headline writing

(English).

Dimaano placed as the second highest pointer in the overall individual category while Abitria bagged the third spot.

Meanwhile, Orense was awarded the third place in Sports writing (English) and Diesta got third place in the Photojournalism event (English).

AH was also declared as the fourth best publication in the tabloid category, taking home the awards for Best in Editorial Page, Second Best in News Page and Page Design, Third Best in Features Page, and Fourth Best in Sports and Opinion Page.

The student publication was coached and advised by John Richard Moreno of the College of Arts, Sciences and Education.

This year marked the first time that Aquinas University’s publication participated in the national and regional conferences. The accomplishments add to the growing commendations for AUL’s student pub. AH was also cited as the Best Publication in the Tabloid Category in the 6th Liyab Regional Journalism and Arts Festival on November, 2013, at Ateneo de Naga University in Naga City. •

PERSPECTIVES NIGHTINGALE'S CAGE from page 9

just words said without meaning? Seek the deeper truth; it doesn’t hurt to unravel the mystery of one’s ideas.

A person is just a person still taunted with temptation of power. Realize that it is the strength of control over the weak, the idle, the uncaring. It will consume a leader if he lets it.

Within your choice. It was and always

INIVISIBLE GLASS from page 10 when you bark orders instead of asking nicely.

We're not in the old age that you have to be cruel so people would be scared enough to follow. We live in a democratic country where people have the right to air their rights. You cannot punish them because they said what others are scared to say. To put it simply, you cannot influence results with your power, without being held accountable.

As a leader, if someone opposes you because the person has something different to say, all you have to do is listen. Instead of telling yourself that the person is at fault, look at yourself first before blaming. Civilized people know better than take revenge by staining another’s good name.

We must remember that we can never ever say we don’t have a choice when we’re in these kinds of situations, because it's just

SWEAT, BLOOD & INK from page 10 become leaders, ourselves.

Just a few months ago, I, along with other members of the school paper were promoted to the different positions in editorial board. Because of that we must step up and also practice the role of a leader as well. I advanced to the position of Features Editor. Although this experience is still new to me, I should own up to it especially that I’m considering a career in writing in the future, hopefully.

And another reason is so that as Roger and Aaron leave the publication in the hands of those who will remain, we will be able to carry out the leadership the way they did and that the quality of the school paper is maintained or even bettered; maybe even evolve in time.

Although I have to admit that at other times, I would feel so intimidated around them because of their great knowledge and expertise. It’s as if they are already at the peak and I’m still just half way there.

But even if they are gifted with such abilities, they still remain humble. Once,

will be in your hands, students. Who did you choose? If you think your vote doesn’t matter, think again. It’s time to go outside the comfort zones of traditions and negligence to school matters. What we need is interaction from every student to know the pulse of our university.

Remember, leaders are not just born, they are also made. ■

a lousy excuse. A person should choose the right thing because the person wants to; she wants to make that choice between her conscience and opportunity to power.

There will always be the oppressed and oppressor. But it doesn't always need to be for the oppressed to be weak and pitied nor the oppressor to be downright evil. Perhaps it would greatly help if we strip outright hypocrisy and find authenticity in ourselves.

To the rest, a warning: the power-hungry persons are roaming all around us, because they are just like us. But they have made choices that lead them astray from a sense of humanity. Sure, we all may be soaked or worse, drowning from sin; still, we can make a difference.

Though not everything will come our way, no dictator should take control of anyone's life; and as for the dictators – stop twistedly moralizing. ■

I shared my feeling of intimidation towards them. Then they told me I should not feel pressured nor compare my work to others and I must focus on my writing instead for in time and through experience, I will be able to grow more as a writer.

Somehow, that advice of theirs made me feel more comfortable and relieved.

Being a writer for the Aquinian Herald not only helped me gain more knowledge in writing, but also in leadership. A good leader does not simply command, she also facilitates, serves, inspires, becomes an example and most importantly, does it for a cause and not just for some selfish reasons as to impress others for self promotion and for applause.

In fact, a good leader must have humility. Leadership is not done just for the inflation of one’s ego. One must not lead for the attention of the crowd because that is just shallow. Instead, it should be for a purpose intended for benefit of the crowd. ■

BEAR HUNGRY from page 7

Do endings then always have to be sad?

I guess in a way, they should. The

sadness reminds us that we truly loved. And at the end of the day, that’s usually the most that we can do.

Paalam at salamat!

■ GOALWARD PSYCH from page 9 the Philippine government left many of us wondering why they are so unwilling to support talented Pinoy athletes during their very important training period? I guess we’ve been stuck in the mentality that Filipinos will remain mediocre in the sporting world. But we have proven that to be wrong for so many times now.

Do they really want the athletes to prove themselves first before they decide to support them? Why are they so afraid to take a risk anyway?

But this kind of mentality isn’t just present with the Philippine government, but is also a characteristic of a common Filipino. I have seen Filipinos bash athletes in the social media whenever they fail to take home any award or medal in a certain competition. They won't even watch the games of some of our notso-known athletes. But when a success story like that of Michael Martinez, the Dragonboat Team, or Smart Gilas comes out, they will act like long-time fans who will claim that they always believed in what the Filipinos can do.

Oh please.

We Filipinos are fond of patronizing athletes only after their achievement.

I believe though that we must not be a bandwagon jumper who are only there for our countrymen during his success, but will not give a damn during their failures. Let’s be loyal. Win or lose, support our athletes!

Well, with or without the support of the government and their fellow countrymen, athletes like Michael Martinez will continue to show the fighting spirit that we Filipinos have. His love, dedication, and passion he gives to his craft were evident through the spins, glides and leaps in the ice rink. He is now known all not only in the Philippines, but also in the whole world. With the support of his family, friends and the institutions who believed in him, he was able to make us all proud and achieve something that has never done by any Filipino figure skater before him. ■

Aquinian Herald 19

Feature

Up and Coming. The faces of the university's new batch of student leaders ready to take on the task of student service.

“what truly is an Aquinian leader?”

Full Disclosure:

The author is an incumbent officer of the CNHS student council, winning her post as part of the Reporma party.

20 Aquinian Herald

For the past years, we have seen leaders being groomed to take tasks given by their seniors. We even notice potential leaders being thrust upon leadership. These Aquinian leaders possess sterling qualities that had singled them out from the others.

T

ruthfully, the word “leader” has evolved to have different connotations.

Technically, once you are put in a position, you can be classified as a “student leader”. Yet, there are those others who have shown their leadership shunning the limelight. These are the leaders among us who do not possess any title, yet, they have been good leaders in their own way, largely remaining incognito in

the projects they have spearheaded and facilitated.

Aquinian Herald takes a sampling of leaders from each college who have shown their capabilities and willingness to serve the studentry; despite not sitting at the top positions, they've been contributing to the development of the Aquinian brand of leadership.

Perhaps, they can help us answer the question, what truly is an Aquinian leader?

Breaking

shells out of their

Defining the next generation of Aquinian leaders

BY ZARRA P. ESCUREL PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROMEO L. DIESTA

Aquinian Herald 21

CBMA

A rising student leader, Bob is the incoming President of the Supreme Student Council. He was also the school’s chosen delegate to the Philippine Association of College Students and Advisers (PACSA).

This academically-inclined ‘reformist’ presents himself to the college crowd as approachable, sociable, and open-minded. He says he possesses the spirit to be a leader pointing to having the capability and the initiative to serve the student body.

Originally part of CEAFA, Bob started his ‘career’ on leadership there. He was the representative and auditor of the Institute of Electronics and Communication Engineers of the Philippines (ICEF).

As a leader, he says he sticks to what he believes in; but if there is something better than what he originally believes in, he will most likely consider or adapt to it.

He has passion, and he says it is student rights, professing that he is a leader who delivers. When given a task, “it is good as done”, he muses. ............................................................................

Certainly a fresh face in the block, perhaps a new leader to reckon with?

Straight forward Bob Balderama offers a breath of fresh air.

Bob M. Balderama Jr. 3rd Year, BS Business Administration Major in Marketing Management

22 Aquinian Herald

This eager Anduyog volunteer

advocates community involvement and participation among students. He is now the incoming President of the College of Business Management and Accountancy Student Council.

Franklin, a former Student Assistant, says he sees leadership as a way to influence others; most especially, to promote volunteerism as an act of passion, not just a way to garner points.

He says he’s amiable, responsible, and systematic, with an average standing on academics, but he is very active in terms of extra-curricular activities.

Franklin encourages students to willingly offer their time for service because he thinks there is satisfaction in helping others.

As a volunteer, he says he has gained skills of being a good facilitator and organizer.

Even without prior experience in leadership, he points out that being a volunteer has made him a good and efficient student leader. .................................................................

As a leader for his fellow CBMA students, he considers himself a good investment: less on debt and more on returns.

Franklin John C. Flores 3rd Year, BS Business Administration Major in Financial Management

Marvin Ray V. Bermillo 3rd Year, BS Nursing A scholar and a volunteer,

Marvin is the incumbent Auditor of the Supreme Student Council and the incoming President of the CNHS Student Council. He had started early in student leadership being part of all collegebased organization activities since his freshman year.

Notably, academically, he remains part of the top members of his class.

As a student leader, Marvin says he is not always popular with other officers because he struggles with some of the university’s systems and policies.

Even when there are those who do not approve of his principles, he continues to represent what he believes is the voice of his fellow Aquinians.

You might say he is a leader who stands for what he believe is right and the voice that speaks is on behalf of many.

Friends note that despite his busyness, he is always hands-on. .........................................................

Preparing to go back and serve the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, he points to his experience in the council hierarchy.

Krystyn G. BaĂąega 3rd Year, BS Nursing

CNHS

Tyn is a transfereee from the University of the Philippines and she makes it a point to be outstanding in her academics.

Even then, she is still able to maintain a balance between academics and extra-curricular activities.

An active student leader of her college, she is also part of ProDigi, the creative arts university-based organization.

True to form, her artistic inclinations make her a popular go-to girl by her friends.

She says she is an efficient worker, mindful of time and has the ability to talk and voice her mind.

Friends agree that she is friendly, approachable, and dependable.

She says that in the future she is ready to share her talents to both her superiors and the ones she serves. .........................................................

Enjoying support both from peers and other leaders, she hopes to embark on a journey to influence and empower others.

Aquinian Herald 23

Queenie C. Hipolito 3rd Year, AB Communication

CASE

'Little Miss Sunshine' of the CASEyanos, Queenie has been known not only for her pretty looks but for her matching intelligence even winning the Ms. Ideal CASEyano crown.

One of the most sought-after hosts of school events, she has also been able to use her broadcasting skills competitively.

She won as first runner up at the Regional finals of the ABS-CBN news casting competition last year.

Even if she is used to talking before a large crowd, she says she remains humble and undeterred by critics.

Currenlty a Student Assistant (SA), Queenie is now preparing to serve the university as incoming SSC Secretary.

She believes that being an SA gave her a different perspective about leadership and service.

Her primary agenda is to further empower the students in the university as she sits in the student council circle. ......................................................

24 Aquinian Herald

A picture of a confident and smart young woman, Queenie believes she has what it takes to be a good leader.

Don Kevin Jose O. Hapal 4th Year, AB Communication

The multi-talented ProDigi

founder Kevin, has largely been a low-profile but well-rounded leader.

Friends say he is a workaholic and a visionary. He, on the other hand, says he just makes sure he gets the job done.

Among the talents he has, aside from the digital arts, according to him, is writing.

Kevin shares that he has been part of many organizations including the debate society. He is also part of the college student council.

He futher shares that he voices his thoughts and ideas with no inhibitions when tackling an issue.

Nonetheless, Kevin approaches mishaps and misunderstanding in a calm and rational manner; usually solving problems with a light conversation and no biases. ......................................................

He knows he cannot please everyone, but he thinks leadership is about serving and at the same time improving and bettering one’s self. For the council, he feels the need for growth and development to serve the students even better.

Joseph D. Yap VII 2nd Year, BS Architecture

As the Public Relations Officer of the Supreme Student Council, 'Jseven,' as his friends call him, plays a big role. But he says he keeps his respect for his seniors.

In his freshman year, he became part of the council, and now he is eyeing to organize an environmental organization.

He acknowledges that he is academically average but his peers and colleagues note him for his eager involvement in the council.

But even with a bigger focus on his extracurricular activities, he is still seen as a responsible and dependable student leader.

He says he also is a supportive officer who takes part in council’s projects. But apart from the SSC, Jseven is also part of the university-based organization, ProDigi. ...........................................................................

A self-professed people person and gadget savvy guy, Jseven, a promising student leader on the rise, is perhaps preparing himself for an audacious leadership track.

CEAFA

Anna Margarita Bichara 3rd Year, BS Architecture

Anna is currently the Vice President

of her college’s student council and is seen by both her colleagues and friends as a good leader.

Anna is the type of person who is approachable, thus she is liked by most of her peers.

As a leader, she is one of the few in her college who is willing to become an officer and face the demands of the position. She is now preparing as the incoming President of the CEAFA Student Council.

She says she makes sure there is a balance between her academics and extra-curricular activities.

She also makes it a point to participate actively in the projects of the council. A leader who oversees possible outcomes, she makes sure that every decision is well thought out as it would affect the college. ........................................................................

Enjoying the support of other incumbents, this leader from the inner circle of the council, enjoys immense favor to continue serving her fellow students.

Aquinian Herald | 25Aquinian Herald 25

IN PICTURES

66th University Week Faith & Love

PHOTOS BY ROMEO L. DIESTA JR. & ENRICO DE MESA MANALLO

Opening Salvo JANUARY 28

SALINAS Lecture JANUARY 29

26 Aquinian Herald

Employee Wellness JANUARY 30

ROKYAW 13 FEBRUARY 4

Aquinian Herald 27

DevComm

Service scholarship,

LEADERSHIP Student Assistants speak out

BY MARISSE M. FRANCIA RONA MARICAR C. MIÑA ART BY KARL BRIGUERA, MICHAEL REYES & ALFRED BABASORO

w

What is leadership?

When we hear this word, we usually associate it with people holding elective governmental positions; politicians like the president, vice president, senators, congressmen, governors, mayors and others.

In the university level, we associate leadership with the students elected to the ruling bodies of the school, the Supreme Student Council (SSC) and the College Student Council (CSC). They are the people that immediately cross our minds. Our definition of leadership is limited to them.

However, uncommon to popular belief, there are students in our midst that exemplify a different color of leadership.

Their stories are usually unheard and most of the time their existence is totally ignored. They are the student assistants.

They are not the sort of leaders we automatically consider, we know, but there seems to be more to them aside from their service-based scholarship.

Student assistants, better known as ‘SAs,’ are the scholars under the Student Assistantship Program (SAP) of the university which is for the financially challenged students who are willing to become work assistants to the school, rendering twenty hours of duty per week – usually four hours per day from Mondays to Fridays; four hours a day of service scholarship, and perhaps leadership as well?

Although leadership and assistantship may seem like a contradicting pair – with a leader being one to initiate action, a guide and an influential person, in opposition to an ‘assistant’ being one who follows, does what is ordered, act as a subordinate – the SAs seem to break the thin line between the two.

SAs’ leadership largely unseen The ‘leadership’ of SAs may many times go unnoticed or unrecognized.

Instead they are more likely seen as service scholars because they contribute much to the university for they are always there, ready to lend a helping hand in service to anyone who visits them; whether it comes to minding the learning materials needed by the students at the bookstore, keeping the library an orderly and quiet place to study or for a good read, or tending to the corresponding offices where they are assigned to.

28 Aquinian Herald

“I would consider SAs’ performance as relevant to the university,” says Jean Cardiño, Director of the Human Resources Management Office (HRMO).

“SAs supplement the human resources of the university and are considered to be the best capital or asset in any organization,” Cardiño added.

The HRMO director points to SAs being the extra hands of the university. They make work easier for the administration and faculty and are the solution to maximizing the university’s limited resources.

This is perhaps why SAs are important to the university.

In a way, Aquinas University runs on them.

The HRMO is the office responsible for screening SA applicants.

For a student to avail of the SAP, certain requirements should be met. The student must obtain a particular General Weighted Average (GWA) and present her Aquinas University College Admission Test (AUCAT) rating. Upon completing the preliminary requirements, the selection process is followed by an apprenticeship that the applicants need to pass. As such, the office carefully handpicks the successful applicants.

Once prospective SAs make it, they have to maintain the grade requirement set for them as scholars. Additionally, even their performance at work is being graded.

With these standards, the program is designed for students who are willing not just to give the best service but at the same time, get good grades as well.

In many ways then, the service scholarship that the SAs work hard to render also translates to leadership: servant leadership Servant leadership defined But what is servant leadership?

Leadership is many things to many people.

Leadership entails some qualities from a person such as being committed, keeping in mind and by heart her duty so

DEVCOMM | IN-CAMPUS

that things go well. A leader must also be responsible since many people are relying on her with the duties that lie in her hands.

It is also essential for a leader to be hard working because it is from hard work where progress sprouts; she will do everything that can be done and won’t stop working until a task is accomplished.

Being a role model is also expected from a leader – serving as a good example for the people to emulate.

It can be said however that these qualities are also present in SAs. But more than these, there is one thing that is at the core of being an SA (and it is required of them, mind you) ---being of good service to others.

Robert Greenleaf, touted as the father of modern servant leadership, believes that “good leaders must first become good servants.” And that is exactly what the SAs offer the university, hence, the term leaders in assistance.

The idea of a servant as a leader was espoused by Greenleaf, a man who had his humble beginnings working for pioneering American giant AT&T as he came to realize the futility of the power-centered authoritarian style of leadership – the kind of leadership where the leader should always be on top and everyone else is his subordinate.

Greenleaf soon became a renowned essayist sharing his philosophy about servant leadership and founded the modern Servant Leadership Movement and the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership.

He believes that, as written in one of his essays “Essentials of a Servant Leader”, “The servant-leader is servant first...

Becoming a servant-leader begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first... The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant first to make sure that other people's highest priority needs are being served.”

This leadership philosophy of Robert Greenleaf could be evidently found in the SAs. They may not have been given any position or power to lead, but it is in their service that the quality of their commitment to the greater community is seen. Student assistants indeed play an important part in the progress of the students, the campus, the administration, the faculty and the whole university.

A life of sacrifice But compared to other students, theirs is a challenging school life.

On one hand, the SAP is a blessing to them financially.

But as we observe these persevering students work and study simultaneously, questions must be asked about how their life is, how they are socially and emotionally affected, and how they cope with this kind of situation.

Looking further into the lives of these students, one can see that there are also some rough and bumpy parts along the way.

Part of being an SA is sacrifice. This would sometimes mean having less time with their friends, for leisure, and at certain instances, even for themselves. This is primarily because of their hectic schedules.

Unlike ordinary students who don’t have much to worry about aside from their studies , SAs often miss out on the group hangouts or jamming with friends - they don’t have much free time in the first place. Instead, they are found

working in their respective offices even on Saturdays as part of their obligations.

SAs are rarely even able to join other organizations or clubs even if they wish to, since they are already members of the Aquinas University Student Assistant Association (AUSAA) and Scholars Society (SS).

They may miss out on some of the activities outside the four corners of the classroom because as members of those two organizations, what they really prioritize are work and their academics. This often times result to them never really being able to develop their other interests, something other college students are able to enjoy.

Problems even with academics Another issue that concerns SAs is conflict of schedule.

There are some times that the schedule of some of their classes is set at the same schedule as their duty hours. Because of this, SAs have to sacrifice going to class, maintaining a twisted sense of balance between going to class and going to work.

The struggles of SAs, mostly freshmen students, also include the need for time to adjust. Because SAs usually have different schedules with other students, they get mixed with students from other courses or blocks. There are times when they don’t have any idea about what to expect when they attend a class. There is also a tendency that they become an outcaste since they don’t know anyone in the class.

But the most pressing concern of all, really, is their grade.

They say that it’s quite a burden for them to maintain good grades to retain their scholarship.

A hard, but fruitful balance to keep Those are some of the struggles that SAs usually experience.

“Not all [students] can work and study hard at the same time,” says Queenie Hipolito, a student assistant at the Office of the Rector and President (ORP) and incoming Secretary of the Supreme Student Council. Hipolito added that the balancing act is what makes her feel proud and thankful for being an SA. Normally, students find it hard enough to handle just their studies.

But the student assistants can, or at least should, manage to balance work both as students and as assistants to the university. It’s an added challenge for SAs. But that challenge could be seen as an essential part of their college education.

In a way, the advantages of being a s t u d e n t assistant lie in the challenges they face e v e r y d a y especially if they can keep the balance.

Aquinian Herald 29

DevComm

Indeed, just for the sake of their studies, these SAs go through so much. More often than not, when these SAs are asked how it is to be one, they will give you a tired expression with the usual words, “it is so hard.”

Aside from the fact that the SAP program aids them financially to be able to afford education through the discounts they enjoy, the program also trains them as students, making them focus more on their studies despite having to juggle it with work. It also acquaints them with professionalism that is something that they could use in the future.

Jenny Ballaran, a student assistant at the High School Principal’s office, says, “it’s a big honor to be an SA. I learned so much because of the training… of course with the help of the head of the office where I was assigned.”

According to Ballaran being part of the program gives way to many opportunities such as improving her knowledge and paving way for growth. Their experiences as student assistants allow them to hone their skills in organization, facilitation, communication, multitasking and most importantly, time management.

Ballaran shares that as SAs, they also get to know how it’s like in the work setting and how to deal with the people they work with. Experience itself is a good teacher and their co-workers – the staff, the faculty and the head of their office – also become mentors to them, showing them the way around and how things are supposed to be done.

Seminars are also conducted for the SAs to equip them with necessary skills and improve their well being . Values such as unity, perseverance, and patience are developed in them as well. Those are what made them the leaders that they have become.

Undeniably, it’s a good thing that a program such as the SAP exists here for it gives students a chance to pursue their dream of obtaining a college diploma. It could be said that the SAP is the bridge that leads them towards their hopes, dreams and success in the future.

Leaders of themselves

But of course, this is what the program aims to do.

Admittedly, the challenges that SAs face cannot be underestimated.

But they also seem to know how to cope with them.

SAs manage their time wisely. They split their time effectively, prioritizing study and work; and if it is possible for them to squeeze it in when they’re not too busy, there’s also time for friends and for leisure. On good days, there is time for being an SA, time for study and time for fun and enjoyment with friends.

And when some unexpected problems occur when it comes to time such as in the conflict of schedule of classes and duty of an SA, they would consult their academic adviser about the matter in order for it to be resolved.

This does not happen often and could be fixed through communication, but it does provide an additional hassle for SAs. Then, there will be also some times when an SA can feel like an outcast in the room among a crowd of students from different courses. But eventually, they will just soon be able to approach their classmates in the inevitable interaction in the classroom. Soon enough, they’ll just get by.

And according to them, the freshmen are guided by the upperclassmen SAs in choosing their schedule. Eventually, 30 Aquinian Herald

in the next semester, the freshmen SAs will be the one to decide their schedule. It enables them to tailor fit their schedule and manage their time by themselves.

In maintaining their grades, on the other hand, they each have their own manner of doing it. Although for those who perform well in academics it’s not difficult to reach the cut off marks, others find it a challenge to do good especially if they’re not used to working while studying.

According to the SAs, it just takes a little getting used to. This means that student assistants read academic related materials whenever there is time. Sometimes these students even try to self-study. In their vacant time, like during lunch and when they have no classes yet, they usually prepare their requirements and study their lessons.

Also, they always see to it that they pass in tests. And when they’re at home, instead of watching TV, they read their notes or books and make sure that they have their assignments or projects done.

Indeed, just for the sake of their studies, these SAs go through so much. More often than not, when these SAs are asked how it is to be one, they will give you a tired expression with the usual words, “it is so hard.”

Conversely, there are other students who are lucky enough to have enough funds and all sorts of luxuries but don’t have any care at all when it comes to their studies.

They are always usually not making most of their time hanging out at malls, doing gimmicks, going to parties; but when it comes to their classes, they are always absent.

Compared to what SAs go through, it’s not hard to say that what these students are doing is wasting precious time and money.

Perhaps the example of SAs can teach us more than about leadership for others but also of ourselves; hopefully making us realize the value of our education and what we might be throwing away.

You may have encountered some of these modern-day servant-leaders in the campus or some of them may even be your friends or acquaintances; and to be in their shoes must be a wonder for the rest of us – they are scholars, they are student assistants, and in their own way, leaders.

You might say, deprived of financial capability, they are model students of the society.

Even amidst their struggles and hectic schedules, they never stop dreaming and hoping that one day, they will be able to achieve what they want for their future; and they believe that being a student assistant is a stepping stone for them as they walk towards a brighter day full of possibilities their hardearned education affords them. •

DevComm

In Search of Pedro

CALUNGSOD’s

Light

BY ACE Z. ALBA

Following the leadership of young Saint Pedro Calungsod

What do we see in our fellow students that compel us to choose them as our leaders?

Is it their bold answers in the classroom, their admirable grades, their flawless transcripts? Is it their charisma, their laughter and wit, their ease in dealing with the many personalities of the student body? Or is it their courage to stand through challenges, their perseverance in following their principles, their passion to see things through the end?

Easy as it may seem, choosing a leader remains a challenging task; one that may deliver outcomes you, small be your role as perceived, may still be held accountable for. For how can we be sure when we choose?

Can the smart and studious really be able to think new ways to improve our lives and thus give joy to the studentry? Can their will to ensure the order of the student council, for example, be as strong as the allure of their popularity? Can the brave and the defiant, admirable as they may be in their passion, in their efforts, stand well enough as models for long run and maintain good relationships with their fellow leaders?

These archetypes though do not always entirely play out well; a candidate may be one of these, may be many, may be none.

And when we choose, provided we can, we hope that they can represent the students’ interests, through the heavens and hells that circumstance may deliver.

SO HOW do we know if they can?

One of the ways we choose is through example.

Leaders of the past have already set legacies that engraved their names in stone and ink. We, as devotees of the Catholic Church also look forward to the legacies set forth by the saints and martyrs of our faith. They are the exemplars of Catholic virtues, steadfast in their defense of God the Almighty. They lead us in our faith through the life they lived: meek in spirit, bold in faith, free from worldly pleasures, and bound to serve the faithless, the needy, in His full glory.

And perhaps in this time and age where our leaders are being constantly tested for the integrity of their service, one story should be told – the story of a young leader whose service to faith has survived the decay of history's inked whispers.

Who is Pedro?

The life and mission of Calungsod began in Guam, in the Jesuit mission to evangelize the Chamorros. Charmorros are one of the indigenous peoples that live in the many small islands that dot the pacific called Mariana Islands.

However, his life before his travel nobody knew, for all that we knew of him came from the manuscripts written by his fel-

low missionaries. They were preparing for the beatification of their superior, Fr. Diego Luis de San Vitores, SJ, or Fr. Diego for short.

His companions referred to the boy Pedro, as Msgr. Leyson noted in his Catechetical Primer, as an "indio bisaya", a native coming from Visayas.

Nothing else was written as well of his parents, of his siblings, of his exact hometown.

One thing was certain though. At around the 1600's, Jesuits began training young boys to become catechists and assistants.

Father Diego, by then assigned in Antipolo, organized a mission to the isles of Ladrones – a mission authorized by the pope to spread the faith and a mission well supported by Fray Juan Lopez, OP, the bishop of Cebu at the time.

It could be that the bishop sent these young and excellent catechists to assist Father Diego, Msgr. Leyson speculated. It could also be that the Visayan Jesuits sent the boys themselves.

The young Pedro was one of them. Together they left the port of Cavite in August 7, 1667. After getting some provisions in Acapulco in January 6, 1668, they left in March 23, 1668. At last, they reached Guam in June 15, 1668.

The mission began well, but not without its challenges.

Aquinian Herald 31

DEVCOMM

"The provisions for the Mission did not arrive regularly; the jungles were too thick to cross, the cliffs were very steep to climb, and the islands were frequently visited by devastating typhoons," Msgr.

Leyson noted. Yet they remain committed to their mission and their spiritual life, and as such, they felt they were blessed with God's grace.

Many of the Chamorros, particularly those residing in the island of Guam, were converted. The first church was built in the town of Agana, dedicated to the Dulce Nombre de Maria or the Sweet Name of Mary.

Yet the challenges of the terrain proved small compared to the malice that will eventually smite their goals.

A martyr at 17 Among the Chamorros, there also lived a Chinese criminal, exiled from Manila. He, whose name was Choco, spread rumors that the baptismal water was poison. The macanjas (medicine men) and the urritaos (young men) of the Chamorros supported Choco.

Many sick infants of the Chamorros died shortly after baptism. As such, many of the Chamorros blamed the missionaries for this. They renounced their faith in God and their baptism. But the Jesuits did not renounce theirs, and continued instead to persevere having the best of intentions.

It was on April 2, 1672, at the age of seventeen, that Calungsod's mettle was tested. He, as his companions knew, has always been beside Father Diego in spreading the faith. He too was with the priest when they've heard the birth of a new baby girl in a village called Tomhom. This was the child of Matapang, the village chief, who once was a baptized Christian and once a friend of the missionaries; once, before he too believed Choco.

So when they arrived at Matapang's house, asking for the child to be baptized, Matapang furiously refused. They let his head cool down. They left and gathered some of the villagers to preach the teachings of the Church. They invited Matapang to join them.

In his fury, Matapang shouted out his hatred and disgust with God, with the missionaries, with the Catholic doctrine. He left to gather his men. He vowed to kill them.

While he was away, Fr. Diego and Pedro seized the opportunity to baptize the child with the consent 32 Aquinian Herald

of her mother, a Christian herself. But Matapang's blood boiled even more upon hearing this.

Together with Hirao, a villager who joined the Chief out of disproving his cowardice, they brought their spears and began to attack the two.

His companions knew that if they were armed, Pedro would have been able to protect them. But Fr. Diego, perhaps staying true to his mission, refused to just leave. But Calungsod's valiance as he dodged ever spear was useless when one hit his chest and Hirao's cutlass hit his head. It was the young Pedro Calungsod who died first.

Father Diego could only give Pedro the final sacramental absolution before he too was gone. The crucifix that he raised to absolve Calungsod was now on the floor, crushed by a stone held by the wrathful Matapang.

Their corpses, which were bound by stone and drowned to the depths of the sea, were never to b e

found again. But their names and their lives rose from history, both in Guam and in Christianity.

Young leader So how is Pedro Calungsod and his tale of martyrdom relevant to us as students and the youth?

In a way, he might have died an age younger than most of us in our college years, but his spirit in that time could have been older in maturity – in how he served his faith.

Pedro may have served the Church out of school, but he was still a student.

He was after all taught in a Jesuit boarding school before the island of Guam

DEVCOMM

Second Filipino Saint. Saint Pedro Calungsod's image brought home to UST straight from the canonization ceremonies at the Vatican last October 2012.

But despite this, we still stand beside each other, knowing that regardless of our differences, there are still things we can agree upon about the way we should live our lives based on the ways we find meaning from it.

Saint Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino to be canonized, found meaning in Christianity, and he lived a life of service for it. And in whatever faith we believe in, this is something that perhaps we can learn from.

He teaches us that whatever agenda, belief, or ideology a leader embodies, it must be done in service of the ones they represent: to the student leader, his or her fellow students.

San Pedro Calungsod, under the guidance of God, the Christian doctrine and his fellow missionaries, hoped that the Chamorros will be enlightened, and thus have acted accordingly, peacefully.

And if a student leader's life is that of service to fellow students, in what way should this be? What kind of life, of service should they embody?

Pedro Calungsod shows a good example.

A life of sacrifice For one, it is a service that is excellent. It is excellence in action that has made Pedro Calungsod one of the young catechists who would assist in Father Diego's mission. It is also excellence in service that made him into the boy, a man that had been with Father Diego in his days of catechising the Chamorros until his death by one of their spears.

It is a service that is steadfast, unwavering, strong. It persists through the challenges, the risks, the mistakes, the malice. Pedro Calungsod could have refused the mission, knowing that he might never return back to his hometown in Visayas. He could have doubted the intentions of the priests, exposed his mind to the malice of Choco. He could have feigned illness; he could have run away. He could have refused to endure the harsh terrain, the unfortunate circumstance that befell their first days in Guam- the typhoons, the delays in provisions, the exhausting terrain.

But he didn’t. He and his steadfast faith, his strength of will, let him perse-

He teaches that whatever agenda, belief, or ideology a leader embodies, it must be done in service of the ones they represent: to the student leader, his or her fellow students. became his classroom; his fellow catechists, priests, and missionaries his classmates; and the Christian faith the essential education that helped him to offer his service and life to the Chamorros.

As a matter of reflection, in this school we call Aquinas, in the institution that is run and held together by Dominican priests, we live alongside each other with different faiths.

Some find meaning in God, some in doubt of God, some in another God, some in none.

Art By Karl Briguera | Photo Credits: The Varsitarian, A.C. Brosas

vere through until he was called away by whom he ultimately serves.

If he had been allowed to live, who knows what other acts he could have done in service of the Chamorros and the Christian faith.

To be true, it is also a service that is charismatic. For what trait marked him worthy on the anecdotes of his fellow catechists and priests? It was his charisma, his joyous personality, his ease with the temperaments of his superiors, the fancies of his fellow catechists that gave him the opportunity to be remembered.

As Msgr. Leyson notes in his primer, "when the fellow missionaries of Pedro learned of his death, they exclaimed, 'Fortunate youth! How well rewarded his four years of persevering service to God in the difficult Mission are; he has become the precursor of our superior, Padre Diego, in Heaven!'"

And finally, it is a service that is meek, that is selfless. It is so in that he teaches other catechists to embrace the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as above all achievements of humanity, saving them all for a life after death.

It is also selfless in that Pedro Calungsod allowed the Church to be first in his life, his self-interests only in service of it.

It is so in that he chose to stay beside Father Diego when he could lead his own life and mission on his own somewhere else.

And that is San Pedro Calungsod, a fellow Filipino youth’s lesson for us on leadership.

So in looking for leaders, let us ask ourselves about service that our leaders, old and new, have lived.

Have they been excellent, steadfast, charismatic, meek before standing in front of you asking for your support? Or perhaps their efforts, their real efforts, are shrouded in the mist of lofty promises?

In the final analysis, a life of leadership is one that is lived first before given, not the other way around. Leaders have to live a life of service first before asking for power; and they have to live the life of service even after being refused and denied the opportunity.

After all, it wasn't San Pedro Calungsod's will that led to his rise but rather the sum of all the efforts he had done in the short span of his life.

And in this small community where we all live and learn, let us hope that the ones we elected to leadership will do so well in the short span of their rule; perhaps then we can learn to be future Pedros. â– Aquinian Herald 33

DEVCOMM

Sexually abused when she was young, the celebrated American media icon had revolutionized the talk show genre with a ‘more intimate, confessional form of media communication’ with her highly popular and syndicated show The Oprah Winfrey Show.

She’s also an Oscar-nominated actress, and was dubbed as ‘the world’s most powerful woman’ by a lot of influential media agencies such as Time and CNN , inspiring women of color around the world.

UNITED KINGDOM/IRAQ

Zaha Hadid UNITED STATES

As the world went gaga over her smash hit Born this Way, a song about acceptance and embracing oneself, this American music artist has also been a very outspoken and influential advocate of equality , youth empowerment, anti-bullying, with the aid of her Born This Way Foundation.

Oprah Winfrey

ten

UNITED STATES

Lady Gaga

Women WORLD

leaDERS you should

KNOW

Aside from being wickedly funny and immensely popular for her work as host on her eponymous talk show Ellen, she became one of the world's most influential women, and known LGBTQ advocate with her coming out as a lesbian on national TV in 1997. She was named as special envoy for Global AIDS Awareness by Sec. of State Hilary Clinton in 2011, and continues to spread the message of optimism to her audiences.

CONTENT & INFOGRAPHIC BY: ALDRIN C. BROSAS

UNITED STATES

Ellen Degeneres

Around the world,

women still face discrimination and abuse, solely because of their gender. At the root of this discrimination is a belief that women are below men; that they are the second gender, somehow lower, weaker and of ultimately lesser value compared to men. But if history and the feminist movement has taught us anything, it is that women take up as much responsibility as their male counterparts in changing the world and making it work. From the strong Queens of medieval England to the central spiritual role of Babaylans in the ancient Philippines and the valuable work of nuns and nurses throughout history, women have always been leaders of our societies. Here are women leaders around the world, a sampling of the many outstanding females, who continue to inspire and pave the way.

34 Aquinian Herald

As a former rebel and activist and having been imprisoned and tortured in the 1970's, she is now the current President of Brazil, and the first woman to hold the office in the country's history.

She was named second of 2013's most powerful women in the world by Forbes magazine, and was also the first ever woman to open a session of the United Nations Gen. Assembly.

BRAZIL

Dilma Rousseff IMAGE CREDITS: Wikimedia Commons, FlickR Commons

The Iraqi-born British architect is one of the most accomplished women of her field. The first woman and Muslim to be awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, she joined the roster of international media's powerful and influential women and thinkers. She took on a lot of major and prestigious architectural projects in the world – the MAXXI Museum in Rome and the redev't of the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. She continues to break barriers in a field dominated by men.

MYANMAR

Aung San Suu Kyi The daughter of a revered war hero, she is a Nobel Peace Prize holder for her 'non-violent struggle for human rights and democracy'. She has since donated the 1.3M USD prize to establish a health & education trust for the Burmese people. Imprisoned by the government for her fight for democracy, she didn't see her family for almost two decades. In 2013, she announced her desire to run for the presidency on the upcoming 2015 elections.

This feminist punk rock protest group, with a membership of around 11 women, had staged unauthorized public demonstrations expressing their views on feminism and their opposition to current Russian President Valdimit Putin's policies, particularly on the LGBT community.

They were sent to jail but gained the admiration of the world for their creative peaceful protests.

RUSSIA

Pussy Riot

A freethinker, Sass is one of the founders of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), the pioneer transgender rights and advocacy organization in the Philippines.

She has also spoken before the United Nations in 2009 to celebrate the International day of human rights.

PHILIPPINES

Sass Rogando Sasot

KENYA

Wangari Maathai

The first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005, for her contribution to ‘sustainable development, democracy and peace,’ Wangari is a world icon. An environmental activist, she’s known for founding the Green Belt movement – a non-profit environmental organization aimed on planting trees, environmental conservation and women’s rights, inspiring her fellow women in the continent.

PAKISTAN

Malala Yousafzai

Whos said you can't change the world at 16?

Malala as a young girl advocated the right to education especially for women, as the Taliban in her home country had banned girls from school, through a blog she wrote for BBC under a pseudonym. This resulted to an assasination attempt in 2012, where she survived a shot in the head and is now a global icon of education advocacy.

Other Women Figures of History Virgin Mary Israel

Joan of Arc France

Helen Keller

United States

Mother Teresa India/ Albania

J.K. Rowling United Kingdom

Culture

Putyo’ money where yo’

mouth is

The Rise of Battle Rap in Bicol

By EyeSight* 36 Aquinian Herald

Yo’, what's up?

Are you familiar with Marlon Peroramas, Raymond Abracosa, Wendel Gatmaitan, Bryan Lao, and Rene Boy Palma? Maybe not.

Nascent community. An

Well, how about Loonie, Abra, Dello, Smugglaz, and Target?

Well, they did ring a bell, didn’t they?

How many times have you found yourself laughing because of the jokes of Loonie, Zaito, or Apekz? How many times have you tried catching up with the mouth machines Abra, Smugglaz, Crazymix, or Flict-G? How many times did BLKD, Tipsy D, or Icaruz impressed you with their creativity and lyricism? And how many times did the likes of Batas, Apoc, and Dhictah piss you off because of their below the belt insults?

They are just some of the famous rap artists or “emcees” who became famous because of the rap battle league “FlipTop”. Founded in 2010 by Alaric Yuson, also known as Anygma, FlipTop’s aim is to promote rap music in the country by showcasing the talents of emcees through battle rapping.

Battle rap often pits two emcees against each other (sometimes, it can be 2 on 2 or 5 on 5), in a war of words that includes a lot of bragging, boasting, put-downs, insults, and diss. Each emcee will battle it out in three rounds wherein they will both have a minimum of 30 seconds and a maximum of three minutes to defeat their opponent. Emcees can either do an impromptu performance or write their battle verses for their opponents. In order for a rapper to win, he should impress the judges using his creativity and technically inventive rapping skills.

An integral part of the hip-hop culture, battle rapping is believed to have originated in the streets of New York, USA in the 1970s. Just like here in the Philippines, some well-known hip-hop artists like Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, and Eminem started

crowd gathers as two emcess prepare to battle i

Photo Credit: Matthieu Padilla

Aquinian Herald 37

Mga Bagong Makata. Popular emcee Delio launches

his attack in an intense rap battle as a captivated audience listens on .

Photo Credit: Matthieu Padilla

as battle rappers before they became popular through their music.

Battle rapping started as an underground craze and it almost didn’t make it to the mainstream media because of the excessive use of indecent words and profanities in all the rap battle events back in the 1990s.

However, a change in acceptance occurred when MTV started to feature rap battles in their regular programming schedule back in the early 2000s. Plus, the hit movie “8 Mile”, starring Eminem, who is considered to be the greatest rapper of all time, gave the world a whole new point of view in the battle rapping scene and hip-hop culture.

But the resurgence of rap battles didn’t stop there, as rap battle leagues like “King Of The Dot” and “Don’t Flop” emerged in 2008. But they didn’t just hold live rap battle events, the organizers of two of the largest rap battle leagues in the world started to post the videos of their events on the internet. Hip-hop fans started to appreciate rap battles and its culture even more.

Then, there’s FlipTop, which followed the footsteps of the aforementioned leagues in 2010. Their videos became viral in a blink of an eye. Who will ever forget the battles of Loonie and Zaito or Dello and Target?

Since then, FlipTop became well known, not only here, but also in the world.

Here in Bicol, people are starting to welcome rap music with open arms as well. Several rap groups here in the region are starting to make a name for themselves because of the quality of music they are able to produce.

They have also started to establish rap battle leagues of their own. In Naga, they have the “Spit ‘Em Out” battle league, while here in Legazpi, we have “Engkwentro” rap battle league.

38 Aquinian Herald

Both have showcased talented emcees who have the potential to go far not only because of their music, but also for their talent as a battle emcees.

As a rap battle emcee who started competing in street events in Manila, I started to participate in rap battle events here just this year. There is observably still a huge difference in terms of creativity in writing verses and ability to go freestyle. But judging on how the emcees here are continuing to improve on their craft, the competition will soon be tight and more challenging opponents will emerge from the different cities and towns here in Bicol.

It seems that Bicolanos will never allow themselves to be outdated in the latest trends in the Philippines.

Whether it’s food, fashion, or music, you can always count on the Bicolanos to not be left behind. This just goes to show that we are indeed “Oragons�.

* Authors' real name withheld.

Aquinian Herald 39

Culture

San

Pedro Calungsod sings to Albayanos

THE 16TH OF NOVEMBER, THE YEAR 2013 - the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation was already filled at three in the afternoon with eager students, teachers, and other expectant members of the audience.

All of them were rushing to witness the musical play about the life of the newest canonized Filipino, the ‘teenager’ San Pedro Calungsod.

Not having known for a lot of theatre productions, it was a once-in-a-lifetime play for the city of Legazpi. Pedro Calungsod is played by the lead Makisig Morales with the production team of members from 29AD-Musicionaries and Couples for Christ, among others. As such, it was also an opportunity for Albayanos to see the young Morales, a talented singer and artist, perform in new shades of light: as a musical performer, a devout Christian, and a growing teen.

A Life of Faith lived and sung San Pedro Calungsod's life may have been simple: what is only known of him is of his martyrdom on the shores of Guam, written on the records by Fr. Diego Luis de San Vitores, SJ. Yet it is also a life that inspired a modern-day retelling, a play adapted from Scenes from a Martyrdom, Msgr. Rudy Villanueva's full-length musical. San Pedro Calungsod easily lent his life to such revival, but performing it was no easy task.

Nevertheless, Morales, clad in the iconic camisa-de-chino, stood up to the

40 Aquinian Herald

challenge. He was able to live in the stage, in front of a spell-bound audience, portraying how the feeling was to be in Calungod's footsteps. In the musical, Morales portrayed the life and struggles of the young saint with songs that defined San Pedro’s triumphs, trials, hardships and decisions.

The story, as such, began in Guam, with he and his group of Jesuit missionaries preaching to the Chamorros.

Promoting Christianity in such a place was not easy. There were threats against them.

Calungsod began to doubt his mission, but Padre Diego, his superior, cheered him up and assured him that nothing bad will happen to them as long as they place their trust in God. His doubts slowly snatched the atmosphere in the Centrum, as slow songs that speak of his deep thoughts; re-thinking the things that matter to him. The spotlight shone alone on Calungsod, illuminating his test of faith.

Then when Christianity was being taught and the newly born babies in Guam were being baptized, the actors sang songs of joy. When the antagonists too appeared on the stage and challenged Calungsod and the Christian mission, the audience was captivated by the ferocity of their dance moves and the low and fast tones of the sounds, sweeping away the mellow aura of holiness and happiness from the main characters.

BY ARCHIE NER

In the climax of death there is life On the stage, rumors began to spread over the natives of Guam, that the water used in the baptism of the babies were poisonous. It became more troubling when some of the baptized babies, sick as they were, died. Many believed this, including Matapang a local chief in Guam.

The fear of being persecuted had risen near the end of the play. Loud and fast songs, plus the lighting effects that signal fear and anger made the viewers go on a rush. Then, in the middle of all that, the play was cut.

As all stories of martyrs go, Pedro Calungsod dies in the end. It was a known fact to all the viewers. But perhaps with the time spent inside the Centrum, San Pedro’s fall still came as a shock.

By then, the musical ended, and the audience gives the production a loud round of applause.

It was around 5:30 in the afternoon when the play ended and the audience members went their own ways, some carrying pensive faces.

The musical and the life it was about was a magnificent and meaningful show of true Christianity. Pedro Calungsod, the young Filipino who died and became a saint – his deeds are treasured and appraised, and is retold for young, modern Filipinos to know how he displayed the true crux of a martyr.

The play was a must-watch for the devout of any age. ■

Literary Art

and

express. inspire.

PHOTO BY R. DIESTA JR.

LIGHTS &

SHADOWS

Why are we afraid of the dark? Is it the uncertainty of what lies behind the veil? It is the fear of the monsters that lurk under your bed? Or is it the stench of death that creeps from the shady corners of streets?

Or perhaps the scariest things the shadows bring are those that reside in the depths of our hearts and hide in the nooks and crannies of our broken past, whispering about things we’d rather forget.

What does one say to one’s personal demons anyway?

But then there is hope for all of us who find the evil in our souls as sometimes too powerful. In the interplay of light and darkness, there is shadow. And in the shadow there are figures. Imagine them, control them, mold them and have faith in them. There is your hope when even in the darkest of corners, there is light that births a shadow. But take care, for in the shadow, a light cannot survive for long.

Enter the pages. Enter the shadows. Find the light.

Aquinian Herald 41

Literary Art

and

express. inspire.

Hello President He stood tall amongst all, overcame the judgment of many with words made of paper and air; it came in a speech that was heard.

But what did it contain?

Mere words and allegations out of none; they are but assumptions and accusations; simple anecdotes and hyperbole.

It aimed at the seated, wanting to extinguish power from elites; he talked of snob social circles.

Isn’t it out of envy not

equality he asks?

What do you speak for really?

You say it’s breaking free, yet you have done nothing, and remained as is for the time being.

So tell me now and to all literate that read, high above you have stayed, spoken like a man you ‘did’.

Was it lies?

‘Cause now it’s too late to make a deed.

By Zarra P. Escurel

Behind the Shadows

My silence doesn't mean that I don't know a thing.

Choosing to follow doesn't mean I'm not leading.

I am surveying the territory, patiently waiting.

It all starts with a pawn, before he becomes king.

Smiles can fool, eyes can mislead, that I'm aware.

I don't easily fall into traps or illusions, so beware.

My observation can prove whose soul I shall spare.

I'm playing the game wisely, but I am still fair.

I seem to ignore every word, phrase, or sentence.

That's my way of showing the length of my patience.

I can always snap, who knows? Stuff happens.

But right now, I'm keeping a very subtle presence.

I trust my emotions, but my instincts are strong.

I can easily find out when something is wrong.

I have the patience to wait, no matter how long.

Just to find out the defect of a story or song.

By Ralph B. Orense

42 Aquinian Herald

Boundless Wander

I can feel the breeze but I can’t see it; The wind strokes my hair, lets me breathe Lingers in my very skin, but I cannot touch it.

There is no light, but there is no darkness; From dust to dawn, wanders occupy my horizon; The clouds move but the sky doesn’t; Nothing changes, but change is constant; It is boundless yet it is limited.

One can see the half of the whole; But one cannot see the whole of a half.

Contrast and change, binding and destruction; How it is and how it’s not;

By Charlyn B. Gomez Half of it is mysterious, half of it is wonderful.

You? What do you think?

Have you seen the half of the whole?

Have you questioned what the whole of the half might be?

Or are you the one I must call “as is”?

Strength and Fear of the Fierce I cry a river because I fear I fear because I suffered I suffered because I was strong I was strong because I am weak I hide my tears because I’m afraid Afraid to lose the one I love the most Loving him was one of my joys in life The life I want to spend forever with him I’m scared because I doubt myself I doubt myself if I had given enough Enough love to sustain the emptiness Emptiness comprising the time and distance I was weak and still I am I pretend just to see you smile I am fearful because I am strong Too strong for the sake of my weakness All this I shall carry with no regrets But one thing I shall ask, oh this I beg!

Never let him forget my love And that I shall stay with him

For the rest of my life.

By Charlyn B. Gomez

Art By Michael Reyes Aquinian Herald 43

ArtGallery PHOTOGRAPHY

A Check on the Bucketlist

Professional cyclist Matusaken Agwanta, 56, swiftly passes through the busy streets of Lucban, Quezon riding his bike for three hours from Cabuyao, Laguna on his way to wherever the road leads him.

BY ROMEO L. DIESTA JR.

44 Aquinian Herald

ArtGallery

Laid-back in Lucban A local of Lucban takes a break from a morning billiard game, looking pensive out the window of an old building that's been used as a hall for the popular ball game. BY ROMEO L. DIESTA JR.

These photographs were awarded Second in the English Photojournalism category of this year's LHEPC (Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference)

Aquinian Herald 45

ArtGallery

Innocent Pleas

TRADITIONAL MEDIA

BY ALDRIN C. BROSAS

I see ice and fire

BY KARL BRIGUERA 46 Aquinian Herald

Motherland

BY KARL BRIGUERA

ShortStories

Written by the Creative Writing class of Ms. Karen Landagan Arts by Michael Reyes, Luis Villanueva & Karl Briguera

I was sleeping peacefully when I heard an ear-piercing explosion outside our unit.

Immediately, I reached for my rifle and went outside greeted by the most frightful sight I have experienced in my two years as a military soldier.

All the barracks were blazing with fire. Soldiers coming to and fro; some were carrying dead bodies while others were trying to save everything that they possibly can. Fighter planes were circling above, shooting down at every building and soldiers that they can see. I was rooted to the spot. Will this be my last? If it is, then I will die fighting.

the

Sad Spirit Unfinished symphonies.

Unwritten messages. A bottomless pit. An eternal winter. Time that seemed to not move. A darkness that no ray of light can pass through. Despair unimaginable.

Depression uncontainable.

Restless and regretful, alongside the world of humans, spirits abound.

The bodiless figure smoothly lands by another bodiless figure. “Hey Selena, you’re here again. You really love watching the humans, don’t you? Hurry up and find out who your killer is so you can leave this place. I am on my way. I have no more regrets.” “Sure,” a forced smile. Selena waves to Jace who is leaving for heaven. “Sorry, Jace. I already know my killer… It’s me…”

Aquinian Herald 47

ShortStories I felt her eyes

following me, watching my every move. I knew I couldn’t outrun her, but I pressed my luck. I ran blindly knowing that if she’d overcome me, I’m dead. I drew in spoonfuls of air and breathed a sigh of relief when I realized I lost her. I decided to head home. When I turned around a corner, I saw a shadow with a pair of dead eyes. She was looking at me, caressing a shiny knife. She was smiling as she beckoned me to come. She raised her knife, and I screamed. Then, I woke up.

the

phantom PERRY THE PROCRASTINATOR Perry Procrastinator

likes to accomplish tasks the day after today. He likes to make clever excuses to convince himself that what he’s doing is rational and justified. One day, news reaches him that his father, who lives in a town 100 miles away is seriously ill. Perry thinks that the best day to visit his father is not today. Tomorrow comes and Perry decides to visit his dad. When he arrived at his father’s house, he finds the place empty. An old friend tells him that his father died the day before. Perry weeps and vows never to procrastinate ever again.

48 Aquinian Herald

ShortStories

CREEPY OLD LADY Dante is a security guard

in a construction site. His shift ends at exactly 12:00 AM. After his shift, he rides his motorcycle and heads home. One night, while he was on his way home, on the dark side of the road, he saw a creepy, old lady. She was a hunchback wearing dirty clothes. There were rumors about a ghost that shows up at exactly 12 midnight in that same road. But Dante was never a fan of ghost stories and he never really believed in them. He stopped and asked the old lady where she was heading, assuming that the old lady’s destination isn’t far from his home. He offered the old lady a ride, and she agreed. At first, he was having second thoughts about helping the old lady. He wondered why an old lady would be in a dark road alone. As they travelled the dark streets, Dante was surprised when he found out that the old lady was already gone. He got so scared, he vowed never to pass that dark road again. The next day after his work, Dante saw the creepy old lady outside the construction site where he was working.

He immediately thought that he was being followed by her ghost. He got more frightened when he realized that when he saw the face of the old lady, it was wounded. Dante wanted to run but he couldn’t move. It’s like he’s frozen. Then, the old lady started to walk slowly towards him. He wanted to shout, but even his mouth wouldn’t even open. When the old lady was already in front of him, she started talking. He scolded Dante. She said that as they were travelling last night, she fell and Dante didn’t even notice it happen. Dante’s fear turned to pity and guilt. He asked for forgiveness and from that day on, Dante and the old lady became good friends.

Aquinian Herald 49

ShortStories Hershey (Manila)

We were known as polite, nice, and kind children in our town. But now that we’re totally grown-ups, we can finally call ourselves pretty.

Yes, we are pretty best of friends or BFFs. Now, we’re all in the stage of early adulthood. The good thing about our friendship is that we are very familiar and not familiar with one another.

Complicated statement isn’t it?

We are childhood best friends. We have this whatis-yours-is-mine attitude but we know how to deal with one another as well.

And there is always a limitation to our familiarity with one another, and we call it RESPECT. We always enjoyed playing, staying in one another’s houses, laughing, giggling, and gossiping. We were the happiest humans in our hometown back then.

I remember when we were in elementary; one would not go to school without the other.

We were like an all-for-one, one-for-all trio.

When w e

were in highschool, our classmates called us the meanspirited tres marias.

It’s a different story though, now that we’re close to reaching our own dreams.

People sees us as serious and refined ladies.

I don’t think so.

I believe that although we really look like that, in reality, we are screwy ladies.

Sugar, Sweet, and me are the funniest best of friends: we take wacky pictures, laugh without limits, and stick with one another.

If the two ladies could see me right now, they will see the sugary smile on my face as I watch the sceneries outside the window.

Suddenly, my phone beeps.

Sugar is calling. I pressed the answer button excitedly.

“Hey girlfriend! Where art thou? Sweet and I are excited to see you!” she said in an eager voice.

“I’m in a bus heading home.

I miss both of you too.” I loudly

replied.

“Okay! See you then! We have a lot to share to you!”

“See you in a couple of hours!”

“Okay! Bye for now. Have a safe trip!”

“Thanks dear!”

I put the phone back in my bag and smiled. The most anticipated moment has come!

It’s semestral break and it’s time to go home. I can’t wait to see my best friends again.

Ever since entering the portal of college life, we had to part ways and we seldom see each other. Everything seemed to happen like yesterday.

Now, I’m taking my master’s degree in Manila. Sweet is taking law in Cebu, and Sugar is taking Engineering in Albay.

Although we are separated by distance, we’re still able to maintain our closeness just like how it was back when we were still living together in our hometown.

Sugar (Legazpi)

Today is the most awaited moment. I am finally with my best friends Hershey and

Bestfriends 50 Aquinian Herald

Sweet!

Now we’re just lying on my bed.

This is our bonding every vacation. We are content staying in one place and be with one another. Reading books is one of the things we like doing together. To be silent together is another thing.

There were times back then when vacations were both happy and sad; mixed emotions.

It was sad because there were times when our gettogethers were cancelled or postponed. But it was also happy because our gettogethers were interrupted by our own family’s gatherings.

“So how is Legazpi?” asked Hershey.

“It’s a good place. Bicolanos are nice.” I replied.

“Ooooooh!

Manila is polluted and over populated!”

Hershey stated in a funny voice.

Sweet interrupted my conversation with Hershey. “ L o v e - l i f e ?

Hmmmmm?” she teased.

There was a moment of silence.

We stared at one another, then we laughed; a real loud and crazy laugh. It really seems the way we stare, laugh, and talk to one another is like part of a coded language that only the three of us can understand.

Back to the question.

U n l i k e Hershey and Sweet, I have yet to experience having a boyfriend.

They’ve felt the love and pain

ArtGallery of committing to relationships, I haven’t. It’s something that I haven’t experienced even now that I’m a college student.

Sometimes I think of what ifs, but I really don’t regret anything.

I guess I’m just being reflective. The other side of this reflection is the love that my best friends have already experienced.

Hershey’s love life is something holy, but when I say holy, it can still be judged by people because we are just humans, prone to sin and temptation. This is why some things are better left unsaid.

I guess silence is part of our coded language; it keeps us stronger.

Sweet’s case is kinda different, but the same.

What it was, is considered a gift; a gift that only the three of us would know. We will not give it away to other people literally and figuratively. The best part of it is that we’ve learned from the experience.

Sweet (Cebu)

Classes will resume in a couple of days.

Being in a law school isn’t easy. I need to focus and make my parents proud.

Being in a dormitory is a hard thing as well. I need to clean my messy room myself everyday.

Well, it may sound and look simple to others but it is quite hard for me. When I’m at our house, my yaya takes care of everything.

Sugar and Hershey would always tell me that among the three of us, I am the “spoiled little monster”. They also said that I was someone with very good childhood memories with my family.

I disagree. I mean, all of us came from good families. We all

had crazy childhood memories.

Maybe they’re just saying that because they saw me as so dependent back then; that I couldn’t stand on my own feet.

Well things have changed. I can now go out and do things on my own. I am better now, better than before, better than ever.

I think law school helped me change a lot.

I miss Hershey and Sugar.

I miss them a lot. Oh come on Sweet. Don’t be too emotional.

It’s a sign of aging, I tell myself.

So I decided to shake those thoughts off and started cleaning my room.

Suddenly, I heard a sound from my phone; somebody texted me. It was my bhezzy Sugar.

“Hey Bhezzy, open ur FB lyk ryt now! Hershey and I are online! Lezz chat! Hurry up pretty lady!” the text says.

“K BFF!” I replied.

I sighed and smiled. I really can’t say no to these two girls. I opened my iPad and next thing I knew, I was having a really good conversation with them.

After a couple of hours of chatting with my best friends, I remembered one line from Sugar.

“Yesterday was yesterday!!!

Wake up and face the new day ladies!”

Indeed, in this life, happiness and sadness go hand-in-hand. I realize it now.

Happiness and sadness don’t depend on our get-togethers alone. Despite our weird and queer acts, despite our coded language, there is a comfort zone: I feel Sugar’s heart crying, and I feel Hershey’s sympathy, while I have my own heartaches to deal with.

There is something mysterious, something hidden behind those symbolic smiles of ours.

The Lonely Martyr

BY AARON MARC M. DIMAANO

Ice and Fire

BY MICHAEL REYSTER REYES Aquinian Herald 51

Isang araw,

taong 2007...

9:30 Binangonan...

Sta. Lucia...

Tropical...

Ano ba yan, wala na namang dumadaang Cubao. Mahuhuli na naman ako sa theology class ko ng 11:00.

9:35 na sa relo ko. Magagalit na naman ang guro kong kalbo. Makahingi nga ako ng tulong kay Papa Jesus. Our father almighty, please give guidance and holy inspiration upon your servant, Fr. Damaso, for him to forgive all those who will come late especially me. Remind him that you died to save man from sin thus amm... (ano ba yun?) pasensya na po Lord, wala ata po ako nung tinalakay sa klase yung pag-sagip niyo po sa mundo. Basta po sana naman maging banal si padre kahit papaano mamaya pag huli na akong pumasok. Alam niyo naman po na kasalanan ito ng mga dyip po eh.

[9:40) Yun lang po Lord ang aking hiling. Thanks very much! Aaahhmen. Yan, sana naman sapian na si father ng banal na espiritu. Wish ko lang.

9:45 na. Naku, palagi na l a n g

ganito. Cubao, Cubao, nasaan ka na? Bakit walang dumadaan na dyip patungong Cubao kapag kailangan mo? Sa kahit anong oras ata, palaging ganito. Siguro dapat madilim pa lang, kahit natutulog pa ang araw, umalis na ako ng bahay at mag-abang.

9:50 na. Yan kasi... Eh kasi naman...

Ang dami pa ng mga tao dito subalit hindi naman nakapila. Dito sa kaliwa ko may nursing student, matanda at mangtataho.

Lahat sila nakasandal sa railing.

9:55 na sa relo ko. Samatala, “Ang Bagong Cainta” sabi sa railing. Grabe, ano ba gamit ng mga railing na ito? Ngayon nagmimistulang sabitan lang ito nitong poster na napakahaba. Kanino ba ‘tong mukhang ito na nasa tarpaulin? Go-bernor-Jun-Cruz.

10:00 na. Ah, kay gob pala ‘tong tarpaulin na ito na nakabalandra dito.

Tapos sa katabi nito, may tarpaulin naman na may mukha ni E-di-son-ra-mi-rez-rizal-is-proud-of-you. Ah si Edison, kasali ‘to sa Chair Model Search ah. Goodluck sa kanya. May bagong gamit din pala ang railing: para sa mga mukha ng mga artista.

10:05 na. Akala ko pa naman para ito maayos ang pagsakay. Mabuti na rin ‘tong gamit ngayon ng railing siguro. Sabagay, naghihingalo na rin ang industriya ng entertainment. Ano na kaya nangyari kay Hope, yung karelasyon ni James Yap na karelasyon naman ni Krissy na karelasyon naman ni Ninoy?

Grabe, mabuti na rin sigurong namatay nang maaga si Ninoy. Naaalala ko tuloy ang martial law. Kung tutuusin, wala pa naman ako sa mundo nung panahon ni Marcos kaya hindi ko rin naman maaalala. Wala lang talaga siguro disiplina ang mga tao kaya mahirap sumakay. Sa bandang kanan ko may waiting shed nga eh, pero mukhang hindi naman nakikita ng mga tao. Yaan yung sinasabi ni Gat Rizal na katarata ng lipunan.

(10:10) Yung nagbubulag-bulagan ang mga tao sa katotohanan. Ah teka lang, katarata ba yun o kanser? Ewan.

Siyempre, para akong sino kung magsalita.

Ha ha. Nandito rin ako, nakikisiksikan at napapalibutan ng iba’t ibang tao, naghihintay ng masasakyang dyip.

10:15 na. Diyos ko, sana naman hindi lahat ng mga itong katabi ko’y naghihintay din ng dyip na papuntang Cubao. Mistula tuloy kaming mga nagsisiksikang mga sisiw na naghihintay sa kanilang inahin.

Pero siyempre, hindi lang nga kami magkakapatid at hindi rin kami magulo tulad ng mga sisiw. Sabi nga ni Nora, “my brother is not a pig!” Pero sa pagkakataong ito “is not a chick” Ha ha. Tweet tweet. Pero kung tutuusin, wala ngang masyadong kumikibo eh. Grabe, ano ito, may lamay? Sa relo ko, 10:20 na.

Etong nasa unahan ko eh magmamarino ata, at dito

Mula sa Karangalan KATHA NI AARON DIMAANO DIBUHO NI KARL BRIGUERA

52 Aquinian Herald

Liham ng isang kabataan sa kanyang mga kababayan

naman sa kanan ko ay may dalawa pang mukhang estudyante, isang mag-syota ata, dalawang lalaki, ewan ko kung magsyota ‘to, at isang bading. Wow, kulang na lang tibo, at para na kaming halo-halo special. Pero ano kaya ako? Ako siguro ang ice cream kung sakali, pero sa kulay ko na ‘to, chocolate flavoured ata ang labas nun. Mmm... Nagugutom tuloy ako.

10:25 na. Matagal na ring hindi ako nakakakain ng halo-halo; siguro mag i-isang taon na rin.

Hmm. Siguro, hindi naman isang taon kundi mga 6 na buwan o 5 ba yun? Basta matagal-tagal na rin. Sabagay, panahon ng tag-ulan na naman, kaya siguro wala akong makitang mga nagtitinda ng halo-halo.

10:30 na. Ngunit, sana hindi umulan ngayong araw. “Metro Manila to be flood free in 2008 – BF” sabi sa balita kagabi. Sana nga magkakatotoo yung balita dahil yun lang naman ang problema talaga pag umuulan, ang baha. Paano kaya yun gagawin ng MMDA? Mukhang imposible ata ang gagawin.

10:35 na. Para sa akin, dapat bantayan nila yung mga nagtatapon ng basura kahit saan-saan.

Yang mga kriminal yan, dapat shoot-to-kill kaagad yang mga nagtatapon ng basura na bumabara sa mga estero at kanal kaya bumabaha. Meron bagong batas eh na pwede gamitin sa mga yan. Ano ba yun ulit? H-S-A ata yun.

(10:40) Hou-Sing Authority ba yun? Basta dapat shoot-to-kill. Mga Filipino nga naman, sobra nang malaya, dapat shoot-to-kill. Oh ayan may papalapit nang dyip pa-Cubao. Hala, biglang nabuhayan ang lamay. NABUHAY ang patay!

10:45 na. Grabe, parang eleksyon. Praise the lord! Pero naku, ang bilis mapuno naman ng dyip, hindi na ako tuloy nakasakay. Dalawa na lang nga kaming sisiw ang natira dito. Si lola at ako na lang.

10:50 na sa relo ko. Ano ba ‘tong buhay na ‘to? Tama nga si Ate Guy, kahit drug addict man siya: WALANG HIMALA! Bwisit. Ayan, merong papalapit na dyip. Naku, grabe at papuntang Cubao siya! Yes! (10:55) Halos walang laman kaya makakasakay na rin ako! Naririnig ko bigla sa paligid ko ang boses ng isang kumakantang grupo ng mga anghel at tila biglang lumiwanag ang buong kalangitan, kahit ang jeepney eh, nasa slow motion pa. Wow, eto na ata ang pinakamagandang dyip sa balat ng Marcos Highway. PARA! Dali dali! Ay, andito pa pala si Lola. Yan, siyempre naawa ako sa matandang kasama ko kaya tinulungan ko muna siyang sumakay, tapos ako na rin. Grabe, nakarating na rin ako sa rurok ng bundok Everest!

11:00 na. Kung kaya ng matanda, kaya ko rin!

Ang sarap sa pwet ang pag-upo. Napahingahan na rin ang aking mga binti. Sabi nga sa ingles, this is the life. “Bayad”, biglang eksena ng matanda at pagkaabot ng bayad sa drayber, muli nagsalita si lola, “Ligaya lang”. Naku lola, mabuti ka pa, pahingi rin sana ng konti dahil ako’y huli na sa buhay.

■

Pagbangon at Pagbunyi Ni Karen Daniele Besmonte

“Para kanino ka bumabangon?” ika nga ng isang patalastas sa telebisyon. Pero ano nga ba, bilang mga Pilipino, ang ating kasagutan sa tanong na ito? Para ba sa ating sarili? Para ba sa ating pamilya? O para sa ating bayan?

Sa kasalukuyan, ay hindi na lingid sa ating kamalayan ang mga balitang patungkol sa talamak na korapsyon, nakawan, patayan, mga pang–aabuso sa bata at kababaihan, at iba pang krimen.

Sinasabing kahirapan ang puno’t dulo ng lahat. Nakatatak na rin sa isipan ng maraming Pilipino na hindi na mababago ang ating kalagayan; na ito na ang ating pagkakakilanlan hanggang sa huli. Kung ganito ang ating pag-iisip, may dahilan pa nga kaya para ipagbunyi ang ating lahi?

Nakakalungkot mang isipin, ngunit tila nabaon na sa limot ang mga magagandang katangian ng Pilipinas at nating mga Pilipino: ang mayaman na kalikasan, ang makulay at masayang kultura at ang ating magagandang kaugalian; higit sa lahat, ang pagkakaisa at pagmamahalan ng mga Pinoy.

Nakakatuwa ngang isipin na halos milyon–milyong mga turista ang pumaparito sa ating bansa dahil sa pagkabighani sa Pilipinas at paglipas ng ilang buwan o taon, ay itinuturing na nilang ‘Pilipino” ang kanilang sarili. Higit pa rito, ay ipinagmamalaki pa nila ang kanilang pagka-Pilipino.

Bakit ganun?

Bakit maraming Pilipino ang wala nang makitang dahilan para ipagbunyi ang ating lahi?

Mas nakakalungkot pa nga na ang ibang Pinoy ay ikinahihiya ang ating pinagmulan.

Marahil ito na ang epekto ng “neo –colonization” at ng ating labis na pagtangkilik sa produkto ng ibang lahi kung kaya’t umaabot na sa puntong nais nating maging “sila” at talikuran ang ating pagka-Pilipino.

Pero maari din namang pagod na tayo sa paulit-ulit na kamalian sa ating lipunan na hanggang ngayon ay hindi naitatama – mabagal na hustisya, ganid na mga opisyal, kahirapan ng mga Pilipinong dapat sana ay nakikinabang mula sa kaban ng bayan kung ang mga lider sana ay may tunay na pagmamahal at malasakit sa kanilang nasasakupan.

Kung ito ang araw – araw na kalagayang ating kinamumulatan, wala na nga sigurong dahilan para ipagmalaki ang pagka-Pilipino; ngunit, hindi pa huli ang lahat!

Sa araw – araw nating pagbangon, ay kaakibat din pagsibol ng bagong pag-asa at pagkakataong maibalik ang ating lahi sa panahon ng pagkakaisa, bayanihan at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa.

Hindi dapat ikahiya ang pagka-Pilipino, sa halip, dapat nating itong ipagbunyi!

Kung sa ating puso’t isipan ay nakikita natin at alam natin ang mga dapat ipagmalaki bilang Pilipino, walang dahilan upang mag-atubili tayo’y maging taas noo, bumangon sa ating maling paniniwala at magbunyi para sa bagong simula. ■ Aquinian Herald 53

Congratulations!

Licensure Exam

PASS

Nursing Name Month-Year ALBURO, Franz Coleen D. Dec-13 ALBUYO, Sarah C. Dec-13 ALMARIO, Jessa A. Dec-13 ALMIÑE, Fatima G. Dec-13 ALTAVANO, Maria Lourdes A. Jun-13 ANTES, Dianne Rose G. Dec-13 APERIN, Amhor C. Dec-13 BADAR, Amethyst G. Dec-13 BALBEDINA, Doris F. Jun-13 BALOLOY, Ladylyn N. Jun-13 BALUIS, Paulo Kosner G. Dec-13 BAÑEZ, Annie A. Dec-13 BERCE, Romalyn B. Dec-13 BERNAL, Janelle L. Jun-13 BIÑAS, Adrienne Vernix A. Jun-13 BOCALIG, Vicente Jr. A. Dec-13 CARDANO, April Dianne B. Jun-13 CARILLO, Bryan James G. Jun-13 CASTOR, Ebette A. Jun-13 COMPETENTE, Maria Aurora E. Jun-13 COPINO, Maria Teresa C. Dec-13 CORALDE, Maritta Leonila D. Dec-13 CORIDO, Christine A. Jun-13 DEFEO, Amira M. Dec-13 DELA CRUZ, Hannah Charis T. Dec-13 DIAZ, Reginald Carlo M. Dec-13 DIOQUINO, Elaine Lou L. Dec-13 EMAAS, Christian G. Jun-13 ENCINARES, Kristine Kaye F. Jun-13 ESCOREAL, Ma. Fhatima B. Dec-13 ESPARRAGO, Margie A. Jun-13 ESQUIVEL, Anjanette Kay Jun-13 ESQUIVEL, Leslie Anne A. Jun-13 FEDERIS, Henry Jr. v.

Jun-13 FIGUEROA, Febbie Lou E. Jun-13 FULGAR, Adrian D. Jun-13 GABIONZA, Jeramie C. Jun-13 GEÑORGA, Pauline Shermaine V. Jun-13 GO, Jenny Belle F. Jun-13 GONZALES, Carlo Raphael B. Dec-13 GRAJO, Ivy Rose G. Jun-13 GUALVEZ, Francis S. Dec-13 HIPOS, Dianne Kate S. Jun-13 LINEBARGER, Michael Jay M. Jun-13 LONGARES, Janice E. Jun-13 LOONG, Heidi Grace M. Jun-13 LOVEDORIAL, Arvin C. Dec-13 LUBIANO, Rennee Joren L. Jun-13 LUZURIAGA, Christine Joan V. Jun-13 MABANTA, Norie Ann G. Jun-13 MARFIL, Uzziel B. Jun-13 MARTINEZ, Jayvee Renz O. Dec-13 MATIAS, Jem Frances B. Jun-13 NAMIA, Chester R. Jun-13 ORBILLO, Mary Rose P. Dec-13 PEREZ, Maricar C. Jun-13 PETRACHE, Claudelle P. Dec-13 PILLA, Salve Regina N. Jun-13 QUINTOS, Maricel G. Jun-13 RANCES, Kathleen Jane N. Jun-13 REJUSO, Carl Vincent Marrion M. Jun-13 SALAZAR, Raymond Boris L. Jun-13 SALGADO, Emily Rose S. Jun-13 SAN AGUSTIN, Jessa Cornelia P. Dec-13 SANTOS, Alexis Nicole A. Dec-13 SEGOVIA, June Carlo C. Dec-13 SEGOVIA, Owen Dominic F. Jun-13 SIMON, Shannen Grace P. Jun-13 SOLANO, Kenelyn C. Dec-13 TEMPLADO, Dwayne C. Dec-13 TRIÑANES, Kevin M. Dec-13 VARGAS, Rochelle B. Jun-13 YAZON, Kim Ariola A. Dec-13 YBA, Jeanylen B. Jun-13 ZABALLA, Stacy Kate L. Jun-13 54 Aquinian Herald

LET

Name Month-Year ABEJURO, Regine Sep-13 ANTIQUERA, Emily Sep-13 AYALA, Mark Joseph Sep-13 BANTE, Lorena E. Apr-13 BLANCO, Cindy Sep-13 BRIONES, Jomel G. Apr-13 BUMAGAT, Dexter O. Sep-13 CARDEL, Ma. Jilyn B. Sep-13 CEDILLA-PAMPLONA, Maridel C. Apr-13 DE GUZMAN, Sheena Sep-13 ESQUIVEL, Edsel Sep-13 ESTALAR, Jomelyn Sep-13 HERNANDEZ, Ma. Louise A. Sep-13 JULIO, Michaela Sep-13 MACASAET, Elizabeth B. Sep-13 MALAQUILLA, Francis R. Sep-13 MIRASOL, Maricyn Sep-13 NOBLEZA, Danilo JR. N. Apr-13 ORTIZ, Diane L. Sep-13 PALCON, Jose Marie L. Sep-13 RODRIGUEZ, Cecille B. Apr-13 ROMERO, Jomel Sep-13 SERRANO, Jay-Ar Sep-13 VILLAMOR, Romina E. Sep-13

Civil Engineering Name

DE SAGUM, Engr. Jeffrey A. ROS, Engr. John Michael F. BARCENAS, Engr. Julius S. BRIOLA, Engr. Ailyn M. DEDEL, Engr. Mark Allandale S. SORNEL, Engr. Henry J. YAP, Engr. Robin James G.

Month-Year May-13 May-13 Nov-13 Nov-13 Nov-13 Nov-13 Nov-13

Electronics Engineer Name

Month-Year

BORJA, Engr. Francis Ronan G. CAÑETA, Engr. Rowell B. ENOVEJAS, Engr. Jesus S. MENDONES, Engr. Jerlim C. NOVELERO, Engr. Jilbert M. REALINGO, Engr. Avelino B.

Dec-13 Dec-13 Dec-13 Apr-13 Dec-13 Dec-13

Electronics Technicians Name

BABASA, Engr. Jay-Mar B. CHAVEZ, Engr. Ralph Jansen O. DONGLAY, Engr. Karl Mikhail B. EBUENGA, Engr. John Nomel B. NOVELERO, Engr. Jilbert M. REALINGO, Engr. Avelino B. TIU SERRA, Engr. Jezer Ian B.

Month-Year Dec-13 Dec-13 Dec-13 Dec-13 Dec-13 Dec-13 Dec-13

SERS

explained

Each

semester student

For the years 2007-2014 a total of 42,331 students have enrolled in Aquinas University, 5,232 of them are qualified for various student discounts (Scholars, Student Assistants, etc), and are exempted from paying the Publication Fee, leaving us with only 37,099 students.

Accounting Name Month-Year ABO, Sheena G. Oct-13 APUYAN, Joy Celso K. Oct-13 BALISNOMO, Cristine Jane V. Oct-13 BAÑARES, Mark Allen L. Oct-13 BOLA, Maria Rean Rhea B. Oct-13 BORBOR, Marilyn P. Oct-13 CLUTARIO, Rowella Jean C. Oct-13 JESORO, Paul Roderick B. Oct-13 LORILLA, Jonna M. Oct-13 LOZANO, Karen A. Oct-13 VERCHEZ, Sarah May L. Oct-13 VIBAR, Dianne Rose P. Oct-13 YAMADA, Aiko M. Oct-13

pays 30 pesos

for the school paper fund.

The number of students (37,099) is multiplied by the 30 pesos Publication Fee which give us Php 1,112,970.00.

Where did your 30 pesos go?

This went to printing expenses

Architecture Name

the publication fee

A total of Php 297,141.50 (26.70%) used to publish the broadsheet, folio and magazines we deliver to you from 2007 - 2014.

Month-Year

AGUIRRE, Arch. Joseph A. AMARANTO, Arch. Henry Jr. M. ARCILLA, Arch. Ailyn G. ARCILLA, Arch. Sir Alvin R. BALBIN, Arch. Angelica B. BALDERAMA, Arch. Romnick M. BARREDA, Arch. Herculano Jr. B. BARTOLOME, Arch. Wenifredo JR. M. BLAZO, Arch. Aldrex L. BOQUEO, Arch. Edralin A. CARITO, Arch. Rafael B. CASIA, Arch. Rochelle D. CIMANES, Arch. Richard M. CORNELIO, Arch. Carlo Francis M. DAYAP, Arch. Jose Rene F. DON, Arch. Menard Jay B. ELLA, Arch. Jeffry B. GAN, Arch. Michael C. GENOVA, Arch. Rolly A. GERONGA, Arch. Joseph Arn G. GREGORIO, Arch. Aldwin B. GUETA, Arch. John Mark Angelo G. HAEL, Arch. Cyrene H. HIZON, Arch. Cielo Romeo Jr. N. LICUAN, Arch. Matthew F. LISTANA, Arch. Aldrin F. MACATANGAY, Arch. Victor B. MENDOZA, Arch. Michael O. MERCADERO, Arch. Erwin D. NAÑO, Arch. Arvin Keith V. NARON, Arch. Mark Joseph A. PAYADE, Arch. Lloyd C. SANTELICES, Arch. Catherine T.

Jun-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jun-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jun-13 Jan-13 Jun-13 Jan-13 Oct-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jun-13 Jan-13 Oct-13 Jun-13 Jan-13 Oct-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13 Jan-13

This was used to buy Equipment A total of Php 95,251.00 (8.56%) for Capital Expeditures (computers, printers, etc.) and use of school equipment.

This was used for Trainings and Seminars A total of Php 101,807.44 (9.15 %) in trainings and seminars to make us better at what we do.

This was used for contests A total of Php 64,498.00 (5.80%) to send us to compete with other schools and represent Aquinian excellence and even win!

This was used to buy supplies and for operating expenses Your student publication is only made up of student volunteers. This much is spent to fuel them in their needs as campus journalists (Php 52,563.45 or 4.72%).

This was used for MOOE A total of Php 111,297 (10.0%) is deducted by the school for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses

This much is allowed for uncollectibles Not all students pay all of their full tuition and fees.

The uncollectibles comprise 20% (Php 222,594) of the whole fund.

The rest was saved for future use.

A total of Php 167,817.61 (15.08%) of unused funds.

Infographics By Jillian J. Estrellado

55

ROKYAW 2014

University Week Celebrations

56 Aquinian Herald