This issue’s cover features a double exposure portrait of Olphie Marie Untang, a BSBA Major in Marketing young T’boli woman from Sitio Lemlunay, Brgy Pob. Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, juxtaposed with images of trees, the mountains and the seas. Through this, the photographer argues that like the mountains and seas, the Lumads are the seed of the tree that is now our identity. (Photo by Jayson Deodor)
David Jayson B. Oquendo bagwis Editor-In-Chief
The cover feature Lumads, Over The Years is an essay on the struggle of our Lumad brothers and sisters in the past and what we can do as Iskolar ng Bayan living in the Cotabato Region which boasts the diversity of the Tri-people in Mindanao. The main editorial At A Time of Great Divide is a call for unity in trying times of great division in the country brought about by differences in political beliefs. Every one of the articles in the Opinion section tackles current and relevant social and political issues the Iskolar ng Bayan cannot just ignore. The features are a collection of creative essays and nonfiction on hope, success, and legacy. This issue also features a 10-page special on this year’s Intramurals.
The Filipino root word for “choose” is pili. Oddly enough, it’s also the first two syllables of the word Pilipino. It’s almost poetic justice that our very nation is built on that word—that if it were not for choice, or pagpili we would not be where we are today. Every milestone in Philippine history came about from choice and it is very fitting that we are a nation that practices democracy. However, as much as this is the case, the power to choose can also lead to chaos especially at a time of great disagreement. Could it be that our liberal practice of choice has brought our nation now to a great divide? Part of the Filipino population is intrepid and livid, what with the discreet burial of the late Ferdinand Marcos last November 18 in the Libingan ng Mga Bayani. Almost immediately, the crowd that showed indignation over the ruling of the Supreme Court that allowed this grew. Protests all over the country have sparked. But the nation is not one with this. There are those who truly believe that the late President should be buried in the LNMB, either for reasons of “moving on” or particularly to solidify the idea that the ousted dictator is worthy of being called a hero. What’s more is the deliberate perpetuation of the idea of binary oppositions in the form of the Marcoses and the Aquinos, both of whom are clans that have had members in the highest positions in the government and are tagged with a multitude of issues. Social Media has become the battleground for the “Marcos Apologists” and the “Yellow Army.” Even the political machinery of the current president has chosen to ride along the tides, going to the direction of warning the people who are against the burial to be wary of their possible plans of coup d’état. At face value, the country is in turmoil. There is no denying that we have arrived at a great divide. We have come to a point where even our conversations with families and friends have become toxic because of the issue and the other issues surrounding the first. What do we make of this? Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest presidents of the United States of America, once said that a house divided cannot stand. This adage has proven to be more cautionary than prophetic. Our situation cannot go on as it is, but how do we find unity at a time of great divide? Like all things, the actions we must take must come from within. We must see conflict as an opportunity for resolution, one that will establish the facts from fiction and valid opinions from fallacy. We must broaden our fields of vision, ground ourselves, and accept that we can be wrong. We do this while maintaining a stand and strong conviction. We go back to our roots and we choose. In choice we will find who we truly are and we must not be ashamed of it. In the same way, we must not shame other people for the choices they have made. It is natural to want to convince people to be on your side, but never must it come to a point where you question his person. Furthermore, we must be intelligent and rational. We must find the perfect balance between cynicism and faith. If along the way you start changing opinions, do not be afraid because it’s part of the process. There are many ways we can manifest our choice. Others have chosen to take it to themselves to bring placards and protest on the roads. Others have decided to read more to be able to do more. Others have taken the role of the teacher and educate the people for a more informed choice. Whatever way we choose to manifest our choice is already a big step towards that resolution.We,asa nation, have come a long way. In the past, narratives of Filipinos being divided are common. Depictions of it in the movies have brought it to light even more that we are capable of causing our own downfall. But there are good things we are capable too. We are able choose to stand against a common enemy, as we have many times in the past. We are able to set aside our differences for later to face a common problem. Today, we might be divided. It may not be clear if we could ever arrive at a resolution. But we have faith that the Filipino will come out on top, as it had in the past. The Filipino root word for “choose” is pili Oddly enough, it’s also the first two syllables of the word Pilipino. It’s almost poetic justice that our very nation is built on that word—that if it were not for choice, or pagpili, we would not be where we are today. Surely, it will be because of choice that we will be able to save ourselves from the quicksand that is our current political climate and continue to soldier on in the eternal quest towards a being a better nation.
Leaf through the pages of this issue or swipe through an e-copy available on our Facebook page and keep the libertarian streak strong!
First order of business: an apology. BAGWIS apologizes for the extreme delay of the release of the first semester issue. The staff had some struggles both in manpower and in arriving at an idea for the perfect issue. However, it is with pride that BAGWIS presents this issue. As such, each of the articles in this issue is brimming with social consciousness. BAGWIS stays true to its spirit of libertarianism as it advocates in action the right of everyone to information and the keeping of the collective role of nation-building of every Iskolar ng Bayan. The contents of this issue is rife with hope and invitation to be more active citizens of the community and the country especially at this time.
ABOUT THE COVER
editorial• BAGWIS 1 CONTENTS NEWS 32 MSUcisians qualify to WCOPA Delays due to contractors, not admin :VCAF CHED: Free Tuition for Students of SUCs OPINION 54 eDUKHAsyon On the proposed athletics fee increase 76 More than two Nakaligtaang Kaugalian Of Toxicity and Fallacies FEATURES 1612 An Hour and a Half with the Chancellor The Strange Case of Earworms 1918 Okay lang Umasa The Persistence of Memory 11 INTRAMURALS 2322 COE seals 9-year dynasty Wizards dominate Intrams ’16 Opening 2825 College of Law fall short against BA&A; Liwasan, Mustapha continue winning streak SPORTS HIGHLIGHT: Tae kwon do andStarsSwimminginvade Intrams ‘16 Manila, new Miss MSU EDITORIAL THE EDITOR’S NOTE
Besides the medals conferred, the awardees also received Php 200,000 each as cash Speakingincentives.beforeofficers, men and women of PRO 12, Duterte reminded them of the basic rule when their lives are in danger especially during legitimate police“Gooperations.outand hunt down the criminals, arrest them and if they offer a violent resistance, and you think that life–ikaw ang mamatay, kung hindi siya […] patayin mo sila, iyan ang order ko sa iyo. That has not changed,” Duterte emphasized.ThePresident also assured the policemen of his unending support as long as these policemen do the mandates of their duty, emphasizing their role in the administration’s “War Against Drugs”. “Pag sinunod ninyo ako, wala kayong problema, ako ang bahala sa inyo. Hindi ako papayag na may militar o pulis makulong dahil sa utos ko kasi ang bayan natin hirap. Hirap na hirap ang bayan natin,” he further stressed.
Duterte hit America for lecturing him on human rights when America has a problem of its own. “Kaya sabi ko si Bato, magprepara ka kung sinong general padala mo doon sa America–rapporteur. Pa-imbestiga mo rin, and interesado tayo’t pinagbabaril nila iyang mga black people sa America,” Duterte said. Prior to his speech, Duterte also inspected the firearms confiscated by the policemen from police operations in General Santos City, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and neighboring provinces. Since the RH’s transfer in Tambler in the late ‘90s, Duterte is the first Commander-in-Chief of the country to visit the police camp.
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As to other buildings, such as Information and Communication Technology, Engineering Laboratory Phase II and Molecular Biology laboratory buildings, VCAF added that MSU-GSC has no control over them, since these are the projects whose funds are managed by MSU-Marawi. To note, in Bagwis 1st semester issue for AY 2014-2015, MSU-GSC hired the contractors for such buildings for convenience.
“Ikaw America, sige ka Human Rights. Ngayon na nga si Charlotte na iyan, state of emergency na, bakit? Eh Pinagbabaril iyong itim. Basta naka higa, ‘bang!’”Carolina Governor Pat McCrory called for a state of emergency in Charlotte on September 21 night after violence escalated as residents continue to protest the shooting of an African-American man by police.
AACCUP revisits MSU, evaluates programs
The VCAF said that the Co-Ed Dormitory building and Research Center was long completed but still need the business and occupancy permits. These permits are still in the process undertaken by the contractors as part of their signed contract during the bidding. “Those buildings are 100% done. However, we are still waiting for the contractors to finish the permits,” Engr. Ramos stated. Co-Ed Dormitory and Research Center amounted to Php16,500,138.24 and Php8,647,871.82, respectively. Moreover, part of the Science and Technology Training Center (STTC) building is still unfinished after the contractors backed out from the project. “It is already 97% complete and we are waiting for the response of the new contractors to continue the construction,” he explained.
During the selection of the contestants, the National Director and some talent scouts conducted some auditions particularly in Manila, Iloilo, and Davao. Garcia, Polangcos, Anatalio, and Bastareche joined the audition and received a callback slip for the briefing in Muzik’s Skool at Davao last Oct. 22. “Pumunta kami ng Davao with Php500 each para mag-audition. Alam naming risk yung ginawa namin but we really wanted to join the audition,” Bastareche said in an interview.
BAGWIS • news2 news • BAGWIS 3
Delays due to contractors, not admin :VCAF by BENONI PABLO, MARIETTA DEOCARES, HONEY GRACE SARIO
Duterte hitsoutstandinglaudscops,AmericainGenSan visit by DIXTER GLENN C. TANDOG President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited the Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12) Regional Headquarters (RH) located at Barangay Tambler, General Santos City last September 23 and personally commended the outstanding performance of 12 policemen in the conduct of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Oplan Double Barrel.
Moreover, he revealed that there are approximately four million drug addicts in the Philippines as documented by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and commented on the United States of America’s—along with other international organizations like European Union, United Nations, and International Human Rights Group—criticisms with regard his administration’s ongoing drug war.
Starting next school year, students of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) will be tuition-free. As approved by the Congress, the Commision on Higher Education (CHED) received an additional budget of P8.3 billion for free education of students in SUCs. The main reason for this course of action, according to Senator Loren Legarda, is the lack of means of poor families to pay tuition fees in college.
Solving the transportation problems of General Santos is now one of the top priorities of Mayor Ronnel Rivera in his second term as head of the city after being elected once more in office last May 9 elections.Public transportation problems like heavily congested traffic, spread of registered tricycles without franchises (colorum tricycles), unregulated fare rates, and existence of illegal fabricators of tricycle side cars have been issues thrown at the second-termer Mayor during the campaign period and he now assures measures to combat these problems.Atransportation code was drafted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) through the Committee on Transportation headed by Committee Chairman, Councilor Dominador Lagare Jr. This is mainly based on the results of the comprehensive transport study for the area in 2014 conducted by the League of Cities of the Philippines and funded by the WorldInBank.the month of September, several public hearing consultations have been initiated by the committee to hear the side of several public groups— public transport groups and group of commuters. As of now, colorum tricycles are prohibited from travelling the main roads of the city. Traffic enforcers are deployed in the main streets to ensure compliance. However, this led to a problem on the part of the commuters since tricycles are heavily relied upon in GenSan when it comes to Committeeofficereachedofthevehiclesandallowatransportation.publicMeanwhile,proposaltoelectronicssolarenergytotravelcentralareathecityhastheofthe Chairman and is now being discussed by the committee. Rivera focuses on transport problems in 2nd term by DIXTER GLENN C. TANDOG
For the fourth time, the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) visited Mindanao State University-General Santos City to evaluate the program offerings of the institution.Thirteen programs were submitted by the university for the first survey which includes Bachelor of Arts (AB) in English, AB Political Science, AB Sociology, AB Islamic Studies, AB History, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marine Biology, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) major in Business Economics, BSBA major in Entrepreneurial Marketing, Master of Science in Teaching, Master in Business Management, Master of Arts (MA) in Education, Master in Sustainable Development Studies, and Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management.Moreover, the two programs from the College of Business Administration and Accountancy were submitted for the preliminary survey, to wit: BSBA major in Business Management and BS Accountancy.
Among the awardees were Supt. Maximo Sebastian Jr., PO3 Marcial Inuguitan and PO2 Jeffrey Benito who received the “Medalya ng Kagalingan” for neutralizing a group engaged in the illegal drug trade. Sebastian heads the anti-illegal drugs task-force in Region XII. Also given the “Medalya ng Kagalingan” were Sr. Insp. Reynante Pascua and Sr. Insp. Renato Moreal in recognition of their accomplishment to neutralize members of a terror group and including the seizure of firearms.
MSU Building Constructions Kenneth Garcia (CoEd), Arbie Jay Polangcos (CoA), Adrielle Anatalio (CSSH) and Samuel Bastareche (Alumnus-CoA), otherwise known as MSUcisians, and members of MSU Chorale will compete in the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) at Long Beach California, USA, June 30- July 9, Competing2017.under the Senior Vocal Category, the MSUcisians will be among the delegates of the Elite Team Philippines 2017 in the prestigious competition.
Competing against 64 other representatives from different countries, MSUcisians are proud to represent and be part of the Elite Team Philippines 2017. By joining in the said competition, they will get a chance to win $350,000 in scholarships from different agencies all over America. “Together with other delegates, it will be an honor to be part of the Elite Team Philippines at WCOPA!” Bastareche exclaimed.
CHED: Free Tuition for Students of SUCs
PSupt. Joefel Remodaro was awarded with a “Medalya ng Kasanayan” for his successful counterterrorism operation.
In view of the foregoing, the university adopted a new vision, mission, and core values to help align these pillars to the university’s thrust for internationalization and global competitiveness. Approved before the council, the university’s new vision narrates, “To be a globally competitive university in Southern Philippines” and the new mission is “To provide competent human resources for the development of Southern Mindanao and to help improve the living conditions of the Muslims and the Indigenous people. The university also embraced the following core values: Respect for others; Acting with Integrity; Service to the People; and Pursuing Excellence, more commonly known in its abbreviated form “R.I.S.E.”
The Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance (VCAF) Engr. Virgilio Ramos cited several reasons as to the delay in the construction of new buildings in the campus during an interview with BAGWIS last October 28.
by NICOLE LAURENCE DE VEGA
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A meritorious medal was also awarded by the President to PSupt. Joefel Siason, Chief Insp. Mary Grace Licudan, Chief Insp. Lorenzo Hernaez III, Chief Insp. Giovani Ladeo, Chief Insp. Niel Wadingan, and Chief Insp. Felix Fornan.
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The university’s application for accreditation is in compliance with the directives of the Commission on Higher Education that all programs offered in all tertiary institutions must be submitted for accreditation to an authorized accrediting agency. The university started its compliance to these directives since October 2013. The accrediting team was spearheaded by Dr. Rebecca Sanchez from Surigao Del Sur State University (SDSSU) together with cluster coordinator Dr. Maribel Tizo from Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT). Completing the team were Dr. Marilyn Rubio from Bukidnon State University (BSU), Prof. Jennyleigh Mangubat (BSU), Dr. Beulan Rose Torres (BSU), Prof. Daisy Mugot (BSU), Dr. Demetria May Saniel (BSU), Prof. Virginia Suarez from Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST), Prof. Ma. Theresa Fajardo (MUST), Dr. Aida Osorio (SDSSU), Dr. Nemesio Loayan (SDSSU), Dr. Hyde Nadela from University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP), Dr. Renante Taylaran (MOSCAT), and Dr. Roque Langcoy from the University of the Philippines Cebu Central Visayas Study Center. The results of the accreditation will be received from the team at a later unannounced date.
This factor, Legarda added, has caused the decreasing amount of students that proceed to Althoughcollege.thesaid proposal was approved, CHED admitted that it would take some time to manage such amount and they are finding ways on how to delegate the fund in an equitable way.
WCOPAqualifyMSUcisianstoKEVIN AUTOR Credits: rappler.com Credits:facebook/gensancitypiopagesflipper.com by HONEY GRACE SARIO
Oplan Double Barrel is a comprehensive police anti-crime and antidrug operations aimed at cleansing the society of lawless elements and crime offenders. It refers to the Philippine National Police’s plan of going after bigtime drug lords and street-level drug pushers simultaneously.
Meanwhile, MSU-GSC students are very hopeful for these buildings to operate very soon so they can take advantage of the benefits these may bring.
•CAVITE
•SULU
Manila) DBM-NCR •PHILIPPINE MERCHANT
Tinatayang aabot sa 1.4 milyong mag-aaral sa kolehiyo ang makikinabang sa 8.3 bilyong karagdagang pondo para sa Commission on Higher Education (CHED) para sa taong 2017. Ito ay matapos pirmahan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang 2017 General Appropriations Act noong Disyembre 22, kung saan naitakda ang 3.35 trilyong kabuuang badyet sa ngayong taon. Ang hakbang na ito ay ang paunang katuparan ng pangarap ng libo-libong mga mag-aaral na nasa kolehiyo ngayon dahil aakuin na ng pamahalaan ang Tuition Fees ng lahat ng State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) sa bansa. Huli man ay naihahabol din. Matatandaang isa ang bansang Pilipinas na lumagda sa kasunduan ng Education for All Plan bilang bahagi ng Millenium Development Goals ng United Nations na sanay naisakatuparan noong taong 2015. Ayon sa datos ng United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) noong 2013, nasa 1.2 milyon ang Out-of-School Children habang 535,896 naman ang bilang ng mga Out-of-School Youth sa Pilipinas. Tila napakaliit naman ng bilang na ito kumpara sa datos ng 2013 Functional Literacy Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) na isinagawa ng National Statistics Office (NSO). Ayon sa FLEMMS, umaabot sa 4 milyong kabataan sa buong bansa ang wala sa paaralan o apat sa bawat sampung bata ang sa halip na nasa paaraalan at hinuhubog ang kanilang kinabukasan ay nasa lansangan. Ang rehiyong SOCCSKSARGEN, ay isa sa may pinakamataas na kaso ng Out-of-School Youth sa bansa na nasa humigit 10.4 porsiyento. Lumalabas din sa mga pag-aaral na ang pangunahing sanhi ng bilang na ito ay ang kawalan ng kakayahan ng mga magulang na maipadala ang kanilang mga kabataan sa paaralan dulot na rin ng kahirapan. Ang mga numerong nabanggit ay siya ring sumasalamin sa bilang ng mga kaluluwang mabibiyayaan kung ang programang ito ng gobyerno ay maipapatuloy sa mga susunod pang taon. Ngayon lamang mas binigyang diin ng pamahalaan ang sektor ng edukasyon lalung-lalo na ang mga kolehiyo. Matatandaang sa mga nakalipas na taon, ang sektor ng edukasyon ay madalas natatapyasan ng badyet na siyang sinasalubong ng iba’t ibang kilos protesta. Sa pagbibigay diin ng pamahalaan sa edukasyon ay mas maraming kabataan ang mabibigyan ng pagkakataong pumasok sa mga unibersidad at kolehiyo nang sa gayoy mas maging kapakipakinabang silang miyembro ng pamayanan. Lingid man sa kaalaman ng karamihan, malaking halaga ang lugi ng bansa kung ang kabataan ay hindi nabibigyan ng pamahalaan ng oportunidad na makapag-aral. Ayon sa UNESCO, tinatayang aabot sa 0.18 porsiyento ng kabuuang Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ng Pilipinas ang nawawala dahil sa kamangmangan ng populasyon. Sa taong panunurang 2017-2018, wala ng babayarang tuition ang undergraduate programs ng 113 SUCs sa buong bansa kabilang na ang MSUGensan. Tila sinusundan na ng Pilipinas ang yapak ng mga bansang Norway, Sweden, Finland at Germany na pamahalaan ang sumasalo sa mga gastusin ng mga mag-aaral sa kolehiyo. Bagamat pirmado ang naturang batas, hindi pa rin malinaw kung paano hahatiin ang kaukulang pera sa iba’t ibang makikinabang na institusyon. Ayon pa sa CHED, tuition lamang ang siyang sasaluhin ng pamahalaan at ang mga unibersidad ay maari pa ring mangolekta ng Miscellaneous Fees, maging Tuition Fees para sa Graduate at Post Graduate Programs. Sa datos ng FindUniversity.ph noong 2013, maliban sa iilang unibersidad na walang bayarin gaya ng Universidad de Manila at Taguig City University, ang MSU-Gensan ang pangatlo sa pinakamurang unibersidad sa bansa. Ang pamantasang ito ang siyang nagbibigay buhay sa mga pangarap ng mga kapus-palad na mga mag-aaral sa rehiyon. Magiging mas kapakipakinabang ang institusyong ito kung tuluyan na ngang aakuin ng pamahalaan ang humigit kumulang Php 2,500 na tuition kada taon. Sa kabila ng mga sinasabing salungat na opinyon ng hakbang na ito ng pamahalaan, maituturing na isa itong pagbibigay pugay sa mga salitang binitiwan ng ating pambansang bayani na ang kabataan ang siya ngang pag-asa ng bayan. Sana nga lang ang hakbang na ito ay maipagpatuloy hanggang sa mga susunod na taon. Maari kasing ang tulong na ito ng pamahalaan ay epekto lamang ng mas maliit na bilang ng mga nasa kolehiyo ngayon sapagkat dahil sa K-12 program ng Department of Education (DepEd), nabawasan ang mga mag-aaral na nasa mga unibersidad at kolehiyo ngayon. Hindi kasi mahuhubog ang mga kabataan upang maging pag-asa ng ating bayan kung ang hakbang na ito ay para lamang sa unang taon. Sa halip na pag-asa, maaring ang kabataan ay mananatili na lamang paasa. Sa kabila nito, isang matingkad na kulay ng pag-asa naman ang hatid na dala ng panukalang Free Higher Education Act na nakabinbin pa ngayon sa senado at ng Free Public Education Law na ikinakasa naman sa Kongreso.Angpagbibigay ng pagkakataon na makapagaral ay hindi lamang legal kundi moral na obligasyon ng estado sa kanyang nasasakupan. Panahon na upang ang maging edukado at makapagtapos ng pag-aaral ay hindi na isang pribelehiyo, kundi isang karapatan. Isang karapatang hindi lamang para sa mga mayayaman kundi para sa lahat. Tinawag nga itong edukasyon, dahil may karapatan din dito kahit ang mga dukha.
(Marawi) •Mindanao
Ang OF THE PHILIPPINES OF THE PHILIPPINES GENERAL HOSPITAL (University of the Philippines MARINE ACADEMY STATE UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS State University (General Santos Campus) •Mindanao State University (Maguindanao) •Mindanao State University (Naawan) •Mindanao State University (Sulu) •Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology
•VISAYAS
•SOUTHERN
BAGWIS • opinion4 opinion • BAGWIS 5
•UNIVERSITY
•ADIONG MEMORIAL POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
•SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
•CENTRAL
•NORTHWEST
•TARLAC
•CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY •ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY •NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY •QUIRINO STATE COLLEGE CHED-Region III (Central Luzon) STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL STATE COLLEGE STATE UNIVERSITY LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE OF SCIENCE AND COLLEGE MAGSAYSAY TECHNOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE STATE UNIVERSITY CHED-Region IV-A (CALABARZON) STATE UNIVERSITY STATE UNIVERSITY STATE POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM CHED-REGION IV-B (MIMAROPA) STATE COLLEGE STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY NORMAL UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY STATE UNIVERSITY LEYTE STATE UNIVERSITY STATE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES CHED-Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) STATE COLLEGE H. CERILLES STATE COLLEGE
•SULTANTECHNOLOGYKUDARAT STATE UNIVERSITY •UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MINDANAO CHED-Region XIII (CARAGA) •AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
For three active years of participation, Mindanao State University System has once again proved its worth after beating 26 other competing delegations and placing second in the over-all tally during the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Friendship Games 2016 held at Surigao del Sur State University at Tandag City, Surigao del Sur on November 5-11, 2016. Forty-four studentathletes from Mindanao State University – General Santos City composed the delegation of the MSU System and twelve of them are baseball players who, supposedly, could not participate in the said athletic meet. Reason: financial constraint. Question: Isn’t there enough money to support our athletes in their endeavors?Itwaslearned by Bagwis that the original plan for the athletic meet was to send only thirty-two athletes excluding the baseball players due to financial limitations. However, the baseball team persisted and initiated means in order to collect money intended to suffice their financial needs. Fortunately, when the Office of the Physical Education and Socio-cultural Arts (OPESCA) knew about this, the budget allocation for other athletes was reduced and part of those was allotted to the baseball players just for them to be able to participate. And yes, the baseball team who represented the MSU System to the MASTS Friendship Games were able to participate and ranked 7th in the tournament. This story, the lack of financial support extended to the athletes, is no longer new to everyone. In the Bagwis issue volume XXXV, one of the articles focused on the idea of being transparent when it comes to the financial records of the university most specifically in the athletics fee. The article even demanded clear pronouncements on how the funds collected have been used, and unfortunately even up to today there are no pronouncements made. Now the OPESCA is planning to increase the athletics fee from P100.00 to P200.00 mainly to provide the financial needs of the athletes for the different levels of competitions: Mindanao State University System Athletic Association (MSUSAA), Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Friendship Games, and State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA). For the information of everyone, MSU-Gensan has been active in participating in the MSUAA and as a matter of fact, the unit has two championship titles within four years of participation. Also, for three consecutive years, this unit was able to send representatives to complete the MSU System delegation to the MASTS Friendship Games first in Bukidnon (1st Runner-up), second in Pagadian City (4th Runner-up), and recently in Tandag City (1st Runner-up). And for the SCUAA, the university was able to send representatives who represented the system in Tuguegarao placing sixth. For the proposed new athletics fee, P50.00, for the first semester, will go to the Varsity Program which includes (1) procurement of sports equipment; (2) student-athlete allowance; (3) coach honoraria; (4) training and playing uniform; and (5) seminar and training for athletes. The remaining P150.00 is divided into two which is intended for the participation of university in MSUAA and MASTS Friendship Games. For the second semester, P75.00 still goes for the Varsity Program and the remaining P125.00 is solely allocated for the participation our athletes to the SCUAA. Moreover, the budget allocation for the participation of the university to different athletic association includes (1) campus contribution; (2) delegation uniform; (3) travel, playing, and meal allowance; (4) medical supplies; and (d) for contingency. Lastly, in order for this proposal to be materialized, all the OPESCA will have to do is to get the consensus of the majority of the students through a signature campaign. The OPESCA believes that the need to increase the athletics fee is highly needed and timely in the sense that the university will be sending again athletes next semester for SCUAA in Vigan City. Now there’s nothing wrong with the idea of increasing the athletics fee considering this has been the battle cry of our athletes for years. 8
•PALOMPON
•LEYTE
•SAMAR
•PAMPANGATECHNOLOGYAGRICULTURAL
•BATANGAS
•SOUTHERN
•OCCIDENTALTECHNOLOGY MINDORO NATIONAL COLLEGE •PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY •ROMBLON STATE UNIVERSITY •WESTERN PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY CHED-Region V (Bicol) •BICOL •CAMARINESUNIVERSITYNORTE STATE COLLEGE •CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE •CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF •CATANDUANESAGRICULTURE STATE COLLEGES •DR. EMILIO B. ESPINOSA SR. MEMORIAL STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY •PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY •SORSOGON STATE COLLEGE CHED-Region VI (Western Visayas) •AKLAN STATE UNIVERSITY •CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY •CARLOS HILADO MEMORIAL STATE COLLEGE •GUIMARAS STATE COLLEGE •ILOILO STATE COLLEGE OF FISHERIES •NEGROS STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE •NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE •NORTHERN NEGROS STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND •WESTERN•UNIVERSITYTECHNOLOGYOFANTIQUEVISAYASCOLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND •WESTTECHNOLOGYVISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY CHED-Region VII (Central Visayas) •CEBU NORMAL UNIVERSITY •CEBU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY •BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY •NEGROS ORIENTAL STATE UNIVERSITY •SIQUIJOR STATE COLLEGE CHED-Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) •EASTERN SAMAR STATE COLLEGE •EASTERN
•BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY •IFUGAO STATE •MOUNTAIN•KALINGA-APAYAOUNIVERSITYSTATECOLLEGEPROVINCESTATEPOLYTECHNICCOLLEGE CHED-REGION (ILOCOS) •DON MARIANO MARCOS MEMORIAL STATE •ILOCOSUNIVERSITYSUR POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE •MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY
•BUKIDNON
•BULACAN
•UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES CHED-Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)
•RAMON
•UNIVERSITY
•MARINDUQUE
•JOSE RIZAL MEMORIAL STATE COLLEGE STATE COLLEGE REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY CITY STATE POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE STATE COLLEGE OF MARINE SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY CHED-Region X (Northern Mindanao) STATE COLLEGE POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE MINDANAO UNIVERSITY
•ABRA STATE INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND •APAYAOTECHNOLOGYSTATE COLLEGE
•TAWI-TAWI
•BASILAN
•DON
•SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY
•NORTH LUZON PHILIPPINES STATE COLLEGE •PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY •UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES CHED-Region II (Cagayan Valley) •BATANES STATE COLLEGE
•BATAAN
•NUEVAUNIVERSITYECIJA UNIVERSITY
•PHILIPPINE
•BULACAN
•CAMIGUIN
•MINDANAO
•MINDORO
•Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography CHED-CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (CAR)
•LAGUNA
•NORTHWESTERN MINDANAO STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CHED-Region XI (Davao Region) •DAVAO DEL NORTE STATE COLLEGE •DAVAO ORIENTAL STATE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND
•CARAGA STATE UNIVERSITY
•JOSEFINA
•ZAMBOANGA
•TARLACUNIVERSITYCOLLEGE OF
•UNIVERSITY
•WESTERN
•COTABATO CITY STATE POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
•MINDANAO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY •MISAMIS ORIENTAL STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
•SOUTHERNTECHNOLOGYPHILIPPINES AGRI-BUSINESS AND MARINE AND AQUATIC SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY
•CENTRAL
•AURORA
•NAVAL
sumusunod ang mga paaralang saklaw ng usaping ito: CHED-National Capital Region (NCR) •EULOGIO “AMANG” RODRIGUEZ INSTITUTE OF •MARIKINATECHNOLOGYPOLYTECHNIC COLLEGE •PHILIPPINE NORMAL UNIVERSITY •PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS •POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES •RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY •TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
•ZAMBOANGA
•COTABATO FOUNDATION COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND
Notwithstanding the fact that as of today Facebook does not have a protocol in identifying stories as facts or fallacies because a story is published, shared, and even promoted as long as there is high engagement. Those people behind the move of media literacy suggested five basic principles that should be taught: (1) Social etiquette in interaction; (2)the moral responsibility not to abuse its anonymity; (3)to foster critical thinking; (4)strengthen the paradigms of constructive debate; (5)and put in place respect for plurality of ideas. These courses, perhaps, are of paramount importance in pacifying the toxicity these fallacies have effected in our society. But one thing that the populace should consider in order to mitigate this problem is to discern the importance of personal censorship. As clichéd as it is, this problem calls for personal discipline. It has been an honor for me to be an accountancy student and be taught of the concept of professional judgement and professional skepticism in an auditing theory course. In auditing, and in any practice for that matter, there is no wrong opinion. The opinion we give can only be classified as either informed and uninformed. An informed opinion is a statement drawn after exercising professional judgement on the facts and information, and after exercising reasonable diligence in gathering information that corroborate the assertions embedded in that opinion. Failure to do that would have a high risk of expressing a misinformed opinion. The concept of professional skepticism should also serve as our guiding light as we skim through different Facebook pages, blogs, and websites. Professional skepticism lies on the idea that nothing is true unless otherwise a fact or information prove it to be true. Indeed, social media have drastically changed the different dimensions of our society. Changes can either be for better or worse depending on how act on it. Social media, along with all the issues it has brought with it, is a living testament to to the proverbial passage of Uncle Ben in the movie Spiderman that goes, “With great power comes with great responsibility.”
is those comments who tend to have cared with the arguments and the issue involved. Public disclosure is a basic tenet of governance. Policies and laws, including social issues, should be acceptable and known to the electorate. Philosophers Hobbes, Kant, and Rousseau even narrated that debated public reason measures the desirability of political consensus. While this may be true during their era, this does not hold the same water today. Perhaps, social media has reconfigured public disclosure to the pervasive incivility, and material misunderstanding of facts.
BAGWIS • opinion6 opinion • BAGWIS 7 We are living in a world of multiple choices rather than the commonly held true or false. Evolutionary theory says that our ancestors chose from two options only: flight or fight. An instinctive response that, despite technological advancements we have achieved, have become our trump card. We, as mere subjects of it, have come to a point where we can’t do anything to change the situation or modify it according to our needs. This thinking process hinders humans to ponder more about current situations, be it a life-threatening experience or just another whimsical decision. Social institutions are the most affected ones where a slight error of choosing could result to downfall. Here lies the culprit: False Dichotomy. False Dichotomy is a common logical fallacy one commits when one is fixated to two completely opposite options despite an array of choices provided. It tends to overshadow the existence of other choices. This may seem cheesy, but a song of KZ Tandingan portrays it perfectly – “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako”. Strictly speaking, why limit yourself to the selection given when you know that it never stops there? You may choose both of them (it’s not recommended) or find someone outside your ‘known world’. False Dichotomy bars your chances of achieving the best possible solution to your problem. And it irritates the perfectionist inside you, no doubt. The trait is universal to all societies. Social classes do participate in this debate. From millennials to oldies, no one is excused. Take for example our present political sphere where expressing dissent towards the president can earn you a handful of invectives from his die-hard supporters, replies lacking logical explanations, insults to your name and profile picture from people you don’t know, and worst, labels regarding your political affiliation such as Dilawan or Yellowtard even when you have never been associated with them. So what’s wrong about it? Considering the fact that you belong neither to the two major camps, where do you belong? The question overshadows the periphery and the center. Thus, for the unaware citizen, the endeavors of the two couldn’t be heard no matter how significant it is to our society, which is unfortunate.Psychologists claim that a person who is invited to a relatively large group of people tends to join even without initial assessment or investigation. Thus, all agreed doctrines or rules within the group will not be questioned nor scrutinized even if those are farfetched. A member who has done act frowned upon by the group shall be an outcast or shall receive disciplinary actions. This results in a herd mentality where the group has the power to decide on a situation regardless of outside intervention. Sociocultural organizations here in MSU are one of those. The uncanny privilege earned by the group could be used as a political machinery to support an allied partisan, engage a social movement (whose announced advocacies and real intentions sometimes are contraditory), and overthrow a government. This leads us to think how dangerous False Dichotomy is combined with Herd Mentality. Like what the signpost in an accident prone area always reminds us: Drinking and Driving Don’t Mix. False dichotomy breeds ignorance. People who are influenced often are enclosed in a receptacle. They are contended of what they have been thinking that the outside world is harsh, thus going there will mean uncertainty on what lies ahead. But we must always think outside the box. The allegory of the cave is the prime example of it. Step-by-step, this cognitive fallacy may be aided and suppressed through constant questioning about matters which may or may not be seen by the naked eye. We are not bound to choosing two options. The apex of evolutionary process dictates we’ll have to take it as an insult if we limit ourselves to choosing only two options. If false dichotomy really is the only choice, then wonders of our world are all in vain.
7
Truth be told, idiocy on any level can be described as something to be put on the pedestal of despicable things. When this idiocy is mixed with the fallacies in our society multiplied through proliferation in social media, it creates an inexplicably chaotic social spectrum. With over 47 million social media users in the Philippines, there is no doubt that the toxicity of fallacies and idiocy is shaking our country on its very ground.Factis, the birth of Information and Communications Technology has definitely changed the lives of the people. Social Media is one of the drastic changes brought about by technological advancement. It has also been one of the platforms used in exercising one’s freedom of expression. This freedom however is something that cannot be limited—meaning, one is given the right to express an opinion regardless of whether it is informed or otherwise.With the brouhaha on the issues of our society comes the emergence of blogs and different satirical Facebook pages. These blogs provide netizens with information which do not contain any reference to a specific source for verification of facts. These Facebook pages, despite their failure to establish a credible source of information, more often than not tackle political and societal issues which create threads ranging from the opposing views of yellow and other colors of the political spectrum to the quaint perspectives on human rights and the current political and societal unrest. These misleading discussions insinuate ideas which may contain fallacies making netizens misinformed about what is really happening and how it affects our country at large. While it is true that these only depict public involvement and activism, these might be the wrong kind of involvement and activism that our country currentlySocialneeds.media has also become the den of word wars especially to those users who cannot contain their extreme fanaticism versus those who would see things otherwise. Insults, bullying, and even threats are the eventual results of these supposed to be “healthy”, “academic”, “civil”, and “scholarly” discourses. Whether we admit it or not, MSUans are also guilty of such acts. This, along with the issues presented in the two preceding paragraphs, furiously creates a crossfire making the naked truth of an issue a casualty.Asurvey, which was mentioned in an article published online by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, was conducted to determine the responses of internet users regarding a certain political issue. The comments section of the post accounted for 42 percent which can be classified as ad hominems. It is a reasoning that contains logical fallacy and usually happens when one makes an irrelevant attack on the arguer and suggests that this attack undermines the argument itself. It is a reasoning that is directed to the person rather than the argument itself. This eventually leads to personal exchanges of insults resulting to name-calling and labelling such as “dutertard” or “yellow tard.” Instead of having exchanges that is expected to create learning new things, the discourse degenerates into childish, uncivilized exchange. On the other hand, 24 percent of the thread are simple statements, with no argument, and just intended to contribute pun. And the residual Sa buong mundo, ipinagmamalaki ng mga Pilipino ang pagiging mabubuti at maaruga sa kapwa nito at maging sa mga banyaga. Ngunit dahil sa isang insidente, nakapagdududa kung tunay nga ba ito. Noong Oktubre 14, 2016, duguan at nakasampa sa gilid ng kalsada ang huling sandali ni Nick Russel Oniot, 18 taon gulang at nasa ikatlong taon ng arkitektura sa Adamson University. Labinwalong saksak ang natamo ni Oniot nang nilabanan nito ang humoldap sa kanya. Ayon sa CCTV footage ng barangay, limang minuto ang lumipas bago natulungan ang kaawaawang estudyante ngunit marami ang nakasaksi sa insidente. Mayroon pang lumabas at nakiusyoso habang nakahandusay si Oniot. Ngunit niisa sa kanila, walang tumulong. Kulang pa ba? Sa kaliwa’t kanang pagsugpo ng ating pamahalaan sa droga at krimen, kulang pa rin ba ang tulong ng kapulisan o sadyang nagkulang tayo bilang mamamayan? Hindi ba’t sa hindi pagtulong, isa na rin tayo sa mga pumatay? May dapat pa bang sumunod bago natin maisip na kailangan nating kumilos? Kailangan pa ba nating hintayin na kapamilya natin ang nakahandusay bago tayo magising? Ilan lamang ito sa mga tanong na hindi pa rin mahapuhap ang kasagutan. Ang pangyayaring ito ay sumasalamin lamang sa imahe nating mga Pilipino bilang mga tao. Aminin man o hindi ng karamihan sa atin ngayon, lalong-lalo na ang mga kabataan ay lumalaki ng walang pakialam at ayaw mangialam. Tulad dito sa MSU, iilan lamang na mga mag-aaral ang nagkukusang pumunta sa General Assembly kasi walang oras o ayaw maglaan ng panahon.Kahit man lamang gampanan ang karapatang bumoto sa SSC, napapagod pa. Paano natin ipagmamalaki sa iba na mabubuti tayo kung sa sariling lugar natin, hindi tayo marunong makialam? May mga manunulat nga na nagsabing ang pinakamalaking kasalanan ay ang hindi pagpili sa pagpipilian, ang hindi paghakbang sa dalawang pagpipiliang daan. Ngunit ito tayo ngayon. Naturingan nga tayong pag-asa ng ating bayan, ngunit paano natin mapapanindigan ang katagang pag-asa kung tayo mismo ay paasa. Paasa hindi sa usapin ng pag-ibig, kundi paasa sa mga nangangailangan nating kapwa. Ikaw at ako, bilang iskolar ng bayan, bilang mamamayan ng bansang Pilipinas, o bilang tao man lang ay may responsibilidad na makilahok at tumulong sa iba. Gusto nating makilala bilang mabait at parating “in” sa mga bagay pero pagdating sa responsibilidad, nawawala. Nakakalimutan natin na isa sa mga tungkulin na dapat gampanan ay ang pagiging makatao, ang pakikisama at higit sa lahat ang pakikiramay.Masasabirin naman na iba-iba ang reaksyon ng mga tao sa mga pangyayari. Tunay nga na iba-iba ang ating pinanggalingan, ang pagpapalaki sa atin at ang ating kinalakhan. Hindi rin naman natin masisisi na maraming hadlang upang tayo’y tumulong. Hindi rin naman dapat husgahan kung takot kang makibahagi. Ngunit dapat hindi natin nililimitahan ang ating sarili dahil sa mga bagay na iyan. Nararapat na lampasan natin ang mga hadlang upang mas maging mabuting tao tayo.Sabi nga ng yumaong Senadora Miriam Defensor-Santiago, “A nation is only as strong as its people. Do not subscribe to bahala na attitude and allow things to go with the flow. For evil to triumph, it is enough for good men to do nothing.” Bilang tagapagmana ng bansang Pilipinas, bansang lugmok sa kahirapan at mga suliraning sa ngayon ay hindi pa rin natatanaw ang solusyon, hindi talaga sapat ang ating pansariling pakikibaka upang umunlad. Dahil hindi sapat ang paghihirap at pagpapasakit ng iisang tao upang magkaroon ng pagbabago. Kaysarap man lasapin ang pagbabagong ipinangako ni Pangulong Duterte ngunit mananatili itong suntok sa buwan kung hindi natin maaninag ang katotohanan na sa ating binigkis na butil ng pangingialam at pakikilahok lamang magkakaroon ng tunay na pagbabago. Minsan mas mabuti pa ang bulag sapagkat nakikita niya ang suliraninng nakapaligid sa kanya. Mas nakakaangat pa ang mga bingi sapagkat naririnig niya ang mga hinaing ng kanyang kapwa. Paano tayo na lubos man sanang pinagpala ng kakayahan at kagalingan? Lahat tayo ay tao ngunit hindi lahat makatao.
Maria Ressa, Chief Executive Officer of Rappler, a reputable online news organization in the Philippines, suggested the inclusion of media literacy in the curriculum of all schools in the country. This was her long-lasting proposal to the problems we have been encountering in social media, and the possible dilemmas we could encounter in the near future. It is undeniable that most Filipinos, even students as we are, do not actually belong to the reading public. This makes us the most susceptible members of the population to the threats of fallacies in social media.
Lumads,overthe years
COVER STORY
DIXTER GLENN C. TANDOG
The question is that will the administration be able to provide and publish a copy of the disbursements of the athletics fee if the proposal will be materialized? How can we assure that the money will be spent only for its purpose if the administration cannot even provide financial reports where the athletics fee is just P100.00?Theissue here is all about transparency when it comes to financial reports. Say for example we have an estimated number of students of around 6,000.
BAGWIS • opinion8
Given the proposal is approved, each one pays P200.00, that is 6000 multiplied by P200.00 gives us P 1,200,000.00. This amount of money is not a joke and requires liquidation in order for the students not to jump into hasty conclusions when the issue of the lack of financial support to athletes arise. The decision whether or not to increase the athletics fee lies on the hand of the students. For some, the proposed increase in the athletics fee is not an issue, but for most it is.
Let us once again be reminded that Mindanao State University – General Santos City is mandated to practice transparency and accountability in its processes as it is a government institution of higher learning. There is a need to have such in order to dispel a lot of suspicions on the alleged misuse of funds. Unfortunately, the manifestations of the administration speak for the contrary.
Some MSUans have probably cursed their college or department officers because of the most hated policy in their respective organizations: the imposition of a fine for every absence of the students during the events, especially the Intramurals. Considering that MSU is a state university, where most students opt to study because it is an economical choice, it is such a pain for them to pay the fines which usually range from Php 25 to Php 100 per attendance. No doubt why their clamors regarding their dissent on the imposition of fines resonate as the enrollment period approaches, for at the end of the day, they are left with only two choices: 1) pay the fines and go on with the enrollment or 2) refuse to pay the fines and risk failing to enroll for the semester. More often than not, we tend to choose the former. Of course we wouldn’t risk our studies just to avoid paying. Some students are sly enough to escape from their charges. In that case, it’s up to the universe to hand down an Complaintsindictment.areeverywhere, may it be written or passed through the word of mouth. And these complaints usually comprise the pleas of the students to drop the rule, saying that their colleges shouldn’t meddle with their personal choice on whether to attend to an event or not. We are living in a state university which celebrates academic freedom. We do not even wear uniforms, not just because uniforms can be costly, but because we are actually given liberty to choose what we want to wear every day. This should also hold true on the context of this issue. On the other hand, others distrust the officers’ usage of the money. Where will all the fines go? How will these funds be utilized? Were these funds properly liquidated? And for that matter, are the liquidations properly audited? Legality is also in question with respect to this policy. Is the policy backed up by a resolution, and is this resolution presented and approved before the student body? The questions resound through an infinite continuum but it will eventually boil down to this: is it a smart move to abolish the policy? The complaints may be true, but we cannot send away the sun just because it is burning your skin. Your contradictions are not reasonable enough to abolish the imposition of fines. We have to consider the more important matters, those that are more worthy than Even with the fine, the lack of participation of the students is still a problem. The impending abolishment of this supposed to be “motivating factor” would only proliferate this dilemma. The events that our departments, colleges, and the university organize is essential to us because they further mold us to be more efficient and give us a break from our stressful academic activities. The literary competitions unfold the art inside us and bring joy to the viewers. The academic contests accentuate the wit of the students from all colleges as well as develop them in the fields beyond what they usually do. The same thing with the sports competitions and other activities. While it may be true that the courses printed in our Certificate of Registration hold more water, let us not forget that the totality of a person is not only measured on the academic aspect. There’s more to the college experience than in the classroom. Engaging in these events will help you discover your passion and skills, turning you into a more fruitful individual. But why is it that many MSUans are still saying no to these opportunities?Attheend of the day, one should realize that fines should not define our motivation to get up from bed and do something productive. We should understand that the policy is simply a catalyst that helps the students engage in the activities, and not an income-generating project. This goes to the officers as well. The important thing is, the colleges should not tolerate our spiritlessness. We are the reason why the festivities in our university exist, but if we refuse to participate, then we might as well just stop having the annual department week, college week, and intramurals.Weallhate paying bills, especially with the fact that most of us enrolled in MSU because of its cheap tuition fee. If only we could turn our tears from stress and heartbreak into money, then it wouldn’t be a problem. But let’s get real and face the digits that await us. Those colleges which impose a fine of more than Php 200 per day should lower the amount and make adjustments to the total fine of a student if it’s more than Php 500. But it would be a bad idea to impose a fine of less than Php 25 per attendance, for the policy might be ineffective if the fare of a student for a day is more expensive than the fine itself. The officers should always be sensitive and considerate with the financial status of the students. Others suggested that the colleges should offer the students a community service as an option aside from paying. Some officers claimed that this is ineffective because of its weak implementation, but if enforced properly, then this will be fair for those students who cannot afford to pay the fines. According to the group of MSUans that have been interviewed regarding this matter, if the torpidity of the events is the result of the abolishment of imposing a fine, then they would rather pay for their indolence. But they emphasized that the colleges should give consideration to those who have heavy and valid reasons as to why they failed to attend to an event.The majority of the biology students were said to be satisfied with their Bionihan celebration last March, 2016, with its successful and entertaining shows and activities. And because they believed to have seen the product of the money they contributed, doubts were washed off from their minds. It should be a goal of the officers to make the students feel that they are not being robbed off of their money. If we think about it, the policy is not a burden if we only push ourselves to be responsible. True, our university exercises freedom. But it is not the freedom to do whatever that comes into our mind, but the freedom to do what we ought to. This policy wouldn’t exist in the first place if it’s good for nothing. If you don’t want to be charged with a fine, then contribute to your team. Every one of us is crucial to our colleges in aiming for excellence during the intramurals, and so are those events to us. But if you refuse to participate while others are persevering, then you should know that not everything will go on your way. You can’t have all the comfort if you’re just sitting pretty. Most of the MSUans agree that if something beautiful and satisfying sprouted from the money their colleges have collected from the fines, then there wouldn’t be of so much contradiction towards it. Keep the policy as long as it isn’t corrupted. But the best way to avoid a fine and further disagreements is for every single MSUan to be jaunty and contribute to the activities their department, college, and the university conduct. If that happens, we will not just be free from another financial problem, but will also have a light spirit that will spread sunshine throughout the already sunny MSU.
In Mindanao, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) in partnership with socio-civic groups promoting the rights and welfare of Lumad have since then conducted several forums, rallies, and university camps. In fact, just last year, Mindanao State University-General Santos City campus, an institution created primarily for the benefit and betterment of this marginalized sector in the island, hosted one of the many camps initiated by CEGP and its partners. Lasting for 10 days from December 1 to 9, 2016, Lumad and even Moro leaders in the region gathered together to discuss among themselves and the visiting public their plight and the solutions they have in mind. But amidst all of these initiatives by concerned groups, the greater challenge is to engage the rest of the Filipino citizens. To raise their awareness is good but to heighten their support for these type of sectors in the nation whose way of living have been plain and simple over the years, whose rights have been consistently trampled upon by the elephants in the house, whose main principle when being attacked is to run rather than fight back, and who, ultimately, are the most vulnerable amongst all Filipinos in terms of discrimination, human rights violation, and all types of physical, moral, and verbal abuses, is the best way to uplift the lives of our Lumad brothers and sisters. This now calls for a concrete action from the members of the government to continue the peace process here in the island of Mindanao and to fully and comprehensively implement the existing laws such as the IPRA. The basic rights of the lumad peoples should be prioritized by the government and peace and order must and always be maintained in the vicinity of these communities. Schools are supposed to be zones of peace. Schools are places where children get their education and development. The state being the main duty bearer of the right to education should continually find ways to improve lives while upholding the cultures of the lumad peoples because far more than the rich and bountiful resources of Mindanao, the diversity of its peoples is its real beauty—its most precious mineral.
The law protects the people of a state, it being a primordial responsibility of the state and thus its government. The marginalized, the poor, and the under-privileged sectors are of top-most concerns in drafting laws so as to maintain the peace and order in a state. But all of these don’t seem real especially when we talk about the status of our lumad brothers and sisters for the past years. Lumad is a collective term which means homegrown or indigenous and is used to refer to at least 18 ethno-linguistic groups in the island of Mindanao and some others in Visayas and Luzon. Subanen, B’laan, Higaonon, Mandaya, Ubo, Manobo, T’Boli, Tiruray, Talaandig, Bagobo, Tagakaolo, Mansaka, Manguangan, and Dibabawon are among those usually included as members of the Lumad community.Andwhile each of these groups was able to maintain and uphold their own practices, beliefs, and even economic and political system, their sufferings are almost if not completely the same. Over the years, these communities have experienced several human rights violations and criminal offences both from the soldiers of the government and the rebel groups located in Mindanao. The 1987 Constitution enshrines the principles on the promotion and protection of human rights. Specifically, it provides the basic rights each Filipino should enjoy and that include the right to education. Sadly, up until now, lumads are not afforded of this basic right that they, too, should be experiencing just like any other Filipino citizen. Education issues The right to education is a very basic human right and an indispensable means of realizing other human rights. However, in the Philippines, the government has always been in deep trouble every year specially in terms of allocating budget to the Department of Education (DepEd) due to its meager funds and a lot of priorities as well. And expectedly, a lot of Filipino children are unable to exercise the supposed right because of the cost that goes with it, the privatization of education and a number of other factors. But of all classes, it is the Lumad children who bear the most risk and negative effects of this incapability of the government to realize such right. The continuous abandonment of the government in providing education to the poor has pushed lumad communities in Mindanao to persevere in order to educate themselves and, foremost, their children. This is where the non-government organizations play their vital role in the social development of these marginalized communities. As of now, there are already 146 lumad community schools that provide education to indigenous communities in Mindanao—reaching even up to the highlands of the island where any basic human right do not seem to exist, worse, felt. However, in addition to the neglect of the government in providing the basic right to education, the lumad communities located in the hinterlands are incessantly facing fear because of the terror brought by military operations. The schools built on the soil of the ancestral domains of the lumads are suspected as being hiding camps of the rebels and other enemies of the government. Students, teachers, and community members live in an unprecedentedly harsh and dangerous environment with the presence of military in schools and communities. Early exposure to violence is one of the alarming consequences of military attacks on schools. The Save Our Schools Network, a non-profit organization advocating the rights of the lumad and indigenous peoples of Mindanao, has documented 20 DepEd schools attacked and/or used by the Armed Forces of the Philippines while 214 cases of military attacks on lumad community schools were listed; majority of these happened on 2013 and 2014.
Tip of the iceberg But that is just the tip of the iceberg. More alarming than that are the cases of land-grabbing and the spate of killings that has drastically increased in the year 2015. Accordingly, these Lumad communities have been shelters for the rebel groups; thus, tagging them as rebels also by the soldiers of the government.
cover story • BAGWIS 11
These attacks have concentrated in the provinces of Bukidon, Davao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, all of these are first, hosts to Lumad schools that are privately operated but are regulated by the Department of Education (DepEd) and second, these are areas of rich mineral and forest resources. In response to these alarming Lumad-related killing incidents, a lot of sociocivic, political, and religious groups have marched on the streets in all parts of the Philippines. In social media, the hashtag #StopLumadKillings has been talked about and trended for weeks. These incidents also caught the attention of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Watch which has, in the past, applauded the Philippine government for being at the forefront globally in terms of its legal frameworks especially with the passage of the 1997 Indigenous People’s Rights Act.On October 26, 2015, 700 Lumad called Manilakbayanis travelled for one week from Surigao City to Manila City and stayed in the University of the PhilippinesDiliman campus to show their protest with regard the human rights violation committed, and are continually committed against them.
“The new library building is a dream come true,” he says. He also takes pride in the new facilities that has been procured during his term, despite the relatively low subsidy (compared to other state universities and other MSU campuses themselves) the university receives from the government, which he claims to be the greatest challenge he has faced as the head of the university. He has been accused of being kuripot, he says, but he believes he has done, as he puts it, “wise, judicious spending.” But these physical things, he clarifies, are not what he considers his legacy. He believes that during his term there has been “a paradigm shift” in the way MSU-GSC views what an academic institution should be. He believes that, among other things, there has been “a synergy in leadership,” “an activation of research and publication,” “opening of horizons for opportunities,” “transformation of the culture of teachers and students,” and “revitalization of academic excellence.” He believes that the university has been “globally competitive” and “relevant to the society.”
Having those in mind, he is more than happy to hand over his office to whomever will be the next Chancellor of MSU-GSC.
Born on October 5, 1960 to a family of five siblings, Abdurrahman Canacan grew up in Brgy. Ligaya, General Santos City. Both of his parents were farmers who tilled their own land. “I fully understood that there are things my parents couldn’t give me,” he says. “Nonetheless, I could say that we didn’t have so muchAsdifficulty.”achild, he had friends who were all much older than him and from whom he learned a lot of things. He grew up during the 1960s, and things were so much different. “There were no malls,” he says. “But there were already theaters. We watched films sometimes. But most of the time I played with my friends. We played basketball. I know the basics. We also played games that are not anymore played by the young ones today, like patintero, shatong, and bagoongay.”“Whatare the experiences you had as a child back then that children nowadays also have, sir?” ask. “Well,” he says, pausing for a moment. “I had crushes. Meron ding nakasuntukan.”
Months from now his term as the Chancellor of Mindanao State University-General Santos City (MSU-GSC) will end.
“Don’t call me ma’am anymore, Abdul. You’re a chancellor now.” “I am still the same person you knew before, ma’am. After all, this position of mine will not stay forever. It will just pass by.”
His teachers in elementary called him Abdul. He still remembers them; some of them are still alive. When ask him about them, he recounts the following conversation, which he had with one of his “Abdul,teachers:we’revery proud of you.” “Ma’am, thank you so much for all the things you taught me.”
“It was never my plan to become the Chancellor of MSU.”When his predecessor Macapado Muslim’s term was about to end, people were already urging him to run for chancellorship. At first he dismissed the idea, replying “What will I do?” every time somebody talked to him about the prospect. “I was actually the most reluctant candidate,” he says. But as time went on everything seemed to fall into their proper places—the deadline for application, for instance, was extended—and finally he rose up to the challenge. With joyful reminiscence, he recounts the public forum held for the presentation of the candidates for chancellorship. There was a rule that when an applicant was called, the audience should keep silent. “When arrived,” he says, “there was an overwhelming applause from the students.” Among the applicants, he goes on, he was the only one who received such a warm welcome. That moment he knew it was really his time to be the Chancellor of MSU-GSC.***
In 1997, as one of the first batch of graduates of the said institution, he took and passed the bar examination, after which he would concurrently practice law and continue to teach for the years to come.
*** The room has a crimson ambiance, made more reddish by the floor carpeted in red. In the corner stands the Philippine flag, its red side more conspicuous than its blue. Next to it, almost at the center of the room, is his table. A Mac computer rests on top of it. Sitting in his chair, he is wearing a white top, perhaps a fusion of polo and barong. It is the second day of November. While other people, including my colleagues who were supposed to accompany me in this interview, are in cemeteries, I am here in the Chancellor’s office.“Only you?” he asks. He might be surprised to see only one interviewer. BAGWIS interviews with him are usually done by a couple of BAGWIS writers, often with a videographer to shoot the entire thing. But now he finds only one BAGWIS writer, who acts awkwardly, a large notebook and an obsolete— but fortunately capable of voice recording—phone in hand. “Yes, sir,” I say nervously. “Good afternoon, sir.”
When he was still a child, seeing airplanes that had just taken off from the airport near his elementary school, he fancied himself as a pilot. Sometimes he wanted to be an engineer. If not an engineer, an architect. He dreamed of being an economist too. “Just like you,” he says, “when I was young, found it hard to see what I would be in the future.”
CAPIÑANESMARKJADEBY
The thing with one’s legacy is that, while one passes it on the future, one leaves it for posterity to decide. Just as he may claim that he has done good things for the university, his constituents may remain critical: whether he admits it or not, he has not been immune to mistakes in the past. One thing is for sure, though: as he will turn in the chancellorship to someone else soon, he will also have to submit himself to the weighing of history.
AN HOUR AND A WITHHALFTHE CHANCELLOR
He is looking forward to a lot of things when his term ends. He says he will go on a vacation, using his one-year sabbatical. Or he will catch up on his legal profession, planning also to apply for being a judge. Or, he adds, he will aspire for a government position. Or he will stay at MSU-GSC under a different office. “What do you think is your legacy, sir?” I ask.
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***
*** look at my notebook and find out that he has already answered all my prepared questions, except one. “This is my last question, sir,” I say. “During your term, have you gained or lost weight?” “I have,” he says, laughing. “From 56 to 70 kilograms,smile.guess.”“Thank you for the time, sir.” “No problem,” he says. We shake hands, and with that the interview is finished.
“But all in all, sir, what can you say about your childhood?”“Ienjoyed my childhood,” he says. “If I were to go back to my childhood, I think I would still go back to the same place, the same environment. I would still choose to grow up in Brgy. ***Ligaya.”
He received a call from MSU-GSC, offering him a job. Hence his managing stint in the Boy’s Dormitory of the university. One year and six months later, though, he resigned. “It was not really the job I wanted,” he says. He went to study and finish his Master’s degree at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Institute of Islamic Studies. He worked at the same institution as a researcher, but after a year he went back to MSUGSC at which he had been offered a teaching job. He taught at the Department of Islamic Studies, studying law at the same time at the then newly established MSU-GSC-College of Law.
“Did your teachers see something in you that would make you a leader in the future, sir?” I ask. “I think so. But not in the academe. I myself never dreamed to become a teacher. More so to become a chancellor. But sometimes, people like us—with ordinary lives, with limited resources in life—cannot determine and control who and what we want to be in the future. Not everything is within our control, so sometimes we just go with the flow.” He pursued his Bachelor’s degree in Ateneo de Davao University. ask him why he chose to study there, and he says: “With all due respect to public universities, I am a firm believer of the values formation of private schools.” “But Ateneo is run by Jesuits, sir. Did studying there have any conflict with your own faith?” “Actually,” he says, “I studied in Notre Dame in High School. It was run by Marist Brothers and Dominican Sisters. had never been discriminated just because I was a Muslim. When I was in high school, I even joined their prayers and entered their church. I sometimes served as an acolyte during their Mass. As a Muslim in a Catholic high school, I was required to take up religious studies. I even got higher grades compared to my Catholic classmates.” The same was true in Ateneo. Sometimes, however, because of his good performance, some of his teachers and classmates doubted that he was a Muslim. “How?” he wonders. “My name is Abdurrahman.” He felt somehow offended, he says, because that implied the negative view they had of Muslims. Nevertheless, he worked on his degree and finished with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. When he had graduated in college, he says, he wanted to pursue a career in Manila. Two agricultural companies immediately expressed their intention to hire him. Everything seemed to be a matter of his choice, but when one of the companies found out that he had already undergone training in the other company, the two companies had a dispute. “In the end I was the losing one,” he says quite jokingly. “They finally decided not to hire me anymore.”
as he will turn in the chancellorship to someone else soon, he will also have to submit himself to the weighing of history “ ”
At hindi kapayapaan ang tawag sa kumonidad na nababalot ng takot at pangambang baka madawit sa cross fire ng mga autoridad at mga drug lords. Oo’t marami ang natuwa sa naging proyekto ng gobyernong TOKHANG (Tok-tok Hangyo) na nagpasuko sa halos 55,303 pushers at 709,439 mga adik, ngunit paano tutugunan ng gobyerno ang nakaambang pangangailangan ng sapat na pangangalagang mental at rehabilitasyon ng mga naging biktima ng bawal na gamot? Nauwi na nga ba sa TOKBANG (Tok-Tok-BangBang) ang kampanyang ito? Paano na ang mga sibilyang naipit lamang sa sitwasyon katulad ng kay Arnel na nagdusa sa trauma na dala ng pagkakasaksi ng pangyayari? Paano ang mga inosenteng napatay na pinagkaitan ng pagkakataong ipagtanggol ang kanilang sarili? Ang mga adik na hindi man lamang nabigyan ng pagkakataong malitis ng patas para maipagtanggol ang kanilang sarili? Paano na ang kanilang mga karapatang pantao? Ano na lamang ang magiging pananaw ng kabataang buong pusong tumitingala sa mga lider ng bansa? Hahayaan na lang ba nating lunurin sila ng ideya ng karahasan bunga ng mga pagpatay na lantarang nagaganap sa ating mga lansangan? Ito ba ng kapayapaan? jenny ross rabia the strange case of rohannie ibrahim
Parang awa nyo na, tama na. Ayoko ko na! Ayoko ko nang makarinig ng mga boses. Tama na. Gusto ko nang magpahinga. Pakiramdam ko’y mababaliw na ako. Parang awa nyo na!” sigaw ni Arnel. Kinuha niya ang matulis na kutsilyo at itinutok sa kanyang taenga at dahan-dahang ibinaon, idiniin, pinaikot-ikot… Nang makita niyang umagos ang dugo ay doon ito muling nagsisigaw at muling humagulgol.“Arnel!Anak. Diyos ko! Anak!” sigaw ng kanyang ina habang sapilitang inaagaw nito ang kutsilyong kanyang“Nay,hawak-hawak.nakitako,papauwi ako, galing palengke, dalawang lalaki Nay, nakasakay sa motorsiklo, pinatay nila… Na…” pahayag niya bago siya tuluyang mawalan ng ulirat. Dinala ni Aleng Nena ang anak sa hospital. Ayon sa mga doktor ay malalang kaso ng trauma ang dinanas ni Arnel na bunga ng sobrang takot at pagkagitla sa kanyang mga nakita. Pinayuhan silang magpakunsulta sa isang psychiatrist upang maagapan at hindi ito magbunsod ng bagong mga kuplikasyon ngunit ang masaklap na katotohanang kapos sila sa salapi ay maaring magbunsod sa labag sa loob nitong pagtanggap na lamang sa masaklap na sinapit ng anak at pagkawasak ng pangarap ni Arnel. Ayon sa ulat ng Philippine National Police, bago magtapos ang 2016, umabot na sa 4,812 ang Death Toll ng kampanyang War on Drugs ng kasalukuyang administrasyon. 1,811 sa mga ito ay suspected drug personalities na namatay sa mga police operations habang 3,001 vigilante-style killings o ayon sa iba ay kaso ng extra-judicial killings. Maraming nagsasabi kahit nga ang nakaupong PNP Chief na mas maigi na nga lang daw ang sitwasyon ngayon na imbes mga inosente eh mga drug personalities na lamang ang namamatay.Droga. Ilegal. Masama sa kalusugan. Sanhi ng kamatayan. Nakakatuwang isipin na naging napakabilis ng pag-usad ng pagbabagong ipinangako ng kasalukuyang administrasyon. Sa katunayan, bago magtapos ang 2016, 33,830 drug personalities ang naaresto at naging matagumpay at mabilis ang naging aksyon sa problema sa illegal na droga. Ngunit walang sinuman ang nangarap ng mga daang naipintahan ng masasangsang na dugo ng mga adik. Walang may gustong makakita ng daang napapalamutian ng malalamig na bangkay na may nakatatak na “Pusher/Adik ako. Huwag tularan.”
earworms
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walang anu-ano ay lumuhod ito at humagulgol. Hindi maintindihan ni Aling Nena ang nangyari sa anak. Gusto niya itong sigawan ngunit mas namayani ang awa at pagtataka kung bakit ganoon na lamang ang reaksyon nito kahit hindi naman naging malapit ito sa napabalitang namatay na si Berne. Iyon ang unang pagkakataong nakita niyang nagalit ng ganoon si Arnel na labis niyang ikinabahala. Lumipas ang mga araw at buwan, dahandahang nagbago si Arnel. Ang dating masaya at puno ng buhay niyang mga mata ay kinain ng kalungkutan, pangamba takot at kadiliman. Palagi itong nakatingin sa malayo, waring may ibang kausap at binabangungot sa gabi. Madali rin itong mairita at magalit. Sa loob ng maikling panahon ay waring ibang Arnel na ang kanilang nakakasama. “Isa kang duwag… Nakita mo ang lahat… Ang baril… Ang malagripong dugo… Ang walang buhay na katawan…”“Tamana!
Kasabay ng pagratsada ng animo’y nangangarerang motor, limang malalakas at magkakasunod na putok ang umalingawngaw mula sa dakong yaon. Mula sa isang madilim na talahiban na kanyang pinagtataguan ay naaninag niya ang pigura ng isang lalaking may balingkinitang katawan na nasa kwarenta pataas ang gulang. Nakabulagta. Naliligo sa sariling dugo. At kitang-kita niya kung paano iyon tinakasan ng malay tao at tuluyang binawian ng buhay. Unti-unting humaplos ang malamig na hangin sa kanyang batok, pababa sa kanyang likod. Hindi siya makagalaw. Gusto niyang humiyaw ngunit walang boses na lumalabas sa kanyang lalamunan. Para siyang maduduwal at hihimatayin. Ngunit mas pinili niyang ipunin ang nalalabing lakas ng loob upang igalaw ang kanyang mga tuhod at kumaripas ng takbo.Labing pitong taong gulang pa lamang si Arnel ng magdesisyon siyang huminto ng pag-aaral at tumulong na lamang sa kanyang inang si Nena na siyang solong nagtataguyod sa kanilang pamilya matapos silang iwanan ng kanilang ama. Dahil menor de edad at mababa lamang ang pinag-aralan nito ay pagkakargador na lamang sa palengke ang kanyang naging trabaho ngunit kailanma’y hindi ito nawalan ng pag-asa. Bagkus ay nagsikap at mas naging derteminado ito upang kumita at kahit papano ay makaipon upang maisakatuparan ang pangarap na maging pulis. Mabait, masipag, mahabagin at responsableng anak at kuya sa kanyang 4 na kapatid si Arnel.“Kumare, Nabalitaan mo ba kagabi? Isa na namang bangkay ang natagpuan ng mga nagrorondang tanod sa kabilang kanto. Palakas ng palakas ang loob ng mga mamatay tao na yon. Sa daanan pa talaga, baka nga may testigo eh. Pangalawa na ata yun ngayong linggo! At alam mo ba ha? Yung nabaril eh si Berne. Buti nga namatay na yong adik, sugapa at pusher na yon nang mabawasan ang mga salot sa lugar na ito…” ang mala-Flash Report na wika ng kanilang tsismosang kapitbahay. Hindi niya alam ni Arnel kung ano bang pumasok sa isip niya pero matapos marinig ang pahayang ng babae ay nagdilim ang kanyang paligid at nang mamalayan niya’y tapos nang dumapo ang kanyang kamao sa pisngi ng babae. Nabuwal ang babae, nawalan ng ulirat, sabog ang labi at nagdurugo ang ilong. Matapos ay dagli siyang nahilo at nanginig. At
TOKBANG
One night on my way home, I was this close to blowing off steam when a friend of mine started singing a completely incomprehensible song which, at that time, I wasn’t familiar with. Incidentally, I came across this song when I was browsing the Internet and as much as hated it, the lyrics were stuck in my head. Anyway, as was saying, this PPAP is really something. It was uploaded by 40 year-old Japanese comedian Kosaka Daimaou, who goes by an alias Pikotaro on his Youtube page. I researched about it and found out that it is popular not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. So came up with these: how and why has it become so viral? Why is it hard to get rid of from our minds? It’s like when you’re having a cold and the phlegm gets stuck in your throat and you badly want to get rid of it, but once you do, there it is again and the cycle continues. And then this: it doesn’t make sense. So why? The answer: it’s catchy. The message aside, its dance and beat leave a strangely addicting effect on the audience. It’s also silly (and entertaining for many) and maybe that’s why people become hooked. PPAP is a type of song that eventually becomes an earworm. It rings a bell, doesn’t it? It is a term used to describe a song or melody that keeps repeating in one’s mind. This repetition may be pleasant for an individual, depending on the degree of his liking towards the song. The sad part is, there are songs that are totally cringe worthy which tend to drill themselves into the deepest parts of your brain to the point where you find it annoying. As a matter of fact, the more you try to eradicate the song in your head, the harder it is to go away. Now, you might be aware that each person’s taste in music varies like night and day. This means that while some songs may be stuck in someone’s head for a very long period of time (and studies show that women are more likely to experience this), this may not be the case for other people. The explanation behind it remains unclear. What’s certain is that there are factors that may contribute to the catchiness of a song: chorus, instrumental, lyrics, repetition, etc. And there are variables that trigger earworms such as recent music exposure, stress, surprise, and so on and so forth. Well putting that aside for now, do you remember the following songs? I’m sure you do, so let me ask this: what’s so common among them? They are all earworms. They all have nonsensical, repetitive lyrics. Once you listen to them, it’ll be difficult to stop from playing them in your heads—consciously or unconsciously. However, please note that earworms are not only limited to this type of songs. It’s just that they are normally the ones that get stuck in your head against your will most of the time. How to get them out? Listen to other songs, preferably instrumental ones. Or just go chew a gum. ⏩ “What Does the Fox Say” by Ylvis. It was creative at some point but one will end up asking “Who cares what the fox says?” ⏩ “Macarena” by Los Del Rio, which kinda goes like this: “emblablablamblanblablabla ehhh Macarena.” The only part we understand no doubt is the last part, and it knows how to remain stuck like chewing gum on the heel of our shoes. ⏩ “Who Let the Dogs Out?” by Baha Men. It’s a song that never gets old since its release on 2000. It’s silly, but who cares—it’s loved by many. ⏩ “My Humps” by The Black Eyed Peas. One of the most popular guilty pleasures of all time. ⏩ “Gangnam style” by Psy. This, think, is the viral song slash video whose spiritual descendant is PPAP.
The problem is, I cannot pinpoint where Miriam DefensorSantiago rests in my memory. She stands there in a corner without enough light, perhaps, beside my grandfather whom I didn’t know in person but heard stories about. My grandfather, my mother once told me, had amulets that could render him invincible; I wonder, however, where those amulets were when his killer hacked him with a bolo. In the same manner, aside from her occasional TV appearances in which she would be portrayed as a living, moving mass of wit and vitriol, the only solid reminiscence I have of Miriam Defensor-Santiago is her long, enduring bout with cancer and her eventual death. Of course Defensor-Santiago resides in the Valhalla, the hallowed halls, of Philippine politics. She was one of the rarest politicians our country has ever produced. But let me not discuss her achievements, be it local or international, in politics; one can just turn on his/her computer and look it up on Google. Politics, for me, is too social that it tends to be too impersonal. So let me go on discussing personal impressions instead, for, at the end of the day, we only remember people who have left something in our psyche, and that something is the only thing that lasts, the only thing we hold on to. Who has not read her book Stupid is Forever? It is somehow a shame that the only tangible thing I have in memory of Defensor-Santiago is her book designed using the mold that panders to the masses. At first glance, the book defeats the robe of the intelligentsia and legalese Defensor-Santiago had been donning for a long time. However, it is this seeming contradiction that interests me, and it is also perhaps the reason the general public, who has the tendency to take delight in the figurative (or even literal) crucifixion of politicians, loves Defensor-Santiago. She had the ability to turn into a fiesta the funeral that is the Philippine Senate. She had the ability the persistence of memory jade mark capiñanes .............. to invigorate the otherwise bland language of law and policymaking, turning it into something everybody could bite into and chew on. She had the ability to make a cocktail of hugot, pick-up lines, and international relations. It is without doubt that Defensor-Santiago could have quoted French intellectuals such as Emile Zola during her speeches as much as she could, but she chose to connect with every Filipino. Instead of barricading her ivory tower, she made a bridge. And that, perhaps, is Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s legacy. To have blurred, to have effaced even, the apparent divide and contrasts among us. She deconstructed long-held binary oppositions, turning them into something indivisible. She offered a glimpse of the possibility of hope and unity, of nationhood and patriotism. (I have yet to understand her choice of having Bongbong Marcos, the son of a dictator, as her running mate during the last elections. Whatever her reasons were, I am burying them in the darkest places in my memory.)
“Instead barricadingofherivorytower,shemadeabridge.
OKAY
Kung tayo’y magbabalik-tanaw sa kanya-kanyang pader na mayroon tayo sa buhay, ilang larawan na lang kaya ang permanenteng nakasabit doon? Ang pagwasak ng tadhana sa mga larawang nais sana nating isabit ay hindi hudyat na tumigil tayo sa pag-asa. Habang tayo’y nabubuhay ay patuloy tayong gumagawa ng desisyon, patuloy tayong umaasa. Ang bawat bubog ng larawang walang habas na sinira ng pagkakataon ay maaari nating pagtagpi-tagpiin at isabit ulit at maaari rin tayong magpinta ng panibagong larawan; mas makulay, mas detalyado. Maaari tayong sumugal ulit, at umasa. Maaari nating baguhin ang ating ekspektasyon, o sumubok ng panibagong plano tungo sa pagkamit ng isang bagay na ating ninanais. Aasa ulit tayo, subalit sa pagkakataong ito’y mas responsible tayong aasa. “Ang bawat bubog ng larawang walang habas na sinira ng pagkakataon ay maaari nating pagtagpi-tagpiin at isabit ulit at maaari rin tayong magpinta ng panibagong larawan; mas makulay, mas detalyado.”
To talk about one’s life is one thing. To talk about one’s death is another. It is with unease that we often talk about the latter when we start talking about one’s legacy. A friend of mine cried when he heard the news of Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s passing. I didn’t cry, but I understood what my friend felt.
Defensor-Santiago had just been there at the time, alive and kicking, holding on, fighting her cancer, but in an unexpected gesture of fate, she was gone. think the surrealist painter Salvador Dali perfectly captures it in his painting The Persistence of Memory. Like my grandfather, Miriam Defensor-Santiago appeared invincible. But like those melting, and yet frozen, things on Dali’s canvas, the memories of and the narratives about my grandfather and Defensor-Santiago will stay, will linger.
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Credits:Photo www.feu.edu.ph/manila
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ang lunas sa bawat hapding dala ng kabiguan subalit naiibsan nito ang sakit na dulot ng kawalan ng kontrol sa mga pangyayari. At ang natitirang sakit ay siyang enerhiyang maaari nating gamitin upang bumangon mula sa pagkakadapa. Hindi nga natin nakamit ang ating inaasahan subalit mayroon naman tayong mga natututunang leksyon na huhubog sa atin upang mas maging malakas at responsable sa lahat ng aspeto ng ating buhay. Ang mga kabiguang ito ay siya ring nagbibigay ng kulay sa ating paglalakbay sa mundong ibabaw. Walang taong perperkto. Tayo ay may kapangyarihang baguhin ang takbo ng ating buhay, at ito’y nakahimlay kung paano natin dadalhin ang sarili sa anumang sitwasyon. Dapat din nating tanggapin na may mga bagay na hindi pa napapanahong mangyari, may mga larawang hindi pa napapanahong isabit nang permanente.
Katamtaman man o masidhing kabiguan, sila’y resulta ng ating mga pagnanais na hindi naisakatuparan at hindi rin maiiwasang tayo’y manahan sa emosyong hatid ng pagkabigo. Tayo’y nanunumbat, umiiyak, nagagalit at iba pa. Tingin natin sa ating mga sarili’y biktima ng pagkakataon at paulit-ulit na tinatanong kung saan tayo nagkulang, pero madalas nating nakakalimutan na tayo ay may malaking parte sa ating mga ekspektasyon. Hinahayaan natin ang ating sarili na umasa, minsa’y nakakalimutan natin na kalakip ng pag-asa ang posibilidad ng pagkabigo. Tayo ang responsable sa kalidad ng ating buhay at may parte tayong ginagampanan sa ating kabiguan. Tayo ang bumubuo ng ating mga ekspektasyon at tayo ang nakakabit sa mga ito. Masasabi nating masidhi ang pagkabigo kung masidhi rin ang ating attachment sa ating mga ekspektasyon at ito’y nangangahulugang nasa atin ang susi kung gaano tayo LANG sharlene may lapiz umasa maapektuhan ng kabiguan. Sa oras na hinihimay natin ang mga nais nating mangyari, napapagtanto natin na ang isang parte ng sakit na ating nadarama ay nag-uugat sa ating kahinaan at kawalan ng kontrol sa mga pangyayari. Nabubulag tayo sa sakit ng kabiguan at kadalasa’y nakakalimutan nating nasa atin mismo ang gamot sa sakit na ating nadarama, at iyon ay ang pagtanggap sa bunga ng masidhing pagkakabit natin sa ating Hindiekspektasyon.agad-agad
Ang ating buhay ay maikukumpara sa isang pader na hitik sa mga panandaliang nakasabit na larawan, at ang mga ito’y ating kayamanan. Karamihan sa kanila’y mga inaasam natin sa buhay, ang iba’y napakagandang pangako ng kinabukasan mula sa ibang tao. Ang bawat larawang nakasabit sa pader ay sumisimbolo sa ating mga ekspektasyon sa buhay; mga ninanais at pinaghirapang ipinta gamit ang sipag at tiyaga, mga pangakong binitawan ng ibang tao at ating pinanghahawakan. Sadyang napakarikit pagmasdan ang pader na ito, punungpuno ng pag-asa at kaligayahan at nais nating isabit na sila nang permanente subalit may mga pagkakataong kakatok ang tadhana at paisa-isa’y wawasakin ang mga larawang ito sa ating harapan. At ang maiiwan sa ati’y durog na mga larawan ng ating ekspektasyon at ang sakit na hatid ng kabiguan. May samut saring tunog ang pagkabigo: “Ngunit binigay ko naman ang lahat” o “Tagumpay na sana, naging bato pa” o kaya’y “Umasa ako sa mga pangako mo.” Subalit may espesyal na pagkakahawig ang tunog ng pagkabigo at winasak na larawan, ito ay ang tunog ng durog na ekspektasyon. May mga sakit ng pagkabigong medyo malumanay lamang subalit di rin maiiwasan ang napasakit na sampal ng tadhana, yung tipong nananatili sa iyong puso nang matagal na panahon.
MURALSINTRA2016
Dixter Tandog • Kevin Autor • Benoni Pablo Trixie Anne Maureen Manila, representing the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH), was crowned as Miss MSU 2016 during the pageant night held at the University Gymnasium, October 9.
COE seals 9-year dynasty
BAGWIS • intramurals22 intramurals • BAGWIS 23
StarsIntramsinvade’16
Meanwhile, the following are the other title holders: Mitzi Bless Rosete, from the College of Natural Sciences and Humanities (CNSM), Miss MSU - Culture and Arts Ambassadress 2016; Jenny Ross Rabia, also from the CNSM, Miss MSU 2016 1st runner-up; Hannah Yuayan, from the Senior High School (SHS), Miss MSU 2016 2nd runner-up; and Deborah Lynn Agloro, from the College of Education (CoE), Miss MSU 2016 3rd
Manila, new Miss MSU
With a total of 558 points which gave them a 101-point lead from their long-time rivals, the Reapers from the College of Agriculture (COA), the Asteegs re-emerged victorious but with more advantage in terms of points now owing to the fact that last year’s competition between these two college s was so tight. This overall championship title is driven by a number of events where the Asteegs outsmarted their foes, placing them as champions for the following sports events: Basketball (Women), Volleyball (Men), Baseball, Chess (Men & Women), Sepak Takraw, andTaekwondo.Fortheninth consecutive year, the Asteegs of the College of Engineering (COE) have proven again their excellence and supremacy in the various fields of sports, literary, musical, and academic competitions as they bagged the Overall Championship title for this year’s week-long celebration of Mindanao State UniversityGeneral Santos City’s (MSU-GSC) 43rd Founding Anniversary and Intramurals, October 9-14, 2016.
Intramurals 2016 and Acoustic, while Engineering and Agriculture ended up with first place in Duet and Quartet respectively. Furthermore, ASTEEGs have once again cemented their legacy in academic events. The future engineers squeezed three championship honors in Individual Mathematics, Individual Science and Technology, and Team Quiz while CSSH and SHS brought home gold in Individual Language and Literature and Individual General Information, respectively. On the other hand, the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBA & A) sealed championship deal in Pagsusulat ng Sanaysay and Debate; College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) outwitted their rivals in Essay Writing in English and Dagliang Talumpati; College of Agriculture (COA) grabbed gold in Cosplay; COE earned championship honors in Jazz Chant; while the SHS managed to squeeze top posts in Extemporaneous Speaking, Oration, and Sabayang Pagbigkas. Other winners in the academic contests include College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) Wizards who ended at the 2nd spot in Team Quiz, and 3rd post in Individual Mathematics and Individual Science and Technology; SHS landed 2nd place in Individual Science and Technology, and 3rd in Team Quiz; College of Education (COEd) who garnered 2nd place in Individual Mathematics and Individual Language and Literature; while CBA & A landed 2nd in Individual General Information. Meanwhile, ranking next to the COE are the Reapers from the COA with 457 total points followed by the Vanguards from the College of Social Sciences & Humanities with 388 total points. The Mentors from the College of Education settled in the 4th place with 334 total points and this year’s new MSU-GSC’s residents, the Senior High School managed to rank 5th among the 10 participating groups with 295 total points. Other participating groups are the Tycoons from the College of Business Administration & Accountancy, the Wizards from the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, the Anglers from the College of Fisheries, the College of Law, and the Graduate School.
Garbed in their Peñafrancia Festival-inspired attires, the Wizards from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) dominated the first two major events, the Parade and Mass Dance competition, early on in this year’s celebration of Intramurals and 43rd Foundation Anniversary, October 9.
Honey Grace Sario • Marietta Deocares
This 50-point win made the college the leading team on the first day of the annual event, beating eight other colleges and the Senior High School for the said competitions. During the Parade, the Wizards marched on the streets of the university with their Mass Dance participants in front who were already in their costumes while the rest of them were wearing their official college shirts. This year, each college also prepared an arch to better represent their respective colleges and the Wizards didn’t fail to impress the judges. Their occasional yell, “Kudos Salamangkeros!” added to the energy and vigor of the team.
CBAA tops Intrams Debate tourney
Several celebrities graced this year’s week-long celebration of Intramurals and 43rd Foundation Anniversary. • Dixter Tandog • Further securing their continued reign are the Asteegs’ outstanding performances during the Dance and Musical Night where they squeezed the top spot for Lowland Dance, Contemporary, Retro Dance, and Duet Singing competitions. For the dance contests, COE claimed three golds out of four events after showcasing supremacy in Lowland, Contemporary, and Retro Dance contests. Completing the winner’s circle was the College of Agriculture who reaped the top plum in Hiphop. New comer Senior High School (SHS), Engineering, and Agriculture shared wins in the musical events. Senior high school bagged top post in Solo Singing
Finally, Ella Cruz, an actress, product endorser, host, commercial & promotional model, and dancer fired up the night with her dance production number. Cruz recently became popular when an uploaded video of her dancing to “Twerk It Like Miley” turned viral in Youtube.
The College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) Debate team composed of Kevin Autor and Regie Delim managed to outsmart rivals in the Debate Tournament, one of the major events of this year’s Intramurals, Oct 11-12. The CBAA team overtook 15 other teams from different participating colleges in this year’s tournament which followed a British parliamentary style format where competitors are given 15 minutes to prepare in each round and are to argue based on their team’s designation—Opening Government, Closing Government, Opening Opposition, and Closing Autor-DelimOpposition.tandemmade a mark early on in the tournament, sweeping the three (3) preliminary rounds of the debate.Inthe final round of this year’s tournament, Autor and Delim argued as the Closing Government team that “President Rodrigo Duterte should be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for committing crimes againstExtendinghumanity.”thecase of the government house, the CBAA team argued that ICC has the authority and powers to prosecute Duterte for committing crimes against humanity and that prosecution could actually be beneficial to both Duterte and the Philippines.
Wizards dominate Intrams ’16
Honey Grace Sario Dixter Tandog States under the Duterte presidency, Manila said that “our country must not be treated as the puppet of the United States of America,” emphasizing the Philippines’ independence and sovereignty.
runner-up.Further, the Wizards continued to prove their supremacy as they battled for the first spot in the Mass Dance competition. Dancing to the song, “Haypa” the participants awed the crowd with their own choreography and interpretation but it was the participants from CNSM who drew the loudest cheer. But the day wasn’t yet over for the Wizards for they also gained points later in the evening during the Miss MSU 2016 pageant where both representatives of the college were able to make it to the Top 5 cut. Ranking next to the College of Social Science and Humanities (CSSH) in the overall tally of points for this specific competition, the CNSM accumulated 17 points through the victories of Jenny Ross Rabia and Mitzi Bless Rosete who were crowned as Miss MSU 2016- 1st Runner-Up and Miss MSU 2016- Culture and The Arts Ambassadress respectively.Meanwhile, securing the second spot in the parade were the Reapers from the College of Agriculture representing Dinagyang Festival and the Asteegs from the College of Engineering representing Daragang Magayon Festival settled in the same spot for the Mass Dance competition.
As one of the highlights of the Intramurals, the annual pageant showcased 16 candidates from seven different colleges of the university and from the recently established Senior High School program. In the preliminary interview, Manila, 17, an AB English student, interpreted a picture depicting a jeepney wading through a flood. She said that it symbolizes the resilience of the Filipinos in the face of Shechallenges.alsoimpressed the crowd when she answered the final interview. Asked about the possibility of the Philippines severing its ties with the United
“Prosecution does not automatically mean conviction […] in fact, this prosecution is a chance for Duterte to set the record straight and to clean his name,” Autor, member of the government house contended. Meanwhile, the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) Team A clinched 2nd place defending the Opening Government side. The College of Engineering (CoE) Team A in the Opening Opposition and the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) Team B in the Closing Opposition ranked 3rd and 4th place, respectively. Also, Autor from the winning team was awarded as the tournament’s Best Debater and Ronnie John Barrientos from CSSH was declared as Best Speaker. Each participating college sent adjudicators, and John Lester Combong from CSSH was awarded Best Adjudicator. The Debate Tournament is an annual event conducted as part of the university’s Intramurals.
Opening
On the first day of the Intramurals, three personalities showed up as judges of the Miss MSU 2016 pageant. First on the list is Wilbert Rosalyn, a singer from Davao del Sur and one of the contestants of the show Pinoy Boyband Superstar—a Filipino reality singing competition on ABS-CBN. Rosalyn also serenaded the candidates in the said pageant. Next is Toni Alyessa Hipolito, a beauty queen from Davao City and was crowned as Miss Globe InternationalPhilippines 2015. Janicel Jaranilla Lubina, a household help turned beauty queen from Palawan, Binibining Pilipinas International 2015 and was one of the Top 10 finalists during the Miss International 2015 held in Japan last November 5, 2015 was the pageant’s chairman of the board of judges. The next day of the Intramurals week was no less of celebrities. DJ Niña, a Manila-based DJ, led the early party of the week, Monday night. With DJ Niña was Titus John Monterde, more commonly known as TJ Monterde, a Filipino singer-composer from Cagayan de Oro City who became known in the music scene with his songs “Ikaw at Ako”, “Treat You Right”, and “Tulad Mo.”
Benoni Pablo•Jade Mark Capiñanes
Answering the same final question, Keah Jowena Mamoca, also coming from the CSSH and the AB English program, said that it is time for the Philippines to stand on its own. With this, Mamoca won the second highest award, Miss MSUAcademic Ambassadress 2016.
Completing the winners are the Mentors from the College of Education representing Baguio City’s Panagbenga Festival who ranked third in both competitions.Othercompeting colleges and their represented festivals were the College of Business Administration & Accountancy (Zamboanga’s Zamboanga Hermosa Festival), the College of Fisheries (Bacolod’s Masskara Festival), the CSSH (Iloilo’s Ati-Atihan Festival), and the Senior High School (GenSan’s Kalilangan Festival).
9-2batAsteegsAnglers,
45-41, Vanguards barely holding on to a four-point lead.At the sound of the buzzer at the start of the last quarter, the Reapers immediately took action and showed the Vanguards their dominance with their unabated two pointers and glorifying blocks courtesy of Talonding, Jainal, Lance Dupitas, and Muariff Mamalintao leaving the Vanguards to taste their own medicine. Garcia, the Reapers’ bus driver, stood up to his nickname as he drove through his opponents and showed the Reapers some love by scoring baskets but the Vanguards answered back with Marcellana’s back to back baskets leaving the Vanguards barely holding on to a one-point lead, 47-46. During the last two minutes of the game, both the Reapers and the Vanguards pushed each other to their own limits but only one must win at the end of the day. Abdil Basil and Datz Bayang and the rest of the Vanguards worked for an offensive push but all their efforts ended up fruitless as Jainal proved his might as he crushed the Vanguards’ hopes to win the championship.Immediately after the big block by Jainal, the Reapers wasted no time as Pagdalian teamed up with Talonding to score a big two that earned the Reapers their first lead in the game. Jainal shushed all the doubts and murmurs as he scored another two which sealed their win against the Vanguards. The championship game ended in the Reapers’ favor, 53-51.
All their hard work finally paid off as the College of Agriculture (Reapers) Women Athletics Team and the College of Education (Mentors) Men Athletics Team came out on top as the title holders for this year’s Athletics competition held last October 11-13 at the MSU open field.
At the start of the first set, Tycoons’ spiker, Albani Abbas, immediately showed no mercy to the opposing team as he amazed everyone with his powerful bicycle kicks leading the set early with 9-5. The ASTEEGs tried to recuperate from the relentless offensive push by Albani through Junel John Solis’ solid attacks but were proven useless as the ASTEEGs were softened by Abbas’ continued onslaught and unnerving counters giving the Tycoons the biggest lead of the set with 18-9. With only three points left for the Tycoons to win the first set, the ASTEEGs made a last second effort to catch up to the Tycoons but their efforts were made useless as they committed crucial back to back service errors. The Tycoons then decided to end the set with an overpowering kick from Abbas, leaving the odds to the Tycoons’ favor, 21-14. Back with renewed energy, Abbas then continued his blitz upon the first whistle of the second set against the opposing team but was proven worthless as his attacks were easily dug up and blocked by the combined efforts of Solis, tekong Megan Gando, and setter John Lou Sunio leaving Abbas running for his money which then resulted in multiple deadlocks and lead changes. Tired of being on the defensive side, the ASTEEGs decided to turn the tides of fortune to their side by feeding the disparate team Solis’ down the line spikes and unpredictable attacks which left Tycoons’ tekong and setter, Rasid Damdamin and Under the scorching heat of the sun, the College of Engineering (ASTEEGs) proclaimed supremacy over the court after defeating the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (Tycoons), 3-1 (14-21, 21-14, 21-17, 21-18), during the Championship Game in Sepak Takraw held in front of the University Gymnasium on October 12, 2016.
Tension can be felt on both sides with Anglers willing to go all out to score and lead. But the ASTEEGs were even more determined as the pitcher strategized on his ball speed and gives, making the Anglers’ batter, Salazar, to have three strikes on the first three pitches. With the consistent pitching and good ball catches from the ASTEEGs, the Anglers only managed to make two runs. Determined to not giving a glimpse of hope for the Anglers, the ASTEEGs went on their scoring rage as they adjusted on their ball choices, rolling hits and field hits in the third inning, giving them a two-run lead, 4-2. The third batter, Carman Maylan, gave an opening for his two teammates who were already on board in two bases as he vigorously bats the ball. However, ASTEEGs’ runners almost fell short for the home run as the ball was already inside the diamond getting ready to be thrown to the basemen yet confusion on the Anglers’ side as to where to pass the ball cost them the widening lead of the ASTEEGs at 6-2. With the consistency manifested, the ASTEEGs ended their turn on nine runs against the two of the Anglers.Knowing that it’ll be their last chance to cope with the ASTEEGs lead, the Anglers tried to score, but the orange side never gave them a glimpse of hope as they displayed their excellent ball catching and their pitchers’ formidable throws, claiming their crown as baseball champions with an undefeated title during the whole tournament. For years, ASTEEGs’ baseball team is always on the championship scene except for last year where they only landed in third place, when they lost against the College of Agriculture (Reapers). It was a triumphant orange morning as the College of Engineering’s baseball team proved their might as they were hailed champions in the diamond with a merciless show of runs against the Anglers on a three-inning Championship Game, with a 9-2 gap, held at the MSU Open Field last October 13.
In the first inning, the ASTEEGs were the first to bat, with Rex Bazar taking the lead while both teams were still trying to look for some holes on each other’s strategies. With bases loaded, ASTEEGs’ fifth batter, Theodore Loma, gave his team the opportunity to score as he hit the pitch on the third throw. The Angler fielders were caught chilling and failed to pass the ball to the basemen, causing the first blood on the score, 1-0. With the bases still juiced, the ASTEEGs had another chance of widening the score with Mark Himbing getting ready on the plate. Determined to end the orange’s scoring chances, the Anglers focused on catching rolling balls as the second baseman had his hand on the ball that was hit by ASTEEGs’ batter and making a force play to switch the fielding with only 2-0 score for the ASTEEGs. Getting some confidence from the last play, the Anglers were determined to score and take a lead against the ASTEEGs. The first batter, Roncy Hemenio, easily hit and made his place on the first base. Yet focused on the batter in front of him, Bazar loaded that ball with high speed as the batter, Bacense, was caught freezing for two straight good pitches, giving him only a throw away from being out. With Bazar’s unpredictability in his pitches and Felix Esic and Keith Pasciolan’s veteran ball passes from the inside to the first base, the Anglers went back to the field with no stain on their score. Wanting to turn things around, the Anglers made some adjustments as they put Sacera on the pitching job.
BAGWIS • intramurals24 intramurals • BAGWIS 25 sports
thirdpointersthree-pointersshushingandnail-bitingtwoleavingthequarterinthepast Vanguards,upset53-51
The ASTEEGs finally bounced back to the championship scene after losing last year’s semifinals against the Reapers.
•Kyle Ryan Gonzales• ASTEEGs beat Tycoons, 3-1 Abdullah Mamalintao, coughing in the dust. The ASTEEGs then took over the reins and ended the second set to their favor, 21-14. At the start of the third set, the Tycoons stepped up their game and through Abbas’ efforts, barely led the ASTEEGs. Not wanting to change the momentum, the ASTEEGs showed the Tycoons superlative dominance and rained on them powerful attacks and extreme blocks which left the Tycoons barely holding on to the set. The ASTEEGs then never looked back and ended the third set with a score of 21-17. Scoring as much as nine points on attacks only, the ASTEEGs easily dominated the fourth set. It was Solis’ time to show no mercy as he made a hole through Abbas, Damdamin, and Mamalintao’s defenses with his overwhelming spikes. The Tycoons managed to muster up a late scare by way of Abbas’ kicks but was unable to finish the set to their liking because Solis proved to be too much for them. The set ended up in the ASTEEGs’ hands, gaining them the championship title with a score of 21-18.
Reapers, Mentors, dominate in Athletics Tilt behind with second. Moreover, Special Awards were also given to the following athletes: Kristian Bebs Lacao (Best Runner of the Year, Male Category), Nor-in Abdul (Best Runner of the Year, Female Category), Ever Jones Diaz (Best Jumper of the Year, Male Category), JJ Muhajerah Naco (Best Jumper of the Year, Female Category), Alexis John Sarajena (Best Thrower of the Year, Male Category), Edvy Veniegas (Best Thrower of the Year, Female Category), Ever Jones Diaz (Most Valuable Player, Male Category), and JJ Muhajerah Naco (Most Valuable Player, Female Category).
In the women’s division, the Reapers garnered gold in most of the events: 100-m dash, 200-m dash, 4x100-m relay, 4x400-m relay, Classical relay, Long jump, and Triple jump. Meanwhile, the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vanguards) bagged first place while the College of Education (Mentors) earned second. On the other hand, the Mentors were declared champions as they dominated in 100-m dash, 400-m dash, 4x100-m relay, Classical relay, and Triple Jump. The College of Agriculture (Reapers) went home with first place and the College of Engineering coming just
•Kyle Ryan Gonzales•
• Danilyn Dema-ala •
This defined the Basketball Men Finals Match held at the MSU Gymnasium last October 14 after the College of Agriculture (Reapers) won the championship trophy after defeating the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vanguards), 5351.Right at the start of the first quarter, the Vanguards took the driver’s seat and continued rolling in points leaving the Reapers at their own demise. The Reapers tried to reciprocate the Vanguards’ performance but was, unfortunately, unable to as the Vanguards outplayed the Reapers with their blocks and showers of threepointers and a series of lay ups ending the first quarter with the Vanguards having a nine-point lead, 20-11. During the second quarter, the Vanguards continued their ambush through Earnest Garcia’s point converting crossovers and lay ups. James Marcellano decided to join in on the assault and made the Reapers go down in deep waters with his threepoint kills, 28-14. Ashbel Garcia of the Reapers, determined to take matters into his own hands, took steals and sent three-point thirst quenchers. Allyser Jainal helped his team regain composure as he discouraged the opposing team with his almighty blocks but all these were equally rivaled by the
Reapers
Deafening screams. Tense atmosphere. A sea of green, red, and white. A chorus of boos and cheers. Two teams clashed with the hands of time to win the championship. •Kyle Ryan Gonzales• Vanguards’ Marcellano and Daryll Tan’s conscious effort to keep victory onto their side leaving the first half to the Vanguards’ liking, 34-20.Things started to take a turn at the start of the 3rd quarter. Emat Pagdalian of the Reapers made his opponents dance with his amazing footwork and Wilbur Talonding, the graduating M.V.P., swayed and glided through the opposing team scoring basket after basket. Through their combined efforts, the Reapers were able to play catch up to the Vanguards, 39-31. Taken aback by the sudden change of tides, the Vanguards tried to outsmart the Reapers but nothing proved to be efficient as the Reapers battered the Vanguards relentlessly with crowd
The Vanguards and Mentors gave a lackluster start giving off precious points through a series of net blocks, service and reception errors resulting to an early deadlock, 9-9. Wanting to make changes, Joymarie Samillano of the Mentors proved her worth as captain as she showered the other side of the court with her bomb-like spikes but were immediately countered by Vanguards’ Tricia Tesorio with her dumps and tricky placing resulting to another deadlock, 14-14. Vanguards’ team captain, Jessa Lou Buadilla, showed everyone who’s boss by feeding the Mentors her critical off speed hits and service aces which left the Mentors struggling, 18-15. Having finally affirmed to step up for the Mentors, Beverly Ballista bombarded the opposing team with powerful spikes which left the opposing team scrambling. Chello Angeles (Mentors) wanting to join in the fun, crippled the Vanguards with her marvelous attacks and cross court hits which earned them the lead for the first time, 20-19. The Vanguards struggled to get the lead back but was unable to as the Mentors decided to end the first set with attacks coming from Samillano and Angelica Benlot, 25-21. Deciding to take things their own pace, the
Fueled with ferocious determination, Aldrin Liwasan and John Micahel Mustapha from the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (Tycoons) took what the College of Law (CoL) could offer during their close fight for the championship game, 8-7, in Lawn Tennis Men (Doubles) held at the University Lawn Tennis Court on October 12, 2016.
College of Law fall short against BA&A; Liwasan, Mustapha continue winning streak
• Remwil G. Maxilom • eventually contributed a point to the other side when he committed an error, 450. The scenario even became worse when Mustapha executed a short backhand attack which landed before the service line with Acedo taking the opportunity to employ a kill, 5-2 (60-0).
Exchange of points opened the next set of the encounter with both teams also exchanging powerful forehand attacks. Mustapha, once again, committed the same unwanted short backhand attack with Acedo also once again taking the opportunity to execute a kill, 45-30, but it was still Liwasan’s unparalleled crosscourt forehand spins that dominated the set, 6-2 (60-30).
The College of Engineering (ASTEEGs) brought home a total of 27 points after placing first in both categories in the chess competition held at the Science and Technology Training Center on October 10-13, 2016.
• Remwil G. Maxilom • Women’s Category fter losing their twice-to-beat advantage, the Valiente siblings went through a very tough encounter pushing a decision game against the Wizards. Both teams were one shot away from the title for all they had to do was to hit 1 on the double ring. Eventually, Rayza Mae finally picked her lucky pin that paved the way for their victory. Completing the winning team from the Agriculture were Eden Rose Lacna and Gemma Glen Panes. Following next to the Agriculture were the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and College of Engineering, respectively. Composing the team from the CNSM were Kirsten Nicole Cristobas, Ameera Malong, Lyca Epilepsia, Charlene Huinda, and Daniela Tiongson while the team from the CoE were composed by Nikka Gerodias, Thea Supetran, Keeana Madidis, Gerelizza Angga, and Jessica Tocmo.
The Tycoons seemed to have lost their energy when they tanked five sets giving the College of Law a chance for the championship, 7-6. Mustapha committed for several times the same mistake of employing short backhand attacks giving also the College of Law several chances of launching kills.
Ramos, Uy win first darts
Acedo and Conocer tried to get the momentum back but the Tycoons never looked back and instead executed ‘hail mary’ shots through Liwasan, 45-0. It was also with Liwasan through an unforced error when the CoL got their first point in the set, 45-5, but the Tycoons were able to recover immediately and blasted Acedo and Conocer through Liwasan’s powerful forehand attacks, 60-15. The next set of the game was indeed a close set for both teams as they exchange points resulting into deadlocks: 15-15, 30-30, 45-45. Unfortunately, it seemed like Acedo and Conocer were having husband-and-wife play for the last point giving the Tycoons the chance to end the set through Liwasan’s unstoppable forehand attack, 3-1 (60-45). It seemed like the Tycoons had the momentum on their side for they nailed the College of Law at 30, giving them another set for the game, 60-30. The supremacy of Tycoons even persisted with Liwasan’s exceptional forehand slice attacks leaving the hapless Acedo and Conocer gasping for breath, 5-1. After the College of Law got nothing from the previous set, Acedo and Conocer seemed to have gotten their energy back when they also nailed the Tycoons at zero, 30-0. Aldrin Liwasan was having a hard time controlling his attacks which
Joemar Ramos and Michael Allen Uy from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vanguards) headed their team to conquer its first championship title after three years in Darts Competition 701 event after defeating the College of Agriculture in the final game. On the other hand, the Valiente siblings, Rayza and Regie Mae, once again led the College of Agriculture women’s darts team to its victory after beating the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in the 501 event during their thrilling final encounter held at the University Gymnasium on October 12, 2016. Remwil G. Maxilom Men’s Category. The Vanguards and the Reapers first vied for the title in 2013 but unfortunately the Vanguards bowed down to the Reapers.
Women’s Category Composing the winning team with 13 points were Jhia Ava Andrada, Florabelle Masong, Charmaine Corbeda, Argie Fe Cinches, and Rosellie Lubos. Taking on the second and third spots were the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (Tycoons) and College of Agriculture (Reapers), respectively. With 12 points, part of the BA&A team were Angel Pates, Kishi Kaye Ramiso, Reyjean Regalado, Czarhyss Andreloize Garay, and Jonalyn Sioco while Crystal Mae Dumago, Shenna Faith Ramping, Phoebe Kaye Anabelle Baldomero, and Dianne Danuya composed the team from the Agriculture with 10 points.
Completing the winning team was Digandang Sadam who played and won in the singles category. For five consecutive years, the College of Business and Administration and Accountancy has proven its supremacy in the Lawn Tennis Court.
Vanguards school Mentors, 3-2 Vanguards inched their way slowly towards the lead during the start of the second set attack by attack, point by point. In spite winning the first set, the Mentors were suddenly having trouble keeping up with the Vanguards as they kept committing unforced errors which resulted to the Vanguards taking the lead of the pack, 16-11. Taking advantage of the current situation, Bernadeth Ambalgan attacked the Mentors relentlessly putting the Mentors up with the biggest lead of the set, 22-13. Samillano tried to extend the set with her back row attacks but was not able to do so due to Milrose Figuera’s (Vanguards) attack that ended the second set in favor of the Vanguards, 25-19. After losing the second set, the Mentors collected themselves and proceeded with their attacks as they were led by their captain Samillano at the start of the third set. Ballista and Benlot continued their parade of points courtesy of their cross court hits and big attacks leaving the Mentors to their own devices, 17-11. Since then, the Mentors continued their unyielding attacks and never once looked back on the Vanguards. Figuera tried to lift her team’s spirits up to continue fighting on for the set but none were proven to work as they were defeated during the third
ASTEEGs rule in chess tourney
The game became even more thrilling when Liwasan hit the ball too long making Acedo and Conconer ecstatic, 30-30, but the Tycoons remained composed. The tandem of the College of Law perhaps was pressured when both of them ran for the ball which resulted in a short backhand return and eventually lost a point for the Tycoons, 45-30. Liwasan, from the back row, executed his exceptional forehand attacks but Acedo failed to return the ball due to fatigue and the Tycoons finally sealed the victory.
The most crucial part of the game came where both teams were just one set away from the championship. The Tycoons started strong but a short backhand attack from Mustaphas once again contributed a point on the other side, 30-15.
Men’s Category Still from the College of Engineering were Gabriel Paolo Acido, Hessler Gerard Ines, Mark Villanueva, Benjamin Tuhitom, and Jaymar Coloma who took the first place. The College of Agriculture (Reapers) and the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vanguards) followed, respectively, with 12 and 8 points. Composing the team from the Agriculture were Melvin Jay Dumago, Leo Zernan Castillo, Demostheneses Sagolili III, Salahudin Samama, and Marille Pepito while Dante Altares, Rahman Dalundong, Benjamin Parbo Jr., and Elbert Magdoboy composed the team from the Social Sciences and Humanities.
For this year, both teams once again battled for the championship but it’s the Vanguards who emerged victorious.
“Four years nako nga nagsali pero wala gyud ko nag-expect nga magdaog since sports coordinator ko sa among college tapos isa pud wala pud kaayo koy practice, akong ginapa-practice kay mga kauban lang gyud nako kay busy ko mag-facilitate sa ilang subsidy maong wala gyud mi mag-expect na mag-champion mi this Intramurals 2016,” answered Joemar Ramos when asked about their first victory. Part also of the winning team were Sydffry Ern Suriaga and Caospel Gauis Cabristante. Awarded with the silver medal were Wilfred Campado, Samy Jake Bacea, Vince dela Cruz, Ian de Sastrellas, and Ian Kieth de Asis from the College of Agriculture while Jose Bruno Demadante, Ched Tava, John Cardeno, Clyde Mohamad from the Senior High School were awarded with the bronze medal.
The College of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vanguards) showed everyone they were the team to be reckoned with as they emerged on top after defeating the College of Education (Mentors), 3-2 (2125, 25-19, 15-25, 25-11, 15-8), during the Women’s Volleyball Championship Match Game 2 held at the Volleyball Court on October 13, 2016. •Kyle Ryan Gonzales• set with a score of a whopping 25-15. After having woken up from a slumber, the Vanguards immediately dominated both sides of the court at the start of the fourth set. Maglente executed her prowess as a volley belle as she secured points for her team with her service aces. Also, Ambalgan and Buadilla showed their importance to the team as they both earned points through cross court and off-speed hits and intelligently placed drops nailing the Mentors to an overwhelming score of 14-4. The Mentors tried to take revenge against the Vanguards through Angeles with her cross-court hits but were proven to be useless because since then the Vanguards never looked back and continued with the assault, earning them a ticket to a five-setter match, 25-11.The fifth and deciding set brought out the best in both teams as they exchanged leads and took everyone’s breath with their long rallies. Maglente wasted no time as she started the final set with an attack that sparked up an attack party of volley belles from the Vanguards’ side, immediately giving them the upper hand with 9-5. Errors committed by the Mentors widened the gap of scores between the two teams and since then the Mentors were never able to recover from the Vanguards’ bullet parade of skills. Mentors’ Samillano committed a very critical error which led the Vanguards be declared champions with the final score of 15-8. The game started with the College of Law’s Maki Acedo and Ken Conocer launching their underspin attacks that dominated the early part of the game. The Tycoons, on the other hand, tried to counter the unpredictable underspin attacks of the College of Law but turned out to be unsuccessful due to the double fault committed by Mustapha, 15-0. However, the error committed by Mustapha didn’t stop him from pushing his limits as he executed a powerful groundstroke attack leaving Acedo and Conocer speechless, 15-15. The close fight even continued with Mustapha’s three consecutive drop shots that sealed their first set win in the game, 1-1.
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The Tycoons had to rebuild their defense and offense in order to win two more sets to secure the victory. Fortunately, the invincible forehand topspin attacks of Liwasan then worked complimenting Mustapha’s backhand lobs that earned them their 7th set, 7-7 (60-15).
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The College of Engineering (ASTEEGs) emerged as champions in the team category. Composing the team were Keena Jamora Madidis, Arthur Benedict Arandela, Alinur Haroun Caagay Raniai, Gerald Tom Pedrigosa Ebreo, and Raffy Rafael I. Vasaya.
editorial board s.y. 2016-2017 Cartoonists FELIX ESIC, JR. • JUPHETER FRANCO • JOSE JERRY TAYACTAC Web Developer GLENVILLE BAUTISTA Trainees CHRISTIAN ELY POOT • MARIA MADEL PALEN • MARRIETTA DEOCARES • HONEY GRACE SARIO • BENONI PABLO JR. • YASMIN THABET • Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter!CHECK US OUT! GET CONNECTED. STAY UPDATED. www.fb.com/msu.bagwis @BagwisMSU bagwis Editor-In-Chief DAVID JAYSON B. OQUENDO Associate Editor JADE MARK B. CAPIÑANES Managing Editor SHARLENE MAY H. LAPIZ Opinion Editor KEVIN L. AUTOR Features Editor JADE MARK B. CAPIÑANES Feature Writers ROHANNIE IBRAHIM • JENNY ROSS RABIA Sports Editor REMWIL G. MAXILOM Sports Writers REYLAN JAY MAGNO • HANNAH MAE ORELLA News Editor DIXTER GLENN C. TANDOG Photo Editor JAYSON S. DEODOR Photo Journalists JONALYN MEJELLANO • NICOLE LAURENCE DE VEGA • JOHN CHRISTIAN BURGOS • LORRAINE COSTELO Videographer JOSEPHINE U. TEJADA Layout Editor ERICKSON E. CAUYAO Layout Artists EDWIN B. SALAZAR, JR. • ANNA MHARIZE R. TANO • MAMERTO HERRERA III AIVEE ANN DIDULO • RUDY CHRISTIAN ROMUALDO • KYLE RYAN GONZALEZ • NIÑO MEJIAS • LEO COLOT • AVE GALECIAN PLAZA • CYBILL JOYCE LIM • EUNICE PANIZALES • JARED CORTEZ Advisers: PROF. RUFFA CAGOCO-GUIAM • PROF. ROSSEL AUDENCIAL If you wish to contribute articles, send them to our official e-mail, bagwis.msu@gmail.com with the subject line: BAGWIS ARTICLE SUBMISSION. Perhaps one can say that it is once again a successful celebration of the Intramurals this year even with the presence of the issues that come along the way. What made the Intramurals even more exciting this year is the conduct of two sports competitions for the first time in the history of the Intramurals: Swimming and Taekwondo Competition.
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During the Intramurals, there were two categories for the Taekwondo Competition: team and individual category. For the team category, each participating college is set to present an exhibition play which will cover three components of taekwondo training: Kyorugi, Poomsae, and Kyukpa. For the individual category, each participating team must have one representative each for men and women category for the individual Poomsae. Kyorugi is one of three components of taekwondo training, which means “sparring” and is the final step in taekwondo training. It can be regarded as the center of the entire process of taekwondo training and practically all other steps are for the sake of Kyorugi. Taekwondo Poomsae, on the other hand, is the style of conduct which expresses directly or indirectly mental and physical refinements as well as the principles of offense and defense resulting from cultivation of taekwondo spirit and techniques. Lastly, Kyukpa means breaking: practitioners can measure their precision of taekwondo training by breaking solid objects such as planks, bricks and roof tiles with hands, fists, elbows and feet as body weapons.
T aekwondo is a Korean martial art characterized by its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques.
Meanwhile, the Swimming Competition took place at the Amandari Cove Resort, October 8, 2016. The competition has the following categories: Butterfly, Backstroke, Freestyle, Breaststroke, Individual Medley, and Relay. The College of Agriculture (Reapers) grabbed the first place in the over-all ranking after gathering a total of 161 points for men and women category. Following next to the Reapers were the College of Education (Mentors),139 points, and the College of Engineering (ASTEEGs), 125 points, respectively. Awarded as the Most Outstanding Swimmer (Male Category) was Kieth Tuya from the Senior High School (Legends) who clutched 5 golds for 50-m Backstroke (29.65), 50-m Breaststroke (33.74), 50-m Butterfly (28.27), 50-m Freestyle (27.21), and 100-m Individual Medley (1:05:52). Also, Kringle Marie Merendo from the College of Agriculture (Reapers) was awarded as the Most Outstanding Swimmer (Women Category) who grasped 7 golds for 25-m Butterfly (15.52), 100-m Individual Medley (1:23:99), 50-m Freestyle (31.90), 4x25 Freestyle, with Agra (1:21:02), 50-m Butterfly (39.12), and 25-m Freestyle (14.99). In an interview conducted with Prof. Lorie B. Martin, Chairperson of the Committee on Sports, he emphasized that the main reason for having these competitions included in the school Intramurals is to select representatives for the Mindanao State University System Athletic Association (MSUSAA) for these events. Also, he stressed that it is one way to see athletes with potentials whose skills can be developed through rigid training and eventually will compete to higher-level competitions.Remwil G. Maxilom
