bagwis. FIRST SEMESTER 2023 VOLUME 43 | ISSUE 5
the official student publication of Mindanao State University General Santos City
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bagwis editorialboard
editor-in-chief associate editor managing editor circulation manager
jefferson quipit herkurt tamba jasmine panes adrian joven kimbian lim
trainees news writers opinion writers feature writers
departmentheads news editor lynxter leaño opinion editor leonard tucjayao feature editor mia dorothy marcos sports editor niel zsun vega head cartoonist louise abing layout director kevin asombrado photo editor krishtine rivera head videographer clarenz caballero
publicationstaff news writers opinion writers
maria silva herkurt tamba jasmine joy panes feature writers jefferson quipit sports writers berjan pagadatan kimbian lim cartoonists lyle jome dela madrid sharif ryan beldia layout artists krisczer dave david tycoon james flores photojournalists adrian joven katrina elises ashley loyloy hidden avila john ross sambanan videographers gwyneth lubaton krizza maningding louise jordan rhynchielyne melgar miles uchi
sports writers cartoonists
layout artists photojournalists videographers
lourenz loregas ian villacencio guia rebollido daniella doce aljim kudarat cathylene bulado keziah cariño krystel lubaton leslie payongayong joseph carl estrera vaness villafuerte ma. angelica pio micha pancho jezrah gamutin jewel tapel muhamad miras denzel jade caluyong ylen criz balanon john russel camia rayjie carillo jibrylle mohammad christian alburo jared adlawan alsimar ibrahim
editor’s note Personally, it felt like we entered 2024 in a rush. It seems that we all are trying to move hastily and that every action feels forced and every celebration feels feign. Downhill rush encapsulates the first months of 2024, it is as if we're spiralling down despite the newness of the year. From the ill-intended PUV transition, to the complex dance of cha-cha constitutional amendments, to the volatile typhoon-then-heat wave weather of January and February... it's all going down. The dragging and slow January made it worse, and the hasty February just juxtaposes that feeling as we swerve nauseated on a rollercoaster.
JEFFERSON QUIPIT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
table of contents 01
COVER
02
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR’S NOTE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT THE COVER
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MAIN EDITORIAL A disaster waiting to strike
06-07
NEWS 10-peso 'pastil' slowly bids farewell; vendors, MSUans express mixed opinions
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NEWS FOR THE 1ST TIME: MGDS organizes Mindanao-wide debate tourney; successfully hosts event in boarding house amidst facility constraints
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NEWS MSU–GenSan now conducts 7 PM classes; eyes 9 PM courses as university adds degree programs
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NEWS Mga tsuper ng MSU-GenSan, umaaray sa dagdag-pasanin ng jeepney modernization
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COLUMN Grades… Grades...
12-13
EDITORIAL We Need More STTCs
14-15
COVER STORY
16-17
MSULOGY
18-19
FEATURE THIRSTY-nine: Quenching the MSUan Thirst
20-21
FEATURE Peace through Biodiversity: MSU-GSC’s New Research Facility
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FEATURE Historic Chronicles: MSU’s Old Landmark Through the Years SPORTS Head start: Football Beyond kicks off first school-based 11-aside tourney, MSU Generals claim pivotal win over NDDU Kingfishers
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about the cover Buckle your seatbelts (or the lack thereof on jeepneys) as we all go downhill; what a lovely opening this new year of 2024! Everything is a nauseating mess! The voices of traditional PUV drivers roar louder as their livelihood is 50-50 on the tracks. BBM just made this feeling worse as the constitutional amendments are railing everyone tied on a trolley dilemma - but this time, everyone is bound to get hit by a rushing vehicle. What we can only do on our deathloop on this roller coaster is to call out, and watch everything whether we go strife and ascend from the depths of today — or to go with the stream of today's downhill rush.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
MAIN EDITORIAL
cartoon by Lyle Jome Dela Madrid
A disaster waiting to strike
Regular public utility vehicle (PUV) operators and drivers welcomed the advent of 2024 haplessly just as the government put them on the brink of the pedestal again when it pushed through the infamous implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), a policy that generally aims to strip off old and traditional jeepneys off the road and eternally halt its momentum. Even if the government continues to deny it, this policy is an error of the third kind, and an anti-poor initiative. On June 19, 2017, the Department of Transportation issued Department Order
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No. 2017-011 or what is commonly known as the Omnibus Guidelines on the Planning and Identification of Public Road Transportation Services and Francise Issuance or the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG), thereby introducing the PUVMP. Its primary goal? To make the country’s transportation system competitive and compliant with global standards. Fair enough, in the words of the government, it is a proactive response to the aggravating problems in the transportation sector of the country. But the question still lingers: how far can this initiative go when the country is faced by a billowing economic
crisis, and people continue to suffer from poverty, unemplyment, among others? Under the OFG, Item 2.1, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) requires the consolidation of operators and drivers, and the formation of bigger cooperations of PUVs which will be entitled to benefits from the government such as subsidies and access to credit facilities, among others. This will enable them to modernize their fleets and run the modernized units in a more systematic and efficient manner. But really, the fundamental role of these
JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
corporations is to take charge in the distribution of modernized units to common jeepney drivers and operators, costing until Php 2.8 million per unit when loaned, a growling 1,766.7 percent increase from traditional jeepneys’ regular price of Php 150, 000 to Php 250, 000. However, this alone stands on a pedestal: not only is this difficult for regular jeepney operators and drivers who earn the least on the daily to afford this exorbitant amount of modernized units, it is also prone to capitalistic tendencies and worse, workers’ alienation. While it is relatively unsystematic to just allow jeepney operators to drive whichever route they go, the requirement that individual franchise holders need to consolidate and join larger cooperatives is more problematic. Even if through consolidation, PUV units will be allocated to their own routes, eliminating the competition for passengers along the same, their is a bigger threat that the regular jeepney drivers and operators are facing: the necessity that each cooperative must have at least 15 franchises and the ban of single-unit operators on the road is an implication that the transportation sector is largely susceptible to monopolization and it can be utilized for capitalism by large and larger corporations. Just like what transport groups PISTON and Bayan are recounting, this will end up in the financial deprivation of regular jeepney drivers and operators on the gradual level. It is also relatively hypocritical for the government that public funds were utilized to incentivize foreign multinational transport corporations like Toyota, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Fuso, among others, to ease their entry into the PUV assembly market, while people have to avail bank loans acquire a modernized unit and spend the succeeding seven years of their lives paying their debt. And the units loaned will be long defective once years of payment is done. In fact, many of Mindanao State University - General Santos’ regular jeepney operators and drivers share common sentiments. According to Glenn De Gracia, Vice Chairman of Dadiangas-Labangal Transport Operators Drivers’ Cooperative (MSU DALATODCO) stressed that the total phaseout of traditional jeepney units is a burden to them more than anything else. “Kana gong total phase out, dako na kaayo na burden para sa mga operator ug driver kay gisayunan ka ana, 2.7 million,” De Garcia noted in an interview with Bagwis. “In a span of seven years, bayaran nimo na. Bago nimo maimpas ang unit, daut napud guba napud ang unit kay irobo robo mana nimo para makabayad ka sa bangko.” On the other hand, in numbers, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista revealed that 76 percent or 190, 000 of the target PUVs have already submitted their application for consolidation prior to the
MAIN EDITORIAL
deadline extension. However, President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. just recently stretched the deadline for franchise consolidation, from what was previously known to be January 31 to April 31, a 3-month extension allowing more transport groups to enter the modernization program. However, these numbers did not come on their own, it was a product of alienation, a feeling of helplessness that comes with this anti-poor policy. As De Gracia added, “We have to abide with the program sa gobyerno kay kung dili pud ka musunod, wala man pud kay panginabuhian na.” Verily, reality remains true: the PUV modernization program is an anti-poor policy and that it is just a disaster waiting to happen. Even if the they extend the deadline for three months, or one whole calendar year, the deadline will still end and the people will have to face its doomed reality: many of these regular jeepney drivers and operators will be displaced and will lose their livelihood, a livelihood that transcends beyond the 3-month extension. As PISTON noted, many of these transport workers are unprepared for what transport disaster to strike– the massive job displacement for drivers and the loss of public transportation for millions of commuters. What better mechanism the government can employ perhaps is to fund the rehabilitation of jeepneys and local vehicle manufacturing plants. The government can allocate enough subsidy to assist regular jeepney drivers and operators to afford a euro-5 engine to upgrade their jeepney unit. Instead of allocating P40 billion to P70 billion budget for imported modern jeepney units, the government can allocate this to afford a centralized procurement of euro-5 engines. Most importantly, the drivers and operators whould be given the liberty to own and ride their personal jeepney units, wher they can earn for their own, off from the exploitation and alienation of capitalist corporations and cooperatives. The government should not force the drivers and operators to bow down to these capitalists and join their cooperatives and corporations. It is indisputable: the consequences of the PUVMP is a disaster waiting to strike. Clearly, it is a clear error of the third kind: sure, it tries so hard to resolve issues in the transport sector, but we can never attain the goals of this policy when the country’s economy continue to billow down. One can only hope for, especially that the three-month extension of the franchise consolidation seems just a snap of fingers that the government listens to the prayers of the people because the prime goal to make the country’s transport sector on par with global standards will never be achieved at the expense of leaving regular drivers and operators behind.
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JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
NEWS
10-peso ‘pastil’ slowly bids farewell; vendors, MSUans express mixed opinions IAN PAOLO VILLACENCIO, MARIA NICOLE SILVA 10-peso pastil, no more? Pastil became a staple food for every MSUans because of its affordable prices and delicious taste but it’s been a question for everyone as they’re wondering if there’s still an affordable version of that food delicacy. There are stalls that offer that aforementioned food in which students mostly go there everyday, however due to inflation, along with the goods and services, “pastil” has now seen its cost to rise. Vendors’ Voice Pastil vendors made some adjustments to further satisfy their customers despite the increasing prices of its ingredients. According to Usop Cali, a vendor from Habibi eatery, they serve 15- peso pastil but to the delight of their customers, they made the serving bigger but maintained its price. “Per serve namin is 15 pesos and hindi kagaya ‘nung sa iba, hindi naman sa siniriraan natin ‘yung iba, pero sa 15 pesos namin, medyo malaki ‘yung serve ng kanin namin, pangalawa, ‘yung magandang bigas ang binibili namin, so ‘yon ‘yung about sa pastil namin,” Cali said. The idea was also affirmed by Joezela Perez, a vendor from H canteen, their team adjusted the price as they based on the quality of rice as it also costs up higher than before. “Pinakafirst na factor jud is ang bigas, hangtud karon wala gihapon nag roll back. Imbes na ang half sack dati nga first namo na nagatinda pa mi, tung naga ten pami, is ano palang 950+ ang 25 kilos, karon, mudagan na sya sa 1,300 to 1,400,” she said. Moreover, for Bellarina Locsin, also a vendor from the canteen outside the school gymnasium, emphasized not only the ingredients but also the renting cost of their place. “Dati-rati, yung space rental kasi ng MSUGenSan ay ₱50 lang per booth, umakyat sya before mag pandemic by ₱200 pesos per month per booth, so sa ngayon, last year pa, ay umakyat sa ₱500 pesos, per booth, except kung may okasyon… Saan namin kukunin na mag improve din yung quality sa pagtitinda namin kung maliit
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masyado yung kikitain namin o hanggang pagkain lang,” she stressed. In a statement by Cely Ann Nunag, vendor from ASSSA canteen, the price for their pastil won’t get any lower and may become higher, depending on the situation. “Mahal na ang rice, pati spices like mga lamas specially sibuyas pati ang oil. Tapos may freebies pa baya like pipino, talong, tapos si talong minsan mahal ang kilo, so wala kaming choice, minsan gani para may ma serve lang, piyungan nalang ang presyo,” she narrated. Meanwhile, Arlene Albañez, one of the pastil merchants from CNSM, doesn’t want to surprise her customers on the cost of the said food. “May toppings na ‘yung 10 pesos pero dili siya ingon na dako jud, tama tama lang na 1 cup na gamay. Wala mi tag kinse, 10 jud among price. Tag 10 pesos lang pero gagmay lang jud siya,” she stated. For Andrea Macabodbod, vendor from COA, they still offer 10-peso pastil yet to ease hunger only, not for satisfaction. “Kung maghatag ko ug 10, gamay lang siya. Isa lang ka-cup. While pag-20 ka is tatlo ka cup, then 15 dalawa. Mahal jud ang bugas. Mahal na tanan, nagtaas na pud sila karon sa market. Bag o napud sila nagtaas,” Macabodbod explained. Maintaining the prices to 10 pesos is also a thing for Cyrus Manriquez, one of the vendors from the Woods of CSSH, stating that to make it affordable for students. “Sa amoa diria, naa pa man mi dyis sa amoa karon. Pero sa uban wala na kay tungod nagmahal man pud gud ang bugas. Ang bugas man gud naa na sa mga 55, mga ing-ana. So, ang gibuhat sa uban is giwala gyud nila ang 10.” he said. Similar idea also by Jessica Rose Padernal from LKD eatery, saying that the ingredients will affect the price of their food. In a statement from Pastilan ni Kambal of COE, they set their price to 15 to gain a bit of profit.
photos by Rayjie Carillo
JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
NEWS
Customers’ Chimes According to Cire Kenn Nalzaro, a second year BSECE student and also a resident of H canteen, he stated that there are still offering a 10 pesos pastil but only few remain. “Siguro mag-adjust jud sa pag budget sa imong financial kay syempre ang singko is dako na na sya permanente kay permanente mn ta mukaon, so naa jud muadjust sa imong budget,” he added. In a statement by Khristian Dayne Obasa, a 2nd year BSBA Marketing Student, for him, the inflation and the supply affect the price. “Wala naman jud, outside, inside. Bisa’g muadto kag uban school mao gyud na ang price karon sa pastil is 15 up. Okay lang man kay nagasabay siya sa inflation ba. Ing ana man jud na, pareha sa amoang business ba. Justifiable siya 15. Muadto kag davao ang pastil didto kinse,” he added.
photos by Rayjie Carillo
“Katong inflation ug kaning medjo naga low ang supply sa tuna so okay raman na kay naga pastil man sad mi, and galisod mi’g kuha ug kanang tuna na canned or bagged. Nagmahal man gud siya kay tubuan nila ba since gamay man ang supply so, naga price jud sila ug taas.” Dalilah Saricala, a 4th year BEED student, thinks that they need to adjust to the hiking prices of the said rice and food viand. “Siguro na overpriced or siguro nasabay pud sila sa panahon. Bisan gina try namo i-suit sa among allowance, gina pilit nalang namo sa 15 pesos kay syempre didto mas lapit. Sulit siya pero kailangan pud nimo isipon na next day dapat pud ka magtipid. Nagtaas jud siya pero okay lang kay wala man kami choice, kailangan pud namo mag adjust. Daghan man side dish, mga talong, pipino,” she stressed. “Pastil” has become one of the go-to foods for MSUans as it is already composed of energy foods that will help them not to feel sluggish knowing the university’s environment. Nevertheless, since prices nowadays continue to increase, students and vendors are left no choice but to adjust the current status of these foods to satisfy their hunger.
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JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
NEWS
FOR THE 1ST TIME: MGDS organizes Mindanao-wide debate tourney; successfully hosts event in boarding house amidst facility constraints GUIA REBOLLIDO GENERAL SANTOS CITY, February 9 – Members of the Mindanao State University - GSC Debate Society (MGDS) hosted the fifth installment of a Mindanaowide debate tournament for the first time last January 26-28 in a boarding house in Uhaw, Fatima due to lack of available facilities in the university. “We have to show that the Mindanao is a strong and like a powerful competitor, not just in debating, but it also in organizing too,” Joshua Dalimbang, Technical Director of the 5th Mindanao Novice Cup (MNC) and MGDS Treasurer, said in an interview. Organized by a host institution for the first time, the 5th Mindanao Novice Cup is one of the biggest debate tournaments in Mindanao, with over 90 competing teams all over the region, according to Dalimbang. “You get to see novice debaters and novice judges from different institutions from other parts of Mindanao compete,” the MGDS treasurer remarked. According to Jefferson Quipit, the MNC Tournament Convenor and President of MGDS, the fifth installment of the MNC is the only tournament in all of its predecessing tournaments with the most minimal delay.
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“The in-rounds was only roughly on a 30-minute delay, compared to its almost 2-hour delay on its previous runs,” said Quipit in a Facebook post last January 29. Moreover, the MGDS president also expressed that their team’s intention was to make the debaters’ experience as lighthearted and fun as possible to lower the barrier of entry to debating.
“We were given a space in QuAMSO last Friday, but it was super saddening on our side that we can no longer request any rooms in the campus by the weekend because they are all closed,” he expressed. In addition to this, the tournament convener said that if a space or room in the campus were to be opened on the weekend, one had to pay the faculty.
Minimal support According to the MGDS president, MNC’s organizing committee resorted to handling the event in a boarding house due to the lack of available rooms in the university. “We’re handling 90ish teams in the tournament, and literally no rooms open in the campus and had to resort to using our boarding house,” explained Quipit in a post on X last January 27. Quipit also said that a blackout prompted their team to travel from Uhaw, Fatima to the city proper via tricycle to continue with the event. When asked whether the MGDS received assistance from the administration, the MGDS president said that only little support was offered.
On the other hand, Mishell D. Lawas, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA) said in an interview that she is yet to consult with Office of Student Affairs (OSA) regarding the matter. “I have to check on this because it involves our students, because under ko ang student activities, under ko ang OSA. So ido-double check ko sa OSA kung bakit may mga nag-transpire na mga ganoong comment galing sa society. I’ll take charge on that,” she stated. The MGDS is the official recognized debate and public speaking organization of the Mindanao State University - General Santos City, representing the university in local, national, and international debate competitions.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
NEWS
MSU–GenSan now conducts 7 PM classes; eyes 9 PM courses as university adds degree programs LOURENZ JAY LOREGAS “Ang rationale behind bakit in-open natin ‘yung time available, towards 7:00 PM, kasi nga, kinukulang tayo ng classroom.” The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (VCAA), Dr. Mishell D. Lawas, explained in an interview that the reason for the extension of class hours until 7:00 PM for certain courses at the MSU-GenSan is due to the insufficient number of classrooms, aggravated by the university’s expansion of degree programs. The VCAA disclosed that because of the university’s growth in student population, the opening of ten new programs that are already pipelined, and the absence of ongoing construction for academic buildings, necessitated the adoption of evening classes from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, aligning with the practices of other tertiary institutions.
“The management as well, we are so sure that we can ensure the safety of our students even during night time. Nakikita naman natin ‘yung mga students natin are all adults, they can take good care of themselves. But during their presence of course on the campus, we have security guards assigned to that specific building na may classes,” the VCAA assured. On another note, the VCAA revealed that the original intention was to designate the College of Education (COEd) building for the 5:30 to 7:00 PM classes, leveraging its well-lit ambiance and attractive structure ideal for evening sessions; however, this plan wasn’t materialized as certain colleges expressed a preference for conducting classes within their own college buildings, so long as the classrooms are well-lit and the availability of faculty for the designated time slot is ensured. Utilization of online classes as an alternative
“We have ten programs to be offered. So along that line, pag mag develop tayo, automatic talaga na balik niyan is ‘do we have availabale faculty?’ ‘do we have available classrooms?’ Two basic talaga ‘yan siya na kailangan natin. With the number of faculty and the profile and ‘yung faculty natin, may 150 plantilla positions tayo ngayon granted by the DBM, so with that, we can really expand,” the VCAA said. Additionally, Dr. Lawas shared that there is a possibility that classes would even reach until 9:00 PM as the university continues to expand its offering of degree programs. “Eventually, after the 7:00 PM, aabot pa tayo ng 9:00 PM pag talagang mag e-expand at mag e-expand ang MSU-GenSan. Kung hindi tayo nag expand, hindi tayo nag open ng other degree programs, igo rato [the classrooms will be sufficient] kay mao mani for the longest time. But for now, ‘yung gi-allow natin is only up to 7:00 PM,” the VCAA further discussed. Safety of students, readiness of the university amid night classes The VCAA assures the security of students and the preparedness of classrooms for the night classes and said that the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (VCPD) and the Property Plant Division (PPD) are diligently enhancing classroom conditions, emphasizing factors such as lighting, while urging heightened visibility of security personnel within designated buildings.
When asked about the potential alternatives to the extension of class hours until 7:00 PM, such as exploring online classes, the VCAA clarified that while their office’s proposal to shift from faceto-face to online classes has received approval, its implementation is reserved for situations where conducting face-to-face classes becomes impractical, citing a specific example which is the recent executive orders from the local government unit, where classes are suspended due to inclement weather conditions. However, the VCAA emphasized that this modality shift won’t be enacted under normal circumstances, recognizing its inconvenience for students attending face-to-face classes and then transitioning to online classes. “Pwede naman talaga online, pero, tinitingnan kasi natin ‘yung viability ng ganoong klaseng right-away switching. Kasi ‘yung mga students natin, kung titingnan mo yung demographics, gusto nila ng face to face. Kasi for example, for 7:30 AM class nandito sila for a face-to-face class, then the next class biglang mag shi-shift to online, but the campus is not yet a smart campus. We cannot provide enough strong internet for you to join the online class. We can employ the online [class] from time to time, but it’s a switch mode lang talaga if the face-to-face class is not possible. Pero, we are also encouraged by the government that as much as possible, we have to do it face to face ‘yung klase natin,” the VCAA clarified.
photo by Ashley Loyloy
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JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
NEWS
photo by Ashley Loyloy
Mga tsuper ng MSU-GenSan, umaaray sa dagdag-pasanin ng jeepney modernization LYNXTER GYBRIEL LEANO “Kung muingon mo nga nauyon sa phaseout, wala jud, [kami tanan]. But then, required man ta nga magpa-under sa cooperative management so wala jud tay mahimo.” Dagdag-pasanin kung maituturing ang naging hakbang ng gobyerno para sa mga jeepney drayber nang mapagdesisyunan ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) na walain ang mga dyip na may 15 taon o higit nang bumabaybay sa kalsada at sa halip ay palitan ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng pag-uutang ng mga makabagong dyip na nagkakahalaga naman ng isa hanggang dalawang milyon. Ayon sa pagsasaliksik nina Marie Danielle Guillen, et. Al, humigit-kumulang nasa 179,000 na dyip mayroon ang Pilipinas noong 2020 na kung saan 90 porsiyento rito ay 15 taon nang bumabyahe. Kaya naman hindi nakaligtas ang mga drayber kabilang na si G. Glenn de Gracia, Interim Vice Chairman ng Mindanao State University Drivers Operators Cooperative, nang maipatupad ang nasabing utos dahil sa halos 35 na mga drayber at operator sa kanila ay mayroong pag-aari ng dyip na higit 15 taon nang pinapasada. “Sa tinood lang murag added burden lang na para sa mga driver ug sa mga operator.
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Kay naa may mga solution nga pwede nga mapabag-o ang jeep. Like e-repair then pautangan ug bag-ong makina. Kung gusto [nila] usok ang ginakuha, e-rebuild ang body. Ana nalang kontra nga pautangan ta ug milyon-milyon bag-o ma-paid ang imong isa ka unit for 7 years, guba na pud,” hinaing pa ni Gracia. Base sa ipinalabas na direktiba ng DOTr sa ilalim ng Department Order No. 2017-011, kinakailangang lahat ng tsuper ay bumuo ng kooperatiba na hindi bababa sa 15 ang miyembro at maglo-loan sa Landbank o Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) upang makakuha ng mga makabagong dyip na aabot sa 2.8 milyong piso ang bawat unit. Dahil dito, umaaray ang mga tsuper ng MSU-GenSan sapagkat napakalaking pera ang kanilang kinakailangan kaakibat pa ang anim na porsiyentong interes upang masunod lamang ang mga direktiba. Dagdagan pa ng sunod-sunod na pagsuspinde ng klase sa pamantasan dahil sa kalamidad o lagay ng panahon na siyang nakaaapekto sa kanilang kita kaya mariin na lamang ang kanilang hindi pagsang-ayon sa naturang utos. Ngunit, labag man sa kalooban nila, walang magagawa si Gracia at mga miyembro nito na kundi sumunod sa alintuntunin ng DOTr kaya nakapagtatag na sila ng sariling
kooperatiba. “Kung e-todo na ang phase out nila unya maaprubahan mi sa landbank or sa DBP, kada naay mahatag na bus, naay mga jeep na makuha jud until such time [mareplace] na tanan. So depende, nagadepend pa kung pila ang e-approve every quarter or year,” saad pa niya. “Magamit [man] gihapon ang jeep kay traditional jeep man gud ni, diri na naman gud [na] sa una pang panahon, mao naman gud ni. Nganong walaon man gud diba? Mao nalang man ni ang atong identity nato nga Pilipino, mao ni ang traditional nga sakyanan so nganong mangita pa ug laing design,” pagdidiin pa ni Gracia. Sa kasalukuyan, iilang papeles na lamang ang kinakailangang aprubahan ng city government upang ganap na silang kooperatiba at makakapagsimula na silang kumuha ng mga makabagong dyip. Hindi maikakaila ang malaking kontribusyon ng dyip sa mga kalsada dahil naging parte ito ng kultura ng mga Pilipino ngunit kagaya ni G. Gracia na 36 taon ng naging tsuper, wala siyang magagawa kundi tanggapin ang mga pagbabagong kinakaharap upang maipagpatuloy ang kinagisnang hanapbuhay.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
ceteris paribus
COLUMN
Grades... grades “Grades…grades. Habang tayo ay nag-aaral sa paaralan, hindi mawawala ang grades.”
ladder---those who still can’t read well but are now in high school, and those who can read but cannot comprehend. It is ironic that the more we want students to finish their pedagogical race, the more tiring and challenging the track becomes due to the policies that make them weak. This is a manifestation that numbers don’t define much of the truth we know, and that relates to students’ grades also.
Read it like Kween Yasmin did it. It was such a good old memory of how I became a competitive student when I was still in kindergarten. Every time I went home from school, I would rush to see my Lola and show off my tatted arms from my teacher’s red star stamp, knowing that at the end of the academic year I would be incentivized by the hard work I did in school. Perhaps today, it’s not the same thing; being at the university is a new realm. I learned how grades are made, how reality eases those who grappled, and how some successes aren’t defined by numbers. “Grades…grades. Hindi ito sukatan ng tagumpay mo.” As such, I’ve noticed that every time grades are coming out, students broadcast the famous aphorism “Grades don’t define you.” As posited by Gardner, everyone possesses all eight intelligences to varied degrees of ability, and an individual’s learning style is unrelated to the areas in which they are most intelligent. It’s not new that people have different fields where they tend to succeed. Take Steve Jobs graduating high school with a 2.65 GPA or Bill Gates dropping out of college as an example that success is not linear to having high grades. Researchers from NYU further the idea of the divergence between grades and creativity. The result of their study showed that when GPA decreased, innovation increased. This is because innovators are often driven by their own internal motivations unlike grades, which are external validation. Hence, for some, grades aren’t a big deal because there are substances that they lack to reflect, like how great entrepreneurs are made or how kangkong chips are viral these days (diskarte (hustle) or diploma narrative). Yet, the point of this case reroutes us to one of the compelling realities of why grades do not objectively exhibit one’s capabilities for success, as in the setup of academic freedom. According to the provisions of the constitution, academic freedom shall be
enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning. This allows the teachers to have the discretion to assess student performance according to their criteria and departmental norms approved by the faculty. Now, where is the lie? Whether one denies it or not, some lecturers find themselves becoming complacent about their roles as building blocks of the society—half-baked classes and “roleta” grading, as some claim. To stitch it closely, there are those who just merely pass students, not because they feel pity but because of the obligation of explaining the failed grades and also because of the subject petition of the same students who might potentially flunk again. In relation to the “no-fail policy” of DepEd, we can draw certain conclusions from the disregard to turn down students who are struggling with their academic responsibilities. As previously argued by Sen. Gatchalian, the policy would make it harder for students when they enter the next academic level. For lawmakers, it is stated that learners who progress to the next grade level without receiving treatment in areas where they are poor will continue to underperform. It is then alarming to account for the increasing number of Filipinos attaining diplomas. Based on the 2020 PSA census, more than 21% of Filipinos earned at least a high school diploma, up from 19% in 2010 and 13% in 2000. There are still students who are kicked up the educational
Nevertheless, denying the power of academic performance is like relegating significant opportunities. Grades are an essential driver in landing better job opportunities, as research shows 73% of potential employers vetted job candidates based on their GPA, according to the Job Outlook 2019 survey. The labor world promises a good place for those who get good grades. Also, grades serve as a means of getting scholarships, being admitted to reputable institutions, and even making your way to some advantages that mediocre students can’t have. More than this, ratings are an eminent mark of one’s career; to put it simply, rationality binds us to choose what’s utility. Why choose a 1-star restaurant if you can afford to eat at a 5-star one? Or why would an employer hire you if your ratings do not speak much like others? This is the reality of employment, and that is why proficiency is an important metric during job seeking. At the outset, coming to this column, my economics class reminded me of the invisible hand of Smith, that there are unseen forces that control the behavior of the market, just as our grades are constituted by the forces more than the power of the pen tip. There’s no definite way of saying why grades do matter or don’t because there are factors that we cannot control, and success is not boxed up by academics alone. But it doesn’t mean that we become lenient with our education system because, at the end of the day, education is fundamental and learning is what matters. “Grades…grades. Habang binabasa mo ito, sana’y nalinawan ang iyong huwisyo.”
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EDITORIAL
We Need More STTCs
JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
One semester has gone by once again in the peace university, yet on what at least, considered by most ‘bearer of quality education’ in Mindanao, grapples years-long obstacles in its premises, a catalyst to call forth for the leverage to answer a long-time problem: Mindanao State UniversityGeneral Santos City (MSU-GSC), despite its feats and recognition, faces a lack of facilities for students’ utility. Truly, the system must have addressed this matter long ago and should have put more optics in the pursuit of greatness, but not at the expense of its students, not that eventually it will engulf and taint its preserved reputation. It should be more sensitive than it is now, where competence means building the need to suffice. After a wrap-up of the previous semester, another chapter unfolds: the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA) released Memorandum 006-2024 on January 12, 2024, pertaining to the schedule of General Assemblies (GAs) for the 5 colleges and 31 departmental organizations. This memorandum carrying the assigned schedule of various organizations, however, is only limited to the college organizations and overrated venue—the MSU Gymnasium—sparking sentiments that the week-long utility of the gymnasium is clearly not compatible with the current turn of events. “My opinion is that since dugay naman diay kaayo ang gymn, halata man... gatindog pa siya karon, pero pareha last time na kusog ang linog dili gihapon siya kasaligan,” said Glennith Maban, an Agricultural Business Management (ABM) student. Jazpearl Linda, who is also an ABM student, expressed her concern, saying, “I want to call out the system to build more practical facilities, just like gymnasiums and other classrooms, because, as I have said in my other interviews, the university is globally competitive.” While the actions taken by the system are for practicality, it is imperative to note that practicality is when you see not merely a piece of a puzzle to satisfy the studentry but rather a multi-faceted view of the
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courses that will potentially transpire. The administration itself is surely aware that there are only a limited number of function halls under its guidance; the Regional Science Research Center (RSRC) and the Science and Technology Training Center (STTC) are among the coveted venues for a quite massive gathering, nevertheless, never enough for a university that has a large population. Moreover, despite the lack of facilities, the love for resiliency to fulfill commitment is strongly upheld, as Department GAs have been held in different places—inside and beyond the corners of MSU. Apart from the college GAs conducted in the overrated gymnasium, the College English Club (CEC) and Sociology Students’ Society (SSO) of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) had their GAs at Laktanan Wellness Garden and CSSH Open Court on January 18, 2024, respectively, while the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) of the College of Engineering (COE) held their GA at Mindanao State University’s College of Education Training Department (MSU-CETD) gymnasium. Unfortunately, they were just among the departmental organizations that suffered from enduring uncertain weather conditions and traveling afar solely to render services to the college and to the university. The sad part is, in turn, a battle cry on how this learning institution could go competitive globally while its internal dominion rigidly loses one of its competencies to assure the students’ safety and convenience. It is true that if the administration has no choice but to conduct GAs on finite platforms, the students also have no choice but to follow their organizations instead of seeing themselves spend money on fines, even if it might have unalterable ramifications. Furthermore, at the beginning of the second semester lies another behindthe-scenes story worth telling, both flattering in the form of unrest and vice versa. Smart MSU, as they rebranded it, has long adopted a literal shift in the learning environment, with classes in mere “Kubo” as makeshift classrooms due to a consensus made for teaching
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occupancy by the professors. As funny as it is to often mistook a religious preaching activity, a blow on the other side of the door that knowledge sought, perhaps lucrative, still prompts reality that hits: students and teachers are pitched to such normalcy, but for the sake of practical consumption, do they have a choice? No, none at all. It is of no doubt that MSUans are excelling in their chosen fields; they are not called Iskolar ng Bayan for nothing. However, there is also no doubt that too much emphasis on glorifying resiliency will eventually cause stagnation, and stagnation alone is one of the many reasons why our education is still mediocre. For knowledge and for clout, an Iskolar ng Bayan always aims for excellence, and aiming for excellence is meant to challenge the status quo and learn to progress by demanding materialized justice in education. In an interview with Sheila J. Loable, Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (VCPD), she proved that the administration is not entirely passive in accommodating the lack of facilities, as in the 1st quarter of 2024, an incomplete gymnasium that can cater to up to 8,000 people and effectively mitigate congestion will resume its construction. Alongside are the rising technology-driven edifices: the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS), faculty lounge, and Information Communication Office (ICT), yet will they be functional as function halls do? Albeit these are beneficial in the lenses of the administration, the sudden fact that during the Supreme Student Council’s (SSC) GA, a project, “Tugon para sa Kaugmaon,” to install orbiting fans in the classrooms of the 7 colleges, was being presented is undoubtedly erroneous and indemnifying. These physical projects concerning the state of classrooms are beyond SSC’s
EDITORIAL
oversight, but rather the administration’s duty to fulfill and be sentient to. According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), MSU will receive P12.4 billion in this year’s budget, higher than P6.4 billion in 2023. May this be a point for the system to consider building what is really needed the most, especially by its students. In the end, with all the problems this learning institution faces, the proclivity of being silent and content with what the administration has to offer is just tolerating them, not addressing the deficiencies on their ends. A realization should strike before another semester closes its chapter; tangible and sound solutions can be cracked out easily if blindfolds are removed and ears wear no earmuffs. Clearly embarrassing, MSUGenSan has been through successes, from landing the 13th best university in Mindanao and the 71st in the Philippines to producing top-notch students, yet a system that is spoon-fed with issues is far from sufficient to meet the needs of the students, among others. The institution must take pride that student organizations is very much alive in its premises, and in times where these orgs are active, we need to build function halls like STTC. Thus, it is a perpetual call for them to now take shape of things that are utmost needed, not over and over settling on what is available and viewed as practical— and that they should recalibrate the system so as to unbuild vulnerability to inutility.
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While the actions taken by the system are for practicality, it is imperative to note that practicality is when you see not merely a piece of a puzzle to satisfy the studentry but rather a multi-faceted view of the courses that will potentially transpire.
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COVER STORY
DOWNHILL RUSH DANIELLA DOCE, LESLIE ANNE PAYONGAYONG
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CARTOON BY MA. ANGELICA PIO
JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
BAGWIS
Don’t blink, or you might miss it: the hurtling rush of the country downhill, going as fast as time flies with the entrance of 2024. The Philippines is plummeting into newer depths this time: with it, there is the dethronement of one of the few backbones of the country’s transportation system, ‘the king of the roads’, the educational system in charge of the country’s future digging further into its own cracks, and the dismantling of the nation’s foundations, with a feat of effort by its proponents unprecedented in vigor, much more than when it came to addressing the people’s concerns. Dethronement of a King While 2024 rushes past in an unstoppable pace, the backbone and icon of Filipino transportation derails along the way: things have gone awry with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) in sight. Jeepney operators are forced to protest through ‘Tigil Pasada’ just to be heard, as their livelihoods and vehicles, once called the ‘King of the Roads’ (Hari ng Kalsada), now face a coup d’etat in the face of the PUVMP. Spearheaded by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) through the launch of the program on June 19, 2017, through DOTr D.O. No. 2017-011, the masses now witness the blindsided attempt of addressing transportation concerns within the country. The order entails the modernization of the jeepney vehicles, the PUV operators’ consolidation into larger entities in order to supposedly ease the process of application for loans to acquire new units as well as to facilitate route rationalization, among others; in particular, jeepney units 15 years or older in order are ultimately phased out to be replaced by modernized jeepneys costing operators about Php 2.1 million per unit. Despite the extensions of the deadline for consolidation into cooperatives or corporations until April 30, or even the claims of the consolidation nearing 76% according to LTFRB, the response of silence towards the death of drivers’ livelihoods solidifies the gravity of this supposed ‘change’. The PUVMP’s threats of phaseout for functional jeepney units and inadvertent triggering of much worse consequences for the operators and average daily commuter only crystallizes the clarity of the program’s initiative as devastating for the majority of Filipinos relying on it the most. It drags alongside its abrupt drop the livelihoods of jeepney operators, plunging further by the sheer burden of soulless and amoral modernization. In this lifetime, vehicles that once reigned as kings who ruled the Philippine roads, the backbone of its transportation system, now face dethronement in the name of so-called
change. This pursuit points to a nosedive towards a public transportation inferno: private commuters come out unscathed, and the ones who will take the hardest fall would be the general public. Dismantling of Foundations Running against the clocks counting down to the 2024 Midterm elections, Cha-Cha (Charter Change) careens down the path as both the House of Representatives and the House of Senate drag their own agendas into the amendment of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. House of Representatives senior deputy speaker and Pampanga representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr. pushed for term extensions within the constitution, exhausting all possible means in order for a Charter Change to go through. The People’s Initiative is one of the keys to amending the 1987 Constitution: by collecting at least 12% of the nation’s total registered voters’ signatures, greenlighting amendments. Charter change can also go through with a constitutional convention of elected delegates, or an assembly of constituents. Meanwhile, outnumbered in members and disadvantaged in joint voting, the Senate responds with a Resolution of both Houses No. 6, amending Articles 12, 14, and 16 of the Constitution: exclusive Filipino ownership of public utility franchises and corporations, (Article 12, Section 11), majority ownership of educational institutions (Article 14, Section 4), as well as advertising industries (Article 16, Section 11, Paragraph 2). The degree of necessity for Cha-Cha to happen, on the contrary, lies at the bottom of Juan dela Cruz’s list. In fact, in a noncommissioned Tugon ng Masa survey conducted by the OCTA Research Group from December 10 to 14 last year, released this January, they found only one (1) percent of respondents chose to change the ConTstitution to be one of their top three most urgent, national-level concerns. Unlike the charter change, control over the inflation rate or skyrocketing prices for basic goods earned a whopping 73 percent of selections as a top priority. Moreover, aside from controlling inflation, other concerns include access to affordable food, jobs, wages, and the reduction of poverty. Though crumbled by the barrage of clamors for Cha-Cha, the 1987 Philippine Constitution is still the foundation upon which a nation stands. The unprecedented drive to harness the People’s Initiative itself makes a mockery upon which this country is built, hastening the pace at which its state of affairs is plummeting downhill. Opening for amendments does nothing but accelerate the nation’s eventual crash, solidifying the downhill path upon which its tracks have been set.
EDITORIAL No Way But Up Time flies fast, continuously outrunning the country’s sluggish progress: the modernization of transportation while simultaneously sacrificing its own dependents, the educational system of the country digging its own grave, the unprecedented progress in collecting signatures for charter change, more fervent than the passage of the legislation that the Filipino people are in dire need of. It is clear: those at the nation’s helm only care enough to save their own hides, only attaching parachutes unto themselves… leaving the lives of an entire nation rushing downhill. It is evident: should lawmakers listen to the grassroots of the nation over which their words hold sway, they shall discover that the primary concern is not the ownership over some industries nor the length of ‘service’ of any politician staying in their seat, but rather the deteriorating basic living conditions of ‘every Juan’ and the systems with which they would have been propelled forward. With the removal of deadweights of the nation, though, its burden shall lighten, and the plummet can slow down. Though the rush points downhill for now, the appearance of even the slightest inclination promises one thing: there is no other way but up. Prevailing in a Downward Spiral Overwhelmed by the swift-spinning world of today, the passage of our lives has also descendingly paced to the vast changes we have adapted to. And as time progresses, these cracks begin to emerge. It’s like, with all these changes — be it in political, economic, or even in daily means — the downhill rush of the present has made us a captive of our own time. The fast-paced year has only told us that there is more yet to come — more of these declining alterations, more disarray, more uncertainties handed down to the foundational bedrock of the nation. With these pivotal moments, the changes we face shape the course of our nation’s fate in this roller coaster ride. Heading in today’s downward spiral calls for confronting the risk of going way beyond south. It is a momentous journey where Filipinos courageously combat these setbacks; a steadfast resolve in overcoming adversity to steering into a brighter future. Indeed, time is the only truth-teller in the swift descent of the country’s regression. Only then will we know where the current of life will take us off from: whether we go strife and ascend from the depths of today — or to go with the stream of today’s downhill rush.
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MSULOGY
JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 4 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
ABOUT THE MSULOGY For sure, Ka-Isko! So, like, the MSULogy is, like, this super cool way ng pag-summarize ng mga ganap sa MSU, di ba? It’s like, using these cartoonized characters para marepresent yung mga happenings sa isang fun and relatable na paraan. Kumbaga, it’s our way of expressing our feels about everything from acads to love life ngayong February month of love, to even the unpredictable weather sa Uhaw! Ganern! So, if you’re feeling the same vibes, you’ll totally relate sa mga kwento and characters sa MSULogy, for sure!
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JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 4 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
MSULOGY
MSULOGY JAN-FEB 17
JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
FEATURE
photo by Ashley Louisa Loyloy
photo by John Ross T. Sambanan
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photo by Krishtine Rivera
photo by Katrina B. Elises
JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
BAGWIS
FEATURE 17 FEATURE
THIRSTY-nine: Quenching the MSUan Thirst LESLIE ANNE PAYONGAYONG
Twenty.... thirty..... thirty-five — thirty-seven — thirty-nine! Ahah! Thank heavens, I’ve still got some extra coins with me. But as I looked around the busy streets of Centro, with these coins in my hand, I had yet another dilemma: to which coffee shop would I go? Originating during the heightened era of pandemic in 2022, coffee franchises Kopikuys and Don Macchiatos ignitedly stemmed the thirty-nine-peso coffee craze in General Santos City. As the whole world struggled and fought with the societal dilemma, the people of GenSan have found their ways in coping with these drinks. The coffee’s statement has become an embodiment of resiliency among people, just like how the coffee is — getting people back up on their feet amidst bleak hours. From then on, the coffee trend has already been grasped by society — especially the youth. Every corner. Every street. Every zone. Wherever you set your eyes to, there’s unbelievably a 39-peso coffee shop you’d encounter. All named with witty quirkiness, these shops have been the topical center of attraction for today’s generation. Why thirty-nine, you may ask? Is it because the ingredients used are procured from local farmers, ensuring both quality and affordability? Or maybe because it’s solely a strategic move to target budget-conscious coffee enthusiasts while still gaining profit? Well, turns out it’s both! The rapid spread of unique combinations of coffee flavors have propelled the coffee trend all over the top. Who would’ve thought that for just thirty-nine pesos, you can already have your buds taste the exotic flavors of matcha, taro, dark chocolate, and more! However, there are still these questions lingering in mind: would this just be another phase — like the sudden fame of the boba-filled milkteas? Or will it indelibly provide a constant statement for the years to come? According to Bai Alleynore, business-owner of the newlyopened Coffee Alley — located at Zone 3, Block 4, Brgy. Fatima, that being in the coffee industry is not just being in business, it will also serve as a manifestation of a sense of home and productivity these shops offer people. Business owners, like Alleynore, would also get to touch and connect with students and their love for coffee — be it during their grueling hell weeks, exam seasons, or even just a quick getaway from all academic pressure MSUans may naturally feel.
The modern architectural designs, good brewing, and perfect ambience all work out to be the sanctuary needed by people. One’s coffee experience profoundly depends on these, so make sure to appreciate and savor every shop you step into in your coffee shop-hunting! “It [coffee] offers a reliable source of energy and alertness, making it a go-to for many to kick-start their day,” Alleynore articulated. Indeed, coffee is not just a mere beverage. Keeping minds alive during the broadest of days up until the darkest of the nights, its affable whiff has always had a perfect way of pulling people back to their feet. Multifaceted as it is, brewing these rich beans can take you into an array of possibilities. Craving good ol’ caffeine on a lazy Monday morning would surely boost your energy level for the day. As medically reviewed by Maya Feller in 2023, caffeine helps improve one’s cognition and heart — leading to a healthier neuro and cardiac health. Having consistent coffee demands, regardless of weather conditions, makes coffee shops a steadfast business. As coffee is also a widely-consumed beverage in a global aspect, it provides a wide customer range. After a long, weary day, my spirit gradually sheds its fatigue as I draw nearer to the sanctuary provided by each sip of these brewed beans. Ahh, at last, I immediately took a sip of my long-awaited coffee, having this break all to myself. Feeling the blended gush of its coziness wash down the lump in my throat that has indicated the well-deserved end for this day. Coffee is just comfort in another form, a solace in a cup. It physically drives us to achieve greater heights, yet it also mentally consoles us that sometimes, having your own coffee break on a productive day is also alright. And as long as we savor its richness and grasp around its warm or cold cup, we can find ourselves replenished and ready to face whatever challenges of today lie ahead. Affordable yet invaluable, these thirty-nine peso cups of coffee not only drives academic excellence among students, it also satisfies MSUans’ needs in serving as a reliable companion through the highs and lows of daily endeavors. So, if you have a spare 39-peso change in your pocket, go ahead and have yourself your well-deserved break — quenching your thirst for a cup of solace.
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JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
FEATURE
photo by John Ross Sambanan
Peace through Biodiversity: MSU-GSC’s New Research Facility CATHYLENE BULADO, MIA DOROTHY MARCOS
The university welcomes a new building with high hopes and extended opportunities. This was not only for the betterment of updated knowledge and equipment but also in an aim to further conduct studies to help the environment. Placed in between the College of Fisheries and College of Business
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Administration and Accountancy, The Center for Biodiversity Studies in SOCSKSARGEN was built in the year 2022. It was taken upon notice that in the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS), there lingered several environmental threats. Some mentioned were overfishing,
destructive fishing practices, pollution, and the destruction of coral and mangrove resources. Pursuing to lessen these dangers, Mindanao State University General Santos City took charge, yet has first found it challenging within the region. The reasoning involved was the lack of proper
JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
equipment and resources, and they were only able to conduct small-scale studies due to this matter. So then came the time that the university itself decided to have its own research building. Not only to continue the studies that resolved the aforementioned concerns, but one that focuses on marine biodiversity. There were three people behind the construction of The Center for Biodiversity Studies: Dr. Edna P. Guevarra, Mr. Paolo M. Tagaloguin, and Dr. Malona V. Alinsug. Its purpose, according to Dr. Christine Dawn Galope-Obemio, is to provide an avenue for state-of-the-art research programs or projects that will investigate various critical issues concerning the indigenous marine fauna, flora, and ecosystems in the region. The facility then can be used not only by the students and faculty of the university, but also by other universities, government institutions, non-government organizations, and private sectors. “Thus, [through the center,] new linkages among scientific, governmental, and private organizations and agencies whose main
FEATURE
goal is to protect the rich marine ecosystem in Region XII can be made.” Proclaimed additionally by Dr. Galope-Obemio. In relevance to that, the university paves way to a potential new track alongside the existence of the building. So far, MSU-GSC offers three courses: Animal Biology and Microbiology - and by the next academic year, 2024-2025, the Science Department of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics plans to offer a Biodiversity track for its Biology students (BS in Biology, Major in Biodiversity). It is evident among the campus grounds that this was one of the few - that there are more buildings currently in construction. May it be in research or the like, this is a renewing proof for the university’s improvement, not only as an academic institution but also as a way to pursue new higher education.
MSU BIO FUTURE PLANS! The university currently offers Animal Biology and Microbiology - and by the next academic year, 2024-2025, the Science Department of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics plans to offer a Biodiversity track for its Biology students (BS in Biology, Major in Biodiversity).
As a melting pot of culture, MSU-GSC goes to prove that peace comes with biodiversity. Within The Center for Biodiversity Studies, as mentioned, are new opportunities - and maybe many more plans to look forward to for the next years to come.
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JANUARY-FEBRUARY VOL . 43, ISSUE 5 The Official Student Publication of Mindanao State University - GSC
FEATURE photo by Rayjie Carillo
Historic Chronicles:
MSU’s Old Landmark Through the Years KEZIAH CARIÑO, KRYSTEL LUBATON
Mindanao State University — General Santos City, is a melting pot of diverse cultures, vibrant spirits, undeniable excellence, and, of course, rich heritage. Over the years, this beacon of the MSU spirit has continued to flourish, with its history, prayers, and resilience deeply embedded in the fabric of its identity—epitomized by our very own Old MSU Landmark. In 1988, the Matutum Leo Club erected this iconic structure at the former entrance of the MSU GenSan Campus, contributing to MSU’s reputation as a welcoming and nurturing environment. Standing for decades, it has witnessed a multitude of things that have long been forgotten. Since its inception, the Old MSU Landmark has been revered by MSUans, faculty, and visitors alike for the culture it symbolizes. It serves as a place for relaxation and reflection, a sanctuary for prayers, and a focal point for cherished traditions. Graduating students toss coins here, hoping for success; struggling students seek solace and renewed determination;
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and, lately, it has become a mustvisit spot for incoming freshmen, eager to become part of MSU’s vibrant communit. Undoubtedly, it embodies the enduring spirit of the MSU community, holding within it a treasure trove of stories to tell. Despite the long, bumpy, and dusty road the students, faculty, and staff may have to take before finally reaching the desired destination, the struggle of walking with sore legs and feet, and the scorching heat of the sun touching their sweaty skin, it is nevertheless a worthy lifetime memory to be cherished. Especially the moment when you can see the landmark’s figure from afar while hiking the pathway between the CAS building and the road to the ABE Complex will undeniably give you overwhelming emotions—relief, joy, and optimism.
Although there were some acts of vandalism that had happened before, the old landmark was repainted, and the students continued to visit, take pictures, toss their coins, make wishes, and hope for the best in their college journey. Generations after generations, superstitions linger in the hearts and minds of every isko; that tossing coins and visiting famous destinations are another way of believing that students can achieve their goals and find motivation to thrive while attending a prestigious university. The future will bring new batch of students, new faces, and a more diversified environment. However, the custom will continue to exist in the coming decades. And that one thing must also be put into reality—not just the aspiration everybody has as a student of Mindanao State University, but also the unconditional love, care, and discipline that everyone must embody in preserving the existence of the beloved old MSU landmark.
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SPORTS
photo by John Russel Camia
Head start: Football Beyond kicks off first school-based 11-aside tourney, MSU Generals claim pivotal win over NDDU Kingfishers NIEL ZSUN JOHN VEGA Following a stunning come-from-behind win in its opening match, the Mindanao State UniversityGeneral Santos City (MSU-GSC) Generals managed to launch its first leg campaign in the initial academe-based Football Beyond 11-aside Tournament 23-under men’s category on a high note as it recorded a 4-3 squeaker over Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) Kingfishers on Saturday, November 10, at the Angel’s Field in General Santos City. With the team beginning to gel, Generals found themselves trailing 0-1 in the early minutes of the first half, conceding a goal to the Kingfishers off a well-executed rainbow corner kick that was subsequently headed in, granting their opponent the lead. It was a back-and-forth battle as the game progressed, not until MSU-GSC’s striker Cyrus Porras scored a right-footed brace to reclaim the lead for their squad just before halftime with a 2-1 advantage. Having the game hanging in the balance, rash Generals fullbacks made costly defensive errors twice when they failed to contain the opponent’s right winger, who managed to execute a brilliant flick past their goalkeeper, allowing Kingfishers to regain the lead for the second time, 3-2. Both teams endeavored to secure a game-
sealing goal until Adriane Marc Pericon headed a goal past NDDU’s goalkeeper via Kyle Cyrus Reyes’ set kick, bringing the game to a deadlock, 3-3. In the dying seconds of the game, MSU-GSC’s left winger Reyes struck and delivered an assist to the top right corner, with Joshua Madamecilla being the recipient, executing a powerful header to secure the Generals’ first win of the tournament in dramatic fashion, concluding the match with a 4-3 breakthrough. Generals head coach Jerry Dela Cruz shared the positives of their team’s game despite the original players being removed from the roster due to age limit protocols mandated by the management and remarked that “the team suddenly rebuilt its chemistry” despite the absence of the main squad. “We want to encourage everyone [on the team] na maglaro at their best. So, okay naman because it ends well,” Dela Cruz said. Furthermore, he emphasized that the team’s participation in the competition is primarily aimed at embodying its main objective, which is to serve as a platform to promote peace through sports. Meanwhile, Football Beyond tournament director Diego Laguna shared that the event has been held since 2005, marking the first instance of
a school-based event in which MSU-GSC has participated. He further mentioned that the competition will continue until March or April. “Kami kay naga-provide lang mi ug avenue which gina-lantaw namo nga mao ni ang pinaka-best sa situation nato,” said Laguna, who expressed his ideals on the event being played for weeks, mainly every saturday. “Kanang mga small sided games man gud, di nimo makita ang quality sa game kay kapoy naman ang player. Kini, makita gid nato nga ang player kada-dula kay fresh gyud siya, so makita nato ang quality sa ilang dinulaan,” he added. The event was participated by four college teams in the under-23 category, namely, General Santos City Foundation College, Inc., Mindanao State University-General Santos City, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, and Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, all vying for the crown. Additionally, the event featured the under-17 category, which also included four participating squads. Soon after sealing their thrilling first win in the contest, the MSU-GSC Generals will take on the Red Lions from General Santos City Foundation College, Inc. scheduled on February 17.
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Buckle your seatbelts for 2024! Hold on tight as we plunge into the whirlwind of 2024! From the uproar of traditional PUV drivers to the dizzying twists of constitutional amendments, this year kicks off with a downhill rush, leaving us all gripping the edge of uncertainty. Join us as we navigate the rollercoaster of events, where each turn brings a new challenge and every celebration feels like a fleeting illusion. Brace yourself for the turbulent ride ahead – 2024 is off to a wild start you won’t want to miss!
cartoon by ash pio
SECOND SEMESTER 2023
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