Reveille November-December Issue

LOCAL

CAMPUS

Yanga Mayoral Bid

The BEACON at SPAM

SPORTS OPINION

Russian Roulette

FEATURE

Justin Bieber

During West PH Sea Forum DFA: “What is ours is ours”

BY Kent Kerby Bayona

Left-right: Kent Kerby Bayona, Christine Delos Reyes, Khalid Clemen PHOTO SOURCE: Khalid Clemen

IntS students named PH envoys to ASEAN meet

BY Franco Rivas Cananea

T

his year’s Passage to ASEAN (P2A) will see three AB International Studies students of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Kent Kerby Bayona, Khalid Clemen and Christine Delos Reyes, as three of its participants. The P2A is a network of institutes of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) universities with the goal of preparing students for ASEAN 2015. P2A will be hosted

by Binus University in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The program will run from November 30 to December 4, with other participants coming from Vietnam and Thailand.

According to an interview with Clemen, the convention is for students to learn about ASEAN as a whole. As described in its official website, the Passage to ASEAN is driven by the need for regional solidarity and a shared responsibility towards people and society as a whole and strengthened by resources and abilities to contribute towards the ASEAN Community. Part of the program is for the delegates to visit the ASEAN Foundation headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia. •

Peace coor wins global interfaith tilt

BY Pristine Janielle Padua Ateneo de Zamboanga Junior High School (ADZU-JHS) Peace Education Coordinator and Communication Department instructor faculty, Espiridion Atilano, Jr., spearheaded an activity that won the 2015 global Face to Faith Day competition.

Atilano spearheaded an interreligious dialogue team building activity on September 26, which brought together students from various faiths and cultural

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backgrounds. The participants of the activity were from the Islamic Institute of the Philippines, students from a Subanen community in Limpapa, and students from AdZU-JHS. They were tasked to work in mixed groups in order to produce a peace symbol representing the Muslims, Lumads, and Christians, or the tri-people of Mindanao.

In an email addressed to the Face to Faith (FTF) team of the AdZU JHS,

FTF senior project manager a n d Philippines c o coordinator Jo Malone, w r o t e “Jeremy ATILANO Gilley, the judge, was thrilled to read that your event had brought together diverse

Ateneo de Zamboanga University through its Social Sciences Department and in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) held the Forum on the West Philippine Issue on November 26 at the Carlos Dominguez Hall. The event was graced by career diplomat Charles Jose, who also serves as an assistant secretary and as spokesperson of the DFA.

With students and faculty from about 16 private schools and colleges in attendance, Jose spoke about the bases of the Philippine government in its claims on the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea, internationally known as South China Sea. Part of his talk also focused on the ongoing suit against China filed before the International Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague in the Netherlands.

The Philippine government filed a lawsuit before the said international tribunal on January of 2013 to contest its rights over the disputed waters based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which both the Philippines and China are signatories, when bilateral diplomatic talks failed over the deal to abandon Scarborough Shoal after the 2012 standoff in the area.

The forum is part of a nationwide campaign to inform and rally public support on the row with the People’s Republic of China. This as the Philippines continues to protest against Chinese illegal occupation of the West Philippine Sea with its overlapping 9-Dash Line that encroaches into the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and other ASEAN neighbors’ EEZ.

During the question and answer portion, several audience members quizzed Jose especially on what steps the government has pursued to preserve its maritime sovereignty over the contested areas. Some even raised concern over fisher folk displaced by Chinese reclamation activities off Scarborough Shoal.

For all these queries, Jose reiterated the Philippine position on the issue, “We maintain that our dispute in the West Philippine Sea is not the sum total of our relations with China. Our differences are in official policies, not socio-cultural... we should defend what is ours…. What is ours is ours.” •

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BSBio seniors clinch 3rd in 6th NIGQ

By Aeon Ryhs Abad Left-right. Dr. Jocelyn Partosa, Fathima Ahamed Kabeer, Lorenzo Limbaga, Francis Aquino PHOTO SOURCE: NIGQ Facebook Page

Ateneo de Zamboanga University emerged third in the 6th National Intercollegiate Genetics Quiz Contest (NIGQC). The AdZU team was composed of BSBio seniors Fathima M.Z. Ahmed Kabeer, Lorenzo Gabriel C. Limbaga, and Francis B. Aquino.

The contestants battled three rounds: the Individual Exam, the Initiation-Elongation, and the Termination Round. The contestant with the most number of accumulated points from each round is declared winner. The University of the Philippines-Baguio emerged as victors of the 2015 NIGQC while Ateneo de Manila University ranked second.

Eleven teams from all over the country participated in the said event. Aquino had shared that they struggled maintaining their composure and morale due to the other competitors present.

“They looked intimidating and we almost gave up during the competition. However, our coach was a very good help in helping us believe in ourselves throughout.” Dr. Jocelyn D. Partosa of the Natural Sciences Department of the College of Science and Information Technology served as the team’s coach.

This year’s NIGQC was held on November 7 at the Umali Auditorium, SEARCA, UP Los Baños, Laguna. •

elements of your community for dialogue so that they can better understand and know one another better.”

This year, the Face to Faith team at the Tony Blair Faith Foundation decided to hold this competition just for students on the topic of peace building. Students blogged directly on the Face to Faith online community about their motivations to bring peace into their communities, their activities, challenges and how sustainable their efforts were.

AdZU was one of the 77 schools who joined the competition, participating alongside 42000 other students from schools in the Philippines, India, Pakistan, the United States of America, Egypt, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia.

Fr. Aristole C. Dy, SJ, the Philippines’ FTF country head, and assistant coordinator Erwin R. Montojo, wrote: “Your promotion of cross-cultural and interfaith understanding through dialogue is valuable in a world mired by so much misunderstanding, fragmentation, and violence. Your commitment to and leadership in the explicit teaching and practice of dialogue in your city and region is truly inspiring.

We hope that, through your leadership, more schools will learn how to teach their students how to dialogue and give them safe spaces for actually engaging in dialogues.”

The competition was organized by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation (TBFF), which according to its website, advocates and provides practical approaches for an international effort to help “counter religious prejudice, conflict and extremism in order to promote open-minded and stable societies.”

AdZU will be receiving a trophy or plaque and a letter of congratulations from the patron of TBFF, the Right Honourable and former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, as well as a congratulations video from the team behind the competition.

Atilano handles Communication and

Society course in the Communication Department. •

Yanga files candidacy for Zamboanga City mayor

By Keith Joshua Dumpit Retired Police Chief Superintendent Mario Yanga shook the mayoral race in Zamboanga City when he filed his certificate of candidacy on October 16, in a bid to challenge incumbent Mayor Maria Isabel Salazar’s re-election plan.

director include the resolutions of the 2001 Cabatangan Siege and the 2002 pueblo bombings among others. Having been exposed to such events, handling security, peace and order is what Yanga considers to be his forte.

Mayor Salazar’s seat.

Yanga has gained himself a number of loyal supporters, especially those who have seen first-hand his accomplishments in the police force and the same are expected to champion

emphasized that his priority will be the security of the people of Zamboanga and not the politics, for he fears that his principles might be compromised. The local elections will be held May 9 next year. •

Yanga was a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983 and has served six terms as the city police’s director, from the administration of former Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat up until the government of Mayor Salazar. Some of Yanga’s highlights as the city’s police

His idea of running for the mayoral post came about while he was still serving as the city’s police director. Having retired in 2014, he decided to materialize his plan as he wants to continue serving the citizenry, and with the pressing issues on security and order, he believes his leadership is called for. Of the five mayoral aspirants, he is seen as the strongest contender to challenge

Yanga in the 2016 elections.

He believes that instilling discipline a m o n g the people will help Zamboanga progress even further.

He also

When the Cheers Run Mute: On the Promotion of AdZU’s Athletes

By Neilson Nick Alinsañgan The Ateneo de Zamboanga University is an institution that focuses not solely on academic pursuits but it is and supposed to be, like any other school, also a hub for athletes to thrive in.

The Soccer field or the “backfield” as we commonly call it, the MPCC, and the Brebeuf Gym, serve as evidences for the attention given by the school to sports. Despite this seemingly sporty façade, how much does the University give to support the athletes representing it?

Unless we stroll through the school grounds after the setting of the sun, we might not get a glimpse of any varsity teams in the school which hold their practices after classes. Rarely do we hear of any news celebrating our athletes. We may see students play sports around the campus especially during Ateneo Fiesta and during an Academic Organization’s week, but we have to take note that these are not the varsity teams recognized by AdZU. Why then are we relatively silent in the sports department despite the sports facilities provided by the University?

According to Rommel Cuaresma, College Athletics Coordinator, this is largely due to the lack of tournaments in which the school participates in.

Ever since AdZU pulled out from the Private Schools Athletic Association a few years back, there has been a decline in the number of tournaments that the University participates in. Opportunity to participate in tournaments outside the City is also rare and that there are no real sports program in the City.

Athletic Scholarship

-Supt. Mario Yanga

YANGA

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SPORTS OPINION

Lack of Tournaments

“Knowing my forte, I am going to offer my service base on the platform of peace, security, law and order.”

With the city being barraged by issues concerning peace and order for many years now, Yanga expects to use his background in the constabulary to improve Zamboanga’s security, law and order, which shall be his main platform. Of the six mayoral candidates, Yanga is one of the two who are not under any political party.

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Currently, AdZU does not have a true athletic scholarship. An athlete could be granted a scholarship the following year should he/she win in a major sport event. Aside from that, there are no other athletic scholarship grants in AdZU. In an interview with Conrado Balatbat, Director of College Admissions and Aid, he said that the University does not have enough funds even for the academic scholars and that Ateneo, as an academic institution, should prioritize academics over sports.

There is, however, a time wherein the basketball varsity was granted financial aid for two consecutive years but even that was not funded by AdZU itself. It was sponsored by a politician. But if ever the University gets enough funds or if a third party agrees to provide financial assistance to athletes, then an athletic scholarship would be possible, in the words of Mr. Balatbat “Of course, why not?”

Drive to Play Despite the lack of financial assistance, challenge to balance academics and sports, and the extra sweat excreted during practices, the athletes continue to play out of pure passion and love for the sport. Needless to say, the ones who stay in varsity teams are among those dedicated to the sport. The skills, techniques, experiences, joy, and connections they gain are enough perks for the athletes.

Points of Improvement Obviously, a true athletic scholarship grant would be a game changer. Not only would it attract more athletes, it would also create serious players. A venue to compete is also important as varsity teams would only be limited to practices if they won’t compete and new varsity teams could be created if a tournament for a particular sport would available. There might be players, but it’s not productive if they won’t be competing. The continuation of the coaches’ formation program is also important as values must also be incorporated in sports. As is always the goal of AdZU to provide holistic education, so we must do so in sports.

It is understandable that as an academic institution, AdZU must prioritize academics. Games and sports are common parts of human culture and are usually attached to a diverse institution such as a University. We might know our priorities but we must not stick only to the essential.

Remember, all work and no play makes a dull day. •

Russian Roulette

By Kent Kerby Bayona Russia has this disorder that whenever the world accuses it for an unbridled kraken of its own creation; its first stimulus would always be to blame the West.

Recently, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) dropped a bomb when it uncovered a “state-sponsored” use of performance-enhancing drugs, commonly called dope, by Russian track and field athletes and in other athletic events that sparked a possibility of banning Russia to participate the 2016 Rio Olympics and stripping its medals. As if the contention in Syria, Ukraine, and other global flashpoints in friction with the West has something to do with this “demolition job” as how the Russian officials phrased it, of course, it again blames the West—classic Russia.

If there is someone to scapegoat in the wake of this scandal, Russia has nobody but itself: coverup drug test results, intimidate laboratory staff, and destroy samples to legitimize the participation of drugged athletes in international competitions (tell me Adelina Sotnikova was doped because until now I cannot accept she beat THE Yuna Kim *fingers crossed*).

Hoping that Russia is not putting only a show, if it is really committed in cracking fully this case as what Vladimir Putin lately swore, it should stop blocking out external investigators from conducting inquiry on the matter. If not, cut the crap. We have seen this circus in the past. To undermine an honest competition is a mockery to the spirit of sports, and an insult and deception to the sports fans. The least Russia should be doing now is to stop acting like a spoiled brat, and show the world how remorseful it is. It should stop injecting politics over everything.

Should it only been honest at first, this would not become a full-blown scandal. It willingly and happily committed itself to a game of Russian roulette then got mad for shooting itself with the loaded one. •

PHOTO SOURCE: swimmingworldmagazine.com

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AdZU faculty is PH envoy to 42nd SSEAYP

Offense & Defense: The Best of Both Worlds

By Leonette Ann G. Sadioa

Being a student-athlete is no walk in the park. The pressure is real and no more is this palpable when you happen to be members of the varsity team for football and volleyball –runners-up to basketball in Filipino fascination yet equally demanding of stamina and character. Here are two of Ateneo de Zamboanga’s varsity players and their take on life on and off court.

BY Diego Jose Esperat

For the third year in a row, a faculty of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University was chosen as fellow to the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP). Mary Rose Jean Andrada of the Communication Department joined 300 other youth representatives from member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Naions (ASEAN) and Japan in its 42nd edition.

PHOTO SOURCE: Red Images

youths and one national leader to participate in the event.

The event promises to provide the participants with a unique experience with discussions about youth matters and other activities taking place on the ship. The participants will also have the opportunity to interact with the locals of many countries in order to learn about cultures other than their own. It hopes to broaden the perspectives of its participants by exposing them to different cultures while on the ship. Finally, it is conducted in the hopes of fostering a greater friendship and understanding among the participating youths. •

Lucas, Barredo lead UCO shake up

BY Mark Phillip Ycaza

Lucas took the helm from Monabelle

He has been playing for two years with imperforate determination and passion. He was impelled by a friend and driven by the intensity and amazement of how Cainglet plays in the UAAP, he tried it out for a spot in the team. He attempted other sports but volleyball reigned. It is

packed scholastic stuff, both acquire a sense of responsibility and both know when to have fun and when to get serious in the name of the success they desire. It is a matter of prioritizing things with that incentive of either providing someone a better life or perhaps, job opportunities in some later time. Yep, it is all about meeting in the middle.

Sports Relate To Life

Torres, the ATTACKER

The SSEAYP began in January 1974 with just Japan and five ASEAN countries participating (those countries being Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) but has since grown to include Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Today, the SSEAYP is an annual event that provides the youths with the opportunity to live with and interact with other youths from different nationalities. The countries that will be participating in the 42nd SSEAYP are Japan and four of the ten ASEAN countries (mainly the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Malaysia). The whole event usually lasts about 50 days and is overseen by the National Youth Council with the country sending a contingent of 28

BARREDO College of Nursing (CON) clinical instructor Marietta M. Lucas was named, October 22, as the new director of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Communications Office (UCO) alongside Joan Mae A. Barredo as the media and communication specialist of the said office.

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LUCAS Blanco-Delgado as the latter tendered her resignation by the end of the first semester of the current academic year. Barredo, on the other hand assumed a newly-created portfolio.

Both hold degrees in Mass Communication from the Communication Department of this university. For her part, Lucas had once been an

information officer at the Philippine Information Agency –Region IX, senior publications assistant at the Fund for Assistance to Private Education, and planning assistant at the Communication Foundation for Asia among others. Barredo used to be the editorial assistant for special projects, brand extensions and advertorials for the Hinge Inquirer Publications. She also served as a USAID project assistant for communications and was the social media correspondent for the Mindanao Development Authority.

In his memo, AdZU president Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ, underscored the task of the pair: “Ms. Lucas, along with Ms. Barredo and the rest of the UCO team, shall be primarily responsible for ensuring that the University communicates more effectively with both internal and external audiences –students, faculty and staff, alumni, parents, our friends and partners, and the general public.”

Lucas also handles Nursing Research courses at the CON while Barredo teaches Basic Journalism at the Communication Department. •

Sports activities would not only make one a better athlete on the field or court, but also a great player in the real game called life. Torres, as a team captain, portrays a big role in the team preeminently laying hold of risks. It aided her in learning to deal with mistakes and improved her decision-making.

People would also confide in her to apt critical goals but for her, “we help one another to understand that win or lose, we do it as a team.”

The Ateneo Women’s Football team is spearheaded by team captain, Dayanara F. Torres, an ABIS junior and both the right wing and striker. Wingers use speed to attack and dribble along opponents to hurl crosses and passes against fullbacks for their attackers.

Football maybe too long and boring for some, however, if only one knows how it works, according to Torres, one would soon realize that it “requires tremendous skills, patience and discipline to get where good players at.” No wonder over the years, she and her team has accomplished greatly that she cannot even remember all of it. It has been football all along ever since she was four, under the influence of her father, and her brother happens to play the sport, too.

Torres, outside of the field, is a bookworm, a fan of starry-eyed reads and envisages of enrolling herself to law school in due course.

Mendoza, the BLOCKER “In order to be the best, you need to beat the best,” is the credo of this student athlete. A 6’2” BSAc sophomore and inspirited by Alyssa Valdez, Fille Cainglet and Aby Maraño, the middle blocker of the volleyball varsity team is none other than Mathew Lester F. Mendoza. Blockers, on defense, struggle to be involved in blocking attacker’s hits.

In the game, Mendoza does not just want to settle to be “okay.” He exerts magis in everything to quench his thirst for accomplishment.

He pushes himself harder to achieve the greatness both inside and outside of the court.

Left-right: Matthew Mendoza, Dayanara Torres

where he finds his happiness. He and the team have won and took part in the CEAP and in the Grand Spiker’s League.

Academics Plus Varsity To be a part of the varsity team exhausts much of one’s time and energy depending on the hours of training. For Torres, it takes 3 hours in the morning and 3-4 hours in the afternoon. As for Mendoza, it takes 2-3 hours during school days and 5 hours on Saturdays.

Despite hectic schedules and jam-

Penalties are not only effective in games as they also exist in life as failures. Admittedly, there were times when they wanted to quit due to outside forces, when life threw balls at them. The two have their ways of coping with such stress and breakdowns.

They take the time out, reflect and sort things out, comforted by their team and friends, offering them strength to step up and carry on. As they say, “It is failure that gives you the proper perspective of success.” Eventually they stand up, game face on and all set to kick off to attack, block for defense, get their heads in the game, and fiery eyes glued on the ball. • PHOTO SOURCE: Lea Lim

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Albay to host 2016 Palarong Pambansa

The BEACON triumphs large at nat’l media confab

BY Fatima Mandangan

campus journalism. The 2015 edition carried the theme, “Responding to the Challenges and Demands of Responsible Journalism.”

By Audrie Sepe

In this year’s event, The BEACON took a total of 10 awards from different categories.

WINNING SCRIBES. The BEACON delegation at the 9th National Media Conference.

PHOTO SOURCE: Mohammad Sarajan

The BEACON Publications, along with other publications from 62 schools across the Philippines, attended the 9th National Media Conference hosted by the Schools Press Advisers’ Movement, Inc. (SPAM, Inc.) in Mambajao, Camiguin from 27-29 of October. This annual event aims to recognize the abilities of campus journalists and advisers, hone their talents, and provide them with the recent trends in

Second Place for Digital Photography (English): Mark Phillip Ycaza (BSBio) Second Place for Digital Photography (Filipino): Mohammad Sarajan (BAComm) First Place for Lead Writing (English): Pristine Janielle Padua (BAComm) First Place for Lead Writing (Filipino): Trisha Ortega (BSAc) Seventh Place for News Editing and Headline Writing (English): Aseya Khadija Calo (BSAc) Fifth Place for News Editing and Headline Writing (Filipino): Irene Wahab(BSAc) Third Place for Collaborative Publishing: Bianca Alyanna Zamora (BAComm), Irene Wahab, Pristine Janielle Padua, Mark Phillip Ycaza, Audrie Keith Sepe, Ionee Bel Garcia, Kent Kerby Bayona (ABIntS) Fourth Place for Graphic Story (Filipino): Ionee Bel Garcia Fourth Place for Editorial Cartooning (Filipino): Ionee Bel Garcia Fifth Place for Magazine Photo: The BEACON magazine’s September-October Issue

Besides the accolades, two The BEACON members were also elected officers to the National Federation of Campus Journalists namely Trisha Ortega as Treasurer and Bianca Alyanna Zamora as the Representative for Mindanao. •

Albay will host the 2016 Palarong Pambansa after winning the bid over Tuguegarao City on October 28 at the Department of Education (DepEd) central office.

DepEd) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) inspected the proposed venues of each bidding hosts to check how efficient it will be for the participating athletes. The rating system for the venue includes the international standards, its distance from the main complex, the power supply, the security of the participants, the sufficiency of rooms, bathrooms, kitchen areas and medical provisions.

Joey Salceda, governor of Albay, said that Albay was chosen to be the host because of the possible sunny weather in the province due to the El Niño that it will be experiencing. He also added that since Albay is in the center of the country, it will give the participants lesser time to travel, less cost, less discomfort and less carbon emission.

The province was given a budget of Php300M to have the equipment and resources needed for the repairs in the sports facilities. It will be Albay’s second time to host this annual event in 63 years. Salceda said that it will be their chance to showcase the hospitality and tourist spots in Albay to the Filipino studentathletes and to the other guests.

multi-sports event which comprises of 21 sports to be participated by Filipino studentathletes. It is an athletic event of the DepEd in cooperation with the PSC. The 2016 edition is expected to have around 15,000 delegates from all the 17 regions in the country. The multi-sports event will kick off on April 15 and will end on the 22 nd.

In the 2015 Palarong Pambansa in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, the National Capital Region Athletic Association defeated all other contenders by having 98 gold medals, 67 silver and 71 bronze medals.

Region IX or the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Athletic Association placed 16 th among all the seventeen delegations with 2 gold medals, 6 and 9 bronze medals. •

Palarong Pambansa is an annual

Azkal long and arduous road to the 2018 World Cup

By Audrie Keith Sepe The Philippine National Football Team or the Azkals began their arduous road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with Uzbekistan, North Korea, Yemen and Bahrain in Group H of the preliminary qualifying round. Thirty-five more teams in the Asian Zone were equally divided in seven groups.

FILMMAKER AND STORYTELLER. Murcia on the set of the CinemaOne Originals entry “Bukod Kang Pinagpala.”

PHOTO SOURCE: Ryanne Murcia

Local filmmaker clinches spot in 1st Mindanao Screen Lab

BY Clark Punzalan

Ryanne Murcia was among the pioneer fellows to the 1st Mindanao Screen Lab –the lone Zamboangueño to make the cut.

According to its press release, “The Screen Lab is designed as an intensive learning program that provides emerging Mindanao filmmakers, with special concentration on young cinephiles from the Lumad and Bangsamoro communities, hands on training as well as project development sessions

that will transform ideas into films. Aside from skills development, the workshop is also aimed at developing young filmmakers who can serve as ambassadors of peace and cultural diversity by instilling a critical appreciation of the issues and challenges to peace in Mindanao.”

The resident film specialist of the Communication Department of this university, Murcia recently reaped praises for his short film

“Apasol” –an official selection in this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival –with Paris-based actress-producer Evelyn VargasKnaebel hailing the 23-year old faculty as “the future of Mindanao Cinema.”

Organized as the ante to the SalaMindanaw International Film Festival, the Mindanao Screen Lab was held from November 21-25 in General Santos City. •

The Azkals showed a great start in the tournament by winning their first two matches against Bahrain and Yemen, 2-1 and 0-2 respectively. But two losses in their match against 73rd ranked Uzbekistan, 1-5, and 108th ranked Bahrain, 2-0, and a scoreless tie with North Korea ranked them as third place in Group H with seven points. North Korea is ranked as first in Group H with thirteen points, Uzbekistan follows with twelve points; Bahrain comes fourth with six points and Yemen with three points. A match against Yemen on November 12 was indeed needed to be won, for them to be placed on the second spot.

However, without top players Phil Younghusband and Neil Etheridge, the Azkals fell short. The Azkals

has two more matches to complete the eight games. One match is against Uzbekistan which will be held on March 24, 2016 and five days later,

registered for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with six confederations. For the Asian Zone, there are four rounds and an intercontinental play-off before

AZKALS IN ACTION. Azkal Player Patrick Reichelt kicks the ball in the FIFA Qualifying Match against Yemen. PHOTO SOURCE: Rappler

another with North Korea.

A total of 209 teams have

the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The twelve lowest ranked teams have competed

in the first round. The six winners of the first round and the remaining 34 teams then proceeded to the next. The forty teams were divided into eight groups, from group A to group H. A home-and-away round-robin format was used which means each team will play eight games from June to March next year.

Each group’s first placers and the four best second placers will advance to the third round.

The twelve teams will be divided into two groups with six teams each. The first placers and the second placers of each group will qualify to play in Russia. The two third placers will proceed to Round 4 where they will play a home-and-away series. The winner of the fourth round will advance to the intercontinental play-off where it will meet with the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football. The winner in the play-off will qualify to the FIFA World Cup together with the four teams that won in the third round. The qualifying end date and the intercontinental play-off are scheduled to be on October 10 and November 11, 2017 respectively. •

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College of Law finishes 3rd in moot court tilt

BY Hasmina A. Alfad

THE RULE OF LAW. Larroder and Undug during the awarding ceremony of the 10th annual National Moot Court Competition. PHOTO SOURCE: Kit Undug

Ahmad Rais Undug and Earl Larroder, sophomore Law students and both instructors of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University placed 3rd in the 10th annual National Moot Court Competition held at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the Court of Appeals. The five-day event was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross and its Philippine arm. Atty. Elias Omar Sana, College of Law professor, served as coach.

The pair competed against 15 other contestants coming from different law schools in the country. The challenge’s aim is for the competing delegates to apply the different principles as well as constitutional law on different hypothetical situations regarding the International Humanitarian Law through a role-play of court proceedings.

Team Ateneo College of Law took third with an 82.33 average score. Ateneo de Manila University ranked second and the University of Batangas was hailed first in this year’ edition.•

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Medals for Ateneo ladies in 1st Mindanao Peace Games

By John Dexter Canda

The Ateneo de Zamboanga University women’s delegation took part in the first Mindanao Peace Games (MPG) held from October 23-30 at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City.

Twelve schools from different parts of Mindanao also participated in the said competition, namely: Assumption College of Davao, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), Fr. Saturnino Urios University, Mindanao State University – Marawi, Holy Trinity College – General Santos, Holy Cross of Davao College, Xavier University, La Salle University – Ozamis, St. Joseph Institute of Technology, St. Theresa College, St. Vincent College and Philippine Women’s College-Davao.

Dayanara Torres, Myra Timtim, Mia Quijano, Alyssza Chiong, Gillianne Solano, Kim Fernandez, Macelle Flores, Carin Salomes, Lecille Ann Fuertes, Diza Diaz and Doreen Sale formed the football lineup and clinched the bronze medal. AdZU also grabbed 2nd place in badminton.

Meanwhile, the university’s women’s basketball team had Diamond Angel Zanoria (team captain), Merlyn Loayon, Eunice Apeluddin, Andi Mae Gibaga, Cecile Fernandez, Leah Vicente, Ashley Inclan, Valerie Cruz, Jessa Chiong and Gioli Olivares as members.

Formerly called Mindanao Unity Games, the all-women competition was renamed in order to emphasize the advocacy for peace in Mindanao amidst religious and cultural diversity.

In launching the MPG, AdDU President, Fr. Joel Tabora SJ initiates the promotion of sports to form character and personal virtue, considering the heterogeneity of Mindanao as a whole. “That way, the MinPeace athlete is not only a representative of a university in a sports’ event, but a university’s ambassador for peace in the promotion of the common good in Mindanao,” he extolled during the meet’s opening ceremonies. •

Batang Gilas bows out of FIBA Asia th U16, settles for 5

By John Dexter Canda

THE SEND-OFF. Fr. Karel San Juan SJ blesses the pioneer AdZU Law School graduates.

PHOTO SOURCE: AdZU Website

AdZU fetes pioneer law grads with pep rally send-off

BY Christianne Dawn Sicat

A university wide pep rally was conducted at the Fr. Eusebio G. Salvador, SJ Campus on October 13, as Ateneo de Zamboanga University College of Law’s pioneer batch of graduates left for the 2015 Bar Examinations. Spearheaded by the College of Law, together with the El Consejo Atenista, and the different offices and the various academic organizations, this firstof-its-kind pep rally showcased the true spirit of being ‘One Ateneo.’

A whole-day event, the send-off ceremony began early in the morning as the graduates attended an out-of-campus recollection officiated by the University President, Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ. This was followed by a Mass at the University Sacred Heart Church. Simultaneously, preparations for the pep rally proper were underway as organizers readied the campus back field; tarpaulins and

bantings were hung; props were being finished; students, faculty and staff, and the administrators were getting into position. As closing, a huge bonfire was set in the middle of the backfield, and the words, “One big fight!” banners hanging down from Sauras Hall –home of the College of Law.

When asked about their current status, a graduate answered that the review and the Bar itself were no easy feat, and that it was “stressful at best.” The AdZU College of Law’s pioneer graduates had their review at the Ateneo de Manila University.

In an interview with Jordache L. Ramos, a fourth year law student and one of the brains behind the event, he relayed that the foremost objective of the activity was to bring together the entire university and, for a moment, celebrate as one Ateneo. A sentiment echoed by Atty. Rosendo U. Castillo, dean of the Ateneo College of Law, in his message during the occasion when he shared that no matter the outcome, “Your fight is our fight; your failure is our failure. You are a part of us, and we are a part of you.”

The 114th Bar Exams was hosted by the University of Santo Tomas on November 8, 15, 22 and 29, and was composed of eight subjects, namely: Political and International Law, Labor and Social Legislation, Civil Law, Taxation, Mercantile Law, Criminal Law, Remedial Law and Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises. With 7, 146 examinees, this year’s Bar had the most number of takers in four years. Results are expected to be released by the Supreme Court in March or April of next year. •

Despite an earth-shattering start against Bahrain and Thailand in the preliminary round, Batang Gilas failed to replicate the success of their adult counterparts, after succumbing to Japan in the quarterfinals, 73-66, erasing hopes of a podium finish at BritAma Arena in Jakarta, Indonesia.

However, the vigorous Philippine team managed to bounce back from their heartbreaking loss, imposing a 35-point deficit against Thailand, 81-46, before battling out for a top five finish against Lebanon, 89-74.

Forwards Jonas Tibayan and Kris Harvey Pagsanjan contributed 16 and 13 points respectively, while Sean Dave Ildefonso, son of basketball legend Danny Ildefonso, donated 10 points.

Before advancing to the final round, Batang Gilas annihilated Iraq in one of their three matches in the second round, 7869, with Gian Mamuyac scoring 16 points.

Nevertheless, the team failed to show their dominance against uprising South Korea, falling in a tight match, 77-74.

While the dismal quarterfinal performance of the blossoming Filipino powerhouse lingers on, Batang Gilas created one of the most memorable highlights of the tournament, taking down highflying China

in their last match in the second round, 7872, breaking the Chinese eager beavers’ 33-match winning streak dating back to 2009.

U17 World Championship in Spain as the top three teams are allotted tickets to compete with the world’s best in juvenile basketball.

The three-time defending champion went on to lose their final bid after conceding to South Korea in the semifinals, 84-90, but went on to defeat Japan, 80-58, clinching the bronze medal in the competition.

Two years ago, the Philippines managed to g r a b a spot in the limelight after finishing first runnerup behind China, making it to the world championship in the same y e a r Gilas Pilipinas also booked a ticket. •

Chinese Taipei grabbed silver, losing to aforementioned South Korea, 78-69, spawning the latter as the new champion of the tournament.

The Philippines’ stalwartness fell

short of qualifying for next year’s FIBA

PHOTO SOURCE: philstar.com

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Educ senior wins in UNICEF writing tilt

BY Al-ameen E. Asmad

Karen M. Soler, a fourth-year BSEd student, won second place in this year’s UNICEF Essay Writing Contest, with the theme “Peace Month 2015: Children as Zones of Peace.”

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF ) Philippines, in support and partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), launched an essay-writing contest for universities, college students across Mindanao, in celebration of the Philippines’ 12th National Peace Consciousness Month in September.

For this year’s Peace Month, UNICEF aimed to underscore the importance of giving the students an opportunity to express their views and their reality of peace

Karen M. Soler

The Lights in the Road of Darkness Karen M. Soler, BSEd-IV 2nd Place, UNICEF Essay Writing Contest

The complexity of numerous circumstances in life will never be eradicated, because we live in a complicated world. But human as we are, and with courage, faith and hope, we still can survive and live with others harmoniously each and every day. Most children may not understand this. However, the laughter, happiness and innocence within their eyes is something that should never be taken away from them. The big question is: Can children make a difference in an undesirable circumstance?

I have once been to a place that was far beyond my expectations.

As a child back then, I had a lot of questions in mind; everything seemed to happen so fast and all of it was a haze. I was about to enter fourth grade when our family decided to move to Jolo, Sulu a place that became the only option for us to temporarily reside when my father lost his job as a salesman.

Our family then depended solely on my uncle, who was fortunately enlisted under the 35th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army. It happened that he was assigned in the said place and as guided by my family’s history, we have relatives living in Jolo, specifically children of my great grandfather’s sisters who treated us generously and helped us in finding a good place to live in. Though the place is quite far from the town proper of Jolo, our family settled there primarily because there was a school nearby where my siblings and I could continue our studies. The fear of being the only Christian in a group was a great challenge for me to study in Bwansa Elementary School, one of the considered far-flung schools in Indanan.

In the course of time, I learned to adjust to my environment; I needed to adjust to the unknown language I’ve just encountered and to the culture of the Tausug people.

Things have been uneasy as I, together with my brother and sister, go to school each day, all because of the fear that we will be kidnapped since aside from being new settlers, our surname sounded so unfamiliar to the place.

However, we were fortunate enough because after a month of stay, we were given the privilege of adapting the surname of our grandmothers (called Ini’ in Tausug) hence treating us part of the royal blood family under the group of datu. The anxiety of my parents lessened then as we were highly respected even in school. We started to live peacefully with the neighborhood.

As a child, I played a lot even if I had a hard time coping with their dialect.

I never even thought that the place where we live in was a war zone, not until April 26, 2011 came.

Morning emanated and I could only hear the voice of vendors selling panggi (ground and boiled cassava) when I suddenly heard a loud roaring, like thunder but at ground level, and the sound was new to me.

I looked out from the window and was shocked to see seven military war tanks lined up. I immediately ran towards the tanks where a group was starting to form, and I saw one man having a conversation with a soldier, perhaps the commanding officer or the lead scout of the troop. I was never and have never been since then, too shocked upon seeing the faces of soldiers armed with heavy weapons. I asked myself, am I going to experience a war? And that moment, I was really afraid and not knowing what to do, I ran back home and from the stairs my grandma called me, telling that I needed to pack my things because we had to evacuate the place. I just learned from my father that some of the known terrorists were hiding not too far from our barangay and as young as I was, all I knew was that, something bad was about to happen as I saw everyone packing their things and getting their tethered animals while shouting “awun habal!” (There’s an operation).

The rough road did not hinder the soldiers to pursue their operation to haunt the terrorists as joined by some members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)—a group that can be found in the remote areas of Jolo Sulu. The soldiers went on to their journey to a place called Marang which was kilometers away from Bwansa while we started to evacuate from our home. All the residents were asked to stay in the school and occupy the rooms temporarily. It was past six in the afternoon when we heard the incessant booming of guns and the loud sounds of canon firing from the soldiers’ camp to the opposition.

I never really thought that my family and I could experience war, one where we could hear stray bullets hitting the cement wall of the room adjacent to where we stayed. Some children were crying while some children were trying to remain calm and I could really see the fearful faces of the evacuees because of canon shots that created an earthquake-like movement every hour or so. The barangay captain told us that if there will be numerous bullets hitting the walls; we needed to vacate the rooms and go to the safest place near the town. Hours passed and we could only hear small gunshots from afar as the rain flooded the road. Everyone in the room silently hoped for an armistice though it seemed impossible at that moment.

It was Day Two of the war.

The dark clouds covered the morning sun. I looked out from the window and I was saddened by the few weary soldiers walking towards the direction of their reinforcement vehicles. My attention was caught by the radio man weeping while bringing with him a map almost covered with blood. It was actually a horrible experience. I heard from one of the evacuees that the soldiers were ambushed and most of them died. I was just very thankful that my uncle was not one of them.

Afternoon came and we were able to return back to our individual homes. The sounds of the birds chirping and the cows mooing were seemingly telling that a war ended temporarily. I felt so unsafe though when we reached home. I sat on the stairs thinking how else we could survive if war happened again and we had nowhere to run.

Nonetheless, the different thoughts running in my head that moment went away when I saw my fellow children bathing at the river. There, I saw the joy in their faces as they showed their unrelenting pursuit of happiness in the midst of fresh unwanted experience that we had encountered.

I really felt like joining them but I chose to stay and be entertained with the positive scenarios I was witnessing from afar. The children playing in the fresh water of the river flowing seemed like encouraging someone like me that everything will turn out right. The laughter of the children was somewhat a melody ringing in my ears. A melody of hope that peace is achievable no matter what, a clear sign that children in many simple ways can be frontliners of peace, in the zones of challenges and unsafe dwelling places alike.

Many times I thought that the five letter word called peace would be an elusive reality to have. However, as I remember the faces of the children surrounding me, peace is something that can be manifested through unity and love despite the war happening.

Parents were happily bathing after they reached home as their children enthusiastically invited them to join.

This was a very rare situation at some point but that particular view from where I am represented that in traversing the road of darkness, there are lights shining and those lights are the children who will always be playing a big role in advocating peace.

The experiences I have during my childhood days in Jolo left a scar in the annals of my past. Moreover, it will always remain imperative evidence that peace is not the absence of war but love, unity and solidarity in the midst of war.•

in Mindanao, as relating to the theme of the essay. Winners of the said contest received cash prizes (P5000 for the overall winner, P3000 for the second place, P2000 for the third place), medals and UNICEF certificates for schools of the winners.

Soler’s 1,370-word winning essay under the pen name Charisma was titled “The Lights in the Roads of Darkness” and focused on the idea of children being in the front line to realize peace even in the midst of conflict.

“I think it suits my childhood experience which happened to be in a dark situation,” said Karen when asked why she chose that title for her essay, “the paradox of the title gives me the interest to develop my essay,” she continued.

“I am very much surprised and thankful because of all the students in Mindanao who joined the contest, I won second place,” was her response when asked how she felt when she was notified that she won second place in the contest. Karen even gave a few words to the students who are also aspiring to join such contests yet do not have the courage to join, as follows, “if the opportunity is knocking at your door, don’t even hesitate to open it. Take a single step to make a little difference and significantly, think of the purpose and worth before doing a certain thing, do it out of willingness and love. You have to believe in yourself and everything follows.” •

Nat’l JPIA body heralds AdZU chapter as PH’s 3rd best Jessanell P. Sevilla Of the 82 private higher education institutions that took part, the National Federal – Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants ( N F J P I A ) declared Ateneo de Zamboanga University as the Philippine’s third Best Local Chapter PHOTO SOURCE: in Academics during Facebook page of NFJPIA the 18th National MidYear Convention (NMYC) at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City. last 27th to 30th of October.

The university was represented by Jan Kenneth Antenero, Manwell Angelo Malicsi, Cziarra Joana Cerezo, Vyrsace Lyka Toledo, Glinith Pauline Egos, JR Pescador, and Mel Cleohope Carballo. Also present were Umar Gacis and Renz Carmel Ibay as nonparticipants.

Completing the delegation were National JPIA VicePresident for Audit, Marko Alejandro, and Brenda Molina, Accountancy Department faculty member.

The NMYC is an annual gathering of accountancy students from all over the country and features several attendant competitions. This year’s edition carried the theme: “JPIA Life is HERE: Honing skills, embodying excellence, Realizing potentials, Empowering JPIAns.”

The criterion used for assessing the winners among all participating local universities and colleges was their ranking in both the academic and nonacademic events. Besides finishing second runner-up in the Excellence in Academics of the Local Chapter section, AdZU delegates also proved their mettle in several contests. Antenero was first runner-up in the Most Outstanding Delegate in Academics and Non-Academics and second runner-up in the Deloitte Cup for Practical Accounts I and II and Theory of Accounts together with Carballo as fourth runner-up and Egos who finished as champion.

Trophies, medals, and certificates were given to the victors as part of the Mid-Year Award bringing the NMYC to its completion. •

COMICS Illustrations by

Jonie Alaban Patricia Apolinario Ionee Bel Garcia

The Faker, The Better

BY Diego Esperat

PHOTO SOURCE: Google photos The Philippines is a country filled with many wonders. The breath-taking sceneries and pristine beaches, the rampant corruption that exists in the government, the grey-fumed skies brought by air pollution and many more. However, one determining question elevates the backbone of uniqueness of the Philippines: Is there any other country in the globe that can claim distinction as its star celebrity couples are so popular that religions are formed with the sole purpose to worship them?

One thing that makes this country stand out is the enthusiasm of its people. This is especially evident in the way they treat the local celebrities. Today, this enthusiasm is mostly directed towards the love teams that exist here. Couples such as James Reid and Nadine Lustre (JaDine), Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza and Alden Richards (AlDub), Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano (LizQuen), and the ever popular Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo (KathNiel) are so popular nowadays that they seem to be continuously the subject of discussion.

Now many people might say that supporting these

love teams is a waste of time. They argue that the energy that the fans exhaust could be put to better use, such as focusing it to school loads or even just getting a life --- but I think differently.

It is my belief that people should wholeheartedly support these love teams because they are the ones who give us hope in this bleak world that we live in.

Firstly, they give us something to live for. You see, so many Filipinos nowadays have nothing to live for in their lives. Sure they have things such as families, dreams, and hopes but you just cannot go wrong with watching your favourite show with your favourite couple. People who dedicate their entire lives to watching a television series about a fictionalized world filled with people they know nothing about have to be commended. I mean, they are doing what they love the most and that’s what really matters. Sure this requires one to miss significant portions of one’s life such as spending time with loved ones or ignore important social issues such as the territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea, but it is worthy, just to see a couple of teenagers kiss on television for the first time.

Secondly, they give us real relationship goals that everyone should strive for. Even though we have no idea what these people are like without the cameras around, it should still be our goal in life to replicate their love in our personal relationships. This is because whenever they are on television, they really do seem like their entranced by love. It’s like when you’re chatting with someone online and they turn out to be something entirely different than what you previously thought; it is the temporary feeling that you felt while you were chatting that is more important, not the truth.

So there you have it, the Philippines truly is a unique country filled with many delights and wonders. At the end of the day though, it really does not matter who or what we are currently obsessing over: be it love teams, games, or even that weird post you saw on Tumblr. The important thing is that whatever we are doing, we should love doing it. I guess you can say that forever really does exist for the people whose lives revolve around these love teams –no matter how miniscule the truth in the “love.” •

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BSN pair wins 2015 Col. Salipsip Debate Cup

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The Choice

Rivas Alone

BY Darwin Lacbao and Leonette Sadioa The Languages Department in partnership with the Office of Admissions and Aid held the 2015 Col. Salipsip Interclass Debate Championships from October 20-21, participated by competing debate pairs from the different Engl211 (Public Speaking and Debate) sections.

This year’s debate championships will be the second to the last, as the Engl211 course will have its last offering next academic year, due in part to the full roll out of the senior high school in keeping with the K-12 program.

A total of 25 teams battled it out for four consecutive rounds in the elimination phase. Eight teams qualified and made the cut to qualify for the semi-finals.

The competition intensified as the semi-finalists clashed in the College Garden on Day 2 of the Cup. The top two teams of the two match-ups then proceeded to the grand finals. After the fierce exchange, the following were the grand finalists:

Opening Government: Andraine Tolentino and Glenn Garcia (BS Nursing)

Opening Opposition: Kimberly Silva and Daryl Abella (BS Accountancy)

Closing Government: Merszam Singkee and Mark Paul Mejia (BS Biology)

Closing Opposition: Shannon Boyle and Rica May Maniri (BS Nursing)

BY Aseya Khadija Calo

The final round saw the debaters argue on the motion about the “permanent removing of emotions.”

Closing Opposition composed of BSN juniors Shannon Boyle and Rica Maniri from Engl211 Section A was hailed as champion of the 2015 Col. Salipsip Interclass Debate Championships. The event ended with the awarding of the best speakers and winners of the said competition. •

Travel at Your Own Risk

BY Franco Rivas M. Cananea

PHOTO SOURCE: Official ACFF Facebook page

Comm Dept hosts first film and photo fest

BY Hasmina A. Alfad

Ateneo Communicators Society (ATCOMM) the student organization arm of the Communication Department of the School of Liberal Arts closed the first semester with the conduct of the first ATCOMM Film Festival (ACFF) on October 16 at the Carlos Dominguez Conference Hall, this university. The event was preceded with Perspectives, a photo exhibit.

Under the auspices of Ryanne Murcia, cineaste and instructor of Film, Audio-Visual Editing and Photojournalism, students enrolled in the said courses collaborated to stage ACFF.

Four short films were produced that

reflected different cultures, languages, and plots.

Sin Fin by Joshua Bughao revolves on a woman who wishes nothing but freedom only to be trapped in anguish and misery. Napisukkuh by Sheena Mae Alcala, (Oppressed in English) is a story of a young woman who is rendered bound to her family’s Tausug tradition to the point that she no longer recognizes the true meaning of love and happiness and of freewill. Mi Amor Para Contigo by Nina Knuttel portrays the extent of a mother would go for the love of her child. OMG by Lee Why Halasan is a romantic comedy of a girl praying to find the perfect partner to love only to find out that he has been praying for her as well.

Perspectives on the other hand was an exhibit on the students’ viewpoint in life expressed in photography. Nine students showed off their works with their own theme as well as a portrait work of someone dear to them. These exhibitors and their themes were, namely: Contrast Clark Bryan Punzalan, Negro by Micaella Ruste, Street Photography by Lawrence Agustin, Bonds Francis Gavin Gador, The World We Live In by Mohammad Sarajan, Dated Vintage by Khadija Ahamad Kabeer, Beauty by Maryam Danielle Abing, 2am by Chelsea Gregorio, and Social Issues Sunshine Benitez.

Aside from the exhibit itself, a photo challenge was done as a teaser of the event and was won by Amir Napii. •

Where the airport should be the gateway for Filipinos to a world full of exciting possibilities, there it decides to be the main portal to hell (see, Dan Brown was right after all). Enterprising officers of the Aviation Security Command and the Office for Transport Security at the world-(in)famous Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) either put something in your baggage or remove something from it—all without your consent. A month ago or so, we witnessed the Tanim Bala modus where NAIA passengers are caught redhanded carrying bullets in their bags, subjecting them to questioning and payment of fines. A few months back as well, there were reports on Balikbayan Boxes missing some items after being dropped off to the recipients’ homes. “Itchy” hands apparently do not get detected at all.

government spent 10 billion pesos (certainly more than the neurons in the brains of DOTC and BOC combined) for being the gracious, hospitable Third World host of the APEC Summit; cancelling thousands of flights and closing major thoroughfares so that the hairdresser of Mexico’s First Lady could travel stress-free to his Shangri-La suite. Someone has to pay and we are not guessing who. Money for HD CCTV cameras? How about better cargo x-ray machines?

Or for skills enhancement of airport security personnel?

Nada. Though, we do have the moolah to fly in American Idol has-been Jessica Sanchez to sing a single song while APEC leaders are deadma munching their lobster thermidor.

Pressed for answers and concrete solutions, airport and customs officials could only muster responses as clear as the morning sky in an Indonesian Haze.

Point is, our one and only legit international airport has become the singular icon of everything wrong with our government. For one, these issues have been lingering on the sidelines of a host of other problems, i.e. airport congestion, delayed/ cancelled flights, subpar terminal facilities and it goes on in a list longer than NAIA’s runway. However, the Aquino Template for a reply to public consternation is to blame Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

During this administration’s first two years, this line of reasoning was still convincing, but with barely a year left in office, PNoy has taken us for fools.

On top of these, we are the ones blamed—for not exercising caution, for being too lax with our belongings, for not wrapping our trolleys with trash bags beforehand, for believing in anting-anting, for the unexpected corruption of the authorities. Just a big wow and a heartfelt clap emoji sent to our leaders.

Here goes the pie-on-your-face scandal –

Post-APEC and it is still ‘travelling at your own risk’ for mere non-APEC mortals like us.

As it appears, we could only hope that the government pulls it act together and push for concrete measures to abate this embarrassment of a national scale. If it wills it, it could do so much to allay the fears of our tourists, of our hardworking OFWs, of the general public. We already have so much to worry about –in order of catastrophic repercussions –Manny Pacquiao and Alma Moreno in the Senate, and Binay in Malacañan –we cannot afford to have more in our travel. •

Voting is our right. Who do you choose to give it to?

In May 2016, the eligible majority of the Filipinos will choose amongst a host of Malacañan aspirants a pair who will lead this archipelago well into the second decade of the 21st Century.

However, with so many already uttered promises for a better tomorrow and spectacled premature campaigning masquerading as infomercials for the public going on, it was high time for The BEACON to conduct a survey to get a clear picture on who are the top choices of the Ateneo College student body.

The survey was completed before Rodrigo Duterte decided to run for president. It involved asking 380 registered voters from across the colleges.

Ladies for choice

Leading by a landslide is the feisty superwoman notorious for her wit, sarcasm, and chic style, Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Hailing from Iloilo and a disciplinarian mother, this crowd favorite gathered over 303 votes of the total 380 cast by Ateneans. She previously ran for the presidency in 1992, but lost against Fidel V. Ramos and again in 1998 where she was defeated by actorpolitician Joseph Estrada. Even with her life being at a risk of loss because of lung cancer, her appeal to the young generation is undisputed, especially with her release of Stupid is Forever and its sequel, Stupid is Forevermore. An accomplished jurist, Sen. Santiago is an authority on constitutional and international law having graduate and postgraduate degrees in the discipline (not to forget an MA in Religious Studies!).

Coming in second is also another woman of a humbler and innocent demeanor, Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares. If Santiago is aggressive and loud, Llamanzares is a calm and quiet although undeniable force to be reckoned with. They are analogous to a waterfall and a stream, each making a testament, forging change in a different manner.

Also from Iloilo, she garnered 61 votes, a far-cry from Santiago’s score. In a macro perspective, however, she topped in the latest nationwide Pulse Asia survey. If you can recall, she made history in the May 2013 senatorial elections, topping the polls with a whooping 20 million votes. Sen. Llamanzares finished Political Science at Boston College and used to be the chair of the MTRCB.

Interesting it seems that next to these two women, Ateneans believe they would vote Vice-President Jejomar Binay or former DILG Secretary Manuel Roxas. Is this precedent information indicative of matriarchal governance for the coming six years?

Marcos pa rin?

The leading choice for the second most powerful position in the land is Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. With 110 votes from Ateneans, he is but six votes away from Francis Joseph Escudero. Marcos had already been in public service for 25 years. One of the highlights in his career, as reported in the Official Website of the Senate of the Philippines, is the development in Ilocos Norte he spearheaded during his terms as vice-governor, governor and representative. Such improvements include an alternative wind power technology.

Sen. Marcos holds a special diploma in social studies from Oxford University Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero comes in second along with his running mate, Llamanarez, with 104 votes. Noted for his eloquence in Filipino and natural charm, Escudero easily became prominent especially when he led the impeachment campaign against then President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo. He also just recently married the lovely actress Heart Evangelista, but that is beside the matter. The most impressive achievement of this Sorsogon native was during his term as Senator in the previous Congress. He registered a zero backlog in his two committees, Justice and Human Rights, and Environment and Natural Resources, meaning there was not a single bill left unheard and not acted upon. This goes to show that Escudero is doing his job and is no victim of procrastination. Sen. Escudero finished his elementary, secondary and tertiary education in the University of the Philippines. He holds an MA in international and comparative law from Georgetown University.

The third candidate chosen by Ateneans is Alan Peter Cayetano with 72 votes. His love for public service turned to action when he ran in University of the Philippines student council. He is famously coined for being the youngest in almost everything in the world of politics. For example, in 1992, he was the youngest councilor elected in country, in 1995, he became the youngest vicemayor of the Municipality (now City) of Taguig, in 1998 he was the youngest representative in the 11th Congress, etc. You get the idea. The son of the late Senator Renato Cayetano, Alan Peter has a law degree from the Ateneo de Manila University.

As citizens and voters of our country, we have a right and responsibility to look up information of presidential and vice-presidential candidates and not rely solely on the media or our peers. Research because knowledge is power. If we have sufficient, appropriate knowledge, then we can own up to our choices and let them not go to waste. •

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By Darwin Lacbao From the thirst-quenching glorifying sequels to the most amazing, new flicks of today, it is surely a mammoth of a year for movie fans especially for big boys who are looking for super cool, action-packed movies.

BY Fatima Mandangan

The pair sought to find out what the Ateneo de Zamboanga University college students knew about the BBL, what their attitudes were toward it, and where they obtained their information about it. A survey was conducted together with focus group discussions (FGD) to gather needed information from the chosen respondents.

The result of the study presented that majority of respondents have a low level of awareness on the BBL. According to the data, the collated level of awareness is only 2.72 (SD: 1797).

The three most cited sources of information by the students on their information about BBL were: TV News Program (89.2%), Social Media (80.7%) and Newspapers (64.4%). The researchers found out that majority showed disagreement on the BBL. Moreover, of 15 statements, only two attitudes showed a significant correlation to the level of awareness of the respondents.

These attitudes were: I empathize with people who are pro-BBL and I shall explain to people the benefits of having the BBL.

It is observed in Alcala and Segovia’s research that majority of the respondents have little interest in understanding BBL and that this could be due to many factors, including Zamboanga City not being directly impacted by the BBL law. These findings ties with the position of Davidson (1986) that the youth are less likely to show concern on matters that do not directly affect them. •

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Movies for the Big Boys

BAComm paper highlights ADZU students’ awareness on BBL BA Communications seniors Sheena Mae Alcala and Hannah Rose Segovia presented a thesis entitled Ateneo De Zamboanga University Students’ Sources of Information about the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and these Sources’ Impact on their Awareness and Attitudes towards BBL. Their study focused on students’ sources and pick of mass medium regarding the BBL and how it impacted their awareness of the issue.

REVEILLE November-December 2015

PHOTO SOURCE: Facebook page of Beacon Publications

Ateneos collab for first national literary folio

BY Christine Therese Oboy

Ateneo de Zamboanga’s very own Marejada with Ateneo de Manila’s Heights, Ateneo de Davao’s Banaag Diwa, Xavier University’s The Knight and Ateneo de Naga’s Veritas collaborated for the first ever national literary folio among Ateneo schools across the Philippines.

include photography and art works.

Regine Mirren Cabato, Heights’ editor-in Ateneo de Zamboanga’s very own Marejada with Ateneo de Manila’s Heights, Ateneo de Davao’s Banaag Diwa, Xavier University’s The Knight and Ateneo de Naga’s Veritas collaborated for the first ever national literary folio among Ateneo schools across the Philippines.

The BEACON, through its literary folio, Marejada, and with entries from students, alumni and members of the faculty and staff took part in the said endeavor. A total of 18 poems, short stories and a one-act play, as well as 21 pieces of artworks and photos will represent the creative genius of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Regine Mirren Cabato, Heights’ editorin-chief and an alumna of AdZU grade school and high School, first thought of the project. After conferring with her editorial board, the idea was later on disseminated to other Ateneo schools.

“We sometimes hear of two Ateneo schools teaming up to organize a cause or a project, but seldom do we hear about several Ateneo schools working on one project together. It’s a great way to acquaint ourselves with other Ateneo schools across the Philippines,” added Padua.

The folio will feature literary works in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Chavacano and Bikol as well as other regional languages. It will also

Pristine Janielle Padua, Marejada’s curator said that the folio aims to bring together the best in terms of literature and art, the different regions and the different Ateneo schools have to offer.

The target date for release is around the last week of January next year. •

ADU prez attends meet on student leadership

BY Mia Carro Falcasantos

ASAP! Star Wars: The Force Awakens Cast: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie

Spectre Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes Director: Sam Mendes Our favourite, most badass agent is back with Spectre!

It is the twenty-fourth instalment of James Bond franchise by Eon Productions with the dapper MI6 agent played (for the last time?)

by Daniel Craig.

Spectre, in general, aside from the given stirring, gripping and exhilarating spy action scenes, is composed of pinches of secret organizations here and there that will surely put you in the doubt avenue. The film also features a dash of the protagonist’s back story. Who else would even know that our guy, Bond, had some stepbrother-ish issue-ish that becomes one of the reasons for the plot of this movie? The film also does a good job remaining serious yet funny –much like Skyfall, or the movie before that. Despite good acting, humor, and tone, the most

awake now! I mean, are you not freaking out?! It is freakin’ Star Wars coming to theatres again! Stormtroopers, intergalactic warfare, lightsabers, laser guns, jedi battle scenes –Star Wars fans waited 10 years for this! This film is the seventh instalment in the Star Wars film series, and is set approximately 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi (1983).

It features the return of well-loved Star Wars characters such as Hans Solo, Luke Skywalker and even Princess Leia who will be now known as General Organa –leader of the group aligned against the evil New Order, a spawn of the defeated Galactic Empire.

Fan speculations also include a whole hell lot of character deaths in this Star Wars film. Will we be saying goodbye to Hans Solo? Oh no! Plus, rumours are mounting that the film’s young leads might also be related to the villain. Now that is not an unfamiliar scene unless you are living under a rock.

still prolong the storyline so that we may again see agent 007 kick some bad guys arses! I would not spoil any beans more because you really need to watch this movie

Now that is one big jump we should really look out for. What is going to happen to our favourite characters? Would they eventually fall for the dark side? We can only guess right now. What should we expect with The Force Awakens? All we can do now is let the force strong within us and wait till December 17 th ! It will be a forceful

Fisher, Adam Driver Director: J.J. Abrams The

force

Christmas season, indeed! is

definitely

•

super

The Resurrection of Justin Bieber

By Bianca Roma De leon Children grow up. Tweens move on. What was once cutesy has become the life of the party. This is the timeline of Justin Bieber –the quintessential adorbs-gone-badass Hollywood cautionary tale, the young man your government warned you about. And he’s back.

After about two years of not topping the charts since Journals, the Canadian (what’s with Canadians named Justin?) pop singer did an Instagramworthy rebirth. Gone is the Bieber of the blond bangs and pitchy prepubescent crooning. We have now in our midst a Calvin Klein underwear model in tats with a CV of arrests in driving under the influence. This is Bieber version 2.0, and to cement this imagery, Purpose was released on November 13. And it proved just too much for online music stores and streaming apps, or even the internet itself.

Ninety-two Filipino student leaders gathered for the 10th Aboitiz Future Leaders Business Summit (AFLBS) in Cebu City from November 6-7, with Sheena Mae Alcala—fourth year BAComm student, president of the Ateneo Debate Union and lone delegate from Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Our first taste with Purpose was granted on February 27 with his single, “Where Are Ü Now,” with producers Skrillex and Diplo, topping music charts in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. This track showcased a Bieber who could party yet still remain in touch with his human emotions. When asked by Wango Tango about his inspiration for the song, he responded with “... A lot of my inspiration comes from her [Selena Gomez]. It was a long relationship and a relationship that created heartbreak and happiness, and a lot of different emotions that I wanted to write about. So there’s a lot of that in his album.” *cue the Daily Awww.

Since 2006, the AFLBS has been gathering accomplished student leaders from the country’s best universities for a conference focused primarily on business and leadership in the corporate world. During the course of this summit, various top Aboitiz Group executives share their experiences and knowledge on this subject.

Alcala went through two application phases prior to her selection.

For Phase 1, she was asked to submit an original artwork or an essay. For the second phase, she underwent an interview. Asked on what she learned from the said congress, the debaterPHOTO SOURCE: Facebook Account of Sheena Alcala adjudicator had this to say: “…at the worked with your team and brought an impact end of the day it is not always about your success to other’s lives. This may sound cliché like any about reaching your goal, but how you effectively

solid strength of the film is that it is actionpacked, i.e. the vertigo-inducing helicopter scene in Mexico City. Over all, Spectre is a great action movie. I sure do hope they can

other leadership definitions but this is the very core value of the Aboitiz executives that helped them in their individual and company success stories – indeed, a story worth sharing.”•

Seven months and countless headlines later, Justin released his next single “What Do You Mean.” Unabashed with autotune and embracing an electronic backbone, a raving theme, and a hint of the romantic that we’re all familiar with, the single is the real stuff. Not too oversynth, not too dramatic, just the right deal of chill. Then came Sorry, an electronic tribal-tuned number, which made it to the first spot on the Billboard Hot 100 on its debut week. Give it to Bieber for making you dance while being regretful. Wearing his badge of unpredictability, Justin released on November 2, “I’ll Show

You” –a soulful serving that broadcasts the pop star’s emotional vulnerability in anti-climactic fashion (all these while perched on a mountaintop).

Justin Bieber is the human incarnate of the saying “It’s so wrong but it feels all right.” Not many may agree that he deserves a certificate of good moral conduct but his multiple platinum records prove that more than being an eye candy, he commands ears, too. •

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City hosts grandest Hermosa fest since Siege

BY Mia Carro Falcasantos

A Fiesta Opening Salvo was held on October 1 at the Zamboanga City Hall complete with a parade of street dancers. Later, Mayor Beng ClimacoSalazar officially opened the program together with the lighting of the Fiesta Emblem.

PHOTO SOURCE: csz97 blogspot com The 2015 edition of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival proved to be the grandest yet since the 2013 Zamboanga Siege, and carried the theme “Junto y Unido: Un Celebracion de Harmonia y Buen Amistad” as a clarion call for unity in light of recent events that have scarred this cosmopolitan city.

Pre-Fiesta Bandoreal Parades on September 26-27 heralded the start of the annual fiesta and featured comical characters, clowns, and marching bands that brought color to the streets of Zamboanga.

Various activities were held after the opening, some of these were: “Zamboanga Smoke Out: The Grilled Food Fiesta!” took place at October 2 – 9, in which R.T. Lim Boulevard was turned into a food strip during night time. The gastronomic event offered a wide range of grilled delicacies such as barbecues and steaks. A big cook-off titled La Cocina Zamboanga also took place at the same venue in which highly-esteemed restaurants all over Zamboanga showed off their specialties. This event took place every night and one restaurant was assigned for each to demonstrate different cooking techniques in making Zamboanga’s best dishes.

The fiesta’s wide influence all over the peninsula also attracted local merchants, through the regional trade

expo ZAMPEX, which showcased different varieties of products from the locals. Vegetables, flowers, and other agricultural products were made available at Plaza Pershing with the Cosechas de Zamboanga trade fair.

Souvenirs and novelty items were also on display at Petit Barracks, set up by travelling merchants.

The Hermosa Festival also highlighted the rich history and diverse culture in Zamboanga. On October 5, Una Noche De Canciones featured songs rendered by the City Grand Chorale. Two days later, local designers ruled the runway with the Mascota de Zamboanga Competition placing the mascota, a unique Zamboangueña Filipiñiana attire, on center stage. An Original Chavacano Video Music Festival was also held on the same date.

October 10 was a marked day for one of the most anticipated events of the yearly festival – the Street Dance Competition. Downtown avenues were filled with colors and upbeat music from competing performers. The grand showdown was held at Paseo Del Mar. At the Jardin Maria Clara at Pasonanca, 8 p.m. of the same day, a street party, Danza La Vida had DJs from Manila dishing the revelers a good blast of EDM.

On October 11, the famous Regatta De Zamboanga race filled the shores of R.T. Lim Boulevard with the iconic vintas of the Sulu-Celebes Sea. Amidst tight security, October 12 saw throngs of the faithful in a grand procession to the Fort Pilar to hear Mass and pay homage to Zamboanga City’s patroness, Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, closing the Fiesta in prayer and thanksgiving. •

PHOTO SOURCE: ZMB hermosa festival Facebook Page

COA: Zamboanga is wealthiest city in Mindanao

By Trisha Ortega

Zamboanga City ranked as the wealthiest city in Mindanao and placed fifth nationwide according to the latest 2014 Annual Financial Report of the Commission on Audit (COA).

COMPILED AND DESIGNED BY Lord John Lanuza

With an equity of P10.464 billion, Zamboanga City proceeded Makati City with P34.461, Quezon City with P31.917 billion, Pasig City with P20.036 billion, and Manila City with P13.131 billion. The rankings were based on a city’s assets and its financial resources that could be invested in local projects and other operating expenses. Equity is the difference between a local government’s assets and liabilities.

According to University of the Philippines Center for Public Integrity Executive Director Edna Co, the cities which made it to the list were considered “rich” since established infrastructures, transportation and communication systems, and educational attainment of the general population are vital in attracting prospective investors.

Thereupon, Councilor Vincent Paul Elago stated that Zamboanga City has more money to spend unlike most cities in Mindanao and Visayas because it remains to be debt-free. This may be considered to be good news for the city government, yet some Zamboangueños could not help but express their surprise. “Seeing the statistics made me question whether the money circulating in Zamboanga is indeed from clean hands. People from the outside and even I myself, are convinced that ransoms for kidnapping are being deposited in this city. It is also disturbing and saddening to know that even if Zamboanga is the richest city in Mindanao, we are far from being as progressive as Davao and Cagayan de Oro,” said a fourth year BS Accountwancy student who requested anonymity.

The remaining cities that made it to the list, in descending order, were Cebu, Caloocan, Marikina, Calamba, and Cagayan de Oro. •

Editorial

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MISSING THE POINT

ILLUSTRATION BY Jonie Alaban

H

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Just in the Nick of Time

to manage the complexity of a lecture and to understand the many techniques of the teachers’ delivery affects their level of comprehension.

When the understanding of the students does not work enough to balance the divided attention they gave during the lecture, they tend to rely on immediately hating or bashing. And through asking questions, students may realize that their negative comments toward the professor were actually caused by their constrained conceptions of the topic.

After a second reflection, the students may notice that they missed a certain hint of sarcasm and self-deprecation. After a much careful assessment and looking back at the discussion presented by their professor, remarks such as ‘inhumane’ and ‘arrogant’ intended to the professor would be viewed as fruits of shallow and unprocessed conclusions. Ideally, these students get to admit that they missed the point and there were other presented topics that require more seriousness and scrutiny

ow would one explain reality to people who are furious based on false intellectualization and uncalled emotional When a final imposition is done, they would then appreciate soreness? A typical, classroom lecture setting might the beauty of the professor’s discussion as it could be based on a provide the answer. personal experience. Any discussion has a main purpose: it could be meant to showcase the practical and wise balancing of resources as

Misunderstood concepts in class is said to be disadvantageous a consequence of being both an innovative student and a decisionin furthering the extent of wisdom or knowledge to say the least. A maker or it could not be anything even closely related about belittling brief moment of falling asleep renders students to overlook one vital members of the society. To indulge in the spectra of the fake and the element or miss the crucial parts of the full discussion. This slight slip genuine are hallmarks of narrow-mindedness caused by a student’s of focus leads them to misinterpret the whole context of the matter. restricted understanding of the lecture and the teacher.

Confusion then arises from the difference between the lesson If the students and their professor could have come to the and the actual information absorbed by the students. This can be same original understanding of the discussion, the enjoyment aimed attributed to the principle of bounded rationality –the students are by the discussion could have been more relished. limited by the information they were able to remember. Their ability

THE EDITORIAL BOARD of THE BEACON on the “SEVEN MARALITA SINS” ARTICLE

A

s the official student publication of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University, The BEACON does not wish or intend to malign any sector of the community, though this should not hamper our committed pursuit for the truth. Recently, The BEACON has been on the receiving end of various negative comments on social media, particularly on the subject of the article “Seven Maralita Sins.” It has been claimed that the article is anti-poor. Some have even called for the resignation of our editor-in-chief, and even of our moderator. In a statement, someone just stopped short of calling us the Devil.

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We regret that the article generated such degree of hate, something we did not design or even anticipate given the intended purpose of the said piece.

“Seven Deadly Maralita Sins” is satirical. It was meant to sarcastically highlight behaviour that we are all guilty of as students. In short, we were selfdeprecating. The points raised were not presented as facts; moreover, the descriptions were purely drawn from personal opinion based on observations and honest remarks coming from among the student body.

Notwithstanding, The BEACON has welcomed all comments, whether good or bad as points for improvement. We however, are disdained that these have spiraled into vicious personal attacks against the writer of the article and our editorial board. Though we espouse openness in engaging with views that are contrary to the purpose or message of any of our articles for that matter, we only do so if such are made through rational discourse and in nonthreatening language. The BEACON is meant to inspire dialogue and critical discourse –hallmarks of an Atenean education ---and not to homogenize people to automatically agree with whatever we publish. Thus, rather than joining the fray, we have maintained our silence.

As such, though this has been a particularly painful episode, we will pursue our mission unhindered. We have achieved a monthly publication, a feat deemed impossible since our budget cut nine years ago. We recognize that we might have committed lapses that in one way or the other have triggered discomfort in some of our fellow students’ sensibilities. Rest assured that we will commit to continually educate ourselves and in turn, educate our readers.

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Why We Should Bring Back the Mr. and Ms. Ateneo

of Facebook ‘likes.’ Ours will be a clash of personalities, of ideas, of ideals. It should be

BY Senior Writer Neilson Nick Alinsangan an event driven by advocacy articulated in principles. Social activism will be a factor in The irony: We do not have a Mr. and Ms. Ateneo but we recognize, celebrate, even congratulate this competition to add breadth and meaning to the beauty title-holders who were and who are still event. Ours will set a standard –we will bring back enrolled in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. the pageantry in the pageant.

Other Universities have it, most of our respective high schools have it, why can we not do the same in the Ateneo? Mr. and Ms. OrSem? It is not even a proper pageant –it is there to keep people’s attention so they will not skip the Org Fair. We should have a Mr. and Ms. Ateneo during AtFest.

Of course we are not talking about shallow, superficial pageants where being pretty is all that matters. We will not dip our toes in the level of pageants where to show one’s attitude, one has to wear just strands of clothing. We will not tread the debasement of photogenic narrative by means

One might ask: why should we turn to a pageant? The answer is found in our own human nature. For one, we are attracted to people with great and interesting character, we follow them and we try to imitate their ways. Great leaders with unnatural persona could sway the hearts of people and inspire them in many ways with just a mere speech. People of status are often revered and believed. Contestants then must have the qualities needed to gain the attention of people, well-presented, well-mannered, charismatic, and intelligent. With the number of audience in attendance, it would be a headstart for people to learn of their convictions. The winners would become ambassadors of social awareness and representatives of what Ateneo stands for. The

Why We Should Not Bring Back the Mr. and Ms. Ateneo This is not about Belle and the beastly Prince. Oh, by the way, in the original story, the beast ate Belle in the end.

Cue: Beyoncé’s Pretty Hurts

As a disclaimer, beauty pageants are not that all superficial and harmful, but yes, in order for one to be an ambassador of goodwill or anything that the pageant aims for, one needs to be standing more than 5’5, has good communication skills, dares to wear outfits with insufficient amount of thread and fabric, and be hot as hell. In all fairness, pageants promote being confident and being true to oneself, but in all fakeness for the sake of poise and bearing, the better.

True, some people enjoy joining pageants, some even make it as a source of living by hitting all barangay fiestas for petty cash; some would even call it as an addiction or some form of hype— and we have nothing against that. Sure thing, it is nice to play roles we do not play in our day-to-day engagements, many girls (and boys) enjoy dressing up. What we think about beauty pageants that are inappropriate is that it promotes an ideal standard of beauty, that for people to be called “beautiful,”

crown, a laurel of excellence. The sash, a badge of citizenship. The scepter, a reminder of our mortal spirituality.

In doing so, we do not promote an elitist mentality, we promote change. The Mr. and Ms. Ateneo would be given responsibilities, not mere bragging rights. With the status gained by the winners of the pageant, why not make use of it for something good, for something relevant?

The Mr. and Ms. Ateneo will cast role models within the concrete, tactile reach of the student body. Role models who dine with them in the cafeteria, study with them in the library or line with them in the Finance Office. Role models who are not imported from historical archives or the television screen. Role models who breathe and live in the same contemporary, millennial world as theirs. Our Mr. and Ms. Ateneo will be the face of the 21st Century Atenean –cognizant of the past, consistent with the present, confident of the future.

•

Kent Touch This

they have to conform to that standard that leads to self-oppression and insecurity because the truth is, only a minority of people can unguardedly say they are physically beautiful.

In the four corners of Ateneo, we do believe that it is only right for Mr. and Ms. Ateneo pageant to be ruled out from Ateneo Fiesta plans because we know better to not conform to this standard of beauty, at least in the academic dimension. Walking the grounds of Ateneo, one would be uncontrollably drooling like a mad dog. Man, pretty and handsome faces are here and there you can make four to five crushes in a single day with nonrenewable contract the next day. Why would settle for a slim number of campus heartthrobs when we have an overwhelming number of them? On the serious note, as if insecurity issues are not enough for those who do not fall to the definition of beautiful as set by this generation, indulging further to such standard by sponsoring a school pageant is unpleasant. It would be like a parental sermon (or that doctor appointment that turned into a grotesque form of homily) that links everything like bad math result to staying too long on the internet. In the defense of the less-endowed, it is absolutely not needed to be told of this like a broken record.

BY Kent Kerby Bayona

Additionally, a Mr. and Ms. Ateneo pageant is unnecessary. Pointless because unlike other beauty pageants that have real work description for the winners, we do not need one or two. We have appropriate offices that perform functions and represent Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s affairs. Last year’s Ateneo Fiesta was the Ateneans’ perfect time to personalize our most misunderstood identity: being men and women for others. Instead of staging one competition that has only use for a night and never for the rest of the year, instead, divert the money to some more meaningful projects and donations to charities that truly express our commitment to our pledge and identity.

We are on the right track. Our being Atenean does not depend on displaying beauty, but how we function to make the world a better one. It’s the soul that needs a surgery. •

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editorial board Editor in Chief: Trisha Ortega Internal Managing Editor: Irene Wahab External Managing Editor: John Xyrious Dela Cruz Features Editor: Franco Rivas Cananea News Feature Editor: Kent Kerby Bayona News Editor: Fathima Ahamed Kabeer Deputy Internal Managing Editor: Ciara Mae Obillo

Deputy External Managing Editor: Christine Therese Oboy

Associate Features Editor: June Karlo Suan

Associate News Features Editor: Christianne Dawn Sicat

Associate News Editor: Fatima Mandangan Finance Officer: Arjay Jumawan Communications Officer: Jessanell Sevilla Physical Property and Maintenance Officer: Shorwayn Chua Auxiliary Corps: Monique Praico, Joyce Sophia Carpitanos

LATHALA BLG. XX TOMO BLG. XX

APR - MAY 2014

S NAG

ANG OPISYAL NA PAHAYAGANG PANG-MAGAARAL SA WIKANG FILIPINO NG PAMANTASANG ATENEO DE ZAMBOANGA

Associate Editor for Reveille: Aseya Khadija Calo Writers: Keith Joshua Dumpit, Neilson Nick Alinsangan, Mia Falcasantos, Aeon Abad, John Dexter Canda Leonette Sadioa, Al Asmad, Aisha Ibrahim, Bianca Roma de Leon, Charmine Bannister, Hasmina Alfad, Anne Falcasantos, Candeline Galvan, Abdelaziz Maldisa, Clark Punzalan, Darvin Lacbao, Diego Esperat, Harmony Lucero, Dave Cervas

Associate Editor for SINAG: Pristine Janielle Padua

Writers: Jorace Martini Dayrit, Ivon Macapla, Amira Solaiman, Alymrah Anuddin, Gillian Manalo, Loren Justo, Mark Macaso, Irene Wahab, Rizanna Narag, Putli Amibangsa, Audrie Keith Sepe, Jamila Becca Daud, Charle Kent Lim, Mary Kathereen Cacayan, Nehemiah Araojo, Katleen Tampos, Therese Duterte

Moderator: Mr. Marion Guerrero

The BEACON Atelier Creative Director: Bianca Alyana Zamora Head Cartoonist: Ioneebel Garcia Head Photographer: Lea Alessandra Lim Cartoonists: Fahad Alfad, Patricia Denise Apolinario, Hazel Rosie Bayaras, Roderick Mendoza Jr., Christopher Tabula, Jonie Alaban, Alana Lois Alano, Deanna Rose Bucoy, Joshua Cabrezos, Nica Franz Visitacion Photographers: Ivan Emmanuel Bokingkito, Darrylene Clemente, Ryan Covarrubias, Yves Xaviery Valerio, Mark Phillip Ycaza, Roseller Gyle Samong, Mohammad Sarajan Layout artists: Jamie Catherine Go, Ray Andrew Santiago, Eleazar Torres, Lord John Luza