UNIVERSITAS March 2010 by University of Asia and the Pacific

An official publication of the University of Asia and the Pacific

STELLAR

March 2010

Scholars

SPECIAL: Environment Dr. Estanislao on good governance New UA&P books Ang Paglilitis Kay Mang Serapio IMC alum wins student Emmy

Editorial An official publication of the University of Asia and the Pacific ✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽ Editor: Ms. Boots Ruelos Managing Editor: Mr. Daryl Zamora Associate Editor: Mr. Carlo Cabrera

Rejoicing in scholars and nature

ince two issues back, UNIVERSITAS has been featuring a group of students who perform excellently in both tackling their class work and pursuing non-academic interests. Because of their success in both areas, these scholars shine brightly as models of the whole-person education that UA&P is known for. They are bright, diligent, highly determined, talented. And with UA&P’s professional and personal development programs, they will certainly grow to their full potentials and become committed professionals who, with personal initiative and civic responsibility, will make a difference in society. This issue also features the University’s response to the call to take care of the environment, which Pope Benedict XVI refers to as “God’s gift to everyone” and, therefore, deserves responsible use, protection, and preservation not only for ourselves but for future generations. Pope John Paul II said that the beauty of creation reflects a “ray of splendor of Christ’s face.” Caring for the environment is definitely a crucial contribution toward human progress and the common good.

Contributing Writers: Ms. Ivanna Aguiling Jonathan Alforte Justin Akia Gabriel Asuncion Mr. Roger Bachs Mari Barretto Nicole Briones Mr. Carlo Cabrera Ramon Cabrera Kim Cajucom Ms. Ma. Socorro Claudio Eunice Contreras Cheston Cornelio Victor Cruz Dr. Jesus Estanislao Kelly Lati Dr. Jose Enrico Lazaro Benjamin Jozef de Leon Renee Leveriza Ms. Ditas Macabasco Jas Magsino Hannah Cielo Martinez Guaya Melgar Nicole Miller Jake Morales Jess Orleans Keren Zyra Pascual Mr. Philip Peckson Ms. Grace Quiton Mr. Emmanuel Rentoy Ronald Rodriguez Ms. Boots Ruelos Manfred Salandanan Josephine Christine Santos Lean Alfred Santos Jade Sison Isha de Vera Martin Vedejo Dr. Bernardo Villegas Angel Yulo Mr. Daryl Zamora Contributing Photographers: Mr. Carlo Cabrera Ms. Beth de Castro Ms. Neris Cebritas Aris Acoba Carlos Creencia Ina Gonda Dale Ligon Mr. Jopet Puno Mr. Jovel Lorenzo Corporate Communications Office Staff: Ms. Beth de Castro Graphic Design: Jerry Manalili/Chili Dogs Printing: Apple Printers, Inc. ✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽ You may contact us at: Corporate Communications Office University of Asia and the Pacific Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Telephone No.: 637 0912 local 301/342 Fax No.: 637 0912 local 342 E-mail: universitas@uap.asia www.uap.edu.ph Schools/Institutes: College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) School of Economics (SEC) School of Education and Human Development (SED) School of Management (SMN) School of Communication (SCM) Institute of Political Economy (IPE) Institute of Information Technology Studies (IIT)

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

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10,000 Women program graduates 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tambuli Awards goes annual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Enriquez: Media should go beyond profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The man on the 500-peso bill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Renowned sociologist shares views on Philippine politics . . . . . . Singaporean ambassador on the role of China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Global business guru speaks at UA&P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Behavior matters more than credentials, says IESE prof . . . . . . Fulbright-SyCip lecturer on Asia’s role in 21st century globalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ang Kapatiran Party at IPE’s Presidential Aspirants’ forum . . . . Office of Alumni Affairs launches new “home” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Food for Thought: How Agribusiness is Feeding the World . . . . . Tongues of Men, Dreams of Angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New PhD holders at IPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School of Education and Human Development faculty member wins PAASCU award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Muslim-Christian consensus discussed in roundtable forum . . . Faculty colloquia highlight family, pedagogy, religion . . . . . . . . . UA&P leads in academe-industry linkages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 lessons in good governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . What Alexis means to me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Multi-faceted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cue the lights: Ivan Guerrero enters the scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mayor Joet Garcia: Building a university town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stellar Scholars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jonathan Alforte: Justin timberlakin’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicole Miller: ‘Big sister duties’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Manfred Salandanan: Life’s stages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eunice Contreras: Loving the hated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mari Barretto: Ala Giada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheston Cornelio: The reel Mccoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jake Morales: Classroom concerto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Cajucom: Heart for art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guaya Melgar: Frail? Not . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Verdejo: Bicol express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cutivating peace, protecting creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Towards a clean and green Philippines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ocean-Action Resource Center: Conserving marine resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . From trash to trendy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How to make glow-in-the-dark animals: GMO technology and its limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Science, the environment, and the Catholic Church . . . . . . . civAsia Student Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SED talks to Gen F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sounds like Tuesdays with Morrie: The UA&P Mentoring Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VIP par excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Quandary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ang Paglilitis Kay Mang Serapio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marian music magnified in UA&P Chorale’s Magnificat . . . . . . . . BIGGKAS volunteers bring Christmas cheer to kids . . . . . . . . . . . Wanat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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UNIVERSITAS March 2010

10,000 Women program graduates 40

In cooperation with UA&P and the IESE Business School, Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women Business Training Program has already produced two batches of graduates in the Philippines after just having been launched in the country last May. Graduation rites took place at the University last November 25 and December 16, adding another 40 to the list of women around the world who have benefited from the program.

op financial firm Goldman Sachs founded 10,000 Women in 2008 as a project that supports partnerships with universities and development organizations to provide 10,000 underserved women in developing countries with a business and management education. UA&P partnered with the IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, one of the top business schools in the world, in training the Philippine beneficiaries through a 150-hour modular course that focuses on helping scholars grow their existing businesses. The graduates from the Philippines come from varied backgrounds, each with her own unique enterprise in which 10,000 Women officials saw tremendous potential. Between the two batches, these women own and manage a wide range of businesses such as manufacturing, butterfly breeding and culture, printing, information technology, pharmaceuti-

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

cal importation and distribution, processed food, organic soap manufacturing, travel and recruitment, and agribusiness retailing. Hailing from Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas, Aurora, Bataan, Pampanga, Davao, Cotabato, and even as far as Misamis Oriental and Maguindanao, the rich sampling of graduates from all over the country proved that the program was also successful in its extensive search, finding women who were capable and deserving in practically every corner of the Philippines. The course, co-developed by UA&P and IESE, taught these women how to refine their existing business plans or concepts, improve their business set-up and operations through a deeper understanding of the basics of financial management, managing business operations, hiring and managing their employees to marketing their products and services while achieving work-life balance. Through 10,000 Women these selected en-

trepreneurs were given the opportunity to network with industry experts coming from the most diverse sectors of the economy, gaining new business insights and access to markets. Besides the classroom training, the graduates received 50 hours of mentoring from established local entrepreneurs and from the staff of Goldman Sachs, as well as on-site visits of their enterprises throughout the duration of the program. Throughout the program, the women were able to learn not only from the country’s best, but also from internationally renowned experts such as IESE Professors Lluis Renart and Dr. Julia Prats. Goldman Sachs, a leading investment banking, securities and investment management firm, believes that tapping the exponential power of women as entrepreneurs and managers in developing economies is one of the most important, yet too often neglected, means of increasing economic opportunity. The program is expected to help future generation of female entrepreneurs and managers worldwide by strengthening the underlying quality and capacity of business education through teacher training and the development of innovative curricula and locally relevant case studies. Mr. Carlo Cabrera Corporate Communications Office

News

Tambuli Awards goes annual The Tambuli Awards 2010 4th IMC Effectiveness Awards

The first and only one of its kind in Asia, the Tambuli Awards is set to become an annual affair beginning 2010. The awards, organized by the School of Communication, follows a case study approach in recognizing both the

business and societal values of marketing communications campaigns. Entries submitted must prove that the campaigns resulted not only in increased profitability but also in the betterment of society. In the years following its inception, each of the Tambuli Awards has consistently introduced innovations that keep the event bigger and better than the last, and 2010 will be no exception. Two new categories have been added to the agenda: best fashion brand campaign and best media-produced campaign. The other categories are best smallbudget product band campaign,

client company will be the Effectiveness Advertiser of the Year. The awards come in gold, silver, and bronze, depending on the entries’ level of achievement within the given category as determined by the judges. Gold winners will qualify for the competition’s highest distinction, the Carmencita Esteban Platinum Award. The deadline for submission is April 16, 2010. Campaigns produced or aired from January 1 to December 31, 2009 will qualify to enter.

best small-budget service brand campaign, best established product brand campaign, best established service brand campaign, best integrated internal marketing program, best innovative and integrated media campaign, best insights and strategic thinking, most effective teens brand campaign, and most effective familyoriented brand campaign. In addition, a special award called the Effectiveness Agency of the Year Award, will be given to the communication agency with at least three distinct winning entries based on the judges’ criteria. Consequently, that winning agency’s

Mr. Carlo Cabrera  Corporate Communications Office

MIKE ENRIQUEZ:

Media should go beyond profit STO PRO ALIS

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a noble service that protects the freedom of expression and of the press of any nation. He showed that it is possible for business and ethics to coexist and still make a profit. He cited GMA Network’s dramatic rise to the top of the network ratings and the strategy employed to get there. Mr. Enriquez elaborated that their strategy revolved around GMA’s seven core values: (1) Put God above all, (2) Viewer is boss, (3) People are our best assets, (4) Integrity and Transparency, (5) Passion for Excellence, (6) Efficiency, and (7) Creativity and Innovation. In effect, all programs and strategies of the network from then on revolved around these values, allowing it to set itself apart and rise above its competition. Although most businesses tend to compartmentalize values and the bottom line, Mr. Enriquez believes that a business prioritizing values and integrating them into its strategy will be successful not just in establishing credibility but also in attaining its bottomline objective. Spicing up his lecture with self-deprecating banters and his signature voice, Mr. Enriquez sent his audience to occasional wild cheers. The event was organized by the School of Communication.

“A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business,” said Henry Ford almost a century ago. Recently the spirit of those same words resounded in the University when renowned broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez enlightened his audience on how the broadcast business aspires beyond profit. Mr. Enriquez, who hosts GMA Network’s early-evening newscast 24 Oras and the investigative show Imbestigador, gave a talk entitled “Perspectives on Broadcast Journalism in the Philippines.” Although also a business, said Mr. Enriquez, broadcasting has always been deemed

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Benjamin de Leon  School of Communication 4th Year

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

News M O N _ S O LO/ F L I C K R .C O M

The man on the 500-peso bill “The Filipino is worth dying for” is the famous quote spoken by the man who fought for the freedom of the Philippines against the dictatorship of former President Marcos. What else do we know about this man whose face we see on the 500-peso bill. And what can we do with the knowledge that we have about him? Last November 27, the Institute of Political Economy (IPE), in cooperation with the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation and the August Twenty-One Movement, organized a symposium on the life of Sen. Ninoy Aquino. It was entitled “Kilalanin si Ninoy.” The symposium

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

began with a documentary on the national hero, starting with his fight against the Marcos regime until his death at the tarmac of the airport that would soon be named after him. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Lloyd Bautista of IPE mentioned that the symposium was organized for people to know Ninoy not only as a martyr, but more as a person who had his own limitations and weaknesses. The organizers hoped that Ninoy’s life will encourage the youth to rise amidst an apathetic society. Mr. Charlie Avila, a close friend of the Aquinos, talked about Ninoy’s early life. He

mentioned that at the age of four, Ninoy Aquino wanted to be president of the Philippines. At the age of 17, he was the youngest war correspondent to cover the Korean War. At the age of 22, he became the youngest mayor in Concepcion, Tarlac. He did not waste time and took hold of every opportunity. These were achievements not for himself but for his country. The people in the audience were challenged to ask themselves in whatever they do, “What kind of society will we build?” Mr. Avila said, “It is within our power to build a society that is, as Ninoy envisioned it, socially just, politically sovereign, and economically prosperous.” Mr. Agapito “Butz” Aquino, Ninoy’s brother and a former senator, mentioned that, as prisoner, his brother felt that the greatest punishment was not being in jail, but being away from people, for Ninoy tremendously enjoyed talking to people. Within the seven years Ninoy was in jail, the Filipinos remained passive. Ninoy remained faithful to the fight, despite the offer of freedom in exchange for cooperation with the Marcos regime. Mr. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, one of Ninoy’s nephews, and Ms. Pinky Aquino-Abellada, one of Ninoy’s daughters, painted Ninoy’s family life. They said that from the beginning, Ninoy had always put his country before his own family. Ms. Aquino-Abellada shared that, despite a comfortable and content life in Boston, her father still wanted to go back to the Philippines; he wanted to continue the fight even at the risk of his life. Indeed, Ninoy Aquino had such a deep love for the Philippines, despite the passivity of the Filipinos. He would rather have suffered himself than see his country in oppression. At Ninoy’s funeral, the sight of his face and body that bore the gore of the assassination ignited the Filipinos’ rage, which eventually led to what would be known as the first People Power Revolution. It was the revolution that Ninoy had always taught his countrymen—a peaceful revolution. It was a revolution that did not just gain the Filipino’s freedom, but also proved to the world that it is possible to overthrow a dictator without bloodshed. The concluding remarks were given by IPE Director Clement Camposano, who reminded the audience that the Filipinos’ journey still continues. As much as Ninoy’s fight for independence is a big a part of our history, it is just a chapter in our journey as a country. We must not settle for hero worship but must start moving. During the people power revolution, each Filipino who fought was a hero. It wasn’t just Ninoy or Cory who were the heroes, but every Filipino who was there. The same should be true today. “There will always be a hero in each of us,” Mr. Camposano said. Jessica Orleans  College of Arts and Sciences 2nd Year

J O S H 6 9 _T R E K E A R T H

Renowned sociologist shares views on Philippine politics

ith the 2010 elections on the horizon, UA&P’s Institute of Political Economy (IPE) has taken the initiative of providing students with a broader perspective on the Philippine political climate. University of the Philippines Professor Randy David paid UA&P a visit as IPE’s guest speaker last January 13 to talk about the significance of the upcoming elections in light of the country’s political state of affairs. A renowned journalist, television host, and sociologist, Prof. David currently pens a weekly newspaper column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. As someone who has been an observer of Philippine politics and society for decades, Prof. David had much to say about how the power struggle waged by Philippine government officials needs to be settled for the common good of the country. “I think this country is sick and tired of politics,” he told an audience of students, faculty, and staff. “It’s okay to argue when we keep it at the level of discourse. But, in a country that’s in a state of constant political mobilization, we’ve become so overburdened with politics that it leaves little time for everything else.”

Political instability, the professor said, has distracted the Philippine government from attending to the needs of its people, leading to mass poverty, corruption, and violence. “Excessive corruption has really dragged down our society for far too long,” he said. “And we cannot move forward if we continue to let violence negotiate the complexities of our daily lives.” The power to make positive change, however, can be exercised by the Filipino people themselves, particularly come electoral season. “In a society that claims to be democratic,” Prof. David said, “there is a need for periodic elections precisely to stabilize the balance of power.” “Most of our problems as a society are not unique to us,” he said. “What we are experiencing are the symptoms of transitioning from a ‘traditional’ society to a ‘modern’ society.” A traditional society, Prof. David explained, is one where access is limited and opportunities are monopolized, while a modern society has open access and a clear separation between government politics and other sectors of society. “We are neither. We are somewhere in between,” he said. “We cannot hasten that transition so long as we suffer from political instability.”

Citing that there are more than eight million Filipinos working abroad, Prof. David added: “If we do not modernize, many of our young people will desert this country. It’s no joke for a country like ours to have 10 percent of its population working in other parts of the world. Young people do not see their growth intertwined with the growth of our country. That should not be the case.” According to him, “We need to get our politics right if we want to face the challenges of the future.” In his reaction to Prof. David’s lecture, Dr. Paul Dumol of UA&P’s Department of History lamented what he saw was the “big problem” of Philippine politics: “We have democratic institutions but no democratic values.”

“We need to get our politics right if we want to face the challenges of the future.”

////////////// Mr. Carlo Cabrera Corporate Communications Office 

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

News J - P E P P E R / D E V I A N TA R T.C O M

power will also be anxious about whether or not the status quo will curb or constrain it.” Nevertheless, the ambassador clarified that countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Singapore and the Philippines are long-time members, are confident that ties with China will remain peaceful and fruitful. “We in ASEAN would like a relationship of equals with China,” he said. “As China emerges, it is China’s responsibility, not only in words but in deeds, to make sure that the country will be a responsible member of the international community. “Likewise,” he added, “we have tried to engage China in the different forums that we have.” Amb. Selverajah also talked in depth about the role that ASEAN plays as arbiter of peace among its constituents and beyond. He discussed the organization’s recent activities, which have led to stronger diplomatic interactions, not only among its members, but also with other Asian countries. In particular, the Ambassador commended the efforts of the ASEAN+3, a cooperation between ASEAN and the three East Asian nations of China, Japan, and South Korea. “We believe in talking with each other more frequently and in getting to know each other better. If there is a problem, we can solve it the ASEAN way,” the ambassador said. Maintaining an open channel between Asian countries not only benefits the region, but also helps each of them establish a presence on a global scale. “Individually, we are small, but collectively, we are strong,” Amb. Selverajah said. “It is in our interest to convince the major powers to take an interest in the region, to participate economically and diplomatically.” The Philippines and Singapore themselves serve as shining examples of the sort of cooperation lauded by the ambassador. Aside from having embassies on one another’s soil, as well as the aforementioned business council, the two countries have a long history of consistently working together through various bilateral issues, including being members of ASEAN since the organization was founded in 1967. C A R LO C A B R E R A

Singaporean ambassador on the role of China Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines A Selverajah paid the University a visit on October 12 during the APEC Networking Series organized by the Department of Pacific Rim Studies. The schedule of the Ambassador’s arrival in UA&P was especially significant for Philippine-Singapore bilateral relations because the following day marked the 15th anniversary of the Philippine-Singapore Business Council, an organization dedicated to the cooperation of the busi-

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

ness communities of the two countries. Amb. Selverajah’s talk focused on the rise of China as an economic power in recent years and its profound effects on the rest of the region. “China’s re-awakening is one of the most phenomenal events of the century,” he said. “Naturally, when a new power emerges, there will always be a degree of anxiety. There will be some apprehension as to how this power will emerge. At the same time, the emerging

“China’s re-awakening is one of the most phenomenal events of the century.” ///////////////////

Global business guru Farrell speaks at UA&P

he Continuing Management Education Program (CME) of the UA&P School of Management recently held a seminar on entrepreneurship with guest speaker Larry Farrell, founder and CEO of the world-renowned Farrell Company. Entitled “Corporate Entrepreneurship: Lessons from the World’s Great Entrepreneurs and Their High-Growth Companies,” the seminar delved into the finer points of being a corporate entrepreneur as opposed to being a corporate manager, and taught participants how to transform their business organizations into enterprises. Specially designed for busy top management teams, the CME seminar revolved around Mr. Farrell’s worldwide, ground-breaking research and the Farrell Company’s experience in teaching corporate entrepreneurship to over one million managers around the world. “The available evidence does point to one simple truth: the entrepreneurial spirit is the best model ever invented for creating growth and prosperity,” he said. Mr. Farrell’s discussion was based on the company’s recent findings as detailed in his new book, The Entrepreneurial Age, wherein he wrote: “Today, for the first time in history, the entire world is moving in the same economic direction. Both of

C A R LO C A B R E R A

“The available evidence does point to one simple truth: the entrepreneurial spirit is the best model ever invented for creating growth and prosperity.” //////////////////////////// the twentieth century’s great experiments—big business and big government—seem to have run their course, at least in the hearts and minds of the public. In their place has come a mighty, global push for searching out and reviving the entrepreneurial spirit in people, companies, and entire countries.” The Farrell Company is the world’s leading firm for researching and teaching entrepreneurial practices. Founded in 1983, the company researches into the business practices of great entrepreneurs around the world and now has affiliates in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa. With 1.3 million participants in 40 countries across seven languages having attended the company’s programs, Larry Farrell has personally taught entrepreneurship to more individuals, organizations, and governments than anyone else in the world.

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

News said Prof. Cardona, the manager gains a “maximum level of cooperation” among his subordinates, earning their trust and cooperation in pursuing the company’s objectives. Prof. Cardona continued by elaborating on the two bases of authority: personal and behavioral characteristics. Under “personal” are demographic characteristics, such as the schools one has attended, as well as one’s professional reputation and network. “Behavioral” characteristics, on the other hand, are consistency, integrity, communication, delegation, and considerate regard for others. Of the bases, the behavioral characteristics reign supreme, said Prof. Cardona.

Matrix of trust

Of course, a glowing curriculum vitae could produce a winning first impression. But Prof. Cardona stressed that, ultimately, “behavior [will matter] more than personal characteristics” in earning one’s subordinates’ trust, which is essential to any organizational success story.

Explaining the so-called Matrix of Trust, which he developed after years of research among thousands of Spanish managers, Prof. Cardona said that people “distrust” managers who have neither positive personal characteristics (say, a person who is too young for the job) nor behavioral characteristics (always arrives late). Conversely, people genuinely “trust” those who have both positive personal and behavioral traits. Meanwhile, people merely “respect” good workers with poor credentials, as well as those who are lousy but have an impressive resume. Age-old wisdom has been confirmed by empirical studies. Prof. Cardona also explained the so-called “Positive Influence Circle.” He postulated that the correct use of power increases the level of trust among one’s subordinates, thereby giving the manager higher authority, which allows him to lead effectively even with lesser power. “The more authority a leader has, the [lesser] need of power,” he added.

Power vs authority

Management by missions

Behavior matters more than credentials, says IESE prof Good work ethic, more than the resume, will generate trust among one’s subordinates, according to IESE Business School Prof. Pablo Cardona in a management talk last January 11.

In his talk entitled “The Matrix of Trust: How to Get Cooperation from People,” Prof. Cardona began by differentiating between “power” and “authority”—the former connoting a formal (contractual) type of influence; the latter, a relational (trust-based) one. He said that a manager’s area of influence begins with the contractbased influence that the organization gives him. But if the manager practices good leadership skills, his influence extends to the level of the organization’s mission. Here,

“A manager’s area of influence begins with the contract-based influence that the organization gives him. But if the manager practices good leadership skills, his influence extends to the level of the organization’s mission.”

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UNIVERSITAS March 2010

On January 13, Prof. Cardona gave another seminar to about 50 local executives. The seminar was based on the book, Management by Missions, which Prof. Cardona co-authored. It echoed the book’s insights on how to implement the corporate mission throughout the company’s levels by inculcating in the employees a strong sense of ownership of the corporate mission. Prof. Cardona also emphasized the link between corporate culture and profits. Currently Prof. Cardona is involved in cross-cultural research, forming an international network of researchers worldwide. He obtained his doctorate in management from UCLA and his MBA from IESE. His expertise includes leadership competencies, talent development, change management, and coaching.

Mr. Daryl Zamora  Corporate Communications Office

Fulbright-SyCip lecturer on Asia’s role in 21st century globalization

n this era of globalization, the future lies in Asia. This is how Fulbright-SyCip lecturer Dr. Marcus Noland described the next few decades during his September lecture at UA&P. He provided a brief analysis of the current economic policies affecting globalization and predicted trends in the next decades. Dr. Noland framed the talk around his definition of globalization as “an expansion of cross-border economic exchange of goods and money—and one that includes people as well.” Driven by technological innovations and the reduction in the costs of moving information, the phenomenon began during the latter part of the 19th century and peaked after the end of the Second World War, said Dr. Nolan. Technological advancements have since then created a more educated people who in turn have spurred the growth of globalization, he added. “Globalization has been expanding, but can we expect the expansion to continue or will it plateau out or reverse?” posed Dr. Nolan at the beginning of the lecture. According to Dr. Noland, the current financial crisis, which has its origins in the problems besetting the US financial system, points to the increased interconnectedness in the world and underlying issues such as the liberalization of economies and negotiations on trade agreements. Dr. Noland said the increasing complexity of the system and the growing demands of pluralism have led many to become skeptical of globalization’s once-lauded and -purported benefits. People are generating sentiments that trade agreements have a negative impact on the economies of countries such as the United States, he said. To deal with the disquiet associated with it, attempts have been made to focus on the benefits from organizing trade systems. Attempts such as the Doha

Round have failed, prompting global leaders to seek an alternative—regional preferential agreements. Asia, concluded Dr. Noland, is where the future lies: “Asian countries are looking for regional alternatives. “Asia is unique: there are many places in the world, many regions in the world that are unhappy with the status quo; What sets Asia apart is that it has the resources to do something about it.” Dr. Noland has been involved with the Peterson Institute for International Economics since 1985 and became a senior fellow in 1994. He has given lectures at Yale, Johns Hopkins, the University of Southern California, East-West Center in Hawaii, and Tokyo University. He has also authored dozens of books on trade policies and industry policy, specializing in Korean economy. His book Avoiding Apocalypse: The Future of the Two Koreas won the 2000-2001 Ohira Memorial Award.

“Asia is unique: there are many places in the world, many regions in the world that are unhappy with the status quo; What sets Asia apart is that it has the resources to do something about it.”

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UNIVERSITAS March 2010

News Office of Alumni Affairs launches new “home”

Ang Kapatiran Party at IPE’s Presidential Aspirants’ forum Olongapo City Councilor and presidential candidate JC de los Reyes visited UA&P for the Presidential Aspirants’ Forum organized by the Institute of Political Economy last December. De los Reyes was accompanied by his running mates, Atty. Jun Chipeco, UA&P legal counsel and senatorial candidate Atty. Jo Imbong, other members of Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP). Ang Kapatiran Party is founded on the principles and social teachings of the Church, rallying like-minded individuals under the banner of a party that is keen on its principles and political platform. The party makes a bold statement by running against the current of what it calls a “political scene where money and popularity get officials elected.” “What kind of country do we wish to see for ourselves, to bequeath to our children and our children’s children?” asks the party in their Passport to a New Philippines, the party’s primer. “Bolahan lang (we are just kidding ourselves),” remarks presidential candidate JC de los Reyes when talking about the current state of Philippine politics. He shares his dismay over the political situation Filipinos have found themselves in for decades, noting how political parties have no clear-cut principles or platforms. “Pera, popularidad (money,

popularity),” these things are run in Philippine politics, says de los Reyes. The AKP claims to try paving the way for a new political culture that attempts to tear down the padrino (patronage) culture, utang na loob (debt of gratitude) mentality and “guns, goons and gold” approach to politics. “First things first: moral values and political expediency, where politics is ruled by platforms,” says de los Reyes. Instead of simply changing the landscape, the party endeavors to transform it, thereby effectively removing tyranny of what it denounces as “conspiracies of media” and “money politics”. Despite its lofty ambitions, the party acknowledges that political transformation and social change are not the responsibility of the government alone. “Poverty,” notes de los Reyes, “cannot be met with promises.” More is also demanded of the people, who the other members of the party opine are “too hung up on the rights they are entitled to remember the accompanying responsibilities expected of them.” Also present in the forum was AKP founder Nandy Pacheco. Victor Cruz  School of Communication 5th Year

ERRATUM: The quote accompanying the article about Ms. Pilar Estrada in the November 2009 issue (p. 43) should have read, “My biggest professional challenge is negotiating and agreeing on service levels between UK-based fund managers and my company in order to distribute UK mutual funds on their behalf.” Our apologies.

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

UA&P alumni have a new home in campus. The Office of Alumni Affairs (OAA) formally inaugurated its new office at the Administration and Library Building last October 17. UA&P President Dr. Jose Maria Mariano, in his message, thanked the University’s alumni for being part of OAA’s office launch. An official arm of the University, OAA has taken it as their duty to be “supportive parents” to the alumni and to help them realize their filial roles in the University. The launching of the new office also features the office’s distinct capacity to move not just on the intervention of the alumni, but also on the University’s own mandate, something uniquely UA&P. “Like all universities we shall continue to strive for world-class standards,” said Dr. Mariano. Having entered 2010, OAA looks poised for a banner year with a lot of incoming initiatives. “We shall be developing what we hope to be trail-blazing perspectives that will not address educational needs already excellently served by other institutions, but needs that call for a fresh look and a fresh approach,” said Dr. Mariano, who also mentioned UA&P’s future plans of expanding. “We are drawing the blueprints of three new schools in the medium term: the Business School, the School of Sciences and Engineering, and the School of Law and Governance.” Certainly OAA’s new office not only underscores the University’s “UNITAS” mantra but also its fresh take on education. Dr. Mariano concluded his message saying that a new vision of an institution is emerging: an institution that “will refuse to contain its contributions to the classroom.” Indeed, the OAA and the alumni seem ready to demonstrate just that. Gabriel T. Asuncion College of Arts and Sciences 1st Year 

New Books

Food for Thought: How Agribusiness is Feeding the World

Tongues of Men, Dreams of Angels

Are we Filipinos too obsessed about achieving self-sufficiency in rice? Is rice really the solution to reducing poverty in the Philippines? What about coconuts and other commodities? Are public resources budgeted for agriculture and related sectors being used efficiently and for the right purposes? In his book Food for Thought: How Agribusiness is Feeding the World, which was launched last December 8, Dr. Rolando Dy, Dean of the School of Management and Executive Director of the Center for Food and Agri Business, takes an iconoclastic view about the Philippines’ historical bias toward the rice subsector, to the detriment of other areas like coconut farming and aquaculture. He contends that rice has historically received preferential treatment from successive administrations, while other key sectors get a smaller portion of budgetary resources. In the book, Dr. Dy addresses the key issue of why poverty persists in the Philippines. He lists 10 questions whose answers are vital to Philippine agriculture. The questions include: “Why is Philippine agriculture underperforming? Why are agricultural exports dismal? Why is rural Tongues of Men, Dreams of Angels is Fr. Marciano Malvar Guzman’s collection of poems written between 1966 and 2008. In refined language and image-rich verbal sketches, he surges with poetic vigor about varied themes of everyday living, sometimes soaring to heights of philosophical musings, sometimes eulogizing ordinary, commonplace pursuits. Thus, he speaks of “arrivals” and “departures,” “discoveries” and “encounters,” “journeys” and “destinations.” In numerous occasions, his lyrical introspection induced verses on poems and poets, paying homage to poetry only a prolific writer like Fr. Marcy could do. This profound devotion to the art hovers on every page, even while the subject shifts from travels to foreign lands, to delighting in the bliss of faith, or to giving tribute to the joys of life, and to the respectful concurrence to the inevitability of death. In the end, Fr. Marcy’s poems are really made up of man’s dreams uttered in an angel’s tongue. The collection consists of a hundred and fifty poems, 100 coming from his first book of poetry published in 1976 by then Center for Research and Communication, and 50 written between 1976 and 2008. A number of them have been published in some local and international literary magazines. Most were just tucked in his files, waiting to be discovered. Fortunately, some weeks before he passed away, he had time to entrust the entire manuscript to UA&P President Dr. Jose Maria Mariano, for possible publication. The introduction was written by Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas, UA&P co-founder and a close relative of Fr. Marcy. One of the country’s premiere poets, Professor Ophelia A. Dimalanta, wrote the foreword. She is currently the Chairman of the Manila Critics Circle which hands out the annual National Book Awards. All the 40 illustrations were done by Salvador Alba Jr., a Filipino architect based in the US.

poverty high?” He lists his prescriptions for how Philippine agriculture can be shifted to more productive and profitable production areas and thus help solve the country’s chronic problem of rural poverty. In this ASEAN edition (an international edition is forthcoming), Food for Thought devotes several chapters on the ASEAN and also takes a special look at Philippine problems. But the book has a broader, indeed global, focus. The book takes the reader through a tour d’horizon of the global agribusiness scene, identifying the major countries that export and import specific commodities, the companies that invest massive amounts of capital and supply global markets, and the strategies that would continue to make agribusiness a robust sector. Dr. Dy caps the book with a “Memo to the Next [Philippine] President,” in which he, in essence, exhorts the country’s leader to use scarce government resources for the agricultural sector with care and not as profligately as in the past. Ms. Ditas Macabasco  Center for Food and Agri Business

After his ordination to the priesthood in 1976, Fr. Marcy fully dedicated himself to the priestly ministry, especially among students and young professionals. It must have been his profound experience in dealing with souls that intensified even more his sensitivity to the inherent yearnings of man, which he in turn expressed in graceful poetry. Sometimes, the reader may not be able to easily ensnare immediately the deep meaning embedded in some philosophical lines wrapped in stylish language. It is in the uncovering of the inspired yet concealed vision that the poem acquires its satisfying beauty. And once discovered, the point of the poem becomes a delightful encounter. Fr. Marcy loved to go fishing. This appeal of silence and peaceful stillness that he was very much attracted to is evident in many of his poems. To appreciate them, you need to read them in a soft voice, almost in whispers. The calming, soothing effect is immediate. Without a doubt, the poems’ strengths lie in their depth of meaning and intensity of disciplined language. Fr. Marcy’s poems are unmistakably “him.” His character and personality reverberate in his exquisite verses. Professor Dimalanta echoes this idea in her foreword: “This collection contains several good poems. Despite the foreign nuances and allusions, situations and concerns, the sensibility is quite native, shared by the better poets around... “Here is significant poetry speaking of ‘visions arriving in waves’, in a language carefully hewn, craft consciously honed, and meanings comfortably driven home.” Mr. Emmanuel Rentoy  College of Arts and Sciences Faculty

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

News New PhD holders at IPE Expect to see more accolades lining the halls of the Institute of Political Economy (IPE). Late last year, the institution saw three of its faculty members finish their studies on the way to their PhDs. Dr. Lloyd Bautista

Like many of his colleagues at IPE, faculty member Dr. Lloyd Bautista has had extensive experience in government work up until joining UA&P in May 2009. Today, he continues to be involved in social work at his hometown in Nueva Ecija, enacting his desire for social change that extended to his pursuit and recent acquisition of a doctorate in Public Administration. Specializing in Public Policy and Program Administration, he finished his doctoral studies last year at the University of the Philippines, where he also got his MA in the same field. “Growing up, I had a sense of urgency and a calling to do something. I feel that Public Administration is the tool I need to make a difference in my life,” he says. Born in a business-oriented family, Dr. Bautista decided to take a different path and pursued a degree in Philosophy at the Ateneo de Manila University where he developed a sense of self-examination that enriches his interaction with the political realm and his work at UA&P. “Philosophy, basically, asks you perplexing questions about your own existence and it really provided me with that guidance toward the direction I wanted to take,” he says. This pen-

collaborate toward a common end. In the past, government was able to direct these people. Now there’s nobody in charge, you have different groups working together,” he said, citing Gawad Kalinga as one good example of such groups evoking this change. “Half a century ago, you would never imagine a civil society group providing mass housing. You just couldn’t fathom it—socialized mass housing being provided for free to the poor. It was an obligation exclusively on the doorstep of the government, but now you have a civil society group with the same scope, breadth, and resources that government has. In simple terms, civil society groups are saying, ‘if government cannot do it, we’ll do it on our own.’” Having conducted research in several areas, like Nueva Ecija, Bukidnon, and Lanao where civil society groups are taking action, Dr. Bautista predicts ramifications for the public sector: “I believe this is going to be the shape of government in the very near future. It’s going to change the way we look at government, the way stakeholders in our society participate in governance, and the way we understand politics,” he said. “The challenge for people in government is how they can make themselves relevant in this changing landscape. It’s going to be very, very complex in the way we’re going to address public problems out there, such as environment, health, trade, even peace and security.”

Dr. Cleo Anne Calimbahin

chant for introspection complements Dr. Bautista’s lessons in the classroom and dealings with students, especially as to how individuals can bring changes on a societal level. “My advice to students is always: don’t abhor politics,” he says. “The more you hate it, the more it stays the same. What I suggest is that they engage politics. Engage people in the political sphere for them to understand and for you to institute your own approaches to reform the system.” Dr. Bautista’s dissertation, “Gawad Kalinga: An Indigenous Model of Network Governance,” demonstrates precisely how people can make a difference in the way society works. It focuses on the significance of civil society groups as it relates to the evolving nature of governance. “In the past,” he explains, “ the traditional idea of governance was that, you have government doing everything, as much as possible, to deliver public services and goods to the community. “But that concept, that operation, evolved to what we have right now: autonomous, self-organizing groups in society that

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Dr. Cleo Anne Calimbahin earned her doctorate in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she also worked as a teaching assistant, just one of the many international institutions she has been involved with in her outstanding career. Despite being well-versed with the affairs of the world, Dr. Calimbahin, as her interests and fields of experience clearly suggest, keeps her feet firmly planted in issues surrounding her country. Her areas of expertise are decidedly Philippine in nature: comparative political institutions, election administration, democracy studies, and anti-corruption. She graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1994 with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, specializing in Concentration, Political Science, and Communication Arts. For the next several years, she worked in research and teaching in political institutions, gaining experience in comparative election studies in Southeast Asia, and security issues in the Philippines, the United States, and Japan. In 2000, she set up and managed UA&P’s Asia-Pacific Studies Program. She also worked as a resource person for government agencies and media outfits, and as a Media Program Officer for the International Foundation for Election Systems.

Dr. Calimbahin’s knowledge in the electoral process allowed her to pursue her dissertation “The Promise and Pathology of Democracy: The Commission on Elections of the Philippines.” Her study on COMELEC used historical process tracing and illustrated the various critical junctures that influenced the autonomy and capacity of an election commission. While at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Calimbahin was awarded a tuition fellowship by the school’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies, as well as a Field Research Award for the research she conducted in the Philippines and Indonesia concerning her dissertation.

Prior to her doctoral studies, she began her education abroad at the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University in London where she graduated with an MSc in International Politics of Asia and Africa. There, Dr. Calimbahin began developing her global acumen and worked on her thesis “Sultans of Southeast Asia,” a comparative study of Southeast Asian authoritarian regimes that highlights the various institutional and social factors that led to regime change. In the years since, Dr. Calimbahin brought her expertise to greater distances, conducting workshops and delivering presentations in other universities in the United States and in Japan. As a member of the UA&P faculty, her work has appeared in local and international publications. She was also a scholar for the Fulbright Program, one of the most prestigious educational awards programs in the world.

Dr. Clement Camposano

Last year proved to be a big one for Dr. Clement Camposano. The newly appointed IPE director has another accolade to add to his already impressive list after earning his PhD in Philippine Studies (Anthropology) at UP Diliman where he also graduated with an MA in Political Science. A specialist on issues related to transnational migration, political spaces, and identities, Dr. Camposano focused his dissertation on Filipino households

Bravo suffering from the effects of labor migration, particularly, of women. Entitled “Boxes and selves: The transnational traffic in goods and the intricacies of everyday politics in the households of Ilonggo OFWs in Hong Kong,” the paper was also presented at the 8th International Conference on Philippine Studies. “As more and more Filipino households are forced to confront and negotiate the destabilizing reality of transnational labor migration, separation and communication, there is an increasing need to see beyond the caring and the sharing generally associated with the household in order to attend to the themes of ambivalence, anxiety and conflict, as well as to address issues of power and inequality,” the abstract reads. “This study is an ethnographic attempt to do precisely this, using “global house holding” as a process-oriented concept that engages with the effects of transnational migration on a geographically situated idea.” The various cases that were explored in the course of Dr. Camposano’s study revealed that, “in a rather general sense, the transnational traffic in goods serves as a stage for the enactment or performance of emotions among differently positioned members of transnational households, and that these enactments form part of the kind of quotidian or everyday political struggles that find their roots in the reshaping of roles and relations instigated by the migration of women, and the globalization of the house holding process. “For most of these migrant women, at least two levels of enactment could be observed: On the one hand, the traffic in goods could be seen as a “performance of intimacy,” a gendered process that maps women back into the household’s emotional economy; on the other, it serves as a way for these same migrant women to assume new subjectpositions which, although deriving from their pre-migration domestic identities, now rest upon access to and control of material resources—a way to carve out new spheres of relative autonomy within forms of domination.”

Before teaching, Mr. Camposano worked in politics, in electoral campaigns and as a consultant. He started his career in education at West Visayas State University in his home province Iloilo. He moved on to the University of the Philippines where he stayed for 10 years and, eventually, he found his way to De La Salle University. He continues to take an active part in the political sphere and currently holds a seat at the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy. Mr. Carlo Cabrera Corporate Communications Office

C A R LO C A B R E R A

School of Education and Human Development faculty member wins PAASCU award Dr. Angelito Antonio of the School of Education and Human Development (SED) received December 4 the James J. Meany Award from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU). He was honored “for his exemplary service as an accreditor in over 25 survey visits and consultancies, for his invaluable contribution to the growth of accreditation in the country, and for his continuing passion for excellence.” The James J. Meany award is conferred to PAASCU accreditors who have rendered assistance and service to the association in certain numbers of survey visits and consultancies. Fr. James J. Meany was a Jesuit priest and an educator. Together with Brother Gabriel Cannon, FSC, they established and found PAASCU. This is currently the only award given by the association to its accreditors. Accreditors are trained to help schools evaluate their respective programs, curriculum and services vis-à-vis their vision, mission, and educational goals and objectives. Largely, accreditors work alongside educational institutions as a team helping schools determine their particular strengths, accomplishments, and specific areas for improvement. Dr. Antonio, an accreditor since 1990, is currently the program

coordinator of the Child Development and Education Program, as well as the chairperson of the Research and Accreditation Committee of SED. He earned his doctorate in Child and Family Studies at the Miriam College Graduate School with honors. He graduated magna cum laude with a baccalaureate degree in Psychology from the Philippine Christian University. Recently, Dr. Antonio obtained his professional certification as a Certified Developmental Psychologist from the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP). He intends to pursue a post-doctoral training of fellowship in Pediatric Psychology with specialization and research focus on developmental psychopathology among children and adolescents. Dr. Antonio also continues to be actively involved as an accreditor for PAASCU. For him, accreditation remains a source of joy because as an accreditor, he is able to help other schools improve their programs and service and promote faculty development whereby educators are given the means to learn from their peers in the field. Dr. Antonio is also a member of the American Psychological Association and the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development.

Isha de Vera  College of Arts and Sciences 2nd Year

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

News

Muslim-Christian consensus discussed in roundtable forum

eace remains a constant goal for many countries, including ours. More than ever, the Philippines’ vision of peace stems from unity based on both a common citizenship and a mutual understanding of the beliefs that give rise to the diversity of views among us. Even as we recognize that ours is not a crisis based on religion alone but on a mélange of various socio-economic and cultural factors, we cannot deny that there is a need for interfaith dialogue in order to resolve the peace crisis that continues to beset the nation. The peace situation in Mindanao has not only drained our government’s resources but also claimed numerous lives, many of them innocent. The resolution of such conflict has been debated upon, but a consensus has yet to be reached. The problem may very well be a lack of a framework from which negotiations can be made between the parties involved. What better way is there to come up with a working framework than to gather the different parties and give them a venue to express their concerns and interests toward the eventual creation of a fitting framework? This was the aim of the University’s Institute of Political Economy when it held last September 14 a roundtable discussion entitled “Towards a Muslim-Christian Consensus on Peace, Democracy, and Government.” The event brought together leading personalities from both the Muslim and Christian sides in order to engage in dialogue about the peace crisis. The event was hosted by Prof. Moner Bajunaid, the secretary-general of the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines. The members of the roundtable were as follows: Dr. Paul Dumol (UA&P); Dr. Santanina Rasul, Chairman of

Ms. Amina Rasul (left) and Dr. Abdullah Saeed

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

the Magbassa Kita Foundation, Inc.; Dr. Abdullah Saeed, director of the University of Melbourne’s National Center of Excellence for Islamic Studies; Dr. Jesus Estanislao, UA&P Founding President; Ms. Amina Rasul, director of the Philippine Council on Islam and Democracy (PCID), Prof. Bajunaid, Ustadz Esmael Ebrahim of PCID; Mr. Hassan Garcia of the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines; Mr. Ebrahim Mata and Mr. Jamil Almarez of the Islamic Studies, Call and Guidance of the Philippines; Dr. Mashur Jundam of the University of the Philippines-Institute of Islamic Studies; Mr. Adelberto Antonio, Panel Member, GRP-MILF Negotiating Panel; Atty. Irene delos Angeles; Fr. William Bill Kreutz of the Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University; Ms. Maritess Africa of The Peacemaker’s Circle Foundation, Inc., and Fr. Eliseo Mercado, Chief Peace Negotiator with the Muslim Fronts. Guest speaker Dr. Abdullah Saeed, Professor of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Melbourne, talked about the “Common Word,” an open letter prepared by Islamic scholars and intellectuals to address the growing phenomenon of “Islamophobia.” The professor stressed the need for interfaith dialogue rooted on the two basic ideas put forward by the document and shared by Christians and Muslims alike—love of God and love of neighbor—and many members of the two religions believe that this document offers the common grounds that can be tapped in building bridges between the two. Indeed, there are numerous similarities between the two religions, but dialogue is hindered by the overemphasis on their differences and peculiarities. Dr. Saeed emphasized that while “knowledge about the other leads to peace,” we should go beyond mere possession of information about the other and ultimately “see the other as another human being.” Both religions also possess a strong belief that we are created by God and as such, members of both are deeply connected by something that is transcendental—that is, something beyond us. This leads us to the practice of love of God and love of neighbor (one’s neighbor being all people from various religious traditions) as put forward by the Common Word document. As members of the round table were given a chance to react to the talk and give their own insights on the matter, it became apparent that there is a need for inter-faith dialogue toward peace for the simple reason that we are human; and as Filipinos, we are presented with the task to work toward the common good. In summing up the discussion, Ms. Amina Rasul issued a call for everyone to move forward in our common quest for peace in the South: “Mindanao is our common land and we must accept the fact that we cannot just kick each other out of it.” Jas Magsino  Institute of Political Economy 4th Year

There are numerous similarities between the two religions, but dialogue is hindered by the overemphasis on their differences and peculiarities. ////////////////////

0102 hcraM SATISRE V IN U

Faculty colloquia highlight family, pedagogy, religion Ms. Boots Ruelos  Corporate Communications Office

At the heart of the University’s mission is a call to ground our teaching programs upon research. There is also a need to continually share knowledge in order to promote intellectual discovery and development in the academic community. To these ends, the College of Arts and Sciences/Institute of Political Economy Faculty Development Program has been holding regular faculty colloquia to share the insights gained by some faculty members in their research. Late last year, six of them discussed the papers they presented at recent conferences, both local and international.

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Academics

Dr. Corazon Toralba gave an overview of her paper on the importance of eros and friendship in marriage—the basis of the family. She presented the paper during the 3rd Global Conference on Persons, Intimacy, and Love held in Salzburg, Austria last November 6-8. Dr. Toralba used the thoughts of Karol Wojtyla on sexual urge and Aristotle’s notion of friendship as the bases for exploring the significance of these notions in the basic institutions—marriage and family—that are under fire because of forces that try to undermine them. Such forces are fueled by ideologies that seem to separate the corporeal from the spiritual, the individual from the social. This separation is the consequence of man’s fragmentation, a remnant of the Cartesian dichotomy. The paper examines historically the seeming chasm that dichotomizes the human being and looks at how eros and friendship could bridge that gap to make man whole again. Related controversial issues on homosexual rights are explored from the anthropological, ontological, and ethical perspectives.

Dr. Elizabeth Urgel of the Department of Pacific Rim Studies presented a summary of her study on “‘Owning’ Christianity: the Case of Couples for Christ and El Shaddai,” which she expounded during the 3rd SSEASR Conference on Waters in South and Southeast Asia: Interaction of Culture and Religion in Bali, Indonesia. She showed how the two Catholic movements have helped the Catholic Church flourish through locally developed ways of spreading the faith.In her paper, Dr. Urgel showed how Christianity, particularly Roman Catholicism, has maintained its relevance for its multicultural believers in the Philippines because of its universality and adaptability to culture. This adaptability is achieved through localization—the native converts infuse certain elements particular to their culture that eventually lend new color and shape to the faith and give them a sense of ownership of that faith. Dr. Urgel gave as examples two homegrown movements: Couples for Christ and El Shaddai. The development of these two movements attests to the dynamism of the Catholic Church and its adaptability to its environment.

Mr. Varsolo Sunio’s study involved the indoor temperature monitoring of the Kawilihan Gallery of UP Vargas Museum. He presented it to the 27th Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Congress held in Tagaytay City last October 28-30. The study was geared toward the development of non-invasive methods of art conservation. Data were gathered over a course of two months, from February to March 2009, allowing investigation of the effects of various factors to the museum microclimate: solar heat forcing, large visitor occupancy and external climatic condition such as typhoons and seasonal changes. Inputs to the neural network include (a) hour of the day, (b) size of visitor occupancy, and (c) the climatic temperature of Quezon City area obtained from a local weather station. Analysis was based on the temperature readings taken only from the four sides of the gallery. Last August 12, three other faculty members shared the insights they gained from their research as well as from other experts in their field.

Dr. Lani Junio of the Department of Philosophy presented the basic ideas she culled from an Acton Institute conference she attended on the “Foundations of a Free and Virtuous Society.” It was a venue where people from the fields of philosophy, theology, economics, politics, and culture met to examine and discuss the intellectual sources of a free and virtuous society. The conference defined a free and virtuous society as “one where the inherent dignity of the human person is recognized and respected, where individuals can use their freedom in a manner consistent with virtue and common good.” It has “a free polity and an economic system that provide outlets for human freedom in the market and help increase the overall well-being of everyone.” However, it needs a strong foundation of moral values to ensure genuine human flourishing.

Dr. Leodivico Lacsamana talked about his paper entitled “Cooperative Learning Strategies and Higher-Order Thinking Skills: A Must For Classroom Learning of the New Age (The Philippine Experience),” which he presented during the Educational Research Association of Singapore 2009 Conference. Cooperative Learning, which became popular worldwide in the 1980s, is considered as the teaching pedagogy that best demonstrates “learner-centered” classrooms. Studies showed that cooperative learning strategies were associated with benefits in key academic areas such as effective learning, students’ self-esteem, and collaborative skills. Cooperative Learning as an approach to teaching dominated the Philippine educational scene in the 1990s. Classes in the Humanities and the Social Studies have adopted this method in favor of long lectures and presentations. Up to now, most classroom activities from elementary to tertiary levels revolve around small group interaction in the belief that it provides the best environment for genuine education, whereby students monitor their own learning and the teacher serves as a facilitator or moderator.

Coach Luigi Bercades of the Physical Education Department described functional training, which comprises exercises specifically designed to improve performance or functional activities outside the training environment. Function can be defined as purpose-driven movement. According to Coach Bercades, functional training is different from the conventional paradigm of training practiced in most gyms and fitness clubs. Founded on the design of the human body and how it moves, it prioritizes function over aesthetics. Functional training first assesses the needs of the client in terms of function and then prescribes a program from a palette of primary movement patterns. The trainer’s skill at combining these movement patterns into a coherent whole will determine the success of the program and consequently the improvement of the quality of life of the client.

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Feature

UA&P leads in academe-industry linkages Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas University Professor 

Born as the Center for Research and Communication (CRC), the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) is an academic institution that is completely intertwined with the private business sector. The symbiosis between academe and industry is one of the competitive advantages of UA&P compared to other leading Philippine universities.

hanks to its tracing its roots to CRC, UA&P is a pacesetter in linking the academic curriculum to the needs of industry. CRC was literally born in the bosom of Philippine industry when in 1967, Dr. Jesus Estanislao and a small group of graduates from Harvard, Cambridge University, and other leading international universities decided to establish a think tank to service the needs of the private sector for reliable economic information and analysis. In the late sixties, there was a paucity of analyzed data that could be used by both large and small firms for their necessary strategic and corporate planning activities. CRC was established to meet that need. Thanks to the willingness of then Secretary of Education Onofre Corpuz to encourage innovative educational programs, CRC was allowed from the very beginning to offer a graduate program leading to a Master of Science in Industrial Economics. About a dozen highly intelligent college graduates from different parts of the Philippines were the pioneers in this program. They were no ordinary graduate students. As they were receiving classes on economic theory, economic history, econometrics, economic policy, and social economics, they were simultaneously fielded to different industries to undertake research whose results would be used as inputs by industry associations (like the Philippine Automotive Manufacturers Association, the Sugar Millers Association, or the Pharmaceutical Association of the Philippines) or individual companies (like Meralco, Unilab, Victorias Milling, and Smith Bell) in their respective strategical planning and budgeting activities. Of course, the graduate students were closely supervised by the professors who were either full-time or part-time. The full-time professors were themselves doing a great deal of industry research and consulting. The part-time professors were deeply involved in corporate life as CEOs or senior executives in such areas as finance, marketing, or personnel management. Thanks to the industry-oriented research of the graduate

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students as supervised by their professors, CRC was able to come out with regular publications on the most varied issues in the fields of macroeconomics and microeconomics. These publications were then offered on a subscription basis to some 400 companies, both national and multinational. The revenues obtained from the subscription fees, as well as the consultancy fees of the professors, helped augment the incomes of the faculty, narrowing the usual gap that exists between the salaries of those in academe and corporate executives. From the very beginning of CRC’s existence, the founders realized that a strong humanities or liberal arts foundation is needed by every professional for long-term personal and professional growth. The curriculum of the Industrial Economics Program included a large dosage of philosophy and history. In fact, this strong emphasis on the liberal arts even at the graduate level led to a unique partnership between CRC and the leading accounting firm in Southeast Asia then—SGV. The management of SGV, realizing that a usual gap in the training of accountants is the lack of a liberal arts background, asked CRC to organize a professional development program for top SGV accountants. This program included courses in literature, philosophy, the arts, history, and languages. When CRC metamorphosed into the University of Asia and the Pacific in 1995, the School of Industrial Economics was predictably the flagship faculty. Even with a much larger enrollment, the School of Economics continues to foster very close ties between academe and industry through the publication program and the internship of the graduate students in industry associations or individual companies. The professors continue to act as consultants to specific industries or companies, thus augmenting their incomes. Much of their research is done in partnership with industry associations (e.g. tourism, electronics, BPOs, insurance, logistics, and energy) and much of their research findings are written up in monographs and essays that are sent to a list of subscribers that form part of what is known as the Business Economic Club (BEC). The BEC organizes regular economic briefings and strategic planning conferences attended by hundreds of corporate executives. Through these briefings, the professors and

J O V E L LO R E N ZO

graduate students of UA&P get very important feedback on areas of research that would be most relevant to people in industry. Through an Executive Education program called the Strategic Business Economics Program (SBEP), the School of Economics—in partnership with the School of Management—equips senior executives with a deeper knowledge of economic theory, history, policy, and statistics. Many of the executives already have their MBAs, some from prestigious universities like Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, and Columbia. Many of these top MBA programs, however, do not prepare their graduates sufficiently to be able to follow intelligently the complex workings of the global, regional, and domestic economies. The SBEP tries to fill in the void. The participants of the SBEP are assisted by

The symbiosis between academe and industry is one of the competitive advantages of UA&P compared to other leading Philippine universities.

//////////////////////// the full-time graduate students of the masteral program in industrial economics to prepare their research papers and industry forecasts. This system is mutually enriching because the top executives are helped with the technical intricacies of economic forecasting and financial analysis by the graduate students while the students are able to benefit from the practical wisdom and industry experiences of the older executives. The experiences in academe-industry partnership of the School of Economics have helped the other schools of the University to adopt similar arrangements. The School of Management has a very active internship program in which graduating students spend practically the whole of the last year actually already working in leading firms in the country. Some of the management students also work in tandem with

the economics students in doing research for industry associations. A special program of the School of Management—the Entrepreneurial Management Program—makes abundant use of active or retired corporate executives as mentors in the subject called New Business Ventures in which the students actually start a small business as a pre-requisite to graduation. The EM faculty has been tapped by Goldman Sachs to help in the 10,000 Women Initiative, in which 10,000 women entrepreneurs from the lower economic classes from all over the world are going to be helped to grow their businesses by being trained in more modern management practices. The very same close relationship between academe and industry applies to UA&P’s School of Communication (SCM). As a pioneer in the field of Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC), SCM has become a close partner of advertising, marketing, media, and public relations enterprises in the training of topnotch IMC personnel. In their last year of the program, the students of IMC work almost full time in these enterprises and are actually offered jobs even before they graduate. SCM has also worked closely with the entire industry to launch the Tambuli Awards, which award companies that undertake the most effective integrated marketing programs in terms of both increasing sales and incorporating human and spiritual values into their marketing messages. The Tambuli Awards is poised to go from just being a Philippine-centered activity to an Asia-wide event. An example of a joint effort to develop a relevant curriculum is the ongoing talk between the School of Management of UA&P and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines to offer an undergraduate course in management with specialization in supply chain management. Logistics is expected to be one of the fastestgrowing sectors of the economy in the next ten years. There may not be enough logistics professionals if universities do not address the need. UA&P is one of the universities that will be at the forefront of producing specialists in supply chain management in close cooperation with the industry association. UA&P is also in ongoing talks with the shipping industry of the country to offer courses in maritime law. These are only a few examples of the very close ties that UA&P has with industry.

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Feature

LESSONS IN GOOD GOVERNANCE Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao  UA&P Founding President

Below is an excerpt from the acceptance speech of Dr. Estanislao, during the Management Association of the Philippines’ (MAP) Management Man of the Year 2009 awarding ceremonies last November. Dr. Estanislao is now the chairman of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA). In accepting this award, I wish to underscore a few lessons I learned in carrying out those tasks you have cited, in the hope that we can consider them as we move forward as the management community in the Philippines, and through the business sector as a national community in need of breaking through into the light at last. First is the imperative of strengthening institutions, substantively and over the long term, rather than of putting feathers on our personal caps over moments that fleet speedily away. Instead of making institutions serve our personal interests and ambitions, many more of us should focus exclusively on the sustainability and long-term strength of the institutions and corporations we are privileged to head. Second is the importance of a corporate culture that answers the demands of governance, and therefore one that constantly challenges all individuals within our corporations and institutions to strive for excellence, professionalism, integrity, and a commitment

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to the common good within the broader community. Moreover, that culture is one that is lived in everyone’s everyday tasks. Third is the essential need for us to be in the mainstream of the open channels through which ideas, technology, finance, and best practices flow, and by which we are interconnected with the global community. Our progress does not lie in being a pariah, remaining in the outer periphery, and occupying the lowest rungs in the indicators that matter for progress: ease in starting and closing a business and doing business; registering property, getting credit, paying taxes, and protecting investors; enforcing contracts dealing with construction permits and trading across borders; and employing workers. In no measure for doing business in the APEC region do we land in the top 10 (out of 21 economies); and all this because we have yet to fully make up our mind to lift the veil of protectionism, open up, and compete against all comers, here in our shores or in other economies with which we should be closely linked. To say that our economy is seriously challenged in earning higher levels of respectability for the management of our public affairs, directly connected with business, is a polite understatement. Fourth is the discipline of keeping oil pricing out of the political sphere. Keeping it in is very expensive, certainly one expense we cannot afford. It has taken us time and considerable treasure to get

out of oil pricing regulation on the part of public authorities, often unable to take their fixation out of scoring brownie points and raising their popularity standing, generally at the expense of resources from the National Treasury. This is one area in which we had made progress; let us continue to raise our voices against those who seek to make us retrogress. Fifth is our demonstrated capability to step back from the fiscal brink and move to a higher ground of fiscal responsibility. We have already proven that with a President showing grit and political determination, it is possible to stop the spiral of ever burgeoning fiscal deficits and begin the process of building up financial strength in our public finances. I was privileged to serve a President with strong political will to do what is right for the control of budget deficits and for eventually posting a fiscal surplus. We can do it once again, and we need no warnings from the IMF. It is now in our hands to elect the officials with the same liberal mind, political will, and strong fiscal discipline. Sixth is our success to be among the first in what is good and proper rather than be among the worst and last. Unlike in the other business indicators I cited earlier, in the field of corporate governance in Asia, we are classed as among those in the forefront of reforms. Our average scores in the corporate governance scorecard are comparable with the best in the region. Our initiatives in bringing governance into differentiated sectors, recognizing the all too real differences between them, are regarded as cutting-edge. Our push to move out of mere box-ticking and compliance into using governance as a framework for delivering performance is well regarded as path-breaking. Indeed, we can choose many more areas in which we can raise our flag much higher than many other flags in our part of the world. Seventh is the effectiveness of private sectorpublic sector partnership (PPP) in installing key building blocks for reforms. The regulators in the public sector are not only open; they can also be eager partners in striking a blow and making a positive difference for systemic reforms. In corporate governance, all the public institutions that have a direct hand in introducing changes have shown themselves to be willing and able partners with private sector advocacy groups that are genuinely and perseveringly promoting reforms. After many years of productive collaboration, and after staging a well-regarded Asian Roundtable on Corporate Governance under OECD auspices, we are now ready to formalize and institutionalize Team Philippines for Corporate Governance: this should be a model for PPP in the region at least in the corporate governance area. Eighth is the challenge to various sectors of our national community to work with and promote the interests of select public institutions. It is possible to put together representatives from academe, Congress, development banking, civil society, media, and business, acting in their individual capacity, to assist a national institution in actively pursuing its strategy map. The case of the Philippine Navy is illustrative: its Board of Advisers, drawn mainly from other sectors of the community, is actively promoting a maritime coalition that assists our Navy in realizing the vision articulated in its Sail Plan. This is a challenge that any credible national institution can take up so as to make our nation proud of its strategic breakthroughs. Ninth is the achievement of breakthrough results in public governance, starting at the local government level. Yes, the government can (be clean). Yes, the public sector can (be efficient). Yes, an LGU can (deliver). A cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gross income can jump 50% in three years. Total capitalization of its manufacturing sector can move up four times within the same period. The number of working committees made up of private sector and public sector

representatives, jointly and actively functioning for the pursuit of a cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s road map can multiply three times within one term of three years. So impressive are the results of the public governance initiatives in Iloilo City that the global Balanced Scorecard collaborative, Palladium, has raised that city into its Global Hall of Fame. Tenth is the cascading of a proper governance culture down to the lowest level, including down to the last individual working in a government office. Commitments can be set for high standards of performance, which are clearly identified, properly measured, and regularly monitored. Accountability can be established and duly recognized. Team results can be celebrated such as when the number of scholars is multiplied 25 times within four years; when resources mobilized through public-private partnership increase 7.5 times within the same time period; and when processing time for business permits drops from two weeks down to two hours. These team results are impossible without the full commitment of individuals at all levels and in all facets of operations, and yet they have been made not only possible, but actual, as the City of San Fernando, Pampanga has shown. The Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) and the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) have enrolled that city as the first institution in their Maharlika Hall of Fame. I have chosen these ten lessons learned out of serving at the Development Bank of the Philippines, Department of Finance, ICD, and ISA in large part because they highlight the application of key principles and practices drawn from management science. They shed light on the way that leads us away from despair to hope, from pessimism to confidence that so much good can be accomplished in such a short time, even if we start with only a few people. More than enough seeds have been planted; many other hands must now nurture them and make them bear abundant fruits. They also illustrate that no one individual can work alone; we all need to work with others, tap into their pool of talent, good will, and energy in order to make a decisive difference and point the way toward genuine progress. Indeed, these ten lessons tell us that beyond technical and scientific competence, we need to move up to the fundamental guiding principles for human development, and give flesh and substance to them in our everyday decisions and actions. These guiding principles are so basic that we can take them as embedded in our natural DNA: that we treat every person with respect, opening horizons for all and empowering them to explore and fly on their own; that we grow in selflessness each day in serving others and the wider community for which we are all socially responsible; that we forge partnerships in our eagerness to contribute to the general welfare; and that we bring decision-making down to the lowest possible level so as to make everyone participate in taking responsibility for the common weal within corporations, institutions, and communities that should prove themselves strong and sustainable. Indeed, in taking these natural fundamental principles into the marketplace and into our public spaces, we in business must be deeply conscious of our role as a key driver of change in society. But that role demands that we recognize the other drivers of change as well. These are: the family, the university, and the government. Beyond recognizing them, we should engage them in mutual support and reinforcement for the common cause of society and of the Filipino. Here we have the key to sustainable human development in the Philippines: deep caring for our people, serving them with the knowledge and truth from management science and the other sciences, and committing ourselves each day to the general welfare of our inang bayan and the Filipino people.

These guiding principles are so basic that we can take them as embedded in our natural DNA.

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UNIVERSITAS March 2010

What Alexis means to me

I L LU S T R AT I O N B A S E D O N A N A R T W O R K F R O M T H E N I K A B O H I N C A N D A L E X I S T I O S E C O M E M O R I A L FAC E B O O K PAG E

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Feature From the day I knew him, Alexis would insist on reading aloud from books he always had in his bag. Despite a cafe’s noise or my willingness to peruse the book myself, he would recite passages from the critic John Berger or stanzas from the poet Rainer Rilke. Not wanting to be struck mute by Rilke, my responses were painfully made, with any clumsiness refined at first opportunity, so that they become not only conversation but also ripostes. I was aware of Alexis’ standing as a critic and behaved as if my depth were being sounded. Alexis would patiently listen to my bumblings on their best and worst days, yet would steer the conversation to what beauty meant for me, his friend who just had a day at work, who has his own loves, and not what they might mean to the lecture halls of the world. I took his reading as ideas to be contemplated the way one contemplates painting or poetry in a classroom: always deeply but with strangers nonetheless. Alexis, on the contrary, read to me for very personal reasons. I can never be certain why Alexis did this for me, but he had once accused me of loving mankind but hating people. “What a piece of work is a man!” wrote Shakespeare in his Hamlet and I, in rapture, having caught flashes of Shakespeare’s sentiment through my education, was so ready to disdain ordinary men and women, those unremarkable people whose “conversation was commonplace as a street pavement,” as Flaubert wrote of Charles Bovary. Alexis was opposite. He passionately loved art, film; but he also loved ordinary people with intensity. He did not disdain those who did not or could not live their lives in sublime film or in beautiful poetry. Alexis perhaps read to me to show me how to love. I cannot exactly say how this worked, but his reading had made me realize that loving art, where even ugliness is sublime, should never exclude love for the mundane where ugliness receives no such elevation. After some time, I surrendered the point to him rather derisively. I said that love is giggles and not intelligent conversation. This may seem like a joke but there is wisdom in it—a certain victory over vanity. I cannot say exactly, but it was necessary that he read to me. It was the awkwardness perhaps of seeing his face so intent on reading and so conscious of me; on it there was no smugness, no grand statements, and no moralizing, but only an unsettling interest in anything I had to say. It jarred the most hardened cynic, seeing this man of passion and talent be so interested in people, whether simple souled or agonistic. An education in beauty fails when a student faces the unlettered or the halfeducated and sees only ignorance and crudity. His narrow vision understands not men but only art. The consequence is effeteness: the wreck of an education

in the humanities. Nonetheless, the correction is never the rejection of beauty, as if behind beauty were something more real, as if this real thing—equality, democracy, practicality, feminism ... we call it many names—were separate from and obscured by beauty. The correction, moving beyond what Kierkegaard calls the aesthetic stage, or the rising of art above vanity, cannot be taught in the same way that we teach Dante, Shakespeare, Tolstoy, or Homer; not in a classroom but through friendship with people who are lovers of beauty yet genuinely humble. It is this shock—possible only in a personal relationship—that jolts the humanities student out of arrogance.

Alexis and the author (left) scale a mountain months before the former’s death

Alexis would read to me and in our conversations after, we would often argue, sometimes vigorously. We would argue about films, about Berger or Jacques Barzun, about translations of Tolstoy, about personal matters. What would unite all, however, was that I would often leave feeling like a villain. My friendship with Alexis had made me realize that I had been missing something about art, about beauty—a loss exacerbated by academia or the solitude of study. I realized that the experience of beauty that leads to self-discovery is perhaps shallow. Past ourselves and into her depth we should find the face of an other. Mr. Philip Peckson  College of Arts and Sciences Faculty

Mr. Alexis Tioseco, who taught film at UA&P, was murdered on 1 September 2009. He was a well-known film critic and was the author’s friend.

Multi-faceted (Excerpts from a student’s Philosophical Anthropology paper written after Alexis’ death)

“If I died tomorrow, how will I be remembered? Have I made a difference in the lives of People? What have I accomplished?” These questions may sound like I was going through a quarter-life crisis, but to be honest, I was scared….Alexis was only five years older than me—a fact he used to remind me of in the most candid of ways. (When he’d forget to bring a film I asked to borrow, he’d blame it on “old age,” then casually add that my memory would soon follow and likely fade in the next five years or so as well.) Yet, Alexis had already made a name for himself, he was doing what he loved to do, he was making a mark on the world. As for me, I can’t even begin to imagine what I’ll be doing in five years. Alexis always got his point across, though he was always very diplomatic and cautious about how he expressed his opinions. He was especially careful to never hurt anybody’s feelings. To this, I can speak from personal experience. I was never able to tell him, but he was partly responsible for my love of the Humanities. I was never really interested in art, much less writing about it. But he saw potential in me, and he nurtured it. He encouraged me and guided me. He was always there, no matter how busy his schedule was. What is…interesting to me is the influence of culture on Alexis because I would love to know how it played a role into his development into such an amazing person. I do not know how or why his love for the Philippines, Philippine culture or Philippine cinema was borne….He loved the Philippines more than anyone I have ever met. He loved it for its natural beauty, for its warm people, for its flaws and shortcomings. He loved it in its entirety. A person affirms the value and worth of an object or person by accepting it for what it is—and Alexis did just that. With film and with people. He was a different kind of critic in that he would write about the films he loved while everybody else wrote about films they hated. It is so much more difficult to write about what you love and why it reaches out to you than to identify flaws and errors. Alexis was like that with people, too. He interacted with each person differently. He knew how to read people and see the good in them. Alexis has taught me more than I’ve ever thanked him for. Even his death…has taught me so much. There is no time to waste. We must live life as though each second is our last, because it just might be.

Renee Leveriza  College of Arts and Sciences 3rd Year

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Alumni

Cue the

LIGHTS Ivan Guerrero enters the scene

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Like many UA&P graduates, alumnus Ivan Guerrero has been making waves the world over through a combination of his natural talent and skills honed at the University. But unlike most of his peers who would credit some wise old sage for setting them on the right path, Mr. Guerrero is making headway in the film production industry—all thanks to a talking frog. “To be honest,” he confesses, “I got hooked on production at a very young age by watching The Muppet Show. Every week, Kermit the Frog and his band of Muppets would do skits, elaborate musical numbers, and tell stories in an effort to entertain the audience. As the show progressed, I got a good look at the magic that happened backstage. Actors rehearsed their lines. Kermit frantically switched between directing and hosting. The sets went up, while the lights came crashing down. I enjoyed watching all that chaos coming together as a coherent piece of entertainment. Later on, I learned that Jim Henson modeled The Muppet Show and the Muppet movies after his own experiences as he was starting his career in broadcasting and film.” Mr. Guerrero, however, has exemplified a significantly higher degree of proficiency than his stuffing-filled templates could ever manage. While taking further studies at Purdue University in the US, he produced a student film that scored him a Student Emmy Award last year, a feat that would do even Statler and Waldorf proud. A documentary entitled “Plight of the Peregrines,” the film told the story of the Peregrines, Purdue University Calumet’s struggling basketball team. At Purdue, Mr. Guerrero graduated with a BA in Broadcasting, not to mention a perfect 4.0 GPA that earned him the “Highest Distinction” title equivalent to a summa cum laude. Before that, he graduated from UA&P with an MA in Integrated Marketing Communications. The fledgling filmmaker was very active during his years at the University, having cut his teeth in production by participating in numerous stage plays, as well as being the Secretary of the Student Executive Board. Soon after his departure from UA&P, his flair for creativity landed him a spot as Art Director for the Philippine office of McCann Erickson, one

of the largest advertising agencies in the world “UA&P provided me with a solid foundation through its liberal arts program,” Mr. Guerrero says. “It imparted a firm understanding of literature and art, as well as practical skills, like project management and entrepreneurship. A lot of production work entails striking a good balance between aesthetical-literary knowledge and procedural know-how.” Upon finally deciding to venture into the world of filmmaking, he received much acclaim in the American media for his online films he calls “premakes,” mock trailers edited together from movies of the 1940s and 1950s to look like interpretations or reimaginings of modern films. That such imaginative works proved worthy of the commendation of an international audience, especially so early in his career, just goes to show how well Mr. Guerrero had the basics down pat. “It’s a combination of things: tell a good story, learn what it takes to make a good story that connects with your audience, do extensive preproduction work before filming, work with talented people, and be open to the ideas of others. “And,” he adds, “always take initiative. Production involves a lot of hard work and patience.” Though film is a strictly visual medium, Mr. Guerrero’s core philosophy requires that he approach the matter blindly. “‘I close my eyes in order to see,’” he says, taking a page from Post-Impressionist painter Paul Gaugin. “It means a couple of different things. First, it suggests learning to look at things from an alternate perspective. It also suggests freeing one’s mind from preconceptions. These are essential traits for great storytelling. More important, the quote suggests developing a trust of one’s unconscious and instincts in making decisions. That is an essential ‘peculiarity’ for directing.” Having already proven so much and gaining the attention of so many, Mr. Guerrero is just getting started. He continues to work fervently on his craft, hoping to work with American studios in writing and directing his own productions. He’s definitely an alumnus to watch out for; he may no longer be taking cues from a puppet, but he’s still got the world on a string. Mr. Carlo Cabrera  Corporate Communications Office

Alumni Mayor Joet Garcia

Building a university town

Mayor Joet Garcia (2nd from right) receives the “Most Business-Friendly LGU” award from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last October

“A

s a politician, I have to be able to think out of the box,” says UA&P alumnus and Balanga City Mayor Joet Garcia, who credits the University for allowing him to do just that. He graduated from the University (then Center for Research and Communication) with a BA in General Humanities with specialization in Political Economy, and although he was practically born into the world of politics, it was not an endeavor he immediately wanted to pursue until he realized that his education had given him the tools to do so. “I may not be an expert in everything but I believe my liberal arts course in CRC provided me with the skill to study and analyze various real life situations and come up with smart and practical solutions to everyday problems at the city hall,” Mayor Garcia says. “People from all walks of life see me in my office to discuss almost anything under the sun,” he adds. “They may be farmers needing technical assistance on organic farming, teachers introducing a new reading program for grade-one students, fishermen objecting to the Supreme Court’s ruling on commercial fishing in Manila Bay, vendors complaining about the increase in lease rates at the public market, or the sick asking for medical assistance. I need to be able to give my insights every time, and this is where I am able to use my liberal arts background. “My education in UA&P trained me to be a critical thinker,” he adds. Son of Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia and younger brother of Congressman Albert Garcia, the alumnus didn’t share the typical “traditional politician” inclination of making a family business out of public office. Instead, Mayor Joet Garcia had to do some soul searching and spend time in another career altogether before realizing just what he was capable of. “My father was already a congressman when I was in college but I didn’t really see

myself following in his footsteps. It was only after I worked for an IT company for 10 years that I realized my educational background prepared me for a much bigger role in nation building,” he says. “Honestly, I didn’t quite know what to expect from my political economy course at that time. I just thought having a good background on economics and understanding politics will prepare me for whatever profession I will pursue in the future.” Of his college years, he recalls “Fr. Juan Manuel Perez grabbing me by the neck and bringing me to his office whenever he sees me hanging around in the ledge. This gave me the opportunity to talk to him about everything, but more important, where God needs to be in my life.” It was, perhaps, this positive experience that gave Mayor Garcia such a soft spot for education, giving it top priority among his many responsibilities and achieving considerable success. “In my first term as city mayor of Balanga, our greatest achievement was helping our public elementary schools rank first in the National Achievement Test,” he says. “This means our elementary students are the brightest in the country and this is the result of the effective partnership amongst the parents, teachers, and government.” Hoping to get re-elected for a second term, Mayor Garcia still has his eyes set on meeting this high precedent and further improving his city’s quality of education. “I would like to see to it that I help the city achieve its vision of making Balanga a worldclass university town by the year 2020,” he says. “We want to be the center of education

“If presented with the opportunity, involve yourself in public service. Being in government is the most direct way of helping people and making a difference in our country.”

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in the region and be like the university towns of Stanford, Salamanca, or Harvard where the whole community is involved in developing and producing world-class graduates.” Under his leadership, Balanga City was named the “Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit” by the 35th Business Conference & Expo in 2009, the second year in a row the city had been awarded such distinction. Whether he is re-elected or not, Mr. Garcia’s first term would be a difficult act to follow. Fortunately, he is determined to outdo himself, given the opportunity. “A lot has been said about how dirty politics can be but from my experience, the positive side greatly outweighs the negative side,” he says, encouraging students to take a more active role in government. “If presented with the opportunity, involve yourself in public service. Being in government is the most direct way of helping people and making a difference in our country.” Mr. Carlo Cabrera Corporate Communications Office

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Cover Story

Stellar

S H

ere’s a constellation: Jake, his brows furrowed, brings his violin to life to the tune of the

world’s most famous song. Birthday boy Manfred gives a shy grin. Mari listens close by, entranced, holding what seems to be a stunted baseball bat (“It’s a rolling pin!” she protests). On another side of the room, artistic Kim gives Eunice (sans spectacles) a nice eyebrow trim; the latter has brought two books she is yet to devour. Meanwhile Nicole is her always-prepared nearly-OC self: she pulls out of her bag three blouses of different colors, a pair of jeans, a book on creative writing, and two fresh apples (one red, one green)—props not exactly required, but brought along “just in case.” Cheston says he’s nervous. Martin’s eyes pop out when I announce they’re appearing on the magazine cover. Then Guaya flies out of the makeshift studio to take a long exam in her French class; half an hour later, she is back. And, of course, Jonathan is “justin-timberlaking” in his mind, nodding and ready to burst in a dance...

It all seems surreal. Having a photoshoot of students until now known as uber-studious kids

is a challenge: how exactly are you going to make them pose for the camera? While the bad habit of outrightly sorting scholars into “odd boxes” has long been gone, alas, residues of the deeply embedded prejudice linger. Scholars belong to the Ainur caste in Tolkien myth. They are either nuts about chess, about math, about Macs, about Milton and Bach, or they are just plain nuts. They dread exposure. Quit bothering them. Yet as the lights are set up and chairs are moved to location, reality sinks in: scholars are normal people. Most of the girls squeal when told we’re taking a lifestyle magazine-ish treatment of the photoshoot; the boys cringe. These students have submitted their articles, narrating about their

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Photography by Mr. Carlo Cabrera and Mr. Jopet Puno 

pastimes with full gusto. (The point is: scholars aren’t into nerdy stuff all the time, they also do cool stuff.) And now they’re here, supposedly to incarnate their written words. Turns out, these scholars are sufficiently comfy in front of the camera.

As the students’ excitement gets diluted with hard

work (“Posing is no joke,” they fume), this writer, observing the entire photoshoot, slips into reverie... Why did these students end up as scholars, in the first place? Wrong question. Ask: why not? UA&P offers one of the most robust scholarship programs in the country. Free tuition, generous stipends, book and lodging allowances...there simply isn’t any excuse to ignore the grant. Besides, here we’re talking about the alleged “most expensive school” in the country and, no doubt, among the most competent. Definitely, selection is highly competitive. Scholarship applicants have to at least exhibit clear potential for excellence, not to mention the drive for it. Evidently UA&P stands by its commitment to offer quality education to deserving students.

The scholars suddenly huddle around the camera. The

photographer lets them take a peek at the shots taken. Excitement again, like kids seeing their pictures with Santa Claus.

Now Mari says she will hear Mass at noon, so she has to go. Others also ask if

they could already leave by 1:15; they have to be at Brgy. San Joaquin for their NSTP class. How could I forget? These are students—organized, disciplined, smart. Cutting the long story short, the photoshoot ended with one last shot with the crew, and everyone is in character and in his or her stellar best. Mr. Daryl Zamora  Corporate Communications Office

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Cover Story

Jonathan Alforte School of Economics 5th Year

Cheston Cornelio School of Economics 5th Year

Jake Morales College of Arts and Sciences 2nd Year

JONATHAN ALFORTE

Justin timberlakin’ It all started way back in kindergarten, when our teacher asked some friends and myself to do a dance number for a program. I was four years old, and my dancing “career” was launched in a multipurpose court in our barangay. There was more dancing for me in elementary school. Some classmates and I would be occasionally asked to perform in some events in our school. For the first time, I had to stay in school till late at night just to practice the dance routine. Dancing was starting to be serious work, but at the same time more fun! And more practice time meant more time to spend with my buddies and to build that enjoyable and lasting friendship with them. When I reached high school, I was lucky to befriend others who also love to dance. Eight of us formed a group, which became the unofficial dance troupe of our batch. We joined

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

competitions in and out of school and did intermission numbers here and there. It was then when dancing became really serious for us. We would train hard and choreograph our own dance after class, way before the program or competition. These hours of training not only honed my dancing skills, but also forced me to develop discipline. I needed to be focused and do everything intensely so that I will be able to finish my schoolwork and still have enough time to practice dancing. Inevitably, there were some complications, disagreements within the group, problems with studies, and unsuccessful stunts. But all of them just made our so-called dancing career more challenging and fulfilling. It made us push ourselves to the limit and really work as a team no matter what problems we had. When I got into UA&P through a scholarship, I immediately joined the dance varsity. Dancing became more competitive and the bar set was higher. The stage was bigger as well. I realized that I was not only part of a dance varsity in the school. Rather, I belonged to a community of dancers who collaborated or competed against each other. With hard work and persever-

Cover Story NICOLE MILLER

‘Big sister duties’

Nicole Miller

College of Arts and Sciences 2nd Year

Mari Barreto College of Arts and Sciences 1st Year

ance, I was able to step my game up. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to do all these without the help of my teammates, some of which are either a dean’s lister or a scholar as well. Dancing became our creative outlet and kept us sane despite challenges. It helped me divert my attention from schoolwork and keep my body healthy at the same time. I left the varsity after one year, but I would still perform in music recitals or programs. Indeed, dancing helped me in a lot of ways and taught me lessons I would never learn inside the classroom. It taught me how to manage my time well, develop discipline, and persevere in overcoming my problems. It made me realize that I need to work hard in order to achieve my goals. And most of all, I learned how to pursue the thing I love doing most. In the end, I’d like to say that all the hardship was worth it. The sore feet and the aching muscles, everything was worth it when you are already on stage doing what you love to do. And the best part is you get to share it with other people! As Vicki Baum, a European novelist, said: “There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.”

Knowing that I have duties to fulfill and only a certain amount of time to do it, I make sure that I use that time as efficiently as possible.

We are all created equal, given 24 hours a day; but it’s what we do with this time that sets us apart from everybody else. As a scholar, many people think that most of this time is devoted solely to studying. However, this isn’t completely true. Using 24 hours for studying is as suicidal for us as it could be for you. We like to have fun with family and friends, engage in arts and sports, and even rest too. Nothing extraordinary. It’s just that what we choose to do with the 24 hours we’re given—that you’re given, too—makes it a bit out of the ordinary. I don’t think I’m anything extra special, because really, I’m not. As privileged as I am to be a scholar, my time doesn’t revolve around school alone. That’s because every day after school, I dedicate a part of my time to tutoring. Since last January 2009, I’ve been tutoring a 4th grade boy—now a 5th grader—and his 2nd grade sister. When my 6:00 pm class ends every day, carpool takes me to Alabang and I go straight to my pupils’ house in the village. I arrive there around at 8:00 pm at the latest and stay there for an hour and a half. Within that time, I basically teach them all their subjects, making sure they have done all their work well, understood their lessons properly, and are ready for future ones. When exams come, I take the time to make mock tests for their review. When all of this is done, I get home around 9:30 pm and start doing my own schoolwork. People have expressed amazement at how I’m able to manage doing this every day and yet still finish all my requirements in school. But I don’t understand their surprise because, honestly, it’s almost second nature to me. I know I’m going to be a teacher soon, so it has never felt like a job—it’s something I sincerely love doing. The kids and I even call it “Big Sister Duties” because in many ways, I am their older sister more than just another tutor. I love the kids and this makes me value things other than just their academics. Whenever they’d get higher honors, I’d be very proud. But more than that, the best thing is knowing that I am making a difference in their lives: I am not there to ensure they ace their tests, but to leave them with values they can take with them even when I’m gone —things like prioritizing, doing their work well the first time, perseverance, independence, and most of all, using their time wisely. It may seem like tutoring takes away time for other things, when in truth, it helps me make better use of time. Yes, there were moments when I couldn’t do other things after school because I’d already committed to tutoring, but their parents were very understanding and would let me make up some days on the weekend. Knowing that I have duties to fulfill and only a certain amount of time to do it, I make sure that I use that time as efficiently as possible. It’s actually ironic that the more I do outside of academics, the better I perform in school.

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Kim Cajucom College of Arts and Sciences 1st Year

MANFRED SALANDANAN

Life’s stages Literature, drama, music, dance, architecture—name it, it’s in theater. The theater has diverse ingredients, each of which has its unique features, but together make up a whole new flavor. In its desire to signify life, it becomes a metaphor for life. I don’t have a lot of “bragging” experiences in theater, although I’ve been part of major and minor school stage presentations since grade school. I used to think it meant just performing before an audience, then bowing at the end. But as time passed by, I realized that it’s more than a form of entertainment and being in the limelight. It’s a way of life. And the people “behind the curtains” are as important as the audience and the ones performing on stage. Discovering these things, I started to value the theater more. I now enjoy it because it feeds my imagination, it’s an outlet for selfexpression, and it develops my self-esteem. Being an actor gives me the chance to try on different personas. I can be the villain, the hero, the confidant, or whoever. I get to look at life from another perspective. Even if I’m just watching, I imagine myself to be a certain character, pondering about what I would do if I were in his shoes. Theater is an occasional escape from reality, but more than that, it opens the mind to a world of possibilities. Theater can also be a channel for selfexpression. It helps me articulate my thoughts and emotions. Sometimes, a character becomes a medium through which I can vent my real-life frustrations or triumphs. It amazes me how you can tackle a certain character in different ways, depending on your personality. This self-expression, however, is possible outside acting; I look at every theater task as a means to express myself, be it in dimming or blending the lights, fading or amplifying the musical background, or even the dramatic closing of the curtains. Another reason why I like theater is that it helps me develop other talents—singing, musical scoring, dancing, managing, directing, and creative writing. Theater isn’t complete without these skills. Furthermore, theater has helped me get out of my “shell” and be confident. Through it, I have been able to make a lot of friends, so it has built my social abilities as well. Theater has been a means for me to know the realities of the environment around me and, more important, to know myself more as I become engaged with my thoughts and emotions and discover my potentials.

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Manfred Salandanan Institute of Information Technology Studies 1st Year

EUNICE CONTRERAS

Loving the hated Unlike my fellow scholars who play musical instruments or play sports in their spare time, I have a hobby that most people love to hate—reading. I have met many who for the life of them will not touch a book unless required in school. I truly find this pitiful because they have no idea what they are missing. I so love reading books that when I flip through the pages and absorb every little word, I simply forget the time. Now, I think some of you are scratching your heads and wondering, “You love reading books?!” My answer to that is, “Yes, I really do”—although I must remind you that I do not mean text-

books or required readings in class. I do not think any college student in their right mind would read those for leisure. Rather, I mean books you can usually find in the fiction section of bookstores. How did I develop this affection for reading? It all started when I was young. I remember my parents giving me and my sisters books as gifts. From picture books, it progressed to easy-to-read story books. Then in the latter part of my grade school years, it evolved into those yellow-and-blue hardbound mystery novels—Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. Despite their being in the height of their popularity during our parents’ time, the stories still drew me in. Solving the mysteries together with the characters in the story added thrill to my— otherwise—dull life.

Cover Story

Guaya Melgar College of Arts and Sciences 2nd Year

Eunice Contreras College of Arts and Sciences 1st Year

Martin Verdejo Institute of Information Technology Studies 1st Year

As I grew older, my reading list became rather varied. Paperbacks like The Kite Runner, The Lovely Bones, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time passed through my hands, as well as fantasy novels like the famous Harry Potter series. These books narrate diverse stories—from an Afghan boy who lived under the shadow of his guilt until his adult years, to a girl now in heaven after she was brutally murdered, and finally, to an autistic but intelligent 15-year-old boy who solved the mystery of a murdered dog. I do hope and wish that these titles will pique your interest and move you to read one —if not all. Certainly, how I was brought up contributed to my fondness for reading all kinds of books. This hobby serves as a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of student

life. Amidst all the papers to write and submit, amidst all the readings I have to go through, and amidst all the tests and quizzes to review for, a time for leisure and relaxation is needed. Although, to be honest, I have not finished a book since the start of the year. Tests have bombarded all of us —one right after the other. Still, the hours I have spent reading novels help me a lot when I am studying or going over my lessons. The hours I have spent burying myself in the stories help me in making the grade. This may sound totally absurd for some of you but it is the truth. You see, if it were not for my love for reading, I do not think I would even pick up the required readings for class. Despite all the hours that we, scholars, spend trying to do well in academics, we still have spare time to do whatever we please.

Other than extra-curricular activities like volunteering for OSA projects, we still have time to go out with friends on weekends. In addition, we have the available time to play the piano or play volleyball. Also, we have the extra time to just sit down and curl up into our favorite reading position and open a book.

The hours I have spent burying myself in the stories help me in making the grade. UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Cover Story

CHESTON CORNELIO

The reel McCoy

MARI BARRETTO

Ala Giada As a student, I know that studies are a grave obligation yet they are not the be-all and end-all of my life. Besides studying, I also involve myself in extracurricular activities such as the new charity organization Catalyst. I believe that in order to be an exceptional student, one must hone all of his or her talents. At this point in time, I am involved in activities that train one in leadership, business, and charity. But of course aside from extracurricular activities, rest periods are called for as well. I consider rest periods as times you do anything that you particularly enjoy doing, alone or with family and friends. When I’m stressed and feel the need to cool off, I bake. When I bake, I forget about school and focus on what I am making. Being able to control every little thing that happens calms me. With baking, I do everything step-by-step and know what the outcome will most likely be. The precision and concentration needed to bake goodies take my mind off schoolwork. I am able to relax and smell the sweetness of my concoction. Without the pleasure of baking, my stress level may become hard to handle. How can I not be relieved of stress when I am able to enjoy and serve what I have specially baked? There’s nothing like the feeling of tasting your own baking and sharing it with the ones you love. Like my favorite chef, Giada de Laurentiis, I have come to love baking so much that perhaps one day, I will put up my own restaurant or bakery/cafe. But for now, I intend to learn more recipes and prepare myself to market them one day. Studying may be my number one priority but that does not mean that I allow myself to be consumed by schoolwork. I don’t believe in studying to the point that one’s social and personal life is lost. Striking a balance is not difficult at all if one knows his or her priorities. Personally I alternate between study and play. If most of the day I was studying, the next part involves doing something I love. If necessary then I study a bit more after enjoying. Maybe some people will say I am a nerd, but I think I know how to strike a balance. I know how to enjoy life and make it worth living.

How can I not be relieved of stress when I am able to enjoy and serve what I have specially baked? There’s nothing like the feeling of tasting your own baking and sharing it with the ones you love.

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Throughout my stay in the University, watching different films has been one of my favorite pastimes that I enjoy with my friends, classmates, and dorm-mates. From comedy to action-suspense to horror films, name the genre and I have probably gone to watch it. I am not saying I have seen every movie that came out or, much less, that I am a movie expert. But generally speaking, I’ve watched those films that were in demand upon their release, including The Pursuit of Happyness, Up, Star Trek, 2012, Avatar, Sherlock Holmes, and Michael Jackson’s This is It. Of course, there were also the blockbuster movie series such as X-Men, The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Twilight, and Transformers. So how does a typical movie day go for me and my friends? It’s either spontaneous or planned. It is spontaneous when everyone feels stressed about schoolwork and we want to relieve stress right away. Of course, that’s after putting the final touches of whatever academic requirements we have at hand. We cannot just have movies galore all the time since our studies should still be the top priority. Planning to watch a movie, on the other hand, comes whenever we have nothing much to do for school and everyone’s free over the weekend. Whether spontaneous or planned, the important thing is we get to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and maybe take home some invaluable life lessons. But basking in the glowing silver screen needs a prudent process, too. My friends and I make sure that we watch good movies; meaning, we just don’t go to the cinemas and watch whatever film is showing. We try to do some research first about the film that we plan to watch. Movie review sites, for instance, help a lot. I personally go to these sites to read the reviews of the moviegoers and the critics. Recommendations from other people, especially from close friends, also ease the decision about which movies to see. After all, some films do stink; and I mean they are morally offensive.

Then I get extra satisfaction if the technical aspects of the movies I watch are exceptionally good. I’m talking about the movie’s cinematography, acting, music, effects and animation, and story and plot. But, as I hinted earlier, indeed entertainment is not the only reason why I love to watch movies. I get to learn from them a lot of things about life (and afterlife). I realize that (most of the time) there are invaluable life lessons subtly embedded in these films. One example is Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, where Albus Dumbledore told his protege: “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are; it is our choices.” And I think this makes a lot of sense, because in real life other people get to know us through the decisions we make. Yes, our talents and abilities may define who we are as individuals, but that’s not sufficient. A talented person, for example, may not necessarily be an upright person, so to speak. The movie 2012, on one hand, imparts to us the value of family; that is, as long as we’re with our family, we would always feel safe and loved. In sum, watching movies enables me to grasp a lot of things about the art of entertainment and about life. It may not always be true of other people, but I am able to relate to the characters of the film, whether it be because of their personalities, problems, achievements, or circumstances. This pastime is actually a unique learning experience for me. It complements the belief that learning should go beyond the four corners of the classroom.

JAKE MORALES

KIM CAJUCOM

Classroom Concerto

Heart for art

I’m sure a whole lot of us have had one of “those days”—backbreaking days that want to make you drop in exhaustion in the middle of the ACB lobby and scream “Aargh!” Yup, probably because of gruelling exams, taxing presentations, or the endless readings waiting for us on our study desks at home. I’ve had many of “those days” and, just like you, have had on my desk loads of work that need to be done. On such days, I pause for a while, and I look for some way to calm my nerves. Then, I see my violin at the corner of my room and can’t help but think how playing it can be like going through the struggles of a scholar, trying to balance grades with extracurricular activities. I’ve been playing the violin for quite some time, and I can’t seem to get enough of it. One thing I realize is that playing the violin well is just like excelling in studies or other activities. It takes time, hard work, and perseverance. The fruits of learning to play an instrument come later on and not at the moment you begin your lessons. As I pick up my violin and open my music book, my eyes widen as I behold one of the concertos of Vivaldi. To someone not familiar with how a concerto would look like, with all the musical sharps, flats, staccatos, legatos, and crescendos, then let me just put it in simple terms and say that it looks “Whoa! Really tough.” I smile as I behold a huge violin piece such as those of Vivaldi, because it somehow reminds me of all the challenging activities in school. As a violinist, I can only describe to you the feeling of getting lost in a violin piece—savoring every note, holding on to that long and breathtaking stroke of the bow, and listening to the sound of that note reverberate throughout the room. In that moment, it is as if I am creating my own world, using my violin. I think that the same analogy can apply to a student or scholar seeking to do well in his or her schoolwork—get lost in it; savor every learning moment, and by doing so, create a kind of song that is unique. If there is one thing that has to be part of everything that one must do, including studying, it is passion. It is the fuel of the soul that keeps you going, for the simple reason that you love doing it. But it doesn’t stop there. Much like playing a musical instrument, outstanding work would not have meaning if you do it only for yourself. What is the use of that beautiful concerto that you have mastered if you do not let others hear it? Similarly, what is the use of all the work you do if it does not motivate and help those around you? The work of a scholar should, like a concerto, lift up those that know it, by opening their eyes to the beauty and value of study. If the obligation of scholars is to lead, the life of a scholar is a concerto waiting to be mastered and touch the hearts and minds of those around us. When you love what you are studying, when you treat every single working experience in life like a new concerto that is just waiting for you to master it, then work becomes joy. It becomes music.

Studying is not my entire life. Although my studies are a top priority on my list, studying the whole day is far from the reality of my life. My university life revolves not only around studies but also around something I love: art. I love to sit down with paper and pencil, letting my ideas flow from my mind to the paper. Sometimes I wish I could just shut myself in My advice to my fellow my room all day and draw. students is that they But what would I draw? should find a way to Where does inspiration come complement studying from? If one wants inspiration, with art. Science and art one cannot find it within the coexist within oneself confines of a room. One must with a certain harmony, feel the world around her, in the same way that learning about all the wonthe mind is in harmony drous things that exist in it and with the heart. experience all that life brings. School has been that medium for inspiration. Where else would I meet and interact with such an interesting array of people? Where would I meet my friends who share my passion? Where would I get the chance to develop my skill and talent? School shows me the world through every aspect, teaching me that there are no limits to the wonderful things on earth. To learn is to open one’s mind to possibilities. I believe that endless possibilities are what fuel the imagination, create machines and structures, write sonnets and novels, paint canvases, and draw sketches. My days are most definitely not spent hitting the books. One way or another, I find time to draw and let my feelings out. It could be as simple as doodling on my planner or on yellow paper. I just have to channel all the emotions through paper. When one has a passion such as art, one can never hold it back. It will continue to exist and cannot be suppressed by things such as stress or lack of time. You will man manage to express it in some way, whether in the form of music, dance, theatre, etc. My advice to my fellow students is that they should find a way to complement studying with art. Science and art coexist within oneself with a certain harmony, in the same way that the mind is in harmony with the heart. Too much of one or the other is never a good thing. In the end, finding the balance is what will let you have a sense of inner peace that will withstand all the trials that come in life.

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Cover Story

GUAYA MELGAR

I was tested by heights, drifted off by water, confronted by risks, and bogged down by fear. But they all taught me virtues.

Frail? Not ‘’Guaya, are you okay? You look sick.’’ This is what I’d always hear from my classmates, teachers, friends, and other people that I interact with. That’s because I’m thin and look frail at times. I was born a sickly child. I grew up with my parents fussing over me. I never played much or engaged in physical activities, until my dad enrolled me and my brother in a taekwondo class. You think I was excited? Well, think again. I was really nervous that time. How could I not be scared? I was a very small, very thin and very frail kid, and I was about to join a class of super-fast and super-strong taekwondo students who were all much larger than me. Even my younger brother was bigger than me! When I finally entered my first taekwondo class, I did so with buckling knees, but I left it with my head held high. Although I did have a hard time, I was proud of myself for enduring the bone-breaking exercises and drills. I even made friends with my other classmates. I enjoyed practicing taekwondo so much that I continued taking classes until I reached high school. I stopped, though, because I thought it would tire me and prevent me from concentrating on my studies. Since then, I have been yearning for the chance to practice my poomse and spar once more. Good thing an opportunity to train again presented itself. I grabbed that chance and am now able to practice taekwondo with Coach Matts, aside from my PE class, which is also taekwondo (weird, I know). Contrary to what I thought, practicing taekwondo didn’t stop me from maintaining good marks. In fact, I found myself more active ever since I practiced it again. It has given me the energy to keep up with my studies, while engaging in extracurricular activities. Really thinking about it, I realized taekwondo helps me tremendously. First, it develops my fighting spirit. Through it, I learned not to give up whenever a challenge arises. It also helps me take care of my physical well-being, to remain active so that I won’t become sickly. Because of taekwondo, I can join and finish the fun run during sportsfests, despite my asthma. Lastly, it increased my independence and ability to take care of myself. In case of an encounter with a troublemaker, I could use the self-defense skills I learned or maybe just run away if ever my nerves fail me. Taekwondo, however, didn’t change everything. Many people still say that I look fragile and delicate, but I’m not surprised. Taekwondo didn’t change what other people think of me, but it changed what I think of myself. Whenever someone tells me I look frail, I just grin and think: ‘’Frail? Think again.’’

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

MARTIN VERDEJO

Bicol express Growing up in Bicol developed my interest in the outdoors. Seeing an active volcano each day, gazing up at a clear summer night sky from the rooftop, playing on the black sand beaches, riding on horseback, and trekking mountains, hills, and riverbanks—how can I not love the rural life? But let’s go deeper. Let me take you to Bicol and give you a glimpse of the coolest adventures I’ve done around the region. I’ll start with the famous Mayon Volcano, very well known for its nearly perfect cone shape, never damaged despite its activity. I gaze in wonder at its huge cauliflower puffs every time it erupts. I have gone up Mayon many times since I was a kid. A Skyline Hotel and Rest House lies halfway up to the tip. It’s a really terrific place to relax and take in the cool breeze with a scenic view of the eastern sea. This landmark is the starting point for mountaineers who go all the way to the peak —very cautiously though, because a short distance beyond the rest house is already the volcano’s permanent danger zone. From the slopes of Mayon, let us go downward to where they ultimately lead—the beaches! My summers would be pathetic without going to the beaches in my hometown, Bacacay (sounds like Boracay?) where I also grew fond of trailing on horseback. Unlike those of the famous Boracay beaches, the sands of Bacacay are black. These are predominantly deposits of fine fragments from

fast cooling lava. These beaches nurtured my interest in marine life. When I was a kid, I used to collect starfish and strange small water creatures that amuse me. Speaking of marine life, I encountered in Bicol the largest species of fish: the whale shark. It’s about five to 10 meters long. Good thing they are plankton-eating fish, so you can actually snorkel around them without being devoured. The so-called Whale Shark Capital of the World—Donsol, Sorsogon—is a onehour drive away from my place. But my aquatic adventures do not end with sea creatures. I’ve developed interest in wakeboarding, too. During long breaks from school, I visit Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex to zoom on the surf with my friends. I appreciate having been exposed to all these adventures. These undertakings helped shape my character. I was tested by heights, drifted off by water, confronted by risks, and bogged down by fear. But they all taught me virtues: I realized it takes patience to learn how to make a horse trot at your own command, perseverance to get back to the launch pad every time you lose hold of the wakeboard cables, and passion to scale mountains despite dangers. Certainly, I find the atmosphere in Manila way different. Instead of fields of green there are jungles of concrete, in place of fresh daytime sea breeze there is smoke belched by cars, and shooting stars are actually light from airplanes overhead. But here, as in my home province, I have an adventure which also involves risks and requires passion, patience, and perseverance. And it is being stellar myself, being a scholar of UA&P.

Environment

Cultivating peace, protecting creation This section’s articles, which are multidisciplinary in nature, share one and the same theme: civic responsibility in a threatened environment. There can be no doubt that this theme is relevant. We have only to look around to see how we have neglected and abused the natural resources that were given to us by the Author of Life. In his encyclical Caritas in Veritate, Pope Benedict XVI explicitly mentions that “nature expresses a design of love and truth.” He further explains that the environment is God’s gift to everyone and, therefore, we are obligated to use it responsibly not only for ourselves but for future generations. While acknowledging the significance of the environment, the Pope warns us not to view nature as something more important than the human person. He encourages us to make decisions that will strengthen the “covenant between human beings and the environment which should mirror the creative love of God from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying.” In his Papal Message for World Peace Day (January 1, 2010), Pope Benedict reiterates his call when he explicitly states that “if we want to cultivate peace, protect creation.” The Pope reminds us that twenty years ago, his predecessor, the late Pope John Paul II “devoted his Message for the World Day of Peace to the theme “Peace with God the Creator, Peace with All of Creation.” The late Pope said that “world peace is threatened also by a lack of due respect for nature.” Indeed, the Holy Father’s urgent appeal to protect the natural environment in order to build a world of peace is one that all should take to heart. Ms. Ma. Socorro Claudio  Chair, Department of English

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Environment

Towards a clean and green Philippines

“C

lean and green technologies are no longer a luxury. They are now an economic imperative,” observed Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas in a symposium on environment-friendly technologies last September. Dr. Villegas added that because our natural resources are scarce, efforts should be exerted to maximize them. He believed that even if there is an evolution of clean and green technologies at this time, they would not be competitive in the next 5 - 10 years because of the inevitable consequence of higher prices. But he said that even with the advent of high prices, there should be no hesitation to put more money on clean technologies. He stressed that what is important for the country is to become less dependent on foreign energy sources such as oil. He also suggested that the country’s next leaders dispel the people’s negative reaction toward nuclear energy, which is the safest, cleanest, and most efficient of all energy sources. He concluded his talk with the reiteration that resources are limited but brain power is not and that increasing population is not a problem. “Everything in nature is in the service of human beings,” he said, “but we should keep in mind that we have to use it intelligently.” Professor Miguel Escoto Jr. of the University of the Philippines added on Dr. Villegas’ inputs. In his lecture entitled “Technological Roadmap and Roadblocks of Clean Technologies: The Philippine Case,” he said that the Philippines, among many others, has low carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and that some of our environmental problems are caused by the high CO2-emitting countries. Through clean and green technologies, we can have a lower carbon footprint, reduce our energy usage, and shift our sustainable consumption into something environmentally efficient, he said. From Pernick and Wilder’s “Clean Edge Research and Publishing,” he cited the eight major clean technology sectors as solar energy, wind energy, biofuels, green building, personal transportation, smart grid, mobile applications (portable fuel cells), and water filtration. Prof. Escoto listed the strategic regions for the photovoltaic installation, since the country is blessed with diffused sunlight and showed how solar energy is one of the most ideal energy sources that the country can utilize. But even with the emergence of wealth in indigenous energy sources, some factors, such as the political imperative, still impede the further growth of these ideal energy sources. Dr. Antonio La Vina of the Ateneo De Manila University School of Government articulated his political point of view to supplement the theme of the symposium with his talk “The Future of Environmental Law and Governance.” He strongly affirmed that sustainable development is the foundational principle behind environmental laws and principles. Dr. La Vina said that these laws were previously biased toward exploiters; they are now inclined toward communities. He cited the three “worldclass” laws that passed the legislature regarding environmental protection—laws addressing the problem with air, water, and waste. These laws, according to Dr. La Vina, are the best for developing countries like the Philippines. But even with these “world-class” laws, implementation has been deficient because of over-reliance on the national government.

He pointed out the problems with the scarcity in resources such as financial resources, human and technical resources, as well as overlapping mandates and poor coordination, inadequate sector-based planning and management, and bad governance. He presented some possible solutions in terms of the role of local government, expansion of the role of the LGUs, increase in their building capacity, removal of control by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the improvement of the accreditation system. He said that to address these problems, the DENR should evolve and expand their role as the catalyst, enabler, convenor, and coordinator of the advocacies in saving the environment. Lean Alfred B. Santos  College of Arts and Sciences 2nd Year

“Everything in nature is in the service of human beings, but we should keep in mind that we have to use it intelligently.”

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G A N D H I S C H O O L .W O R D P R E S S .C O M

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Environment

OCEAN-ACTION RESOURCE CENTER:

Conserving marine resources My friends and I have recently established a non-profit organization called Ocean-action Resource Center, Inc. (ORC) in my home province Southern Leyte. When people learn about my “sudden interest” in non-profit work, they usually express surprise. When I tell them we’re advocating marine conservation among young Filipinos in coastal areas, they eye me even more curiously (and sometimes worriedly). The idea of a UA&P English teacher doing marine conservation work in rural Southern Leyte just seems strange.

grew up in a coastal town in Leyte. For 25 years, my family lived in the Visayas State University (VSU), the school in Leyte famous for its campus that’s practically by the sea. VSU is often considered an “environmental heaven,” bordered by the ocean on the west and the mountains on the east. My parents were professors and so were my neighbors, and the beach was just a hundred meters from where I lived. Most people assume that this environment had cultivated my

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

interest for marine conservation. I got my closest education about marine conservation, however, when I saw marine biologists setting up buoys in the water. They said they were making a marine sanctuary, and no fishing should be done within those markers. We weren’t told why; all I knew was that a marine sanctuary had a lot of fish, and I was just too happy for my friends who went spear fishing when no one was watching. It was only 20 years later when I finally understood the role of marine sanctuaries in local communities. And the people who

had taken the time to teach me were not my neighbors but, quite ironically, foreigners from across the globe—British student volunteers who traveled to the Philippines to do reef checks and underwater surveys. I hadn’t known what abundant and rich marine resources my home province had until then. It was like discovering for the first time that the paper weight I’ve been using for 20 years was actually a piece of gem. These are the kinds of ironic realities that have fueled ORC’s existence. We live in an archipelagic country that does not prioritize marine education. We have academic institutions that generate scholarly publications and breakthroughs in theories and research, but we still lack simple, easily transmissible, and understandable knowledge for use by our own local communities. Admittedly, children’s educational programs for marine conservation are nothing new in the Philippines. Successful programs of such kind have been in operation, like those in School of the Seas in Cebu, Museo Sang Bata Sa Negros in Sagay City, and the Environment and Natural Resources Management Division (ENRMD) in Dumaguete City. But a general lack of

interest and support still pervades not just within local governments but also among other non-government organizations and academic institutions. In my area, Region VIII, I still have yet to see a well-supported community-based initiative wholly and actively dedicated to marine education for young people. Early into the formation of ORC, two target beneficiaries were already identified: young people and teachers. We have always thought that schools are good (and easy) grounds for advocacy and information campaigns. Young people are active and enthusiastic propagators of information, whereas teachers are influential motivators in the community. Teachers in these communities are, in fact, in the best position to be effective advocates. They can “go down” and understand the real, day-to-day issues of children, parents, and community members. At the same time, they can “go up” to influence, appeal, and pressure government leaders and other local officials. However, coastal resource management rarely include schools in their agenda, and if they do, their roles and capacities are not tapped well. There certainly has been a lack of concern and insight in this area, and we felt burdened to do something about it. Today, ORC’s major priority and challenge is to provide sustainable resource and training programs for teachers in Silago, Southern Leyte who have committed to promote marine science and conservation. Twenty elementary teachers have already undergone marine science training under ORC’s partner Coral Cay Conservation. Two others will be undergoing a more intensive training that includes diving, underwater surveys, and reef assessment. One is being groomed to write for marine literature for Filipino children. These are all in preparation for a marine education center that ORC hopes to build in Silago in the future. Thus, last October we geared up for a provincewide forum to push our initiative to all

“We believe that environmental care and marine education is not just a priority of ORC and its partners; it is and should be a priority of everybody.” ////////////////////// other groups, organizations, agencies, and individuals in Southern Leyte. We believe that environmental care and marine education is not just a priority of ORC and its partners; it is and should be a priority of everybody— whether a government leader, a parent, a tourist, or even an English teacher. Ms. Grace Quiton  College of Arts and Sciences Faculty

FROM TRASH

to trendy

A group of freshmen went a notch higher than what was required by their National Service Training Program (NSTP) with a special project called “Every Doypack Counts.” In July 2009, Kath Abelita, Jocel Salvador, Lizette Agralon, Tyrone Agas, JC Bucalbos, Noah De Luna, Melissa Abolino, Clarice Fajardo, and Clarissa Guihnawa began lending a hand to KILUS (Kababaihan Iisa ang Layunin Umunlad ang Sambayanan) Foundation. KILUS is a livelihood program of Brgy. Ugong (Pasig City) that turns trash into gold. They collect used doypacks and turn them into lifestyle items: bags, pouches, necklaces, bracelets, slippers, picture frames, CD cases, curtains pillow cases, place mats, and floor mats. For the gift-giving, joy-filled season, the students realized that Christmas parties produce a gazillion doypacks. So, in addition to the usual help they give to KILUS, they thought of collecting doypacks from the once Guinnessdeclared world’s largest secondary school, Rizal High School—a sure source of an Everest of recyclables. Kath Abelita shares, “[Although] it all began as a requirement for NSTP at UA&P... we never took it as just that. We took it seriously. That’s why during the Christmas season, even

when we didn’t have to show up at KILUS, we thought of collecting doypacks to help them.” Their normal day at KILUS involved counting the doypacks, examining which to use and which to reject, segregating colors and bundling them into hundreds. In recounting his experience at KILUS, Jocel Salvador shares, “We thought it was going to be easy…but we realized there was a tally per color that we had to follow, so if we didn’t focus, we’d lose count and would have to go back to one. We had to examine the doypacks really carefully. That’s why the employees there are very serious when at work.” He further admits that despite the serious work the organization requires, the group learned to enjoy their time. Such that they were inspired to do more than what is required and launched “Every Doypack Counts.” For this special project, they visited Rizal High School’s classrooms, from first to fourth year, and encouraged the students to collect doypacks. The class per batch with the most number of doypacks will win P1,000.

Abelita shares, “Most students in Rizal High are victims of Ondoy. Since poor trash management was among the things that made it worse, we try to encourage them to learn from past mistakes and encourage them to recycle. In turn, this also helps KILUS.” Doypack collection started January 2010. Winners will be announced in February. The group will also conduct a survey among the high school participants to see if the exercise has had a positive effect on encouraging them to go green.

Ms. Ivanna Aguiling College of Arts and Sciences Faculty 

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Environment

HOW TO MAKE GLOW-IN-THE-DARK ANIMALS

GMO technology and its limits I am a molecular biologist. Let me tell you a little about what I do. My current project involves making glow-in-the-dark animals. I work with a relative of the jellyfish called the hydra, named after the monster from Greek mythology. Natural hydra do not glow in the dark. We will engineer them to contain a gene from the firefly. 42

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

s this a new thing? Genetically engineered organisms or GMOs have been around since 1977, when Genentech (a leading biotechnology company considered the founder of the biotechnology industry) produced human growth hormone bacteria. Today, more than 100 million hectares of land in the world are used to grow GMO crops like corn, cotton, soya whose derivative products we use in the form of animal feeds, syrup, and salad.

GMOs are here to stay

Like any technology, GMO technology has limits. Dangerous as some of these limitations might first appear, they provide exciting opportunities that argue for continuing work on genetic manipulation and allowing for its evolution. What are these limits? I may group them into three overlapping categories: the methodological limits, the conceptual limits, and the value limits.

Limits in GMO methods

First, the limits of the method. It is often argued that genetic engineering techniques are inherently dangerous. For instance, pestresistant Bt Corn produces an insecticide in its tissues, and nearly all GMO plants contain genetic motors called promoters derived from highly pathogenic viruses. Many fear that foreign genes might cause allergies, promoters might turn relatively harmless viruses into killers, or herbicide resistance genes might transfer to real weeds, causing an ecological disaster. In mammalian experiments, foreign genes and viral promoters have caused cancer. But so far, there have been no data from the field suggesting that GMOs have caused the said evils from plants, suggesting that the risks are small for GMO crops. Thus, we have been reaping their benefits. Farmers have improved their yields and their profits, and GMO companies have likewise made much profit. Human genetic engineering, on the other hand, remains dangerous and is not available to the public. Positive results from various clinical studies and the fact that genetic engineering might be the only way to correct many rare and fatal diseases motivate us to correct the many hitches and to develop new technologies like stem cells, clones, and vaccines. I am very hopeful that the dangers that now plague human genetic engineering will be resolved for that is the way it is with methodological limits.

Conceptual limits

Second, the conceptual limits. It has been argued that GMO research is based on an outmoded understanding of the central dogma of biology. This model, arising from Watson and Crick’s work in the 1950s, states that genetic information flows in one direction from DNA to traits. Why is this model so central to GMO research? When we breed organisms the natural way, we expect to get unintended changes since thousands of genes are actually being mixed. For example, exotic breeds of dogs also come with heart, bone, and mental problems. With GMOs, however, we can isolate just the genes and traits that we want. According to the central dogma, there should be no side effects. Yet there are side effects. I had a batchmate who tried to make giant tilapia by engineering them with the rat growth hormone. His products looked like monsters. It turns out that although traits might be controlled by single genes, these genes are under the control of other genes, which are under the control of other genes, and so on. In addition, the environment can affect these networks. Playing around with just one gene can cause many unpredictable effects. Extend these effects to the environment and the picture becomes even more complex. What this means is that certain systems such as the human body and the natural environment, the world, behave in ways that could not be deduced from a knowledge of how the individual parts behave. Such behaviors are called emergent. The fact that adaptation is a kind of emergent behavior means that organisms and nature are much more likely to adjust to our mistakes than to be destroyed by them. Most of us consumers will neither see the mistakes nor feel them. Monsters are killed, or they die out, killed by the scientists or the selfadjusting environment. Meanwhile, scientists continue with their trial and error. They may try to decode the complex gene-environment interactions to better control the experiments. This is the agenda of the new science of systems biology, a discipline built to understand emergent behavior. Furthermore, scientists must contend with another force in the environment—law—which obliges them not to release GMOs before

their safety is thoroughly evaluated. These laws, like living things, evolve as the technology evolves. Legal approval notwithstanding, another environmental force—consumer behavior—can still force manufacturers to pull out a perfectly harmless, but tasteless, product, like the Flavr Savr tomato. The methodological and conceptual limits are, I think, well within the control of scientists. But not the third—the value limits.

Value limits

Are scientific criteria more weighty in this case than, say, economic or ethical criteria? Some argue that in a world ruled by technology, we have allowed scientists, highly focused and but essentially narrow-minded professionals, to force upon us products whose benefits are either short-term or illusory. Short-term, because in their excitement the scientists have not allowed enough time to see the real dangers arising from the methodological and conceptual limits. Illusory, because the concentration of savoir faire has meant a concentration of power among the knowledge elite. This view of the scientific work, however, is too simple. Many people, perhaps because of how the history of science is often portrayed in textbooks, think of science as a neat walk down an orderly timeline. But this is not true. A scientist is more like a man struggling and stumbling up a craggy mountain whose devious paths and false turns he simply has to live with. Nature, not reason, determines the shape of the world. In other words, no matter how intelligent a scientist might be, he will never be in total control. The view is also false because scientists do not work detached from society and its needs. They are obliged, even forced, to listen to others because they know they can never know or do everything. Otherwise the inevitable happens: failure. Failure, someone once said, is the language nature uses when we refuse to listen to any other. One example illustrates how “non-scientific” forces affect science in a major way. Instead of forcing the controversial issue of embryonic stem cells, Prof. Shinya Yamanaka instead developed a technology that can make stem cells by genetically reprogramming adult cells. It might well be that these so-called induced pluripotent stem cells might make the issue of the embryonic stem cells academic. Society as a whole, and the scientific community in particular, is a self-adjusting system that weeds out bad ideas, all the more effectively if a significant number of people keep an open mind, remain sensitive to the needs of people, and adhere to the rules of reason and scholarship. Good scholarship translates to peer review and publication. Where the subject is controversial, there is much opportunity for “multidisciplinary” research that combines the methods and perspectives of several fields. Thus, a scientist who knows his science well may collaborate with experts in ethics, law, and morals to elaborate policies and principles in tune with current events. There will always be dangerous research, of course. Work on human embryos and human cloning will go on. But the self-adjusting properties of a society conversant with multiple disciplines will ultimately draw much benefit from the discoveries that will arise from even the most “dangerous” manifestations of scientific progress.

Dr. Jose Enrico Lazaro of the University of the Philippines delivered this speech during the English Week celebration last July.

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Environment

Science, the environment, and the Catholic Church The environmental issue remains to be one of the biggest concerns of our generation. And rightly so, since this affects not only us, but especially the succeeding generations. We already know that we hold the responsibility over whatever else happens to the environment. We know it all too well. There’s no wonder that politicians, celebrities, scientists, and theologians have all called our attention to this concern. Even the Christian faithful has a role in this big environmental mess that constitutes global warming. In the face of this startling concern, what should be our response as Christians in the middle of the world? One of UA&P’s chaplains, Fr. Roberto Latorre, a doctor of theology and biology degree holder, discusses some gripping issues regarding science, religion, environmental awareness, and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

address the problem regarding the abuses of the environment. The individual Christian should take it upon himself to take care of the environment. Apart from these, the Church also takes charge of the victims of natural calamities. One interesting example of Christian initiative is the action of the Bishop of Angeles in Pampanga. He would organize a group every week to clean up the river, and at the start, residents would merely watch (while the Bishop and his volunteers worked). In due time, these residents took part in cleaning the river as well. That simple project was so influential that it educated and inspired the residents about the importance of having and keeping that one natural water source clean. With that, you can already see the effect of good example on people.

How exactly can science and religion be compatible?

As previously mentioned, Caritas in Veritate is the newest encyclical letter that Pope Benedict XVI released on June 29, 2009. It touches on the importance of ecology and further emphasizes the urgency of addressing the abuses to the environment. There’s a particular part that touched me the most, which is centered around the issue of “water.” Considering that the Philippines is rich in this resource, the Filipino people aren’t aware that all around the world, nations are at war for this essential right to water. There shouldn’t be a war for a resource we’re all given the right to.

Christianity, specifically, is not only compatible with science: it’s in perfect harmony with science, in both its methods and conclusions. Let’s use history as a reference. Science has never contradicted another body of knowledge that opposed its objectives as a science. Everything in science is understood to be true. But within the context of history and the emergence of various contradicting religions, Christian thinkers called “apologists” sought to find a “reason” for the faith that they professed. Being open to the truth in philosophy, these philosophers used philosophy as a means to the faith. The only common ground of truth within religion and science is the capability to grasp the truth through reason. That’s why the Christian faith had no problems with the sincere quest for truth and knowledge of any kind undertaken by reasonable men. It’s no wonder that Christian thinkers searched for knowledge in all fields where truth can be found. Some of these Christians have even contributed significantly to their fields of science, some of them being Nicholas Copernicus, Galileo Gailei, and Gregor Mendel.

What is the current state of science with regard to Christianity? The state of science has dramatically changed since then. Now, people are more heavily reliant on technology. This usually leads to two things: reason without faith and faith without reason. They bring about different consequences. Reason without faith will suffer in the illusion of science’s “all-mighty” power. On the other hand, if people continue living faith without reason, they’ll suffer the risks of being cut off from everyday life. Only together will faith and reason save man. This was clearly pointed out by Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate. Despite the undeniable truth of technology ruling our society, the Christian faith remains strong in the arms of the faithful and reasonable Christian men. The Christian faith guides the scientific man by moral and ethical considerations in his scientific activity. After all, reason and faith do work hand in hand to show us what is good, provided that we want to see this truth.

What has the Church done so far, regarding man’s abuse of the natural resources?

In principle, the Church’s purpose is centered in the next life and does not include temporal realities. But the Church has made known her concern for the different environmental issues and has been teaching and encouraging the Christian people on initiatives to

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

What are the concrete statements the Church has made to address the environmental issues?

As our school chaplain, what are your expectations of us, UA&P students, regarding environmental awareness?

I would like them to be aware of the need to love nature, to be in touch with all the manifestations that nature brings us, and to immediately apply it to the little things in school. Love nature. Be in touch with nature. Appreciate nature. Be open to the outdoor life. Our provinces house the most beautiful landscapes that give us, Filipinos, a sense of home. Only in those moments when we sit in silence with nature and its beauty will our Christian faith emanate within us. I remember a general quote from Pope Benedict when he was still Cardinal Ratzinger: “To be a good theologian, you should be a poet or a lover of nature.” Why? Because God is a mystery. And when you go to nature, you’ll realize, “Wow! It’s bigger than me.” That brings you to God. If you don’t have a sense of mystery you cannot reach God. If there’s one thing I learned that stands out from this chat with Fr. Latorre, it is that this earth and everything in it are what sustain us. They were not only made for us but for us to take care of. As citizens of a prominently Christian nation, we should be inclined to love the earth for everything that it is. Perhaps we think that global warming is overrated and that it’s impossible for it to have a definite impact on the environment. We may wonder, “Why care?” Everyday, we, UA&P students, are in direct contact with nature as straightforward as the trees in the parks and the fresh flowers that adorn our dining tables. Being that our school is situated in a financial district, we should be aware that all forms of technology are products of nature. All these little things that we encounter constitute the bigger picture. That’s the most important part.

Interview by Isha de Vera  College of Arts and Sciences 2nd Year

“To be a good theologian, you should be a poet or a lover of nature.” Why? Because God is a mystery. And when you go to nature, you’ll realize, “Wow! It’s bigger than me.” That brings you to God. /////////////////

“E ARTHRISE” BY NASA

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

civAsia Student Conference The Office of Student Affairs brought together 57 student leaders from around the country to reassert the significance of youth involvement in rising above the pressing struggles of our times. The event was the 13th Civitas Asia (civAsia) National Student Conference held last November 19 to 21 with the theme “Mobilizing a Generation: Engaging the Youth to Address Tomorrow’s Needs.”

SED talks to

Gen F

There is no question that Facebook has crept fast into young people’s lives. That can be good. But it also can be bad, and they have to know why. This was the intent of the School of Education and Human Development (SED) in choosing the theme for the Youth Lens Conference, which was part of the events for SED’s 15th foundation anniversary last September. Youth Lens is an annual forum organized and participated in by the youth to discuss issues that concern their development. Both public and private high school students from Metro Manila and nearby provinces attended the forum. Youth Lens 2009 focused on issues about social networking, with the theme: “Getting Disconnected: Youth Engagement in Social Network Sites.” It sought to inform the students that their best armor against the threats and dangers of engaging in social network sites is their freedom. They need to know how to make good use of their free will and to think critically in engaging in social network sites (SNSs). SED Dean Celerino Tiongco, in his opening remarks, said that students have become far superior than the adults in terms of knowledge and technical skills. However, these cannot be equated to wisdom and good

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Student Life

UA&P hosts 13th

tips on how young people can come up with unique ideas to start a business. The last speaker, Mr. Pocholo Gonzales of Voice of the Youth Network, talked about the lifestyle of young people online and advocated for the intelligent and prudent use of technology.

Resolutions

(From left) Mr. Philip Francisco Dy, Mr. Jaime Garchitorena, and Atty. Arnel P. Casanova

Exploring different aspects of the conference theme within political, economic, and sociocultural frameworks, the conference was framed around three topics: “Youth Vote: Breaking Silence in the Electoral Process,” “Youth Entrepreneurship: Opening Up New Economic Possibilities,” and “Youth in Cyberspace: Forging a New Identity.” The student-leaders hailed from Batangas, Albay, Aklan, Iloilo, and Bacolod. Among the participating Metro Manila colleges and universities were Assumption College, De la Salle–College of St. Benilde, Far Eastern University, Miriam College, and New Era University.

Leadership and entrepreneurship

On the first day, known young professionals gave their thoughts on youth leadership. Governance advocate and social entrepreneur Atty. Arnel Casanova shared how perseverance and determination are instrumental to hurdling life’s challenges. However, beyond selfaccomplishment, he called young people to stand by their principles and be sterling examples of integrity: “Keep the fire of idealism burning. Treasure the passion that you keep deeply in your hearts. Do not be tempted by the seduction of wealth, ambition, and power for oneself, but work tirelessly for equitable wealth and power for all.”

judgment. In relation to engaging in social network sites, being a literate and active user does not necessarily lead to being a mature and responsible user. For this reason, it is equally important that students and educators be aware of the pleasures and pitfalls of social network sites. Mr. Jason de Villa of the School of Communication identified some positive aspects of SNSs. He said that the youth have flocked to sites like Facebook because of its ability to connect and reconnect people with their old friends. Through photo and video sharing, old friends are able to update each other and rekindle their friendship. Aside from that, SNSs promise convenience by serving as a venue for people to meet new friends and hang out without being face to face. Moreover, SNSs enable users to follow thoughts and ideas of interesting people, become updated with current news, and “tap into the collective conscious of the world.” Mr. Alex Ramos and Ms. Annica Ramos, on the other hand, discussed the negative aspects of engaging in social network sites. While Ms. Ramos discussed the current teenage norms in using social network sites such as posting pictures that are indecent, posting too much information about oneself, and interacting with strangers, Mr. Ramos tackled the consequences of these norms. He said that if teens are not selective of the materials they post on the Internet, they might attract hackers, predators, fraudsters, and identity thieves. These people can, for example, steal someone’s identity and accounts using their names. They can also rob someone’s peace for posting their whereabouts because that way, they can stalk that person easily. Mr. John-D Borra talked about the exercise of freedom in engaging in social network sites. He likened it to touring a friend around one’s own

On the other hand, Mr. Jaime Garchitorena of YouthVote Philippines and Young Public Servants emphasized the collective strength of the youth in changing the political status quo. More than being warm bodies, the youth wields power through their mobility, influence, and connectivity. He consequently encouraged the participants to strive for greater awareness and dialogue of civic issues and to volunteer in civic organizations. Entrepreneur Mr. Carlo Calimon of Let’s Go Foundation pushed for young people to consider entrepreneurship as a career option. Citing his experience in business ventures, he provided

Subsequent to the lectures, the participants engaged in intense discussions and workshops to draft viable resolutions and initiatives that they themselves should implement. Among the resolutions from the student’s discussions were to promote an issue-oriented voter’s education, to put together a web-based organization that will facilitate youth entrepreneurial endeavors, and to establish a cyberethics education program for young people. To cap the program on a solid note, Philip Francisco Dy of the One Tama Campaign encouraged the delegates to spur change by being good citizens in everyday living. More concretely, he challenged the participants to think not only of the actions they could do, but also of those that they could share and do together. Indeed, inasmuch as the civAsia experience brought to light the youth’s desire and willingness to work for change, there are 57 reasons to be hopeful that personal change and change in our country will happen.

Ronald Rodriguez  College of Arts and Sciences 2nd year

“Students have become far superior than the adults in terms of knowledge and technical skills. However, these cannot be equated to wisdom and good judgment.”

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house. He said that when a person shows his house to a guest, he usually allows that person to see his living room but will most likely not let him take a look, not even a peek, at his own room. In using social network sites, a person must be careful with the information, photos, videos, and blogs that he posts on his account. Whenever he would upload a photo or an article on his account, he would cite the link where he got the article and photos. In terms of making friends, Mr. Borra said that he accepts almost all the friend invitations he receives but makes sure that he makes an effort to know them. Another way for him to meet new friends is by engaging in dialogue with people about valuable topics like the Reproductive Health Bill. This way, involvement in social network sites becomes worthwhile in itself. Josephine Christine Santos  School of Education and Human Development 4th Year

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Student Life Sounds like Tuesdays with Morrie: The UA&P

Mentoring Program Frodo had Gandalf, Harry had Dumbledore, and Cinderella had her Fairy Godmother. UA&P’s mentors may not have the power to turn pumpkins into carriages, but they do make for us, students, a better university experience. // We need mentors, admit it—to guide us, advise us, listen to us. We need them as much as The Boy Who Lived sought Dumbledore for advice on what to think of Severus Snape, on how to overcome the hauntings of a tragic past, and maybe even how to stomach an earwax-flavored Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavor Bean. Of course, mom and dad—or our best chum— are always there to advise us (that’s a given). But having a “third-party” opinion on our academic and personal issues only adds to our chance of arriving at wiser decisions (not to mention that such opinion comes from someone who is also very much in the University and a good professional). // We asked several students about their take on the mentoring program. Here are some of them.

One advantage of UA&P’s small population is that it can provide mentoring to all students. Mentoring, as we all know, is there to help us. Indeed, you need to give time for the sessions, but they are all worth it. In my case, it actually helped me be more organized in my daily and weekly activities. It made me discover my priorities. My mentor also pointed out to me: “Don’t be contented in just being ‘good’ and don’t wish it was easier: wish you were better.” Moreover, she constantly encourages me to be closer to God and continue my spiritual direction.

My mentor also pointed out to me: “Don’t be contented in just being ‘good’ and don’t wish it was easier: wish you were better.”

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Nicole Briones  College of Arts and Sciences 2nd Year

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Mentoring. Sounds preachy? Think again. In my first two years taking advantage of this privilege, I was able to find out who I really am at a different level. During my first year at UA&P, adjustment was my foremost concern. Coming from an all-girls school, I found it hard to get along with people of all kinds of personalities. Talk about culture shock. But putting that aside, I was more worried about how I would shift from high school lectures to college lectures. And dealing with different kinds of teachers, crazy class schedules, the freedom and independence that come with the whole package, how could I survive all these? Luckily, UA&P has a personal mentoring program. Being a talkative person myself, I look forward to my mentoring session every other week. My mentor listens to what I have to say about school work, family ties, and the other things that go on in my life. She also helps me to be better at these things. Now you might be thinking, “We have best friends to do that job.” Thing is, profession and experience are factors that set my mentor and best friend apart. Mentoring is something you should try out. It not only helps you for now, but it moulds you to be a better you for the future. Imagine the edge we have from this program! Jade Sison  College of Arts and Sciences 2nd Year

When I first entered the University, mentoring was entirely new to me but I quickly learned to enjoy it. Struggling to fit in my new environment, I found a refuge in mentoring. My mentor became more like a friend, and the sessions provided me with a chance to open up and get help. Surprisingly, not many students take advantage of this opportunity. In my second year, my groupmates and I wrote a research paper on the mentoring program. Many students that we surveyed did not go to their mentors or did not see mentoring as useful. Some did not like being told what or what not to do; others thought that the mentors should not delve into the lives of students.

I found a refuge in mentoring. My mentor became more like a friend, and the sessions provided me with a chance to open up and get help.

The mentoring program at UA&P really helped me survive my schedule last year. Ms. Leigh Tobias, former director of the Corporate Communications Office, was my mentor. As a member of the Junior Marketing Communications (JMC) team, having Ms. Leigh as my mentor was a plus because we worked for the same office. My schedule was so hectic last semester. From 7:30 to 10:30 am, I would have class, and from 11 am to 5 pm, I would have rehearsals for a musical in Makati. Then I would run back to school for my 6:00 pm class. My schedule was a little overwhelming. Thanks to Ms. Leigh, I was able to balance both my work and studies. I would meet with her at least twice a month and we’d talk about everything: from my personal life to how my rehearsals were going and how I was dealing with my classes. She also recommended that I find time for Mass. I listened to her advice and it helped me a lot. I still find time for Mass at least once a week. I learned to always make time for spiritual guidance as well. With Ms. Leigh gone, Ms. Anna Alejo is my new mentor. I had my first meeting with her last week. We instantly got along really well, and I look forward to many more mentoring sessions with her. Kelly Lati  College of Arts and Sciences 2nd Year

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I have enjoyed mentoring during my three-year stay so far in UA&P and I attribute it to the mentors I‘ve had. Mentoring offers a chance not only for students to get help in academics but even in other aspects of life. This is something unique to our University and students should really take advantage of this. Justin Akia  Institute of Political Economy 3rd Year

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

VIP

par excellence

P H OTO S: C A R LO C A B R E R A & B E T H D E C A S T R O

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Student Life

It was the time of the year when UA&P was to receive its most important guest: Jesus Christ himself in the Blessed Sacrament. The Eucharistic Procession, a custom adopted by the University in 2005, united the University’s students, faculty, and staff in a common act of worship, recognizing very well the harmony between faith and reason and of religion and life. The theme of the November 26 procession was “Eucharist: Unconditional Self-Giving,” referring to Christ’s infinite love for man that moves him to remain substantially in the Eucharist. The procession also underlined its relevance to the Year for Priests, which Pope Benedict XVI declared last June. Weeks before the event, the Center for Students and Alumni set up a website and a multimedia exhibit to promote the procession. Dozens swarmed along corridors and halls to help out on the eve of the event. Petals of mums, roses, and daisies were arranged with dyed wood shavings to create vivid floral carpets. The carpet’s designs ranged from traditional UA&P symbols (galleon, star, waves) to colorful student org logos to short biblical quotes. If there’s a day that unites the UA&P community the most, this is it. Two stations were also set up. Each had unique regal elegance. UA&P was suddenly transfigured into a wonderland, as sophomore Angel Yulo would describe it. During his homily before the procession, Msgr. Joseph Duran, honorary vice grand chancellor of UA&P and regional vicar of Opus Dei to the Philippines, commented on the strategic placement of the stations: “The first station will be in the Multi-Purpose Court, where habitually you hold classes and programs to be physically fit. As we adore Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist, we will ask him to always accompany us in our physical workouts. We will tell him that we will offer him all those classes and programs that will make us all healthy and fit for work and service to others.” Regarding the second station at Study Hall A, he said that the Blessed Sacrament would be brought there “as a gesture of our deep desire that in our efforts to form ourselves intellectually, [Christ] remains close to us specially during the difficult moments of preparing for examinations and tests. With our adoration in the altar there, we will manifest our inner desire to seek the whole Truth, not mindful of the cost in pursuing it. We will tell Jesus that he is the Truth that we ultimately seek as we study the human and physical sciences.” All told, the procession lasted almost two hours amid liturgical hymns, the fragrance of incense, and prayers. Hundreds came to follow the procession; hundreds more helped out in some way; all prayed. Mr. Daryl Zamora  Corporate Communications Office

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Newspaper Dance by Joachim Antonio; directed by Jonathan Guillermo; starring Miko Arambulo, Jonas Gonzales, Kaye Matriano, and Rachelle Flores Dialogue 7.7.99 by Christian Vallez; directed by Nikki Arellano; starring Alyana Dalisay and Jolo Valdez. Overtones by Alice Gerstenberg; adapted by Tinette Villanueva-Miciano and Maro Agito; directed by Cholo Isungga; starring Angel Yulo, Krisan Jacomina, Nicole Briones, and Anna Yulo

uandary

“Quandary means a state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do. Dilemma. It’s common to all of the plays. That is why we chose that title,” says Festine Chan, project head and Viare’s associate vice president for operations. It all begins with Dialogue 7.7.99. Written by Christian Vallez and directed by Nikki Arellano, Dialogue tells the story of Chris, who is set to marry another girl, and Claire, who is carrying their unborn child, as they face what the guy would believe to be the end of the world. Next comes Newspaper

Overtones

“Quandary means a state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do. Dilemma. It’s common to all of the plays.” ////////////////////////

Late last year, the air buzzed with bewilderment and excitement as news about Viare’s Quandary spread across school like a virus. The bulletin board with the huge Q on it, propped along the Ledge and sometimes at Study Hall A, could not be missed. Classrooms were busy until night with the regular rehearsals of the different casts of the three one-act plays of this major production. Most of all, crowds flocked to the Dining Halls as the plays were finally being staged last November and December.

Dance written by Palanca Award winner and UA&P alumnus Joachim Antonio and directed by Jonathan Guillermo. Set on a lighter tone, it tells how a young couple analyzes their relationship and resolves their very recent breakup while stuck under a waiting shed on a rainy night. Lastly, Overtones, written by Alice Gerstenberg, adapted by Tinette Villanueva-Miciano and Maro Agito, and directed by Cholo Isungga, tackles the infamous question of “For love or for money?” as two supposedly best friends and their alter egos battle it out onstage with wit and humor for the man they both love. Indeed, one will not step out of the venue without being struck by some enlightenment. Emotions are purged. Questions are answered and thoughts elevated as each act concludes and fades into darkness giving way to another surge of creative collaboration. Angel Yulo  College of Arts and Sciences 2nd Year

Dialogue 7.7.99 P H OTO S: DA L E L I G O N

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Newspaper Dance

Arts

Ang Paglilitis Kay

Mang Serapio

“Visually engaging, thoughtful, spectacular, wonderfully performed, one of the best productions.” ////////////////////

For its 20th anniversary, Dulaang ROC, the first student org and only Filipino theater company in UA&P, restaged the first-ever play it performed in its history—Dr. Paul Dumol’s most staged classic, Ang Paglilitis Kay Mang Serapio. ROC gave a fresh rendition of this classic social drama that earned rave reviews from audiences and critics. The author himself praised it as one of the best renditions he has seen in years. “Visually engaging,” “thoughtful,” “spectacular,” “wonderfully performed,” and “one of the best productions” were just some of the praises it garnered for its first run in December. (The second run was held early this month.) With an ensemble of new actors from ROC under the direction of Palanca winner and UA&P faculty member Christian Vallez, Dulaang ROC brought back Dr. Dumol’s material to its original intention of depicting social degradation in a society where love is forbidden. Ang Paglilitis Kay Mang Serapio relates the trial of the beggar Serapio, who is accused by the syndicate of raising a child. The first interrogator, exceptionally played by School of Economics faculty member Ronilo Balbieran, relates to the audience that Serapio’s was a mock trial. However, despite the lack of proof for his crime, the syndicate decides to carry out Serapio’s sentence: he is to be blinded. The play ends with the interrogator justifying the punishment they gave Serapio. In cooperation with Arts and Culture Asia, Inc. (ACASIA), an arts production organization founded by UA&P alumni and former ROC members, Dulaang ROC returned theater to its roots—to instruct and to entertain. After disturbing the audience with the evocative performances of Lorenze Visco as Serapio, Ina Gonda and Stephanie Sol as Balbieran’s co-interrogators, Mil Prado as the judge, and the ROC chorus, the cast and crew opened the floor for discussion to help the audience, mostly students, to process and clarify social and philosophical issues raised by the play. In line with ACASIA’s advocacy of educating the Filipino people through the arts, the group encouraged the audience members to dialogue with the creative team to understand how stories affect our social realities and vice-versa. One of UA&P’s most unforgettable theater productions, Serapio is ROC’s ultimate offering to the UA&P community, following a series of other visual spectacles and reinventions of Filipino theater in the last 20 years. Mr. Roger Bachs Contributor 

PHOTO: CARLOS CREENCIA

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

Arts

P H OTO : C A R LO S C R E E N C I A

P H OTO S: B I G G K A S

BIGGKAS volunteers bring Christmas cheer to kids

Marian music

magnified in UA&P Chorale’s

Magnificat

To honor the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Month of the Holy Rosary, the UA&P Chorale burst into songs at the Stella Orientis Oratory last October. The concert was titled Magnificat, referring to Mary’s song of thanksgiving to God. Conducted by choirmaster Danilo Monte Jr., the choral ensemble presented a repertoire of Marian pieces culled from the Baroque to the contemporary era: Hassler’s “Dixit Maria,” Rachmaninov’s “Bogoroditsye,” Poulenc’s “Salve Regina,” Giles Swayne’s “Magnificat,” and the “Ave Maria” oeuvres of Verdi, de Victoria, Baumann, and Biebl. The concert also featured other liturgical songs, including works by Filipino composers. Among them are Giuseppe Pitoni’s “Cantate Domino,” Morten Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium,” and Ryan Cayabyab’s “Anima Christi.” Originally slated for October 1—to mark the start of the Holy Rosary Month—the concert was postponed in deference to the tragic aftermath of typhoon Ondoy. During the concert, a booth was set up to receive donations for the flood victims. The UA&P Chorale is the University’s resident choral ensemble composed of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. It has produced numerous major concerts and performs regularly at University events. It bagged local and international awards as well, winning three first prizes in the 23rd International Choral Festival of Preveza—11th International Competition of Sacred Music in Preveza, Greece in 2005. Mr. Daryl Zamora  Corporate Communications Office

UNIVERSITAS March 2010

It was a month before the holidays and everyone was scurrying off to complete his or her mile-long to-do list like, perhaps, arranging Christmas parties, polishing events, and planning outreach programs. Some organizations in the University, however, departed from the usual programs and spread Christmas cheer differently. They came together to put up the BIGGKAS Christmas Production to spotlight the talents of the grade-three students of San Joaquin Elementary School. BIGGKAS is one of the University’s volunteer organizations. Various student organizations took part: the University’s dance varsity team Squadra, the dance troupe I-SA, theater organizations Dulaang ROC and Viare, and the school’s official public speaking organization, I-Mic. After meeting the children at their school, the volunteers The show made an held auditions or randomly selected kids to participate in impact on the kids’ lives. their respective presentations. It gave them hope, after Three consecutive Saturdays a harrowing experience were dedicated to practice— due to the recent floods. I-SA and Squadra on some dance routines; Dulaang ROC and Viare on acting; and I-Mic on singing. In pursuing their mission, the volunteers met very trying circumstances, such as making hyperactive children stand still and listen. “There were days when the kids would rather play and do nothing else,” says Jorenz Perez of I-Mic. But the student-volunteers persevered...until showtime arrived. The I-SA kids impressed everyone with their awesome stunts. Then the Viare kids stepped up for a choral reading number, followed by the I-Mic kids who sang “Hawak Kamay” and two Filipino Christmas carols. The Dulaang ROC kids staged “Ang Pinakamalungkot na Luha ni Tikboy,” which was followed by “Send It On,” a song which BIGGKAS volunteers sang with the kids. The Squadra kids then performed an energetic dance number. To the organizers, the kids’ smiles (and those of their parents) were a tremendous reward to the time and effort they had spent. Raffle prizes, gift bags, and food finally rounded out the event. Indeed the show made an impact on the kids’ lives. It gave them hope, after a harrowing experience due to the recent floods. It also equipped them with two values—trust and self-confidence—thanks to their UA&P ates and kuyas’ talents and encouragement.

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Keren Zyra Pascual  College of Arts and Science 1st Year Hannah Cielo Martinez  School of Education and Human Development 3rd Year

P H OTO S: C A R LO S O R E E N C I A

Wanat

Maria Clara (Ina Gonda) versus Marie Claire (Anna Flores)

The author broods over a cup of coffee

It’s safe to say that for most people, two of the things pretty difficult to do are acting on stage and reminiscing. Acting on stage, given that not all are gifted with the talent of Thespis, and reminiscing, given that not everything in our past is as colorful and jolly as we want them to be. This is why being an actor for the tie-up production of Dulaang ROC and Haranya entitled Wanat was really an extraordinary experience for me. It was in Wanat where I got a taste of the joy and terror of acting on stage as well as sharing my past with other people by interpreting the poem I wrote. Wanat is balik-tanaw, or “reminisce.” The production was all about looking at our past—may it be past values held by society or past experiences kept by an individual. The first part of the production, a traditional balagtasan between Maria Clara and Marie Claire, focused on the contrasting values between the conservative Filipina of the past and the liberal Filipina of today. Maria Clara recognizes the importance of traditional values, such as chastity and obedience to elders. Marie Claire, on the other hand, rejects such values and pushes for protection of the individual self and ‘freedom’ when in love. All of this boils down to an exciting debate between two women of two different generations and cultures. The second part, entitled Alaala (the Filipino word for “memory”), featured five poems written by members of the poetry organization Haranya. The poems were interpreted by Dulaang ROC actors under the direction of School of Communication student Dae Lee. Through the aid of creative visuals and splendid acting, the audience was taken to

five different memories: the first was about an indigenous culture intoxicated by foreign influences, the second was a journey through memories both good and bad, the third was about an “itching” memory that won’t go away, the fourth remembered a “bittersweet” love, and the last was about the constant search for the right memory that would define a person. Through the interpretation of those poems, the audience was made to examine and rethink their view of the past. Just like memories, my experience with Wanat was bittersweet. Of course, I would always treasure the sweet sound of the audience’s applause at the end of each production, as well as our director’s compliments,

The production was all about looking at our past— may it be past values held by society or past experiences kept by an individual.

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which were rare during rehearsals. Things were not all sweet though. There were those hard nights when we had to go home late from rehearsals. Add to them those nights when our director scolded us for lapses and slip-ups. But I guess, just like memory, theater teaches you to take the bitter with the sweet. It lets you drink one cup of memory, so you would wake up to become better in what you do. Ramon Cabrera  Institute of Political Economy 3rd Year

UNIVERSITAS March 2010