The
CEntRALeCHO the official student Publication of Central Philippine university vol 102, issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
EdItoRIAL Raniel C. Ponteras EdItoR-In-ChIEf Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol AssoCIAtE EdItoR Airon B. Buenvenida mAnAgIng EdItoR Reyshimar C. Arguelles fEAtuRE EdItoR Alvin K. tung LItERARy EdItoR/sPoRts EdItoR gloria Concepcion h. moralidad LAyout EdItoR Esther Rose A. Romarate Adviser Rea Angelica f. Villeza Adviser
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ContRIButoRs 08152770, Abi Vilches, Aldin m. Caguioa, Arthurus Rex, Chalcedon sañor, Chris michael moralidad, death_scythe, Jasmin P., Johnny, Pamela Joy Agtoto, Raphael mark P. Batan, sinhye yu, tristan Jonas s. Robles
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Printed in Iloilo City, Philippines By makinaugalingon Printer and Bookbinder thE CEntRAL ECho 3rd floor, dr. Alfonso uy student union Building, Anahaw Road, Central Philippine university, Lopez Jaena street, Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines 5000 E-mail Address: central.echo@gmail.com Visit us at: www.centralecho.blogspot.com or www.thecentralecho.journ.ph the Central Echo. All Rights Reserved. Philippines Copyright June 2012 © Central Philippine university
edITOrIaLNoTe For years, the Central Echo has been moving with the social climate in all of its dappled moments; the happy and the sad, the triumphant and the melancholic. They are numerous, but our humanity limits our focus to just a few. Everyday we encounter these mottled moments; they can be as simple as one’s choice of a laundry soap or as complex as one’s stand on international affairs. The Central Echo tried to capture these intricacies on the pages that follow, but it is up to you, our dear readers, to choose which ones you will favor with your time and concentration. Now, the spotlight is really on YOU, not on this campus paper. We dedicate to YOU, our readers, this special issue with every drop of literary juice and every ounce of creative sap that we put into it. Read on and get a telescopic view of the world. 1
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
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FEATURES 30
THE RUN WITH CHAMELEON
GLORIA CONCEPCION MORALIDAD
68
FOCUS
REYSHIMAR C. ARGUELLES
70
I’M PINOY AND I’M PROUD JO JAN PAUL J. PEÑOL
74
THE MUSIC IDOL ALVIN K. TUNG
100
CAMIÑA BALAY NGA BATO
100
REYSHIMAR CAMIÑA ARGUELLES AIRON B. BUENVENIDA GLORIA CONCEPCION MORALIDAD
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SURVIVING MAJOR EXAMS AIRON B. BUENVENIDA
Central Philippine University
School Calendar for AY 2012-13 First Semester April 23
- Start of Enrolment for all freshman students.
May 25-26
- Enrolment - Work Students, F/S dependents, Athletes, CPuR Officials and International Students
May 28-31; June 2 - Enrolment, all Colleges (APCP)
August 21
- Ninoy Aquino day
August 27
- National Heroes day
Aug. 30 - Sept. 1
- university days
September 12-14
- Pre-finals Exams
September 21
- Pre-employment Training Seminar
October 1
- Foundation day - Teachers' day
June 4
- Classes begin
June 8
- F/S Conference RMA
October 2-5
- Final Exams
June 12
- Independence day
October 10
June 13
- university Independence day Program
- deadline for Submission of Grades for Prospective Honor Students
June 16****
- last day for late enrolment changes in schedules and subject assignments
October 14
- Nursing Graduation
October 15
- deadline for Encoding of Grades and Submission of Grade Sheets
October 21
- baccalaureate and Commencement (RMA)
June 18, 20-22
- Freshmen Orientation and Welcome Party (RMA)
July 4-6
- Prelim Exams
July 6
- deadline of submission of Application for Graduation at the Registrar's Office (First Semester)
Second Semester October 22-23
Enrolment - Work Students, F/S dependents, Athletes, CPuR Officials and International Students
October 24-26; 29-31
Enrolment, All colleges (APCP)
November 1-2
All Saints' day/ Additional Holiday
November 5
Classes begin
July 9
- Personal Enhancement Program (4-5:30 pm)
July 13
- F/S CEW Convocation (uC)
July 16-21
- Christ Emphasis Week
July 21
- Graduate School/ NSTP CEW Convocations
July 23
- Awarding of Scholarships
August 8-10
- Midterm Exams
November 9
August 13
- Personal Enhancement Program (4-5:30 pm)
university Thanksgiving Service
November 16
New Students’ Orientation
the CEntRALeCHO
4
November 17****
- last day for late enrolment, changes in schedule and subject assignments
February 11
- Evelio Javier day
February 20-22
- Pre-Final Exams
November 28
- ISO Management Review
February 21-22
- ISO Re-assessment Visit
November 30
- bonifacio day
February 25
- EdSA Revolution Anniversary
december 5-7
- Prelim Exams
February 28
- Colleges day
- deadline for Submission of Applications for Graduation at the Registrar's Office (Second Semester)
March 1
- CPuR Elections - Campus Job Fair
March 18
- Freedom day
March 20-23
- Final Exams
March 27
- deadline for Submission of Grades for Honor Students
March 28
- Holy Thursday
March 29
- Good Friday
April 2
- deadline for Encoding of Grades and Submission of Grade Sheets
december 7
december 10
- university Outreach day
december 12
- White Gift Service/ Advent Celebration
december 14
- Faculty and Staff Christmas Party
december 18
- Graciano lopez Jaena day
december 23
- Start of Christmas Vacation
december 25
- Christmas day
April 4
- university Council Meeting
december 30
- Rizal day
April 5
december 31
- last day of the year
- Faculty/ Staff Summer Fun day
January 1
- New year's day
April 8
- university Strategic Planning
January 7
- Classes Resume
April 9
- Araw ng Kagitingan
January 16-18
- Mid-term Exams
April 10-12
- Enrolment for Summer 2013
January 18
- F/S CEW Convocation (uC)
April 12
- CPu Corporation Meeting
January 21-26
- Christ Emphasis Week
April 13
- CPu bOT Meeting
January 26
- Graduate School/ NSTP CEW Convocations
April 14
- College baccalaureate and Commencement
January 28
- Personal Enhancement Program (4-5:30 pm)
April 16
- Summer Classes begin.
April 21
- Medicine Graduation
February 2
- Jaro Fiesta
May 1
- labor day
February 8
- deadline for Submission of Applications for Graduation at the Registrar's Office (Summer) - CPuR day/ Preemployment Training Seminar
May 2
- Mid-Summer Exams
May 18
- Final Exams and End of Summer
May 23
- deadline for Encoding of Graduates and Submission of Grade Sheets
****late enrolment will be allowed but counting of absences will start on the first day of classes. 5
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
CENTRAL LAURELS
GALAEZ
LEDA
SUMMACUMLAUDE
BANDIOLA
HONOR GRADUATES Summa Cum Laude Joe Jett B. Bandiola, BS Accty Kim Christian R. Galaez, BS Che Stella Mariedith B. Leda, BS Accty Magna Cum Laude Jejomar H. Baban, BS Accty Mary Grace D. Cruz, BS Accty Marianne P. Junco, BS Accty Grace L. Rebollos, BS Accty Kristin Mae P. Suelo, BSt Ma. Jessa C. Yarra, BS Accty Cum Laude Reena Adeline G. Abillera, BSN Radah Marie B. Amazona, BSN Raffy D. Amos, BS Accty Timothy Ben J. Andrade, BS Accty Fritz B. Asuero, BSee Raphael Antoine L. Avena, BSCe Divenyl B. Bantillo, BS Che Portia Rose G. Basiliano, BSN Anjo F. Belasoto, BSN Rhoda Ann A. Bigsat, BSN Lanie Rose T. Biton, BS Accty Nhesty Jay T. Blanca, BS Accty Jayne Ann L. Cacnio, BSN Ronie C. Cajayon, BS Accty Vicmar P. Calajatan, BSMA Quennie Ann C. Calosing, BSentM Aldrin M. Candelario, BS Accty Janine P. Caritativo, BSt Johnna Mae G. Catahay, BS Accty Jean Inno Lendl T. Chiu, BSN Alexa Marie L. Coo, BS Accty Hope Christie U. Cordero, BSN Leocel Jan G. Cordero, BSed-eng 6
BrIgHT&BoLd
Dave Joshua P. Cua, BSN Kristine A. Cubita, BS Accty Sarah Ann D. Dabandan, BS Accty Alily Greece C. Dalipe, BSN Nicole John M. Dalisay, BSN Daphnie Kate G. De La Cruz, BSt Hana D. Dedoroy, BSMA Renalyn S. Deloso, BSHrM Cheryllyn Shaine D. Demegillo, BS Accty Ramyline Anne E. Depalubos, BS Accty Paul Justin S. Dizon, BMLS Kareen M. Draheim, BS Accty Sulpicio D. Dumdumaya II, BSN Mary Chris O. Era, BS Accty Ariane Lizette I. Fernandez, AB Pol Sci Kristi Glen R. Garong, BSBAMM Francine Thea A. Gaw Te, BSBAMM Ma. Angelica Karla L. Gomez, BS Accty Sherilyn R. Gubaton, BSN Sunsen L. Guirjem, BSed-eng Alvin John H. Gustilo, BSN Gene Lee P. Jaleco, BSped Kirsten Glace P. Juanitas, BS Accty Josephine U. Juantong, BS Accty Rotse B. Kho Yute, BSCe Ella Esabel T. Landrero, BS Accty Hazel Blanche O. Lara, BSN Dhaniel Marc F. Layawon, BMLS Dionirose I. Llorito, BSN Renier Lester G. Lorenzo, BS Accty Pearl Ashleigh P. Magbanua, AB Pol Sci Elsie E. Malabon, BSSW Andres B. Mayagma, BSBAfM Quinie Jean P. Maylas, BS Accty
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Clive C. Montefrio, BS Accty Lynn Lee Faith N. Naldoza, BS Accty John Alvin N. Narbaja, BSHrM Rejoice S. Orquia, BSHrM Edleen Rose E. Padilla, BS Accty Genessee M. Palabrica, BS Accty Justine D. Palmes, B.th. Lucky Juli P. Parreño, BSN Maria Ofelia T. Parreño, BSed-eng Samantha B. Pineda, BSMA Reyna Mari S. Plorgo, BSN Pauline S. Poralan, BS Accty Caren C. Porras, BSN Joshua P. Quimba, BS Accty Mary Angela E. Rivera, BSHrM Debbie Kay O. Rubinos, BSN Clarisse Jorena A. Sabado, BSped Jeanil D. Sajo, BSAd Aiza C. Samaniego, BSed Rogelyn M. Santander, BS Accty Nhyriel Mae S. Selauso, BS Accty Jaypee O. Servigon, BSN Erron A. Sevilla, BSIt Maria Rofe V. Sucgang, BS Accty Herman A. Suresca Jr., BSN Omar F. Takahan, BSMe Emily Jane T. Taleon, BSed-eng April Joy J. Tenerife, BS Accty Margareth Rose D. Tentativa, BSN Gellie Belle Grace P. Tubungan, BSN Quendelyn F. Tupas, BSN Ma. Hannah Fe H. Uy, BSN Nuvy Grace T. Velarde, BSN Abigail J. Vilches, AB eng Irene Faith A. Ygan, BSN Chamfeel A. Ysunza, BSt
Photos By Centralite 2012
Cum Laude
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
By Jo Jan Paul Pe単ol Photos By CPUR Advertising Team
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H
Leaders&ICONS possible, the more the better. For every decision affecting the students, the CPUR is consulted first. Secondly, I plan to make CPUR a more transparent and accountable Student Republic by requiring a quarterly or semi-annually report about receipts and expenses. We are very privileged to have with us a Certified Public Accountant in the Parliament, in the person of Mr. Marc Lovel Bedona. He will be a big factor in accomplishing this dream. Lastly, and the most important dream for me, is the dream to have the most unified and outstanding CPUR batch at the end of the year. I believe we had a good start this year, and we are doing progress. I just hope and pray that we will have the heart to maintain and continue this until the end of the school year.
e blends into the sea of students but from out of nowhere, this young man, a diminutive achiever, brushed past the waves of challenges and took the podium finish. Albert Jan Matthew Java didn’t allow his height to hinder him from reaching his dream of becoming the President of the CPU Republic – the oldest student republic in Southeast Asia. This young man, smaller than other students of his age, was applauded in surprise as he went up the stage to take the lead. Standing two inches and a half above five feet, Java said it was hard work that has brought him to where he is right now. There seems to be a correlation between people who lack inches in height and their prowess in their chosen fields. Is it possible that these people would like to do extraordinarily huge amount of achievement and success? Let’s find out. In this feature, “Matt-Matt”, as fondly called by his close friends and family, shares with us his valuable insights – running the CPUR - using his own brand of leadership.
CE: What made you run for President? Java: I believe that I can do something for the CPUR. My experience being the former governor of the CPU High School gave me a big advantage. I decided to run as President, even with the minor objections and restraints presented by others due to the heavy load I will be facing during my senior year in Accountancy, not because I wanted to redeem myself of the previous loss I had, but because I felt I had something to share to the students of Central. As to what I can share to Central, my actions will just tell. The need for a more transparent and CPUR – this made me run for President.
CENTRAL ECHO: What are your plans for AY 2012-2013? Java: Well, it is not more of a plan; it is more of a dream. This first semester, and maybe all throughout the school year, I dream to empower the students, to get them to participate in everything that transpires in the University, such as decision and policy making. This is because, I believe, that the students are the primary stakeholders of the school, as such we are more than worthy to participate in such events. It should not only be me that should be engaged in such activities. If
CE: Who inspires you? Java: Seeing the students smile, hearing them laugh, shout and sing, inspires me to continually serve them with no less than my 101%. Yes, it is you, the 9
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Prime minister BRyAn ERIC CEREBo
senator John mIChAEL suELo
senator EmILy-VICtoRIA oKE
vice President mARy gRACE VERgA
students of Central, together with your continuous cooperation, that inspires me to do more, talk more and lead without doubt. CE: What makes you different from other CPUR Presidents?
senator ALLEn dAVE fuEgo
JAvA: Reading this question makes me smile for I do not know what makes me different nor special compared to the other past CPUR Presidents. One thing is certain, it is not the looks. Haha. It is not also the heart, for we know it is a requisite in order to be a President. And lastly, it is not also the goal, for all Presidents only dream of what 10
senator EdgAR BIÑAs
deputy Prime minister mARC LoVEL BEdonA
is best for the students of Central. I am but an ordinary person with an extraordinary privilege and an extraordinary responsibility. So now, what really makes me different from other CPUR Presidents? You tell me. :)) CE: What makes this year’s batch unique from the previous CPURs? JAvA: I believe every batch of CPUR is unique because of the people composing it. This school year’s CPUR is composed of a diverse set of people who have different specializations, to name a few, we have a Certified Public Accountant who is currently working his way through Law School, two Masters of Business Administration students, an SK President, a theatrical performer, a debater and lots of others. All of them are leaders in their own right. With these people working all together as one, I can see a colorful school year at hand.
senator LouIE John PALomo
CE: How do you balance your time? JAvA: Prayers. It is a big factor that helps me see the things to be done first and things to be done next. Academics, extra-curricular activities, family, friends, and love, there are so many things to be done, yet so little time. If it was just me, I would have been dead a long time ago. Good thing there is someone bigger that looks down on me, secures me, protects me and gives me the wisdom to decide on matters. “It is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit says the Lord!” 11
senator LyRA BELItA
This Year in
Research Compiled by Reyshimar C. Arguelles Special Acknowledgment to the University Research Center
S
cientific and technological advancements do not seem to cease. For as long as the spirit of inquiry is alive, innovations will keep on transpiring and impact the spheres of health, media, agriculture, business, etc.
The quality of human life keeps on improving, and this we owe to a great many who keep on finding ways to satiate the need to seal curiosities. And it is in schools like Central Philippine University that initial steps are taken. Research Week last February saw student papers furnished with professional keenness. Although at stake were cash prizes and certificates, the important thing is the impact these papers will have to society. Here are the papers which stood as the best in their categories. A Comparative Study on the Effects of the Different Rates of Application of vermicast from African Night Crawler Earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) on the Production Performance of Open-Pollinated variety of Tomatoes (Lycopersicanesculentum) (by John erikson Salarda, Joshua Noble, Angel Grace Pedregosa, Marvea Saladar and April Jade Salva) - HIGH SCHooL ABSTRACT This research was undertaken to determine the yield and income from tomato production applied with vermicast at different rates. The nutrient content of the soil and vermicast was also assessed. The rates were 0 (control), 1,000 kg/ha, 2,000 kg/ha and 3,000 kg/ha. The treatments were replicated four times and arranged in randomized Complete Block Design. The data on yield parameters were subjected to analysis of variance and the means were compared using the
the CEntRALeCHO
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IDEAS&Innovations Least Significant Difference (LSD) test. The results of the analysis of variance were interpreted at 0.05 and 0.01 level while those of LSD test at 0.05 level. The study revealed that the effects of different rates of vermicast on diameter of fruits, number of marketable fruits, and yield in tons per hectare were significant. The rate of 3,000 kg/ha gave significantly the biggest fruits with the highest diameter. The same test showed that the rates of 3,000 kg/ha and 2,000 kg/ ha gave statistically the highest among all treatments. Vermicast has a pH of 6.1 and contanics of 29.77 percent organic matter, 3.33 percent P and 2.68 percent K. The pH of the soil in the experimental area decreased from 6.65 to 6.35. The organic matter content increased from 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent, the P content increased from 54ppm to 78ppm while the K content increased from 808ppm to 869ppm. The rate of 3,000 kg/ha of vermicast have the highest expenses, gross income, net income and return on investment. Perceived Concept of Business as a Source of Income among Depressed Families in La Paz, Iloilo City (by Jonathan Zabel, Vergie Lyn Lasprilla, Alexis Sison, Mary Ann Belgira, Noellie Crez Caballero, Mechellyn Celiz, Ma. Glenda Icaro, Christine Panganiban, Milka Mae Saligumba and Lenie Solis) - college of business and accountancy ABSTRACT The primary purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions towards having one’s own business among depressed families living in the La Paz area. Specifically, the study aimed to find any differences between age, income, occupation, gender, and business ownership on their perceptions of having business as an added source of income. The research was carried out in the La Paz area in barangays Hinactacan, San Nicolas, Aguinaldo, Alalasan, Nabitasan, Magdalo, Baldoza, Sinikway with a total of two hundred respondents. The results of the study showed that despite the differences in gender, occupation, business ownership, and income that perceptions of depressed families living in La Paz were generally the same, having a positive outlook on business as an added source of income. The Effectiveness of Bugnay (Antidesma bunius) as a Hypoglycemic Agent to Induced Diabetic White Mice (Mus musculus) (By Jennifer Santiago, JaypeeServigon, Diana Gayle Simbajon, JC Ann Sotelo and Bethel Joy Tabera) - College of arts and sciences ABSTRACT This experimental study determined the effectiveness of bugnay (Antidesmabunius) as a hypoglycemic agent to induced diabetic white mice (Musmusculus). Significantly, this study determined whether the Bugnay fruit extract has a significant difference on lowering blood glucose levels of induced diabetic white mice using the different concentrations of bugnay extract. This 13
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
study employed the Pretest-Posttest design. The findings of the study disclosed that Bugnay fruit extract is effective as a hypoglycemic agent to induced diabetic white mice. It also shows a significant difference on lowering the blood glucose levels of induced diabetic white mice using different concentrations. Based on the results of the trials, it shows that a 100% extract concentration is more effective than 75%, 50%, 25% concentration and 100% water. Based on the results of the study, the researchers concluded Bugnay fruit extract is an effective hypoglycemic agent in lowering the blood glucose level. Different Views of Mass Communication Students in Iloilo City Toward Shampoo Advertisements on Television Dina L. Echano - College of arts and sciences ABSTRACT With all the different shampoo brands advertised on television nowadays, more consumers are paying attention to them. With this, the study identified different views of Mass Communication students in Iloilo City toward shampoo advertisements. The researcher used the descriptive research design and conducted a survey in three universities in Iloilo City namely Central Philippine University, West Visayas State University and University of San Agustin. Moreover, majority of the respondents are female ages 16-20 and are mostly exposed to the shampoo brand Head & Shoulders. Most of the respondents do not find advertisements believable and convincing enough, but find it beneficial and entertaining enough for them to purchase such products. However, male respondents were encouraged to participate and other shampoo brands shall be utilized for further analysis of the study. The Central Echo in the Shadow of Marcos: An Analysis of Political Duress Affecting Student Papers by Reyshimar C. Arguelles - College of arts and sciences ABSTRACT The primary objective of this study was to determine the effects of political coercion to student papers by citing time frames in which opposition was limited. Qualitative content analysis was employed to determine the level of neutrality, opposition, or support an article expresses by the number of assertions that coincide which such stance. From a total of fifteen articles that were published in the Central Echo from 1971 to 1986, neutrality consists 48.05% of all total political assertions, whereas support and opposition consist 0.06% and 45.25%, respectively. It is confirmed that national democratic language is significantly present in some articles, but this is prior to the imposition of martial law. Moreover, the findings suggest that, although there are slight numerical nuances between neutrality and opposition, there exists no significant expression of support for the Marcos administration. Moreover, coercion utilized during the martial law period minimized the publication of antagonizing assertions from 1973 to 1982. The CENTRALECHO
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IDEAS&Innovations The Level of Compliance on Health Care Practices and Level of Satisfaction on Health Care Services among CPU Birthing Center Clients (by Grant Ireneo Pilla, Jhaney Payba, Marrianne Joy Polaron, Jophadel Piojo, Christine Rebogbog, Marby Porras, Stephen Keith Panizal, Dareen Perez and Jhann Rey Sajonia) - College of nursing ABSTRACT This descriptive relational study was conducted to determine the level of compliance on health care practices and the level of satisfaction on the health care services among CPU Birthing Center clients. This involved 54 mothers who gave birth at the CPU Birthing Center from January 2011 to January 2012. A researcher made questionnaire was used in this study . Percentages, frequency, gamma, chi-square test were used as tools to analyze data. Results revealed that the level of compliance on health care practices and the level of satisfaction on the health care services of CPU Birthing Center clients were high (Grand mean=14.02, 14.05), respectively. A significant relationship existed between educational attainment and level of satisfaction (gamma=1.00, p value=0.023). However, none of the variables such as age, civil status, monthly income, attitude towards execution of health care practices and level of awareness of programs offered by CPU Birthing Center were significantly related to their level of Satisfaction on the healthcare services. On the other hand, the level of compliance on healthcare practices was not significantly related to the clients’ age, civil status, monthly income, educational attainment and attitude towards execution of health care practices and level of awareness of programs offered. Determination of Gas Composition Produced by the Different CPU Rice Husk Stove Models byJasmin P. Napawit - College of agriculture, resources and environmental sciences ABSTRACT The general objective of the study was to determine the gas composition produced by the different rice husk stove models designed and developed at CPU. This was conducted from November 10 to 12, 2011 at Central Philippine University, Iloilo City. Results of the study revealed that the four rice husk stove developed, namely the Single-Burner (Model A), Super turbo (Model B), Side-In (Model C), and Conic (Model D) were significantly different from each other when analyzed according to their carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and oxygen (O2) gas compositions. These were due to differences in their designs, processes involved in conversion of energy, and methods of operation. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended to further test the gas compositions using other instruments such as the Orsat Analyzer that could determine carbon dioxide (CO) and verify the results. 15
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
I am a foreign Student By Sinhye Yu
Graphics from vectorimages.org
I
am a foreign student. I am a Korean. Guessing through the title, I wrote this to tell my experiences and reactions during my two-year stay and my expectations for my remaining years. I also want you to know how meaningful you all have been to me as friends, as teachers, and as advisers. This article is for all of you. After graduating high school here in Iloilo City, I had to choose a university. Without deep contemplation, I chose Central Philippine University because I heard that this University is the biggest in Iloilo City and that many foreign students are here. I heard that the programs and services for the foreigners are the best among other universities. I enrolled in the program Bachelor of Secondary Education, major in English. My new adventure had started. 16
People&Profiles On my first year, I used to be very poor in English. I spoke English very slowly and at that time, my grammar was not good. But my friends and my teachers were patient and they tried to understand my words with kindness. Sometimes, I was so depressed because I couldn’t understand my lessons and so I could not follow the lessons well as I was not fluent in English. But my teachers and friends encouraged me to keep on trying and studying hard and helped me understand the lessons easier. Not only my Filipino friends but also my Korean friends helped me to adjust in this university and gave the tips to study. They sometimes became like my sister or brother and my mother or father. Safely, I finished first year in this university with those helps. And I became a second year student. The subjects that I took in second year were more difficult and professional but the circumstances and the environment of this university became more familiar to me. And I made more friends in sophomore year and we encouraged each other. And still my old friends and teachers were encouraging me to keep on studying and I also tried to help them as much as I can. First year of my college life was unfamiliar, difficult and more on adventures and survivals. But in second year, there were lots of changes in my mind and in my study. It was much more familiar, easier and more interesting and exciting. Either positive or negative changes occur in life. My changes in this university were more positive. My life was more meaningful with many trials. During my last two years, aside from having classes, I joined lots of activities in the university. I joined convocations in Christ Emphasis Week, activities during University day and
College day, College night, and on some organizations. They gave me a more meaningful college life. Through the activities, I gained friends and I understood more of the culture of the Philippines. Through classroom activities and many others, I could learn the culture more and enhance my view towards the world. Now, I am a third year student. I really appreciate the kindness of my friends and teachers. My last two years could be done with their kindness. I hope that all the foreigners who study here in CPU or will study here can feel the kindness of Filipinos and also the Filipino can feel the kindness of foreigners like me. Good relationships can be made through a two way communication. So I appeal to all the CPU students both Filipino and foreign, to be kind and to respect others. Then we can continually keep good relationships. I hope that this university has a more open communication and will endeavor to make the universe a better world. I really want this university to become a center for changing the world for the better. Still I need more than two years to graduate. In my remaining days at CPU, I want to learn more meaningful lessons both for my profession and life. I am expecting that more positive changes will occur. And I am expecting more meaningful times for all of us. Don’t give up! You have more wonderful and attractive abilities and potentials that you can show and surprise others. It is what I want to encourage in every friend like what my friends and teachers did to me. I am proud of Korea. I am proud of Central Philippine University. And I am proud of being a foreign student at Central Philippine University. I expect also that you are proud of me as your friend and your student. I am a foreign student at Central Philippine University who wants to be your pride.
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
How to spot
n e m h s Fre
CENTRALIAN By Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol Illustrations By Gloria Concepcion H. moralidad
Illustrations By Tessa “Vert-is-Ninja” Stone, Devart
S
tudents who pass by the eight gates of Central Philippine University know the manner of cycle they had undergone as they mature in the campus and gradually clinch the customs and traditions of the Baptist university that may emerge indefinable to m many any hopeful learners across the country. the CEntRALeCHO
18
Ways&NOrMS It’s attention-grabbing to witness the transformation of these children because aside from photos as sufficient evidence of their physical development, you will observe distinctive characteristics particularly among the newlybaptized college students a.k.a FRESHMEN. While looking down from the 3rd floor of the Uy Student Union Building, the following are a few of my observations about Centralian Freshmen:
1
5
Freshmen usually bring with them They usually greet all the older books, notebooks, file folders, people they meet. This is a sign of and plastic envelopes held firmly their respect like saying “Good in their hands. This only shows how morning sir/ma’am”. Some would protective they are of their important misunderstand this act as “sipsip” to documents because as far as the the teacher, but really, some of them university is concerned, are just over respectful. losing your Registration Form and ID means death.
2
Some of them are alone or in pairs while walking down the hallways of CPU. They don’t usually walk in big groups and in emolike-gangster appearance, like what the higher years do.
k ays chec They alw ce of paper e every pi the bulletin n posted i board.
3
“Freshmen, as far as my experience is concerned, really believe in some ghost stories told to them by the higher years.”
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They hardly wear facial make-up. If you happen to see freshmen wearing makeup, most probably they came from private schools and allegedly named as natural-born sosyaleras. They also stroll around in false eyelashes and You could actually catch them blood-red lipstick. memorizing the Mission and Inside the classroom, they raise Vision of CPU. And not to forget their hands proudly before familiarizing the lyrics of “Central answering a certain question Song”. Central, My Central…our Alma from the teacher. Not to mention, they Mater true…♫♫♪
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Ways&NOrMS
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During the F r e s h m e n Orientation, each college and department has their own cheers and yells. Syempre, pirde guid ang college nga gamay enrollees. :)
stand every time they speak. They take down almost all the words their teacher discusses. They sit with proper posture. Most of all, they are mostly silent when the teacher starts the discussion.
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They usually gain perfect attendance during the Christ Emphasis Week (CEW) – not only because it is a requirement in their Religion and Ethics Class, or they really want to enjoy God’s holy presence, but because it is really hot outside!
After the class, they don’t usually hang out. They go As soon as they reach the home or explore the Henry near-UDAY days, they Luce III Library. Some of them are would not be surprised really researching for tomorrow’s if the College of Nursing and the assignments! Very diligent! [clap, clap, College of Engineering are strong clap!] rivals. Although, they do not realize that most engineering students deep inside secretly love nursing students. They don’t usually know the Aminin! difference between Rooms L306 and LHSK, when in fact these re really y, they a tl s a L the rooms are just situated in one who ing ir u q in eir building. cher in th “TBA” tea . on Forms Registrati They profoundly declare the Uy Student Union Building as “Mini-Foodcourt”. I just wish that most of these students would remain freshmen Equipped with T-squares and forever. I mean, as they grow, they drawing tubes, engineering must not develop this horrific attitude and scare teachers. freshmen they are called.
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the CEntRALeCHO
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Types&Indicators
Typesof Teachers By Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol
I
t is a unanimous common truth that college professors are as random and unpredictable as the weather or as the Magic 8 ball. The teacher you come across, can motivate or demoralize, teach or terrorize, pass or fail students like you. In this article, I will roll down five teachers you would most expect to meet and greet in your four long years (or even longer) in this 24-hectare university, with corresponding justifications as to why they belong to the that group. Prof. Sy Cat Sia In one hallway, you would notice five diverse groups of Centralians pass by and greet him “Hi, Sir!” with joyful impression and hasty smirks enough to pass a pep squad try-out. He is the kind of educator you’ve been throbbing to have—the admired and popular. He freely gives out his Facebook account to preserve relationship and bond with his students, but as one AB PolSci junior puts it, “EPIC FAIL. Facebook replies, ‘This user has too many friend requests’ kuno. haha”
Lessons are always presented in a stress-free manner, normally injected with comedy and unrelated chats that will probably stretch into an hour-long discussion about past love lives. The discussions are such a gust of wind you’re extremely sure you’re going to pass the subject—until you see the exam. “Nalingaw guid abi ako sa discussions ni Sir. Abi ko malingaw man ako sa exam. Kompyansa gd ko ah!” says Steph, a BS Nursing student. You’d have every basis to be irritated with the teacher, but the way he persuades you to do better on the next exam makes you want to forgive him instead: The exams are departmentalized; he had nothing to do with your suffering. Mr. Nos Blid The time he penetrates the class, you feel upset. There’s a tragedy—a fashion tragedy. He’s wearing a really nasty, colorfully-striped tie that disagrees with his somber-black long sleeve polo. Or maybe he was just “born this way”. “His looks are intimidating,” ECE junior Paola comments, and adds, “Makadlaw bala ako ukon indi?”
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Types&Indicators Get ready to have your nose (and ears) bleed when he initiates talking because his language is like an anesthesia which could make your whole body numb and his ideas are a slight too out of this world. He’s so smart and probing that every oral recitation is like CJ Corona’s Impeachment Trial. “Gin-sabat ko na iya pamangkot pero gin-bombahan niya ako sobra sa 100 ka follow up questions!” says an AB PolSci-Public Ad senior. But his gags and jokes are somewhat interesting to keep your well-being up, not really because the demand curve-supply curve is side-splitting comical, but because he makes sniffing sounds after the “joke”. Even with this odd manner, you decline to skip his classes because he’s that person with the attendance. He doesn’t even assign a class attendance checker because he wants to check it for himself. Note the trust issues. Prof. Pedo Dido This teacher walks directly inside the classroom, gazes at the ceiling and laughs terribly! He also stares to the sensation of gorgeous kolehiyalas around him, and shows his signature pedophile smile— just adequate to launch shivers down the spine of girls and suffocate laughs from the boys. He isn’t essentially the save-the-earth preacher, but he prefers to go green. With his jokes, that is. Something would be wrong if he does not insert R18-“banats” into his discussions, which would leave the room deafening in roaring laughter. He gives significance to student-teacher relations by making it a point to make his students the VIP in his jokes or “class-related examples” to make them appreciate the picture. Rest assured it’s all for the sake of fun knowledge. A short word of warning from an BS Psych student: “Indi pwede ang sensitive kay siya guid ang kaluluoy!” Sir Boar Damn “Can we skip this part?” Speaking about this kind of teacher is already boring in itself. Every day is just a “Maalaala Mo Kaya” of the past meeting – he carefully The CENTRALECHO
places his belongings on the desk, coughs out a bit, welcomes the class and asks them to take a seat, after which the students practice to take an hour’s-worth of sleep. Then he makes a roll call in a monotonous voice quite similar to the computer’s automatic voice. If boredom kills, you could have been dead one to many times already! The class is one you hardly even keep in mind, but it’s one that lasts for what appears like years. Maybe it’s just our watches being 10-minutes advanced, or “Dugay lang mag dismiss ang klase. Sa amo ni nga mga tini-on, pirme ko na ginalantaw akon relo,” says a BS IT student. As the semester nears its end, his class inhabitants declines. His students are now determined to avail of their seven allowable absences. Prof. Man Ster If you’re the kind of student running ten minutes late, don’t worry barging into this teacher’s class. You might be in for one of the most upsetting and most embarrassing minute of your college life. The, “Ano abi mam kay traffic,” reason won’t create the scratch, and you will be penalized with an oral recitation on a matter you didn’t even know it existed. But if everyone in class is on time, anticipate natural cheering, too much joyful vibes and a reverberating “2 minutes nalang,” from the whole class. But if she comes in behind the time or in other words “late”, everybody is at their most excellent behavior, avoiding pointless chitchat with seatmates. It’s her way or the highway. It must be a tagline or signature attitude, but whoever you ask about this teacher, there’s always the uniform response: “Hala! Ara na si Mam!” Let’s disclose it, these five types of teachers are those you’d attempted to keep away from at all costs and by all means possible. You line up early every enrolment waking up at 5:00 AM just to not be with them. But sometimes—it’s our destiny. They can still crawl on us unnoticed, cloaked by the horrifically tiny alias in our Registration Forms: TBA (To be arranged).
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Disease&Danger
theLurking
Parasites
By Alvin K. Tung
A
lmost everyone has undergone this repugnant process: may it be the students, professionals, the rich, the poor, the sick and even the healthy individuals. Of course, most of the time, people obtain negative results, indicating the absence of intestinal diseases. It is the time of the year when students flock the hospital laboratories for the stool examination as part of their physical examination. More often than not, the result sheet is marked negative and students dive into the thought that they are free from the plague of parasites. However, in reality, the test done does not propose 100% accuracy. A group of Medical Laboratory Science students under Ms. Joey Pedronio, the group leader, and Mrs. Lerma Pendon, their Seminar 2 adviser, conducted a seminar to open the minds of the medical laboratory science students and professionals to the inefficient methods being done in the laboratories in examining the stool of patients for parasites. The seminar was entitled “Netherdraker Reassured: Quality Assurance of Diagnostic Parasitology” giving emphasis to the proper practice, evaluation and reporting of stool examination of medical technologists. Their speaker, Asst. Prof. Lerma D. Paris who was awarded as PRC Outstanding Professor in the Field of
Medical Technology (2011) and PAMET’s Most Outstanding Medical Technologist (2010), expressed her advocacy about the lack of effectiveness of current methods used in the hospital and free standing laboratories to check for parasites in stool. The traditional and routine method for the said test is the direct fecal smear (DFS), which according to the speaker, will yield false outcomes by promising one does not carry parasites when in fact, they are already silently multiplying inside the body. Her suggested method to be used is the Kato Thick technique as articulated in her research, has found eggs of parasites in the human waste which were previously absent in the DFS method. As she exclaimed, a person may think that he or she is free from the wrath of worms through the negative results of the routine method, but when actually checked with the Kato Thick, he or she has been housing the parasites all along without knowing it. With the country’s growing poverty, every penny should not be put to waste; especially in diseases that could have been avoided or detected early. With Paris’ advocacy aiming to increase the knowledge of medical technologists dedicated to handle and inspect human waste for the sake of good health, we can somehow be assured of the true situation of our body.
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
dIsease&dAngER
Dengue Mosquitoes:
Small but Terrible By Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol
O
ur country is always being challenged by small but terrible enemies – the dengue mosquitoes! Whether you are rich or poor, you can be a victim of them. Definitely, no one is exempted. Dengue fever is known as an acute febrile disease caused by a virus which occurs in the tropical countries. It has flulike manifestations such as sudden onset of fever, nausea, vomiting, body pain, and headache. There’s no specific treatment or vaccine for dengue but only supportive therapies. Thus, close monitoring of vital signs is very important. In the previous years, dengue has already claimed innumerable lives in the country. And all Filipinos are at risk, especially the susceptible children. Nowadays, many people are still affected and the number of cases continues to increase. Now, who will be blamed for this? Is it the communities that have become too complacent and do not expect an outbreak? Or is it the people who neglected the water sewages that need to be cleaned; garbage that need to be segregated and thrown properly; and stagnant water in containers that need to be thrown? Well, enough of the blame. It is we ourselves that would be mainly accountable
the CEntRALeCHO
for our health. Keeping our surroundings clean is the best weapon against the mosquitoes. We must dispose our waste materials into the proper containers and discard stagnant water. We should have good nutrition to boost our resistance to the disease. Hence, knowledge about the disease and its preventive measures could not only help protect our own health but also our community. The government officials and health care professionals play the most significant roles in the campaign against the disease. They are responsible in educating the public and intervening for the dengue victims. The medical students and the nursing students can also help in this country’s struggle. As educated citizens, they can also promote preventive measures and awareness to the community. Truly, dengue is a serious threat both to the lives of Filipinos and the future of the country. Every life of a citizen is a valuable resource for the country. The death of the citizens more especially the death of the children caused by the disease would mean less human resources that can impede the country’s growth and development. Still, prevention is always better than cure. As much as possible, we should take part in preventing the spread of the disease. Because we will never know that by taking our part, we can save lives. Be vigilant and cooperative! Keep in mind that mosquitoes will always be our terrible enemies. We should help one another in combating them. Let us kill them before they kill us!
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Graphics By Jo Jan Paul J. Pe単ol
Photo from cdn.medicinalive.com (worm); ilonggos.net (drug treatment)
Health
FILARIASIS A NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASE By Alvin K. Tung
T
he drought of summer shall ephemerally sleep behind the sinister clouds of the rainy season, paving the way for mosquitoes to breed. apart from the horrendous dengue, a more debilitating but lesser known disease lurks in the shallow waters, affecting more than 120 million people worldwide.
Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by roundworms that pose a ruinous plague on most tropical countries today. The Philippines, not having the privilege of exemption, has been through the ravaging damage of the disease. The adult worms occupy the lymph system which plays a role in immunity and is responsible for the body’s fluid balance. Lymphatic filariasis can lead to a disease called elephantiasis. Since lymphatic filariasis has long been neglected by the affected countries, it has remained the leading cause of permanent disability due to the contorted figure brought about by its progression.
channels caused by the adult worms can progress to the swelling and scarring of arms and legs. More derogative effects include the bulging and enlargement of the scrotum and penis in men, and the protuberance of the breasts of females. People with these very blatant abnormalities are most likely unable to work. The society oftentimes shuns the infected individuals. Lymphatic filariasis may also lead to a serious progressive lung disease called tropical pulmonary eosinophilia characterized by asthma attacks, nocturnal coughs, and enlargement of the spleen. Unfortunately, most infected people do not develop symptoms DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH unless the disease is at the advanced LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS AND ITS stage and not detected if infected SYMPTOMS individuals are not tested, making The obstruction in the lymph treatment almost inconceivable. the CEntRALeCHO
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HEALTH&AWARENESS TREATMENT AND PREVENTION Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is the best drug used to kill the circulating microfilariae but is only partially effective against the adult worms. Treatment therefore is still vague and the best way to combat filariasis is through prevention. The best preventive measures include: • Avoiding mosquito bites • Destroying breeding sites of mosquitoes • Participating in the prophylaxis program by the Department of Health (DOH) by taking the medicines they distribute.
Photo from redbookarchive. aappublications.org
TRANSMISSION The roundworms dwell on mosquito vectors belonging to species Aedes, Culex, Anopheles and Mansonia. Much like dengue, the parasite enters the human body through mosquito bites. The disease incessantly spreads when an uninfected mosquito acquires the parasite from an infected individual (person previously bitten by an infected mosquito), then transmits the parasite to another healthy individual.
MASS DRUG ADMINISTRATION The City and Province of Iloilo, particularly Lambunao, is an endemic area for filariasis. The city is now combating this atrocious malady as drugs (DEC and Albendazole: 1 big tablet and 4-5 small tablets) are freely distributed to the residents as preventive measure. The DOH’s goal is for the Philippines to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem by the year 2017.
NOCTURNAL DISEASE Mosquitoes responsible for the transmission of the parasites are nocturnal in nature – biting when darkness covers the skies. Diagnosis through blood examination is also done at night when the microfilariae (a stage of the lifecycle of the parasite) circulate in the blood usually at 10:00pm to 2:00am. 27
http://www.stanford.edu/class/humbio103/ ParaSites2006/Lymphatic_filariasis/Discovery. htm http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-isFilariasis.aspx http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lymphaticfilariasis/ http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lymphaticfilariasis/ prevent.html http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2012/ chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/ filariasis-lymphatic.htm http://www.localhealth.com/article/lymphaticfilariasis http://www.thedailyguardian.net/index.php/ local-news/3425-mass-drug-administration-forfilariasis-in-city-today http://www.doh.gov.ph/content/national-filariasiselimination-program Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Photo by Ville13
way, e h t y "oh bating dirt." I'm e
PICa
DISorDer: It EAts you
By Gloria Concepcion H. Moralidad
T
ickle your palate with a plate full of pebbles! Fancy some sauce to go with it? Why not pour it down with some glue? Sip a pint of paint before you stomach your next course. and how about mud pie for dessert - where the mud is really the soil you walk on? Most people have weird, crazy food cravings that goes now and then. But eating what was mentioned above is clinically different. People who crave nonedible items suffer from what doctors call Pica Disorder. The word pica (alright, the word is actually pronounced as payka) comes from the Latin word for magpie, a bird that eats just about anything. Pica is most common in people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation, curious children under 3 years of age and kids who had a brain injury affecting their development. It is considered to be a serious eating disorder that can sometimes result in serious health Graphics from payload36Dcargocollective.com
"so am I." problems such as lead poisoning, parasitic infections, bowel problems or to some extent, death. The pattern of eating should last at least one month to fit the diagnosis of the disorder. Subtypes of Pica are characterized by the substance eaten for example: • amylophagia (consumption of starch) • Coprophagy (consumption of feces) • geophagy (consumption of soil, clay, or chalk)
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HeaLTH&AWAREnEss countries, where people with pica most commonly eat soil or clay • Cultural factors — in families, religions, or groups in which eating nonfood substances is a learned practice • Parental neglect, lack of supervision, or food deprivation — often seen in children living in poverty • Developmental problems, such as mental retardation, autism, other developmental disabilities, or brain abnormalities • Mental health condition • Pregnancy - but it's been suggested that pica during pregnancy occurs more frequently in women who exhibited similar practices during their childhood or before pregnancy or who have a history of pica in their family. The specific causes of pica are unknown, but certain conditions and Whatever it is, this type of disorder situations can increase a person's risk: will need to seek out a doctor, pronto! Treatments highly depend on a variety • Nutritional deficiencies, such as iron or of factors such as age, duration and zinc, that may trigger specific cravings health conditions and may emphasize (however, the nonfood items craved usually don't supply the minerals lacking psychosocial, environmental and familyguidance approaches, treatable though in the person's body) • Dieting — people who diet may attempt supplements and dietary changes. Patience is required for the road to to ease hunger by eating nonfood recovery. More so, it's more like that Pica substances to get a feeling of fullness •Malnutrition, especially in underdeveloped eats people, because the disorder controls them. It will take a while (and by while, I mean a long time) for a person to lessen his or her antics. Now, eating paper or plastic doesn't sound very much a gastronomic delight, is it? However, for people suffering from Pica, it's their comfort zone – their safe haven.
• hyalophagia (consumption of glass) • Consumption of dust or sand has been reported among iron-deficient patients. • Lithophagia (a subset of geophagia, consumption of pebbles or rocks) • Mucophagia (consumption of mucus) • Odowa (soft stones eaten by pregnant women in Kenya) • Consumption of paint. • Self-cannibalism (rare condition where body parts may be consumed) • Trichophagia (consumption of hair or wool) • urophagia (consumption of urine) • Xylophagia (consumption of wood or paper)
"me flower."
X-ray of a man who digested rubber bands.
Google Images
References: Gavin, M.L., MD. (January 2011). Pica Disorder. Kids Health. Retrieved July 27 2012 from kidshealth.org/ parent/emotions/behavior/pica.html Stewart, K. (May 10 2010). Pica: The Eating Disorder That's Not About Food. Everyday Health. Retrieved July 27 2012 from www.everydayhealth.com/eatingdisorders/pica-eating-disorder.aspx Rose, E. A., Porcerelli, J. H., & Neale, A. V. (2000). "Pica: Common but commonly missed". The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice 13 (5): 353–8. Marc Lallanilla. "Eating Dirt: It Might Be Good for You." ABC News. 3 October 2005. Retrieved July 27 2012 29
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Photo from Resurrection Blog (opening photo)
ADvocacy&women
She was locked in a room for a month, starved and force-fed drugs and alcohol to ensure she was addicted and could be more easily controlled. She was often beaten unconscious for refusing to have sex with the customers. -16 year-old girl, Subic Bay 1988 Investigation 30
Chameleon The Run with
By Gloria Concepcion H. Moralidad
F
rail innocence runs out for help, however, the persons whom she knows and trusts are more often the people causing her sorrows – leaving innocence lost and marred for life. And still, innocence struggles with all her might against the shadows of crime. The Philippines saw more than 5 million children engaged in economic labors of which the majority expose themselves to life-threatening operations. Sadly, these millions have yet excluded the numbers of the abandoned, neglected, physically, emotionally and sexually abused and exploited children. Many of them do not tell anyone about their state, even to their own families. Some never tell at all. How could they when most of the time it’s their own family who abuses them? “Street children. Jailed Children. Children, victims of abuse.” These predicaments moved the then 18-year old, French national, Laurence Ligier to help children especially young Filipino women who have suffered physical and sexual exploitation. She witnessed these plights herself when she visited the Philippines more than a decade ago. Seeing the conditions of the country, Laurence returned to her homeland and redirected her studies to the field of development and humanitarian action. After a diploma in sociology/ethnology, she enrolled in the International Business School and obtained a diploma in International Studies of Development Management. Laurence, then, left France and embarked to Iloilo, Philippines to build an abode for children, thus Chameleon Association was founded – this in the year 1997. Chameleon Association Inc. battles with the shadows that these young Filipino girls have suffered sexually and physically by giving back the innocence of these 31
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Since 1997, Laurence Ligier and the Chameleon Association has been dedicated towards helping children escape abuse and putting their lives on a better path. Photos from Chameleon Association Inc.
children through healing and integration, guiding them to fulfill their hopes of a brighter tomorrow. The organizations have two centers in Iloilo in which these girls can enjoy being children: to laugh, smile and play – their right of childhood. Chameleon likewise offers the girls services like educational support, counseling, medical assistance, legal support, values development and sports and artistic activities that are adapted accordingly to the situation of each girl. The children are sponsored, in which they have regular communication with their benefactors to not only know each other’s state but also to form a bond which is part of the child’s therapy and intervention. Because of these sponsorships, the girls have the opportunity to finish their education, up until the completion of their college studies. After a maximum of three years or more in the center, the girls are returned to their families and reintegrated into the community. The reintegrated girls continue to be monitored by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Chameleon and their sponsors until their schooling is completed. The girls are accompanied by Chameleon’s social the CEntRALeCHO
workers who coordinate with local social workers in the vicinity where the children live. When the organizations find out that the perpetrators are within the family, they wouldn’t dare to return the child to her home and risk their safety again. There are cases when the victims have girl siblings, and Chameleon pulled them out as well, because the children are likely to be abused themselves. As a non-profit, non-stock humanitarian association, Chameleon also grants the less privileged, yet deserving children, both boys and girls, to continue studying through its Community Development in the neighboring municipalities of Passi, San Enrique and Bingawan. They also provide education fees, school uniforms, transport to school, healthcare expenses as needed. Not only that, Chameleon renders assistance to all its beneficiaries and their family though Skills Development program. This program is to empower and improve families’ living standards by making them capable to become economically independent later on. Trainings on Family Relationship, Parent Effectiveness Seminar and Parents’ Counseling are also conducted to educate them on parental
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advOCaCy&WomEn roles, and provide moral support, to improve the family relationship and create a healthy environment for their child. Chameleon raises awareness among the Filipino communities and authorities about child abuse and domestic violence using various channels such as the media, shows, lectures, seminars and publications.
up at the wee hours of morning to catch the 6:30 bus ride to Passi - though, in truth it was a bit delayed and everyone ended up taking off at a quarter to 8am. However, the two-hour drive did not wear off the spirits of the team as they reached their destination. Upon arriving at Chameleon’s headquarters, there were audible, indistinct gasps of “oohh”, “aahh”, and “woow” from among the class members as they started rolling their cameras for the ad campaign to be made for Chameleon (featured in GMA Arangkada). Every wood and stone there oozed with serenity and every view got you closer to Mother Nature. Everyone was greeted by Miss Gen Ceralvo, and the tour had officially started. Miss GC showed the class around the Chameleon compound while revealing the history, procedures and programs of the association. They even have a minishop where they sell necklaces, bangles and textile accessories. Upon entering in one of the rooms, the team was greeted by a smiling 9 year-old girl. Gently, with tactfulness, some of team conversed with the child,
THE vISIT Message from the Organizers “The fourth year BS Advertising and Entrepreneurial Management students of Central Philippine University held a oneday ‘Fun Run’ and exhibition fair entitled, I-RUN: ONE RUN CAN GIVE HOPE. The venue was held at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on March 10. Our batch wanted to organize an event that would not only promote health and wellness, but also have an event that would be able to affect the lives of other people. We wanted a Fun Run that would be purposeful and meaningful for the participants and the beneficiaries as well. This event promoted the advocacy of CHAMELEON ASSOCIATION, INC, a non-government organization, which provides comprehensive rehabilitation programs and “Crime butchers innocence to secure services for sexually abused a throne, and innocence struggles with all girls from Western Visayas, its might against the attempts of crime.” ages 5 to 17 years old. Maximilien Robespierre Their centers are located in Passi, Iloilo and they also have a dormitory which serves as a asking basic questions like, “What’s your halfway house in Iloilo City. This activity name?” and “How old are you?” It was aimed to raise awareness in people who learned later that her other siblings were were oblivious to the knowledge that under the protection of Chameleon as there are girls who have lived under well. the shadows for so long. Our vision was As the tour continued, the group to motivate people to take action. One gradually encountered some of the run would bring hope and have the girls girls of Chameleon, and each started realize that there are people who still conversations with the children. The care.” association’s pet dachshund, Insoy, also On February 10, the team woke seemed to paw itself into the hearts 33
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Through events such as I: Run, the Chameleon Association encourages individuals to remold better future for maltreated children. Photos from Council of Advertising Practitioners
of the team. As the tour set off to the front yard where the playground was situated, a lot of jolly girls greeted the class, and the students even dashed off to play with them. Swing. Slide. See-saw. What truly amazed the Advertising and the Entrepreneurial students was the fact that all the girls were happy. The children wore smiles that reached their eyes and had tinkling laughter that was just so real. That wasn’t improvisation, they were not being told to do so – it was just them, au naturel. These children would hold your hand, hug you, hop or skip with you and call you their “Manang.” One could even think that all of those plights didn’t happen – but reality says otherwise. Miss GC led the way to Chameleon’s Butterfly Sanctuary which is lavished with luscious greens, flowers obviously, fishponds, and little bridges. There were butterfly picture booths on the corners where one can pop his or her head into and flash a shot. Out of the Sanctuary lies a grove of trees headed towards a clearing. When on the way there, a metal rustle caught the attention of many. Chameleon also has a pet monkey! Probably alarmed and frightened by the number of guests in the compound, the the CEntRALeCHO
monkey did not extend any “hospitality.” As the team emerged from the trees, a very mesmerizing creek beckoned them. Its blue-green waters were filled with life as little tadpoles and schools of fish sometimes jotted out of the water. Beyond the creek was Chameleon’s Gymnasium where they held their sports and other artistic activities. The Gym also serves as a circus school where it helps children to overcome their traumatic experiences and rebuild their self-esteem. There were unicycles, tella, flying trapeze, and other circus materials and equipment found there. Two girls from Chameleon showed the team how to juggle while riding a unicycle at the same time as well as sharing some moves and tips on performing circus on hoops that are above the ground. Afterwards, everybody treaded on to a cozy, reddish stone house which serves as the dwelling place for volunteers. On a certain wall, there hangs a picture of each child taking residence at Chameleon, to which Miss GC told the team the reasons why the girls are with Chameleon – rape, incest, lasciviousness. The roundabouts in the compound ended there, and the team moved to
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ADvocacy&women unload the love-food for the association. All the Chameleon girls, staffs, House Mothers and the team gathered around the dining room to say grace. Heavy Thanks you’s and goodbye’s resumed as the students packed up and say “adieu” for the time being. Dr. Lenny Rose P. Mucho stated that the team’s aid to Chameleon did not only coincide with the upcoming event but as would continue in the years to come, because hopefully the two departments shall collaborate and continue to support Chameleon for all time. Advertising student, Julienne Crispe, the Event Chairperson for I:Run, said in an interview that it would be nice to see schools, especially Central Philippine University, support Charity Institutions like Chameleon or re-introduce the concept of “Chivalry”, so that men will understand their responsibilities as protectors and keepers of order and purity. The event followed a month after the visit with Coach Rio de la Cruz, high speed road-runner and running coach extraordinaire, to lead the race. I-RUN: ONE RUN CAN GIVE HOPE “It’s not about winning. It’s about helping Chameleon and getting fit at the same time. And look! There’s Coach Rio to lead the run.” remarked by a student, known only by the name, Julie Anne. On March 10, Saturday, as early as 5 o’clock in the morning, runners and walkers trooped to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol for the 3km Fun Run. The event attracted 300 participants (from as far as Bacolod City) and more as early joggers decided to join. Organized by the Event and Exhibition Planning Management by Dr. Lenny Rose P. Mucho, Advertising and Entrepreneurial students alike joined forces to raise funds and
donations for Chameleon Association. The organization put up their own booth to sell pieces of jewelry handmade by the girls themselves. Donation boxes were stocked up as people contributed usable clothes, children’s books, educational materials and more. An hour later, Coach Rio fired up, signaling the start of the race. Exceptionally, five minutes afterwards, a certain Jeson Agravante dashed off to the finish line first followed by his mates, Mark Jagnao and Nolibert Sibonga respectively. In a short interview, they mentioned that being a topmost runner was their dream and all of them have heard of the event from their trainer and decided to take part in the race. Subsequently, participants held on to their race tickets as a raffle draw also ensued on the spot. Beside of the Capitol, a photo booth was put up as runners flashed their smiles with Coach Rio. Miss GC and some girls of Chameleon hurdled up to express their gratitude to the team for “helping spread the association’s advocacy, to Coach Rio for supporting their cause, and to the runners for taking part in it, waking up at the holy hour of five o’clock to run with them, to run with Rio, to run against child abuse.”
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Author’s note: You may also help the Chameleon Association by: sponsoring a child or project; volunteering for Chameleon; or even by donating cash, usable clothes, books, educational materials and more. You can contact them through: Email: chameleon_phils@yahoo.com Telephone/Fax: 311-55-75 Like their page at: www.facebook.com/ chameleonphil Visit their website: www.cameleon-association.org Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
sPOTLIgHT oN CIvIL sOCIeTy
C
By Reyshimar Arguelles
ivil society organizations tend to be overlooked for the reason that they do not have significant political stakes. In some cases, they are associated with leftist movements. Nothing but myths. They actually play important roles in making sure that accountability is not neglected. Especially in a country where familial rivalries and personal biases infect local landscapes, they are looked up to for their vigilance towards political decisions often haphazardly implemented. As for being leftist, they do not appear so. Radical change is not an agendum, for cooperation with the establishment, to seek and correct its wrongs, is as useful to attain good governance as hospitals are to the indigent. But projects like hospitals get neglected and are vulnerable to misappropriation, thereby causing them to become ineffective in catering to taxpaying legatees. Civil society organizations
the CEntRALeCHO
likewise face a myriad of impediments. Poor media exposure, a lack of monitoring tools, diminished motivation among members and whatnot hinder these groups from doing what they are organized to do in the first place. These problems also help instigate tactless notions from people and politicians. Their perceptions are about to change with the creation of initiatives protracted towards empowering civil society organizations and molding them into potent political surveyors. One of these initiatives is supported by respected institutions and has made its first ever transpiration in the detrimental political landscape of the country. Expressing their concerns for political accountability and good governance, the World Bank and the La Salle Institute for Governance worked together to fund a project entitled “Institutionalizing CSO Monitoring and Assessment of Public Service Deliveries for the Poor.� Its main objective: “To capacitate
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Organizations&Causes CSOs in monitoring and assessing public service programs at the local level.” Its allies: Universities and colleges. Emphasized in this project is the need for government and civil society elements to work together in monitoring and assessing public service deliveries, especially to the poor. But preparation is a must, also cooperation with the proper establishments. The project’s 24-month span covers ten selected communities around the Philippines. In Iloilo, the municipality of Pavia is one of these project areas. And Central Philippine University became its academic partner and “institutional anchor” as it satisfied the following considerationsv: it is strong in extensive research and community work; it has a good track record with local government units and civil society on multi-stakeholder partnership building; and it has monitoring and evaluating capabilities. From May 21 - 23, the Knowledge for Development Center at the Henry Luce III Library became the venue for a threeday workshop attended by members from non-government organizations, private organizations, and, of course, civil society organizations operating in the municipality of Pavia. In attendance were members from the Pavia Entrepreneurs’ Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the Sta. Monica Parish Pastoral Council. They joined this workshop with the primary reason of gaining knowledge on monitoring public service projects in health, education, other sectors in Pavia. Representatives from Iloilo CODENGO and faculty members from Central Philippine University stood as moderators. Prof. Ernesto Saquibal Jr. from the Department of Social Sciences, one of the moderators, said the workshop was geared towards “capacitating the participants so that they will be able to perform their roles not only as watchdogs but empowered actors in the local level in terms of impacting accountability and also transparency in local governance.” And what better way to empower
them than to prod them into activities that focused more on team building, joint monitoring, preparation of research tools, and preparing reports on data gathering and many other activities related to the practice of joint monitoring with government agencies and departments. The workshop is only the second phase of the whole two-year project after the first that focuses on “stocktaking and development of local multi-stakeholder knowledge partnerships.” The third phase is anchored more on applying monitoring and evaluation tools and assessing the performance on the use of such tools; the last phase, on integrating knowledge into academic curricula and university extension programs. Aside from these, the project furthers the publishing of “a source book on tools, methods, and approaches to track public service delivery” and integrate the Pavia CSO experience as case studies. It is not to say that civil society here is not as active as those in other countries. Evidently, the spirit of Philippine civil society is very much alive – as long as the spirit of maladministration continues to stalk the land. And as we amble towards the 2013 local elections, with auspicious calls for good governance and incessant finger pointing bombarding sign posts and blank walls, CSO’s will not only watch and listen to these calls. Now, they can engage them.
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
H
ello mga beloved Centralians! I’m so happy talaga to welcome all of you this school year. I am really satisfied to see some familiar faces dito sa campus. I mean, it’s like, a privilege to know mga bagong pasok sa school like mga freshmen. In my five years as a college student, I have attended a number of seminars, conventions and joined tons of contests from local to the international levels – but that’s not what we will be discussing on this article. Just last year when I attended the 12th International Youth Day Celebration, I noticed a lot of things which caught my immediate attention. I detected a lot of people talking like a boss – the conyo people. So here we go, let’s start!
Ten
The CONYOmandments Graphics from tessa "vert-is-ninja"stone,devart comic artist
By Jo Jan Paul Peñol
So what does “Conyo” mean ba talaga? Like, where it came from? Believe me; I was so shocked when I found out that the meaning of conyo pala in Spanish is so bastos. Haha. I am like a wholesome guy (haha), so I don’t want to publish it here on my article the Spanish meaning. So you try to hanap it na lang. Anyway, according to Urban Dictionary: Conyo or coño is a term used by Filipinos to refer to the ultra-rich or at least those who act like they are, and is regularly used as a derogatory term. More than the culture, it has something to do with the way these people speak, and I’ve heard some say that to speak like a conyo, one should use about 75% English and 25% Tagalog or Filipino – like the Queen of all Media – Kris Aquino! Example: Yaya, I’m so sawa na with the faces of my classmates. Can you enroll me nalang in High School Musical? And so, I bring CONYOmandments:
you
the
TEN
1. Thou shall make gamit “make +pandiwa”. “Let’s make kain na at Uy Building! I’m super gutom na!” “Wait lang! I’m making suklay my hair pa! Pls. make hintay muna.” 2. Thou shall make “noh”, “diba” and “eh” in your pangungusap. “You know naman that I don’t like to make lakad-lakad in the baha noh? Eh diba it’s like, so eew, diba?” “Stop nga being so maarte noh?! Just imagine it’s a swimming pool!” 3. When making describe a whatever, always say “It’s SO pang-uri!” “I know right?! So sarap nga, eh!” “You’re making me inggit naman… I’ll make bili nga my own sweet corn at Uy Building. My tummy has super maraming butterflies na!” 4. When you are lalaki, make parang punctuation “dude”, “tsong” or “pare”. “Dude, Math5a is so hirap, pare.” 38
Words&Lingo “I know, tsong, I got bagsak nga in quiz one, eh” 5. Thou shall know you know? I know right! “My bag is so bigat today, you know” “I know, right! We have to make dala pa kasi the jumbo Physics book eh! I’m like so pagod na!”
While conyo-speaking is generally done by maaarte and mayayaman na girls, mama’s boys also tend to say in such a manner. In universities in Manila, I find it weird that most boys use the “conyo” language over girls. You may also consider half-Pinoys. Because of their nasal pronunciation they sound so conyowh! Consideh this conyohw from a TV commercial by the Philippine Azkals.
6. Make gawa the plural of pangngalans like in English or Spanish. “I have so many tagihawats, oh! It’s like sprouting like mongo beans!” 7. Like, when you can make kaya, always use like. Like, I know right? “Like, it’s so init naman today! It’s like my pores are getting bigger!” “Yah! The aircon, it’s, like sira!”
Chieffy: “Kainan na!”. Phil: “Eating with your bare hands. So primitive.” Ian: “It’s Pinoy style. ” Chieffy: “Tara Phil. Tikman mo to. Ewe.” Phil: “Ewe? What’s ewe?” Everyone: “Pwet ng manok!” Phil: “Uy! Panalo toh ah…Oh!? Anong tinitingin-tingin niyo jan? Chibowgan na!”
8. Make yourself feel so galing by translating the last word of your sentence, you know, your pangungusap? “Kakainis naman the jeep eh! How plenty naman the tao, you know, people?” “It’s so tight nga there, eh, you know, masikip? It’s like we’re like sardines here!”
There’s also a thought for middle class people who are either critically swayed by the trend or their upper class friends. Unlike the people of the upper class, these middle class people are brave enough to try street foods and food stalls where you may find them saying:
9. Make gamit of plenty abbreviations, you know? “Like, OMG! It’s like traffic sa terminal!” “I know right? It’s so kaka!” “Kaka?” “Kakaasar!”
“Uy, let’s make tusok tusok na the fishballs!”. “Gosh, ang sarap naman this Kwek Kwek! Manong, can I have one more?” “Kuya, pakitangal naman po ang takip so I can make sawsaw!” “Ale, how much po the Banana cue?"
10. Make gamit the pinakamaarte voice and pronunciation you have para full effect! “I’m, like, making aral at the Arrhneo!” “Me naman, I’m from Lazzahl! “Me, I make aral at Cipyuh!” Here are some other examples to make you an expert in speaking conyo: “OMG! Please don’t make tapak the ipis, baka it will make wasak the insides on the granite tiles!” “Can you make hiwalay the 3 in 1 coffee? I don’t like sugar kasi eh." “Ewww… Please don’t make dikit to my skin… because only Belo touches my skin.”
While it is sometimes bothersome to overhear some people using this language, there’s no suspicion that we find it humorous and artistic as well. Over the years, the Filipino language and dialects have changed productively while at some point inconsistent and pointless too. But I believe it just shows the creativity of Filipinos. We’ve been under the influences of American, Chinese, Japanese and Spaniards. We are rich in culture and we have many dialects, now what’s wrong about making new terms and creatively expressing yourself? You try!
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
OPINION COLUMNS
The CENTRALECHO
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Graphics from tessa "vert-is-ninja"stone,devart comic artist
TheTimes They Are A-Changin'
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
OBLA DI OBLA DA
The Times, They Are A-Changin' By Raniel C. Ponteras
But out from the trashy recollections come the question if all those skin products can defy the ageing of my memory, because even if times are a-changin’, my memories are just too damn arrogant to have themselves replaced and changed, and I love my memories for being so. Skin care products promise such an interesting effect. One says that you can defy ageing by using it. But that’s kind of scary knowing that I don’t want to be playing a role similar to that of Zaijan in Lorenzo’s time. Ageing. I don’t know what’s the buzz about it. I don’t know why people avoid it. I don’t know why people are ashamed to admit it. Or maybe I’m just too old to know. Old, I am. And I relish the fact that I am. Some may say that it’s such a far cry to announce oneself as an old person when one is just in his/her twenties, I beg to differ. I am old because the times now are so much faster, and it doubles the speed of ageing. Back then, a cartoon series like Pokemon or Dragonball Z could go on forever and ever, but all throughout the series you remember how it started out. But now, a series can’t even last that long. Also, back then, musicians could dominate the airwaves and MTV (when the M still stood for music) for months, even stretching to years. But now that Mediocre has replaced the M in MTV, a the CEntRALeCHO
song can only last for a few weeks on the top spot and then be replaced by another generic effort from auto-tune blessed “artists”. The chief problem of children like me back in those days was not about daddy and mommy not buying us iPads or the newest cellphones, but was mainly centered on not being able to play with friends. I sound bitter because I know I’ve lived in an era that’s much better. There was a time when you could get married to your crush by buying her a P2.00 Bubot ring during recess. There was a time when you felt awkward when someone wrote your name in the “Who’s your crush” entry in someone else’s slumbook. And there was that depressing feeling when your crush wrote someone else’s name as their crush. It sparked that inner Super Saiyan in you and you wanted to challenge the antagonist into a duel by bumping them by the shoulder. Goku would have been proud! But class hours were a drag. And the only comfort came when the sudden surge of heaven arrives with the ringing of the bell: it meant time for fishball, lagsanay, showing off your Dragon Ball
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Z cards, and the much awaited moment to tell your crush your true feelings by saying, “indi taka ya crush!” with redness in the cheeks to follow suit. Enter: high-school. An abrupt gear-change: hormones go wild, your epidermis becomes a garden of unwanted hair, teenageangst, academic pressure, and the temptation of vices like reading and studying. For us males, there was that mandatory period when you had to learn the guitar in order for the girl of your dreams to say that, “yes”, that you’ve been dreaming of. The first few chords you learn made you confident enough to compose for her your first ever song that contained the immortal rhymes, “I love you/ yes it’s true,” and place it alongside, “Please hold my hand/ so that you’ll understand.” And when the night comes, you make sure that you use all 160 allowed characters per text message waxing romanticism. Sending her witty quotes like, “a specter is haunting you, the specter of my love,” (Sorry Karl Marx) before she goes to sleep while you will the night away
smiling like a caffeine-overdosed puppy. All that belong to a time long gone by. Like the kites of childhood, it had its moments in the sky and now must rest on the ground. Young and talented musicians like Hanson had to be culturally forgotten to make space for someone who likes to repeat the same word for an infant over and over again. Dexter had to abandon his laboratory after witnessing the annoying Dora. Slumbooks were left on the shelves for Friendster then Facebook. This is a trashy and sentimental piece, I confess, but blame all those skin care products not me. But out from the trashy recollections come the question if all those skin products can defy the ageing of my memory, because even if times are a-changin’, my memories are just too damn arrogant to have themselves replaced and changed, and I love my memories for being so. Before I don’t have the chance again, I want to answer that question I mostly avoided when I was young. Who is your crush? Uhmm… Secret!
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Graphics from tessa "vert-is-ninja"stone,devart comic artist
Views&perspective
“Good governance never depends upon laws, but upon the personal qualities of those who govern. The machinery of government is always subordinate to the will of those who administer that machinery. The most important element of government, therefore, is the method of choosing leaders.”
Photo By Jo Jan Paul Peñol
—Frank Herbert
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vIeWs&PersPeCTIve
POINT OF ORDER GOOD GOVERNANCE: A Paragon of honesty and credible public service
T
By Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol
he 27th US President William Howard Taft once said, “we are not perfect.” We therefore cannot expect for a perfect government. But as true-blue Filipinos who are traditionally known as a race which never surrender in any battle that we are faced with, nor give up to the idea that we can move mountains and fly miles and miles away from ‘giant’ countries, we can at least hope for a good one. The idea of a good government, needless to say, is simply just a reflection of what we have achieved years and years ago. It is a battle cry that have escaped our standards and viewpoints when tyranny dominated our democracy, a quarter of century back. It is a boat - a vinta that was set unfastened a long time ago. Until now, it is still there, alone in the middle of a wide ocean as it sails with the wind, flows against the giant waves, and steadies itself during a smooth sailing. It is waiting for the time when it can finally dock in the seashore to present itself in due course. But the sailing will never be an easy feat as long as we remain ignorant of how a “good government” is defined, how it must be shaped, what its purposes for existence are, and how it should be managed so that it may bear the grandest flower at the 45
birth of spring. These will all prose to the same question that we have asked and have been asked for the nth time already, ‘what is a good government?’ It is a public institution which covers the entity of its people, bound to protect and preserve the rights of its every living soul, and see to it that the welfare of the mass will never be put at stake until the government ceases to take hold of any power anymore. But much more than that, it is a fourwalled chamber composed of trusted offices which decide not which is best for the country. It rather resorts itself to what’s right for the country and for the people that it holds at bay. Let me share with you my insights during my 2 years stint as a young public servant in a small town of nearly 50,000 people - Pavia. Since I was directly involved in policymaking and program and project implementation, now, I can say that I am a privileged Ilonggo, prouder to be called a Pavianhon. In 2010, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) named our municipality as champion in Good Governance in the Province of Iloilo, and third in Western Visayas, two steps down from Malay, Aklan where the world-famous Boracay Island is located and a step lower than Pulupandan, Negros Occidental were the booming sugar industry is situated. Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
2008 Good Governance Index Source NSCB
Views&perspective Rank
Municipality
2008 Index
1
Malay, Aklan
538.29
2
Pulupandan, Neg. Occ.
327.73
3
Pavia, Iloilo
294.64
4
Zarraga, Iloilo
278.33
5
Caluya, Antique
276.99
6
Madalag, Aklan
274.15
7
Kalibo, Aklan
271.19
8
Cuartero, Capiz
257.43
9
San Jose, Antique
239.48
10
Murcia, Neg. Occ.
232.38
I am delighted in the mere sense that I believe our local government is doing its best to utilize our people’s money for appropriate programs and projects. Thanks to our progressoriented Mayor, Hon. Arcadio H. Gorriceta who never failed to address the needs of our kasimanwas. There are many things a Pavianhon like me can be proud of. In our town, we exercise P u b l i c - Pr i va t e Partnership also known as P.P.P. long before President Benigno Simeon Aquino exclaimed it in the national television. For the record, Mayor G o r r i c e t a gives utmost consideration and importance to the education sector. I bet only in Pavia you can see that classroom shortage is not a problem – because we have enough rooms to house the thousands of young
Pavianhons. To note, 90% of all classroom constructions since 2004 are funded not from government coffers but from private donations – that’s how resourceful Mayor Gorriceta is. In Pavia, we believe that, “If we give our youth a better life now, we give the Philippines a brighter tomorrow.” Where in the country can you see a local government who initiated more than 200 newly-constructed, improved and rehabilitated classrooms in just a span of 8 years? To add, Pavianhons enjoy the Womb-to-Tomb Program which is a compilation of government services from the time of conception until the person’s death. Education is in the administration’s top list. Pavianhon day care and elementary pupils enjoy free school supplies while high school students enjoy the free tuition fee and DepED authorized fees. Elementary pupils who are on their fifth and sixth grade enjoy complete computer literacy program so that when they reach high school, they could already master its basics and complexities. The only duty of parents is to send their children in school – nothing more, nothing less. In Pavia, no one gets left behind. “This is Pavia’s Golden Age,” quipped the 66 year-old chief executive. “My eight (8) years of administration brought about countless awards which testify how we govern Pavia the right way. During my administration no student was left behind because of
The meaning of good governance lies on the foundations of morality - of honesty, integrity and credibility. If we think good and do good, good things will happen.
The CENTRALECHO
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Gorriceta these and more contribute to Pavia’s success in obtaining the Seal of Good Housekeeping from the Department of Interior and Local Government which brought home 1 Million Pesos additional fund good enough as additional fund for the reconstruction of the public market. The Good Governance Index (GGI) is a special study undertaken by NSCB to come up with objective, comprehensive and comparable measures of good governance based on outcome indicators in order to guide policy makers and stakeholders in the country in assessing local and national performance. Specifically, the GGI aims to draw attention to the achievements of
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Photo By Pavia MIS
Photo By Jo Jan Paul Peñol
our ultimate support to the education sector. Because I believe that education is the greatest equalizer that the poor can have a higher chance to improve their lives,” added Gorriceta. The 18-barangay municipality was recognized by the province of being number 1 in locally-generated income brought about by a number of manufacturing industries and realty estates present in the town’s vicinity. The town also prides itself of having the best Police Station in the entire province with a policewoman who was recently named by Metrobank as one of the Country’s Ten Outstanding Police Officers in Service in the person of SPO3 Rhia Sotomil; the country’s best LGU-Cooperative Partnership from the Philippine Senate; and awarded by the Department of Education as the Best in Physical Facilities Development. All
Views&perspective
Photo By Pavia MIS
the best performing local government units in order to encourage, sustain and promote best practices in governance in the country. The meaning of good governance lies on the foundations of morality - of honesty, integrity and credibility. If we think good and do good, good things will happen. Well, it’s not that I am boasting about it – but hey, the facts speak for themselves. Amo ini kami sa banwa sang Pavia. Tani amo man ini sa bugos nga pungsod Pilipinas. Isn’t our quest for good governance quite an adventure that history will always retell to its readers? We are going through a series of barriers, facing the antagonists of our story, closing existing chapters and going on with the next one, a murky prologue, and a hope that we will have a crystal-clear epilogue. It’s a shame that our quest, as a country is not yet a written story. We could have known earlier what
our ending will be. We could have prepared ourselves for what’s in store for us. But since we are still in the process of encoding our tale, it is left to us what kind of chapter we want our story to end. And judging from the fact that we have fought hard to restore democracy, let us comfort ourselves with the thought that our expedition will prove fruitful. Have you ever been in a quest as significant as this? Have you ever watched the boat of good governance as it was set loose to fulfill its destiny? Are you willing to wait for the day when you’ll finally see it docked in the Philippine shore? We don’t have to wait that long, my fellow Filipino. Just a little more effort and our quest for good government is at last realized. Our journey must be a collective effort. Today is the immediate time of action – not later, nor tomorrow. Let us join hands together and make this country float among the rest in the world.
Pavia’s Priority. Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta together with Councilors Michael Gorriceta and JP Peñol and school officials during the ceremonial turning over of free school supplies to elementary pupils of Pavia Pilot Elementary School.
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
MINDFUDGE
Silencing Scourges By Reyshimar C. Arguelles
As a smoker, yes I too would feel perturbed. I might not enjoy cigarettes the same way again. But it is for the best.
N
ow that the filth haunting the Supreme Court has been done away with, let us move on to other issues; carcinogenic issues ailing our country at the moment. and smoking is one of them. Before anything else, I have to come clean: I smoke. I buy a pack of Winstons from a 24/7 convenience store whenever self-esteem deems it necessary. However, possessing a pack of cancer sticks always fills me with a surfeit of ominous thoughts: blackened lungs, occasional asthma attacks, hearts shriveled up like raisins, a doctor holding up foreboding diagnoses, and all that. These images have always stirred up thoughts of quitting. But how can I, when nicotine has done the first phase of its job? I am hooked; a trout fished out of the comforts of naivety, and now left to face what is to befall my already fragile organs. Promises for last packs have only been inept. I have dwelt in ten last packs and I will surely settle for more. I should have left my curiosity alone when I had the chance. Now, my chances of living well into my fifties have been stubbed against Lucio Tan’s golden ashtray. Counting the sticks I have consumed and relating them to my antecedent physiological situation (as if I am well-versed in gauging fitness), I am best before forty-five or anything near it, the same lifespan as George Orwell had. the CEntRALeCHO
But both Orwell and I are well aware that it is not only our names engraved for the cancer ward. I believe there are as many smokers as there are cigarettes. It is a curious case indeed. The smoking population in the Philippines never seems to dwindle despite the strict anti-smoking drives by local governments. Excluding social smokers, the country has to keep a close watch of about a quarter of its citizens as the annual death rate now amounts to 300,000. Sadly enough, what constitutes the majority of this number is the poor. Men. Women. Children. The reason for this: dirt cheap cigarettes. In certain parts of Asia, cigarette packs have the same prices as fastfood value meals. In Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, a pack would cost the smoker as much as a hundred in our currency. Singapore is better off with packs costing nearly Php 300.00, which translates to Php 15.00 per stick. No wonder these countries have fewer smokers than the Philippines, where carinderias are more thought of than McDonald’s. Apparently, it is not so much out of health risks that the smoking populations of these countries are leveled counter to the situation here. A significant factor fares in the way cigarettes are taxed. The tax system here offers only loopholes for tobacco companies and their transnational cronies to jest over. Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello explains
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Views&perspective in a national daily: “The reason cigarettes are so cheap in the Philippines is that excise taxes on them have not been indexed to inflation and the classification of the different brands remains what it was in 1996. For instance, Fortune and Champion, two brands, continue to be classified as “low price” and taxed at P2.72 per pack, whereas they should now be classified as “premium” and taxed at P28.30 per pack. Likewise, Hope and Winston are classified as “medium” and taxed at P7.56 per pack instead of being reclassified as premium and taxed at P28.30 per pack.” If there be a need, the practices of businessmen as big as Lucio Tan and as small as the owner of the nearby sari-sari store should also be classified: as disgusting as phlegm. True enough, they capitalize on the weaknesses of the present excise taxes; sourcing profit, causing respiratory failures. Small business owners should be put on the hot seat. An outburst of course, but the welfare of children must be reflected. In the same article, Bello stressed that from 2003 to 2007, there was a staggering 40% increase in the youth smoking prevalence to 27.3%.” This includes those who have just been taught the importance of respiration to human life and those who have dissected a lab frog, examined its lungs, and drew
out amusing conclusions as this: “Therefore, I conclude that the specimen abstains from tobacco and leads a very healthy lifestyle.” Apparently, the frog had enjoyed hopping lily pads with more breaths to spare than kids buying Marlboros like they were Bobots. And it has always been a curious thing, the practice of selling cigarettes by the stick. I have not heard about the practice from other countries. But where and whenever it originated, it is still stupid; as stupid as the tindera who concedes to the pesos the kid from the next shanty offers for a Fortune. Rather contemplating about tomorrow’s social science quiz, he leans upon a PECO post just under the PECO meter, puffing up menthols while his parents are more concerned with their PECO bill. Given these images, one thing is ascertained: that there is a need to tax the hell out of tobacco companies, specifically the ever glutinous conglomerate of Tan’s Fortune Tobacco and the transnational Philip Morris. House Bill No. 5727 – popularly known as “The Sin Tax Bill – will see to it that Tan will be paying for the detrimental effects his herb and his practices have helped instigated. It is already being brought up in Congress. But, when enacted,
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Views&perspective it will not signal the death knell of smoking. People will still be puffing their lungs out, at least ones who could afford fastfood every day. And even with the passing of this bill, cultural actors will continue to dominate the landscape. There will still be fathers and uncles asking their kids, nieces, and nephews to buy them cigarettes from the sari-sari store. There will still be people smoking under NO SMOKING signs and hiding their commodities from Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task force (ICAST). And there is the media, which immortalizes the habit as an expression of rebellion and of coolness, in telenovelas and whatnot. But the Sin Tax Bill is still the way to go. The least it could do is contain the statistics and hopefully help reduce the number of smokers under 18. In another light, local governments should step up their anti-smoking drives. Traversing city streets during Dinagyang, I came across signage and numerous miniposters boasting a smoke-free festival. Well, apart from the tantalizing barbecue fogs, I took numerous whiffs from cigarettes of different brands, mostly foreign ones: Black Bats and others I am not familiar with. But I realized I could not complain since it was a party and everyone had rights to alcohol and nicotine, which by the
way defeats the very purpose of installing anti-smoking signage. Signs only remind, but they cannot convince, as do graphic portrayals of smoking’s victims. What is left is to control: control the sale of cigarettes by issuing permits to both small-scale and largescale establishments. And an ordinance prohibiting the sale of cigarettes by the stick could also come in handy; anything to shed seriousness on our advances for a (completely) smoke-free city. Otherwise, we should revise the slogan: “Iloilo is (a little bit) smoke-free.” Even that would contain only a little bit of honesty, not like the pack I tugged in my man-purse, labeled “Government Warning: SMOKING KILLS.” As a smoker, yes I too would feel perturbed. I might not enjoy cigarettes the same way again. But it is for the best. Since nothing else is going on, I will just let the carcinogens in my lungs dance away. Fatal Facts: 1) A typical manufactured cigarette contains approximately 8 or 9 milligrams of nicotine, while the nicotine content of a cigar is 100 to 200 milligrams, with some as high as 400 milligrams. 2) There are 1.1 billion smokers in the world today, and if current trends continue, that number is expected to increase to 1.6 billion by the year 2025. 3) There is enough nicotine in four or five cigarettes to kill an average adult if ingested whole. Most smokers take in only one or two milligrams of nicotine per cigarette however, with the remainder being burned off. 4) Secondhand smoke contains more than 50 cancer-causing chemical compounds, 11 of which are known to be Group 1 carcinogens. 5) Worldwide, one in five teens age 13 to 15 smoke cigarettes.
Source: http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/tobaccostatistics/ a tobaccofacts.htm Photo credits: http://farm4.static.flickr.com http://newshopper.sulekha.com/philippines-world-notobacco-day_photo_8298 The CENTRALECHO
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ANIMAL CRUELTY: Kitties to ‘Stocks and Scales and Puppy Dog Tales Photo from bullit marquez, AP
Who knows what kind of abuse could evolve 50 years from now? It’s depressing to mull over that humans were created dominant of all beasts, yet act like beasts themselves. 53
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POP GOES THE WEASEL
Animal Cruelty By Gloria Concepcion H. Moralidad
“I had a little pony, his name was Dapple-Gray, I lent him to a lady, to ride a mile away. She whipped him, she slashed him, she rode him through the mire; I would not lend my pony now, for all the lady’s hire.” Animal atrocity. See? Even Mother Goose disapproves.
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ou may not know it but, I have an unusual penchant for stories and poems for children to the point that somehow, it defines my character. Mother goose Stories and Rhymes highly shaped my tender years of what I think and what to act when confronting animals – not Aesop, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like his fables. I remember indulging myself in Mama Goo’s stories, etching her very words in my brain’s veins. Well, that little poem of hers bubbled up in my mind, reminded me that atrocities towards animals have been there throughout time, but never was a hot topic – ‘til recently. News of animals being maltreated in the Philippines have become quite rampant and alarming as of late, starting to which my guess would be just last year. The Republic Act 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 aims to protect and promote the welfare of all animals. Grateful we should all be to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and the lawmakers who commenced this Act in 1998 as a start for all Filipinos to be “humane” towards animals, making Philippines as the first the CEntRALeCHO
country in Southeast Asia to come up with its own anti-animal cruelty law. However, the current law lacks clarity and appropriate penalties – in other words, the law is bailable; a mount of loopholes could be discovered and taken advantage of (e.g. dog meat, doublekillings, etc.). Below are the following news pertaining to animal maltreatment in the country that have been circulating around the web for some time. NEWSBITS: On April 2011, Joseph Candare, a Physics Major student from the University of the Philippines was fined P2,000 and sentenced to a 2-month volunteer work at PAWS for killing a month-old kitten in 2009 inside the campus and boasting about it on his blog. Candare was the first person to be convicted of animal cruelty in the country. In his web entry (April 2009), he stated that he first pulled the cat’s tail and stomped the animal, hitting the feline’s torso. “Slam! Felt good! But the cat didn’t die, well not yet.” he said on his blog (which was later deleted). The cat, though fatally injured, ran
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away from Candare who was catching up to probably give it another blow, when someone yelled at him to stop. Another student informed him a little later that the cat coughed up blood and died. “This isn’t the first time I’ve killed a cat but this time it’s different. It didn’t occur to me back then that the cat had a leash. So I think somebody owns it.... So there you go I’m sorry. And I won’t be striking another one for maybe about a month. It feels good when your beating it (a cat) up but you suddenly feel something strange when it turns off permanently. That’s how I feel right now. And maybe for the next days. Dang, am I a cat serial killer?” he added. The blog agitated the public and thus certain people took action by putting up a website called “Justice for Teteng” (the cat’s name) and alarmed the authorities. It took two years for the issue to circulate and get delivered. Two months later after the trial of Candare, another case was reported to PAWS when Jerzon Senador clipped his puppy on a laundry line. Semantically speaking, he was pointing out that his puppy was put to be dried after taking a bath. Pictures of the tiny little dog were posted on his Facebook account and brought heavy negative comments. One of Senador’s FB friends told him that he could get jailed for animal cruelty. But
the former only laughed and brushed aside such warning. The pictures online shook the netizens who later notified PAWS. However, unlike the kitten Candare killed two years ago, Senador’s puppy remains alive and all right. Inhumanely furthermore, a porn trend, called “Crush Videos,” seemed to be sweeping across the globe, displaying young women torturing,or to some extent – killing small, adorable animals to heighten sexual stimulation. Sadly, this exploitation draws a lot of Filipino women to participate in such freak shows in exchange for cash. Dr. Josephine Gatdula, NBI behavioral science division Executive Officer, said in an interview with ABS-CBN, that in this type of perversion, people “enjoy inflicting pain in animals where they get sexual arousal. On a psychological point of view, these are the people who want to gain control kasi, probably in the past, they have a history of sexual abuse, so to overcome that they would want to see a victim they can identify with.” A cycle-operation happened first on December 2011 as a dog-fighting syndicate had been caught in Cavite. Officers arrested South Korean Nationals and Filipinos who were charged of
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illegal gambling and animal cruelty. The dog fights were live streamed to other countries - high-definition cameras were used for this online gambling business where worldwide players place bets on dogs they see in live video broadcasts. The police force called on PAWS and asked for their assistance on the care of the dogs and the documentation of their condition. Almost all pit bulls suffered heavy wounds, malnourishment and serious illnesses enough to be put to sleep. The remaining dogs then were brought to PAWS shelter to be put back to health. Some of the canines were later adopted by locals and the others were relocated at Cebu. Everybody thought that was the end of it, but sadly, it was just the beginning. Recently on March 30, 2012, the police once again busted another dog-fighting operation, seizing over 300 pit bulls in different locations – a dog-fight arena in Calauan and a dog farm at San Pablo City, Laguna. It was confirmed that out of the eight Koreans arrested, five of them were the same persons jailed from the Cavite operation, but were discharged hastily on bail. The organizations were shocked to learn that 80-100 pit bulls were the same pit bulls from last December raid this means that the alleged people who have adopted the dogs sold them back to the dog-fighters. Other stories are that of a dog being tied up in a car and was dragged
and, the latest, a lady standing on a whale shark, locally known as Butanding, at Cebu. Under the current law, offenders are punished by imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years or pay a petty fine of P1,000 to P5,000. If the violation is committed by an alien, he or she shall be immediately deported after serving a sentence without any further proceedings. I find the punishment light especially to those who have committed grievous acts. More often, these trivial condemnations have been a subject of criticisms from the public. Crush Videos have taken bestiality perversion to an all-time low – disgusting, to my point of view, and pit bulls that have been “recycled” call only for a sick person to behave likewise. The perpetrators of these dog-fights were foreigners but they weren’t deported, instead they were freed because they just paid the skimpy amount the law has stated, quite contrary to what the bill declared on their nationality. Do the officials of the country only have glitter eyes for some moolah, no matter how small the sum is? The case of the woman standing on the Butanding, however, to my opinion was an issue of mistreatment not maltreatment – ignorance played a role. Has one ever noticed that all of the perpetrators were hauled because of something they have posted on
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their social networking sites or social media? With that kind of advancement in technology, perhaps the creators of the law did not foresee that such abuse could go as far as these, thus the light penalty. Who knew what kind of abuse could evolve 50 years from now – will it go stagnant or harsher? It’s depressing to mull over that humans were created dominant of all beasts, yet acted like the latter. Nevertheless, it was because of these tech progress that the offenders were caught and it brought enlightenment among the public and raise the issue of amending the Animal Welfare Act of 1998. The House Bill 5849 was now filed by Congresswoman Bernadette Herrera-Dy of the Bagong Henerasyon Party List, to rectify the present Animal Welfare Act. It proposes that convicted animal offenders face a prison term of not less than six years and one day to twelve years or pay a fine of not less than P50,000. The bill further proposes to prohibit the putting of live animals in cargo holds of buses and car trunks, provide humane livestock transport regardless whether the animals are to be slaughtered or not, ban persons of animal ownership - those convicted of the crime, and form non-governmental organization (NGO) to help the government in reporting and gathering evidence of animal cruelty. For more info, one can visit the PAWS website at paws.org.ph to fully download the proposed bill. As stakeholders of Central Philippine University, let us support this act by… Signing the petition online in the PAWS website, sharing the knowledge of animal cruelty and the consequences one shall face, or just being humane towards animals – anything that gets us
started somewhere. CPU is a Christian University which also is being overrun by...animals, most especially cats, who would sometimes defecate or knock down trash bins (this action would make the guards think it’s your fault and they would go like...tssst!) inside the buildings or classrooms. What then would you do? They may boil the blood out of our noses but, would we injure them like Candare did? To kill or harm animals is a suresign that may lead to murdering and injuring people in the future. Human violence is associated with animal abuse
Animal atrocity. See? Even Mother Goose disapproves. and vice versa. However, while writing this article I was actually thinking of crocodiles and deer. I will always refer to them as wildlife – and endangered species in the country. But now, the Philippines is a growing commercial crocodile and deer farming industry, making exports enough to some countries. Are crocodiles/alligators and deer still considered as wildlife and under the protection of the Department of Environmental and National Resources, or are they now categorized as livestock such as cattle, pigs and chicken and under the protection of another department? Either because I’m sloppy enough to know the news about it or is it really that these laws overlap each other? Because harboring of wildlife (especially endangered species) in their habitat is animal cruelty. Oh, yeah. And cockfights. I think they should be banned as well. Don’t you think so?
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VALUING VALUABLE VALUES
Graphics by ISoulless
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C A T A LY S T
Valuing Valuable Values By Alvin K. Tung
At times, we see abundance or experience a problem-free life that we seem to expect another smooth sailing, when suddenly our mighty ship gets swallowed up by a gargantuan wave of nightmares that we then drown – forgetting to carry with us our lifejackets.
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oy Intsik!” “Sa balay ka naman nimo maniyaga?” “Hay kuripot ah.” Like music soothing my disquieted mind and soul, those teasing yet friendly words never bring nuisance into my ears. In fact, those statements teach me to craft an amiable smile and hearten me to be who I really am. But don’t get me wrong. It’s not about me appraising money that shadows the entire concept (as the above mentioned were merely examples). The thought reflects on how I value my treasures – life, my relationship with God, my family and friends, my country, education, wealth, and the like. For me not to lose them, I need to take good care of them even if it means surrendering my own pleasures and comfort. Anything that is in brimming abundance will get depleted when not tenderly fostered. That is a universal truth: your parents may be providing you with exorbitant weekly allowance, but if you spend it on luxurious things, sooner than you know, you might be carrying a skinny and airy wallet; your heart could be oozing with ardent love for your girlfriend or boyfriend, but if you express your love for him or her lightly
accompanied by thriving infidelity, you would soon unexpectedly feel your heart beat with consummate emptiness. There is absolutely no immorality if you choose to enjoy your allowance in a fancy restaurant or some fast food chains (for a light meal) rather than to frugally utilize it on a simple banana cue or pancit canton. We all need to reward ourselves sometimes by satisfying our tastes. But do it on a Monday or Tuesday and you are more likely to be short by the end of the week. It has happened to a lot of students including myself and indeed regrets come last. It is a fresh start again for us students this semester and perhaps the greatest struggle for most of us is our studies. While some meticulously try to absorb their lessons in preparation for the exams, others exert little effort until the last days of school come that they start to become anxious whether they could get just a passing grade, an incomplete grade or they would have to repeat the subject all over. It is quite true as they say, you’ll never know the value of something (or someone) before you lose it. A manhole gets covered when someone accidentally falls in it (especially when one dies from it
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or is badly injured). That is not an extraordinary scene in this country. We repeatedly live in the “too little, too late” moments. We see the problem, we wait, ignore, react, try to superficially solve the dilemma, and then repeat the whole process again. A cleanup drive is conducted to clear the river or creek from floating trash and debris when beside it, informal and irresponsible settlers abound the area. It didn’t solve the mess. It never will, unless the true source of the problem is addressed appropriately. At times, we see abundance or experience a problem-free life that we seem to expect another smooth sailing, when suddenly our mighty ship gets swallowed up by a gargantuan wave of nightmares that we then drown – forgetting to carry with us our lifejackets. Can you still remember the time the nursing profession was in demand? Almost everyone wanted to take up the nursing course. Again, it is not a sin to take a course that is in demand especially abroad. Everyone has the right to prosper. But what happened next? A concatenation of events led to the oversupply of nurses. In the past, for you to take up nursing, you have to belong to the upper 40% of the class which means you should have high grades. Then, when you fail to pass the board exam on your third attempt, you would need to take a refresher course which means you have to study and review the teachings of nursing. Both of these rules were abolished. Nursing schools and institutions with never heard names sprouted here and there, putting into question the quality and competitiveness of the students. As I’d like to quote from the article written by Ranier Allan Ronda (The Philippine Star) back in 2009, “CHED chairman Emmanuel Angeles said the 177 nursing schools had been The CENTRALECHO
found to not have even one graduate pass the board exam for the last five years.” By late of 2009, CHED warned 152 nursing schools that have poor performances for having low passing percentage in the board exams. For the information of everyone, by 2009, there was already an uncontrolled supply of nurses. The removal of the upper 40% and refresher course rules and the growth of schools with low passing percentage contributed to this enormous headache nurses are experiencing today. There were a lot of opportunities abroad especially in the United States. But the smooth sailing instantaneously ended when the US closed their gates for nurses. It was as if not one of the authorities (or few people) expected the worst. The end result: hundreds of thousands of unemployed nurses - most of which are spellbound to the occupations unrelated to their profession. While there was a gradual increase of nurses, there were no (or little) warnings to the public. And now we are suffering in the “too much of something is bad enough”. Why spend all your money today when you might need it tomorrow? Why deal with the feelings and the desires of the people you love half-heartedly when you’re not certain if you could still be with them the next day? Why take your studies lightly then struggle and become restless in the near end? Why solve the problem superficially then face the terror of dealing with it again when you can end it once and for all? Why not secure your lifejacket while you’re still sailing smoothly rather than ending up drowning due to lack of preparedness (for the worst)? “Hoy Intsik!” “Sa balay ka naman nimo maniyaga?” “Hay kuripot ah.” Am I kuripot? Or just wise enough to save some for tomorrow? Why wait for famine before you plant crops?
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ThePsychology ofIntheDumps
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.” — Maya Angelou 61
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
V E R I TA S E R U M
The Psychology of In the Dumps By Airon B. Buenvenida
Something crossed my superego, so I rushed home, got hold of my laptop, and browsed for a Facebook group. I then poured out to the cyber world what’s on my mind. The rest is history.
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f you’ve been a Centralian for not less than a year, I would presume that you have reckoned that the title of this article does not suggest a psychological approach to proper waste disposal. The In the Dumps, a dynamic and interactive Facebook group moderated by The Central Echo, has become the crucible of complaints, suggestions, and apprehensions regarding university issues. Its evolution from the wall post cartolina, to text hotlines, and finally, into an online community, carried all the way the tag line “Voice out, be the change, be the echo.” To the patrons of the In the Dump, I guess, you’ve already mastered the what’s and how’s of this group, but for those who are not (and soon to be) members, here is the dynamics of the group. Why, to whom and from whom An ‘In the Dumps’ post, like any other Facebook post, has three aspects that we should look into. First is the purpose of the post. Usually, students would place their posts with the intention of expressing their dissatisfaction with things which may have a direct or indirect impact on them. Direct means they are explicitly the CEntRALeCHO
affected most likely, they are the subject of the issue and indirect would mean that somehow the issue might trouble them, it being a university concern. Next is the ‘concerned’ students who make the post. By observation, they somehow fall into two types: those who complain for the sake of complaining, and those who complain, but then take the necessary action to change whatever it is that they are complaining about. Those who complain on a regular basis without taking action may find no other outlet through which to express their lack of satisfaction with the university, and, as a result, they repeatedly complain about everything and anything. Adversely, there are those who often complain, but they take the necessary action in attempt to change what they find unacceptable. Maya Angelou, an American author and poet said it best: “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain.” Lastly, and the most important of all the aspects of a post is ‘knowing who gets hit by the bullet.’ Again, reflecting on the posts they place, allow me to compare them to a gun
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Views&perspective shooter. First, we have the sharp shooters. These people are well versed with the issue, know the people involved and believe in the cliché, “no pain, no gain.” I personally commend them because they’re those who make the group a dynamic one. Second, those who purposely point their guns to the sky then pull the trigger. Most of the In the Dumps posts come from them. These people will air out their sentiments without specifying to whom their post is for. Usually, they will try to sound innocent to gain the sympathy from the online community. Third, the people who tend to miss their target. I don’t know if they deliberately do this or they’re just that ignorant but I believe that their post has no place for the ‘In the Dumps’. Their naive posts are usually an offshoot of their baseless and childish whim. Last, the fidgety shooters. They are the worrisome people who apprehend the reaction of the people involved. If their post will appear in your notification and then you clicked it, you will be directed to a page saying “This post is no longer available.” The Barrage of Comments A post could not be considered an ‘In the dumps’ post if it can’t generate the expected comments. The accompanying commentaries are as important as the post itself as they shape the totality of the issue. In the history of the online version of the In the Dumps, there’s a post or two that yielded a hundred of comments. And as far as I notice, the preceding posts all sounded like a debate proposition excitingly stimulating two conflicting principles. At first, you’ll enjoy reading the
West
Middle East
East comical exchange of ideas, but later, you’ll say that it’s better kept off as personal opinions. But why had some posts gone that far? The culture we used to have has something to do with how we communicate and how we deal with issues. Most westerners will speak openly with honesty and are always to the point. They are more of a direct communicator for they speak out their intention with words. They will say exactly what they mean. On the other hand, an indirect
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communicator will use words to hide their true intention and show their real intention mostly only through nonverbal communication. This is visible in Eastern, collectivist, high context cultures like us in the Philippines where modesty and relations are highly valued. Filipinos as we are, we unconsciously put effort in maintaining face. Being collectivists, we may want to avoid conflict as much as possible to maintain our image. Let’s take for example the issue of unending corruption. More often, we tackle transparency, good governance and the like to counter corruption, but seldom it is that we explicitly talk about corruption- who, how, and why they do it. It is a fact that corruption is everywhere, and talking about it would bring forth a negative feeling to us. So why talk about corruption then? Going back to In the Dumps, there would be posts that would be left hanging, that is, as comments after comments appear, the discussion would delve away from the issue, then go back to the issue, then delve away, go back again, and so on. Indeed, we are from the orient. Just a caveat for those who would like to air out their opinions for a certain post: read the post first and all prior comments before writing your own sentiment. This is for you to avoid sounding like a dumb alien. Three A’s I like to share three things for those who still can’t see through why there is In the Dumps: Awareness, Acceptance, and Action (the three A’s model). Many things transpire around us- good or bad, significant or not, The CENTRALECHO
something to worry or not to mind at all and a bunch more. Our sense of awareness tells us that things are happening, no matter how big or small they are. We are bombarded with problems and we often commit mistakes (considering the cliché that ‘no one is perfect’) and the least thing that we can do is to be aware of them. But if we don’t want to tolerate them, we need to accept that they exist. It is easy to be aware of things that are happening, but most of the time, it is hard to accept them. Some posts reach a hundred or more comments is because there are those that can’t accept or do not even consider that there could really be something wrong. With acceptance, there is evaluation, with evaluation, there is learning, and with learning there is change. Lastly, if we don’t want things to happen again, we need to take up a concrete action. With action comes our sincerity of how true we are to our words. Indeed, we should walk our talk. That’s it and that’s why. A final reminder As we put our posts and share our comments here, we may look forward for the number of likes we’ll get, and we may anticipate grudges people will bear; but let us not forget the very essence of the In the Dumps and that is, to promote a positive change. The University is our home and we are a family here. Bad things may happen, conflicts may arise, and ideas may clash, but if that is a necessary process for a better Central, let it be. The In the Dumps may show the downbeats of our University but I firmly believe that we learn the best from the worst.
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FaITH&LIVINg Photo from beforethecross.com
LIVING THEMYSTERY of FAITH By Gloria Concepcion H. Moralidad
What is Christian faith? It is not illogical, but simply mysterious. It ranges for millennia, yet one cannot simply comprehend it or grasp the idea of how it affects people.
An interview with one of the religious organization at CPU, Campus Bible Fellowship (CBF) Organization, regarding their beginnings and activities brings a humble light to the subject matter
G
od. adam and Eve. abraham. Isaac. Jacob. Joseph. Moses. David. Jesus. The apostles. The Church. The Crusades. The Inquisitions. The Industrialization. The great Depression. The Baby Boomers. The Internet age. When so much time had passed, even history can be removed from its own origins, losing much of its truth and reality. Christianity was so rock solid during the early ages. However, during these modern times, because of various forms of everyday humanism, Christianity gradually shakes. Also, with the progress of science and technology increasing the opportunities in the economic, social and cultural part of the world, people want more and seek gratification in possessions and status – leaving faith somewhere in their dusty closet. There is nothing wrong in being prosperous, though. Attitude is the main thing watched about. Likewise, due to
this modernism, Christian history becomes marred, making people believe that all those stories in the Bible are – well, just stories. The world is left with a few good men and women who invite people to live in accordance with Christian principles – to this faith they were born with. At Central Philippine University, we have religious organizations, led by students, which belong to the faith that professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and ask everyone to live in His ways. In a more complex time period, what motivated these persons to act in such ways? An interview with one of the religious organization at CPU, Campus Bible Fellowship (CBF) Organization, regarding their beginnings and activities brings a humble light to the subject matter. On towards the gazebo beside the Alumni Promenade Concert Park, armed with a pen and green notebook, this author treaded with care, glancing
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Photo from godsgrace.com
sideways to see someone walking up to the same destination as I was going. There were students chatting in the gazebo and I wonder if they were members of the CBF, because if not, coming up right at them and introducing myself would give me another bumming day. A heartbeat passed. Two. I mustered my courage and inquired whether they’re the Organization I was to meet. They replied with a happy, sounding “Yes”, and I thanked my guts. Introductions were made. Sir Kemz, moderator and an alumnus of the school,was present and led the responses together with the officers and members of the CBF. Concerned for the welfare and spiritual growth of the students, the Campus Bible Fellowship Organization was incorporated at Central Philippine University. Recognized in 2006, their focus is to reach out to the students through the good news of Jesus Christ. “As our Lord was sent to earth in flesh and gave His life for us so that we might live and have a personal and intimate relationship with Him” – this, is considered as the framework of the organization and the belief that everyone has a void in their heart that can only be filled with a relationship with Jesus Christ. Their ministries incorporate Bible studies and discipleship. When asked what are the best moments in their organization, they responded that their evangelism (consists of prayers, games, songs, personal sharings, testimonies and follow-ups that apply to each student) gives them great joy because they can preach at the same time have fun. They also teach students how to witness and invite others to Christ and how to live out the Word of God each day. Their ventures do not limit only around the walls of the University but shrouds other learning institutions and barangays as well. With Evangelistic Camp Ministries (E-Camp), the CBF gets to share the Gospel in communities and schools; their interactions with the Central Philippine University Republic (CPUR) lets them hold outreaches, medical missions and have The CENTRALECHO
a spot in CPU’s alternative classes by showing students about Creation Science – where Biblical Creation is supported by scientific facts, and scientists, themselves, believe in the Biblical truth. The organization also co-sponsors in GOSPEL Hour, which is being broadcasted in the CPU Channel every third Friday of the month. Each letter of the word GOSPEL corresponds to a definite meaning which gives flow to their program. “G stands for good news, which also literally includes announcements and information regarding activities like community outreaches, missions, partnerships with different barangays and schools, counseling; O for opportunities; and S for sharing of testimonies of students and invited speakers. There’s a short break after the sharing, meron nang, Intermission Number before resuming to the next platform, after which it’ll lead us to the P for Preaching the Word of God; E for Education and L for Life worth Living.” Generally, the organization holds the same system like that of the Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC). So are there any tensions or awkwardness between the two? Nope. Both organizations consider themselves as sisters, and help each other in needs. They may have likeness in their foundation, yet execute their principles differently in style and presentation. During the interview, they even laughed and clapped their hands while presenting one student in the group saying, “Actually this person is from CCC. See? Friends! Yay!” This student smiled, waved a hand, and uttered a small, “Hi.” The group then shared a passage from Psalm 16, verse 11: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with pleasures at your right hand.” God. God himself is the source of faith. One thinks rightly about God only by keeping in mind that, as the ultimate source of everything else, He is quite unlike the world and the things human beings can comprehend. God’s attributes are beyond
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FaITH&LIVINg human understanding. There’s no way we can ever totally understand Him. We’re told in Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Germain Grisez, theologian and author of Way of the Lord Jesus, stated that: It is reasonable to believe God’s selfrevelation, and that Christian experience confirms to this faith. In committing oneself to the faith and so entering into friendship with Jesus as man, and through him into friendship with God, one experiences the real intimacy faith establishes. Actions and involvements of the Campus Bible Fellowship and other religious organizations (as well as the whole CPU institution) stirred emotions with integral reasons for believing in the Christian Faith. These Christians who accept this belief are equipped to fulfill another responsibility – to give HOPE to the world. As one commits to that responsibility, it remains to shape the motivation to continue and persevere in it. Creation Science, though brings a few murmurs from the right to the left, still indicates that faith is not being rundown by science nor does history weaken Christian belief. Such researches have actually shown some consistency with the footsteps of faith —for example, from dinosaurs to the flight from Egypt. Time cannot dispel this faith’s history. More so, people will cling to time and history, to get to know their faith much better. Natural science that shaped the world like Engineering and Biology doesn’t deal with the study or subject matter as faith, thus, their findings can’t fight each other. This shows that there is balance and harmony between faith and science to the point that some of these scientists are believers, and just to this author’s opinion, CPU’s wonderful choice of selecting “Scientia et Fides” as its motto. This faith serves as the light that paves a path to a person’s spiritual growth, individual fulfillment and well-being. It is
Christian faith that has shown the world to hope that each individual is bounded by God’s love. Got any interesting faith stories to share? Send them to central.echo@ gmail.com Photo from CPU Blog
Photo from staticDdesktopnexus.com
67 Photo from CPU Blog
By Reyshimar C. Arguelles
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hat else is there other than the usual news items? Someone famous dies, and someone infamous gets bailed out of jail; a great many are killed in the ensuing chaos in a middle-eastern country, and a notorious few elate over hefty tobacco profits and the rising cancer prevalence. Big deal, says the guy who slouches lazily in his office, metal coffee mug in hand, with nothing in mind but the lizards that scour the ceiling for moths and mosquitoes.
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CoverStory Yet, under his nose throb the most historical; moments that have defined our time. During the course of the year, many moments have transpired, with very catchy headlines to go along. We could not escape the fact that we could not escape from being concerned with them. The impeachment of Renato Corona from the Supreme Court exemplifies this condition. The surfeit of very technical politico-legal jargon did not hinder the nation, encompassing rich and poor, learned and plebeian, from witnessing a very historic event; historic on account of no chief justice in the world had ever been impeached.
But we have achieved that. And now the focus shifts from the process of ousting the supreme magistrate, to a doubtlessly muddled future for the Philippine judiciary. Then, there is the Scarborough Shoal, a subject so boring, so tedious, that only a few, concerned students and educators eagerly fix their eyes upon it, expecting for something magical – or sinister – to happen instantly. Such a delicate issue over who gets to occupy what and who gets to confront who; yet made complicated by the existence of a harsh polarity: The United States and its desire to remain superior and the People’s Republic of China and its desire to become even more superior. So where must our focus lie? Surely, ASEAN and UN consensus is also an option here. But, who could ever envisage the outcome? Surely not the pundits, or the anchors, or the editors.
The atmosphere is volatile and the least we could do is watch, listen, and read. And reading does come in handy in our current social and political order. Everything seems to run smoothly – and quickly that reading has become unworthy of time. All around, we see “Bawal” signs and yet find traces of human urine and litter and posters with grimaces of politicians as pungent as urine, as exasperating as plastic cups, very near them. Has this country lost its vision, or does it need a pair of glasses? What it needs is for it to become aware, to focus on its ailments, its maladies that rampage the panorama like a fiariasis and dengue outbreak, travelling from rotting prostitute cellars, to pit bull arenas. But these are the kind of inyour-face stuff that gives punches to the nose like a heavyweight boxer; bitter pills for the student tongue to refuse. But students have swallowed what they can only muster: the pressure and the elation of confronting college the very first time; the difficulties facing a culture so alien from one’s own; the ensuing search for the ideal teacher; the constant ruminations of one’s past life; and the need to laugh at the laughable and the unlaughable. But these are just fleeting things that do not hold sway the direction of themselves. For it is only who could determine which maps to bring and which destinations to choose. But in the end, the focus lies not in their choice, nor in their destination. The focus now is on themselves, their desires, their hopes, their ambitions.
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
To be a Filipino, one must have the heart of a Filipino — a person who loves the country more than himself.
I’m
PInOy AND I'M ProUD! By Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol Model Ferdinand D. Bañez Jr.
the CEntRALeCHO
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Character&Customs
hen we reach college, we’re somewha t aware with the common judgments made on our classmate who speaks better English than most of us. More offensive comments label them as “nosebleed” – applying effort to converse in English can also cause too much stress. It became more vivid to me recently when a friend from Antique told me of his lack of confidence in speaking in English. Notwithstanding his provincial accent makes him sound a bit different, he’s sometimes uncomfortable to speak up, so he doesn’t speak at all – he ended up as the Most Quiet in the room. This is such big trash because he has a lot of wonderful things to say. No matter where you come from – whether you are called “taga-ciudad” or being called a “probinsiyano,” both of us relate to something that is called “nosebleed.”
will be as relaxed and comfortable as possible. We love to speak English so everybody can understand us. Having English as our country’s secondary language, it forms judgments and bleeds topics of identity, be it personal or national in nature. It’s the anxiety that forms a barricade to people from being loud and proud of who they are and what they represent. Is it the way we speak that makes Juan a Filipino? Who is the Filipino – the one who speaks English or Tagalog fluently, or those who remain loyal in speaking their dialects? The Arnold Clavio-Azkals controversy last March makes a boom in the showbiz news. Two Filipino football players with foreign roots were pin-pointed of pretending to be “kayumanggi” or brown-skinned. It’s also tongue-in-cheek and satirical how a country that profits from its English-speaking abilities like those working in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) call centers and celebrates Filipino pride in the partblooded talent search American What Makes Juan a Filipino? Idol with Jasmine Trias and Jessica I am a Filipino. I was born here in Sanchez as contestants. the Philippines. I was born with Filipino parents. I am proud to be a Filipino! First Modern City Ngek! Proud to be a Filipino?! Then David Irving, a British author once why do I sound English in this article? said that Manila is the first modern That’s what I admire about being a city because of the existence of the Filipino. We are great learners. We Galleon trade. The Philippines was try to discover the culture of others. accessible for explorers and travelers We do this not only to satisfy them, from distant lands who are fond of but also to get to know them and we exchanging goods. always seek to understand them and Having known that the Philippines for us to be understood as well. We are was globalized even before the rest of a very hospitable breed. We love to the world started opening their doors amuse guests especially foreigners – makes me proud of being called a regardless of race and color. We love Filipino. to organize our homes so our guests The plain hallucination that 71
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
only brown-skinned Filipinos who speak fluent Tagalog are “genuinely Filipino” has become more annoying to me. I believe the “tunay na Pinoy” is not just seen on the skin color, the culture or the language we speak. To be a Filipino, one must have the heart of a Filipino – a person who loves the country more than himself. Appreciating the Filipino Ancestry In the past few years, I have met a number of “half-bloods” or multicultural Filipinos and it is heart-warming to see that they exert much effort to understand their roots, unafraid to try exotic foods (e.g. balut, adidas, kwekkwek, etc.), to take jeeps and buses, and strike up a conversation to learn more about their history. On the contrary, many privileged Filipinos, who have lived here since the time they evacuated their mother’s womb, already burst in sweat or raise an eyebrow at the mention of a “commute”. They live here in the Philippines but most have not travelled around the country’s seven thousand plus islands. Their blood, despite being pure, is anemic. Sa atin lang ang may pasahan ng pamasahe sa jeep! And to add, only here in the Philippines that Christmas Season starts as early as September! Remember that! Our Family Matters I love being a Filipino because Filipinos are kind at heart. We are always willing to help even with the persons we don’t know a.k.a. strangers. Even in the streets you will not bump across into a Filipino that is discourteous and foul-mouthed. We are a people with values and we express high reverence for our elders. The CENTRALECHO
We love them so much that we are eager to take care of them until they reach their death bed. I love being a Filipino because Filipinos love their families. We work very hard for our family. We even support our younger siblings. We get pleasure from our family, we cry with them, we celebrate with them. Whatever we do, our families are always on top of our check list. We sacrifice our own enjoyment for them. This is where we get moral support, confidence, and strength. Where else can you find teenagers and young ones hanging-out with their Lolos and Lolas, not just on weekends but daily? Take out that Luxury! I love being a Filipino because Filipinos are the most supple, most flexible and most resilient people in the world – that is why we compare ourselves to a bamboo. We can live without electricity, without flat screen TVs, without DSLR cameras, without microwave ovens, washing machines, without the internet and all the other extravagance and luxuries in the world. Take them all away and still a Filipino can live happily and satisfied. We love luxury but we can live without them. We value more real, face-to-face relationships than just texting or e-mailing each other from afar. We love to build things through our own resources, time, and effort even without the aid of technology. That is why Filipinos are great inventors! We are always on top when it comes to using alternatives. Moreover, we Filipinos exhibit our ingenuity: we come up with different names for soap operas - superserye,
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Character&Customs teleserye, sineserye, asianovela, koreanovela, telenovela, fantaserye, etc! If a country’s wealth is measured by its people’s EQ then I think we’d be one of the richest. God-fearing people We are a country of drop-dead gorgeous smiles! Another reason why I love being a Filipino is that we always have a reason to smile. Even in times of trials and disasters, a smile can never be taken away from the face of a Filipino. We smile not because we are unaffected or simply being ridiculous. We smile because we have hope in our hearts that after these trials there is a better tomorrow. In fact, in the midst of disasters, We Filipinos have come to realize that indeed the worst calamity offers the best opportunity to serve others. Our smile is a symbol of hope. Hope from a great God that we always go to in times of trouble. That’s another reason why I love being a Filipino. We all trust, believe and love God. Regardless of religion, we are still in the love of God which lingers in every one of us. We are a praying nation. We are a peace loving people. We are a humble race that we are shy in the light of recognition. The Spirit Lives On And most of all, I love being a Filipino because we are good inside and out. We love to help even when we don’t have money. We volunteer and participate in good causes. We have a soft spot for people who are less fortunate, for the orphan, for the abandoned, for the children, for the grandparents. Our hearts are big for these people. We do not ignore them.
We may not help physically but we help in praying for them. We love our kababayan may it be here or abroad. Filipinos are willing to go the extra mile, even with hardship, to help someone out. According to Dr. Genevive Collado, 27, “A Filipino will instantly have that sense of camaraderie when they meet on a sidewalk in a foreign land. The subtle pride and patriotic attitude of the Filipino is something to look up to.” I’ve learned in the past 4 years of college that being a Filipino isn’t just a birth right. What exemplifies nationalism is the striking challenge to comprehend our culture, apart from the language barrier and social class that paralyzes a wealthy and multifaceted country like ours. It’s the effort to stand and speak up and challenge the “nosebleed” tag attached to an accent that might accompany a Filipino’s brown, yellow, or white skin. The love of country, compassion and respect for others, humility, good work ethics, the need and desire for closeness of family, the willingness to assist others, and undying PRIDE in being a Filipino. Those, among others, are the qualities that make a “true Filipino” in my eyes. I’m proud to be Filipino because I know that each and every Pinoy has a potential. We are all born smart. We just have to realize it in our lifetime. Let us not be ashamed of who we are and what we stood for. Being Filipino is our pride. Let us continue to do something great for our country everyday. Before I go to sleep, the scent of Sampaguita makes my day! How about you?
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Idol
THE THEMUSIC By Alvin K. Tung
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Photo from: justjared.com
usic feeds the demented soul with placidity and enlivens the numb heart with invigorating spirit. Elegantly dressed by her emotive face, the utopian music emanating from her every breath flowed enchantingly through the halls of a silent yet heedful crowd. Her sensational and powerful voice drove the audience off their feet to depict what every great performer dreams of – a standing ovation. She stood at the grandest stage, carrying her youth, to put the thousands in attendance and the millions watching worldwide in awe. “Nobody has gone this far for a 16-year-old,” says the Filipino-Mexican-American, Jessica Sanchez. Jessica owes her Filipino heritage to her mother and her Mexican-American heritage to her US Navy veteran father. Early in her life, she learned to chant the notes and was exposed to music. In fact, at 11, she sang her way to the first season of America’s Got Talent. Her journey towards stardom began when she auditioned for American Idol Season 11. Week by week Jessica battled to secure her spot, hoping to set the record of being the youngest American Idol winner. the CEntRALeCHO
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mUsIC&stARdom Though the judges of American Idol fuelled Jessica with exalting and flattering compliments about her vocal gift almost frequently, Jessica had also experienced being at the bottom three among the performers. Despite receiving the lowest vote, the judges saved her from elimination. From that point of nearly getting eliminated, her will to win had been on brighter fire. The Filipino-Americans in the United States found their concord through Jessica. Filipinos (even in the Philippines) were somewhat quite reserved with their support to the young star and too few knew about her, until she was somewhat near the end of the season. Jessica invaded the Philippine news programs every week with her every success – a step closer to the concluding showdown. Her supporters here and abroad campaigned for her vote all the way to the finale with the effort put in vain when her fellow competitor, Phillip Phillips, triumphed over her. The votes for Phillips abruptly skyrocketed to a record-breaking 132 million. In the end, Jessica displayed her humility by accepting defeat. She may have been defeated, but her compatriots always see her as the victor. For most claims, Jessica might have struggled in the “WGWG” (White Guy With Guitar) syndrome (from David Cook of season 7 to Scotty McCreery of season 10). For four straight times, these white guys with guitars and striking charisma had been a trend in American Idol. No different than the rest, Jessica too became the fifth consecutive victim through the landslide votes of viewers. She fell short in disassembling the WGWG winning streak. As to when that trend will end, it is for now uncertain.
Back home, some viewed the voting either as a battle of race and ethnicity or a collision of talent and charm – Jessica’s vocal powerhouse against the magnetizing charisma (and the sympathy for his kidney problem) of Phillips, which drew millions of females to vote for him. Certainly, Phillips’ victory came with a showering of criticisms which would eventually put pressure on anyone’s shoulders and by the time he recovers from his kidney operation, he would need to redeem himself by not having his career to shortly disintegrate and fly with the wind as what happened to many American Idol winners. However, not becoming this season’s American Idol didn’t close the gates of opportunities for Jessica. The famous international R&B artist and producer, Akon, had conveyed his interest to offer Jessica a contract even before the final showdown. Akon labelled her as “overqualified” to be in the American Idol, even hoping to have Jessica eliminated from the contest so they can start with their contract and recording sessions. The season 11 finalist also appeared in two of the biggest sporting events this year: the Pacquiao – Bradley fight and the NBA Finals, to sing the national anthem and to kindle the pride of the Americans with her cogent voice. Filipinos have been storming the world with immense musical talents (from Lea Salonga, to Apl de ap, Arnel Pineda and Charice Pempengco to name a few). With an overwhelming flair and a compulsive heart, Jessica Sanchez has undoubtedly shaken the world. Through her compelling and honeyed vocal chords, she definitely deserves to be in the line of the best artists.
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
with By Tristan Jonas S. Robles
I
magine that one day, you wake up early in the morning and check your Facebook account. you then find out that it has something new on it. Facebook added a new form of relationship from being married, in a relationship, divorced, separated, widowed, single, and now to something new- friends-with-benefi ts! It is so perplexing how many of those so-called friends-with-benefits are really true friends. This question does not puzzle only me but also Sam de Brito, columnist and contributor to a reputable and large New South Wales based, Australian Newspaper, the Sydney Morning Herald. His write-ups were also carried or distributed to other major papers in Australia such as Brisbane Times. Reading his online articles recently inspired me to write this fascinating topic. According to de Brito’s article in the CEntRALeCHO
Sydney Morning Herald, friends with benefits, also known as FWB is basically “someone you have sex with and leave at that – no strings attached, no obligations, and no messy emotions.” On the other hand, Urban Dictionary, an online dictionary, defi nes this kind of casual relationship as “a safe relationship that mimics a real partnership but is void or greatly lacking jealousy and other serious emotions that come with a serious relationship.” To add to those definitions, friends with benefits is a special kind of relationship between two individuals in the absence of commitment yet do all the things that people under the umbrella of committed relationships usually do. Aaron Ben Zeev, President and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Haifa, Israel and also a renowned author, wrote an article for Psychology Today Magazine, a US based periodical,
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Status&Society regarding this new trend of casual relationship. Ben Zeev said that in addition to relationships of casual sex, friendship, and romantic love, another possible relationship is what he calls “friendship plus” or what we commonly called “friends with benefits.” The same author, Ben Zeev, states that this kind of relationship is common among people in their 20’s but also among other age groups too. He further affirms that those who engage in this kind of relationship are those young people who are not ready for a committed relationship and those who are already married yet dissatisfied so they looked for more. This Haifa-based professor further affirms that bond and commitment in friends with benefits are less deep than in romantic love but of course greater than in casual sex or the so-called one-night stand. One can clearly note that friendshipwith-benefits is being caught in a limbo of romantic love and casual sex or a one night stand. This kind of special relationship is a sort of mutually in-love with love in a wrong place and in a wrong time hiding behind the noble façade of friendship. Going back to Aaron Ben Zeev, he explains that while romantic love usually involves a similar relative weight to the friendship and the sex component, in friendship with benefits, the friendship components are of greater weight and sex (or romance for some who did not went further) is a sort of icing on the cake. Hence according to professor of philosophy in Haifa, the two partners have often been friends or lovers first; prior achieving the position of being friends with benefits. Probing further into this fascinating type of relationship, one can definitely see the absence of true commitment or to put it this way, “no strings attached.” Ben Zeev elaborates that the true essence of friendship-with-benefits is casual
sex relationship with no conditions or restrictions being attached. However, just as an old economics truism would say, there is no such thing as free lunch, so there is some form of commitments between these de facto lovers and that the friendship factor of this complex relationship is a major pole where the hidden string of this unusual relationship is firmly attached. On the other hand, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported through its Love Matters section that according to a US research, those who are engaged in this type of relationship, the so-called “Just Friends,” sex can make you feel happy, desirable and excited, the US university students (subject of the said study) told researchers. They were asked to evaluate relationships that involved sex without the commitment of a serious relationship. Moreover, Radio Netherlands Worldwide Love Matters section continues that the researchers assumed that guys would be a lot happier than girls about having a sex partner with no romantic commitment. And sure enough, they did find that more guys than girls claimed they had a regular no-strings sex partner. But both guys and girls with an FWB relationship felt a lot more positive emotions about it than negative ones. To some, the use of the romantic aspect of the relationship (as it was
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Photo from 2.bp.blogspot.com
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Photo from palscience.com
stated above, friends with benefits is an amalgamation of friendship and romance) such as romantic gestures, passionate affections to some extent sex as a guaranteeing power so that the friendship will remain, to keep the friendship stronger no matter what might happen, they will stick to each other even “against all odds” as Phil Collins would put it. In brief, the “friendship” will survive because it is being sealed in the assent of romance and sex. Ben Zeev also noted that this type of relationship has an advantage. It offers the advantage of caring friendship and sexual enjoyment without the emotional turmoil and commitment associated with romantic love. The downside of it, still according to Ben Zeev, is that it lacks romantic love has – the continuous and deep bond to the other. Furthermore, the partner in this type of relationship will never be the number one priority, most especially if the other partner is in an “official relationship.” Putting some analogy, take this as an example, in foreign affairs, Canada has an official relation with People’s Republic of China (Mainland), but maintains a subtle non-official relation for trade or commercial purposes with Taiwan (Republic of China), so when it comes to official and important diplomatic concerns, The CENTRALECHO
Canada deals with People’s Republic of China (Mainland) and not with Taiwan (officially Republic of China). So is true with friends-with-benefits, the partner will never be the priority or be accorded with the full enjoyment of a committed relationship. Moreover, the partner in this type of affiliation wills never the genuine subject of true love of his or her partner or I should say special someone. In the so-called fall-back love situation such as this: in the absence of Mr. A, Ms. A is left and needs some romantic getaway. Then here comes Mr. B, an old friend who hungers for affection. Ms A used the opportunity to fill the void in her heart by having ‘friends-with-benefits” relationship with Mr. B. Subsequently, Mr. B consented too because he has a void too that needs to be filled. Over a while, Mr. A arrives on the scene and so Mr. B is left out again. Meanwhile, Australian blogger and Brisbane Times contributor, Katherine Feeney stated that “Women can’t have casual sex,” one believes. “it is proven, they develop chemical attachments to men they shagthe more they shag them, the stronger the bond – do they always wind up wanting to own you in the end.” One can conclude that the so-called romantic aspect adds more color to the “friendship” they share and makes the partner crave more, thus it’s hard to separate those who are in friends-plus type bond. Various authors, most importantly Ben Zeev, said that the major reason for maintaining this kind of ambiguous relationship is the fear of commitment plus the boundaries of friendship is not clearly defined by both parties. Ben Zeev goes
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Status&Society on to say that even though these friends can talk about many things, the so-called no-strings-attached sexual component prevents them from being open about their respective primary sexual relationships. One can also noticed that a particular person in this relationship usually play as if he or she doesn’t know that his/her partner has another love priority, it is because he/she is enamored by the romantic and sexual aspect of relationship which keeps him/her imprisoned in the darkness that shut his/her vision away from the truth. Indeed, the Haifa-based is correct in saying that partial ignorance associated with the positive illusion is beneficial in a friends-plus kind of relationship. A dilemma will arise in this peculiar relationship when one partner acts as if he/she is a true lover and his/her is not being repaid by the partner. This will cause havoc in an already complex kind of relationship. In the moral and ethical side of the story, this relationship sometimes obscures and taints the purity of genuine friendship. Furthermore, this can seriously affect other kinds of relationships that both partners are involved in such as romantic commitments (if there is any), family, as well as true friendships. To add to that, those guys and girls who are in this relationship were different when it comes to their expectations of taking their FWB relationships to the next level. Girls were more likely to hope the relationship would get more serious. Also, they were more likely to raise the possibility of this happening to their partner. Some people ended feeling disappointed, empty and confused because they felt the unromantic sex relationship wasn’t satisfying. They felt stuck in a relationship without prospects, perhaps because the alternative of being alone was an even worse option. Going back to the Sydney Morning Herald article, Columnist/Contributor
De Brito describes this bond in vivid expression relationship that “breeds unrealistic romantic expectations.’ He further elaborates that this kind of bond among people is having a phenomena due to the popular support of Hollywood with famous movies such as “No Strings Attached” and “Friends with Benefits.” Indeed, it is an undeniable fact that films mirror true-to-life events. Sad to say, real life isn’t like Hollywood. Consequently, upgrading the friend plus type of relationship to a committed romantic type of bond means losing the advantages or benefits, said Zeev. As Oscar Wilde would put it, ‘killing the thing we love.’ How true, no doubt some people prefer this type of relationship. Still, the same author and professor would say that friendship with benefits is often desirable in theory but fails in practice. So is an FWB an emotional minefield that’s best avoided? The researchers aren’t so negative. They say studies on casual sex relationships such as FWBs often focus on the risks and not the positives. It’s kind of a risk taking perspective. For US students at least, it seems a friends-with-benefits relationship can be a win-win situation for both sexes. As long as both friends are clear about the deal. Finally to answer my question above, I stand with Sydney Morning Herald’s Contributor/blogger, Sam De Brito, friends plus type of relationship is not an authentic friendship at all. That’s my opinion.
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References: www.psyc hologytoday.com/blog/in-the-name-oflove/201109/friends-benefits www.smh.com.au/executive-style/culture/blogs/all-menare-liars/friends-with-benefits-20111031-1mrpj.html www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=friends%20 with%20benefits blogs.brisbanetimes.com.au/citykat/archives/2010/05/ ok_so_if_everyo.html www.lovematters.info/friends-benefits-win-winrelationship Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
! l a ! w a h a a s a b g B a P i Ind . on B i Air
nida
nve
Bue
N
G
aano ka diri? Ginbasa mo guid? Gin hambalan na guid nga indi pagbasahon, gin basa guid. Tig-a guid haw? Wala ni pulos nga article, gina sugiran ko na ikaw nga daan. Kon basahon mo ini, maga-mango ka, maga law-ay ka… malupok ang kalibutan…mapatay ka! Hala, basa, sige, basaha guid. Bawal gani…bawal…bawal! Boom!
Buhi ka pa? haha Kon lain ang akon gintig-ulo, mabasa ka bala ayhan? Kon Born to Love you siguro ang title, ambot lang kon sapakon mo ini. Pero kon sige gyapon ang imo basa, sige na lang, padayuna. Para guid ini sa imo. Wahaha! Kon may ara ka rashes (kon sa mga imol, kurikong ah) nga gapulula, gahalalabok, nga daw makatol nga daw makalam man, kag gin hambalan ka ni dok nga indi pagkaluton, ano ang obrahon mo? Daw gakalam pa guid ang mga kuko mo eh, no (kuko guid ya?) Kon may napaskil nga “No Entry”, masulod guid; kon may gabarakang nga “No Jaywalking”, matabok guid; the CEntRALeCHO
kag kon may nahamtang nga “Bawal Umihi Dito”, mapa sumpit guid. Ahay, ano bala ang ara sa tinaga nga BAWAL? Gapang-hypnotize ni guro para buhaton naton ang indi dapat paga-buhaton ay. Tsk tsk! Sin-o ang pagabasulon naton? Si Eba kay wala siya kapugong sa pagkagat sang prutas? Siya guid man bala ang may sala o si Adan kay wala siya gin bantayan? O ang man-og nga nag into sa ila? Kon wala sila gin hambalan sang Ginoo nga ginadili-an ato kan-on, gin kaon bala ato nila ayhan? Kon ang istorya sang katawhan nagsugod sa pag obra sang isa ka ginadili-an nga butang, indi na kita matingala kon
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KasaL-ananKagPAhAnumdum ngaa tubtob subong gina buhat pa siguro nga nanigulang hampang ins ini sa gihapon. (Pero kon durian ato, o tubiganay ay? Ano pa, asta sa sigurado wala ato nila pagtanduga. gihapon, gakalam pa ang mga tiil Galakat-lakat kag ga sulugat-anay nga magtabuk-tabok sa mga highway. pa kita siguro subong nga wala sang Pamatyagan nila siguro, gahampang mga hapin ang mga lawas. Aragoy!) man sila gihapon nga kon mahimo Kay manami guid ang bawal. sila makatabok sa pihak, may padya Nan, amo ina. Lantawa bala kay sila nga pagabatunon. Kon madagit damo guid ang nagkagat sa No sila sang salakyan, ok lang kay may other Woman. Gin bida ang naga consolation prizes man sila nga nga panamit sa bawal. Teh man, naka- rebisco crackers kag kopiccino nga may relate ang mga lolo kag lola. Tanan choco granules. Gin patindugan na kita o kon indi gani, madamo sa gani sang overpass ang mga highway aton, ang naka eksperyensya sa aton para may husto kita nga alagyan kon kabuhi nga nagpang duha-duha kita magtabok pero ang iban mapasaway kon himu-on ta man ang gina dili-an. guid. Maayo pa, ang mga salakyan Bisan si Padre Damaso nga balaan, na lang ang aton paagyon sa mga wala gani naka luwas sa panulay overpass para wala damo nga gamo. kita, pa ayhan?! Huya man ta sa mga salakyan nga Saburuso guid ka tama sang masaka sa overpass. bawal. Bisan wala na ini Magic Sarap o real green herbs, namit guid ‘ya. Bawal Magtulog Tanan kita nakatilaw sini. Ari ang pila Amo guid ni ang butang nga ka pininggan sini. indi gusto masapwan sang maestro kag maestra samtang gapangklase Bawal Maghaboy sang Basura sila. Daw sleeping pills guro ang imo Gin tuga man kita nga may isa panulokan sa mga nawong nila ay, ka pares nga mata; ngaa bisan may ano pa daw tuyuhon ka guid. O basi nakabutang na nga “indi maghaboy pamatyagan mo, pokemon na ang sa diri”, ihaboy guid gihapon. Kuno abi tubangan mo. Drowzee? Alakazam? wala ka kita? Ano, may pabulag- Jigglypuff? Ahay, Zzzzzzz… Sige bulag effect na lang? Butangan mo lang, kon pukawon ka nila, hambali sang basurahan, indi man ka pasulod lang, “wala ko gatulog ah, ginapiyong bisan ano kalapad sang baba sang ko lang mga mata ko.” Dason kon basurahan. Ahay, basi ako lang ang pamatyagan mo, daw ma insulto siya, nagsala bala haw kag ginatuman man nila ang nakabutang. Basi wala guid man nila gina haboy ang basura didto, gina hinay-hinay lang nila tungtong. Teh, ginhaboy nila? Wala man. Lusot man gihapon. Bawal Magtabok May mga tawo guid man 81
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unahi na lang. “Malain na gali subong mabasol aton kaugalingon kay magpiyong?” Walk-out ka dason sa kamahal na guid man sang mga klase. pagkaon nga kinahanglanon sang aton lawas - Matinlo nga tubig, Bawal Ma-late kag mag-absent ulutanon, prutas, bugas, gatas, Ang sakit naga gatuhaw sa imo sopas, patatas, pinakas, hostyas, painu-ino. Birthday sang bilog mo ay sala. Pero tuod man, kabugnga kaliwat. Ka-lima nga paglubong at na guid sa bulsa. Daw ginapilit sa imo lolo o lola. Malawig nga mo na lang gani tunlon ini nga traffic bisan adlaw-adlaw ka mga pagkaon. Kay kon tani ang man didto ga-agi. Ano pa guid? chicken skin na lang ang gapa kinis Napatay ang balabaw sa inyo sang aton panit, ang softdrinks ang balay? Pero kon i-rason mo guid gapabakod sang aton mga tul-an man nga napatyan kamo, suksok ka kag kasug-kasugan; kag ang mga itom. Kon halin ka sa traffic, pahidi margoso, okra, kag balunggay ang sang asayte ang itsura mo, nga sa ga-cause sang mga cancer, diabetes, sobra kahinay sang mga salakyan, osteoporosis kag kon ano pa dira nagtililipon na ang biro sa itsura mo. nga mga masakit. Kon amo sini tani, Ambot lang kon indi ka pagpatihan. ambot lang kon may magmasakit pa sa aton. Bawal nga pagkaon Chicken skin… liempo… isaw Bawal nga bulong ….softdrinks… beer… Oops, tulo Daw diri lang ako siguro indi laway mo tyoy. maka-relate. Bisan daw adik pa Kay kon ano pa ato ang mga itsura ko, bisan pa kabug-at sang pagkaon nga malain sa aton lawas, akon problema, bisan hatagan pa amo pa gani ang mga manamit. Ka ako sini sang mga tawo nga gina barato pa, ano pa daw mapilitan saligan ko, madako guid nga indi guid kita magbakal. Indi man naton ang mahambal ko. Kon problemado
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Kasal-anankagpahanumdum ka, abi i-tawag na lang na kay Papa Jack o Mama Monyeka. Bisan papaano, mabuhinan guid na siguro ang gina dala mo dira. Maka pasadya ka pa sang iban nga tawo. Ah… siyempre ah! Bawal nga paghigugma Ang party nga indi masadya Third party. Sa bilyones nga tawo sa kalibutan, ngaa abi ang nagustuhan mo ang may karelasyon na. Kon si Anne Curtis gani gin pang-indian ni Derek Ramsey, ikaw ya maki apid guid? Endangered specie na guid naluyagan mo? Kon para sa imo, imo guid na ya, indi lang mangagaw. Hambal nila kuno, indi pwede maobra nga rason ang paghigugma para matabunan ang isa ka sala nga ginbuhat nimo. Kay kon pwede, amo guid na tani ang i-rason sang mga kriminal. “Ginbuno ko siya kay ginahigugma ko guid ang iya nga kahita.” Madamo na sang malain nga butang ang natabo tungod madamo man ang naingganyo mag-buhat sang bawal. Madamo na nga pamilya ang naguba. Damo na nga mga kabataan ang nag tinunto. Madamo na nga kabuhi ang ginkuha tungod sa bawal. Pero madamo gihapon sa aton ang wala nagtuon. Sige man gihapon kay manami guid kuno eh. Kon amo sina, buot silingon ang mga intsakto nga butang amo ang mga maka lalas-ay kag indi makagalana obrahon? Into-a kaugalingon mo, tyoy! Sa utok mo lang na. Kadamo naman gani sang mga laye nga natukod para kon indi guid mauntat, mapa hagan-hagan man ang pagbuhat sang mga ginadilian
nga butang. Pero daw no epek guid haw? Hambal nila, too many rules f*** up the system. Hambal man sang iban, too much democracy initiates chaos. Teh, ano guid bala? Hambal man ni Karl Menninger (indi na pag patranslate ang iya ginhambal kay wala ko ‘di tissue), “We need criminals to identify ourselves with, to secretly envy and to stoutly punish. They do for us the forbidden, illegal things we wish to do.” Intyendihan niyo? Huo eh, ano pigaw!? Ngaa masarap ang bawal? Hambal nila kay may ara siya “thrill”. Dali lang. Kon amo man lang gali ang ginapangita mo, nga-a man wala ka na lang nagbasa libro ni John Grisham, nagsakay sa roller coaster o kon ‘di gani, nag obra ka na lang sa karnabal sa diin butangan ang imo ulo sang mansanas kag habuy-habuyon sang kutsilyo? Pahanumdom lang sa aton tanan. Ang mga bawal nga butang daw tinapay na siya nga may hilô (poison). Kon nagutom ka, pwede mo kaunon. Mabusog ka. Pero sa ulihi, may malain man gihapon nga matabo sa imo. Kontrol lang, tyoy. Kontrol.
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Tumawa HAHAHAHA!!!! ka! Photo from: theconger4.blogspot.com.
Ni Airon B. Buenvenida
S
abi raw nila, ‘ang buhay ay parang telenobela.’ May mga pagkakataong mapapaluha ka, maiinis ka, magugulat ka, matatakot ka, o ‘di kaya’y magagalit ka. ang sabi ko naman, ‘ang buhay ay parang gag show!’ at bakit? Ewan. Eh gusto ko lang tumawa. Maging masaya. Ika nga ni Enrile, “gusto ko happy ka!” Kaya tawa lang mga kaibigan. Tuwing nakakarinig ako ng mga tawa ng tao, ang mga tenga ko ay napapangiti sapagkat para sa akin, ito ay isa sa pinakamagagandang tunog na pwedeng malikha sa magulo at mapag-imbot nating mundo. Walang lugar ang mga sigaw, hagulgol, at mga malulungkot na luha sa sulatin kong ito kaya balewalain niyo na lang ang huling kong sinabi. Kahit puro tawa lang ang mababasa niyo rito, hindi ito nangangahulugan na nakakatawa ang sinulat ko bagkus, sabay nating aalamin kung ano nga ba talaga ang pagtawa. Ang siyentipikong kahulugan ng pagtawa ay isang reaksyon sa isang stimulus. Ito’y kadalasang nagiging biswal na pagpapahayag ng ating nadaramang kasiyahan. Kadalasang nauuwi sa pagtawa ang mga joke na naririnig, kililitian, at kung ano pang stimuli. Ang pagtawa ay parte ng ating the CEntRALeCHO
pag-uugali na siyang kinokontrol ng ating utak. Sa pamamagitan ng pagtawa, nalilinaw natin ang ating intensyong makipag-ugnay sa ibang tao at siyang nagtutulay para bigyan ng emosyonal na konteksto ang ating pakikipag-usap. Minsan naman, ang pagtawa ay nagsisilbing palatandaan ng pagiging parte ng isang grupo dahil nagbabadya ito ng pagtanggap at positibong pakikipag-ugnay sa ibang tao. Bigyang pansin ang mga eksena sa mga palabas o pelikula kung saan ang bida ay bagong pasok sa isang barkadahan. Sa oras na matapos siyang ipakilala sa grupo, may mga ilan na ngingiti o tatawa sinyales ng pagtanggap, at meron na namang iba na tatawa sabay yakap, at pagkatapos ay biglang ipapakita ng camera ang likurang anggulo kung saan tumatawa pala siya na parang kakainin niya ng buhay ang bida.
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sIgLaaTBuhAy
Hahaha: tawa ng
(1) Hahaha : tawa ng manyakis; (2) Hehehe : tawa ng pakipot; (3) Harhar : tawa ng first time; (4) Bwahaha : tawa ng palikero; (5) Hihihi : tawa ng inosenteng sanay; (6) Hekhekhek : bitin palagi; (7) Jejeje : tawa ng birhen kaya maingat sa pagtawa.
manyak
is
Ay nako, mukhang mali ang nabasa ko. Hahaha (hindi ako manyakis 8]). Kaya mag-ingat sa mga ganoong tawa. Ang pagtawa daw ay isang unibersal na wika. Ang tawa ng isang Pinoy ay agad na maiintindihan ng isang Hapon na isang tawa (kaya kapag nakikipag-usap ka sa isang Hapon o sa kahit sino mang dayuhan at hindi kayo nagkaintindihan, tumawa ka na lang. hahaha). Mapapansin rin na ang pagtawa ay minsa’y nakakahawa. Ang tawa ng isa ay minsa’y nagbubunsod ng halakhak ng lahat. Ngunit kaylan ba tayo dapat matawa at hindi matawa. Malalamin natin kung kailangan tayo pwedeng tumawa kapag alam natin kung kailan tayo hindi dapat matawa. Simple lang, huwag kang tumawa kung sa palagay mo ay makakapinsala ito sa dignidad ng iba. Tumawa ka kung pakiramdam mo’y kailangan mong tumawa; huwag mo lang kalimutang makiramdam sa iyong paligid. Ang pagtawa ay hindi limitado gamit ang bibig lamang. Kahit sa text o sa mga pag-chat ay mababakas rin ang pagtawa. Ayon sa isang blog na aking nabasa, mayroon daw pitong klase ng pagtawa. Ito ay ang mga sumusunod:
Pwede niyo nang kalimutan ang lahat ng pinagsasabi ko, huwag lang ang pangkalahatang tuntuning ito: Huwag kang tumawa kung ikaw ay nag-iisa. Alam niyo na ang aking ibig sabihin kaya huwag niyo na akong pahirapan sa pagsulat. Hehehe (hindi ako pakipot) Bilang pagtatapos, hayaan niyo akong bitawan ang mga salitang ito. Ang matinong tao kapag nakaramdam ng kasiyahan sa puso, nagagawang tumawa, matuwa dahil nagagalak ang puso. Ayon sa Kawikaan 17:22 “Ang masayang puso ay mabuting kagamutan: nguni’t ang bagbag na diwa ay tumutuyo ng mga buto.” Kaya tuma ka!
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Hehehe: akipot
tawa ng p
Graphics from: crestock.com
The clock winds down and the silenced crowd turns anxious as the ball flies up in the air coming from a gamewinning shot.
RE BLUDVS E
T
By Alvin K. Tung
he clock winded down and the silenced crowd turned anxious as the ball flew up in the air coming from a game-winning shot. It was another time when sports fans set ablaze the ‘sari-sari’ stores, barbershops, and the ‘karinderya’ while they anticipated an exploding game-changing play coming from their chosen team. It is the battle of the elites – the NBA Finals. After what had been a brutal series against Boston, doubts catapulted at the Miami Heat have just partially settled as they made their way to the NBA Finals the second straight time. The Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunders on the other hand had dominantly dethroned the three unflinching teams (Mavericks, Lakers and Spurs) that represent 10 of the last 13 championships. The finals defined the ego of the King (James) to finally grab the championship title against the fired up will of the Thunders to imprison the Heat in yet another year of criticisms and disappointments. the CEntRALeCHO
Three-time MvP vS Three-time Scoring Champ The finals couldn’t get any better than the clash between the reigning MVP LeBron James, and the reigning scoring champ Kevin Durant. Two of the best players of the league were finally given the opportunity to go toe to toe until one breaks down. Both players equalized each other’s points and gave their teammates (Wade and Bosh for the Heat; and Westbrook and Harden for the Thunders) the x-factor to separate the victors from the failures. Chris Bosh was revitalized and recovered from an abdomen injury at the nick of time which gave his team a boost. But questions if he could give his A-game lingered in almost everyone’s thoughts. Whether he was at the top of his game or not, being surrounded by outstanding three point shooters had always proven to be a nightmare for any of their opponents in guarding their team.
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Westbrook is an explosive threat with his impregnable and electrifying will but he has had issues with regards to keeping himself at bay to avoid bad possessions. Good defenders that abound the OKC have alleviated its predicaments against the best teams in the West with the Sixth Man of the Year James Harden who averaged 16.8 points per game. The two colliding teams have their own Big 3s at their prime which game analysts foresee to most likely trigger an interesting and fiery engagement. The Experienced vS The Inexperienced While the young guns of OKC had been on fire, entering the fi nals undefeated at home, the Heat had displayed their resiliency throughout the playoffs. Wade had struggled in the series against Indiana and Bosh was missed by the roster (with his injury). Despite of it, they were able to overcome every setback to make it to the fi nals. The OKC and the Heat have players with championship rings (Fisher and Perkins for OKC and Wade and Haslem for Heat) but the whole of OKC roster never had the chance to compete in a championship game. The Heat was exposed to the fi nals last year with their defeat pushing them to outplay their opponents this postseason. This would be yet another impediment to hurdle for the inexperienced OKC. This is James’ third shot at the title with his personal
record 0-2, not being able to attain his ultimate goal yet – a championship ring. There’s only one thing in his mind and that is redemption. Trapped within their previous nightmare, they have probably realized not to celebrate too early as what they’ve done last year, leading to their demoralizing defeat when Dallas made a huge comeback. Predictions and Scoreboards To make a prediction as to who will emerge as the champion between these two unrivalled teams was quite difficult but to most sports analysts, the game ends at game 6 favoring the OKC Thunders. But to the surprise of sports enthusiasts, after trailing 0-1, the Miami Heat took over through the game-wrecking performance of the Finals MVP, LeBron James. In game 4, Westbrook burst with 43 points only to end up in defeat putting the Heat ahead 3-1 which marked the beginning of the end for the young Thunders. Durant and James led their banners, but the Heat’s backup crew followed and fi nally reaped what they sowed the entire season. Unlike last year where James shrunk and eventually disappeared in the fi nals, this time he came strong shot after shot all the way to victory. The series ended in 4-1 as the Miami Heat fi nally achieved the signifying piece of the true essence of being an NBA player – the championship ring and trophy.
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1o1
W By Alvin K. Tung
e can sadistically entomb and lock our emotions in the most horrid graveyards of our heart (our fears, our hurt, our aggravation and anger, our joy, or our disappointments), concealing them from our most compassionate friends or even from our intimate families. But we can never dwarf further the microscopic pieces of these emotions from the loyal creatures, for they can sense and discern our feelings even before we do. They are those who reflect their gleaming eyes with utmost excitement while drooling and vigorously wagging their tail each time we open the door whether we came from day-long school activity or from an hour mass on a Sunday; those who bow their heads and exhibit honest and sincere eyes of sorrow and confession when we discover torn bits of papers or slippers; those who listen to our disappointments with sympathetic eyes as they lick our faces. Indeed we never grew apart from them. Dogs – they are our best friends. They are useful in many ways may it be in hunting, police work, aid for the disabled, stress control or for plain companion. At times, when at the climax of man’s frustrations, they get hit but like
the CEntRALeCHO
naĂŻve children, they show no signs of disloyalty. In areas with a hard-hearted population, they get abandoned but they always hope to find a new home. Unfortunately, there are also dogs being served as food and even that practice is of occurrence in this country. What many people fail to realize is that, like humans, dogs experience happiness, excitement, fear, nervousness and can be emotionally unbalanced. Animal cruelty has somewhat subsided. Iloilo City is a surfacing community of dog. Decades ago, you would only see few well-groomed pets mostly coming from prominent people. Nowadays however, you could share your passion and fervor for dogs to almost everyone, may it be your friends, classmates, neighbors or teachers. Veterinary clinics are growing in number, and so are the dog shows and businesses for pet products; and the Iloilo Dog Lovers (Facebook group) has emerged. While many pet owners are expressive of their love for dogs, it is undeniable that amateurs are everywhere. It would be the perfect time to increase your knowledge regarding your pet. Here is the list of top 10 dog breeds in the Philippines by the Philippine Canine Club, Inc. with their respective characteristics:
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holycuteness.com
dOgs
10.germanshEPhERd It is a notable police, military, and leading guard dog. It is trained for rescue, narcotics and bomb detection, tracking missing persons and guide for the blind, but it is not suitable for Though a poodle is covered with its fluffy hair, it sheds little of its fur. Positive temperaments: One of the brightest and most sensitive breeds. Even with gentle or light obedience training, it is exceptionally responsive and can learn almost anything. It is always willing to please and can go along with other animals. Negative temperaments: When spoiled, it can turn very stubborn and sulky. It is also a barker.
9.POOdLe
novice owners. This dog sheds much of its hair. Positive temperaments: Owning this dog requires knowledge to avoid the waste of such breed. The German Shepherd is confident and steady, willing and able to learn (can be trained with ease), and protective. Negative temperaments: This breed must be accustomed and socialized with other people and dogs at an early age because it can become too reserved and aggressive with strange dogs. Without proper care and training, it can establish dominance and refuse commands from its owners.
8.PUg
Its eyes possess the touch of soft expression. As small as it can be, it enjoys outdoor exercises although it has low exercise requirements. Some pugs are one-person dogs. Positive temperaments: A pug seldom associates itself into real misbehavior. It usually gets along with strangers and other pets. Negative temperaments: It loves to be the child of the family. It can get jealous of toddlers or other pets (when not appropriately socialized) showing some signs of aggression.
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pugrescuevic.com.au
buzzle.com
PeTs&hoBBIEs
wallcoo.net
One of the finest family dogs in the world and is also helpful to the police, fire department, and persons with disabilities. Positive temperaments: The Labrador Retriever is good-natured, gentle, and adaptable. It is friendly with strangers, and goes well with other animals. It has a high spirit and lots of energy for playing. This type of dog can be trained with ease. Negative temperaments: As much as they love to be in the company of their owners, being left alone too much would make them deranged.
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dogbreedworld.net
Marked by its serious personality, it is an independent and introverted dog. Because of its bashfulness and modesty, it needs to be accustomed to other people at an early age. With its large bulbous fur, it sheds a lot. It is not advisable for inexperienced owners to pet chows. Positive temperaments: Chows are always polite and often affectionate (though the level of affection differs from every dog). Negative temperaments: A chow can be aggressive with other animals. It is stubborn and owners need an outburst of patience in obedience training. It should not be harshly forced to obey and should never be hit. This breed is also quite aggressive in guarding its food and may bite if annoyed or touched suddenly (unless it has been exposed to ongoing exercise, socialization and supervision).
the CEntRALeCHO
5.BeagL e
hulaki.com
7.CHOW-CHO
6.LaBra
dOrREtR
IEVER
As it is a sniffer and an adventurer, it can use daily walks to satisfy its physical and mental desires. This curious hound should be taught of its most important command – to come when called. Positive temperaments: Cheerful and gentle, it can easily coexist with strangers and other animals (although there are some beagles that are quite timid). Negative temperaments: It is somewhat stubborn. But to discipline it harshly will provoke it to snap defensively. Exposing the dog to different people and noises at an early age is essential. Some beagles develop odd phobias (fear of beards, mailboxes, so on) and can be highly noisy especially when left alone. 90
Positive temperaments: A Siberian Husky is a clever breed that is expressive and playful with easy and jovial disposition. It has high sociability with humans and can go along with other family pets. Negative temperaments: The accumulation of its superfluous Ky energy due to lack of exercise can 4.sIBerIanhus lead it to become destructive and With great love for the outdoors, it fidgety. Owners should be preferably is an exceedingly spirited and active experienced in handling and training dog that needs vigorous daily exercise. dogs because huskies can be roguishly It is fittingly better in areas with cold disobedient and pester other animals climate. (deer, livestock). It also howls a lot.
pawspatrol.org
It is a member of the Spitz family that loves receiving affection from people. Pomeranians are brash and excessively confident. Positive temperaments: The Pomeranian can be fluently trained by 3.POmerIan a firm owner. It expresses much warmth to its owner. Negative temperaments: It is feisty with other animals and becomes too tempered and possessive with its food demanding when spoiled. Looking and toys and likes to meddle with other so adorable, it is deceivably quick people’s tasks.
2.CHIHUaHUa
If you are not fond of the outdoors, then this is the pet for you. It is a oneperson dog that has special magnetism with the elderly. Positive temperaments: A Chihuahua is alert, full of life and highly companionable with eminent curiosity. Negative temperaments: It displays aggression with other animals and it becomes jealous and too possessive of its owner, food, or toys. Insecurity lurks within this little dog causing it to snap when it feels something or someone is threatening it. Chihuahuas are difficult to housebreak. 91
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dogsonlime.com
dogswallpapers.net
PeTs&hoBBIEs
PeTs&hoBBIEs
1.sHI
petswildanimalswallpaper.com
H TzU
Consistently on the number one spot of the most popular pets in the Philippines, the Shih Tzu represents the toy dogs. It is indubitably the most adored dog (with its elegant beauty and playfulness) in the country. Positive temperaments: This is a confident breed that has ease in training and socialization with people and animals. A Shih Tzu is very affectionate: always seeking for companionship, attention and comfort. Negative temperaments: This dog can easily snap in a hot weather. It is controllably stubborn and can sometimes be hard to housebreak.
The Canine Covenant As playful and loving dogs can be, they were neither gentle nor indulgent to humans, well at least some thousands of years ago when they used to be bloodthirsty wolves. It was in the primitive days (during the Stone Age) when orphaned wolf pups were first cradled by men. The pups were predestined to grow as wolves but rather than to tear flesh, they bridged the distinct species when they chose to stay alongside humans and create the unwritten law of the “canine covenant�: food and shelter in exchange for their service. The gradual evolution led to what we call today the domesticated dogs. Though we feed, care and shelter our dogs, we should always remember that they also need to be disciplined and trained for us to fully enjoy the human-pet relationship.
the CEntRALeCHO
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naTIOn&PoLItICs
Photo from pciJ.org
Had the Chief Justice not killed himself in the foot, then perhaps he would have gotten free.
The Verdict:
GUILTY! By Jo Jan Paul J. Pe単ol
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Photo from pagodkanaba.com
Waah!
T
Defensor - Santiago
he Upper House of Congress, a.k.a. the Senate was principally made to serve as arbiter, a mediator between the disputing heads of two co-equal branches of government, the executive and the judiciary. On one hand, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III claimed that the Supreme Court was foiling and putting across barriers on him from exercising his privilege to run after and accuse his predecessor, now Pampanga Representative Gloria MacapagalArroyo. On the other hand, the “Chief Justice” Renato Corona claimed the executive branch was weakening judicial freedom through coercion and pressure. The Executive and the Judiciary were on a smash course ever since the ‘midnight appointment’ of the chief magistrate. The president never actually recognized the acceptability and The CENTRALECHO
legitimacy of it. What made matters worse were the judgments released by the high court which inclined to encompass a certain angle not in favor of the administration. The lobbying of judicial appointments meant that a political process was needed in order to flatten things out and return some form of balance to the worktable. What made it more challenging was that in going after the Arroyo appointees to the Supreme Court, the administration could not escape coming off as vindictive. Allegations of indiscriminately using public agencies to conduct a witch hunt were expected. It didn’t aid that the case was suddenly made on shaky ground. Unluckily, it was only with the occurrence of secretly procured evidence that the prosecution started to gain momentum and make a serious dent in the case of the defense. In the meantime the public observed that both parties waged a
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Nation&Politics
Photo from ralphlorenzana. blogspot.com
battle for our hearts and minds using the pulpits of their office as a stand for airing their views. In the past six months the campaigns had been persistent. Senator judges were drawn into tons of debates. The Palace could be thought to have the upper hand in this concern having its removal the propaganda machine of the state. Chief Justice Corona was encouraged to take a stand. Only through his televised testimony could he address the disputes posed to him both in and out of the courtroom directly. He did so with honesty, at times giving outlet to his frustrations, but in the end with great modesty and respect to the court. Eventually, it all boils down to whether his sin of omission, failing to state certain assets in his public SALN would be enough to convict him. Having openly stated the full magnitude of his wealth and the assets in his custody while on the other laying the legal basis for not including them in his statement, the chief justice’s case now drops into the decision of the senators acting as jury. With neither camp being able to identify a majority of partners in the Senate, the decision of whether to acquit or convict now rests with the unaligned senators, a significant number of whom are up for re-election this 2013.
Tupas
This is how an Impeachment Trial concluded. Twenty Senators convicted Renato Coronado-Corona. Clearly peeved at how we got here, but recognizing the gravity of the trespass that the Chief Justice did. It was a balance of law, and guided by wisdom. There was no party in the streets. Even the palace’s statement was submissive, just as it should be. Everyone feels liberation. Relief that the trial is done. Relief that a nation had grown, and that no matter how the Senators arrived at the decision, it was good for the nation. Now its over, no one could disagree that yes, the experience could have been better. The path to conviction could have been better; cleaner. Had the Chief Justice not killed himself in the foot, then perhaps he would have gotten free. We completed the nation’s first Impeachment Trial – and thanks to Senate President Juan Ponce “Manong Johnny” Enrile for the peaceful conduct of the impeachment. In a land of people power, we just demonstrated that our institutions could be a place to air out our grievances. It is a logic of determination we have not experienced before. This is the bigger picture. What’s important now is a simple question. What are we going to do with this new found political maturity?
Photo from cuevas04_kjrosales
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Cuevas
SOUTH CHINA
SEA TANGO By Reyshimar C. Arguelles
A Photo from 2bp.blogspot.com
renowned preacher in the country said that our cooperation with the United States of America is essential in deterring the advances of the People’s republic of China. Not a very consistent thing to say for someone who fearlessly rebukes the devil and at the same time shivers before the mighty dragon of the East. Moreover, those in other South East Asian countries have the same perturbations and would let america intervene in their disputes with the dragon. Still no other South East Asian nation has furnished absolute allegiance to the United States, such that has become an established norm to the Philippine state. We have boasted of being its firmest supporter since the end of the Second World War. In return for this merit, we have acquired assistance from it; succor in the socio-civic and economic sense. But none has ever been more controversial than military aid.
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Nation&Politics THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY Some agree that American military presence in South East Asia is thoroughly justified. And the Philippine state couldn’t agree with that more, always sourcing the good from it while downplaying the negatives. The good that springs from American intervention finds itself floating in the abyss for it still induces one to question its legitimacy. But its supporters maintain its importance; that American warships patrolling the South China Sea limit the threats posed by China’s. Favorable also is their ability to safeguard the region from unwarranted and abrupt claims, making the region safe mainly for economic activity. This is raised by the evangelist. But if it is claimed that Chinese war vessels threaten the stability of the region, does the same consequence follow American naval activities executed no less differently? This has to be weighed. Another thing that defends the idea of having America scurry its navy in the South China Sea is the fact that we are incapable of defending ourselves from a superpower’s actions. Our navy needs drastic improvements if it wants to protect national waters efficiently
from China, also our air force if it is up to guard our airspace. This, to the evangelist, convinces us to depend on another superpower. The U.S., through the Visiting Forces Agreement and Congress’ enactment of a modernization program following “substantially increased Chinese presence on and around Mischief Reef” in 1995, has been a major contributor of military implements to the Philippines, the others being South Korea, Germany, and Japan. But as drastic as our need to get modernized, these implements per se appear less so. Take for example the purchase of a Hamilton class cutter from the U.S. coast guard, sensationalized as the most advanced “battleship” the country has ever acquired. But American contentions on stripping it of its arsenals have only rendered it almost as obsolete as the Korean War-era fighter planes present in our air force hangars. A true superiority test can only be administered by Chinese shells and bullets. These, although having apparent weaknesses, are but a few premises by which American intervention is legitimized in a Mexican standoff redolent of Spaghetti Westerns. The guns are ready as some pray for bigger guns at our side. And
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
CLASH OF TITANS, CRASH OF INNOCENCE In his column last year, Rep. Walden Bello presents an e-mail interview between him and the staff of The Global Times, the official newspaper of the Chinese government. In the interview, Bello stresses that U.S. intervention in South East Asian territorial affairs would only add heat to the Pacific pot. He also said that “bringing in the US carries the danger of converting the crisis into a conflict between superpowers.” Speaking of a U.S. navy warship that docked at the Iloilo International Port earlier this year, he argues that having the U.S. on our side will only taper our side in the issue. The tensions will thus evolve from a trifling feud over tiny dots of land, to a muscle-flexing contest between two hegemonic giants with us having to witness this pompous display of power. It is no lie that the imperialistic ambitions that defined the 19th century are The CENTRALECHO
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Photos from Eyedrd.org
the evangelist will continue to preach fervently and inconsistently of the U.S. as our Savior while a vigilant few expect blood pools and empty bullet casings.
haunting the present. So true is the fact that the superpowers of today – the so-called global movers – conform to principles set by their predecessors more than a hundred years ago. Two of these principles involve deceiving lesser nations into finding auspices in their patrons’ palms and capitalizing on their weaknesses for hefty gains, not to mention for something to rub on the faces of their rivals. Unfathomable is the fact that the U.S. contests with China, not so much out of caution but for economic and state interests. An editorial from the Philippine Daily Inquirer summarizes this notion: “The United States will have no problem choosing China over us, simply because its economy is now inexorably tied to that of the world’s next superpower, and this strategic engagement will take precedence over the concerns of a much smaller, far less powerful nation.” We can see here that having the U.S. join our tussles undermine hopeful results. And its participation will only make China become more serious with its advances, with the perception that we are also serious on not getting picked on. The U.S. however is not too earnest when it resumed combat exercises with
naTIOn&PoLItICs the Philippine Armed Forces despite declaring its neutrality while covering real intentions under the translucent veil of self-bestowed obligations.
Sea, acquiescence is expected of us. Apparently, we have maintained the principle of having a 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. The Chinese government however appears less solemn, by extending demarcation lines to include islands with “historical” bearing, claiming them abruptly and without preconceived dialogue. With this, they invite the U.S. in to intensify the scuffles. Even so, we still behave diplomatically towards the problems posed by China. Vietnam had numerous clashes with its ideological sister in the past, but we are fortunate enough to stay away from trouble, a result of acting diplomatically, despite of course numerous protests by the extreme left. With the Association of
GAME OF WRONGS If we may contend on the side of not allowing U.S. interference, the group to which the evangelist belongs would then react boisterously, often citing our lack of compassion for the motherland. We would then warrant a disdainful and unpatriotic stand in the face of a dragon out to leave claw marks. But they are gravely true. China has been acting coercively and it seems that it would not settle for anything less than its present claims. This growing attitude that it has cultivated in its foreign policies will continue to hinder any semblance of prosperity from Also, it is by far favorable to our side rising as it may also not to depend heavily on the U.S. or taint our territorial let China take what it must… rights and that of our neighbors. Bello himself has expected for Southeast Asian Nations and statutes tensions to rise, although the thought of set forth by the United Nations, war is dismissed. It should be since we present problems can be mitigated conform to diplomacy and strayed from and, hopefully, cannot bring any more direct confrontation. complications such that have risen from Ultimately, the whole charade of the U.S.’ declarations. putting America’s pieces on South East Also, it is by far favorable to our Asia’s chessboard is blamed on China’s side not to depend heavily on the U.S. coercive attitude. It has made its moves, or let China take what it must as it is the heat has been turned on, and we unfavorable to let the former take remain perplexed on what moves to advantage of our weaknesses towards make. Either we take action or leave a the latter. square for its taking, But what we lack in Nonetheless, our future with the making good decisions we make up for Scarborough Shoal, with China, and with in conforming to good rules. other ASEAN nations remains abstruse. But what is certain is that our rightful THE BOTTOMLINE FOR THE place in the region is at stake; something EQUATORIAL LINE that is vulnerable to the eyes of both the As a signatory to the United U.S. and China and something we could Nations Convention on the Law of the not afford to lose. 99
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
R Photo from mecsexy.smugsmug.com
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Photo by The Central Echo
Travel&Heritage
Camiña
BalayNgABato By Reyshimar Camiña Arguelles Airon B. Buenvenida Gloria Concepcion H. Moralidad
R Photos by The Central Echo
R
ising commercial buildings, construction of new infrastructure, and the almost incessant westernization of its citizens… No doubt Iloilo is gearing towards drastic changes, throbbing with the vibrancy of this technologicallytranscendent generation, and animating under new influences and factors. Despite the abrasion of the present, there still flicker semblances of the province’s history that still matter today. These sparks continue to glint within such relics as the Jaro Belfry and the Miag-ao Church, indeed cherished wholeheartedly as reminders and sentinels of a romantic past, embellished with the simplicities of provincial life and the modesties of lives not too intellectual than passionate. Another structure stands alongside these eminent and stalwart markers, as hard as stone to the flow of epochs, encapsulating an ardent soul such that touches a citizen of this province, in a more spiritual than nostalgic way.
In the district of Molo, a bit far from the heart of the city, lies an aged house. Very like the ancestral houses that reside along that district and the district of Jaro, but this one offers not just a sight to relish with pride. This house is aptly called “Balay nga Bato” for two reasons: One, it is, unsurprisingly, made from stone, at least its lower level is. Two, it laid witness to our crucial bygone moments: The Revolution of 1898, The American Occupation, The Pacific War, and The Martial Law years. And ever since its foundations were put up, it has seen these transpirations with resoluteness inherent in our race: Despite bullets from Spanish and Japanese rifles, it stands a living testament of our being robust in nearly everything we do – particularly business.
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
The Visit The house sits back from the road with a little path that leads us to their gate and courtyard. For a century and a half, the Balay nga Bato was transparently being preserved well that though it has now turned into a living museum, it still serves as the abode of the Avanceña-MelicotonCamiña clan. And The Central Echo was granted to visit the balay - one of Iloilo’s wonderfully-preserved home. At two o’clock in the afternoon, we pulled in across the city to head for the Camiña house. The caretakers were all smiles, as they welcomed and eventually led us to the ground floor where the 4th generation of the clan weaves textiles in loom. Our guide told us that the family had been in the textile business long before they settled in Panay with the use of their looms and abaca, piña, sinamay, silk and more as their materials. The lot leads us to Lola Rufina’s Heritage Curio Shop (also in the ground floor) where antiquities of sorts are displayed for sale. Available in the shop are old china wares, carved santos, and paintings dating 1800’s. Coming along from the 19th Century as well, also waiting to be sold, is an old, working Steinway and Sons Piano. However, the said musical instrument costs for P1Million. Finished product of the weaved textiles are also for sale as they came in as dresses, table cloths, beddings and more. We were told The CENTRALECHO
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Photos by The Central Echo
Travel&Heritage
Photos by The Central Echo
that the Balay’s ground floor during the Spanish Regime was just an open area – there were no walls plastering on the sides. In 1860, a certain Fernando Avanceña and his wife Eulalia Abajo had their home built in the town of La Vila Rica de Arevalo (now known simply as Villa Arevalo). It took five years to finish their abode, and was planned to make it look like a big, tall bahay kubo – with batten and board walls and a nipa and bamboo that serves as their roof. The house was supported well by twenty four haligis or posts that were made from peeled and rough-hewn tree trunks. Because of frequent piracy pillage and Moro raids in the
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TraveL&hERItAgE
Photos by The Central Echo
town, the family decided to add limestone rubble as walls. Lola Rufina, a family descendant of the first generation, turned the ground floor into a heritage. As we ventured around, we came across a bust of former Chief Justice Ramon Avanceña, nephew of Fernando Avanceña. We turned left to a hallway leading to the grand staircase or escalera. It is steeply inclined like the bamboo ladder of a bahay kubo. Upon reaching the top, the path guarded by a massive pair of doors equipped with an indigenous locking mechanism attributed to Japanese craftsmen who specialized in the trade of fortress door construction. Landing on the second floor, we see ourselves standing in a central foyer accessible to all parts of the house. In front facing the staircase is the oratorio or the room of prayer,
designed similarly to that of a small chapel. Life-sized to miniature religious icons of age were displayed and kneelers are available to those wanting to pray. Beyond the oratorio, is a huge wooden door that leads to the bedroom. It is of course only accessible to authorized persons. On the left of the staircase is the grand sala. Antiquities being displayed consists of paintings, china wares and like one of the earliest diving helmet we see in 1900 movies. Some furniture are as old as the house but still as strong as though they were just bought yesterday. The lighting however is new, but keeps with the old, restrained tone of the house. Like many prominent families, the Avanceñas were supporters of the Philippine Revolution and their sala served as the meeting place of the Katipuneros. The Afternoon Snack The whole Balay nga Bato experience wouldn’t be complete without savoring their esteemed tsokolate. With fresh air coming from their wide-opened windows of their dining area, a Spanish era ambience sets the perfect mood for an afternoon drinking of a hot tsokolate. The Camiña tsokolate, which is served after your tour, is made from home-grown cocoa beans - ground and mixed with milk, slow-boiled in a cast-iron tsokolatera, and stirred with a guava batidor. Indeed a visit in their house and a sip of their tsokolate is a perfect combo to unwind from the fast paced city of Iloilo. So bring your friends and family there. The heritage tour + the tsokolate experience will only cost you Php150/head with a minimum of 5 persons. From CPU, you may take a jeepney going to Diversion Road stop light then another one going to Oton Derecho. Prominent landmarks surrounding the area are the Villa Plaza and the Arevalo Sinamay House. Camiña Balay nga Bato is located along 20 Osmeña St., Villa Arevalo. We advise you to call ahead of time for reservations. Contact them at: 3363858/ 3365075
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Notes&TIPS
Surviving Majorexams by Airon B. Buenvenida
Today’s seatwork. Okay. Tomorrow’s assignment. Okay. Tomorrow’s quiz. Okay. Next week’s examinations. Will I be okay?
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A week series of exam is perhaps the climax of a student’s life. Eating a big chunk of our final grade, a thorough preparation is a must. I browsed the web for some tested and proven study tips and injected some of my ways of surviving these pesky exams, hoping that somehow it will help.
You ne ed to clear First things first. urself lik e: when first things for yo much time you’ll w are the exams, ho e and what are th e, ar ep pr to have r he ot handouts, materials (bo oks, If . ed ne ’ll at you references etc.) th yourself a time r fo t se n you ca but if not, having table, much better, u ill do- that is, yo a sense of time w ld ou sh u yo things should know the the exam days as red ve co have Creating a study are approaching. ay to ensure that plan is the best w to review gets ed everything you ne s you from fe eling ep ke d an , covered g the process. overwhelmed durin
The place matters. Fin d a quiet place where you can wo rk regularly. This should be fre e of potential distractions from friend s or family. Regular work in such an environment helps form good, eff ective study habits, and improves concentration and focus. Distractio ns waste precious time and cause tension. While Studying the CEntRALeCHO
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Start early. S ure, you may passed an have exam before staying up a a ll night cramm fter ing night before, but the stress the toll it takes on your min and d isn’t worth it. G ive yourself pl of time, at least two or enty days, up to thre e tw sure you ha o weeks, to make ve time to everything. cover
Know when You are ‘Switched On’. Try to be aware of your bio clock and what time of the day you work best.
Bit by it. Study in small chunks lasting 25 to 35 minutes. Your memory and concentration will work better if you study in short bursts but often…
Take a break once in a while. Even just an hour here or there to veg out in front of the TV or go for a long-overdue jog will help you stay sharp and focused when you return to the material, and gives your mind a break to absorb all the information.
nOTes&TIPS
Break the s music. A ilence with a little s long as soft it distrac y ting, mus ou don’t find ic help enco urage you can actually r brain to alert. I s instrumen lik e classical or tay tal music any fo anything that does r myself, but n’t should do the trick. distract you
water k plenty of Replenish. Drin session, especially y y during a stud ggish. Caffeine ma slu el fe u n when yo ca it t awak e, bu in help you to stay it e us anxiety – increase your moderation.
Soliloquy. Spending time studying alone is pretty mu ch essential to making sure yo u everything you ne ed go over to cover, and fe eling comfort able with the material in your own way. Nevertheless, getting together with two or three classm ates helps you study in a wh ole different way. You can use this time to brush up on concept s you didn’t quite understand, tha classmates might have t other down pat. Plus, explaining so mething you understand to anoth er student is a great way to organize your thoughts and will help you articulate them durin g the exam.
Think outside the textbook. Sometimes another book can explain a concept in a way that works for you and can make the difference between understanding and memorizing.
Eat frequent smal l meals. Avoid eating a big meal before a study session. Too much fo od will send your body into a ‘rest’ mode. On the other hand, do n’t starve yourself either. Frequent smal l meals are best.
Don’t forget to learn! Studying isn’t just about passing an exam, as most students look at it as. Studying is an effort to actually learn things. There is a greater major exam that awaits you in the near future. By that time, what you studied for won’t matter. What you’ve learned will determine your chance of survival. 10 7
Review your Convert any le stuff. ar personal notes ning to as this helps understanding and memory.
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
“The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself.” Alan Alda
F
or years, The Central Echo spoils its readers with clinches of sheer poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction from its literary folio. This journal though, has no name but always come to known as The Central Echo Literary Folio – quite long, stiff, direct to the point and a bit flavorless. While other schools named their folio as The Scroll, Scribe, Parchment or The Voice to not only hold information about a publication’s purpose and content but also carries desirable branding and readers’ loyalty, The Central Echo LF remains unnamed and unbranded – ‘til last January.
Imagine Nation:
The Official Literary Folio of The Central Echo Just imagine, a nation full of imaginings, all clamped in a little book. Article and Illustration By Gloria Concepcion H. Moralidad
T
hrough a calculating brainstorming, the editorial body agreed to officially name the CE literary folio as Imagine Nation. This will serve as the identity of the journal for all years to come. Breaking the word imagination to Imagine Nation is apparently not new. Tons of articles, websites, or gigs have taken up the name. But why pursue it still? For a couple of reasons. Deciding a name is honestly a daunting task. We want a name that defines the total framework of the folio, inspires readers to take part in the CEntRALeCHO
it and gives justice to our publication fee. Reasons for naming it such are for: (1) easy remembrance; (2) creative, catchy identity that sounds good when it’s both written and said aloud; (3) the building of a stronger publication awareness, association and loyalty; (4) no literary folio was named as such in Western Visayas and hopefully elsewhere in the country, naught we know of; (5) though the term has been long-familiar, not everybody has quite seen or heard of it; and (6) aptly named because imagination is the heart and soul of every piece of literary writing published in the folio. Thus, Imagine Nation it is.
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Prose&Poetry Imagination enables us to form mental images, sound, taste, smell, or emotion that are not physically perceived by our senses. As of today, people associate imagination solely to something fictitious or a daydream and often as a mere fantasy. It’s not exactly true. One offspring of imagination is memory and it is through memory that helps us to create credible characters and a realistic plot. With memory, we come up with events that really happened in the past, might happen in the future, or, crazily, even events that don’t simply exist in our minds. More often, students submit their personal life stories and present it in a creative way to vent out their thoughts and emotions swelled up inside them, and this is creative nonfiction. Our fictitious works, however, is also entangled with our memories and emotion, because memory aids in identifying the structure of our lives and helps us to understand them. We pour a little of ourselves in our fiction stories. That’s why when writing fiction, we often link ourselves and our life story to oue protagonists and our unfriendly friends as the protagonist’s foes so that any emotional estrangements is believable. Fiction is about collecting what’s familiar and twisting it, letting imagination form something new from what is known and fly into that creative place where no one else has ever been. Oh, how Humanism rules. Moreover, our visions can give us temporary happiness and ease from the stressful and harsh instances reality may punch us in the face. Ah, one more reason to name folio as such. As students probably being bombarded by lots of assignments, projects and exams, it will do aught well that the
Central Echo indulge its readers with creative writings. It will amuse the students, broaden their perspective in life or impart a lesson or two to them. Given that our imagination won’t ruin or take control of us, everything will be in order, as what Agatha Christie, author of The Mysterious Affair at Styles, wrote, “Imagination is a good servant, and a bad master.” Empathy, the apprehension of another’s state or emotions is also one benefit our creative mind can give. Writer Lousie DeSalvo says, “storytelling teaches us or reteaches us empathy. This trait is a prerequisite for treating others well but it DEPENDS upon our ability to imagine what it feels like to be another person. We do this through storytelling.” And so the princess discovered that the spider was really a coffee bean, which the man in a suit tried to swallow it to a butcher, where the automobile’s plate number is LOVE00069. Why the floor was of the color violet, we may never entirely know. Imagination – Imagine Nation. Delving much deeper into this topic can probably reach us all the way to the core of the earth because imagination is quite broad to deal with. Naming this literary folio, Imagine Nation, is telling exactly what the journal’s about. Nevertheless, the success of its journey pretty much rests on how the reader’s respond to it. CE still needs your writing, drawing, photojournalism and editing prowess. So bundle down all your imaginative thoughts and share it with everybody. Our combined efforts will make a better CE and a better student body. You can submit your stories, essays or poems to central.echo@ gmail.com. And from now on, you can call The Central Echo Literary Folio simply as CE Imagine Nation.v
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
abyan. Ni death_scythe
I
ndi sila pagsapaka. Sulat ka lang dira. Amu yadto ang ginahutik sa iya sang may nagapalapit. Indi na sila masaligan. Mga tra-idor na sila. Abyan-abyanon ka nila kag kung makuha na nila ang luyag nila, talikdan ka man nila. Labi pa abi ang babayi nga ina. Pahulogon niya ang buot mo kag mabal-an mo na lang nga ginahampangan ka lang gali niya. “Indi man siguro, ah,” ang sabat niya sa ginpamulong sa iya. “Amu ina nga daw manugtunda ang itsura niya. Paranoid ka lang guid imo.” Dumduma nga ang demonyo maanyag man. “Ah, paghipos ka dira,” saway the CEntRALeCHO
niya. “Ngaa indi ka maghatag sa akon sang pagla-um imbes nga pamatukan mo ang mga luyag ko?” Ngaa? Kay nabal-an ko nga indi ina maayo para sa imo. “Wala ka pa makahibalo kag indi naton mahibal-an kung indi ta pagtilawan,” sabat niya. Bahala ka dira, eh. Indi man tanan nga butang dapat mo gid tilawan. Ang sa akon lang, ikaw man sa gihapon ang magabatyag sang kasakit. “Hay. Salamat. Buligan mo ako, ha?” Indi na, ah. Nabal-an mo na gid nga ginapamatukan ko ang luyag mo buhaton. “Ka-unon mo gid ang mga
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PrOse&PoEtRy ginpamulong mo nga ina kung mapamatud-an ko nga sala ka,” sigurado sa mga tinaga niya. Ginbuhat niya ang luyag niya. Wala na siya ginpunggan. Wala sang may nagapamatuk. Nakigabyan siya sa iba kag ginpalapit niya ang kaugalingon sa babayi nga ato. Didto niya ‘napamatud-an’ nga indi lang ini maanyag kundi but-anan man. “Aysus! Kung namati ako sa isa nga ato, wala ko gid nangin abyan ang lin-ay nga ini,” hambal niya sa kaugalingon niya. Nalipay siya kag nangin malapit ang buot ni Peras, amu ato ang hayo sang babayi, sa iya. Masami sila nga naga-istoryahanay sang bisan ano nga sahi sang butang, bisan pa personal nga mga butang. Kag nangin sila gid man nga duha. Bisan nalipay siya matuod apang may kasubo ini nga upod. Gusto niya haksun ang babayi apang sa malayo na ini. Kag wala siya mahimo bangud ginagapos siya sang mga upang. Kung tani manggaran lang siya, wala tani upang sa mga luyag niya. Wala na upang sa ila nga duha. Apang wala man siya may mahimo, gintawo siya nga imul. Bisan amu ato siya, ginabuhat lang niya ang tanan nga masarangan niya agud ipabatyag sa kahagugma niya nga gugma niya ini kag ara lang siya pirmi para sa iya. “Bisan malayo kami nga duha, nagapasalamat ako sa gihapon kay ‘kami nga duha,’” hambalanon niya sa kaugalingon niya. Apang sigurado ka bala nga matutum man siya sa inyo nga pagtamdanay? Dumdumon mo mga sa panag-on ga ini malaka pa sa tulo sang talithi ikaw makakita sang babayi nga daw Maria Clara. Kung
sa bulawan pa, damu subong ang bulibas kaysa sa mga matuod. “Ngaa ginapamatukan mo gid angko man?” pamangkot niya. “Ngaa sigurado ka nga bulibas siya, haw?” Ngaa sigurado ka nga indi sya bulubas, haw? Paano mo nahambal nga indi? “Paghipos ka. Natak-an ako sa nga pagpamatuk mo, ah. Ipakilala ko siya sa panimalay ko buwas.” Wala man ako may mahimo kung amu ina ang luyag mo. Kaluoyan ka tani. Kay kung indi, daw kaangay lang nga nagkuha ka sang bato kag ginpulpog ini sa ulo mo. “Ah, paghipos ka dira,” panapos niya sa paghinambalay nila. Ginpakilala niya si Peras sa panimalay niya. Ato didto ang iya amay, manghod nga lalaki, kag mga manghod nga babayi. Luyag niya gid tani ipakilala siya sa iya iloy apang wala ini, nagapangamo sa iba nga pungsod. Sa napakilala na niya ini naglagaw sila sa luyo-lagawan. Malipayon siya nga kaupod ang linay. Nga kahagugma niya. Sa malapit duha ka tu-ig nga pagtamdanay nila, subong lang liwat sila nagkitaay. Wala siya kahibalo kung ano ang paqg-estima ang himuon niya, wala gid siya animo sa ini nga mga butang. Kahuluya man akuon apang ang linay nga ini ang nahauna niya nga uyab kag ginahigugma gid niya n-ini sang tuman. Apang daw kalamig sa iya sang lin-ay. Luyag niya ini uyatan sa kamot, apang indi sini luyag; luyag niya ini tupadan samtang nagalakat, apang gapalagyo ini; ginahambalan niya inisang nga pulong sang paghigugma apang daw wala lang ini sa bungog sang babayi. Nagalibog ang ulo niya.
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
“Basi indi niya luyag ang PDA,” pagpahamtang niya sa kaugalingon. Indi luyag ang PDA kuno? Ang hambalon mo ginakahuya ka niya. Indi ka man gid maanyag para ipadayaw. Kung ka-guya mo lang siguro si Johnny Depp o indi gani si Orlando Bloom basi kung indi mahukas ang lumbid sang butkon niya sa butkon mo. “Indi ko ikaw luyag makahambal,” sabat niya nga may kaugot. Tubtob san-o ka magapabulagbulag man? Para sa aton nga indi maanyag, mabudlay mapatihan nga ang babayi nga tuman ka maanyag mahulog ang buot sa aton. Kung may ara man, malaka pa ini sa tulo sang talithi. “Ngaa gina-istorya ko pa ikaw man? Tanan man lang para kanimo indi masarigan,” gainit ang ulo nga sabat niya. “Sugod subong indi ko na ikaw pagsapakon.” Bisan indi mo ako pagsapakon, ari lang ako pirmi. Istoryahon ko ikaw sa gihapon. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Wala gani madiparanhan sang uyab niya nga naurungan siya. Ganapanumdum lang niya nga basi may ginapanumdum ini nga madalum. Kag may natalupangdan pa gid siya sang nagalakat sila nga magkaupod. Nagadali ini magpuli kung pagabasehan ang nga gihu niya. Ginapanumdum lang niya nga may buluhaton pa ini sa balay nila. Kag sa wala gid man magdugay nagpangabay ini nga mag-una pauli. Sang silahanon na lang sang mga manghod niya, ginpamangkot niya ang mga ini isa-isa kung ano ang mahambal nila kay Peras. “Nami siya,” palareho nila nga The CENTRALECHO
sabat sa iya. “Kag nalipay kami kay malipayon ka. Kabay pa siya na ang para sa imo.” “Ngaa man?” pamangkot niya. “Kay subong ka lang gid namon nakita nga tuman ang kalipay,” ang sabat. Sa mga nabati-an niya nga ato halin sa mga manghod niya, nalipay siya. Apang ang kalipay niya daw indi na gid subong. Naglamig ang uyab niya. Indi niya luyag pagsapakon apang batyag niya ang pagtahaw sini. Indi siya maga-ampo sa mga ‘gagmay’ nga mga upang nga ini. Indi gid, subong pa nga nakita niya ang kalipay. Nagatapos matuod ang mga kasakit apang amu man ang kalipay. Nagapahuway siya sadto sa ila balay. Bag-o lang sadto natapos ang semestre. Sa atubang siya sang telebisyon, naga-isahanon upod ang iya manghod nga lalaki. Nagaistoryahanay sila samtang ginahulat niya ang ‘text message’ sang palangga niya. Nag-abot ang ginahulat apang daw indi amu ang unod sadto. “Kinahanglan naton maghambalanon,” ang mensahe. Wala na ini naga-angga sa iya. “Sige. Handa ako magpamati,” ang sabat niya. “Luyag ko nga buy-an mo na ako.” Pamuluta na ang inagsapan mo. “Nabatyagan ko nga daw nag lain kag nagapadulong sa ini ang aton pagtamdanay, apang wala ko gid gindumdum nga tuman na kalapit ang adlaw nga ini. Kabay pa nga mangin malipayon ka sa iya.” “Indi, sala ka. Ginpapili ako sang iloy kag mga utod ko: kung
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Prose&Poetry ikaw ukon sila,” sabat sang babayi. “Tani nahangpang mo ako.” Hangpan? Amu lang ato ang mahambal sang ‘daw manugtunda’ mo? “Nahangpan ko.” “Patawad gid. ‘Good-bye.’” Wala na siya magsabat pa kay kabug-at sang kalawasan niya. Gintinguhaan niya nga ma-istorya ang babayi apang ginapalagyuhan siya. Tanan nga sarang niya mahimo, ginhimo niya apang wala sang may natabo. Sa indi man niya hungod, samtang naga-‘internet’ siya, nakita niya ang larawan sang babayi. May kaupod ini nga lalaki sa larawan. Ang ngalan sang larawan: Ako kag ang Bana ko. “Daan na siguro nga larawan,” siling niya. Indi ka magpakahangag. Lantawa bala ang petsa kung san-o ini ginkuha. Wala siya tuyo nga pamati-an ang tingog apang ang mga mata niya naghulag para pangita-on ang ginapapangita. Nakita niya. Kag didto nahangpan niya ang tanan. Indi ko luyag ihambal pa nga “Ginhambalan ko na ikaw.” “Piho ang mga ginhambal mo. Kung tani namati lang ako sa imo, wala ko na naagum ining kasakit.” Hoy! Anhon mo inang kalat? Buy-i ina. “Masakit! Buligi ako,” nagagaab nga pangabay niya. Huo, buligan ko ikaw. Luyag ko nga mamati ka gid kag dumdumon mo gid ini pirmi, indi ka asi-asi sarig sa mga tawo bisan pa sa daw karnero ang nawong. Kag sa subong nga panag-on, indi man tanan, mabudlay na magsarig gid todo sa
babayi. Karon tudlu-an ko ikaw nga amat-amaton dula ang mga kasakit nga ginabatyag mo. Kag labaw sa tanan, kung masarang, higugma-on ang mga kasakit. “Ano ang buot mo silingon?” Tudlu-an ko ikaw mangin manhid sa tanan nga sahi sang kasakit. Sa lawasnon man ukon sa balatyagon. “Salamat.” Wala ato. “Salamat kay bisan ginatalikdan ko na ikaw wala ka sa gihapon nagbaya sa akon,” hambal niya nga dumot sa buot. Ang sa akon lang amo ang imo kaayuhan. Matuod nga kung kaisa may mga ginahambal ako nga mabudlay patihon kag sa mga tion nga ato bal-an ko nga masarangan mo nga maghimo sang paagi nga imo; pero, sa mga tini-on nga gaduha-duha ka ara ako para mangin mata, tingug, talinga, boses, kag isip mo. Pamati ka lang sa mga pagaisugid ko sa imo para sa sunod gani bisan ano pa nga kasakit ang ipaatubang sa imo makasarang ka na maghambal nga, “Amu lang ‘to? Pigaw, haw? Wala na sang may masakit pa?” “Salamat gid sang madamu, Abyan.” Ako, ako ang nagahatag kusog sa imo. Ako ang nagabulig sa imo. Sila, sila ang magtra-idor sa imo. Ako lang ang matuod mo nga abyan. Ako, ako lang ang matuod sa imo. Ako ang mga mata mo kung indi ikaw makakita. Ako ang nagabatyag kung indi ka na makabatyag. Ako, ako ang nagagugma kung gusto mo maugot. Masubo apang matuod. Ako, ikaw. Buksi ang huna-hona mo kay mahangpan mo nga ako, ikaw.
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
From Distant Shores By Alvin K. Tung
The luminous sphere of smouldering light clambers on its ascent Dawning a new promise of untamed and barbaric struggles My eyes begin to hail the world and my callous fate With sands forged by the incessant cries of my yore’s doom. In the midst of the sun’s fiery heat fervently conquering My eternally battered and forlorn body - born from weary Heartbeats of substantial longing, I douse my eyes into the shadows And open them once more to fancy an enticing angel, wrapped By the silent night, wearing the beguiling smile of her serene sleep And by magic, the sun cloaks my skin with its cold and gentle affection The angel’s unclouded image, prudently brushed by the painter’s adept hands, Washes me with the fountain of life. In the falling of the mighty sphere, looms the darkness’ crystalline grief In my unhinged and worn out sanity keenly ideated from the mournful Distance of our lips, I plunge into the churning waves of our nostalgic memories
the CEntRALeCHO
To envisage the angel’s endearing face shimmered and deepened by the radiance Of the morning sun and elegantly dressed by her awakening charm And by magic, the cold moon radiates the warmth of the angel’s sweet embrace The angel’s distinct mantrap and beauty, adeptly built by the craftsman’s dauntless hands, Showers me with the reviving strength of a horse’s gait. Our worlds distantly apart - my sun rises While your moon ascends; it hammers my heart with a ball of thorns A thousand miles of barbed highways between us strangle my throat But in the midst of my scorching day emerges your picture In the calm night; in the darkness of my night’s haunting sorrow Shines the portrait of your thriving beauty illuminated by the sun’s gleam The euphoric thought of you, my angel, draws a thousand miles as close as a heartbeat. 114
PrOse&PoEtRy
DUMB DON’T BE
VII. Did you notice that? My gestures are weird when you appear to my sight I smile so horrible and shake so terrible I play with my hair and my hand goes weaker.
By 08152770
I. Can you hear that? It’s my heart calling your name It keeps on pounding and shouting But never gets tired of beating.
VIII. Did you do that? Convincing the wind to work for you And flies all the way here to remind me of you But that doesn’t count if it wasn’t true.
II. Did you hear that? It’s my voice uttering your name My lips get dumb when I speak of you Making chances that you’re not numb to feel it too. III. Did you see that? Butterflies are flying around gracefully and free They’re dancing with the sweet and soft melody That comes from a humming bird from that tree.
IX. Did you say that? Or maybe I was just hallucinating Or perhaps I’m having a wildest dream The way you said you love me seems so real. X. Did you know that? I think I love you, I think I really do I can’t forget you no matter what I do I’m looking for potion but still the remedy is you.
IV. Have you felt that? This immense killer thing beats me up so hard Trying to kill me slowly and sweetly But I failed to chase it down to its cage. V. Did you get that? The sweet flying words I sent you The words which are not capable of telling Telling the true feeling from inside my chest. VI. Did you feel that? The song surrounds us embracing us closer It’s singing the words softer and weaker It sang the words from the letter I wrote earlier. 11 5
Graphics inkscribble Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 •by April - June 2012
Judge Dredd By Arthurus Rex
The Law is not perfect That may be true But that does not negate Man’s aim for perfection The Law was made by men Imperfect as they are Nevertheless, it should be obeyed After all it was agreed in consensus
Those Laws came directly from the Almighty Showing man their errant acts
But the origin of the Law Goes way back before man When God made the Law Saying, “Worship only the Lord your God” And the first violation Was made by the condemned angel Lucifer Together with the angels who shares his ideals Making them the first offenders of the Law The first punishment was inflicted To Lucifer and his lackeys A punishment higher than death To suffer in hell eternally The Creator gave His set of Laws to man Through Moses, His then, middleman
That did not stop there Moses created laws other than those given by God’s But such were sanctioned by the Lord Showing acts legislation at the first time I am not saying that our current laws Should be attuned to theirs Ours was different At some point weird Our laws are stranger This makes the abiding difficult “There are acts morally correct but politically wrong, but there should not be acts that are politically correct but morally wrong.” My mind is full of wild thoughts about her She’s still not mine but I know this isn’t over I find myself falling in love all over again I’m sure I am and I knew it back then.
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Sometimes I’m hurt, sometimes I’m sad If things might go wrong and ruin me so bad But now I think she knew how this feels A feeling like I’m strong and can do all things. A GIRL NAMED JEA by Johnny
I just got up from my sleep this early morning When a smile shaped up my face with a good feeling I remembered what I’ve last thought last night That made my sleep so peaceful and tight the CEntRALeCHO
She’s really amazing, she’s really attractive She struck me through and made me naïve I don’t know what else to do When I don’t see her I turned blue. I like the way she looks at me I love the way she smiles at me I like every time she’s with me And I love her much which is really crazy.
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PrOse&PoEtRy SLIPPERS By 08152770
I can still feel how you looked at me when I lay down by your side I see your gorgeous eyes attracting my conscious sight Later then I miss them when you’re already fading away Without uttering a single word to make you stay. The sunshine above me turned into storm The flowers around me did not bloom Even the stars hide beneath the clouds When I search for them and ask for their light. They blamed me for leaving you that sudden And left me sitting on a wood sad and rotten Yes, I left you with no choice of staying And you left me with no choice of believing. A slipper I am, a slipper you are But could we be a couple slippers that stick together?
Be a pair with the same color and texture And walks together under the sun and snow. But then, one day I took a way like chalk and cheese And left you blue and drag you into pieces I lost my track and couldn’t find the way back A slipper needs to find its brace to fill the lack. I was home at last and was truly happy Until I saw you paired with somebody You were giggling and happy too just as me But I turned pale, sick, and lonely. You changed color and you were new too You look so branded and genuine leathered My old pair who was then soft and delicate Now became brawny, lofty, and rigid. Oh, my slipper pair, where did you go? I know you’re just around the corner inside this store Please show yourself and be not afraid For the pair you longingly waited has reappeared. Oh, slipper pair, please be with me again I know I’m not branded just like your new lover thing But this is who we are, a pair of each other That we are made perfectly with the same shape, texture, and color. Slipper pair, I’ll wait for you until you come back I’ll wait for you behind the door standing strong I’ll wait for you like you have waited for my return But I won’t look for a pair while you’re far from here. 11 7
Graphics by samantha "celesse" whitthen, freelance graphic designer
Gig gling Gigi and the B a bbl i n g B at Poem and Illustration By Gloria Concepcion H. Moralidad
One day, they were together – you can tell something’s wrong, The whole town couldn’t stop twitching all day, all long. The noise was too much, oh too much! Have you seen a pair like that, like Elder: Now here’s something I like to such? share while we eat. Gather around, good folks, and take Well twiddle, diddle, fwiddle, diddleea seat! do! Ah, here’s a story I know so well – They could give you nightmares, oh yes I remember it far so long as I can tell. that too, You’d forget what you’re doing or There was once a maiden – you can where you’re at, tell something’s wrong, When you see Giggling Gigi with the She would giggle and giggle all day, Babbling Bat! all long. Her name was Gigi, oh the giggling Once, they wandered far out of town – girl! you can tell something’s wrong, She could make heads spin and could They were picking up berries all day, make minds twirl! all long. But their noise woke a monstrous giant Now, outside Gigi’s town – you can tell from its sleep! something’s wrong, Angrily, he took them away in his cave One animal would babble all day, all so deep! long. It was a bat! Oh, a babbling bat! Oh, twiddle, diddle, fwiddle, didleeYou better run rather than facing that! do! They could give you nightmares, oh yes Well twiddle, diddle, fwiddle, diddleethat too! do! They were taken away, sadly that’s They could give you nightmares, oh yes true.. that too, For the mean, ugly Giant wanted them You’d forget what you’re doing or for his midnight stew! where you’re at, When you see Giggling Gigi with the In his cave, he put them in his big Babbling Bat! cooking pot, the CEntRALeCHO
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PrOse&PoEtRy Gladly he didn’t pour water in and boil The noise was something the Giant would have to rid! it hot! Since the Giant was still tired from He opened the lid and crossly he terrorizing a different town, growled, He slumped on his bed of rocks and He expected them to be scared but laid his head down. instead he was appalled! Giggling Gigi and the Babbling Bat Gigi was still giggling and the Bat babbling like before, heard the Giant snore. They took this as their chance of So the Giant dropped the lid and covered his ears to hear the noise no escaping; what’re they waiting for? more. The pot was open, so the Bat flew out to find a rope – That rope was for Gigi, she couldn’t fly Still his head spun and his mind twirled! The noise was overbearing; his gaze had but only hope! just whirled. So out they were from the cooking pot, He better run and forget the stew rather than facing that, But they were still making noises; they He didn’t know who he was dealing couldn’t stop! with, but t’was Giggling Gigi and the The Giant grumbled and mumbled in Babbling Bat! his sleep. He twitched and stretched then opened Well twiddle, diddle, fwiddle, didlee-do! an eye to peep. They could give you nightmares, oh yes that too, He saw them running towards the You’d forget what you’re doing or where entrance of the cave, you’re at, And a loud roar, before he chased When you’re facing Giggling Gigi and them, he gave! the Babbling Bat! Gigi and the Bat were startled; they started to run with fright, They have to get out of the cave and The Giant did not hesitate to run somewhere far away, out of this Giant’s sight! Because of Gigi and the Bat in that place, he just couldn’t stay! Unfortunately, the Giant scooped them Where he did go was somewhere before they reached the opening, everybody surely didn’t know, As so, he loudly laughed while Gigi But after the incident, something and the Bat were kicking! happened and it’d be nice to show... He put them back in the cooking pot once more, And put a lid on it so they couldn’t News of a Giant destroying towns was heard no more, escape anymore. Even Gigi’s and the Bat’s noise weren’t so disturbing like before. Strangely enough, Gigi was still But you couldn’t say all the giggles and giggling, babbles were all gone, And oh, you could hear the Bat For Gigi would still giggle and the Bat babbling! would babble when occasions would Their noise echoed and muffled come. because of the lid, 11 9
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Prose&Poetry SAVED By Raphael Mark P. Batan
Google Images
I was burnt but i rose from the ashes he held my hand i was drenched in the rain, yet he covered me kept me warm in the cold I may be thrown in the wilderness bread and water i have none but his words are a lamp unto my feet a light unto my path I’ve been hypnotized by the world’s pleasures but You accepted my anyway showered me with mercy I’ve fallen in the arms of slavery but You freed me from the chains redeemed me from death Yes you are invincible but never far from me tempt me in the desert but in Your pillars i’ll never lose my grip
Broken Vow By Jasmin P.
The crown of thorns in your head the heavy cross you had in streets of suffering you trudged ‘cause of me for in your love i’m saved
Photo by kawaiimon
When we two parted In silence and tears, Half broken-hearted To sever for years, Pale grew thy cheek and cold, Colder thy kiss; Truly that hour foretold Sorrow to this. The dew of the morning Sunk chill on my brow— It felt like the warning Of what I feel now. Thy vows are all broken, And light is thy fame; I hear thy name spoken, And share in its shame. They name thee before me, A knell to mine ear; A shudder comes o’er me— Why wert thou so dear? They know not I knew thee, Who knew thee too well:— Long, long shall I rue thee, Too deeply to tell. 12 0
Dasal ng Isang Kawatan
Ito ay gagawin kong legal na kalakal Ipaalala sa akin na mas karapatdapat sa akin ang mga Aba, ginoong dolyar pera Sa Swiss Bank ikaw ay ipinundar Hindi sa mga pulubi sa bangketa Palaguin ninyo ang kaban ng bayan Ako ay bigyan ninyo nang lakas Nang ako ay lalo pang yumaman Sa mga gagawin ko pang mga Bigyan ninyo ako ng lakas laban sa kasalanan, ngayon hanggang tukso wakas Nang huwag gumaya kay Panlilio Ako ay gabayan ninyo sa mga Marami ang gusto hadlangan ang makabagong panlilinlang aking mga hangarin Ito ay gagamitin ko sa kapwa ko Ipaalala sa kanilang sila ay kagaya nilalang ko rin Patawad sa aking mga kasalanan Ang konsiyensya ko Kung ako ay suwail minsan Gawin ninyong bato Pumapasok ako sa simbahan Ang pagyurak ko sa dangal Ito ay hindi ninyo tirahan Ito ay alay ko sa pangalan mong Patawad sa pag sabi ko nang totoo mahal Alam kong ito ay labag sa turo ninyo Ang pagpatay ko nang kapwa ko tao Patawad kung nagbibigay ako sa Ito ay alay ko, dolyar ko mga pulubi Ang pagbenta ko sa mga babae sa Alam kong wala itong silbi kanto At higit sa lahat, patawad kung hindi Ito ay para sa karangalan mo ako garapal Ang mga bawal na gamot na aking Kailangan ko nang mukhang mas ibinebenta makapal Mapunta sana sa madla, lalo na sa Ito ang aking dasal mga bata Sa mukha na makikita sa dolyar, piso. Nawa ang aking mga berdugo Hindi mahuli ng kapwa ko ( Note: the first two lines were taken from Pol Medina, Bigyan ninyo ako nang bagong sugal Jr.’s Pugad Baboy 20) By: Arthurus Rex
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
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THISISMYSTORY “When i grow up, i want to be a doctor.”
T
By Pamela Joy Agtoto
hose simple words i recited during our kindergarten presentation marked in my mind. That even in my small world, I have this dream that someday, when I’m old enough, I’ll have my own stethoscope and cure the sick. It was a childhood dream; and I believe that though I’m young, too small to thrive in the big world of competence, I know what I want to be, I want to be a doctor, and I will be a doctor. That dream was shattered by a doctor’s appointment four years after that kindergarten presentation. It was on my second grade when my parents brought me along to meet my doctor to tell us about something important; “Chronic Mylogenous Leukemia”. I don’t exactly understand what it was. As if that finding is so big for a young kid like me to grasp. But my parent’s faces told me that it’s not something good and it was not. The doctor said, I couldn’t reach twelve when I die. I was eight then. I’ll never be a doctor.
The CENTRALECHO
But my parents didn’t give me up. My Pedia told them that the prognosis of my cases in only a slight chance of living, but to some extent, with medication, I could stay a little longer. And that’s where our family and our lives started to change. My father has to work hard to sustain my medications. And all of our family savings went to the hospital and medicine, but yet, the doctor said those expenses will just add months to my life, not to cure me. We tried for marrow transplant but my siblings were so young then so we settled for stem cell planting and radiation therapy. Years later, test showed that none of my siblings is compatible for transplant and several complications that will kill me arose from radiation therapy. So we settled for blood transfusion and Lumbar Puncture which are more painful and made my chance of survival meager. Yet, my parents told me not to stop reaching for my dreams, as long as I, I can fight, I have to. So I did, believing that someday, I’ll recover, and then I could live
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PrOse&PoEtRy to the outmost of my capability and be But I’m here; I’m alive, fighting and hurdling. what I want to be. If I couldn’t be a doctor I got a one-year course certificate last then, still I could be thankful if I die thriving year and now I am on my freshman year in college, holding on to my childhood dream for that childhood dream. For years, I became a regular guest of becoming a doctor. When the doctor said I don’t have in ER and in my doctor’s clinic. Hospital became my frequent hangout place and I much time to live, I could just stop pursuing became so familiar with everything about my dreams, cry and wait till I die. We don’t the hospital. I tried staying on a hospital hold the circumstances in our lives but it’s up bed for 27 days. My medication routines to us on how we would deal it. Knowing that I don’t have time to live had been so familiar that we barely notice that four years had already passed. much slap the reality in my face that I may Nothing was left in our savings and lots of die tomorrow. But I took it as a reminder properties were sold for my expenses, but that I have to live life to the fullest and to nothing happened. The cancer cells were cherish every second that I have. I could have point my fingers to God still there, and they will kill me anytime. But what was significant in the first why out of the million in this world, I am the four years of my battle is that I hit a one who is suffering from this disease. But milestone; I graduated from elementary, I realized I should be thankful for Him of that was relieving, that when I die, at least, giving this chance to see the beauty of life. I could have quit, but I realized that I I had a diploma. The prognosis was wrong, I didn’t have to make use of every time that I have. I could have been bitter, but I realized die at the age of twelve, and that gave us hope, that I could still hurdle more. To that bitterness is a choice, and that life is accomplish something, if possible, get that too short to waste for mourning over the things I can do if I could have spent it to MD title for my name. High School, I settled to force my something worth it. Still, I am battling with leukemia. I mind to do something better. For me to leave a legacy, so I strived more. But don’t know if I’ll be able to get that MD my battle against leukemia was getting title for myself or if I could still live in the worse. More frequent hospital routines and next months or years. But at least, I lived blood transfer. And that makes me wonder if I still have my very own We don’t hold the blood in my body. I miss many circumstances in our lives things. Btu I have to fight, I have to. but it’s up to us on how we Another four years passed would deal it. after that prognosis during my second grade, I acquired my high school diploma. I was living by grace and life to the fullest. I smiled, I laugh, I made by faith the divine providence will sustain wonderful friendships, I discovered many me. And if he calls me home, at least, I had things and I tried running the race till the two diplomas and plenty medals during last breath of my life. Because life is not about how long my life. Cancer shattered my dreams when I we are living but it’s about how we value was only 8, now I’m turning 18. Ten years every moment and cherish every single of living by grace, out of the grace period. chapter of it. 12 3
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
The
Might-Be Loss
of
I
by Abi Vilches
ran the length of the hospital corridor in what seemed to be hours – years really, a lifetime – when in truth it was so short, it took mere seconds to reach the emergency room. As soon as I got through the swinging doors, I scanned the beds, looking for a man who resembled my father. It took a while for me to spot him. He was sitting in a wheelchair, half of his face covered with an oxygen mask. Earlier, I could not get to him fast enough, but this time, it took some energy to walk the remaining distance that separated us. Before I could reach him, our helper met me to explain what had transpired. He had fallen asleep at ten that morning and when he woke up about an hour later, he was already covered in his own vomit. She couldn’t help but add, “Where have you been? I have been calling you. Your tatay has been looking for you.” I could hear the reproach and the apprehension in her voice for what might have happened. I was of course in class and did not hear my phone ring. But that seemed such a lame excuse that I just nodded my head, squeezed her hand, and walked towards my father. He looked up as soon as I stood next to his chair. He was not pale; his face was ashen. I could see through the oxygen mask that his lips had turned blue. He Google Images The CENTRALECHO
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Prose&Poetry labored as he breathed. I took his icecold hands into mine and squeezed them hard. But his eyes, they were the ones that took my breath away. They were filled with fear. They were begging me to assure him that from then on everything would be alright. I hugged him tight. It was as much to comfort him as to hide the dread that swiftly stabbed my heart. Later that night, as he lay in the hospital bed lulled to sleep by a combination of exhaustion and prescribed sleeping pills, I noticed how old Tatay was. It wasn’t really the first time that I became aware of such a fact; it was just the first time I came to appreciate the reality of such a fact. My parents were old. And they would get older and weaker until the inevitable was going to happen. Few of us are really aware that our parents are just like other people. I once read in an essay written by Russell Baker that -we think of our parents differently. It is such a foolish and innocent idea but our parents never become frail or break like other people. I thought like that. My parents were invincible. For years, our parents’ lives revolved around only two things – the church and our family. Now that all of us are grown and some have even left home, our parents have started reminiscing about the past. Sometimes, in the middle of dinner, Tatay would tell us about his childhood days in Guimaras, carefree free years when he would go hunting for birds with his brothers and friends, when my lolo or lola would fetch him, ready to punish him with a braid of rope for forgetting to bring home the carabao from the fields. The braided rope must have
burned against his skin, but Tatay would recall such incidents with a fond smile on his lips. Nanay would likewise recollect those days when she would wake up at the break of dawn and cook rice over the sirin (a kind of stove that used sawdust as its fuel) or when she would spend her Saturdays doing the laundry with her older sister for all the members of their family. Those years of toil had certainly honed my mother into the kind of person she is – unafraid of hard work. Nanay knows everything – from cleaning fish to butchering chicken. I remember when I was about eight years old that I did not want to grow up and get married because I thought I had to catch and dress my own chicken. Whenever my parents would hark back to the days gone by, I realize how much of a stranger they were to me. They have not always my parents. They did not sprout into this world as 40-year-olds already filled with wisdom and experience. They had journeyed through the same path I have trodden and am travelling now. They had their own dreams, their own desires, their own love affairs, and they made their own mistakes. Every time I think of this, I experience a kind of discomfort in my heart. I feel that I have not given them enough of my time; I have not really sat down to listen to them, hear their stories, get to know them. Their past, no matter how alien it may be to me, is my own past. No, there is no need to wait. There is no time to wait. I have seen my father gray and ashen, I have known the fear of the might-be of loss. I can find the time to listen; I can find the time to know my parents before time steals them away from me.
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
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Two short one-act plays By Reyshimar C. Arguelles Gloria Concepcion H. Moralidad
P
alanca Award winner Jesus Peralta explores family ties set against the eroding values of modern life in his sentimental work “Play the Judas.” Presented during the College of Arts and Sciences Day last February, the play is the Prima Galaw Theatre Group’s part in popularizing national literature to younger audiences. And indeed, the theme of this performance does not stray far from the experiences of today’s youth. It opens with a man, who is later revealed to be the father (Raymund Vincent Javier), wandering in some destitute part of the metropolis, rendered under highly saturated red lights turned vindictive with the low and foreboding melodies of an orchestra. A seductive lady teases him before they set out into
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the darkness for all the earthly reasons. A figure from afar watches this scandalous display with downright resentment; an emotion that only a son bearing witness to his father’s misdeed can express. Ruben (Nikko Chua) darts home in a rage, killing the two doves he had received as birthday presents from his father. Ruben’s brother, Conrado (played by Earl Andrew Camara [for the morning performance] and Ramon Michael Vincent Feliciano [for the evening performance]) steps outside and finds his father, wide awake in the late night air which poses an unfavorable atmosphere to someone his age. He worries for Ruben, whom he awaits for his return. Conrado sets out for his sibling, only to find fresh evidence of the crime he has committed: the wrenched necks of the doves. The two then engage in heated exchanges. Conrado tries to
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Photo by Iloilo Prima Galaw
Play the Judas
knock some sense into Ruben while the latter maintains his callousness with which he seeks the rifts his father has caused. Their argument builds up into discussions encompassing the values of family, of Filipino ethical matters, and what matters in family and faith in family. In the end, the doves are buried by the father; a heartfelt image of a passing time, of family conceding to the eccentric flux of time. Dog-eaters
I
t was clearly a “ruff” neighborhood as Leoncio P. Deriada's play Dog-eaters pawed Iloilo Prima Galaw to take us where men of Artiaga Street stew dogs for consumption. The lot leads us to Victor (played by Nikko Chua) and Mariana (Flora Mae Barredo), a married couple on the verge of breaking up and suffering from dire poverty. Mariana uneasily looked outside the street while throwing a glare back to her husband who was preparing to leave. The dog-eaters of Artiaga Street beckoned Victor to join them again for more rounds of dog stew. Mariana sniped at her husband for joining those “filthy”men and Victor remarked back, defending his friends. In between of their arguments, a piercing cry broke out and Mariana, still hurling contemptuous glances and words to Victor and his friends, rushed at the side of her baby. She remarked to her husband to do something more purposeful instead of eating dog's meat for a change, exclaiming that people who eat dogs have their manners gone to the dogs. Meanwhile, Victor looked amused, calming his wife down. But Mariana wasn't, and even threatened to kill and cook their dog, Ramir, whom Victor adored so much. That struck her husband, who told her sternly to leave Ramir alone, and turned his back on her, stepping out the house.
That totally fumed the alreadystricken Mariana, who leaned out of the window and shouted to the men gathered in front of the street to leave her husband alone, calling them a pack of dogs. She then eyed the details of the room, contemplating her life's state. Mariana placed both of her hands on her belly after feeling a small stir inside of her womb. She didn't want another baby. She already have one, and raising another in their poor condition would be difficult. Moments later, an invisible Ramir barked and bared his fangs at someone whose trying to get inside of their house. Aling Elpidia (played by Uzi Jen Demegillo), the vegetable and fish vendor, popped in, holding her basket for a sense of security and stated with nervous clamor that the dog might bite her. Mariana held the canine's leash, though the dog resisted before it finally stopped barking and composed itself. The two chatted as Mariana vented out her problems with Victor to the vendor. Aling Elpidia brought with her Mariana's day supply of vegetables and fish and a herbal liquid that helps abort the baby. After Aling Elpidia left, Victor went back to the house where he had another argument with his wife. Upon discovering the liquid, the couple grappled for a hold on the bottle. Victor finally took it from Mariana where he threw it. Mariana went ballistic and threatened Victor that she will find other means to kill their baby. She pound him on the chest screaming at her husband to get out of the house. Victor left, leaving Mariana once more. Suddenly, Ramir barked. Probably a mad thought crossed her mind, for Mariana wrestled with the dog, stabbed it with a kitchen knife and cooked it. Later, she served “Ramir” to the unsuspecting Victor. After a few taste and all, Victor held his wife in his arms and both laughed deliriously as they walked away into the darkness.
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
mOvIe&SITCOM
M vIE vIEPREVIEW PREVIEW Compiled By Gloria Concepcion H. Moralidad From Movie Insider and IMDb
September 2012 Resident Evil: Retribution The Umbrella Corporation’s deadly T-virus continues to ravage the Earth, transforming the global population into legions of the flesh eating Undead. Aided by newfound allies and familiar friends, Alice must fight to survive long enough to escape a hostile world on the brink of oblivion. The countdown has begun. Hotel Transylvania Where monster go to get away from it all. Synopsis: Welcome to the Hotel Transylvania, Dracula’s lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula has invited some of the world’s most famous monsters – Frankenstein and his bride, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, a family of werewolves, and more – to celebrate his daughter Mavis’s 118th birthday. For Drac, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem – but his world could come crashing down when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis. 12 8
october 2012 Frankenweenie From creative genius Tim Burton comes Frankenweenie, a tale about a boy and his dog. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life—with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new “leash on life” can be monstrous. November 2012 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 In the highly anticipated next chapter of the blockbuster The Twilight Saga, the newfound married bliss of Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen is cut short when a series of betrayals and misfortunes threatens to destroy their world. The arrival of their remarkable daughter, Renesmee, sets in motion a perilous chain of events that pits the Cullens and their allies against the Volturi, the fearsome council of vampire leaders, setting the stage for an all-out battle.
Rise of the Guardians “Rise of the Guardians” tells the story of a group of well-known childhood heroes (Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost and Sandman) – each with their own extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit known as Pitch (also known as The Boogeyman) lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.
r’s ito e Ed hoic C
december 2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey This prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy follows Bilbo Baggins, an upstanding member of the “little people,” on the hazardous journey with Gandalf the Grey. Together with 13 fortune-seeking dwarves, Bilbo Baggins will be swept out his door and into a dangerous but grand adventure and wins a magical ring. The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby follows would-be writer Nick Carraway as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super-rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within
and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.
secret to those close to his heart. Each episode is based on the Grimm Brothers’ stories, general fairytales, myths and legends.
GRIMM fantasy/ Horror/ drama Remember the fairy tales your parents used to tell you before bedtime? Those weren’t stories -- they were warnings. Once upon a crime, Nick Burkhardt thought he prepared himself for the realities of working as a homicide detective until he started seeing things he couldn’t quite explain. When his ailing Aunt Marie arrives, Nick’s life turns upside down when she reveals they are descendants of an elite group of hunters, from the bloodline of the Brothers Grimm, who fight to keep the balance of humanity safe from the supernatural creatures of the world. On Nick’s track are the Grimm Reapers, a secret society devoted to the elimination of the Grimms. Nick realizes that he will have to shoulder the responsibility of his ancestors, while keeping this
SUITS B L es Legal drama Draegalt On the run ma from a drug deal gone bad, Mike Ross, a brilliant college-dropout, finds himself a job working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City’s best lawyers. Harvey Specter is one of New York City’s top attorneys who has recently been promoted to senior partner at his firm, and is forced by company policy to hire an associate. After an accidental interview with Mike, Harvey is impressed by the younger man’s quick wits, his encyclopedic knowledge of the law, and his genuine desire to be an attorney, and hires him. Due to the fact that Mike lacks a law degree, and because the firm exclusively hires Harvard alumni, they both pretend that Mike is a Harvard graduate.
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Sitcom Comedy 2013 Set in Manhattan, t s Be edy this story follows the Jack the Giant Killer m o C Hansel and Gretel: social and romantic Witch Hunters lives of Ted Mosby A Good Day to Die Hard and his friends Marshall Eriksen, Robin Scherbatsky, Despicable Me 2 Lily Aldrin and Barney Monsters University Stinson. As a framing device, Fast and Furious 6 the main character, Ted, in The Hangover: Part III the year 2030 recounts to Iron Man 3 his son and his daughter E the events that led to his Chditor oic ’s meeting their mother. TvSERIES e
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Point&press
GAMEPREVIEW
Release date: Summer of 2012
T
he award-winning action RPG is back, bigger, bolder, and better than ever. Torchlight II (sequel to Runics’s 2009 ARPG, Torchlight) takes you once more into the quirky, fast-paced world of vicious monsters, bountiful treasures, and menacing secrets - and, once again, the face of the world relies in you. Torchlight II captures all the flavor and excitement of the original gamewhile expanding the world and adding the features universal fans plead for: online and LAN co-op multiplayer. The game will feature four playable character classes. The (a) Engineer, a heavy melee fighter who
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uses ember-powered steampunk technology; the (b) Outlander, a wandering nomad who uses ranged weapons and "low magic"; the (c) Berserker uses quick attacks and animal-themed special powers; and the (d) Embermage, a highly trained spell-casting class with elemental attacks. All new pets to choose from for your saga includes, the wolf, panther, domestic cat, hawk, chakawary, bulldog, and some unannounced pets. It’s new user interface, the open world, the game plus, customizable character, multiplayer, and moddability features will surely hook you down!
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Doodle&ScriBble
A True Story Illustration by Reyshimar C. Arguelles
And this is crazy!
Hey! I just met you…
Expel him Teddy!
You stole my photos!
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Point&Shoot
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Official Statement of Mr. Reyshimar C. Arguelles for Mrs. Valerie L. Caulin
I
n response to the complaint Mrs. Valerie Lumanog-Caulin presented against me, the Central Echo, and Central Philippine University, I would like to present the following points. I am accused of deliberately using her photos of Madge Café for my article last year entitled “Madge Café: Iloilo in a Cup” without her permission. I was credited for all the photos present in the said article. I want to point out that I also took photos of the establishment, two of which were used for the article. Mr. Jo Jan Paul Peñol, the associate editor last year,at one point, said that he would also be taking pictures of the establishment. The final layout presented photos that I took and three others that I was not entirely familiar with. I surmised that those photos were taken by Mr. Peñol and I left it at that, forI was too engrossed in my tasks for the completion of the CE tabloid. Given the said circumstances,I would like to apologize for my oversight, an HONEST MISTAKE, but not a deliberate act of stealing somebody else’s photograph for personal gain or glory. I regret the irresponsible deed, but I have learned my lesson the hard way. It was noted that before conferring with us, Mrs. Caulin posted the issue on her blogsite, stating that the act was done deliberately. In fact, her blog posts regarding our “deliberate act of plagiarism” are still online as of press time. As long as they are there, they will continue to disparage my reputation and that of Central Echo and Central Philippine University. I hope that Mrs. Caulin would seriously consider removing those defamatory posts as they could be grounds for libel charges against her. We have invited her to talk with us and put this issue to an end, but so far we have yet to receive a favorable response from her. Again, I would like to apologize for the unintentional slip in judgment, Mrs. Caulin, and as Jesus has forgiven even the worst of sinners, may you have the grace to accept my sincere apology. 14 0
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
Photo source www.valcaulin.com/article/did-reyhimar-c-arguellescommit-plagiarism/2626
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Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 • April - June 2012
5TH PLACE SMART ONLINE BLOGSITE COMPETITION COLLEGE PRESS CONFERENCE 2012 AWARDS
2ND PLACE - BEST SPORTS PAGE 2ND PLACE - BEST NEWSPAPER LAYOUT 3RD PLACE - BEST NEWSPAPER 4TH PLACE - BEST EDITORIAL PAGE COLLEGE PRESS CONFERENCE 2012 AWARDS
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COLLEGE PRESS CONFERENCE 2012 AWARDS INdIVIduAl WRITING CONTESTS RANIEL PONTERAS 3rd Place, Editorial Writing (English) REYSHIMAR ARGUELLES 4th Place, Editorial Cartooning
thE CEntRALeCHO would like to thank its loyal contributors and avid readers for making us one of the best university publications in Western Visayas. Let us continue to bring forth the best in us for the Central Echo. We are now accepting your valuable contribution/s for the next issues to follow. send your articles to central. echo@gmail.com Visit us online at:Â www.thecentralecho. journ.ph
5TH PLACE - BEST MAGAZINE LAYOUT COLLEGE PRESS CONFERENCE 2012 AWARDS 14 5
Official Financial Statement for 1st and 2nd Semesters Academic Year 2011-2012 First Semester Total Number of Enrollees Publication Fee per Student Total Amount
9,579 80.00 766, 320.00
Second Semester Total Number of Enrollees Publication Fee per Student Total Amount
8,868 80 .00 709,440.00
Total budget for First Semester .................... 766, 320.00
Total budget for Second Semester ................. 709,440.00
Breakdown of Actual Expenses
Breakdown of Actual Expenses
A. PublICATION COST ................................... 586,525.00
A. PublICATION COST ................................... 510,080.00
Tabloid Newsletter Magazine Literary Folio Wallnews
98,750.00 21, 200.00 308, 000.00 136,735.00 21,840.00
Folio Tabloid Wallnews
b. STAFF HONORARIuM................................... 17,920.00
b. STAFF HONORARIuM................................... 14,592.00 Editor-in-Chief (Raniel C. Ponteras) Associate Editor (Jo Jan Paul J. Pe単ol) Managing Editor (Airon B. Buenvenida)
4,608.00 5,376.00 4,608.00
Editor-in-Chief (Raniel C. Ponteras) Associate Editor (Jo Jan Paul J. Pe単ol) Managing Editor (Airon B. Buenvenida)
22, 697.60 4,312.25 2,288.00 9,356.00 2,278.00 15,242.25
d. PROJECTS ANd OuTREACH .......................... 51,978.00 CE Literary Awards 50, 009.00 Outreach activity 1,969.00
6,656.00 5,376.00 5,888.00
C. OPERATING EXPENSES ................................. 57,551.95
C. OPERATING EXPENSES ................................. 56,173.85 Staff Development Office Supplies and Equipment Transportation Food and Snacks Communication Miscellaneous
425,740.00 62,500.00 21,840.00
Staff Development Office Supplies and Equipment Transportation Food and Snacks Communication Miscellaneous
18,002.63 8,589.45 4,226.50 18,553.00 1,480.00 6,701.00
d. PROJECTS ANd OuTREACH ......................... 50, 009.00 CE Journalism Summit
50, 009.00
TOTAL OF ACTUAL EXPENSES ........... 635,560.95
TOTAL OF ACTUAL EXPENSES ........... 709,268.00 Submitted by:
Noted by:
Approved by:
AIRON b. buENVENIdA Managing Editor
REA ANGElICA F. VIllEZA Adviser
dR. FlORENCE P. bOGACIA VP for Finance and Enterprise
RANIEl C. PONTERAS Editor-in-Chief
ESTHER ROSE A. ROMARATE Adviser
dR. TEOdORO C. ROblES University President
*The approved budget does not reflect deductions of allowances for bad debts and administrative fee. *If the publication cost will increase, the supplemental budget will be sourced from the Central Echo Trust Fund. the CEntRALeCHO
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Total Number of Enrollees Publication Fee per Student Total Amount (less: 10% Allowance for Bad Debts) (less: 5% Administrative Fee)
9,922 80 .00 793,760.00 79,376.00 39,688.00
Total budget for Second Semester ................. 674,696.00 Breakdown of Actual Expenses A. PublICATION COST ................................... 576,736.00 Magazine, Newspaper, Wallnews b. STAFF SCHOlARSHIP ................................... 15,360.00 Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Managing Editor
6,144.00 3,840.00 5,376.00
C. OPERATING EXPENSES ................................. 80,788.00 Staff Development Office Supplies and Equipment Transportation Food and Snacks Communication Miscellaneous Contingency
25,000.00 15,000.00 5,000.00 18,000.00 3,600.00 5,000.00 9,188.00
d. PROJECTS ANd OuTREACH .......................... 10,000.00 Outreach Activity
10,000.00
TOTAL PROJECTED EXPENSES........... 674,696.00 Submitted by:
Noted by:
AIRON b. buENVENIdA Managing Editor
REA ANGElICA F. VIllEZA Adviser
JO JAN PAul J. PEﾃ前l Editor-in-Chief
ESTHER ROSE A. ROMARATE Adviser
CeNTrALeCHO
Proposed Budget for 1st Semester Academic Year 2012-2013
Approved by: dR. FlORENCE P. bOGACIA VP for Finance and Enterprise
dR. TEOdORO C. ROblES University President 14 7
Vol. 102, Issue no. 7 窶｢ April - June 2012
CentralEcho
Official Publication of Central Philippine University
Be heard! Be the change you want to see in CE Articles or topics you like in this issue:
Miss Saigon Articles or topics you would like to read in the next CE issue:
a broadway musical September 5-7 Colegio de San Jose Auditorium, Jaro, Iloilo City Don’t miss this renowned performance! Comments and suggestions:
Cut along the lines and drop this in the CE suggestion box at the entrance of Uy Building
For inquiries and reservations, contact: 0333963074 09158515033 09296484968