El Obrero Section A

El Obrero

Vol. V ▪ No. 1 June–September 2011

“Writing is prayer.”

The official student publication of Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High School, National Highway, Poblacion, Sindangan, 7112 Zamboanga del Norte, Region IX

Welcome to SJCSI!!

ffective Aug. 19, the school was renamed Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc. (SJCSI). Per Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration, SJCSI uses hereafter its official amended corporate name. The amended articles of incorporation of SJCSI were adopted by the board of directors and members on June 7, 2010, and approved by SEC on Aug. 19, 2011. The logo was redesigned to show the amended name and the year of establishment. (PR)

SJCSI hires nine teachers

o cope with the increase in enrolment this school year and to handle the student publications, Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.– High School employed eight full-time and one part-time high school teachers. Fretzell A. Actub, IV-San Lorenzo Ruiz adviser, teaches physics and mathematics. Actub has a diploma in electrical engineering technology (2006) and a bachelor‘s degree in engineering technology management (2008) from Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City. Lourdes A. Amit, III-St. Augustine adviser, graduated with a degree in secondary education, major in mathematics (2004), from Jose Rizal Memorial State University, Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte .

Teachers A6

A boost to the cause of life

Community holds pro-life rally M

ore than two thousand students and faculty from Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc., townsfolk, members of faith-based groups from neighboring towns, and the clergy converged for the Walk for Life and forum at the gym, June 29. The participants carried placards with life-affirming slogans and messages of opposition to the reproductive health and divorce bills as they went around the town center at 9 a.m. The pro-lifers then proceeded to the SJCSI gym for the program and forum. Richard Aliser, a religious studies teacher, led the Rosary for Life and the praying of the Oratio Imperata for the rejection of the RH Bill. During the forum, Msgr. Jose R. Manguiran, D.D., tackled on the stand of the church on the controversy caused by the proposed reproductive health and divorce bills. Jan Louenn Lumanta, an economics instructor and law student, lambasted corruption in the

Walk for Life. Students and faculty from Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc., residents, faith-based groups, and the clergy carry placards with life-affirming slogans around the town center. government, not the population growth, as the cause of poverty. Dr. April Lopez dealt with the side effects of using artificial methods to deliberately prevent pregnancy.

A Guinness World Record

hat Junrey Balawing—a Sindanganon teenager from Brgy. Imelda—lacks in height, he makes up for in fame.

Balawing was officially certified by the Guinness World Records as the shortest living man in the world at .5993 m tall when he turned 18 on June 12. Balawing broke the record

of Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal who is 0.67 m tall. From his looks, Balawing may be mistaken for an infant but he is the eldest of four siblings from a Subanen family.

ourteen staff members of El Obrero and Ang Manggagawa will attend the Provincial Schools Press Conference in Dipolog City, Nov. 16–18.

Scribes A6

Community Maumag in our midst

Guinness World Record. Craig Glenday measures the height of Junrey Balawing at Sindangan Rural Health Center.

According to Reynaldo Balawing, a blacksmith, his son stopped growing in his first year. His speech is stunted and his conversations are only short phrases. His condition prevents him from attending school. Balawing mostly stays at home under the care of Concepcion, his mother. He needs assistance to move around because he cannot stand for a long time. Balawing was always sick at age two, and the doctors could not find any medical remedy. The Guinness team, led by editor-in-chief Craig Glenday, measured Balawing six times both vertically and horizontally before handing him a framed certificate at Sindangan Municipal Hall. ―While we need to maintain a scientific, dispassionate approach to documenting record claimants, it is impossible not to be moved by the plight of these incredible, brave human beings,‖ said Glenday. (Judee B. Garsuta)

Littéraire

Interview Mayor Nilo Sy: A Josephian leader

Travelogue The Camelot of Africa

Review Hispano– Philippine Stories

concluded the event with a prayer and mass singing. The other participants came from the parish groups of Siayan, Leon Postigo, and Brgy. Siare.(Cynthia K. J. Nazario)

SSC lines up projects

Sindanganon listed shortest living man

Scribes to join press confab

The student journalists will attend the lectures, discussions, and workshop sessions; and compete in the individual writing events and photojournalism in both English and Filipino media. The delegation from Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc. will include Mara Aubrey Sistine

Two families also shared their experiences in testimonies to the value of life and family. Msgr. Enrico Montano, V.F., a priest from Saint Joseph The Worker Parish of Sindangan,

he Supreme Student Council, through the leadership of Reymund Danielle U. Jugalbot, has lined up several projects for this school year. The council had recently bought eight trash bins and put them along the corridor. A mirror was installed in each restroom. SSC also repaired the perpetual banner for the overall champion of the intramural meet. For its major projects, SSC plans to construct benches under the trees and a covered walkway from the entrance to the administration building to protect the students and faculty from inclement weather. Since both undertakings require financing, the council is negotiating with the administration for financing counterpart. According to Michael Masalta, the newly appointed adviser, he expects good governance, transparency, and useful projects for the students‘ benefit. (Pamela Mennet V. Llorente) MatchPoint

Champs for the nth time

E A2 News

El Obrero │June–September 2011 Annual journalism seminar-workshop

Scribes reap writing, broadcasting plum

wenty-three student writers of El Obrero participated and won awards in the annual campus journalism seminar–workshop organized by the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club (ZNPC) at Sindangan National Agricultural School (SNAS) gym, July 23–24.

Cooperative learning. Maria Rizalie Enoy, a science teacher, monitors her groups of students while they complete the writing task.

The two-day training was composed of a lecture–workshop series on the different aspects of campus journalism given by the members of the press club. The topics included media law and ethics; news, editorial, feature, and sports writing; copyreading and headline writing, editorial cartooning, photojournalism, and radio broadcasting.

Faculty undergo multi-intel training

igh school teachers and college instructors participated in the seminar–workshop on differentiated instruction at the audio-visual room, July 1 and 5.

Dr. Rosalinda Baloria, vice -president for academic affairs of Saint Vincent‘s College, discussed differentiated teaching and assessments based on the multiple intelligences theory by Dr. Howard Gardner. The faculty worked on the learning style inventory, multiple intelligences survey, and R. Stenberg processing preferences. On the second day, Maria Rizalie D. Enoy, a science teacher, demonstrated on the process of observation. Participants were the 15 pre-selected freshmen who completed their group writing tasks and presented their output.

Enrolment up by 6%

Br. Rufinus Palen, FP, a religious studies teacher, presented an integrated lesson on the 10 Commandments. Elmira L. Colicol, an English instructor, presented a lesson on idiomatic expressions to 15 pre -selected college students. They worked in groups and displayed their posters with the literal interpretation of the idioms for the other groups to figure out the idiomatic expressions. Elizabeth A. Soledad, a mathematics teacher and guidance counselor, gave a lesson plan on the cause-effect relationship. Rhiza Mae T. Casalem, a Filipino teacher, incorporated a

Hiligaynon epic with a contemporary song for her lesson plan. Jessril Ruales, a socioanthro instructor, discussed the different social groups. Emerald A. Soledad from the business marketing department explained a lesson with various activities on advertising. Ranie Jamila, a physical education (MAPEH) teacher, provided a lesson plan on the benefits of physical fitness on health and the person‘s well-being. Maria Fatima M. Calizar, computer laboratory in-charge, discussed the development of computing devices. (Zekaina Rose F. Siasico)

SJCSI–HS Enrolment (2006–2011) 800 700

634

680

721

After each lecture, all participants wrote an article based on the given title or subject and in the medium of their choice. Reymund D. U. Jugalbot was awarded as the best anchor for radio broadcasting while the team composed of Yanessa S. Naval, Donalyn E. Aquino, Janine T. Jalosjos, Fruitelyn Apple A. Gamulo, and Mara Aubrey Sistine L. Escoreal was named as the best advertisement for radio. In the individual writing events–English category, Escoreal bagged the second place in news writing; William Andrew G. Bulaqueña won third places in editorial and sports writing; and Cynthia Kareen J. Nazario landed third place in copyreading and headline writing. In the Filipino category, Joelan M. Tongco grabbed the second place in sports writing while Francis J.T. Fuertes won the third place in editorial cartooning. For the group category, the scribes‘ entry (Ora et Labora) got the third place for photojournalism and layout–English. The 206 participants came from Saint Joseph College of Sin-

dangan, Inc., SNAS, and the national high schools of Sindangan, Siare, Siayan, Maras, Natividad, Gunyan, and Sibuco. The journalistic writing seminar is a regular activity of the club to help budding campus journalists hone their writing skills in preparation for the schools press conference from the division up to the regional and national levels. According to Rosemarie Patangan–Miranda, president of the ZNPC, the club has been doing their outreach program for more than two decades already; and a number of successful professionals are grateful of the training for inspiring them to read and cultivate their passion for writing. This year‘s seminarworkshop was the first time since the 1980s when the pupils from Sindangan Pilot Demonstration School and Mandih Central School also competed in the different writing events. The training was endorsed by the Department of Education and the American Embassy in Manila, which provided the cash prizes and trophies. (William A. G. Bulaqueña)

SJCSI celebrates Nutri Month

aint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High School observed the annual Nutrition Month in July with various activities relevant to the theme “Isulong ang Breastfeeding: Tama, Sapat at Eksklusibo.”

round 20 high school and college Campus Ministry (CM) volunteers visited Brgy. Tigbao during their first outreach program for this school year, June 2.

A parade around the town center kicked off the celebration on July 2. An opening program then followed where students presented their different talents. In the essay writing contest, 24 students developed an essay on this year‘s theme. Fila R. Dagomo, editor-in-chief of El Obrero, won the first prize for her write-up. For the slogan and postermaking contests, both top prizes went to Elda Mae P. Honungan and her group of junior students. Sidney Rico T. Rebollido, a senior, outdid the other seven contestants in the extemporaneous speaking contest in Filipino. During the culminating activity on July 29, the students sold fruits, vegetables, and foodstuff in their respective stalls. Parlor games were also

They distributed snacks, toys, and school supplies to preschool children. The goods were donated by students last March. According to Carol C. Salimbagat, head of the CM, the day care teachers were grateful since the pencils, pad papers, and bags would be needed for the opening of classes. The outreach program was organized in coordination with the college and high school student councils. The CM has already lined up activities for this school year. The volunteers held their community building and facilitating seminars and inter-school leadership training in June–August. Aside from the regular mass every Wednesday and first Friday of the month, the CM also

Egg relay contest. Roli V. Redoble (L) passes a hard-boiled egg to Mark Bryan G. Resuento (R) only with the spoon in their mouth.

600

The data gathered from Cristina S. Bajalan, principal, also revealed a consistent increase in enrolment during the past five school years. Out of the 721 students, 336 are male and 385 are female, representing 46.6 percent and 53.4 percent, respectively The breakdown per year level is as follows: Freshmen, 208; sophomores, 202; juniors, 148; and seniors, 163. According to Bajalan, ―SJCSI refrains from advertising but relies on the word-of-mouth endorsement by the alumni whose children are also enrolled here.‖ ―We also have transferees from nearby towns and a considerable number of new students from Bacungan and Siayan,‖ she added. The Education Service Contracting (ESC) agreement between the government and the school grants scholarship to 383 students, 115 of them are freshmen, who opted to pursue secondary education at a private school. ESC covers the tuition of each grantee for four years, but the students pay the differential. Seventy-two students avail of the Education Voucher System (EVS), which will be phased out in March 2014. (Pamela Mennet V. Llorente)

Number of Students

aint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High School enrolled 721 students, or 6 percent higher than the previous school year enrolment.

500

527

568

444

400 300 200 100

2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012

School Year Student population. A comparison of the enrolment during the past six school years reveals an annual rise in the number of students.

Community outreach program

Campus Ministry visits Tigbao

organizes the recollections for students enrolled in the different religious studies courses and retreat for the seniors. The CM also spearheads the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary every Sept. 8 as well as the opening and culminating activities for the Month of Rosary in October. The CM slated its Abot Alay sa Bilanggo, a visit to the prisoners at the municipal jail in Brgy. Misoc, on Oct. 30. For the second half of the school year, the CM will sponsor the mass for the Immaculate Conception, Handog Pamasko, and teachers‘ retreat set before the Christmas break. In 2012, CM will conduct the retreat for college students.  (Reymund D. U. Jugalbot)

held. The St. Theresians won both Maria Went to Town and egg relay races; St. Rita students, Vietnam War; and St. Christopher students, straw planting contest. Loryl Pelaez, IV-Rita, finished first in the banana-eating contest while Mark Ryan Salimbagat, IV-St. Agnes, ate all the pan de sal faster than the other students. In the Nutri Quiz, three students from each section composed a team. IV-St. Rita team of William Andrew G. Bulaqueña, Janine Claire T. Jalosjos, and Jasmin Rose A. Castillon amassed the most number of points from the three sets of questions. During the closing program, the newly formed dance troupe made their debut during the intermission. (Fruitelyn Apple A. Gamulo)

June–September 2011

│El Obrero

News A3

New7Wonders of Nature

DepEd joins drive for Palawan River

he Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has made it to the 28 official finalists for the global search of New7Wonders of Nature. As of press time, the Palawan River is one of the fastest growing entries based on the weekly voting trends. Br. Armin Luistro, FSC, secretary of the Department of Education, supported Presidential Proclamation No. 182 entitled ―Declaring a National and International Campaign for the Puerto Princesa Underground River as One of the Seven Wonders of Nature‖ when he issued a memorandum on July 7. In his memo, Secretary Luistro encourages the whole department to conduct activities and other initiatives to support the nationwide voting campaign. ―As a nation, what we lack in material wealth, we compensate with the richness of our natural resources; hence, we should take advantage of this by putting our country on top of the world,‖ according to Luistro. The Saint Paul‘s Subterranean River National Park is located 50 km north of Puerto Princesa City, the capital of Palawan. The park has a karst landscape, an irregular limestone region of sinkholes, underground river, and caverns. The main feature of the park is the 8.2-km-long navigable underground Cabayugan River

that winds through a cave before flowing directly into the disputed South China Sea or the ―West Philippine Sea.‖ The river includes major formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and several large chambers. The lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. At the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by old trees growing right to the water's edge. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels dwell at the beach near the cave. Over 10 million salanganes (cave swallows) and bats live in the cave. They contribute to the exceptional biodiversity within the river. Biological studies are still going on to determine if the underground river is one of the most complex, if not the most, karstic systems in the world. The site contains a full ―mountain-to-sea‖ ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia. The underground river was the world's longest until the discovery of subterranean river in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. It was inscribed by the

SJCSI observes Buwan ng Wika

ursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1041, series of 1997, Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High School celebrated the Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa in August. SJCSI held the slogan and poster-making contest on Aug. 8 to mark the first week of the month-long celebration. The poster designed by Reger Ed A. Caperig, Kathleen Mae E. Pormento, and Clint A. Morito of II-St. Christopher was adjudged as the most relevant to the theme ―Ang Filipino ay Wikang Panlahat, Ilaw at Lakas sa Tuwid na Landas.‖ The III-St. Therese team represented by Fila R. Dagomo, Mary Grace J. Parilla, and Meryl Aurece R. Enriquez won the slogan-making contest. For the culminating activity on Aug. 26, SJCSI held for the first time the Tagisan ng Talino at the gym. All 14 class sections were represented by three students each who went through the three levels of quizzes about the national lan-

guage and Philippine literature. The IV-St. Rita team composed of William Andrew G. Bulaqueña, Janine Claire T. Jalosjos, and Yanessa S. Naval led with 71 points, followed by IV-St. Agnes and III-St. Therese with 62 and 60 points, respectively. Also held on the last day was the talumpati contest where the oratorical pieces were centered on the importance of the national language. The panel of judges, chaired by Josephine Sanghilan from Sindangan National High School, declared Geraldson A. Crispo of IV-St. Rita as the best orator. Each year level staged a balagtasan. The participants debated on different topics related to the national language and Filipino traditions. (Jasmin Rose A. Castillon)

Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa. Ana Camille Pona leads the singing of “SJCSI Hymn” during the culminating program.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a World Heritage Site on Dec. 4, 1999. To vote for Palawan River, text PPUR to 2861 (all networks). You may log on to www. new7wonders.com and register to choose Puerto Princesa Underground River as your entry.  (William A. G. Bulaqueña)

―Habanera Botolena.” The seniors perform their award-winning folk dance during the literary–musical night at the college gym.

SJCSI holds annual literary–musical night

t was a showcase of Josephian talents in acoustics and vocals, literary arts and public speaking, and terpsichorean skills.

The annual literary– musical night on Sept. 9 capped the week-long 2011 Intramural Meet. For the musical category, the juniors won both the acoustics and vocal solo contests. The acoustics group was composed of Marc Caen C. Aricheta, flute and beatbox; Judee B. Garsuta, Anna Camille Pona, and John Mark Dalogdog, vocals; Franz Angelo Labadan and Heron Dumajel, guitars; and Meryl Aurece Enriquez, keyboard. Garsuta outdid Ryan G. Barrogo, a senior and previous year‘s winner, with her rendition of ―Sana’y Wala ng Wakas.‖

In the literary events, Pamela Mennet V. Llorente, I-St. Mary, was adjudged the best orator with her interpretation of the theme: ―Shine as Light in the World.‖ Reymund Danielle U. Jugalbot, senior; and Joyce Nicole T. Jalosjos, sophomore, tied for the second place. Jarrah Sophia B. Saile, junior, was the third placer. Meldrid B. Baculpo, also from I-St. Mary, retold the story of ―Little Red Riding Hood‖ that gave the freshmen their second win that evening. Sidney Rico T. Rebollido, senior; and Choly Marie A. Padayao, junior, were the second and

Literary–Musical Night Tally Contests/Year Levels Musical Acoustics Vocal Solo Literary Oration Storytelling Balak Dance Group Impersonation Folk Dance Ballroom Dance Hip-Hop

Ranking

third placers, respectively. For the balak contest, Billy Jun C. Albilda, II-St. Elizabeth, delivered his award-winning piece on ―Ang Imong Pagsubang Himoang Dan-ag sa Kalibutan.‖ Rhoian Erl Cabrera, senior; and Kaiser Ed S. Bayawa, junior, were the second and third placers. It was a big night for the seniors who earlier on that day topped the 2011 Intramural Meet Medal Tally, 27–25–9. For the dance category, the seniors swayed their way to a grand slam in the four events: ballroom dance, folk dance, group impersonation, and hip-hop.  (Cynthia Kareen J. Nazario)

News Briefs

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SJCSI fetes Nativity of Mary

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Promoting the rights of PWDs

DSWD marks Disability Week

he Office of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development initiated the observance of the 33rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week with activities for the differently abled, July 17–23. During the week-long celebration, the OMSWD headed by Yolanda B. Saile installed streamers with the theme ―Making the Rights Real for Filipinos with Disabilities‖ in conspicuous places in the town. A free medical consultation for people with disability (PWD) was held at the municipal outdoor stage while the dental mission was conducted at Sindangan District Hospital. Jose M. Maraguinot, a visually impaired Sindanganon who now works as a manpower development officer at the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Zamboanga City, was the guest speaker during the program and forum on July 21. Maraguinot, the elected

president of Sindangan Association of PWD, stressed the need to promote the rights of the differently abled citizens and their participation in mainstream society. In the provincial celebration held in Dipolog City on July 22, Elsie Balawing, a visually impaired pupil at Sindangan Pilot Demonstration School, defeated other contestants with her singing rendition during the Talentadong Zanortehanong PWD contest. By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 361, series of 2002, as amended by Administrative Order 35, every third week of July is declared as the NDPR Week to encourage the participation of PWDs in the political and public life. (Sidney Rico T. Rebollido)

Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc. commemorated the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the school grotto, Sept. 8. The Rev. Nathaniele A. Denlaoso officiated the holy mass to celebrate one of the oldest Marian solemnities and one of the cardinal feasts of the liturgical devotion to Saint Mary. The Society of Mary– Sindangan Chapter is headed by Alan Caboverde while the SOM– SJCSI Chapter is led by Edralin M. Deleña.

SJCSI organizes dance troupe The Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High School recently set up its dance troupe and opened its membership to all dance enthusiast Josephians. Ranie Jamila, a physical education teacher, is the choreographer–trainer and adviser.

Fire razes seven shops Seven business establishments were burned down when a fire hit the Phase 6 of the Sindangan Public Market, July 22. Estimated damage to property was around P3 million. Arson was ruled out by the Bureau of Fire Protection. Aside from the eatery, where the fire originated, a PCSO lotto outlet, two optical clinics, a storehouse, a pawnshop, and a hardware shop were also gutted down. 

El Obrero│June–September 2011

The RH Bill Controversy

Francis Joseph T. Fuertes

Opinion Columnists: Donalyn E. Aquino • William Andrew G. Bulaqueña Fila R. Dagomo • Mara Aubrey Sistine L. Escoreal Judee B. Garsuta • Janine Claire T. Jalosjos Commentator: Sidney Rico T. Rebollido

Commentaries RH Bill: Anti-life, anti-Filipinos

he Catholic Bishops‘ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) says the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill is not just a Catholic issue but ―a major attack on authentic human values and on Filipino cultural values regarding human life that all of us have cherished since time immemorial.‖ The pastoral letter entitled ―Choosing Life, Rejecting the RH Bill‖ also reiterates the call of the Catholic Church against the controversial bill, saying that it is anti-life and anti-Filipino. ―Advocates contend that the RH Bill promotes reproductive health. The RH Bill certainly does not. It does not protect the health of the sacred human life that is being formed or born. The very name ‗contraceptive‘ already reveals the anti-life nature of the means that the RH Bill promotes. These artificial means are fatal to human life, either preventing it from fruition or actually destroying it,‖ part of the four-page pastoral letter reads. Likewise, the CBCP contradicts the claims of RH supporters that contraception will stop overpopulation, which results to poverty. ―Our own government statistical office has concluded that there is no overpopulation in the Philippines but only the over-concentration of population in a number of urban centers… . The causes of our poverty are flawed philosophies of development, misguided economic policies, greed, corruption, social inequities, lack of access to education, poor economic and social services, poor infrastructure, etc.,‖ the letter says. The bill proposes for a large-scale government funding on artificial contraceptives.

9/11: 10 years on

here were you 10 years ago?

Most of us were still in diapers when four commercial airliners were hijacked by 19 terrorists from the Islamist militant group Al-Qaeda. Two of the planes were slammed into the World Trade Center, one into The Pentagon, and the other crashed in a field in Shanksville, PA. Osama bin Laden, its leader, initially denied involvement, but the group later claimed responsibility for the attacks. Of the nearly 3,000 people killed, 20 Filipinos perished— 18 in the twin towers and two on board the planes. Unknown to our innocent minds, the events on that fateful day have changed the world. Our parents have lived through the horrors of the news about the two ongoing wars waged against terrorism. Filipino soldiers were deployed briefly in Iraq for the ―Coalition of the Willing.‖ Angelo dela Cruz, a Filipino truck driver, was kidnapped but spared from beheading when the Philippine government gave in to the militant‘s demand on the withdrawal of troops stationed in Iraq. Through the years, we heard about the notorious Guantanamo Bay; the execution of the infamous Saddam Hussein; torture in Abu Graib; terrorist attacks in Madrid, London, and Mumbai; and the recent manhunt of bin Laden. We enriched our vocabulary with terms like Taliban, ―invisible‖ weapons of mass destruction, war on terror, jihad, fatwa, mujahideen, airport scanner, and so on. We expanded our knowledge of geography: Afghanistan as the first country alphabetically, Abbottabad, and all other places ending in –bad or –stan, etc. A decade later, we realized why the coordinated attacks happened in the United States of America and the use of United and American airliners on the symbols of economic power, military might, and perhaps of democracy or world supremacy. Al-Qaeda and bin Laden cited US support of Israel, the presence of US troops in Saudi Arabia, and sanctions against Iraq as motives for the attacks. As a consequence, many countries have strengthened their anti-terrorism legislation and expanded law enforcement powers. The Filipinos have to be vigilant because the risk of attack is not a question of why but of when because we are the haven of the Islamist, fundamentalist, and terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group.

Brain pincers

Crabs in the bucket

ilipinos are often said to have an attitude called crab mentality. Even though this is a universal attitude, we strongly associate ourselves with it because we truly understand this part of our humanity. Many people have observed live crabs in the market that often compete with each other to get out from their basket. Vendors do not pay much attention to these crabs when they try to escape from their confines because it would take some crazy luck if one could get out without being pulled back by the others. Actually crabs are not envious of each other; they just want to be free. However, after this observation one particular human behavior is named after these poor animals. When someone gets very successful, some people envy and even ruin the reputation for their own satisfaction. This way of thinking is best described by the phrase ―if I can‘t have it, neither can you.‖ The same is true among students especially those who are competing for top honors. There is more to the timeless sibling

rivalry in the classroom. A student gets bullied for being the smartest, the most popular, or the most congenial in the batch. Politicians are no different either. If they failed their election promises, they would blame their constituents for not helping them. Could this be a reason why our country is not progressive? The greatness of a country is a collective achievement of its people. If Filipinos keep on bickering and trampling each other, this country will never be great unless its people are productive and unified with long-term goals. Unlike the crabs who sabotage their freedom to escape from the boiling pot, Filipino can better do the opposite. If someone is very successful, why can we not ask not to be left behind? Why can he not bring us with him or teach us what to do? The crabs‘ untimely collective demise from sabotaging each

El Obrero

ISSN 2243-8319

Fila R. Dagomo filadagomo@yahoo.com

other is a valuable lesson for us all. We all want to escape from the harsh reality of our day-to-day existence, but we remain stuck in this dire situation. There is no doubt we are competitive as a people, yet we are envious and short-sighted. As the Haitian proverb goes, we are no different from the crab that walks too far only to fall into the pot. Or are we simply like the crab, according to the comic playwright Aristophanes, that cannot be taught to walk straight? 

Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High School

Vol. V ▪ No. 1 June–September 2011

“Writing is prayer.”

National Highway, Poblacion, Sindangan 7112 Zamboanga del Norte, Region IX Tel/Fax: +63-65-224-2204 Email: el.obrero@ovi.com

Editorial Board Fila R. Dagomo Editor-in-Chief • Donalyn E. Aquino Associate Editor (Internal) Judee B. Garsuta Associate Editor (External) • Janine Claire T. Jalosjos Managing Editor (Admin) Mara Aubrey Sistine L. Escoreal Managing Editor (Finance)

Administration Gilbert B. Lamayo, MAELT Technical Advisor Engr. Leonor A. Labadan, MPA Consultant • Cristina S. Bajalan, MAEd. Principal Alfreda B. Calamba, Ed.D. Executive Vice-President El Obrero is published semi-annually by Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc.–High School. Opinions expressed in El Obrero are solely those of the writers‘ and do not necessarily reflect the views of SJCSI, and do not imply endorsement thereof. El Obrero owns the copyright of all contents of this publication unless otherwise indicated. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2011 El Obrero

e are grateful to Canadian artist Timothy P. Schmalz for allowing us to use images of his work for El Obrero and Ang Manggagawa’s nameplate. St. Joseph The Worker, a bronze sculpture, shows Joseph who is hard at work as a carpenter nailing two boards together that form the shape of a cross. It foreshadows the crucifixion of his Son (www.sculpturebytps.com).

Photo Credits

A1: Edralin M. Deleña; Guinness World Records. A2: Jerome E. Ochavo; Reginald Clement S. Pondoc. A3: Gilbert B. Lamayo. A8: Municipal Planning and Development Office; Sindangan–Facoma. B1: SJCSI Alumni Office; R.C.S. Pondoc; Kevin G. Siasico. B2: Department of Tourism; Agence FrancePresse. B3: G.B. Lamayo. B4–B5: Kim Batula; Facoma; GWR. B6: NCCA; Central Book Supply, Inc. B7: Columbia; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. B8: Associated Press; G.B. Lamayo. C1: G.B. Lamayo; Dr. Amiel Caspillo. C3: Philippine Rugby Federation Union; Philippine Football Federation. C4: G.B. Lamayo; Mary Astrid P. Taco.

June–September 2011

│El Obrero

Opinion A5

Philippine progress

Signs

utmost change to catapult the Philippines to progress. After all, we are a democratic country. We take pride in our democracy as the oldest in Asia. We also have the other ingredients for prosperity. We have enough natural resources. We are a highly educated people. And we can speak English much better than our neighbors in the region. Despite everything that is laid before us, why is it hard to attain a prosperous state of the nation like theirs? It is easy to blame the government for its inadequacies, its lack of concern for the poor, the untouchable corrupt politicians and officials, and bad governance. But are we not the government— of, by, and for the people? Oftentimes we are the victims of our own apathy. We lack unity and the strength of character for our actions to be consistent

The loss of innocence

aint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc. has for quite some time now adopted Ora et Labora— the motto of the Benedictine Confederation—as its motto, too. Even the student publication, which had been in existence for only a few years until it was printed for the last time two years ago, was also named after it. Donalyn E. Aquino donalyn.aquino1996@yahoo.com with our beliefs. Charity begins at home, and so does corruption. Even at school, students resort to cheating and dishonesty for an easy way out. Our actions defy the values education that we are supposed to learn and live by. Lest we forget, we are the building blocks for the development of our country. If we put them all together, we may even build something beyond our expectations.

The piggy pen

loss of innocence is a common theme in literature and pop culture. Often seen as an integral part of coming of age, it does not make Josephian students a cut above the rest. On the first few days of the school year, some students showed off their best attitudes in order to impress their teachers. They came up with eye-catching works to leave the teachers amazed at their abilities. In return, the teachers gave good grades. Some of them even considered their students like barkadas—thus students could easily approach them in times of problems. Without hesitations, the teachers gave their students a lot of chances in submitting their projects and even to the point of extending deadlines to be more considerate. When it comes to our school rules and regulations, each one of us is supposed to obediently follow them. Most of the students are indeed steadfast. Older students tend to be more behaved. Unfortunately, as they say, some good things never last. In just a few weeks, some students began to be unruly to the point of making the classroom resemble to a zoo filled with wild animals. Others simply did not care at all. In fact, some teachers

started to suffer from their students‘ disobedience. The once friendly teachers became strict and would scold students harshly and often. On the other hand, the students have gone wild in different ways. They broke more rules; and the supposed-to-be model senior students were no longer in the right path. After classes, most of the classrooms were topsy-turvy and littered with trash. The college instructors who later use them complained of the untidy classrooms that were no longer conducive for learning. To tell you the truth, we, Josephians, have grown disrespectful not only to our teachers but also to other students. Some schoolmates are stubborn and would skip their classes especially after lunch. Teachers are not the only ones who are getting strict but also our dear principal who just cannot be lax in controlling these shenanigans. Let‘s face it—we all know that these stupidities are done on purpose for sheer enjoyment for ourselves without even knowing

Survey

Mara A.S.L. Escoreal mara.escoreal@ovi.com

the consequences. But there is still time to redeem ourselves and earn our teachers‘ trust again. First, let us show some consideration for other students by keeping our classroom as spick and span as it was in the morning when we arrived. Besides, it would not hurt to pick up trash and dispose of it properly. Second, let us follow the rules for order and harmony especially in a Catholic institution like ours. Finally, let us all grow up and be responsible students and citizens. We may have passed a bad period lately, but let us make that experience widen our awareness of the ―evil, painful, and suffering‖ to finally move on with our respective lives.

Quo vadis?

e recently conducted a survey to all 163 seniors about their preferred colleges or universities as well as the courses they are planning to take up. However, only 102 questionnaires were returned and included in the tabulation.

College/University Decided

11%

Silliman University (Dumaguete City) and Saint Vincent‘s College (Dipolog City) top the list of preferred colleges/universities.

22%

The seniors prefer to enroll in business courses like accountancy, management, administration, and accounting technology.

38%

Course Undecided

69%

Editorial

Ora et Labora writes 30

iscontent is the first step in the progress of a man or a nation, according to Oscar Wilde.

Extreme poverty, massive corruption, organized criminality, rising unemployment—all of these compounded social ills contribute to our economic misery. With all the determining factors a godforsaken country could possess, could there be a chance for Philippine progress? To be aware of this breakdown in the institutions of this society is hard enough to bear. I would often wonder how Filipinos live each day with optimism despite the economic conditions. Here are the very prevalent questions: Can we stop all of these from happening? Whose fault is it that bad things befall upon us? It is reassuring that everyone feels the same economic crunch. We all want a resolution to all the woes we face each day. We want change for the sake of change, change for the better, and

Choices for other colleges/ universities include Andres Bonifacio College (Dipolog City), Negros Oriental State University (Dumaguete City), Saint Joseph College of Sindangan, Inc. (Sindangan, ZN) University of San Carlos, (Cebu City), and Western Mindanao State University (Zamboanga City). Other courses indicated by the students comprise education (13 percent), nautical science/ marine engineering (12 percent), nursing (9 percent), engineering (7 percent), criminology (7 percent), and hotel and restaurant management (6 percent).

With the re-launching of our student publication, we have corrected the misnomer once and for all. We need to change our nameplate to achieve the perfect identification because identity creation is not just an occasional activity but a permanent one. We have chosen a new name that best represents Saint Joseph College of Sindangan that is named after Joseph the Worker: the patron saint of families, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, immigrants, house sellers and buyers, craftsmen, engineers, and working people in general. The nameplate has to be a distinct Josephian identity that reflects the Catholic nature as well as the aspirations of the institution. Thus, El Obrero was born. It is also fitting that the maiden issue of the official Filipino student publication carry the same translated nameplate. Ang Manggagawa will be published simultaneously with El Obrero to provide another avenue of expression for those students who prefer the other medium. Besides being among the few secondary schools in Sindangan and the neighboring towns not having a Filipino student paper, SJCSI was encouraged to establish it in line with the campus journalism programs of both high school and college levels. Consequently, the college students will also release the maiden issue of The Staff this first semester. Still consistent with the Josephian identity, the tabloid and the occasional magazine releases will be named as such as a tribute to Saint Joseph‘s staff that bore the lily blossoms—the image found in the core of SJCSI logo—as the legend goes. El Obrero is not just a change of name. And neither is Ang Manggagawa a mere translation of that Spanish phrase. Rather it marks the ushering in of a new era in campus journalism at SJCSI that will unlock the immense potentials of the students to develop the craft of writing and to be competitive in the local, division, and even in the regional and national schools press conferences; and the papers themselves to be at par with the other local student publications. A change in name and the adoption of a slogan are not meant to change our fellow students‘ perception of their campus paper and the intangible associations that come to the fore whenever ora et labora is seen or heard. Even though misattributed to Saint Joseph the Worker, ―pray and work‖ has inspired us through the years to practise patience, persistence, and hard work as exemplified by Joseph and the Holy Family. However, we are not Benedictines.

‗Writing is a form of prayer.‘

Our new slogan

e want a memorable catchphrase to help establish our publication‘s identity and to add clarity, not a translation of its name. Even if we also believe that ―the pen is mightier than the sword,‖ we would not be original anymore if we adopted this quotation by Edward Bulwer–Lytton as our catchphrase to complement the new nameplate of El Obrero. Instead, we have chosen ―Writing is prayer.‖ This is a quotation by the Bohemian-Jewish novelist Franz Kafka who is better known for ―The Metamorphosis‖ (1915) among his many works. Taken from a diary entry, Kafka‘s confession about ―writing as a form of prayer‖ enabled him to express many of his brilliant poetic perceptions of the world and of his own mind. Along the same line, the slogan may suggest that the enthusiastic members of the editorial board and staff could not have probably chosen any other effective form of expressing ourselves but through writing. Kafka was most alive and most ―praying‖ when writing. Considering the tremendous sacrifices he made to his writing, it is only fair to say that we are challenged when measured against the goal we set to achieve for ourselves—your newly re-launched student publication.

E A6 Opinion

El Obrero │June–September 2011

Virtual addiction

About-face

o you sleep late at night but wake up early the following morning? If you do, chances are you check your profile, write comments, tag photos, confirm friend requests, like advertisements, or harvest virtual crops before retiring or upon waking up. If you feel you cannot live without Facebook, then you must be addicted already. Count yourself among the 50 percent of more than 750 million users worldwide who log on to Facebook in any given day. Data from socialbakers.com, a social media statistics site, reveal that the Philippines ranks seventh out of the 213

states with its 26,056,340 Facebook users. About 26 percent of the population are connected on the most popular online network. Of these many users, 38 percent belong to the 18 to 24-year-old group. Teenagers from 13 to 17 comprise only 20 percent of all users in this country. There are more female users at 52 percent. Is Facebook a boon or bane

The breakdown of nationalism

  

Dive deep into reality

human mind is our escapist tendency. We tend to ignore the man -made problems, which we are not innocent to begin with. Solving them does not get into our minds. Instead of facing them squarely, we pass the blame to others. It is our sole responsibility as higher species to take care of what is laid before us as custodians of the Earth. However, we have abused her, benefited without minding the dire consequences of our actions, and neglected her. We are still subjects with imperfections despite our achievements. As we keep on pushing ourselves to even greater heights, we have abandoned Mother Earth to her decadence. We satisfy our greed for wealth, power, and comfort to the point of the destruction of our planet. Have we ever thought that if this being goes extinct, we have nowhere else to go? There is no other place where plants, animals, and other living and non-living things work in a harmonious cycle that sustains life. Mother Earth is exotically rare. Anything else can be imitated, cloned, or even simu-

Water-Closet

judee_garsuta12@yahoo.com



for Filipinos? It depends who your ―friends‖ are or what you ―like.‖



I suggest that the school install an air-conditioning unit in each classroom so that students will be comfortable.—Faith Emerald Lerin, IV-San Lorenzo Ruiz Can we request additional fans in every classroom?—Hans Christian G. Rasonable, IV-St. Rita

Judee B. Garsuta

Eau Claire



Too hot to handle

Facelift I recommend that the classrooms be repainted because the walls badly need a paintjob for the school to be attractive inside and out.—Jarrah Sophia B. Saile, III-St. Therese

Missing issue



Why is the student paper published only every other year?— Mark Kevin B. Hilay, IV-St. Rita



I can remember during the SSC campaign that the winning party promised to hire janitors to maintain the restrooms. I hope they can fulfill it before we graduate.—Roy Christian M. Campaner, IV-St. Rita



I wish the high school had its own exclusive library.—Sheyne G. Dagondong, IV-San Lorenzo Ruiz



Our classroom is very dark especially on cloudy days. We are requesting a replacement of the busted fluorescent lamp.—I-St. Cecilia students



I am complaining about the trashcans in the restrooms. We need new ones with lids so that no stray cats or dogs can forage into the garbage.—Marie Maricar Cachin, III-St. Therese

Broken promises

High school library

Janine Claire T. Jalosjos a9_claire@yahoo.com.au

in Filipino. And I am certain that only a few students are proficient in Cebuano-Bisaya either. Indeed, nationalism has taken a different course in this country. After more than a century of independence, we have never learned to disassociate ourselves with the colonizers. We still look at foreign cultures as far more superior than ours as we do with our choices in music, clothing, food, and language. We do not really care if we do not have a strong sense of nationalism. We just want to live uniquely – act like Spaniards, think like Americans, but behave badly as Filipinos.

Protogenos

n this universe of ambiguities, merely one being protects us from noxious annihilation: it is Mother Earth —precious than any wealth, superior than any place. Not so long ago, much of the world was wilderness. Trees were abundant, resources were bountiful, almost all were in a state of equilibrium. Everything was perfect. But as time goes on in the ever-shrinking wilderness, animals and plants are facing the ever-increasing encroachment. Everywhere their survival hangs in the balance. At present, a third one has been recently added to the list of species under threat of extinction. It is Mother Earth. Who could have such an evil heart to interrupt the peaceful existence of our Mother Earth? Yes, it is correct if one will say ―advancement in technology,‖ but then as we dig into the core, we will find the true culprits of destruction. It is us, our inventions, that caused Mother Earth to her breakdown. As civilizations spread, so did the damage to the land and all organisms therein. Extinction of species, deforestation, climate change… all of these we have done that altered the rhythm of nature. What predominates the

I cannot take my snacks properly because the canteen is very crowded.—Nicola P. Lecciones, IV-St. Rita I prefer that the canteen served more delicious food.—Cris Cyril R. Campus, IV-San Lorenzo Ruiz I suggest that our canteen be expanded because it cannot accommodate all of us during break.—Rachelle J. Bayawa, IV-St. Rita We are complaining about our dirty and stinky ladies restroom. —I-St. Anne students

day are very fond of the Korean and Japanese pop music, popularly known as the K-pop and Jpop, respectively; trampling our own music industry, and dejecting our local musicians and Original Pinoy Music. Moreover, one of the most alarming threats is the slow disappearance of our pure Philippine languages. Partly to blame is our educational system that eliminated the use of the vernacular as the medium of instruction or bilingualism in the classroom. Our schools encourage us to speak English as if fluency in it is the true measure of our academic achievement. At home, parents encourage their children to speak English, albeit broken, or our own variant of Philippine English. Languages are dynamic and they evolve like us, too. However, mixing up the local languages with English results to students speaking comparably better English with good diction and accent but handicapped when it comes to speaking and writing

Café blues



ew generation, new era, new trends. These factors cause our culture to slowly alter and fade away. Are we not worried that time will come when even a trace of our Filipino identity is nowhere to be found? Western music, Korean fashion, Italian cuisine, and even American accent… all of these have seeped into mainstream culture; but we have not hesitated to adopt them over the years to the point of brainwashing us that anything Philippine or Filipino is cheap, substandard, outdated, and corny. Worse, we have not been patronizing anymore our own works and products. As a matter of fact, we do not only reject our own but also criticize them. We cannot help but compare them with the imported ones. To make matters worse, we tend to look down people who patronize these cheap commodities, poor-quality items, and good-for-nothing Philippinemade products, as others call them. When it comes to music, the situation goes the same. Teenagers nowadays prefer to listen to Western music that has upbeat rhythm and awesome music videos. To top it all, teenagers to-

Letters to the Editor

William G. Bulaqueña william.andrew_mm@yahoo.com lated but she cannot be replicated. Life is a gift. Each creature is given this vital driving force. However, human beings end up depriving the other living organisms of this precious gift. We are as destructive as we are creative; opportunistic as we are endowed. We can speak, we can move, and we can think. But with a simple effort to save her takes so much time for us. Even cleaning after our mess takes a loud voice of conscience for us to do it. Enough damage has been done already. Mother Earth is dying. We must change our ways of living and thinking for her sake. We need her for our sake, too. 

Heart of darkness

Litterbugs

Scribes . . .

From A1

L. Escoreal and Donalyn E. Aquino for news writing (English and Filipino); William Andrew G. Bulaqueña and Janine Claire T. Jalosjos, editorial writing; Fila R. Dagomo and Sidney Rico T. Rebollido, feature writing; Reymund Danielle U. Jugalbot and Joelan M. Tongco, sports writing; C y n -

thia Kareen J. Nazario and Yanessa S. Naval, copyreading and headline writing; Tanya Grace Anne Benitez and Francis Joseph T. Fuertes, editorial cartooning; and Judee Garsuta and Kevin G. Siasico, photojournalism. (William A. G. Bulaqueña)

Teachers . . .

From A1

Rhiza Mae T. Casalem, Iscience (2010) from Andres Boni-  St. Francis adviser, teaches Filifacio College, Dipolog City. pino courses to high school and Mary Grace T. Rebollido, I  college students. -St. Anne adviser, teaches English Casalem obtained her for high school and psychology at bachelor of arts degree, major in the education department. in Filipino (2010), from MSU– Rebollido graduated with IIT, Iligan City. a bachelor of science in psycholGilbert B. Lamayo, techniogy degree (2005) at Trinity Unical advisor of El Obrero and The versity of Asia, Quezon City. Staff, teaches language and literaEmerald A. Soledad, II-St. ture courses to education students. John adviser, handles technology Lamayo earned his bacheand livelihood education classes lor of arts degree in English for high school and management (1993) and master‘s degree in courses at the business adminiEnglish language teaching (1997) stration department. at the University of San Carlos, Soledad completed her Cebu City. studies in management accounting He also completed the (2007) at USC and accountancy course requirements for his mas(2008) at Saint Vincent‘s College, ter‘s in literature (2002) at USC. Dipolog City. Marnie T. Madresta, I-St. Kimberly Paul C. Solito, Mary adviser, handles religion– IV-St. Agnes adviser, teaches values education, English, and social studies and religion–values religious studies. education. Madresta finished her Solito got his degree in bachelor‘s degree in secondary elementary education (2011) at education, major in English SJCSI. He is presently pursuing (2011), at SJCSI. his secondary education degree, Michael A. Masalta, II-St.  major in English, at SJCSI. Michael adviser, earned his (Nikko R. Dagomo and Mary bachelor of arts degree in political Claire H. Villarias)

El Obrero ▪ News Bureau Pamela Mennet V. Llorente Director Writers: William A. G. Bulaqueña • Jasmin Rose A. Castillon • Nikko R. Dagomo • Fruitelyn Apple A. Gamulo • Judee B. Garsuta • Janine Claire T. Jalosjos • Reymund Danielle U. Jugalbot • Cynthia Kareen J. Nazario • Zekaina Rose F. Siasico • Mary Claire H. Villarias Photojournalists: Reginald Clement S. Pondoc • Kevin G. Siasico

Hoi polloi Ondoy

Meldrid B. Baculpo

“Y’a pas que la rigolade, y’a l’art.” (There‘s more to life than laughs. There‘s art.) Raymond Queneau

Horoscope Design: Meldrid B. Baculpo and Francis Joseph T. Fuertes

June–September 2011│El

Obrero

Design Artists/Cartoonists: Meldrid B. Baculpo • Tanya Grace Anne A. Benitez • Reger Ed A. Caperig • Francis Joseph T. Fuertes Al Gabrielle V. Lañojan • Sean Maverick D. Realista

Status: It‘s complicated.

Reger Ed A. Caperig

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Smile all day long. Make people wonder what you are up to.

Break a leg

Francis Joseph T. Fuertes Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Don‘t check your Facebook profile today. You may find yourself tagged in an uncensored photo.

Freedom of Choice.

Al Gabrielle V. Lañojan

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Your future is not quite as uneventful as it is eventless.

Aries (March 21–April 19) You are confused, unpredictable and generally blurry today. So is your future.

RH: Really Heavy

Meldrid B. Baculpo Taurus (April 20–May 20) Don‘t waste your time reading stupid horoscopes. Take a bath instead.

Fire alarm.

Sean Maverick D. Realista

Gemini (May 21–June 21) You have two pairs of pants that look absolutely horrible on you in your closet right now. Throw them out. Just throw them away.

Game over

A room with a view

Design: Tanya Grace Anne A. Benitez Quote: Mitch Hedberg

Cancer (June 22–July 22) People generally laugh and smile in your company. Try to be the butt of all jokes and make them laugh some more.

Design: A.G. Lañojan Quote: Woody Allen

Evolution

Design: F.J.T. Fuertes Quote: H.L. Mencken

It is even harder for the average ape to believe that he has descended from man. I failed to make the chess team because of my height.

My fake plants died because I did not pretend to water them. Leo (July 23–Aug. 22) You are going to feel very lazy today. Stay in bed and go to sleep.

Lacy‘s breakfast

Reger Ed A. Caperig I‘m hungry! Can you fix cereal for breakfast?

Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You could find love today. Stay indoors. Avoid the perils of love.

Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 23) When you cross the road, take the first step with your left leg.

Get a kick out of life

Here‘s the cereal. Here‘s the milk. Do it yourself!

Meldrid B. Baculpo Scorpio (Oct. 24–Nov. 21) Don‘t go to the dance troupe practice today. You may be thrown out for body odor.

I‘m not that hungry! Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Today is your lucky day. But don‘t take a risk. We may be lying.

Text: News Bureau

Tarsiers discovered in Sindangan hinterlands Maumag in our midst

El Obrero│June–September 2011

Community Editor: Sidney Rico T. Rebollido Contributors: William Andrew G. Bulaqueña Janine Claire T. Jalosjos

hat we thought all along that tarsiers (Tarsius syrichta) are endemic to the island of Bohol was proven wrong when these tiny primates were discovered by a villager in the forests of Brgy. Caluan, 10 km away from the Sindangan town center, last April. With their enormous eyes, soft velvety fur, and long fingers, the tarsiers were found clinging to twigs. Curious and amazed by the unusual creatures, which he saw for the first time, the villager captured one of them and then later sold it for P200. Ronie Anseling, barangay captain of Caluan, Sindangan, accepted the man‘s offer with the motive of releasing the animal afterwards. But Anseling brought the tarsier to the Municipal Planning and Development Office instead to report this animal‘s existence in his village. ―Sightings of the tarsier were also reported in Brgy. Bato, but no official report has reached our office yet,‖ according to Maybelle Isagan– Cabañog, MPDO head. The tarsier, with its Gremlin-like appearance, caused commotion among the town hall employees who saw it for the first time, too. Nobody ever thought that such creature existed in Sin-

dangan or outside Bohol Island. However, the tarsier died a few days later after its captivity. It has been documented by tarsier conservation organizations that the animal, traumatized with loud noises while in captivity, would commit suicide by constantly hitting its soft head unless it is released to the natural environment. The tarsier is among the smallest primates in the world (so small that it can sit in the palm of your hand). It measures only about 85 to 160 mm in height and weighs between 80 and 160 g. The male tarsier is usually heavier than the female. It is a member of the 45million-year-old family of Tarsiidae, derived from its elongated tarsus or ankle bone. They are endemic to a few islands in Southeast Asia; and in the Philippines, not only in Bohol but also in Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao.

On its 55th founding anniversary

Facoma restores old name

hat‘s in a name? That which we call a cooperative by any other name would sell as sweet.

Cooperative identity! The board of directors of the then Sindangan Farmers and Teachers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SFTMPC) recently approved the reversal of the cooperative‘s name to its original founding name to underscore the cooperative‘s identity. The popular Facoma (Farmers Cooperative Marketing Association) name was restored. It had been in use since its establishment on Aug. 30, 1956, until 1998 when it was changed to SFTMPC. In 2006, it merged with the defunct Sindangan Cooperative Credit Union, Inc., and Sindangan Multi-Purpose Cooperative. In 2008, it moved to its newly-constructed P8-million two-story commercial building. It also expanded its membership base when it began to offer credit lending and function hall rental aside from its core services of rice and corn milling; copra, rice, and corn trading;

warehousing, trucking, savings and time deposit, mechanical and solar drying, consumer store, and farm input. In the first quarter of 2011, it put up branches in Dipolog City and in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte. On the occasion of its 55th founding anniversary, the cooperative, now known as Sindangan Faco ma– Co mmunity Multi Purpose Cooperative (SF – CMPC), inaugurated its new electric corn mill at Sitio Balik-balik, Brgy. Poblacion, on Aug. 30. After the thanksgiving mass and program, representatives of SF-CMPC signed memoranda of agreement with Bayside MultiPurpose Cooperative and the parents for the scholarship program to select high school students. SF-CMPC has 4,202 active members, a total acquired asset of P113.1 million with a net income of P4.1 million, and a capital buildup of P18.8 million. (William A. G. Bulaqueña)

Lone surviving founding member. Amor P. Espinas receives his certificate of appreciation from Aurelia P. Villegas, SF-CMPC general manager; and Pecioleta E. de Castro, board of directors chairperson.

Philippine tarsier sightings were also reported in the islands of Maripipi, Siargao, Basilan, and Dinagat. The ones found in Saranggani may be of a different sub-species. Called maumag in Cebuano, the tarsier was only introduced to Western biologists in the 18th century. The Philippine tarsier is a shy nocturnal animal that should not be disturbed during the day. It sleeps in the dark hollows close to the ground. It becomes active at night to hunt insects for food. Due to its territorial nature, a single tarsier needs at least a hectare of space. The species is listed as endangered even though there are no adequate data to make an assessment of its risks of extinction based on population. Tarsiers can live up to 24 years in the wild, but as short as 12 years in captivity. (Janine Claire T. Jalosjos)

 Map of the Municipality of Sindangan and its barangays. Inset: The tarsier that was brought by the barangay captain to the town hall.

Women‘s group renamed to coop

From BAWA to 4SPC lus ça change, plus c’est la même chose (The more things change, the more they stay the same)—as the French saying goes.

Follow-up Story

Sidney Rico T. Rebollido sidney.rebollido@ovi.com

Background The defunct Bantayan Active Women‘s Association (BAWA) was a grantee of the Department of Labor and Employment–Region IX livelihood project in Zamboanga del Norte. As a recipient organization, BAWA received an initial grant for P50,000 as startup capital way back in 2003. When the former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo implemented the ―Isang Bayan, Isang P r o d u k to , I s a n g M i l yo n g Piso‖ (One Town, One Product) program, BAWA was one of the recipients of the P100,000 loan as capital for the Spanish-style sardine business. It was learned from Leonor T. Aguilar, the manager of Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in Sindangan, that the town qualified under the PovertyFree Zone program of DOLE– Region IX. The town was a beneficiary of the P1-million program. According to Aguilar, BAWA received the ingredients for sardine-making such as preserving jars and caps, cans of corn oil, jars of pickles, labels, and

plastic seals aside from the 10 tanks of liquefied petroleum gas. BAWA was provided with the necessary cooking equipment and utensils to standardize its production. BAWA received another grant for P40,000 to buy the fish for its operations. As counterpart, the Local Government Unit of Sindangan constructed a sardine processing plant in Brgy. Goleo.

Association BAWA initially had 32 members headed by Beverly Forrosuelo as its president and Teresita Bajalla, vice-president. They produced bottled Spanish-style sardines, which they sold for P40 each, and four other products. Aside from sardines in oil and in tomato sauce, BAWA also bottled salted fish, sweet bagoong (shrimp paste), and dayok (fermented fish innards). This livelihood undertaking was overseen by the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, and the LGU of Sindangan. Training for the women entrepreneurs was handled by the Technical Education Skills Development Authority. DOLE‘s project was centered on livelihood enhancement to empower those in the informal sectors to be engaged in gainful employment. The livelihood and employment-generating projects were part of the government‘s pro -poor initiatives to address the economic woes of the majority and the unemployed especially in the rural areas. Over the years, only eight

to 10 members of the association remained active in the fish processing for BAWA. Since most of them are fisherfolk and would rely on their regular catch for daily sustenance, they would rather sell their catch in the public market, said Forrosuelo. Since its establishment in 2005 until 2010, BAWA had produced almost 20,000 bottles of sardines, which were sold in local establishments, trade fairs, and through the OTOP website. On April 13, 2011, BAWA filed an application to the Cooperative Development Authority to change its status from an association to a cooperative. Forrosuelo said that she wanted to retire from the association due to health reasons. According to her, she was stressed while managing the association because she would sometimes use her personal funds for the day-to-day operations of the association. ―Even though the association was a recipient of a government funding, the financial support is not sufficient to sustain it. Until now, the loan from the LGU as capital assistance has not been paid by the (former) association,‖ she added. According to Aguilar, DOLE audits all recipient organizations; and BAWA, as well as the other beneficiaries, still has to present its operation reports and financial statements.

Cooperative On May 11, 2011, BAWA received its certificate of registration of the amendment by changing its name to Sindangan Spanish -Style Sardine Producers Cooperative (4SPC).