NEWS

LOCAL NEWS Arch. Advincula of Capiz becomes 9th cardinal of PH

MEKILA OLANDESCA

Archbishop Jose Advincula of Capiz, Philippines, was formally appointed as one of 13 new cardinals by Pope Francis. Pope Francis, along with priests, celebrated the Mass ceremony held at the St. Peter’s Basilica on November 28, the pontiff formally elevated 13 new members of the Sacred College of Cardinals. CBCP News reported that Advincula viewed the ceremony via livestream at his residence in Roxas City, due to COVID-19 restrictions. In a press statement, Advincula expressed how he was doubtful of his appointment for there were no early reports about the circumstance. “My first reaction was maybe there was a miscommunication, there are already quite of us bishops just here in the Panay island, three bishops have names that are John, maybe there was an error in the last name...” Advincula said in Hiligaynon. “After seeing the noise in social media and accepting my elevation, I felt fear due to the responsibility, a right amount of happiness, but mostly focus on the responsibility”, Advincula added. Cardinal Advincula ordained priest for the archdiocese in 1976, appointed Bishop of San Carlos in 2001 and was transferred to Capiz as archbishop in 2011. Cardinal Advincula and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, former archbishop of Manila are the only two Filipino cardinals who are eligible to vote in a possible conclave to elect a new pope.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

FCU denounces claims being a recruitment hotbed of NPA

MA. JAZMINE YSABEL LEAL

As Mr. Jeffrey “Ka Erik” Celiz disclosed a statement claiming that CPP-NPA recruitment took place in the institution, Filamer Christian University (FCU) strongly dennounced the said allegations. FCU believes and hold its stance that the school is an educational institution under the influence of Christian faith and seeks to develop spiritual, intellectual and physical aspects of students by providing relevant quality education in a Christian atmosphere. In an issued statement posted online, the university emphasized that it did not, does not, and will not condone any act of recruitment of its students to become members of CPP-NPA. Through FCU and its faculty members, the students are trained to become mature and responsible citizens of the country who believes in the rule of law, and is not shaped to engage on any on-campus movement to destabilize the government. The school acknowledges that it has no control over the individual beliefs of each and every student and faculty members, it however guarantees, that the Institution, does not provide an environment conducive to recruitment of its students by the CPP-NPA. The institution continues to endeavor on developing the spiritual, intellectual and physical character of the students by way of providing a relevant quality education in a Christian atmosphere. For the Filamerian community’s safety and security, students as well as the faculty members were advised to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious act that may be indicative of any recruitment to the CPP-NPA.

NATIONAL NEWS Pinoy nurse sa UK, isa sa mga unang tumanggap ng bakuna kontra COVID

QUEENIE MAE OBSIANA

Halaw sa ABS-CBN Teleradyo

Nakatanggap ng bakuna kontra COVID-19 ang isang Pinoy frontliner sa United Kingdom nitong Miyerkules, ika-9 ng Disyembre, isang araw matapos umarangkada ang pag bakuna sa nasabing lugar. Kinilala ang frontliner na si Leo Quijano, tu- ngunit aniya ito’y normal lamang na pakiramdam bong Marinduque at higit dalawang dekadang kapag may trangkaso at winter sa UK. nurse. Dagdag pa niya, sagot sa kanyang dasal na Ayon kay Quijano, hindi siya nakaramdam ng mabakunahan na siya dahil nagka-COVID siya sakit nang siya ay mabakunahan at matapos noong Mayo at tumagal ng dalawang buwan ang pagbakuna ay pinanatili pa sila sa loob ng bago siya gumaling. sampung minuto para obserbahan. Inamin din niya na nakaranas din siya ng depre Ilang araw matapos mabakunahan si Qui- syon ng dahil sa COVID. jano ay nakaramdam siya na parang lalagnatin

TIBAY AT DETERMINASYON. Walong iskwats ng FCU ang pumasa sa National Board Review for Eagle ngayong panahon ng pandemya

| KUHANG LARAWAN MULA KAY THEA MAE DEL ROSARIO Walong iskawt ng FCU, ganap nang mga Agila

QUEENIE MAE OBSIANA

Paghahanda nang mabuti. May determinasyon. May pananalig sa Maykapal. Ito ang mga katangiang taglay ng mga iskawt ng Filamer Christian University Outfit no. 5 para maipasa ang National Board of Review for Eagle Scout Rank noong ika-20 hanggang 21 ng Pebrero sa Filamer Christian University Technology Building.

Nanguna si Scout Thea Mae Del Rosario, dating JHS student ng FCU, at sinundan ni Scout Niño Angelo Dela Paz dating mag-aaral ng Feliciano Yusay Consing NHS at kasalukuyang nag-aaral sa FCU at Scout Cherry Lares mula sa Manuel F. Onato NHS.

“We’ve waited for almost three years for this BOR and we cannot let this pass. Topping the BOR was never my goal. It was a dream. Before proceeding to every station, I al-

ways inhale confidence and exhale my doubts and worries. I always remind myself of why I am here and the things I’ve gone through to be here” ani ni Scout Del Rosario. Kasalukuyang nag-aaral sai Scout Del Rosario sa University of Santo Tomas at nasa baitang 11. Samantala, ang pumangalawa sa BOR na si Scout Dela Paz ay mula sa FYCNHS at ngayon ay nag-aaral na rin sa FCU bilang grade 11. Filamerians seize multiple Journalism Awards

MA. JAZMINE YSABEL LEAL

The Secondary Radio Broadcasting Team in Filipino of Filamer Christian University (FCU) was awarded as the Best Radio Production in Secondary Level after winning the Best Script and Best Infomercial in the 1st Governor’s Virtual Kabalaka Golden Pen and Journalism Summit, March 18.

The Radio Broadcasting Team coached by Mr. Roli Keith Aguirre includes the students of FCU namely, Kim Alcazaren, Hannah Kezia Casiple, Queenie Mae Obsiana, Rodalyn Faith Lagarde, Helen Grace Gallaza, Zarah Rose Anne Dacles, Jaryl Jay Cordero and Arron Aperocho. “I always told them they are all capable of reaching greater heights and I always remind them never guid nila pag idoubt kaugalingon nila because I know kaya gid nila,” Mr. Aguirre said. The Best Anchor and Best News Presenter award was given to Kim Alcazaren as the 1st placer, Queenie Mae Obsiana and Helen Grace Gallaza as the 2nd and 3rd placer in Best News Presenter, respectively, together with Jaryl Jay Cordero winning 1st place in Best Technical Application. “It is a great opportunity to be part of the Radio Broadcasting team for 6 years. We didn’t expect that we can still perform and showcase our talent despite of our situation today but with God’s help, we are able to find ways and strategies to perform again and to cope up with this new normal. I’m grateful for our ever supportive coach, Sir Roli Keith Aguirre for training and believing that we can achieve this. Also, I am thankful for my Team for being responsible and willing to improve themselves,” Obsiana quoted. Together with the Radio Broadcasting Team, the former staff of The Hillside Echo-Senior and former students of FCU namely Daphne Balatayo, Kaila Cajustin, Adoraline Daliva, John Carl Barredo, Hannah Mae Arceño, Arjay Santie Magcalas and Leomar Funa was awarded as the 1st Placer in Collaborative Writing and Desktop Publishing in Tertiary Level.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 When classes formally started last September 21 for the Academic Year 2020-2021, FCU prepared virtual meetings and online conferences to continue the learning of students by Online Distance Learning Modalities. “For the start of our school year, we know we have Challenges to face but it is very important that the education of our young people will continue,” Dr. George O. Cortel, the University President stated in his Words of Welcome in a Welcome Video for Students, Parents and Guardians. FCU adapted the Education’s new mode of learning, integrating the Alternative Learning Delivery Modalities (Blended Learning) and provided Self-Learning Modules and Online Classes to meet the needs and resources of every learner in of the school. “Our teaching and learnings will be finding ways in our hearts and minds that we will continue the level of education we have to accomplish for this year. The school is now ready to accept the kind of learning deliveries and modalities that we can do, so that the learning and the teaching will equate those who’ve been doing before when we have the face to face,” the president added. The integration of the blended learning helped FCU to ensure quality education for the whole semester wherein the teachers hold both synchronous classes and asynchronous activities, and conform to onnline and modular learning as a response to the COVID-19 situation in the province. “Despite the pandemic, we will still have classes. But, this is the new normal because our classes will not be held in school, it will not be held in the classroom, but, we will do it uniquely. We will have two ways, the use of Online Distance Education and Modular Way of Learning,” Dr. Minnie P. Chan, the Vice-President for Academic Affairs stated. Although the education system is hardly hit by the present health crisis, FCU assures all the students’ safety and learning as classes are halfway through the first semester. “What’s important is we should not stop learning,” Dr. Chan added Moreover, the institution is developing a Learning Management System or LMS, which is a software to supply the needs of both students and teachers in terms of learning as it is considered as the most powerful response amidst pandemic. Kasama ni Scout Del Rosario ang iba pang iskawt ng FCU na sina Scout Carmel Jade Deseo, Scout Neo Amiel Gregorio, Scout Margareth Buyo, Scout Dianne Rei Dumapit, Scout Jeus Louise Sereneo, Scout Mark John Oberas at Scout Leigh Orola. Lahat sila ay nasa ilalim ng pagsasanay ng Outfit Adviser na si G. Yogie Ben D. Obsiana. Sumailalim sa iba’t ibang gawain at pagsubok ang mga iskawt kagaya ng character development, skills, personality, service at citizenship. Kasama rin ng FCU ang iba’t ibang iskawt mula sa Mambusao NHS, Feliciano Yusay Consing NHS, Manuel F. Onato NHS at Tapaz NHS. Sinasabing ito ang kauna-unahang virtual at limited face to face special National Board of Review for Eagle ng BSP Capiz Council.

NATIONAL NEWS New COVID variant reported in PH

QUEENIE MAE OBSIANA The new variant of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) from United Kingdom has been detected here in the Philippines last January 13, Wednesday. According to the Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Genome Center (PGC) , it confirms that the B117 Sars-Cov2 has been reported from a Filipino who arrived from United Arab Emirates (UAE) last January 7 and has positive genome sequencing results. The 29 year old patient with the new strain is a resident of Quezon City who departed for Dubai on Dec. 27 and arrived in the country last January 7. Meanwhile, his female companion tested negative but currently under strict quarantine and monitoring. Immediate contact tracing was done with the help of the QC government and the identified contacts are under strict home quarantine.