June 2012
Vol. XVI No. 1
www.feuadvocate.org
Sampaloc, Manila
Tams expect new features As Academic Year (AY) ‘12-‘13 opens, Far Eastern University (FEU) prepares to offer new services and implement new policies. Recognized by Commission on Higher Education as the university with “outstanding student services” during 2008 National Search for Best Student Services Program, FEU continues to provide student-oriented programs and services to help in the growth of the University and aid in students’ academic development and social awareness. Stricter admission Admissions and External Relations Office (AERO) develops FEU College Admissions Test (FEUCAT) through its Development Committee which works to come up with a new entrance exam which will be first used by AY ‘14-‘15 applicants. Since the University will not have freshmen
For students’ welfare. FEU raises its standards as it faces the new school year by improving student services and facilities such as the new Technology Building to be constructed beside FEU Gym. (Photo by Justin Royce Z. Baluyot)
students for two years due to Kindergarten to 12 (K-12) basic education reform, AERO Director Albert Cabasada III said that they will create another entrance exam in line
with K-12 curriculum and which will be offered for AY ‘18-‘19 applicants. Meanwhile, an online application is expected to
University broadens external links
Far Eastern University (FEU) partnered with two customer support services and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies Hinduja Global Solutions Limited (HGSL) and JP Morgan Chase. The two collaborations “Hinduja is really “[JP Morgan Chase] seek to establish strong opening for possible OJT for really has the right financial partnerships, researches, students from different areas management for students scholarships, internship a n d d i f f e r e n t f i e l d s [ l i k e ] because [they are a company programs and intensive administration, psychology, of] higher-level services… on-the-job trainings (OJT) ilan lang ‘yan (among others),” Customer relations, hindi for students. he said. ganu’n ‘yun (it is not like that). HGSL partnered HGSL in t h e You are really doing things with FEU mainly to provide P h i l i p p i n e s w a s B a y a n related to your course or OJT opportunities to students Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , I n c . degree program,” he said. that will strengthen their (Bayantel) before but it was He reported that knowledge and expertise in bought by the Indian company JP Morgan Chase goes to their degree programs. HGSL. Filipino administrators, FEU to invite the graduating Even HGSL is a however, still man the company. finance majors to apply in customer relationship and their company. BPO company, Admissions The company also Beneficial tie-up and External Relations Office Cabasada said that wants to develop the training of Director Albert Cabasada III FEU partnered with JP Morgan their staff, thus, tapping some clarified that students taking up Chase because it is one of the administrators and faculty from non-business degree programs leading financial institutions in Institute of Accounts, Business, could also intern in HGSL. and Finance (IABF) and the global market today. Institute of Arts and Sciences to help them in formulating a new and rigid curriculum. “It is beneficial for us to be involved because our faculty will be involved in their technology transfer… that Exemplifying excellence, kind of direct contact with the leadership and selfless industry is very important for service, Far Eastern the University,” Cabasada said. In relation to University (FEU) fresh JP Morgan Chase’s staff graduate Glenmor Sibal development program, he was named as one of the furthered that the company Ten Outstanding Students will also enroll some of its of the Philippines (TOSP) undergraduate staff members of National Capital Region at FEU for them to obtain a (NCR) last April 30 at bachelor’s degree. Philippine Long-Distance Continue to page 10... Telephone Innolab, Mandaluyong City. “I am very grateful Tamaraw pride. FEU alumnus for this recognition because Adding to the University’s Glenmor Sibal was awarded apart from its prestige, it’s as one of the Ten Outstanding list of achievers, Far Eastern Students of the Philippinesnice to be recognized for the University-East Asia College National Capital Region. things you’ve done for the (FEU- EAC) alumnus John country,” Sibal said. “It was such a great Christopher Ligon placed 7th FEU alumni Angela learning opportunity. I am on the April 2012 Electronics Lou Manuel and Joemer really happy to know that there Engineer Licensure Maravilla also qualified as are not just few, but a growing Examination (EELE) with finalists of the regional- community of young nation 92.10 percent rating. based search and vied builders, regardless of the “We have good with students from different differences,” Manuel shared. professors or instructors lineuniversities in NCR. Manuel, Maravilla up at FEU-EAC especially Applicants from and Sibal consider being in the EEE department. The different universities went a Tamaraw as a factor why students who topped the board through bid book screening they were chosen as finalists were really good as well,” FEUprocess that determined of TOSP-NCR. EAC Electronics and Electrical the finalists. Qualifiers “My alma mater Engineering (EEE) Department experienced a four- shaped me to become a Assistant Director Engineer day formation program person who was able to Joshua Ancheta said. facilitated by TOSP-NCR lead a balanced life not Ancheta shared that alumni community. Continue to page 10... organizing group reviews and
Alumnus named as NCR outstanding stude
function this year for AY ‘13‘14 applicants and will be accessible in the University’s website (www.feu.edu.ph).
“Plinano na namin ‘to (We already planned this [online FEUCAT application]) last year but we we’re not
able to do it because we encountered some problems in the database,” Cabasada said. The website is also being developed and redesigned to give students better ways of updating recent achievements and development in FEU. It is expected to be launched in June or July this year. “Hopefully we’ll have a nicer website [that is] more user-friendly. And then we’re also gearing up for more hightech [high-technology features like] downloadable lectures. We would like as many avenues, as many media as possible,” Cabasada said. Moreover, plans of having an FEU Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card and improving internet service were discussed during a meeting of student leaders and few school officials last April 17 at Institute Continue to page 10...
Bracing ties thru community immersion
Korean school visits FEU By Leonard I. Agustin
Reaching out. Students, faculty and staff from Far East University-Korea visited the Philippines to observe the community extensions done by FEU-Manila. (Photo by Marrione Ruth A. De Castro)
To o b s e r v e Ta m a r a w s ’ way of reaching out to its community; students, faculty and staff from Far East University-Korea (FEU-Korea) travelled to the Philippines last May 7 to 11. The visit is in line with the cultural exchange and community extension partnership between Far Eastern University (FEU) and FEU-Korea. “The main purpose of the visit is for the Korean students to join our community services. Korea is a very rich country. They feel that they can impact and teach the value of service,” FEU Admissions and External Relations Office Director Albert Cabasada III said.
Different community services like Manila Bay cleanup and visitation on d i ff e r e n t i n s t i t u t i o n s w e r e done by both universities. The visit also featured cultural presentation and basketball match. “Basically, they will experience what we do i n our community extension and hopefully, we can also send some students to FEU Korea on a similar exchange,” Cabasada furthered. FEU Student Leadership Development Coordinator Marcon Espino noted that this visit will help FEU Manila’s aim to be the university of choice in Asia. Espino furthered that
more than promotional aspect, the importance of the visit is the strengthened partnership between the two universities. “Because of this partnership, we can develop a lot of programs and activities,” he explained. Student leaders and volunteers guided the Korean students during their stay and also joined the different community services. “The visit harnesses the sense of hospitality of the student body. This gives the student leaders the chance to break the colored boundaries by disparities in language and culture,” FEU Central Student Organization President Jayvee Badile commented.
incorporating board-oriented exercises and examinations are some of the factors to produce board topnotchers and passers. Compared to October 2011’s overall passing rate of 29.21 percent, this year’s passing rate soared to 47.13 percent or 41 passers out of 87 takers with 44.44 percent of
first timers while 51.52 percent repeaters. However, it is lower than the national passing rate 53.55 percent. “Though FEU-EAC’s passing rate which is 47 percent is lower than the national passing rate, we still produced the highest number of EELE passers,” Ancheta commented.
‘Stanford quality’ On the other hand, 2 0 11 F E U - E A C C o m p u t e r Science graduate Jesu Petar Maglutac, completed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) class that followed Stanford University’s curriculum. Gaining 87 percent, Maglutac bested nearly 160,000 students from all over
iTam ranks 7th in ECE board
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NEWS
June 2012
B E AT S FEU stages 4th EU chorale competition Promoting cultural heritage shared by the Philippines and nations under European Union (EU), Far Eastern University President’s Committee on Culture presented Musica FEUropa IV last May 1 to 2 at the FEU Auditorium. For high school c a t e g o r y, D o n B o s c o Technical Institute-Makati Boscorale, Colegio de Santa Rosa Chorale and University of the PhilippinesLos Baños Rural High School notched first, second and third place respectively. While for the open category, University of Visayas C h o r a l e , Te c h n o l o g i c a l Institute of the Philippines Chorale Society and Holy Angels University placed fi rst, s ec ond and th i rd correspondingly. Considered a s t h e only annual chorale competition supported by EU in the Philippines, FEUropa is in line with the celebration of the EU and Filipinas Heritage months.
Leonard I. Agustin News Editor
New retention policies tighten IABF programs By Justin Royce Z. Baluyot
Bars are set higher in the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance (IABF) as it starts to implement the new curricula this academic year for incoming BS Business Administration (BSBA) major in Internal Auditing and BS Accountancy students. The BSBA Internal Auditing and BS Accountancy programs’ new curricula will share the same courses and sequence on the first four years. This complies with the requirements of Commission on Higher Education’s existing regulations for the BS Accountancy program and the skills required by the auditing industry for professional internal auditors. In the previous curricula, BSBA Internal
Higher standards. Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance implements new policies for BSBA Internal Auditing and BS Accountancy students. (Photo by Paul Edgar D. Yorsua Jr.)
Auditing students shift to BS Accountancy if they pass the qualifying examination offered
after second year. Those who fail the exam or opt not to proceed to BS Accountancy
Seniors get top seats in Phil ministry
FEU-Makati partners with int’l schools International School of Culinary Arts and Hotel Management (ISACAHM), in partnership with the Institute of Culinary Arts and Food Service, expands partners with Far Eastern University– Makati to further strengthen culinary arts studies they offer in the Philippines. ISACAHM offers Diploma in Culinary Arts and Kitchen Management with Australian Certificate III in Culinary Arts and Diploma in Pastry and Bakery Arts and Kitchen Management with Australian Certificate III in Patisserie. I t will als o o ffe r a special eight-month culinary arts program for professionals. ISACAHM Executive Director Norbert Gandler furthered that aside from the regular cooking sessions and laboratory trainings, the professional program will also include six months of lecture and two months of internship.
Nation builders. Tamaraw seniors John Michael Lava and Anna Katrina Resente head the Habitat Youth Leaders Movement as they were elected as president and secretary, respectively. (Photo courtesy of Anna Katrina G. Resente)
BS Accountancy senior John Michael Lava and AB Mass Communication (MassComm) senior Anna Katrina Resente were elected as president and secretary, accordingly, of Generation Movers during the first Generation Movers Leaders Congress held at the Alphaland Southgate Tower in Makati City last May 24. G e n e r a t i o n Movers, which was initially named a s H a b i ta t Youth L e a d e r s Movement, is a youth organization under the nonprofit Christian housing ministry Habitat for HumanityPhilippines that aims t o build houses for the socially disadvantaged Filipinos in poor communities. Lava said that leading the movement will not be easy for him because H Y L M i s d i ffe re n t from the academic and nonacademic organizations in FEU.
“Our battle is to defeat the barriers of responding the call to make a difference and to have courage, plus initiative to fire up change,” Lava shared. M o r e o v e r, s e v e n other Tamaraws were also inducted as pioneer members of the movement. They are AB MassComm Batch 2012 graduate Aeron Christian Morado, BS Psychology seniors Michael Miatari and Alex Dela Cruz, BSCommerce major in Internal Auditing senior Ria Hazel Angeles, BS Education major in Mathematics senior Arjean Banting and BS Nursing seniors Jenelee Ann Aganus and Shikaira Jazmine Castro. Before being qualified as pioneer members of HYLM, the aspi rants underw ent Habitat for Humanity’s screeni ng process that looked for and tested their leadership skills, willingness and sincerity to help other people.
The number of FEU student-leaders that were inaugurated as members of HYLM’s pilot batchis the biggest number of delegation in the movement. “I am proud to say that FEU has the greatest number of members inside the movement, since nine of the 31 selected HYLM [leaders] all over the Philippines are from our school,” Resente remarked. She said some of their tasks are inspiring youth leadership focused on community development and social change through peer fundraising, volunteer mobilization and team leadership; and rewarding outstanding leaders through eye-opening, communitycentered activities. Selected members will also be sent abroad to represent the P hi l i ppi nes i n leader ship seminars and activities.
On implementing K-12 program
-JRZB
remain in the BSBA Internal Auditing program or shift to other BSBA programs. While in the new curricula, BSBA Internal Auditing students will take comprehensive exams at the end of every academic year to qualify for the next year level. These exams cover all professional courses in the year level for the academic year. Moreover, students of other BSBA programs who want to shift to BSBA Internal Auditing must take up the qualifying exam. They must also have completed 12 units of Fundamentals of Accounting Parts 1 and 2 to be able to take the qualifying exam. “If you don’t make it, you don’t move to the next year. Ibig sabihin, kapag nakarating kang fourth year, magaling ka na talaga, lalo na
Far Eastern University (FEU) Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) received awards during the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NFJPIA) 29th Annual Convention and NFJPIA-National Capital Region (NCR) 5 th Summit. FEU-JPIA was hailed as the Outstanding Local Chapter while Mark Joseph Camansag was awarded as the Outstanding JPIAn during the annual convention last April 19 to 21 in Subic, Zambales. During the NFJPIANCR summit last April 9 to 11 in Baguio City, the organization
By Leonard I. Agustin
be one year and one summer term only),” CHEd Programs and Standards Director Dr. Sinforoso Birung said. CHEd Executive Director Julito Vitriolo explained that the [educational] reform could include most of the GEC and even vocational-technical courses in senior high school curriculum which is being prepared by DepEd. Zero enrolment? In Philippine Daily Inquirer article dated March 25, Miriam College President Dr. Rosario Lapus emphasized during at the national convention of Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) that between 2016 and 2018, the time that the first batch of K-12 students will be in senior high school, private schools would have only few or even zero freshmen college enrolees. Luistro admitted that HEIs will find their enrolment low during the ‘transition years’ but they can do several response options such as offering senior high school, retooling and retraining teachers and conducting adult education courses, stated in a
(Photo by Jude Thaddeus F. Valderrama)
GMA News Online article dated March 30. M e a n w h i l e , Far Eastern University Admissions and External Relations Office Director Albert Cabasada III shared that during the transition years, the University’s income will diminish. But he also said that “there are several options [and] one of the solutions is to offer grades 11 and 12.” Cabasada said that the University is preparing to change all degree programs but is still waiting for DepEd’s complete information on K-12 program.
“We need to prepare for our programs to be ready to accept [new applicants]. We need to prepare a new administering test to measure the competency of those who come in. So that they are now prepared for the necessary skills that we need for the new programs,” he explained. Reviewing K-12 During the launch of K-12 program last April 24, President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III emphasized in his speech that Philippines is the only country in Asia and one of the three countries in the
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AccounTams bag major awards in nat’l feat
College may shorten to 3 years; enrolment may subside As the Department of Education (DepEd) implements Kindergarten plus 12 years of elementary and high school (K-12) basic education program this school year, the reform may result to freshmen ‘zero enrolment’ and decrease of years in college. In a GMA News Online (www.gmanetwork. com/news) article published on March 30, DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro noted that higher educational institutions (HEIs) may remove some subjects that are “remedial high school courses” because of changes on the basic education curriculum. Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) is on the process of reviewing the general education curriculum (GEC) of degree programs, according to another GMA News Online article dated March 30. “Mababawasan ang GEC [subjects]. Instead of [taking those up in] two years ay magiging baka one year and one summer term na lang (GEC subjects would decrease. Instead of taking those up in two years, it might
kapag nakarating kang fifth year (If you reach fourth year, it means you are good, most especially when you reach fifth year),” IABF Dean Celito Macachor said. Apart from the qualifying and comprehensive exams, BSBA Internal Auditing students must also maintain a general weighted average of 2.00 or better in all accounting, law and taxation courses. If a student fails to meet the required grade in one of the mentioned courses, he will be barred to take the corresponding comprehensive exam and will be advised to retake the non-qualified course to be able to remain in the program. Students who reach fourth year are already qualified for graduation with the BSBA Internal Auditing degree. Students can choose whether they will continue to fifth year for BS Accountancy or not. Students who choose to continue to fifth year must pass a written comprehensive exam. Those who continue to fifth year and eventually finish the BS Accountancy program will earn two separate degrees in BSBA Internal Auditing and BS Accountancy. Macachor said that he observed majority of BSBA Internal Auditing students could qualify for BS Accountancy and later on as Certified Public Accountant (CPA). “All of the BSBA students right now, from first year to fourth year, all of them are potential CPAs. Kaya hindi mo pwedeng sabihing second-class ‘yan, o pwede
world that still observes a 10-year basic education cycle. Aquino also tagged the previous education system as ‘force feeding’. “Bibigyan ka ng sampung taon upang isubo, nguyain at ipasok sa iyong sistema ang mga leksyon. Wala pong pagkakataon ang kabataang namnamin ang kaalaman (You will be given 10 years to swallow, chew and enter into your system all the lessons. There is no chance for students to savor knowledge), he said. In another PDI article printed last April 25, Luistro assumed that “the new curriculum will give each Filipino child the necessary abilities for our century or what they call 21st-century skills.” Aiming to enhance the quality of Philippine education, K-12 adds two years of senior high school to the previous 10 year basic education. During senior high school, students’ skills and competencies in a particular field will be honed by choosing specializations
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also received awards such as Most Outstanding Local Chapter, Non-Academic Event for 14th Regional Assembly. John Michael Lava and Richard Yatar were also given the Most Outstanding Executive Officer and Most Outstanding President awards respectively while the group composed of Jizelle Ayonayon, Frances Custodio and Yatar championed the Case Study Competition. According to Yatar, universities and colleges that are NFNCR- JPIA members go through yearly assessment and panel interview. “Ang mga naging criteria po nu’n ay kung ga’no ka-supportive ‘yung local chapter (school) and kung ga’no ka-active. So based po s’ya sa participation nu’ng school for the whole year (The criteria depends on how active and supportive the local chapter was. It is based on the participation of the school for one year),” Yatar explained. “’Yung awards, pinaghirapan namin from the very start. We believe na hindi lang s’ya makre-credit sa org, makre-credit sya for the whole FEU. On our own little way, kahit sabihin na academic organization lang kami, naniniwala kami na additional value s’ya for FEU (We worked hard for the awards from the very start… We believe that organization is not the only one that will credit from the awards but also for FEU. On our own little way, even if we are just an academic organization, we believe that these are additional value for FEU),” Yatar answered when asked about how he feels on receiving the awards. The summit was attended by 55 NCR-based universities and colleges that offer Bachelor of Science in Accountancy including University of the PhilippinesDiliman, University of the East (UE)-Manila, UECaloocan, Miriam College and Philippine School of Business Administration among others. -Janice C. Rodriguez
Ace Cielo Marie M. Gonzales Patnugot ng Filipino
FILIPINO
June 2012
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Sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng modernong teknolohiya samu’t-saring mga paraan ang naiisip ng mga Pinoy upang sumabay sa rumaragasang epekto ng internet. Ginagamit nila ang cyber world upang mas mapadali at mapabilis ang pagbili sa ilang mga bagay na tinatawag na online shopping. Masasabing kaakibat ang internet sa pang-araw-araw na Nagbebenta sila ng mga planners, beach bags at classic gawain. Tila nagsisilbi itong instrumento ng karamihan upang folders na pasok sa panlasa at bulsa ng mga kabataang Pilipino. mapadali ang lahat ng tungkulin na dapat gawin. Bukod pa rito ang Magandang paraan din umano ito sapagkat kilala ang mga Pilipino sa pagkakaroon ng negosyo sa internet ay maaring may kaakibat na pagiging aktibo sa online world. Ayon kay Lim, ang pagkakaroon ng kaginhawaan sapagkat ang trabaho ay maaaring gawin sa loob ng online business ay malaking tulong upang ma-promote ang kanilang tahanan; maituturing na may kaluwagan sa oras ang ganitong gawain produkto. “[We had] wider markets reach because everyone and kumpara sa regular na opisina. everything is online now, and it’s free.” Maging ang ilang sangay ng gobyerno ay batid na ang kahalagahan ng online business. Kung kaya’t inilunsad ng Department Negatibong naidulot of Trade and Industry ang Philippine Business Registry, isang web- Sa panahon ngayon, nauuso ang ipinamanang kaugalian ng based-system, upang maiparehistro ang mga negosyong online. mga Tsino na konsepto ng “Buy and Sell.” Ito ang proseso na kung Layunin nitong mas mapabilis at mapadali ang pagproseso ng mga saan ang mga binili mong produkto ay ibebenta sa iba at papatungan kalakarang online. ng karampatang tubo. Sinubukan ng mag-aaral ng Far Eastern University na si Karen Talentong pang-negosyo Mae Sanchez, 3rd year Marketing Management ang ganitong kalakaran Simula ng naging tanyag ang social networking site na sa pamamagitan ng pagbebenta ng nauusong baller. Umusbong ang Facebook noong taong 2004, animo’y kabuteng nagsulputan na rin ang pagkahilig ng mga kabataan dito sapagkat may iba’t ibang kasabihang mga negosyo dito. Hindi nila papalampasin a n g p a g k a k a t a o n g sumusimbolo sa kanilang sarili. Ang pag-aangkat ng produktong ito makipagsabayan sa ingay ang pinagtuunan niya ng pansin na gawing ng iba pang mga may negosyo. hanap-buhay. Nakikita ito “When I put my business on my Facebook ng ilang mga negosyante “I think if you will put your business account, I think dumami ‘yung customers ko. bilang namumukadkad na sa internet mas dadami ‘yung customers Syempre, I have 3000 friends sa FB (Facebook) pagkakataon para ipaalam mo. At the same time, you can gain new kaya ayun. And mas updated at nakikita nila sa karamihan ang inilalako mismo ‘yung mga designs or styles,” ang friends at lalaki pa ‘yung income mo.” nilang produkto. napagtanto ni Sanchez na malaking kaibahan ng Larawan ng damit, negosyong kaakibat ang internet. sapatos, at accessories ang Ngunit bukod sa mga benepisyong -Karen Mae Sanchez mga produktong kadalasang naidudulot nito sa kanya, may kakambal din 3rd year BSBA Marketing Management itong hindi kagandahang karanasan. Nagsisimula mabibili dito. Kanyakanya rin sila ng paraan ang kanyang problema sa mga taong kung sa pakikipagkalakaran tawagin ay Bogus Buyers o Joy Reservers. Sila ng presyo sa mga parokyano. Para sa kanila, hindi tulad ng ang mga taong magpapareserba ng mga produkto subalit sa huli ay pangkaraniwang negosyo ang kanilang kailangang gawin sapagkat hindi naman ito bibilihin. hindi laway ang kanilang puhunan kundi diskarte at oras sa internet. Ayon kay Sanchez, dito raw masusukat ang pasensya at tibay Dahil mas madali ang ganitong pangkabuhayan may ilang mga ng isang mangangalakal. Hindi rin naman daw biro kapag nalugi ka sa mag-aaral din na pinapasok ang online business bilang pandagdag sa isang negosyo. Subalit hindi lamang daw dito nagtapos ang kanyang kanilang baon. Napagsasabay nila ang talento at pagba-balanse ng problema dahil kasunod nito ang hindi maiiwasang mapapabayaan oras sa pagtatayo ng munting negosyo. ang pag-aaral sa dumadagsang order na kailangan bilhin. Isa na rito si Anne Francis Galvez, mag-aaral mula sa Holy “In this case, ma-addict ka na sa FB. I-a-add mo na din yung Angel University,-Pampanga. Sa linya ng kanyang kursong Marketing, mga hindi mo kakilala at makikipag-chat ka na sa mga nakikipag-chat maaga niyang nagagamit ang mga pang-akademikong natutunan sayo lalo na kung customers ito,” mariing pagbahagi ni Sanchez. upang mas mapalawak pa ang kanyang negosyo. Magkagayunman, malaki pa rin naman daw ang naitulong ng Sa pagbabahagi ni Galvez, naisip daw niya ang ideyang mag- mga social networking sites para mas lumago ang kanyang munting negosyo sa internet dahil na rin sa payo ng kanyang mga masugid na negosyo. Kailangan nga lang daw na mas balansehin ang oras. “I think mamimili. Nagsilbi namang inspirasyon sa kanya ang tiyahing hilig if you will put your business sa internet mas dadami ‘yung customers ang pag ga-gantsilyo upang magkaroon ng lakas ng loob na ibenta ang mo. At the same time, you can gain new friends at lalaki pa ‘yung kanyang sariling likha. income mo.” “Nabigyan ako ng idea kung ano pwedeng gawin [para Hindi masama ang humanap ng bagong paraan ng pagkakakitaan sa sariling negosyo], una, nakagawa siya [tiyahin] ng bracelet hangga’t ito ay marangal at nasa malinis na paraan. Ang pagiging na ipinakita ko lang muna sa mga friends ko [at] nagustuhan madiskarte ngayon ang tila kaugaliang kailangang taglayin ng bawat nila,” aniya. isa upang makaangat sa ibang kalakaran. Sabi nga sa isang matandang Nang makita niyang patok ang kanyang mga likha, ito na kasabihan, daig pa ng maagap ang masikap. ang naging hudyat upang buksan niya taong 2011 ang kanyang Subalit, bigyang halaga rin ang maaaring bunga ng aksyong online business na ‘the button line’. Dito niya binebenta ang mga gagawin para hindi mabigla sa mundong papasukin. Balutin ang mithiin personalized crochet hair accessories, bags at bracelets. ng ginintuang layunin upang sa lahat ng aspeto ay umasenso. “After ko makabenta ng two to four products, may mga -Marie Ville R. Torrijos nag-o-order pa kaya naisipan ko nang ilagay sa internet para mas madaling ma-promote ‘yung products,” malugod na pagpapaliwanag ni Galvez. Pangarap na negosyo Marami nang mga kumpanya at organisasyon ang sumubok na magtayo ng negosyong online. Sa kanilang online page isinasagawa ang transakyon sa pagitan ng mga mamimili. At tulad ng mga makikita sa malls at boutiques, marami ring mapagpipiliang produkto. Masasabing bihasa na ang ‘Filed’ sa kalakaran ng negosyong online. Sa loob ng limang taon ay patuloy na maayos ang takbo ng hanap-buhay. Ibinahagi ni Stephanie Lim, Marketing Manager ng Filed na nagsimula ang negosyong ito bilang proyekto sa kanilang business plan noong sila’y nasa kolehiyo pa lamang. Nang maglaon, naisipan nilang ipagpatuloy ito at pasukin ang online business. “We wanted to expand our market reach to increase our profits. Since we were students back then, we didn’t have the resources to open our own store or even consign in others. The internet is a free way to reach more people, and something we had easy access,” paliwanag ni Lim.
Illustration by Ralph Michael R. Nochete Layout by Alexis James L. Tud
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June 2012
OPINION
E DITO RI A L Modifying patterns
This school year opens with major transitions brought by the national trend of kindergarten plus 12 years of elementary and high school (K12) and the shift in headship on FEU’s highest student political post. As used-to schemes transforms, we shall be geared up for adjustments. Last year’s student body election let the red blood of Samahan ng Mag-aaral para sa Samabayanan (SAMASA) party alliance drench down the four-year straight reign of orange flares of the rival party Sandigan in FEU Central Student Organization. Much is expected from the new stream of position holders and a bunch of changes shall be also expected from them. Nonetheless, leadership is not measured by the name, by color, or by popularity but by how much they impart to the Tamaraw community through effective projects and heartfelt service. Indeed, it is too early to measure their leadership as early as the opening of the semester. This serves, however, as a challenge for the newly seated “red heads.” The students gave their trust on these people upon choosing them as their leaders so they must treasure it and give back the honor through efficient work. Nationally speaking, the country might be walking in the dark as education reform K-12 blooms its pioneering year but as it walks through the dim light, we opt to hope that inch by inch, the scene will become brighter and clearer like a shining future ahead. K-12, a reform forged by the Department of Education (DepEd), adds two years to the former 10 years of Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) or the so-called elementary and highschool. It is considered as the flagship education program of the Aquino administration. During their years in BEC, students may already choose on what field of study they would concentrate on depending on what they would like to pursue as a profession. Thus, it’s like already getting in college. So as the common sense goes in this developing country, fewer students might pursue the tertiary level for they might be already equipped with such skills and knowledge required to get employed. On a downside, they might not be stepping their foot on the stage during commencement exercises for they would stop studying and just get themselves working for money. Two long years... Two more years of tuition. Two more years of daily allowance. Two more years before acquiring college diploma. Two more years before attaining a professional degree. There is an addition in terms of time but how about addition in terms of classrooms, teachers, teacher’s salary, books, computers, and other school facilities? Yes, we are now-formerly one of the last three countries to have the old-fashioned-ten-years of BEC; and so what? Why do we have to get in to the limelight of the twelveyear curricula if we are clearly a million public classrooms away from the global standards? Is the country ready for this? On a positive corner, reports show that with two additional years, the tertiary level may be shortened to lesser years, and therefore, students would pay for tuition at a lower cost. We, Filipinos, shall cross our fingers and hope that this major alteration will bear healthy fruits in due time. Arguments have been weighed. The policy has been implemented. So let’s just hope that this new version is something worth the pocket aches and will not promote wasted time. The following words may itch your eyes for they’re already been said a million times but clearly, the Philippine Constitution lied when it stated that ‘Education is a right.’ Changes are undeniably inevitable but progress is always a choice.
The moment you reach your goal, you aim for more. And so congratulations! You’re now on the endless trip of achieving. I am a person who thinks less about my future though I know that every step I take is like a flag that I need to get in this race of life. Each flag is tagged as one of my desires and as I collect those flags, I will eventually soar to greater happiness. There are no finish lines here because the race of life is a series of ups and downs, and are constantly making the run a little more challenging. What I like about in this lap that we are on— college—is that there is a less competition. There are no so-called Top 10s, no Valedictorians and Salutatorians. No rankings. Everyone can get ideally a grade of flat one. Everyone can be a Summa, a Magna, a Cum. No limits. One will clearly realize that he is never competing with anyone else aside from himself. So, what will make you stand out and win the race? Be purposive and productive. Be exceptional.
Each of us is destined for greatness. However, only few are willing to pay the price. I will not be a fullpledged hypocrite by denying the fact that cowardice is in our most innate nature. As sons and daughters of Adam and Eve, it is a natural tendency for our bodily muscles to weaken, our hearts to cripple and our eyes to dilate every time we sight great fear and danger. Soon enough, if they went out of control, they will bring us down in a monotonous synchronization, humming the symphony of early and undeserved defeat. But there are people who fear their fears more than normal people do. They are already afraid before they can fully comprehend what they are afraid of. And by that time, these people will realize that they’ve lost the battle even before it really started. Sadly, they can’t do anything to alter it anymore. I call it the tragedy of trusting your doubts more than yourself. And this is the first price of greatness—recognizing the presence of your fears and rejecting them. On the other hand, there are also people who are, to put it in a non-offensive way, less shy than the others. Somehow they are the ones who seem contented with how their lives are currently go-
Vision and confusion
Being stagnant is something that is out of my vision. I don’t want to graduate without gaining an experience that would surely set me apart from other ordinary students. Of course, after college, broader and extensively harder struggles await us. Hence, put one step forward, take risks and make sure that you enjoy what you are doing. What you do today are the little steps tracing a better future ahead. The future is in our hands, as the cliché goes. But do we really have the power to control it? It’s like holding a crystal ball with your numb hands. You can never feel it. You can just see it through your self-proclaimed ideas.
But even if you see it, would you believe it? You’ll never even know if you’ll be happy when you finally turned your dreams to reality. You might even get confused if it was actually your dream or you just dreamed about it because it was others’ dream for you. For the freshm en and for every ‘confused’ ones as well, come to ponder on this: Do you really like the field you’re in? Does it seem easy because you are innately interested with the nature of your field? Or is it the otherwise? Know by your heart what you really want and everything will perfectly rhyme. As the character named Rancho on the
There will be dragons
ing, probably because they believe that they’ve already attained greatness for their own. However, the truth is that they are only suffering from another classic case of delusional narcissism, a disease that caused the downfall of the what-could-have-been-great people in the past. Excessive and unregulated self-assurance, I should say, is the hardest among all of the cases I presented here. One reason: you cannot let a man understand something when he thinks he already understands it all. Then again, I call it the tragedy of the witty fool who thought the world revolves around him. This is the second price of greatness—knowing that you do not know a thing and finding a way to know them all. And then we are down to the people who keep
themselves and their dreams secluded in a certain remote space, faraway from where the true world exists. Contrary to the latter, they are the more timid, reserved and humble type people; their only similarity is the fate that they will never experience greatness unless they do something about their fragility. The prejudiced perception of the society built the borderline that these people are living in. And although it is not entirely their own fault that they agonise from this, their choice to stay within the realms of their comfort zones already made it worse. People who are too passive and yielding to the every sway of the conventional society fail to see the wonders of living in a risky and unpredictable world. One should fully grasp the concept that big dreams entail bigger challeng-
movie Three Idiots said, “Make your passion your profession, and work will become a game.” Dreams… goals… plans… These are vague points. They are more likely to become part of the directions rather than the endpoint of your satisfaction. Aim for something big. It’s cool, for you’ll have a longer racetrack to swoosh on and a bigger reward to grab as well. Let yourself be convinced that you’re not going to stop if you fail and you’re not going to expect that the process will always be easy. Have what you want and want what you have. These will make this adventure happy even if problems arise and troubles block the path. The road may seem to be the wrong one but to your surprise, it might even be the shortcut. That’s one of the ironies of life. Note to thyself that life is a race but it’s never a permanent first place. Get on your lane. Extend your vision and share your confusions at eleanorreyes@ ymail.com.
es and live up to make that big difference. I call it the tragedy of falling into your own protective loopholes and dying without seeing the world. Lastly, this is the third price of greatness—realizing that there are boundaries and breaking out from them. Surely, there are a lot more prices of greatness that I haven’t mention in this limited box of thoughts. But I assure you that most of them you ought to know by yourself because it is only you who can understand it the most. And finally, as the door of another school year opens again, we are faced with the same situation those who have gone before us have already encountered before. Expect more of hardships, down times and problems than what we have previously experienced last year. But amid all of these, remember that these challenges will take us into greater heights, scale farther breadths and conquer deeper abysses. And for the ultimate price of greatness: there will be dragons; there are no doubts to that. But slaying them and staying alive are what will matter the most in the end. When DREAM could no longer suffice, it is time to face the REALITY. Clear out those hesitations at jeromes.deguzman@ gmail.com.
OPINION
It has been said that the roots of education are bitter but its fruits are sweet. Education is no joke. It cannot be attained in just a single snap; zillion ticks of clock will be counted, much energy will be wasted and lots of denomination will be spent. The issue in education that almost all of people are affected with is the expense, most especially in college. We are introduced to the annoying friends – tuition, allowance and projects -- that make our eyes roll and our parents’ pocket to torn. Unfortunately, not all of us have the means to compensate for things needed for education. People tend to fulfil first their basic needs rather than to study, given the continuous rise of the cost of living but stagnant source of living, plus the fact of nonstop increase of tuition fees and unfair scholarship grants. Basically, these are the reason behind the rare chance of studying in college which is given to only two out of ten Filipino students. Being educated is one of our rights and most of the time, it serves as a basis on having a good job. The higher If your brain and your heart clash, to which one would you be in favor of: the brain or the heart? A person once told me, “In loving someone, you have to give your heart but keep your brain with you.” Call me dim-witted if you feel like because of this superficial thought, yet it took me eons to contemplate and ponder on the give-your-heartkeep-your-brain idea. I shall salute you if you truly understand what this person really mean. In fact, it’s not the first time that I bumped into the said quotation. It’s just that, it never fails to mystify my intellect. It always makes me muse back to of all the decisions I made. As a person who doesn’t believe in anything without the explanation and support of science, I do not consider this argument valid. To the best of my memory, our hearts are never responsible to any decisions we make in life unless another brain would popup into our hearts. In my own perspective, it has always been the battle between the two hemispheres of our brain. Our heart’s decisions are made with our right brain which is holistic, subjective and intuitive, while ‘head’ “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” -Maya Angelou Every year, it seems as though this country of ours, despite of being classified as belonging to the “third-world,” never seems to fail to encounter political, geographical, social, and even nonsensical matters, issues, or quandaries that make it to the headlines. For instance, the lengthy trial of Chief Justice Corona has taken the chambers of Judiciary by storm already and the conviction upset further tous archipelago’s chaotic gov’t. Until recently, the battle between Santiago and Tulfo regarding the NAIA incident ruled over the media. Former beauty queens spoke their stance regarding the transgender woman joining the Miss Universe pageant. Most of 2011 concerned itself with the cases against former president Gloria Arroyo who also didn’t wane to reel in more attention than necessary. I also recall the year 2009 and the better part of 2010 centered on, until now, the unresolved RH Bill. There were also the catastrophes Sendong and Ondoy, former president Corazon Aquino’s death, Hello Garci controversy, ZTE Deal gone sour, Halili and Kho’s sex scandal, Erap’s impeachment and his almost second shot at the presidency during the 2010 presidential elections;
Bittersweet
the educational attainment, the higher level of job you will have. But how about people who haven’t reach college or didn’t even attend schooling? I think, that’s where the importance of Kindergarten to 12 (K-12) basic education reform program enters. This is President Benigno S. Aquino’s education program which aims to improve the quality of basic education in the country by technically adding two years to the previous 10 year basic education curriculum. The new curriculum includes mandatory Kindergarten before entering elementary and adds two years of senior high school – more time to be spent and
more lessons to be learned. Will it add more burdens to parents for having additional years in high school? For me, it will. But on the brighter side, students can already find a job and work with a high school diploma on hand. The additional senior high school will make future Filipino high school graduates competitive through its indepth specialization in different fields like Science and Technology, Business and Entrepreneurship. However, I doubt if the government can implement this program successfully. The government has not yet resolved the current problems of the education sector–
The clash
decisions are made with our left brain. This is our rational side, where we analyze information and make use of objective reasoning. This can leave us being in two minds when making a decision. Going back to the case, I tried expounding my philosophy about which would I prefer to use, whether the brain or the heart and my evaluation went something like this: A rational and a matterof-fact person would probably choose the logical thought of the brain. He would say that the feeling from the ‘heart’ is dangerously inaccurate, it alters facts and it can even overlook them in order to make justification. Therefore, ‘heart’ is unreliable source of judgment. On the other hand, a love-idealist would tell you
to listen to the intuition of the heart instead. He would say that the brain is dangerously deceptive, limited in its ability to comprehend the region beyond reasons. Thus, logic is unreliable source of true wisdom. So to answer the question, I say neither of them. In any conflict, taking sides yields nothing but the sharpening of the conflict itself. I strongly believe that one can never attain peace by choosing a side of you and making another one an enemy. No matter which side you choose, another side will keep on contradicting you. That is why choosing either of them will never give a good decision for you. To end the conflict, you need to bring all of the conflicting parties into a single
Will we ever learn?
EDSA I and II. Do you see the pattern here? We, Filipinos, have been labeled as ‘the resilient ones.’ We have the ability to bounce back from every tragedy or put a smile on our faces in spite of the difficulties we face. Yet, did we ever ask ourselves how deep are our thresholds for unwavering challenges, inevitable failures, and never-ending problems? Is it possible that we have been too accustomed to these hardships like poverty and mediocrity that without recognizing or realizing it, we have chosen to just smile instead of fight? To claim what is rightfully ours than just settle for whatever’s laid in front of us? To figure out solutions and prevent history from repeating itself over and over until we’re too stuck that nothing can ever be good enough to put an end to the loop of mistakes that recurs the past or allow us to have a better chance at the future?
As George Bernard Shaw once said, if history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must man be of learning from experience? And there we have it, the answer – EXPERIENCE. We have all been here before. The troubles of the past are what haunt the present. Our forefathers have encountered all of it - wars, discrimination, racism, poverty, slavery, and so forth. They’ve known all of it. It’s what led to the construction and formation of laws, treaties, the Constitution. And with that, has it never bothered you why it seems as if we’re not moving towards a brighter future? We’re right where we were almost three decades ago when the Marcos Administration ended. Hell, we’re still where we were when the Spaniards came three hundred years ago. Why is that? In this world that’s full of uncertainty and tribulations, each of us has roles to play
incompetency of teachers, scarcity of classrooms and insufficiency of funds which will be inherited by the new curriculum. Aquino should practice palabra de honor through accomplishing his promise of addressing such shortcomings and avoid indolence or ningaskugon with this matter. These problems should be easily solved because these are the essential ingredients of a delicious program implementation. If that will not happen, Juan’s hope of having a masterpiece dish, ascent in the sea of poverty, will not happen. It will burn instead. Education is the gear towards a battle in life. Not the lessons alone but especially the values we learned will help us on whatever challenge we need to surpass. Education is a place where dreaming starts but it is not a place where dreaming ends. We have to wake up from those dreams and make them to reality. Agree? Share thy salient points and let’s say hooray for the beginning of new school year at butsagustin@gmail.com. focus. In that, all parts of you will move into one shared direction which results to making a good decision. However, taking both to a resolution is not an easy task and one must resist the temptation to take side. Being patient, calming the mind and watching everything with care will eventually lead to right solution. And maybe that’s what the give-your-heart-keep-yourbrain scheme supposes. Not to be in favor to the other but weigh both. Sometimes our feelings on a particular issue are really a compilation of our life experiences at a subconscious level. You may ask yourself “should I go with my gut or with my logic?” This may be one of those decisions you will have to make at the time the issue arises. The heart shows you the path; the brain helps you decide if you should go upon it. I’m no expert on dating or anything that goes with it and I don’t claim to be, but I’ll leave you with this: Have faith in love but love cautiously. The doubting beat of your heart and the question marks in your brain are queued to be entertained at nikkylodeon@ ymail.com. and responsibilities we must uphold for and to ourselves, our families, and the society. Maybe, the focal issue is that we’ve forgotten them. Somewhere along the road, we got sidetracked or our focus shifted, our faiths and beliefs were shaken and we’re too busy to think of other’s welfare since all we have left for is the strength to get by each day and survive. That’s something totally considerable but we have to remember that it is also our job to prepare or shape a better future for the next generation like the one before us did. We need to redirect our focus and set our priorities straight and do everything in our power to keep them where they should be. You see, we’re concerning ourselves with the wrong matters. We’re focusing on the wrong things. All these hearings for impeachments and debates regarding bills to pass and such are precious time and resources being wasted on trying to prove things that we already know: prejudice prevails in the justice system; government officials are corrupt politicians; and the separation of Church and State seems more likely like a line drawn in the sand. It’s time to wake up. As the saying goes, “A clever man learns from his mistakes, but a wise man learns from the mistake of others.” Break the cycle. Make a change. Let’s hear what you have to say at kcamillef.cue@gmail.com.
June 2012
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Halaga
Bukod sa konsepto ng ‘respeto,’ isang bagay pa ang hindi maaaring ituro sa mga tao. Sa buhay, maraming mga bagay ang pilit na hinahanapan ng kasagutan. Mga bagay na maaaring magbigay ng matiwasay na pag-iisip patungo sa landas na inaasam. Subalit sadyang ang pagtahak sa hiwaga ng mundong ating ginagalawan ay hindi madaling mabatid. Kamakailan, nagkaroon ng 50 sentimong pagtaas sa pamasahe. Kung tutuusin, hindi naman talaga ito malaking isyu kung kasabay sa pagtaas ng maraming bagay ang pagtaas ng kita ni Juan. Dahil nga hindi ganito ang takbo ng buhay, isa na naman itong pasanin para sa ordinaryong Pilipino. Nang minsang sumakay ako ng dyip, nakasaksi ako ng isang pagtatalo mula sa drayber at isang pasahero. Nag-ugat ito dahil hindi masuklian ng 50 sentimo ang babaeng pasahero. Hindi nagpatalo ang pasahero at kanyang sinabi “Kapag kayo ang hindi nabibigyan ng 50 cents, galit na galit kayo. Mahirap kumita ng pera, buti pa nga kayo may dagdag kahit pa’no.” Sa tagpong ito, napaisip ako. Lahat nga ba tayo ay may pagpapahalaga sa 50 sentimo? Buwan ng Abril nang mabigla ang sambayan sa pagpayag ng pamunuan ng Miss Universe na pasalihin si Jenna Talackova sa naturang kompetisyon. Umulan ng kaliwa’t kanang batikos ang isyung ito sapagkat sa unang pagkakataon ay may transgender na pinayagang makasali sa prestihiyosong timpalak. Sa gitna ng mga batikos, sinabi ni Paula Shugart, presidente ng Miss Universe organization, sa pahayagang Mirror News na “We have a long history of supporting equality for all women, and this was something we took very seriously.” Sa tagpong ito, napasagi sa aking isipan lahat ba tayo ay may sapat na lakas ng loob upang ipaglaban ang ating sariling pangarap at kagustuhan? Lahat nga ba tayo ay may pagpapahalaga sa dignidad ng ating pagkatao? Isa pa sa mga matitinding isyung kinaharap ng ating bansa ang pag-aagawan sa Scaborough Shoal o Panatag Shoal. Pinaninindigan ng bansang Tsina na mula pa sa dinastiyang Yuan, sa kanila na ang nasabing isla. Sa kasalukuyan, bilang ganti ng makapangyarihang bansa kanilang kinansela ang pagbisita ng mga turistang Tsino. Hindi lamang ito, nanganganib na rin ang pag-export ng ilang mga prutas gaya ng saging, pinya at papaya. Sa ganitong kalagayan, makakaya nga ba ng Pilipinas na tapatan ang panggigipit ng Tsina o patuloy tayong mananatiling sadlak sa katotohanan? Madalas, hindi nabibigyang pansin ang mga maliliit na detalye at mga emosyong nananahan sa isang desisyon. Magkagayunman, panahon at karanasan ang magtuturo sa atin na huwag kalimutang alalahanin ang halaga ng bawat isa gaano man ito kababaw. May kasabihan nga tayong ‘Hindi mo malalaman ang halaga ng isang bagay kung hindi ito mawawala sa’yo.’ Maaaring totoo subalit sa aking paniniwala ang mga taong nagsasabi nito’y mga makasarili at manggagamit sapagkat hindi nila binigyang halaga ang taong nagmamahal sa kanila. Pinakinabangan lamang nila ang pribileyihong mahalin sila at konseptong hindi sila mag-iisa. Kakambal ng kasabihang ito ang isa pa “Nasa huli ang pagsisisi.” Katulad ng 50 sentimos na idinagdag sa pamasahe, lahat ng pribilehiyo ay maaring bawiin at mawala. Minsan may mga tao at pangyayaring dumadaan sa ating buhay at nakakaligtaang tignan ang kanilang saysay. Mahirap masanay sa isang bagay na maari pang mawala sa iyo. Sa buhay, maaari kang magpakatanga, maging mahina at talunan. Magkagayunman, isang bagay lang ang huwag mong kalimutang pahalagahan sa lahat ng aspeto ---ang iyong dignidad. Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay maaari kang manatiling api. Sabi nga ni Senadora Miriam Defensor-Santiago, ‘Fight for what you know is right.’ Huwag kang matakot na ipahayag ang iyong saloobin subalit humanda kang panindigan ito. Humanda ka sa bawat resulta ng iyong laban. Malay mo sa paraang ito pala mahahasa at lalabas ang iyong tagong tapang. Alalahanin na ang mundo ay hindi iikot base sa direksyong ating nanaisin. Magdiwang sa panibagong simula at mabuhay batay sa iyong sariling kaligayahan sa ace_cielo_gonzales@yahoo.com.
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June 2012
THROUGH THE LENS
Photos by James Patrick B. Manaloto, Jude Thaddeus F. Valderama and Paul Edgar D. Yorsua, Jr. Layout by James Patrick B. Manaloto
James Patrick B. Manaloto Chief Photographer
FEATURES
Shereen Nicole B. Rivera Features Editor
June 2012
7
By Christelle Anne S. Jimenez
When people converse, emotions clutter all over. There are exchanges of anger, pain, happiness, relief, sorrow and further. But as time goes by, human intelligence gets tested; creating a new form of social interaction wherein people interact with inanimate beings or answering machines with Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is a success for the human race to create an engine with the same ability as humans to produce information and interact with one another. But how this machine affects the lives of each individual, and how and why they use it, are like mysteries that students of Far Eastern University might want to be aware of.
difference between the two is that on a real person, you’ll get relevant answers and LOL-ing (laughing-out-loud) response on the latter. I just ask crazy questions with high hopes on getting even more ridiculous response, and SimSimi doesn’t fail me with that. I even used it as a tool for some friendly jokes,” explained Franz Joseph Palaje, a sophomore Legal Management student. Chatterbots fulfill their goal to bring fun and help, still, speaking to a real normal person is a whole different experience, for most students feel that chatterbots are assistants or products that give laughter and help like a human friend that who may not always be by your side physically but could still touch your heart emotionally.
Introducing the clever machines Frances Marie Tenerife, a second year BS Psychology student shared her definition for AI, “For me, Artificial Intelligence can be defined as intelligent machines that can somehow help -humans since they are designed for it. But they are called artificial because they can never overpower such human mentality.” AI has been around in the 19th and 20th century but only as fictional entities. During the 1960’s, people have concluded that in a generation span, AI could finally come to life. And it has, during this generation. There are different levels of AI’s, starting from 5 th generation computers to the more advanced answering machines also known as the chatterbots. Wikipedia defined chatterbots as a computer program designed to simulate an intelligent conversation with one or more human users via auditory or textual methods, primarily for engaging in small talk. The primary aim of such simulation is to fool the user into thinking that the program’s output was produced by a human.
Interpreting the subconscious Students have many reasons on why they talk to or use chatterbots but how they affect, benefit and bring disadvantages to people is another branch that is not often discussed. “Unang-una, ang benefit nito is ‘yun nga, tensionreduction tool siya. Pangalawa is, ‘yung information na gusto mong mahanap saglit. Moreover, dito walang masyadong emotions involved; more on objective lahat kaysa subjective.
Interacting with the society Chatterbots are now at its peak, examples are the talking bird SimSimi, Apple’s personal assistant Siri and British programmer Rollo Carpenter’s Cleverbot and Jabberwacky. “I speak to SimSimi because it gives us a lot of fun even if SimSimi is just a machine.” answered Azer Viduya, a second year Business Management student, when asked if he uses answering machines such as SimSimi and why. These kinds of answering machines are currently popular to the public. Some use these machines for fun while some try it because of boredom. But not all answering machines are just for entertaining reasons. “I also talk to SimSimi when I have nothing to do or if I want to laugh out loud, but many figured out that its answers sometimes just repeat with the same question. But Siri is a different one, Siri helps you with different tasks like when you’re very busy you could just ask it. It is very useful and cool.” shared Kathleen Arianne Rosario, a second year Tourism Management student. The main purpose of chatterbots is to entertain and to produce a conversation like human beings, but have they been ever close to as humanlike? Or considered as another person being spoken to? “I’ve used that application [SimSimi] before and I’m astonished how personal and crazy some responses go. The
(First of all, the benefit of this is that, it’s a tension-reduction too. Secondly, the information you want to have can be found instantly. Moreover, there are no emotions involved in here. It’s more on objective instead of subjective),” shared Sheila Marie Hocson, director of the University Counselling and Career Office. It is when there’s an absence of the human friends when people get more interested in speaking to answering machines because it is a human nature to interact with one another. Hocson elaborated, “I think in this very busy world, dito mo mapapatunayan na ang tao, kailangang mag-interact. Kaya minsan s’yempre, mga magulang natin sobrang busy. Now usually, ang quality time, magkakatabi lang pero iba-iba
din ang kausap at ginagawa. (I think in this very busy world, you can prove that a person has to interact. Sometimes, of course, our parents are very busy. Now usually, they [families] are close to each other but they talk to different people and do different things).” In addition to this, people who seek warm attention from a human with involvement of emotion and feeling are the ones who get easily attached to chatterbots. “It’s more of belongingness ng mga bata. Kasi minsan yung belongingness na hinahanap nila sa mga loved ones nila at sa society, hindi nila mahanap kasi nga, ‘yung mga magulang nila, walang panahon. O kaya naman minsan, in this world, mahirap humanap ng tunay na kaibigan so ito na lang, ‘yung robot. (It’s more of belongingness of the youth. Sometimes, the belongingness that they look for their loved ones and to the society, they cannot find it for the reason that their parents have no time. Or sometimes, in this world, it is hard to find a real friend so they go for the robot),” she futhered. Speaking to chatterbots is fun and entertaining but everything and everyone have their dark side. “The disadvantage is minsan nagiging dependent na tayo sobra and we tend to abuse it already. It’s an abnormal act na laging robot na lang ‘yung kausap mo. Walang emosyon, and it’s all artificial. Kaya hindi tayo dapat dependent. And then, ayun minsan hindi ka na nakaka-connect sa people na important sa’yo kasi you’re too focus na. Nawawala na ‘yung quality time sa friends and loved ones mo kasi masyado ka nang na-involve sa robot. So, hindi na rin normal,” Hocson added. Belongingness is a strong emotional feeling that one always long for. People belong to the human society no matter how busy everyone gets. The comfort of being with another person could never be replaced by another being or thing. Chatterbots could give people a twinge of laughter and smiles and sometimes a helping hand, but the sincerity of emotions that one has to feel could always be given by another person in order to feel fulfilled. -with reports from Shereen Nicole B. Rivera
Photos from FEU Advocate stock photos and www.google.com; Illustrations by Ralph Michael R. Nochete Layout by Richelle Mae B. Bautista and Leilani D.L. Lachica; Colored by Isaiah T. Bolima
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June 2012
DUE DATE
TAMARTS
Ralph Michael R. Nochete Art Director
Ralph Michael R. Nochete
Aaron Cedrick S. Manaloto
Mhar Melvin I. Choi
Erika Nicole L. Bernardino
Johnry Heinz C. Laban
FAR EASTERN SIDE
Erika Nicole L. Bernardino
LITERARY
Korina Camille F. Cue Literary Editor
As the night grew darker and the ticking of the grandfather clock became more earsplitting, Jack started to cover himself under his blankets. He keeps on suppressing his thoughts full of vile imagination. He was scared, he felt like every thing’s about to end any moment. He kept on thinking their house might fall off or be swallowed by the waves. He could even hear the seawater reaching the shoreline, the howls of the wolves and the owls. He heard everything that’s surrounding their home. As he thinks of all the vague imaginations he has in his wits and before it could all burst out, he closed his eyes and wished they would just stop and leave him.
But they just didn’t.
He was in a somewhere he didn’t know. There’s shallow water in front of him. He kept on thinking what it was and what was he doing in such a place. The water was clear that he could even see his own reflections. He was revamp of the image of himself. “You’re so handsome.” He said to his reflections. As he looked down the water and his reflections, he suddenly noticed that his face was turning into a ghastly malevolent look. He was frightened and he threw himself backwards. As he moved away from the shallow water, something from behind grabbed his both hands. He can’t see what was; all he could see was a silhouette. Jack was so scared, he passed out. When he woke up, he was already in his bed and the sunlight was gleaming beautifully into his eyes. He suddenly laughed and made fun of his dreams. The fear he had because of his nightmares was juvenile. The realization hit him that what happened last night was nothing, but a mere dream, a dream of imaginations made by his too fired up brain. Then, he was back in his normal routine. Sometimes he imagines the dream he had and then he smiles again.
“How foolish was I to believe that dream. I can still see myself so scared like a baby was afraid of a monster.” Jack told his friend George. George was his consistent long time friend, the only one who has the courage to contradict and give advice to all of Jack’s thoughts and shortcomings.
“Don’t you think it’s an omen?” George said.
“Omen for what? Ha-ha. I don’t think so.” He replied
“That the end is near. You see, other people are scared because they say that the end is near. The rapture is near.” George said “Huh? Are you crazy? That will not happen.” He said with a bothered look on his face. Both of them suddenly became quiet and never talked about it again. It was already dark when he reached home. He was so worn-out and felt so exhausted that he didn’t want to do anything but to sleep. Before he did, he joined his hands, closed his eyes, bowed down his head and prayed.
“Our Father who art in heaven, Holy be Your name, thy kingdom come, Your will be done…”
The Odds Aren’t In Your Favor
June 2012
“…on earth as it is in Heaven, give us this day our daily bread…”
As he peeked in the darkness of his room, he was frightened to see himself not on his room where he should be but back to that dreadful place of his nightmares. He closed his eyes once again and prayed, wishing everything would be back to normal.
“…and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us…”
For the second time he peeked in, everything was becoming more horrifying. He saw that the ground was breaking; the houses are submerging down the ground and people were all around screaming for help, some were falling into the sinkhole. The nearby ocean was already swallowing the houses like a starving puma. Jack was above a heavy boulder of rock sited on a throne, he wanted to help the people. But he can’t even move, he was crying and shouting but nobody could hear him. He was staggering and he kept on shuddering thinking he might let loose of the chair. He kept on doing it, soon he was already at the edge of the boulder, and then he fell down. He passed out again and when he came back, it was morning again. After every nightmare was like this, he began to think that what George said was right yet the better part of his brain decided to brush it off since it was never bound to happen anyway. He felt like he was stuck in a situation where believing and trusting was of different dimensions, of different worlds. His intuitions became worst when he dreamed of himself as the maker of the horrifying phenomenon in his dreams. Every time he woke up he was drenched in tears. He does nothing in his dreams but to look at and watch the tragedies happening, he thought he was the one who created those things but he doesn’t want to believe it because he couldn’t comprehend how he could be capable of such ruthless acts. The sun slowly bid good bye and the moon took its place, everything seemed to happen in a maze-like way. It was too early, yet he became lethargic. He fell into the ground and succumbed to deep slumber. Then, he woke up. He was in the same place again. He kept on submerging, crying, and reliving the same dream and all he was able to do was believe that the dream would end soon. After everything else, he knew that this was the worst part of all his vile dreams. He saw that nothing and no one exists in the place. Everything was just a pile of trash. The land was flat and everything was dark. He was now in a place where he was the only one who exists. He was walking around and looking at every place. He suddenly knelt and screamed his lungs out. He wants to revive everything that was lost. Until he passed out again, and knowing that he is back to normal. He slowly opened his eyes to see the gleam of the sunlight that always welcomes him after every horrifying dream he had. He even prayed that everything would be gone now. His nightmares and premonitions and that his night would turn out to be better and he would be back to normal. But this night was far more different. He woke up still in the same place. The horrified look in his face was still intact. He was of a different person now. He can’t wake up. The ambiance tells him that he is on the right place; the place where everything would be lost, the place where everything was played as an omen to him. The day his friend George told him that it was the end of everything. Here it is. He could not believe it, he didn’t want to. The rapture happened in his dreams. The same place his wits and body was used to. The omens were right. The end is here. Jack was the omen to the world and he’s no longer fast asleep. The real state of his life was this. No one would ever dare to imagine, but it was happening now. Jack’s imaginations came true. The omen was right. The place was dead, and so was he.
Prologue: “Mayan’s Prediction” Effect By Mary Hicelle B. Renacido
By Marra Yoshabel B. Mien
The predicaments within the interior civilization The triggering of mental strains where in society incoherently resides The render indistinct insidiousity in number amounts Of ordeals much distraught reasoning inclination
I can’t see the Earth anymore Clouds are dyed into a dark shade of gray The birds – replaced by rockets and planes to my dismay The browns became concrete The greens became obsolete I can’t see my people anymore Children are glued to the computer screens Women turned into career queens Men are struggling for wealth and power Even the aged lessen their prayer It seems I can’t face my only son anymore He lived a life base on my scriptures He suffered under the hands of human vultures He sacrificed and died for these people The same people who keeps on ignoring my call I can’t stand this abuse anymore It’s time to let them know that I’m superior That even their technology against me is inferior It’s time to separate the good from those who sin Mortals, let this Apocalypse begin
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The conflicting turmoil with creeds of religions The indifference great minds and knowledge will impose The activation of endless protesting Of ostracism that clamour of enamours it possesses The elusions of many judgments that arises The thrown balance of inside preparation those convinced The displayed idiosyncrasy in interrupted continuity Of casuistry learnt now doubted, standards defy being composed The combat was rather more internal than reality The droll stringlets of declaration acclaimed yet declaimed The engulfing result that will verify what was awaited Of foresight was, might be, and would be settled
Illustrations by Johnry Heinz C. Laban, Mhar Melvin I. Choi and Erika Nicole L. Bernardino Layout by Richelle Mae B. Bautista
1010
June 2012
(Photo by James Patrick B. Manaloto)
Tams expect... from page 1
of Accounts, Business and Finance Case Study Room. A c c or ding to Stu dent Lead e rs h i p Coordinator Marcon Espino, the main purpose of offering the SIM card is to strengthen information dissemination. However, he did not disclose further information because Volleybelles finish... from page 12
defense pattern was broke down by the crosscourt shots of Benito, pushing the score to 3-7. Sanorseang and Eulalio joined hand in hand to keep the Lady Tams on, 12-14. With Benito keeping up her running crosscourt hits, the set ended at 16-25. Eulalio and Sanorseang carried the Morayta-based volleybelles to cruise a 25-19 cushion in the second. They challenged SSC-R’s floor defense as uncovered off-the-block smashes of Eulalio pierced the Recto-based squad. SSC-R made an 8-0 run in the first set, claiming it at 19-25. On the lighter side Though missing the semi-finals, Head Coach Nestor Pamilar was still contented with his players’ performances, “Okay naman ‘yung performance kaya lang di naging okay ‘yung resulta (Their performance was good though the result was not that fine).” As a mentor himself, he tried to instill in them lessons after every game. “Ang sabi ko sa kanila after V-League, sana natuto tayo, madagdagan ‘yung mga nalalaman natin du’n sa performance (After College may shorten... from page 2
like Agriculture, Business and Entrepreneurship. This will give students options, whether to continue college or to begin work with a high school diploma. Luistro said that DepEd needs capability of practitioners, experts and graduates of different courses in teaching technical subjects. He furthered that he will ask Congress to enact law regarding this. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Asia Pacific Director at the Bureau of Education Sheldon Shaeffer affirmed that the K-12 program is a necessary reform “to make the system comparable to and competitive with other countries” on another PDI article dated January 22. Projected problems Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino believes that the education scarcities will affect the quality of education that will be acquired by students. “Students cannot properly learn if, in the first place, there are no sufficient classrooms to study in, chairs to seat on, teachers to learn from, and textbooks to read,” Palatino said in a bicoltoday. com article .
the administration is improving its features.
still
Student center The administration started the construction of 17-storey New Technology Building (TB), to house FEUEast Asia College (FEU-EAC), along Gastambide street after the groundbreaking ceremony held last May VLeague, I hope that they learned especially from their performances),” Pamilar said. He had no qualms with Sanorseang who helped them throughout the tournament. “Wala tayong naging permanent na guest player maliban du’n sa Thailander. Okay naman ‘yung guest player natin kaso ‘yung iba naghahanap nu’ng gaya nina [Jang] Bualee, ‘yung mga nakikita natin na nag-e-excel (We didn’t have a permanent guest player aside from her. She’s good though others are looking for someone who usually excels like Bualee),” He stressed on Sanorseang’s will to take the center spiker position due to Mayjorie Roxas’ absence, “Kasi sya (Sanorseang) center spiker, magkaiba sila ng posisyon [ni Roxas] (Sanorseang’s position was different from Roxas, who was originally a center spiker).” With an injury-stricken team including another guest player, Jennifer Manzano from Army Team, he was forced to get reinforcement from Sarah Jane Espelita. Pamilar added “’Yung after sana nu’ng game sa SSC-R, nakausap ko na ‘yung guest player ng University of St. La Salle (USLS), si Jovelyn Gonzaga, willing s’ya maglaro, so kung nanalo tayo roon, ipapalit ko On the other hand, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte assured in a GMA News Online article released last April 22 that teachers will be able to administer the program this school year 2012-2013 through the trainings done. “Our teachers are quick to learn and the training is continuing. The DepEd will provide necessary support and assistance to them,” she furthered. “Notwithstanding the education framework of K-12, DepEd just doesn’t have the necessary funds to push through with the plan and fill in the lack of crucial education resources. K-12 in its current form is a very problematic plan. It spells disaster should DepEd insist on implementing it,” Palatino elaborated. Luistro refuted in a Sun Star article dated February 19 that The Department of Education has already allocated funds from the fiscal year 2012 Textbook Funds and subsequent years until fiscal year 2015 for the provision of the centrally procured learning activity packages or LAPS, modules and other instructional materials to support the initial implementation of the K-12 curriculum. Furthermore, Luistro explained in a GMA News Online article published on
16. FEU President Lydia Echauz said that FEU community will expected to finish in May 2013. The transfer of FEUEAC to the new building will leave most parts of the Technology Building (TB), TB Annex and the East Asia College Building to the FEU Manila campus. na s’ya agad (If ever we won against SSC-R, USLS’ guest player will definitely play for the team).” “Wala na akong masasabi sa kanila individually, kailangan na lang na magtiwala sa sarili (I have nothing to say to them individually, all they need is to have self-confidence),” he ended when asked about their rooms for improvements. University broadens... from page 1
M o r e o v e r , t h e company will also enrol some of its qualified college graduate staff members at FEU Makati’s Master of Business Administration degree program for them to strengthen their expertise in the field. “Enrolment wise, nakakatulong sa enrolment sa atin (it helps us in the enrolment). Secondly, and most importantly, we are helping kids to finish college and we’re helping professionals to attain additional expertise by getting a master’s degree,” he furthered. Likewise, he mentioned alumnus Jun Mark Sison who graduated from IABF in 2001 and is now in JP Morgan Chase as one of the top administrators. -Justin Royce Z. Baluyot With reports from Leonard I. Agustin
March 30 that Congress needs to amend the Education Act of 1982 for DepEd to have a legal basis in pursuing the budget for the added two years of senior high school. R e g a r d i n g Kindergarten program, DepEd Undersecretary Yolanda Quijano pointed out in a GMA News Online article on April 25 that they began addressing shortages on class rooms, teachers and facilities two years ago. Nevertheless, she confessed that insufficiency cannot be resolved by the government alone, instead, by collaboration with private sector and local government units. Aquino also said in his speech on K-12 program launch that they will continue working for the problems of the education system. “Patuloy pa nating pinupuna nang ilang mga kakulangan sa sector ng edukasyon—mula sa pag papatayo o pagkukumpuni ng mga silid-aralan at mga kagamitan sa eskwela, hanggang sa mga pagsasanay sa mga guro at pagbili ng mga libro (We will continue to address the shortcomings of the education sector— from building or renovating classrooms and school facilities, to the training of our teachers and buying of books), he expressed.
Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Director Marilou Cao said that it will give more venues for students’ projects and other activities. Function rooms and offices for FEU Central Student Organization (FEUCSO), university-wide organizations, cultural groups and OSA are also expected to be part of the new student center. “Not all students know where their student councils are. This would centralize the knowledge of the student body of the availability of the studentleaders and the feasibility of immediate response to grievances of the Tamaraws,” FEUCSO President Jayvee Badile commented. As of press time, Cao said that the final layout and plans for the new student center are still being reviewed by the administration and other concerned offices, thus opting not to disclose other information about the student center. Standardized uniform As official school uniform for freshmen and transfer students this year, Cao said that female students’ skirt changed New retention... from page 2
silang mag-relax dahil lang wala silang board exam (So you cannot say that students of BSBA are just a second-class degree, or they can relax just because they do not have a corresponding board exam),” he furthered. Meanwhile, students of Internal Auditing are also qualified to take the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam. “Although not under the government, it is an international certificate for certified internal auditors,” Macachor added. At the students’ desk Mastery of courses and good preparation for the CPA board exam are the foremost benefits the students see. “Since we have a board exam after graduation, what’s good in yearly [comprehensive] exams is that students would have retention and mastery on every subject because before the exam, they have to review their accounting subjects,” Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants–FEU Chapter (JPIA-FEU) ‘11-‘12 President Richard Yatar commented. But Yatar also foresees that with the new curricula, JPIA will encounter problem regarding membership because the organization will only have fifth year students five years from now. Furthermore, he stressed that there will come a time when JPIA will not function for a year or more because of the K+12 curriculum. “There will be a year when colleges will not have first year enrollees. And so, if JPIA will only have fifth year [students after some years], then there will also be a year when there are no fifth year [students] because of K+12 and therefore, no JPIA,” he explained. Yatar shared that there was a resolution sent to JPIA stating that there will be a separate student organization in the University for BSBA Internal Auditing students alone. With this, BSBA Internal Auditing students will be disconnected from JPIA. “Our federation [JPIA-FEU ‘11-‘12] got majority of the awards during the NFJPIA-NCR [National Federation of JPIA – National Capital Region] Summit and I believe that as the president, it was not because of the officers but because of those JPIAns, our members… And so, if [BSBA Internal Auditing students] will be separated then JPIA would be [really] affected,” Yatar furthered.
from moss green pencil-cut back to pleated green-andyellow checkered one, as OSA found out that most students prefer the latter. However, some cuts and lines of the pleated skirt were altered. On the other hand, male students will still use the same uniform. Some of the notable changes in the institute patches such as colors and shape used and the inclusion of the founding year of each institute were also made in the institute patches to follow what’s stated in the University’s brand book. Meanwhile, old students are not required to use the new uniform but they have the discretion if they will purchase the new uniform or not. “We are trying to project the impression of the students that everybody should be equal… it will project the image that you are supposed to take care of yourself while projecting the image of the University,” Cao said. As of press time, some of the latter parts of the standardizing procedure of uniforms are still in the final processes. Alumnus named... from page 1
only as student, a nurse or a leader but also a responsible citizen of our nation,” Maravilla explained. H o t e l a n d R e s t a u r a n t Management (HRM) graduate Sibal and Mass Communication major Manuel both graduated as Magna Cum Laude while Nursing graduate Maravilla finished college as Cum Laude. Sibal gained the Certificate of Recognition during Kamp Kalinga XX, Ang Bata at ang Kalinga. He served as the first President of FEU HRM Society and became the first National Vice President of Philippine Council of Hospitality Management Students. Manuel received the 2012 Dr. Nicanor Reyes Sr. Leadership Award and was hailed as one of the Most Admired Women in FEU for 2011. She became the president of Young Women’s iTam ranks... from page 1
the world who enrolled in the free online AI class, according to a Yahoo! Southeast Asia article dated May 3. “The [AI] class taught me that there is just so much that I have not yet learned about CS, and that I really need to strive more to learn these things,” Maglutac said. The course introduces students to the basics of Artificial Intelligence, which includes machine learning, probabilistic reasoning, robotics and natural language processing, stated in the course overview posted on its website (www.ai-class.com). Another Filipino Tommy Lim Jr., enrolled in the same online class and finished at the top 10 percent of the class with 98 percent. The 11-week online class which started last October 2011 was facilitated by a Stanford professorand Google Fellow Sebastian Thrun and Google Director of Research Peter Norvig. -Janice C. Rodriguez and Leonard I. Agustin
New Season Theme T h e m e d “Celebrating Connections with Other Universities,” the new season of the President’s Committee on Culture (PCC) is planned to be filled with cultural performances from other local and foreign universities’ artistic and cultural groups. Apart from the plan to invite other universities’ cultural performing groups, PCC is also tapping some faculty and staff members to perform and participate in the upcoming productions in line with the University’s 85th founding anniversary. “It is just like what we did for ‘God Stealers’ nu’ng January where we looked outside of the FEU Theater Guild and it worked out because the students, of course, want to see their teachers on stage, or their favorite staff members…” PCC Director Martin Lopez said. Furthermore, he stressed that PCC always tries to maximize the cultural fee the students pay for during enrolment. -Justin Royce Z. Baluyot With reports from Leonard I. Agustin and Janice C. Rodriguez
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Christian Association for AY 2011-2012 and represented the Philippines in the 6 th Asian Youth Forum in Tokyo, Japan. Maravilla became the head of FEU-Red Cross Youth Community Health and Nursing Services Committee for AY 2011-2012 and organizer and team member of FLINDERS, Philippines’ first school based disaster response team. He was also an oral research presenter on the 23rd International Nursing Research Congress of Sigma Theta Tau. Sibal together with nine other TOSP-NCR awardees, will be endorsed to vie in the national level. Established by businessman Jose Concepcion, Jr. in 1961, TOSP recognizes exceptional youths for their academic excellence, leadership, good morals and diverse involvement within the community. -LIA
Man on the... from page 12
against National University in the second round last season. For him, last season’ws entry to the Finals was his second as a rookie player. Together with Tolomia and the rookie-laden Baby Tamaraws squad, they faced the favored Ateneo de Manila Blue Eaglets in Season 71. As one of the seen replacement to the two-time Mythical Five member Ramos, he humbly said “Parang nage-expect sila pero gagawin ko ‘yung best ko para makacontribute sa team (It’s like they are expecting but I’ll do my best to contribute to the team).” And as a new season unveils soon, “Gagawin ko pa rin yung dati, magko-contribute ako sa rebounding, defense and offense tsaka focus lang sa game (I’ll still do the same to contribute to the team like rebounding, defense, offense and always keep my focus on the game),” Escoto furthered. -LJSB
SPORTS
Cindy Ashley G. Sy Sports Editor
Great wall of defense
Lady Tams trashes OLFU
June 2012
1111
Learn from the past
By Cindy Ashley G. Sy and Stephanie Ruth D. Navarro
Morayta-based cagebelles emerged triumphant against Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU), in Fr. Martin’s Cup last May 13 at the San Beda College Gym, 68-37. Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws did not let OLFU tear them down. The 31-point lead of FEU made it easy for the Lady Tams to grab the victory though they had a rough time getting in to the groove in the first moments of the game. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Tams did not allow OLFU to gain composure as they fired continues twopointers which bubbled up to a 17-point lead, 47-32 with only less than five minutes left in the ball game. With time ticking down to its last seconds of the last quarter, the referee called a technical foul to FEU Head Coach Allan Albano due to a said wrong call by the referee that sent OLFU to the charity lane, but even with charities given, OLFU scored only three out of five gift shots, 68-35. Third quarter flamed as both teams speed up the way they played, only down by 10 points OLFU managed to score a few more jumpers and a lay-up with six minutes left in regulation, 31-22. Both teams were scoreless for less than two minutes as they struggled with shooting from beyond the arc as it is raining bricks and air ball. Claudine Supnet saved the Lady Tams from drought as she went to the charity lane, shooting 2 of 2 of her gift shots with 4:32 left in the third quarter, 33-22. OLFU
regained composure and fired another four points, 35-27. But their force wasn’t enough to out play the UAAP Season ‘74 Champion and the reigning Mighty Sports AssociationPacific Online Cup title holder as FEU’s Karen Columna shoot another lay-up with 1:40 left on the clock, pushing the lead to ten points, 37-27. The Lady Tams played their hearts out on the second canto as they put OLFU to slumber. FEU fired massive shots, making the team in the lead 24-15 with 2:01 left in the clock for the second quarter. While feeling each other out during the first quarter, it was OLFU who drew first blood 0-2 at the 7:21 mark. Supnet’s jumper marked the Lady Tams’ first basket for the quarter 5:43. Supnet, April Siat and Columna, hand in hand carried the team with combined 36 points and managed a 22-6 run in the second period. Turnovers and misses seemed to be the problem the entire game. According to Head Coach Allan Albano “Kasi hindi sila naglaro ng smart basketball, basta pasa lang ng pasa. Hindi nila alam may defense pala du’n. Wala sila sa tamang p o s i ti o n p u ro a t tempts. Pwede naman mag-extra pass (Because they did not play smart basketball, they pass the ball around without thinking about the defense, they have a lot of misses because they are not in their right position and they did not thought of passing the ball).” D u r i n g t h i s pre-season cup, Albano
Defenders of the crown. Cagabelles grab semifinals berth. (Photo by Paul Edgar D. Yorsua, Jr.)
concentrated with the team’s defense and a lecture on smart basketball. “Kailangan pa naming mag double work sa defense, if they want na pumasok sa finals at mag champion ulit, kailangan nila mag double work (We have to work on our defense. If they want to reach the finals and be the champion they have to work twice as hard),” said Albano. Before the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season
‘75 starts, he wishes to see a difference in their defensive scheme. “Kailangan naming i-emphasize nang mabuti, di pa kasi nila nakukuha ‘yung gusto ko mangyari, pero paunti-unti makukuha din nila ‘yan (We have to emphasize it very well, they are still working on getting used to the system that I want but in time I know they will get it),” furthered Albano. With reports from Lhea Jane S. Bagona
FEU bets top nationals, leads in int’l tilts Months before the regular season begin, members of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Men’s and Women’s Chess Team started picking up where they had stopped and made their moves to put the pieces back together. In their most recent skirmish, the board generals showed their tactics and maturity in the Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Olympic Committee (PSCPOC) National Games. University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) silver medalist Lennon Hart Salgados led the Tamaraws in the 65-man openage field with an eighth place finish, behind seventh placer Grandmaster Eugene Torre and above ninth Joey Albert Florendo, a National Master (NM) and University of Santo Tomas mainstay. UAAP Women’s gold medalist and Woman National Master (WNM) Jedara Docena with Janelle Mae Frayna and Angelina Mortos, claimed the first, third and fifth spots for FEU, in order. In the youth division, Dominique Lagula of the men’s team ranked fourth out of 47, while Gladys Hazelle Romero Blue Eagles... from page 12
FEU’s Russel Escoto started the festivities in the first canto by scoring a basket followed by Terrence Romeo’s lay-up,4-2, 8:05. Garcia steals the ball from ADMU and passed it to Romeo to score a basket, 8-5, 7:10. Slaughter scored back-to-back floaters to push a one point lead, 10-11. FEU went to the foul line making four of six. But ADMU’s Salva made backto-back jumpers that cut the
By June Ace G. Esteban
Unstoppable. FEU Woodpushers exemplifies their deadly moves to win their matches. (FEU Advocate stock photos)
and Nikki Erika Yngayo of the women’s earned second and fourth out of 28, accordingly. Last March in Misamis Oriental, Salgados and Docena took the bronze and gold medals in the National Junior Chess Championships, with the former topping the 20-years-old-and-under Boys’ category along 20-under Girls’ champion (Luzon and Mindanao) Frayna, respectively, in the National Age-Group tilt.
Lagula and Yngayo also bagged the fifth and second honors in the first tourney, as the champions of the latter will go to Vietnam for the ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships from June 10 to 20. In the 2012 National Age Group and National Junior Chess Championships in Tanauan, Batangas on the first week of May, Docena amassed 23 points to nip fellow WNM Frayna by a point,
booking herself a trip to Athens, Greece as the country’s top bet in the 2012 World Junior Chess Championships. On the same note, Lagula earned a sit going to the Asian Youth Championships in Sri Lanka after edging Salgados for top honor in the National Age Group Chess Championships Grand Finals. Yngayo and Romero settled for fourth and fifth there, respectively.
lead, 14-15 with less than two minutes left in the regulation. Romeo who contributed a team-high 18 points and a rebound, sealed the first quarter 16-15. According to FEU Head Coach Robert Flores, “Naging kulang ng team yung sa defense...Okay naman pinakita ng mga boys, nag i-improve lahat pati defense gumana naman si Hargrove at talagang nagstep-up siya pati yung other big men kasi nung fourth quarter bad na
laro ng wing man natin, si R.R at Terrence. (The team had lapses when it comes to defense... But nevertheless, the boys played well, all of them are improving and working with the defense, Hargrove really stepped up for the team and the other big men because our wing men, R.R and Terrence were struggling in their shots during the fourth quarter).” In this game, FEU shot 67 percent from the charity stripe against Ateneo’s
60 percent. However the Katipunan-based cagers dominated the boards for the ball game with 37-50. This was the last game for the Tams who failed to enter the Finals for two consecutive seasons. Last season, they placed third only to be beaten by Ateneo, again. -Stephanie Ruth D. Navarro and Hannah Grace N. Ramil
“There is no present or future, only the past, happening over and over again, now.” – Eugene O’neill, A Moon for the Misbegotten For six straight seasons now, the FEU Men’s Basketball Team has not yet been able to live up to their name of being the best as they always go down as “second best.” But what has been hurting the community is that year by year, they perform well at the start but just run out of gas towards the end. I have been a big fan of FEU team since I was in high school, watching games live or on the boob tube. Cheering for the Tams until I lose my voice, I would never forget the time when Arwind Santos and the rest of the Season 68 guys carried the team to their 19th UAAP title under their rookie coach Robert Flores. It was a season to remember for the Tams who gave all their best and who had a roster packed with graduating students who chose to play their fifth and final year in order to win the gold. It is been awhile now since I last saw them carry the trophy and probably a lot of you, students, faculty members and alumni are disappointed on how we finished the basketball season. But that is what I like about basketball. One minute, you are on top; the next minute, you see yourself in the middle or below the standings. Truly the saying “bilog ang bola” really exists. As a spectator and at the same time a writer, I know how it feels like being with a team who is always the top pick before the season starts but loses in the end to a foe which was just so towering. Last season 74, the lost against Ateneo Blue Eagles was really devastating. With injuries crawling to the roster of FEU and without their team captain JR Cawaling on their side, they were no match to Ateneo’s lethal weapons Greg Slaughter and Kiefer Ravena. Let us fly back to Season 60 when FEU was crowned as the champions. After the said season, it took the team five gruelling years to get the gold under their belts. The team went from first place and went down to the 5th spot in Season 65 and for the next three seasons, the green and gold community became victorious. The drought made the team even hungrier for a championship trophy and so, who knows? The scarcity that the men’s basketball team is suffering right now may serve as their wakeup call. Now is the time to take action, now is the time to prove that they are the better team. Of course, we cannot just only count on history repeating itself but we must trust each other and mix the right combinations to build a team that will surpass the best of the best in the collegiate league. As we open new doors to new challenges, let us all be positive with the outcomes we can look at the past but we must not always dwell on them. Staying too much in the past can give us a notion that we are not ready to move on. My past editor June Ace once wrote “Do not be afraid of turning a chapter or putting the last period in the book. Sometimes, the good starts with the bad end.” We must believe in ourselves that we can do it and we can conquer the obstacles we face. If it is time to close the chapter of our life as we know in ourselves that we have failed to make it blossom, then try it. Do not linger on it as it can ruin a good start. It is good to go back in our past for some memories but we must also learn from the past so that we would not repeat the bad memory and change it for a better outcome in the future. Dwelling too much on the past? Move on and share your experiences at cindyashleygosy@gmail.com. Lady Shuttlers sizzle... from page 12
and UAAP Season 72 Rookie of the Year, stroke with Sonny Boy Montilla, both of which from Team Prima. Mayono and Sony Boy Montilla, ranked fourth as pair, drew bye in the first round, survived two scares against Annelyn Alba and John Robert Lozada, 21-17-21-19, and Chandra Mae Montilla and Clint Angelo Armamento, 1721, 21-19, 21-17, in 25 minutes and 41 minutes, respectively. The angels, though, were against them together when Gabriel Villanueva and Descka Calimlim judged them in a 45-minute semis, 15-21, 2110, 21-17.
Ranked second best in the initial rankings, Cayetano and Paz decided a better story to live with from beginning to end. Cayetano and Paz drew a first round bye, garrisoned Siena and Jeff Garcia of Ilocos Sur, 21-14, 21-9, charcoaled Legaspi and Charlo Tengco, 21-14, 18-21, 21-14, in 43 minutes, tossed out Aries Delos Santos and Flo Lamigo in a 46-minute semis, 19-21, 21-15, 21-14, and stood higher on top of national team standouts Villanueva and Calimlim to win the finals in 32 minutes, 13-21, 21-18, 21-18.
Outwit, outplay, outlast
Blue Eagles dislodge Tams The green-and-gold squad bowed down to their University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) finals arch rival Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) in a nailbiting 40-minute basketball action during the FilOil Flying V Pre-season Hanes Cup last June 6 at the San Juan Arena, 63-74. History repeats itself; only this time, the turn of events is completely different. Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws showed they got swag on the hardwood and made it difficult for the Blue Eagles to emerge triumphant. The Morayta-based squad entered the pay-off period with a one point deficit. ADMU gained composure as they put Tonino Gonzaga in the court firing eight points, six of which are from beyond the arc, 6:13, 53-59. Tams, however, would not go down without a
fight as Carl Cruz went for a jumper off a RR Garcia miss, 5:47, 55-59. FEU’s Gryann Mendoza and Cruz made their way to the free-throw lane to cut the Blue Eagles lead by one, 58-59 with less than five minutes left in the clock. But Ateneo has an answer for that, as Juami Tiongson, Kiefer Ravena and UAAP Season 74 Mythical Five Member Greg Slaughter, pulled up for a back-to-back-to-back jumpers and a floater that gave the blue and white an eight point lead, 58-66, 3:06. Slaughter scored a game high 29 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, a block; and went for another dunk that gave the Ateneo a 10-point lead, 58-68 under two minutes in the payoff period. The Tams was scoreless for more than two minutes until Cruz showed some light and scored a floater, 60-68. ADMU shifted
Man on the Post He was touted to be the next “Spiderman” of the Tamaraws, but behind that jersey number 17 lays a young man with a lot of dreams and full of positivity. Far Eastern University’s (FEU) Russel Escoto took a big leap from a lean rookie to one of the trusted big men of the Tams last season. Packed with experiences and international exposures, he served as Aldrech Ramos’ partner in posting up in the paint. From V-ball to Basketball In his early years as an athlete, he first took flight as a quicker for his elementary school Volleyball team up to his sophomore year in high school at Angeles University Foundation. He also participated in some to u r n a m e n t s i n c l u d i n g Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association where they gathered awards. It was when he was just starting to shift in basketball when Head Coach Bert Flores eyed the young talent playing some hoops in his hometown. At 14 years old, he walked his path on and transferred in FEUNicanor Reyes Educational Foundation to suit up for the Baby Tamaraws. The 19-year-old, Bachelor in Secondary Education Major in Sports and Recreational Management senior dreamed of becoming a businessman aside from pursuing his love for the sport. It was his family that served to be his inspiration in what he does. Being the eldest among the four boys, he considered himself as a family-oriented man. He then shifted to a somber note when he mentioned his overseas-worker father who serves as his personal hero for supporting him all the way. On the charge Though the 6’6” power forward seem to be a shy and serious-looking guy on court, he is known to be a funny lad to his teammates and friends. When asked about why he like the sport of shooting hoops, he answered “Mas masarap maglaro ng basketball kesa ibang sports, tsaka mas exciting (It was a nice feeling to play basketball than other sports and it is more exciting).”
their speed up towards the end of the quarter not wanting FEU to get even an inch closer to their lead. FEU got its last trip down the charity lane making three out of four gift shots, ending the ball game with a score of 63-74. Coming in for the second half, Tams led by three, but without Arvie Bringas who was thrown out of the game for an unsportsmanlike foul and trash talking, there is no big man in the paint that gave Ateneo a huge advantage. Ateneo’s Oping Sumalinong started the attack with a jumper tying the game at 33-all with nine minutes left. Ravena gave the Blue Eagles a two-point advantage, scoring a jumper 33-35, 8:25. Slaughter led the offense for Ateneo in the third canto as the 7-footer took the ball strong to the basket to fish a foul and free throws for Ateneo, connecting two of his two gift shots. 33-37, 7:16. A t e n e o ’ s Ti o n g s o n w h o h a d 1 2 markers made back-toback threes, 4:09, 38-46. Former RP Team gunner, Mike Tolomia steps on the shooting engine and
shoots from beyond the arc, 3:57 and gained a ticket to the free throw line making two of two, 43-46. FEU’s Anthony Hargrove who chipped in 12 markers, nine boards, a dime and a steal was still on his feet for intensity, as he pulled of a jumper 1:38, 45-50. Both teams were sent to the charity lane as FEU scored two out of four free throws and ADMU scored one out of two, 47-51. A block by Mark Belo allowed Tolomia to score for two more for the Tams, closing the third canto with 50-51. In the second quarter, both teams missed their field goals for less than two minutes. Arvie Bringas draws first blood with a lay-up however, Slaughter attacked the paint that sent him to the line and scored another layup, 21-20, 5:46. FEU’s Belo answered back via lay-up, 23-21. Showing that height is might, Hargrove and Slaughter treated the crowd as they exchanged dunks in both end of the court as Belo joined the parade of scores and gave another basket for the Tams, 27-23, with less than three minutes left.
Stolen chances. FEU’s Anthony Hargrove tries to steal a rebound against Ateneo’s Greg Slaughter. (Photo by Marrione Ruth A. De Castro)
The Katipunan-based squad tasted a tie at 27-apiece after a Tiongson trey. But Hargrove was unstoppable in the paint, as he scored four more points for FEU via back-to-back dunks. Ateneo was held scoreless in the
final moments of the quarter, until they were given five gift shots due to a technical foul called on to A. Bringas that cut the deficit down to one, 3130. FEU’s Garcia, sealed the second period with a jumper, 33-30.
Continue to page 11...
Lady Shuttlers sizzle in nat’l rankings
Promising shot blocker. FEU’s Russel Escoto aims to control the paint in the upcoming UAAP season. (Photo by Randolph Joseph D. Cao)
Aside from basketball, he also put focus in his studies. “Ang klase namin, 10 am to 3 pm, tapos ‘yung practice 6 to 8 am and 4 to 6 pm. After ng practice namin, nagbabasa ako ng lectures namin (Our classes are from 10 am to 3 pm and we also have our practice from 6 to 8 am and 4 to 6 pm. To catch up, I read our lectures after practice),” he said. While staying with Team B in his first two years in college, Escoto also wore the national colors under Nokia Pilipinas-Under 18 National Basketball Team, alongside with Kiefer Ravena (ADMU), Kevin Ferrer (UST), and long-time playmate Cris Michael Tolomia. Last season may be a roller-coaster ride for the Tamaraws, and as he recounted the games that he played, the do-or-die match against Adamson University was memorable. “Di nila expect na makakapasok kami ng championship, akala nila wala na. T’saka maganda rin ‘yung nilaro ko du’n (They never thought that we could still make it to the championship. And I also played well that time.” During the two semi-finals game, he totalled 12 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, two dimes and a block with 47 minutes on the court. His another stellar moment was his clutch twoof-two three-point shooting Continue to page 10...
Forget if they were not donning the green-andgold jersey then. Forget if they carried the banner of A’s Team badminton club this off-season. Soon, everyone will again remember the names Jennefer Cayetano and Kim Mayono of Far Eastern University (FEU) Women’s Badminton Team. Cayetano and Mayono, arguably FEU’s top two shuttlers, made silent noises after smashing their rackets to the doors of national stage, particularly in the first leg of the yearlong Philippine Badminton Ranking System (PBaRS), the country’s prime arena for national team mainstays and
By June Ace G. Esteban
aspirants, last May 19 to 23. In the open-age women’s singles category, the seventh seeded Cayetano drew a first round bye, started a warm-up win over Sylvia Nicole Layson of Valiant Badminton Club, 21-6, 21-17, in just 10 minutes, and flexed her muscles more in the next 25 minutes over fourth seeded Ellaine Joyce Malelang of University of the PhilippinesDiliman (UP-D), 21-17, 2115. She cooled down in a 20-minute semifinal loss to top seeded Gelita Castillo, 21-14, 21-19. Mayono, likewise, erupted with a volcanic opening win over Rachel Gabrielle Dizer, 21-4-21-1, in 30 minutes, then blazed
through eight seeded Isabel Joyce Tan of UP-D, 14-21, 21-13, 21-16, in 48 minutes, before second seeded and eventual champion Bianca Ysabel Carlos fanned her flames, 21-8, 21-14, in a 25-minute quarterfinals. The pairing of Cayetano’s aggressive, hardhitting style and Mayono’s calculated, systematic approach, though, still worked wonders in the open women’s doubles like in the previous University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). The fourth seeded pair drew bye in the opener, outclassed Cecille Javier and Marylou Siena of Ilocos Sur, 21-9, 21-8, and stamped the difference in level of FEU over UP-D by sweeping
the fifth seeded pair of Tan and Bianca Legaspi, 21-13, 21-12, in just 23 minutes. In the semis, the golden pair from FEU ran with a close victory from second seeded Jubie Anne Vallarta-Ma. Isabelle Villaran tandem, 21-12, 17-21, 2115, in Clint Ange 30 minutes, before losing in a tighter, neck-gripping 55-minute finals versus top seeded Gelita Castillo and Dia Nicole Magno of the national team, 13-21, 21-19, 21-17. Trying their luck with others in the open mixed doubles, Cayetano fought alongside Gregg Paz while Mayono, former fourtime Palarong Pambansa Most Outstanding Athlete Continue to page 11...
Ousted by Stags
Volleybelles finish last With tri-colored balls flying in the air and resounding spikes rushing through the hearts of both courts, the less-manpowered Far Eastern University (FEU) still ended the season with something for the audience to watch. The Lady Tams won their first title in University Athletic Association Philippines (UAAP) in 1988-1989. FEU ranked 4th among participating universities in volleyball, senior’s and junior’s division combined last Season 69. As of UAAP Season 74, the Tamaraws have 44 UAAP Volleyball titles with 29 trophies for the women’s team. However, the Lady Tams’ luck has yet to be seen in the Shakey’s V-League as they suffer continuous losses this season. Overall, FEU had only competed thrice in the Final Four and had only won one which was a battle for 3rd place.
By Cindy Ashley G. Sy, Lhea Jane S. Bagona and Hannah Grace N. Ramil
On the rocks Carrying a 1-5 winloss card, FEU’s loss to San Sebastian College-Recolletos made them doubt to finally enter the elite four in the tournament. Ending the match 1925, 25-19, 16-25, 25-23, 5-15, the Lady Tams poured their all as Thai guest player Areerat “Eve” Sanorseang waxed hot with 28 points from 22 spikes and six blocks. Lady Stags’ Jang Bualee scored a gamehigh 37 points. Thai import Bualee fired a 7-1 run in the final set while the Lady Tams slowed down due to exhaustion. Sanorseang poured in five more points for FEU in a losing effort and ended the match with the Lady Stags’ one-man army 15-5. After twisting her knee during the opening set, Rosemarie Vargas was seen in action again in the fourth
Struggle for the win. FEU exits the tournament empty-handed (FEU Advocate stock photo)
set to give an additional firepower to the team. Getting her momentum back was not that easy that committed her service error and outside hits. Supporting Vargas in her soft hits were the quick plays and running attacks of Wenneth Eulalio and diagonal quicker Sanorseang, winning the fourth set by 25-23.
The third set poured with lots of reception errors for the Lady Tamaraws. Sanorseang threw an outside hit on the first score of SSC-R but reclaimed herself after blocking Bualee. She also led the attacks yet unable to convert points due to their opponent’s tall blockers. Their Continue to page 11...