SPORTS
FEATURES
July 2013
FILIPINO
www.feuadvocate.org
Vol. XVII No. 2
LITERARY
Sampaloc, Manila
FEU adopts new grading system Far Eastern University (FEU) has adopted a new grading system, effective this school year, to align with “international standards.” The new grading scheme (refer to sidebar 1 on page 3) uses the grade point system wherein grades 95 to 100 percent (classified as numerical equivalent) are equal to 4.00 (classified as quality point) or A (classified as written grade) which is the highest mark. Grades 60 to 64 percent, meanwhile, are correspondent to 1.00 or D, the lowest passing mark, while grades 59 percent and below (equivalent to 0.00 or F) are considered failed. Written grades will be used in all documents such as examinations, class activities and transcripts of records. “The faculty members will have to encode letters, hindi na ‘yung numbers, hindi na ‘yung quality point (no longer the numbers and no longer the quality point),” Office of Education Technology Director Harold John Culala said. It will be applied to freshmen, including transferees and Graduate School students, this school year while upperclassmen will still be graded using the old grading system.
Grading reforms. FEU embraces the new grading system for freshmen, transferees and graduate school students to conform with the international grading standards. (Photo by Marione Paul G. Infantado)
Culala said that the University’s goal is to match the students’ grades with their performance. He explained that getting a written grade would more precisely show what a student has achieved in a course. “If you are an A student [and] you have a quality point of 4.00, you should have a mastery of the concepts of a specific course… You need to be fluent in different communication styles. [And] you are excellent in cognitive skills,” Culala said. “Ang idea kasi natin (Our idea is) if you do not get
anything, you fail. Why are you getting a 5.00? So [in] our new grading system, if you fail in a class, you get zero,” he furthered. Culala also mentioned that they want to remove the culture of “grade consciousness” in students. “Because we are always saying that there are no children in this university; all are adults. We think about creating professionals for this country. So basically, it has an impact because now we would no longer fight over a decimal,” he said.
Admin reformats offices Functions external relations are longer under OAFA.
Shaping up. OSDL Director Joeven Castro, one of the appointed officials in the newly created academic service units, talked before FEU student leaders. (Photo by Leonard I. Agustin)
Several academic service offices were established and renamed this school year to achieve the administration’s goal of improving student services in the University. The new Alumni, Placement and External Relations Office (APERO) is headed by former Office of Student Affairs (OSA)-Student Leadership Development Unit Head Marcon Espino while former Department of Communication Head Joeven Castro now leads Office of Student Development and Leadership, formerly OSA which was headed by Marilou Cao. Martin Lopez, former head of both President’s Committee on Culture (PCC) and now-defunct Alumni Affairs Office (AAO), is now focusing on PCC alone.
Cao is now taking charge of Office of Community Extension Services (OCES), replacing John Michael Olaco, while former Institute of Education-Undergraduate Studies Unit Coordinator Elisa Mañalac replaced Ma. Belinda Buenafe as Teachers’ Academy director. Buenafe, on the other hand, has been appointed as the new dean of Institute of Nursing, replacing Rosalinda Salustiano. Admissions and External Relations Office has been renamed to Office of Admissions and Financial Assistance (OAFA). It manages the operations on admissions and scholarships and is still headed by Albert Cabasada III.
on no
Merged functions Partnerships with external corporations and organizations, placement of graduates and affairs of alumni are now under APERO. Tasks of AAO and the placement function of University Counselling and Career Office (UCCO) were fully turned over to APERO. However, UCCO still handles functions related to counseling and career affairs. Espino explained that the three functions were combined because the administration looked into the “strong connection” of these offices. More partnerships with alumni-owned companies are planned for employment opportunities for graduates of the University. “There you have the placement [function]. And this is part of our external relations matters… so you would see now the interrelationship of these offices,” Espino added. Part of the plan for APERO is to review and monitor existing programs and strategic directions of the offices who’s functions were in before. “Now that these three units are rolled into one office, the review portion now will help us find out what other programs and services we can formulate to better serve our stakeholders,” Espino said. The shuffling and Continue to page 14...
Problems on old system Culala laid out the main problems that were encountered in the previous criterion-referenced grading system that led to the
implementation of the new grading scheme. According to him, the old grading system was not internationally accepted as graduates had problems
with employers and graduate schools abroad who would question their grades. “A lot of students would like to work abroad, would like to pursue higher degrees abroad. They keep on coming back for an explanation [about] what is 1.00, 1.25… That is why we are changing now to the new grading system,” Culala explained. He added that general weighted average (GWA) could not be computed accurately in the old grading system because the higher the unit in a specific course, the higher the chances that it would pull down the GWA. Culala said that this was because in the old system, professors were multiplying the decimal grade to the weight unit of the course to come up with the final grade.
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University eyes senior HS
Administration of Far Eastern University (FEU) plans to establish senior high school to respond to the country’s need in specialized high school course under the kindergartento-12 (K-12) basic education reform program. University President institution that will provide arts, music, sports or vocational Michael Alba stressed that revenue to FEU to solve the tracks, among others. establishing a senior high negative impact in admission As an effect, the school program is a way of rates when the undergraduate University will not have “adding value to FEU.” level posts low enrollment in the freshmen in 2015 to 2016 “It is a way by following years as an effect of and seniors until 2019. which, we think, we can add K-12. “If one way by value to FEU if [it is in terms K - 1 2 m a n d a t e s which we can gain the impact of] the portfolio of outcomes the enrollment of children to of not having [students] from that FEU is to produce,” Alba kindergarten before taking up 2015 all the way through told the FEU Advocate. six years of basic education. 2020... [It is] one way that we In addition, he The new law also adds two are thinking of reducing the claimed that offering a years to the four-year high impact,” Alba furthered. senior high school course school program. However, he said will raise the quality of The additional two years that the administration is undergraduate programs. or the senior high school serves as still in the planning stage He also disclosed the students’ specialization period of the senior high school’s that the senior high school where they can take up “precourse will be another college courses” whether in the Continue to page 14...
SSO installs more CCTVs
Tightened security. SSO installs more CCTVs to reduce the blind spots in the University and ensure students’ safety. (Photo by Kevin Victor J. Torres)
Installing more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, tightening bag-inspection system in entrance points, deploying more security personnel on post, giving guards extra working hours and providing more security awareness programs. These were the ng phases one and two (We will buildings. SSO has already set actions made by Safety and install additional PTZ cameras Security Office (SSO) to because we still have blind the locations for the installation maintain a stiffer security corners that are not yet covered of CCTV cameras covered by system this school year. by phases one and two),” Miguel the third phase and is expected to be fully operational next Chief Security Officer said. Verlando Miguel remarked that The first phase of semester. H o w e v e r, S S O the first objective of SSO is to installation of CCTV cameras keep a secured campus that involved the setting up of spy has declined to provide the cameras in strategic spots in all number of and specific locations every student can feel safe in. “Mag-i-install kami ng buildings except Administration where additional spy cameras additional PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) Building and Alfredo Reyes Hall. that will be installed. cameras dahil may mga blind The second phase, meanwhile, Continue to page 14... corners pa tayo na hindi sakop covered areas in the remaining
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NEWS
July 2013
B E AT S
SCs, orgs aim collab projects
Student councils a n d university-wide organizations participated in Planning, Integration and Teambuilding Program 2013 at La Vista Resort, Calamba, Laguna last July 6 to 7. Members of student councils a n d u n i v e r s i t y - w i d e organizations, including FEUMakati Student Council and FEU International Students Organization, were taught to have more projects that would entice teamwork with other FEU-based student groups. Office of Student Development and Leadership Head Joeven Castro encouraged the student leaders in forging productive collaborations to come up with bigger projects. D r. Adelaida Fronda, former dean of nowdefunct Office of Student Affairs and Community Services, talked about core values of student leaders in practical terms while Castro delved on the parameters, framework and directions of student development and leadership.
‘Advo’ editor among nat’l photo tilt finalists Far Eastern University (FEU) Advocate Chief Photographer John Armen Bongao is among the grand finalists in the first Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s national photography competition. Bongao, who is a Bachelor of Fine Arts senior, is part of the 12 grand finalists in the competition’s Structure and Historical Landmarks category. The Fine Arts major’s entry shows Philippine national hero Jose Rizal’s monument at Luneta Park in a backdrop of a setting sun. “ N a k i k i t a k o n g naging edge ng photo ko ay wala pang ganu’ng photo ng Luneta. Wala pang gumagawa ng ganu’ng style (The edge of my photo is its style which has never been done by others before),” Bongao said. Announcement of winners will be on July 16 at the Airport Casino Filipino, Parañaque City. Other categories are People, Customs and Traditions and Nature.
Justin Royce Z. Baluyot
Enrollment drops by 2.06% Past crimes, ‘stricter’ admissions pointed out News Editor
By Janice C. Rodriguez and Norelyn M. Villaruel
Still crowded. FEU campus remains overfilled despite posting lower population rate this semester. (Photo by Marione Paul G. Infantado)
Despite the slight enrollment decrease this semester, Office of Admissions and Financial Assistance (OAFA) said that the sudden drop is “nothing to worry about.” “We do not care if [enrollment] goes down as long as we are sure that those we take in are quality students. It is quality over quantity,” OAFA Director Albert Cabasada III stressed. Far Eastern University’s (FEU) enrollment for this semester totaled 28,970
students, 2.06 percent lower than last year’s 29,580 enrollees. Data from Office of the Registrar showed that Institute of Arts and Sciences posted the highest enrollment figure with 8,368 enrollees. It is followed by Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance with 7,880 students and Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management with 5,694 enrollees. Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts has 3,032 students while Institutes of Education
and Nursing have 767 and 687 enrollees, respectively. Moreover, Institute of Law has 396 students while Graduate School has 206. FEU-Makati, meanwhile, registered 1,940 enrollees. Cabasada said that FEU has gained “negative” publicity
because of the reported stabbing, shooting and drug-using incidences last year that may have caused the enrollment drop. “If you look at the thrust of the Filipinos, very high [are depending on] TV and radio so [we] are portrayed in the negative way because of, you know, the random stabbing, random shooting and using drugs...” he said. “Kung bumababa talaga siya compared sa enrollees last year, siguro dahil ‘yun sa bad news na lumabas about FEU like ‘yung saksakan. Kailangan lang siguro ayusin ng FEU ‘yung naging reputation niya by assuring people na safe sa FEU at ‘di na mauulit ‘yung mga ganu’ng pangyayari (If there is really an enrollment decrease, that may have been due to the bad news that came out like the one about the stabbing case. FEU may have to improve its reputation by assuring people that it is safe here and that there will no longer be bad incidents in
the future),” BS Psychology junior Jasper Realino said. A University of Santo Tomas student was stabbed by a group of FEU female students at Science Building last October 2 while two FEU students were shot dead in Ricardo Papa Street last December 4. FEU Tamaraws basketball player Anthony Hargrove, meanwhile, was caught by the police last February 27 for alleged possession of marijuana. On the other hand, AB Mass Communication junior Kristine Camille Sulit said that the top reason of the enrollment drop could have been the amount of tuition. “Sobrang taas na kasi nung tuition natin compared to other universities’ kaya siguro students chose [to enroll] in other universities na mas affordable (The tuition is already too high compared to other universities so students chose to enroll in other universities Continue to page 14...
Cloud-based subjects to be part of IABF curriculum
FEU buys another land in Cavite By Janice C. Rodriguez
Far Eastern University (FEU) Inc. has disclosed about a 1.6-hectare land acquisition to Philippine Stock Exchange Incorporation (PSEi) last May 27. In the disclosure letter sent by the University to PSEi, it stated that “such parcel of land was acquired for purposes of future expansion.” M o r e o v e r, t h e disclosure also said that the land is located in Barangay Biluso, Silang, Cavite and is purchased for “future expansion.” “The recent property acquisition for the FEU Cavite campus was part of the original intended transaction and is not an expansion,” FEU Chief Finance Officer Juan Miguel Montinola clarified in a letter to FEU Advocate. As stated in the disclosure, the land acquisition was authorized by the University’s Board of Trustees in a resolution
dated February 21, 2012. Montinola said that the land was purchased late because of insufficient documents from the seller, Moldex Realty Incorporated. The said land was purchased by the University for 40,218,625 pesos. “FEU Cavite is not envisioned to affect dramatically the student admission rates for FEU Manila on account of its distance,” Montinola said when asked if the expansion of Cavite campus would affect the enrollment figures of the Manila campus. “FEU Cavite students would have probably enrolled in the local area schools had they not enrolled at FEU Cavite,” he added.
Towards advancement. IABF strengthens its curriculum by adding new cloud-based subject to develop students’ skills. (Photo by Ronalyn B. Pordan)
Far Eastern University (FEU) is now joining the NetSuite SuiteAcademy program which strengthens tertiary schools’ business curricula by giving students hands-on instruction with cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). NetSuite has a has included NetSuite cloud ERP moving towards the fourth system that allows users to to the curricula of IABF seniors level [of] accreditation,” run computer applications and juniors in summer next year. Ec o n o m i c s P r o f e s s o r over the internet without “That [NetSuite] will R o m e o C u e v a s s a i d . having to buy or install their help the students and the Last summer, weekown servers; hence, users faculty develop their skills and long trainings were given to can run their company's their knowledge. We give them instructors with a focus on information technology access to new information hands-on experience with operations using a browser as soon as the information NetSuite modules as part of and an internet connection. is made available. Maybe it strengthening the curricula. Institute of Accounts, welcomes development for Continue to page 14... Business and Finance (IABF) FEU because we are now
Aquino’s satisfaction rate sinks Admin told to address ‘crucial’ reforms
The public satisfaction rate of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III in the first quarter of the year has dropped from that of the last quarter in 2012, Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey has revealed. The satisfaction net rating of the Aquino administration in the first quarter of 2013 is +53 in a survey conducted by SWS in March. The results showed that out of 1,200 respondents, 68 percent were “satisfied” with the administration while 15 percent stated otherwise. In the last quarter of 2012, a net rating of +57 was recorded by the administration. In the same satisfaction survey in September and November 2010, the administration obtained a +64 net rating. In Visayas, the administration’s net satisfaction rating fell from +66 last December to just +45 in the latest survey. In the greater Manila area, the drop was from +47 to +43.
SWS also asked the respondents to rate the administration on certain economic and political issues. The results showed that the administration was “poor” on solving issues involving the 2009 Maguindanao massacre. It was “neutral” on three issues: ensuring that no family will be hungry, fighting inflation and ensuring that oil firms do not take advantage of oil prices. Moreover, the administration got “moderate” ratings on the following: reconciling with communist rebels, eradicating grafts and corruption, fighting crimes and resolving the armed conflict in Sabah. The administration has obtained “good” ratings in strengthening foreign relations, providing information about government activities, defending the country’s territorial rights, promoting foreign investments, fighting terrorism, reconciling with Muslim rebels and providing jobs. Furthermore, it was “very good” on two issues:
By Justin Royce Z. Baluyot
Photo by Marione Paul G. Infantado
helping the poor and promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers. ‘Resolve crucial reforms’ The dominance of administration-backed Liberal Party coalition in both upper and lower houses of legislature in the May 13 elections must have given the Aquino administration a “greater opportunity” to address crucial economic and
political reforms, think-tank group Stratbase Research Institute President Andres Manhit stated in an www.inquirer.net article last June 8. “[Aquino] now has a greater opportunity to address pending issues on reforms that will increase investments, directly generate jobs and sustain the economic momentum,” Manhit said. He stressed that the
Aquino administration must be alarmed that the agriculture sector is now just a tenth of the gross domestic product (GDP) as most Filipinos are tied to the agriculture sector such as fisheries and manufacturing. Data from another think-tank group, Ibon Foundation, showed that manufacturing sector’s share in GDP fell to 22 percent last year while agriculture’s is now just
11 percent.; both are low for a country that is supposed to be rich in agriculture, Manhit noted. Furthermore, he also slammed on the economic growth that has been consistently reported in the Aquino administration, saying it is just a “jobless growth” as the unemployment rate in the country is seven percent in 2011 and 2012 as measured by National Statistics Office. “We are supposed to be the second fastest-growing economy in the region, just behind China, but the official jobless rates of our neighbors are much lower. Thailand’s is 0.7 percent; Singapore, 2.1 percent; Malaysia, three percent; South Korea, 3.8 percent; China, four percent and Taiwan, 4.2 percent,” Manhit said. There may be a need to review the Philippine Constitution to remove the barriers that may be making the country “uncompetitive” for new investors.
NEWS
July 2013
3
FEU tightens scholarship policies By Janice C. Rodriguez
More benefits, fewer scholars. The administration of Far Eastern University (FEU) administration is aiming for a lower number of academic scholars starting this school year, targeting to give scholarships only to those who are “deserving.” “What is the purpose of the scholarship? Is it to attract students or is it to help students? Or is it to provide additional alternatives or options for those who do not really have means here in FEU? Those are what we are taking into considerations,” Office of Admissions and Financial Assistance Director Albert Cabasada III said. He added that there is a need to rationalize all scholarships to ensure that only the most qualified students get financial assistance. “That should be the premise of any scholarship; the scholars should comply with the policies. Scholarship is a privilege [and] not a right. And we would be stricter in screening and monitoring these scholars,” Cabasada said.
Furthermore, revisions on the requirements and qualifications for scholarships would include reducing the number of freshmen who get entrance scholarships which are given to high school valedictorians and salutatorians or to those who received honorable mentions. “I guess for the entrance scholarship, they have their student records and you would see that they are very good students way back in their secondary education. But that is not all we want to accomplish,” he added. Cabasada reported that with the new scholarship grant policies, students may benefit from a lower or a free amount of tuition, miscellaneous fees and housing fee if they are from the provinces. However, he said that adding benefits would also mean reducing the number of beneficiaries. “Well, advantages would be probable... [there will be] bigger benefits to recipients. Kung mas madami ‘yung benepisyo (if there
Quality over quantity. Only selected students will receive bigger benefits as scholarship policies stiffen. (Photo by Marione Paul G. Infantado)
are more benefits), in that case there would be fewer beneficiaries,” Cabadasa said. However, the new scholarship grant policies would only affect freshmen. “It would not be retroactive. Those [who] will be affected will be the freshmen so the [upperclassmen] could enjoy the policy that you enjoy when you
came here,” Cabasada added. He clarified, however, that the new scholarship grant policies are still subject to decision and approval of the administration. “These are all debated upon and I do believe that the final output would be for the betterment of FEU in general and for the students,” he said.
Tatak Tamaraw greets freshmen By Justin Royce Z. Baluyot
Tatak Tamaraw Freshmen Week welcomed new students with festivities such as the Tamaraw Tatakan, Tamaraw Hunt (TamHunt), Freshmen Orientation and Pep Rally last June 17 to 21. Tamaraw Tatakan is the newest addition to the annual festivities where upperclassmen put green and yellow Tamaraw stamps on freshmen’s faces. The event was held at the University open grounds on the last day of the freshmen week. Marketing and Communications Office Director Christian Evasco said that the event was about “setting traditions.” “Tatak Tamaraw is not just a welcome but it is a big welcome for freshmen so we want this to be memorable… We want Tatak Tamaraw to be a tradition not just in the next years but hopefully in decades,” he said. Pep Rally took place also at the University open grounds after Tamaraw Tatakan. Amid rains, athletes of different FEU varsity teams were introduced to the students to draw support for FEU adopts... from page 1
“So let us say Chemistry is a five-unit course [and] then you fail in that course. And then PE (Physical Education) is a two-unit course and then you get 1.00… In reality, mathematically speaking, a 5.00 in a five-unit course would pull down the student’s weighted average. It would boil down to the first goal that we want to match the grades with the performance. That is why the former [grading system] is not accurate,” he explained. In contrast, FEU Faculty Association President Roberto Remotin, Jr. noted that there may be confusion on how to encode grades in a class where there are freshmen and upperclassmen. “For example you are handling this particular section [and] then there are old students joining with the new students. So you need to prepare two class records and it may result to what we call problems to the teachers particularly in changing the grade [of the upperclassmen],” he elaborated. But Culala said that it should not be a problem
the 76 season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. The annual weeklong event was organized by Far Eastern University Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) and several academic services offices. th
Tamaraw-hunting TamHunt, the annual recruitment week, was held at Pavilion 2 where student councils, universitywide organizations, cultural groups and athletic support
squads set up booths to invite new members. Unlike the previous years, this year’s TamHunt no longer gave awards such as Box-Office Booth, Hunter of the Year and Best Hunting Strategy awards, among others, to participating student organizations. “Since TamHunt is mostly for freshmen, it is better to spend our money in merchandises or programs for freshmen instead of awarding an organization for making a nice booth,” FEUCSO President
Andrea Maxine Sarile said. She also noted that they invited more academic services offices to participate in this year’s FEU Your Information, a one-stop inquiry area where students can ask about the services being offered in certain offices, but most were not able to join. “This time, since most of the offices are in the middle of changing [offices] or are busy with the freshmen… some [academic services offices] changed their minds in the last minute,” Sarile said.
Smiles and stamps. FEU welcomed new students with the annual Tatak Tamaraw Freshmen Week. (Photo by Kevin Victor J. Torres)
because the only difference is the classification of grades. “It should not be a problem because we will still follow the universal grading system... and then you just convert it to the new grading system if there are [upperclassmen] in a group of freshmen coming in,” he explained. Drawing cheers, jeers Students and faculty met the new grading system with mixed responses. “It is good [because]
it is based on international standards. I think FEU is just raising the bar when it comes to that... So it is [both] a challenge and opportunity to go higher in academic excellence,” Psychology Society President Renz Arienda said. However, several freshmen expressed confusion on how their grades will be classified. “Para sa’kin, mahirap intindihin kasi letters na [‘yung grades] ‘di ba? So kunwari ‘pag nakakakuha ka ng C, hindi mo
alam kung ano ‘yung grade mo du’n kasi nga estimated lang siya (For me, the new grading system is hard to understand because letters are already used, right? So if you get a C, you would not know your actual grade because it is only estimated),” BS Nursing freshman Schier Ann Dela Cruz commented. In terms of accuracy of grades, Remotin said that he still cannot comment as they are not using the new system yet. However, he said that it depends on the professor.
As shown in the FEU Student Handbook, other entrance scholarships include full-merit and partial-merit
scholarships as well as Nicanor Reyes, Sr. merit scholarship. A c a d e m i c scholarships, meanwhile, are given to students who would get a general weighted average of 1.00 to 1.25 (full scholarship) or 1.26 to 1.50 (partial scholarship). Other scholarships include FEU Central Student Organization and Office of Student Affairs scholarships, athletic scholarships, cultural group scholarships, FEU Cheering Squad scholarships, Caritas scholarships, P.D. 577 scholarships, FEU Educational Foundation scholarships, special groups’scholarships, and other scholarships and grants funded by non-FEU entities. However, Cabasada declined to disclose if these will also be affected by the new scholarship grant policies.
Arki, Nursing slide down in boards
Far Eastern University (FEU) has recorded its second lowest mark in four years in the recent Architecture Licensure Examination (ALE) and posted a lower score in the latest Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE), both of which were held last June. FEU posted a experience). Most likely, that 34.91-percent passing mark is one factor,” the professor in the ALE where only 37 out stated, adding that IARFA might have of 106 Tamaraw exam takers professors passed. Twenty-two were also failed to teach the first-time takers while 15 architecture students how to were repeaters. No Tamaraw think critically. “Some questions has made it to the list of are really, parang based topnotchers. Last year, FEU din sa experience ng recorded a 36.94-percent students eh. So baka hindi pa nila na-e-experience passing score. Institute o f ‘yun, and then tingin nila Architecture and Fine Arts that is the best answer so (IARFA) maintains a median medyo may discrepancy of 36-percent passing rate pa rin actually ng kaunti in the ALE from 2010 up to du’n (Some questions are the present. The institute has really based on experience recorded its highest score so when the student have in the last four years last not experienced that yet, June 2011 where it posted a he might have thought that 47.11-percent passing mark, that [his choice in the exam] followed by a 44.87-percent was already the correct passing score rate in the answer, so there is still a little discrepancy there),” the January 2012 ALE. An architecture professor added. IARFA Dean Lorelei professor who requested for anonymity commented De Viana has declined FEU that the ALE takers from Advocate’s request for FEU must have lacked comment. On the other experience in actual practice and that it may have caused hand, IARFA Student Council president and fifth year BS the low passing score. “ S i g u r o l a c k Architecture student Marvin pa, kulang pa, hilaw pa Maclang said, “Magagaling ‘yung experience [ng mga ‘yung mga professors kaya estudyante] (Maybe students nga naging mga arkitekto were still raw and still lacked Continue to page 14...
“If you are not doing your task as a professor and you are not committed in your profession, maybe you can give a grade of 1.00 (D) or maybe a grade of A (4.00) [easily] to the student,” he said. Remotin added that the administration has called for a faculty orientation to explain that the success of any grading system is based on the professors. “We need not to reeducate our teachers; maybe [we just have] to remind them
[that] we are doing this one not for the sake of the school but for the sake of the students,” he furthered. M e a n w h i l e , Department of English Professor Recuerdo Lacsamana said, “It will also take time for the students to absorb this system. So I think one-year preparation would still be the best so that the students will be properly informed and then everybody will be properly preparing for this until it becomes a part of the entire system.” In addition, Culala hopes that the new grading system will start the manifestation of “academic integrity.” “We all want everyone, not just the faculty but also the students to adhere to that policy. After all, this is already a university. And after their years in FEU, they will be professionals in their own field. So we want a university that really follows academic integrity. That is what [being a] university is all about,” he said. -Jesserene D. Miranda and Ma. Karlota S. Jamoralin
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July 2013
FEATURES
Shereen Nicole B. Rivera Features Editor
Behind every mask is a story of a man’s trials and triumphs; it is through wearing such that one is able to conceal the scars of life and exhibit the enchanting journey of existence. Sharing their truest selves as they take off their mask, these three Tamaraws bare themselves to the crowd as the masquerade ball inaugurates. Black diva An urban diva born and raised in Caloocan City, Lygie Carillo, 3rd year AB Mass Communication student in Far Eastern University (FEU), mimics almost all of the black artists, be it local or international, as he is known by his stage name ‘Black Diva’. Carillo uses his talent in singing and replicating gestures when impersonating international artists such as Beyonce Knowles, Nicki Minaj, Rhianna and Diana Ross. Coming from his humble origin that started with his I-want-that-role frustration in theater arts, Carillo joins contests for impersonators and works in comedy bars. “I started my theater life back in 2004, eh s’yempre nafu-frustrate ako kasi hindi ako ma-cast bilang female performer (I started my theater life in 2004. Of course I was frustrated because I can’t be casted as a female performer). In 2008, I started joining Battle of Impersonators in different places. I even traveled to far-flung provinces just to join [contests]. Then recently I started working in comedy bars and party hubs.” Impersonating allows one to prevent people from accessing his deeply hidden emotions. However, for Black Diva, impersonating black icons seemed to be the channel to express his feelings—his unique quality that makes him stand out among other impersonators. “I don’t do performances for the sake of entertainment. I use it as a device, an outlet of my inner emotions,” Carillo expressed. But aside from impersonating, Black Diva has a bigger dream which he wishes to achieve. Asked if he still sees himself doing this after five or more years, he said, “I don’t know. I see myself teaching performance arts. [Impersonating] is still in line with that.” As Carillo takes off his mask, a Tamaraw confident about his hopes and dreams for the future is revealed. Of red lipstick Idolizing a talent from our own land, 3rd year AB Mass Communication student Gerwin San Miguel opts to characterize himself as MYX Video Jock (VJ) Joyce Pring. “Nag start ‘yun nung ni-link sa’kin ng friend ko si Joyce Pring tapos, sabi niya kamukha ko daw. Hindi naman ako naniwala pero sinabihan niya ko na gawin ko raw dito sa FB (Facebook) tapos, ti-nry ko i-DP (display photo) then ayun nga andami comment at likes (It started when my friend sent me a link to Joyce Pring’s page. She said that I look like her. I didn’t believe it at first but she told me to impersonate Joyce in FB, I tried it as my display photo then many gave comments and liked it).” His popularity rose when he was mistaken as Joyce Pring in FEU’s Concierto last school year, “Nung Concierto sobrang saya ko kasi nung napanood ko ‘yung video halos lahat ata sumisigaw ng Joyce Pring sa’kin. Tapos, may nag post ng picture ko sa FEU Memes ‘yung sa look-alike (I was so happy last Concierto because almost all of the people cheered me as, ‘Joyce Pring’. Then someone posted my picture in FEU Memes, in their album titled ‘look-alike’).” Indeed, this Tamaraw is unique in his own way as he doesn’t only turn heads but also amaze students as he struts his stuff. With the his color and infectious red-lipsticked smile, San Miguel was soon named the Joyce Pring of FEU by his friends and classmates. But what’s interesting is that, unlike most people doing mimicking job, San Miguel sees himself in the future not as a full-time impersonator but a fashion designer. “Hindi pa naman dumadaan sa isip ko ’yang ganyan (impersonating Joyce Pring). Ayoko naman gayahin lahat sa kanya gusto ko rin parang ’yung sa akin nagsimula. Number one dream ko is to be a fashion designer (It hasn’t come to my mind to to impersonate Joyce Pring full-time. I don’t like to copy everything about her. I want something that comes from me. My number one dream is to be a fashion designer).” Covered Photos by Marionne Paul G. Infantado, Photo courtesy from www.thegrandreport.com and www.google.com. Layout by Aicel Marie V. De Guzman
with his and Joyce Pring’s countenance, San Miguel appears as a Janus-masked guest in the ball. Andy Gaga Take it from the Tamaraw who started from scrap to couture. For Ralph Joseph Plan a.k.a. the ‘Andy Gaga of FEU, criticisms are just words from your biggest fans— haters. A 4th year AB Mass Communication student and an FEU Film Society member who grew up in a theater arts’ stage, plan started his humble yet witty years of impersonation using cliché stuffs he can find in his house. As soon as he started impersonating in 2009, criticisms arose but they failed to bring him down. “Nagwi-wig ako ng basahan, ‘yung towel sa ref (in my videos). Kasi ang habol ko lang noon, ‘yung pag-eedit nung video. Kaya wala akong pakialam dun sa itsura ko kasi ang gusto ko lang makapagedit ako (I use hand towel as my wig in my videos, I don’t care how I look, I just want to edit my videos),” San Miguel shared. What started as a hobby turned out to be a profession for Andy as he gradually improves in impersonating Lady Gaga. He now works in comedy bars as impersonator of blonde icons like Britney Spears, Marilyn Monroe, Ke$ha and, of course, Lady Gaga. As a student who is fierce enough to wear a costume like Gaga’s, Andy also levelled up in making parodies of Lady Gaga’s music video. “100 percent na panggagaya sa mga videos kasi ang paggaya namin ng mga videos - as in by frame. Kapag tinignan mo ‘yung video, ultimo pagpunta ng kamay sa left kinukuha namin talaga. Tapos sa itsura din, make up, tiis-ganda. Laging tiis-ganda [We do a hundred percent impersonation because we do it by frame. If you’ll watch the parody, even the gestures of the left hand of Lady Gaga are replicated. And then in the looks, we use thick make-ups. I endure everything just so I could replicate the appearance as close as possible).” From make-ups, costumes, and parodies to working in comedy bars, Andy gained not only praises but also criticisms just like any other impersonators. But he managed to take them as a stepping stone towards reaching his goal. “Maraming negative feedback lalo na sa mga theorist fans ni Lady Gaga. Tapos ‘yung mga haters ni Lady Gaga, e ‘di haters ko rin. Pero wala akong pakialam, ‘wag mo lang pansinin. Sabi nga nila ‘di ba haters are the biggest fans. Kapag kini-criticize ka nila, kunin mo ‘yung criticism (I receive many negative feedback especially from the theorist fans of Lady Gaga. Lady Gaga’s haters are also my haters. But I don’t care, don’t bother. As they say, haters are the biggest fans. When they criticize you, accept the criticism).” “Unang-una kong hater nanay ko; eh siya na ‘yung number one fan ko ngayon (My first hater was my mother but now, she’s my number one fan),” he furthered. A mask hides one’s scars of young days and the wrinkles of one’s age. As for Andy, he finds his confidence by wearing not only his costumes but also the personality of the icon he is impersonating. “Nagkaroon ako ng self-confidence at saka honestly, feeling ko mas may tiwala pa ako dun sa character na pino-portray ko kaysa sa normal ko na itsura…parang andami kong guts (I gained self-confidence and honestly, I feel like I have more confidence when I portray that character than when I’m on my normal look… I feel like I have more guts).” Just like a masquerade ball where everyone uses a mask to hide their true selves, these Tamaraws you will have to take off their masks to expose what’s hidden for them to shine.
FEATURES
July 2013
5
By Angelica R. Porciuncula
When others find the streets of Manila a complete chaos, some find it a perfect place for them to shine. When others find it hard to see beauty in it, some find it a diamond in the rough just waiting to be polished. A person reaches his or her aspirations through dedication. Aside from the need to walk through life’s crossroads, sweat and blood should also be poured in order to reach the sought-after treasure. But can a person’s determination falter as he ages? Golden lyre Honking cars, shouting vendors, deafening traffic noise—Morayta is definitely one of the busiest streets in the Metro. Amid the heat of the sun and the noise in every corner, one can hear a mild melody of beautiful notes struck with great precision and memory. The man behind this music is Cipriano Rañola, 78 years old, who is known for his simple yet most prized possession—his xylophone. “Dati nagtitinda ako ng ice cream, habang lumalakad ako tumutugtog ako ng mga kundiman. After 13 years, na-bankrupt... Eh ‘di ngayon naisip ko, tumugtog… May lata, minsan sombrero tapos lalagyan ko ng baston na ginagamit ko, tapos lalagyan ko ng piso... Sa awa ng Diyos medyo malakas lalo na ‘pag pasukan. Nakaka-survive ako, may sobra pa (I used to sell ice cream. While roaming I played love songs. After 13 years it went bankrupt… So I decided to play… I will place a can or a hat then I put my crane and a coin [for good luck]… Luckily I earn a lot during school days, I survive and even have excess earnings),” Rañola said. He does not let physical difficulties and negative judgments impede him. Hence, he hones his skill and refines his talent through hard work and dedication, hoping that what was once a mere act to earn more will aid him to survive for a lifetime. “Ang kinakatakot ko talaga ma-heat stroke eh…Ta’s minsan may parang tumatawa… ‘di ko na lang pinapansin… Masama bang tumugtog? Eh magbigay man sila o hindi okay lang naman sa akin. Binabayaan ko na lang, ganyan ang buhay, that’s life (My main worry is having a heat stroke… [I hear] someone’s laughing sometimes… I just ignore it… Is it bad to play? Even if they give me or not it’s okay with me. I let them be because that’s life),” Rañola shared. Having a vast experience in the boulevards of life, Rañola sees to it that the jewels in his tin can and hat are not the only reasons he should be thankful for. Because he believed that the route to happiness is not defined by material things but by the work he does relentlessly which makes him stronger despite his old age. “Kahit pa-paano nakakaraos… Kaya okay na, masaya na rin ako. May bonus na nga ako kay Lord eh, seventy-eight, ‘yung iba ‘di umaabot ng ganoon ‘di ba? Nakakalakad pa nga ako. Praise the Lord. (I somehow survive… So I am okay, I am also happy. Lord already gave me a bonus for having reached seventy-eight; others do not even get to this age, right? I can still walk. Praise the Lord),” Rañola happily said. Everyone has his/her own story; behind every smile are countless reasons of hardships and relief. The xylophone man definitely created a story, transforming his life struggles and simple joys into a beautiful musical piece that is heard by many. Treasure basket Snapshots of bustling scenarios are common when strolling around the streets of Far Eastern University. Among the different faces a student might encounter is that of a boy who has a brilliant smile. He holds a basket on his hand, not full of junk but a treasure filled with sweet treats. This jolly 13-year-old is Mudjur Clemente, a grade six student from Tondo, Manila. His small frame does not stop him from being a child vendor best known for his special
puto seco and pastillas. The secret in his popularity lies on his marketing skills, a talent he learned by himself. “Tinutulungan ko Mama ko para walang gastos. Kapag may kailangang bilhin… Sinasabi ko ‘Ate, bili ka na pambaon lang, pambibili ng school supplies’, ganun. Tapos tinutulungan nila ako… Kung ano nakikita ko ginagaya ko… umeepekto. Eh kung walang sales talk hindi ka kikita ng marami, ‘di ba? (I do this to help my mom in our daily expenses. I say ‘Ate, please buy so that I can have some pocket money and I can buy school supplies’. Then they help me out… I copy what I see from others and it works. If you don’t use sales talk you will not earn that much right?)” Clemente said. Being an honor student and a supporter of his family, Clemente bravely entered a life different from the tracks of a playful child, a life driven into wishing that he finds something precious on his basket, a pleasure taken away from him at an early age. “Nahihirapan ako lalo na kapag walang bumili… pinipilit ko talagang maubos tinda ko para may mauwi ako… Gusto ko ng iPad. Para ma-enjoy ko yung pagiging bata. Hindi na ako nakakapaglaro ng mga barkada ko dahil sa pagtitinda. Magta-tumbling ako pag nakabili na ako nun (It’s hard especially when no one is buying…I still try to sell it all so that I can bring something home… I want an IPad so that I can enjoy my childhood. I can’t play with my friends anymore because of selling. I will do a cartwheel if I will be able to buy that),” Clemente shared. Inspiration was ignited from different people who get to know Mudjur. Aside from the fame gained in the social media, he has the initiative of a young child with a mature mind and heart to spread the importance of hard work and dedication for himself and for his family. “Bakit ko pa gagawin ‘yung magtinda kung may pagkain naman ‘yung pamilya ko? T’saka hindi naman ako pinipilit ng Mama ko, sadya lang akong nagtinda… Masaya ako, kahit wala ako sa bahay, wala akong mga kalaro… Mga estudyante ‘yung nagpapasaya sa akin. (Why would I sell if my family has food to eat? Besides, my mom did not force me to do this. I am happy even though I am not at home and I don’t have playmates… The students make me happy),” Clemente proudly said. Mudjur also keeps his schedule on track—a student by day and a vendor by night. Despite the struggle in time management a student normally encounters, Mudjur strives hard to reach a milestone he always dreamed of. “Hanggang uwian ko ng 9:00 p.m. nakikita ko pa din siya na nagbebenta kaya hanga ako sa sipag nya… Mudjur gives a good example na hindi hadlang ‘yung kahirapan para makapag-aral t’saka bata pa lang siya masipag na siya (I still see him selling even after my dismissal at 9:00 p.m. I am amazed with his diligence. Mudjur gives a good example that being poor is not a hindrance for him to study),” Jodiet Cam, a fourth year Tourism Management student, said. For some, the life of Clemente and Rañola may not be considered as a success story despite their age and hardships. But for them, true success comes from happiness and contentment, a success not defined by the job you have but by the intentions you live by. “Hindi naman problema ‘yun sa hanapbuhay mo, basta wala kang tinatapakang tao (Your job is not a problem as long as you are not harming anyone),” Clemente added. “Hindi naman hadlang ‘yung katandaan, kung nahihirapan ako noon, titigil ako ‘di ba. T’saka nag-e-enjoy ako eh. ‘Pag hindi ka enjoy sa trabaho mo, hindi ka makakapagtrabaho ng maganda (Being old is not a hindrance. If I find it difficult back then, I should have stopped. But I am enjoying. If you do not enjoy your work, you will not work well),” Rañola stated. Whether young or old, each shines as unique gems out of the noisy streets, proving they can do everything without the limits. Despite the stones life has thrown them, their diligence and perseverance are crystal clear.
Did You know that.. . On July 5, 1996 happened the first successful cloning of mammal. Dolly the sheep—the first mammal to have been successfully cloned from an adult cell-is born at the Roslin Institute in Scotland.
Researched and Compiled by Katrina Surla
Neil Armstrong in Apollo 11 had the honor of being the first man who landed on the moon. This memorable historic event took place on July 20, 1969.
The anti-boredom month is celebrated during the whole month of July.
On July 29, 1966, The Beatles: The U.S. teen magazine Datebook reprints an earlier quote by John Lennon stating that “We’re more popular than Jesus now.” This prompted Beatles Bonfires and the banning of their music by radio stations.
In the first 11 years of UAAP, Far Eastern University was declared over-all champion.
Sources: www.history.com , Encyclopedia, www.thisdaytrivia.com Illustrations by Ralph Michael R. Nochete; Photos by Jocas D. Lozada Layout by Aicel Marie V. De Guzman
6
July 2013
OPINION
EDITO RI A L Dual personality Campus expansion is the last thing Far Eastern University (FEU) needs if it is serious about improving its academic footings. However, if it is only determined to make money, it should, of course, do otherwise. It is wrong to assume that the University, because of the autonomous status it currently enjoys, has already reached the pedestal of higher learning. In fact, the accreditation only created more lapses to work on than privileges to enjoy. To name a few, FEU still lacks Center of Development and Center of Excellence citations which should reaffirm the quality of its education. University-inititated researches also remain incompetently low, while its board exam passing rates continue to fluctuate every time. In the light of this, University President Michael Alba should be commended for his dedication to mend the upsetting ranks of FEU. Ever since he took office, he has been laying down plans to strengthen the University’s research facilities and empower its teaching force. He also emphasizes the need for stricter student-admission policies and re-assessment of programs’ curricula. These measures, we believe, are what FEU greatly needs. However, we hope that the president also realizes that his lofty task will become more ambitious if continuous expansion of campuses persists. Last July 2012, the Philippine Stocks Exchangelisted FEU, Inc. bought a 100-million land in Filinvest, Alabang for the establishment of its new subsidiary company—FEUAlabang, Inc. More recently, the educational institution disclosed that it acquired another 1.6-hectare lot in Silang, Cavite for the purpose of “future expansion”. These are just additions to the growing number of FEU’s group of schools. At present, it already has one branch: FEU-Makati, and three other affiliates: FEU-East Asia College, Far Eastern College-Silang and FEUAlabang. Reasons for these expansions were broadly justified to cater to the growing number of students who would like to experience the FEU education and to strengthen the University’s brand name. For the skeptic ears, however, it only sounded one thing: “to make more money.” In the first place, there should really be no problem about expanding campuses (or making money), except that the inconsistent academic performance of FEU-Manila spoils the need for it. Diffusion of material and human resources is one of the key setbacks of expansion. Also, building more affiliated colleges would mean loss of focus as additional responsibilities are created. Thus, priority should always considered in making decisions. And when we say priority, we are explicitly referring to FEU-Manila. The higher-ups should give the Morayta campus what it needs first, like enough research support and excellent professors, before even thinking to expand and buy another lot in some far-fetched province. In this way, all of the stakeholders will be benefited, not only it’s everhungry corporate investors. After all, when FEU-Manila reaches its greatest potentials as a University, all of its other affiliated schools will also share the glory. Alba’s administration is driven to provide what the educational institution greatly needs. The other party, however, eyes for its stockholders’ happiness in the form of increasing dividends. With this dual personality the University has, it is no wonder why FEU has been pacing sluggishly toward academic growth.
Clearly, it is when we become satisfied that we begin to die. Once, I was under this ‘principled’ professor who boasts of not giving a 100 percent grade to any of his students. He said that to get a perfect mark is ‘beyond sainthood’ and that ‘no one really needs it’. Of course, having the most typical grade-conscious students in the University, our block was left puzzled. We digested the tremor of his voice but not a word he meant. And in the end of the semester, remaining only true to his words, no one really came close to being a ‘saint’, while others barely made it to ‘life’. It took me quite a long time to decipher his wisdom. Besides, it would probably take me ages more if I have not experienced the ‘worst’ in that class—I just received my first 2.50. That was a lot to take in especially for someone who needs to maintain his academic scholarship to continue his study. Soon, epiphany sunk in. I realized that I became too complacent with myself. It was only then that I grasped that I became too lax, too ‘petiks’. My academic streak in high school made me too self-assured that I can continue the same peat in college. Well of course I can, I just needed to understand a In the 4th century B.C., Aristotle declared that there should be a law which states that no deformed child shall live. As a result, children with disabilities were subjected to infanticide, slavery, physical abuse and abandonment. In 1939, genocide reached its peak during Hitler’s reign when not only was the extermination of Jews, popularly known as the Holocaust, was rampant but the annihilation of “the mentally and physically disabled,” termed Operation T4, was executed as well. In the 17th century, blue laws like the Connecticut Code of 1650 which states that “mental and moral defectives” were prohibited to marry were enacted. Eventually, the legislation was amended to include sterilization – a surgical procedure wherein a male or female is permanently stripped off of the ability to reproduce. As unbelievable as it may sound, these inhumane decrees resurfaced and were enforced during the 20th century in the United States. What evil could possibly be behind these incredulously atrocious acts, you ask? Simple, eugenics – the belief that through the process of selection and elimination, a “perfect” human race can be bred. In other words, it is the proposed improvement of the human species by encouraging or permitting reproduction of only those people with genetic characteristics judged desirable. This ‘science’ dates back to the golden age of the Greeks and Romans when gods and goddesses, flawless celestial
When life gives you ‘2.50’
few things more. That was when this professor kept me grounded and tied to reality. He possibly believed that giving us a high grade would feed our ego, so he did the otherwise. His unusual practice is probably his way of saying, “You did well today, but you can still do better tomorrow. I’m giving you an 80.” Admittedly true, having a ‘perfect grade’ or a ‘remarkable achievement’ frequently clouds the truth that there’s always a room for improvement—an illusion that most victors fall into. Perhaps one of the greatest tragedies suffered by people who became too successful in life is that they later get drowned in their own achievements. People who have learned a lot of things often get satisfied of what they know.
As William Polard puts it, “The arrogance of success is to think that what we did yesterday is good enough for tomorrow.” It is much like saying people who have experienced too many winnings often fall into the trap of being stationary. But there’s one thing these people fail to realize: that no matter how successful or intelligent they are, there will always be something to improve on. Most assuredly, the worst failure happens not because we are too incapable of achieving something more but because we become too complacent that we settle for anything less. It should never be forgotten that life is a constant struggle for self-improvement. It is the longing to do better each day that keeps us alive. And once we lost that longing,
The next Nazis
beings, ruled the earth. Luckily though, it has been regarded with disfavor since the Nazi period. Yet in spite of its being archaic, sadly, other manifestations of this principle still persist. On October of 2012, Jian Feng, a man from northern China divorced and sued his wife for being ugly and won, as stated in Will C. Holden’s article. Last December 23, 2012, charges were filed against Cebu Pacific Airlines owing to their discriminatory acts toward a special child needs, particularly, one afflicted with Down’s syndrome, as reported in GMANews.TV. It was also chronicled in abs-cbnNEWS.com that another mother complained of being discriminated against by the same airline for the same reason – they were forced to deplane from a flight about to take off from Hong Kong to Manila due to her son’s being a special child. Apparently, the crew member mistook both special children for being mentally ill and argued that the company has a policy against having two passengers with a condition to be
on the same flight, a policy which applies only to passengers who are mentally ill. Mankind may be technologically advanced but our humanity, morality, and logic seem to be innovating backwards. There is a huge difference between intellectual disabilities (formerly known as mental retardation) and psychopathology. The tragic thing is our culture has made us ignorant of these matters - disorders that are in reality rampant in our society. What’s worse is instead of acknowledging and addressing this crisis, our leaders are doing a spectacular job of ignoring and covering it up with claims that our country is improving, nearing economic stability and that the administration’s reforms over the past three years were necessary in making it ‘truly more fun in the Philippines.’ As Harry Potter retorted to Dolores Umbridge, “one mustn’t tell lies.” If it is so, how come nothing seems to have changed? In all of the
I am afraid that we would slowly be pacing towards our ‘personal decay’. For it is when we become too satisfied of what we have today that we lose the reason to live again tomorrow. Finally, I will take this opportunity to remind my fellow Tamaraws to not let our past successes define who we are today. Beginnings always entail chances to be better; grab it. For the freshmen, I hope you will not get blinded by all of your high school achievements. College is another battlefield where everyone starts with a clean slate, work your way up from here. Lastly to everyone, we each get the privilege to be under a ‘principled’ professor roughly known as ‘life’. He will teach us lessons we can never learn from anyone else. And when amid all the efforts, he still gave you an unusually low grade—in my case, a 2.50— look him straight in the eyes and say “Thank you.” Yes, just “Thank you.” For little did you know it’s his way of saying you need to wake up and do better again tomorrow. Did I strike a nerve? Let me know if I’m still making sense here at jeromes. deguzman@gmail.com.
administrations I have lived through, not once have I heard of the improvement of mental institutions that have long been deteriorating; nor have I ever listened to headlines relating to the revisions and strong enforcement of RA 7277 - the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons. No wonder they are exposed to outright discrimination, abuse and social ostracism by illinformed and apathetic co-citizens. Every scientific breakthrough and advanced inventions began with a desire and a simple, single act. In the same manner, all the evil throughout humanity’s history stemmed from a ‘minor’ malicious intent and was propagated by indifference. Eugenics was originally developed by Francis Galton upon reading his cousin’s, Charles Darwin, work on evolution. They wanted to prove that theirs was the gene of geniuses. Adolf Hitler wanted the same thing – a world inhabited by ‘perfect’ humans. Look where that led. Sure, right now we’re just a bit insensitive and minding our own business. Who cares about lawsuits and the mentally retarded, or that beggar at the overpass with amputated limbs? We’ve got our own problems. Like Gandhi said, “whatever you do in life will be insignificant…” Guess what? There’s a second part: “…but it’s important that you do it.” Evil wins when good men do nothing. Act before it’s too late at cue_kcfc@ymail.com.
OPINION Not having freedom of information is a grave insult to a democratic country like the Philippines; and having a president who does not keep his promises just adds offense to the depressing joke. The 15th Congress was able to pass 26 laws; the second lowest in the Senate since 1987. The number is heaps lower compared to that of the preceding congress which was able to pass 464 laws. Even though they were able to pass a small number of laws, the 15th Congress claimed that most of those were considered to be top-priority in the previous congresses, including the Sin Tax Reform Act and the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RH) Act or more popularly known then as RH Bill. However, even though their claim can be considered valid in some ways, there is no denying that they still failed to make the most important pending bill into law: the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. And such failure is indeed a big offense to the people. In an interview in ABSCBN News Channel last June 18, Marikina representative and House deputy majority leader Sleepless citizens of FEU-Arki, lend me your ears. I came here not to convey an uproar but only to let you guess what this figure represents: 34.91 percent. It is not the percentage of how cheesecakes are better than chocolate mousse. It is the percentage of the June 2013 Architecture Licensure Exam. How cute. Out of 106 Tamaraw examinees who bought plastic ID jackets to house their architect’s license, only 37 were able to secure and slip their licenses in their wallets. The question is to whom do we point our fingers? Let me chop it all up into sections with full details, dimensions and specifications. Courses in FEU that require taking board exams are Accountancy, Medical Technology, Nursing and Architecture. I bet that even the witch’s mirror on the wall in Snow White would declare that Architecture is not the fairest of them all. Evaluating the four courses, it is very evident that BS Architecture is the least performer. It is not the question of how long has Architecture been established in FEU. Considering Medical Technology, one of the newest courses offered in FEU, has already proven its competence by acing year 2012’s MedTech Licensure Exam with One have lived naught if he or she did not submerge his or herself in the probably occasional, delicious, taunting and oh-ever-so tempting guilty pleasures. Have you awoken in the morn using utmost efforts to prepare yourself on a list of routines, but the little demons inside your head keep tugging those brain cells of yours, teasing it that it can be delayed or undone? Have you had a project on some major subject that was given a month ago, but neglected it until a day before submission? Or maybe, you’re watching television, planning to change the channel but since the remote is a couple of feet away, you make the decision to indulge that allotted period to a show as disinteresting as a plain colored wallpaper just because you do not want to get the ignored remote? And the list goes on… Congratulations! You certify in procrastination or even laziness. Procrastination, I believe, is the intelligent term for Laziness. But, without a doctorate in Psychology, Freud or some other prominent figure in that field might rise from their graves, then, with a shriek of a banshee and a stance of a zombie, prove that the
Booing the 15th Congress
Miro Quimbo said that they were not able to make FOI Bill into law as it was not as important as other bills such as RH and Sin Tax bills. Committee on Public Information Chairman Rep. Ben Evardone was also consistent in canceling committee hearings about the FOI bill, claiming that there were just no possible ways that the bill can be discussed in hearings anymore. But I question the government why they suddenly tag FOI as an unimportant bill when, in fact, it was part of Aquino’s Tuwid na Daan campaign during the 2010 presidential election. I can still remember how he promised transparency of public government officials’ documents and annual reports, among others, during his crusade to presidency. Furthermore, Section 7 of Bill of Rights states
that the Filipinos have the right to be informed on matters of public concern. But alas, it is highly apparent now that Aquino is not giving high priority to FOI Bill. Even his allies in the government are dilly-dallying already about the silent killing of the bill; it is as though, as FOI advocates claim, Aquino himself had dug the grave of FOI. He has already forgotten his promise during the 2010 election that he would create a more transparent administration because, as it turns out, he is just like any other public government official who is afraid of what can happen if the public can legally check government data and information. Indeed, Aquino’s rosy anti-corruption crusade has turned out to be a campaign full of thorns. Apparently, Aquino
Ar k i - t o r t u r e
100% passing rate and 91.30% last August 2012. This leads me to the question: “Are we drafting our floor plans on the wrong table?” I presume that one of the contributing factors is that majority perceive Architecture as a glamorous and classy degree. They see students who carry t-squares and plastic tubes as collegians who possess these characters. Also, this connotation sums up the basis of most students who opt to pursue BS Architecture. These Architecture majors were drenched by the rationale that studyingArchitecture is purely glamorous. Some failed to analyze that in every line and curve that their pencils draw, lies the comfort of the users by proper space planning notwithstanding the presence of aesthetic value. Truth is, BS Architecture requires murky hands and puffy eyes which usher us to resemble
zombies. On a different note, some might suppose that the extremely low passing rate of the board exam is due to the faculty members and the system they implement. I have to nod with that one. I speak not to disapprove the system but to voice out what I have keenly observed. It has come to my knowledge that the rules and regulations given by the Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts dictates that in order to qualify for 2nd year, students should pass the qualifying and skills test to be given during their freshman year. In what universe did that even occur? Moreover, most professors at IARFA are also members of the faculty from the University of Santo Tomas and some are graduates from the University of the Philippines. These universities are the top performing architecture schools
Procrastination 101
previous statement is wrong. F o r g i v e m y euphemisms, but the world is harsh, really harsh. This column is not about the difference between procrastinating and being ridiculously lazy. Yet, it does not change the fact that what is being discussed here is the inaction pertaining towards not an inability but an unconscious capability to disregard the certain functions of a day in an individual’s life. Most of us have the comprehension that being lazy or its act is a bad thing. Its appearance somehow provides an assumption that we are incapable and inefficient towards the standard quota of mistold uprightness. When guilt, exasperation and even
depression kick and sink in as a defect or effect, one could say, “I will never be lazy again;” or “I will do it on time, on the next opportunity.” These seem like reassurances to cover up the mistakes that may or may not have led to drastic (exaggerated but not entirely false) or just mild consequences. Whatever the had-been outcome, you are seriously baffled by your own discourse and make the decision to correct it. When that becomes productive, you’ll have that undeniable sense of accomplishment. Ironically, you cannot exempt yourself from a lifetime of procrastination because, in fact, procrastination is advisable. Yes, you heard it
was just playing cute about FOI, perhaps thinking that joking about FOI Bill’s passage was as cute as the dancing Teletubbies. As the 16th Congress comes in, people’s fight for FOI must push through anew. More and more sectors are already part of the campaign: from workers to businessmen, students to academicians, alternative to mainstream media, civil servants to the Church, all of them should continue the fight for people’s rights in order to topple Aquino and his allies over. Twenty years have passed, nine congresses have housed in the Senate and four presidents have already led the country since the proposal of FOI Bill to the Senate floor, yet the Filipinos are still deprived of access to information. The issue of the country’s lack of freedom to information has been plaguing the Philippines for years now. The government must be kidding themselves if they believe that the Filipinos will soon give up. That would be ridiculous because every Juan Dela Cruz never gives up without a fight. Freedom may be limited in the government but at least it is boundless at jujubaluyot@ yahoo.com. in Metro Manila. They say that a student is only as good as his mentor, but if we have the “best” lecturers, why is FEU-Arki being left out? With both scenarios elaborated, I don’t mean to accuse anyone. However, who shall catch the ball of blame for this rolling misfortune? Perhaps, I must pause for a minute and exhale a deep sigh. I am holding the mega microphone to waken the sanity of the lax and sloppy students, to call the attention of the negligent practitioners and most especially to bawl to the Administration to please turn their heads to FEUArki for we need to be recognized too. Not solely because of our own cause, but for the reason that we also want to roar how proud we are as an “Arkitektong Tamaraw” just like MedTech, Accountancy and Nursing students. Academicians and undergraduates, if we are hungry for better results, let us begin meeting halfway. I rest my case, but not my body; I still have my perspective sheet to render and techpens to refill. Kriiiiiiiiiiiiiing! Wake up, populace of FEU-Arki, you may not marry your beds tonight for we have a long drafting of plans to accomplish and deadlines are not extended at thenikkyrivera@ymail.com. right. Nonetheless, this is with the right reasons and timing. I know it is like telling a person to lower their efficiency, to let their battery close to be in dangerously low to dying enablement, to do almost nothing. Well, it is oddly better than asking a person to be a workaholic or to study for hours a ton of mindless documents that has none-what-so-ever charisma to compensate for its completion. In short, procrastination is installed inside your mind and body telling you to relax; that it is okay to exceed your six to eight hours of beauty rest. It is giving yourself a break: it is not killing yourself when you make mistakes. Procrastination is a luxury all of us can afford. The catch is we do not buy it through monetary value, rather, with our precious time. Given that condition, we must reserve our hourglasses to activities and events that are worth it. So, now, how much are you willing to pay for that luxury? Tired? Stressed? Need a break? Procrastinate at maryhicellerenacido1314@ gmail.com.
July 2013
7
The Law is Dead: A Call for a Moral Revolution
We have become a lawless and a society full of danger. On the streets, in public places, one may spit, dump his garbage or, urinate anywhere he pleases. Nobody takes offense anymore, whether for himself or for the society. On the road, no courtesies are given and received: the man behind the wheel is an emperor; the traffic police could be bribed, the pedestrian run over, no big deal. An innocent harmless old lady could be robbed and gunned down in broad daylight, and the witnesses of the crime would simply walk away and watch the evening newscast in the comforts of their homes, sleep soundly, and in the morning read the newspapers. Within the metro, anyone can construct anything, anywhere – on somebody else’s property, in the park, sidewalk or, under a flyover or a bridge – without reference to a zoning law, a building code, or property rights of other persons. The growth of squatter colonies is unstoppable. Poverty is now equated with filth, and the rich think they have the right to pollute. We now see the air that we breathe and we lack law on noise, we now have equal chances of getting deaf. Piped waters remain drinkable, but the pipelines are all dead. While political environmentalists protest, many environmental proposals sleep in Congress. If the physical environment is polluted, the moral environment is worse. Unable to teach the citizens work ethic, the Government operates gambling through casinos instead, to teach the poor Filipinos to trust their luck. And even as we exert efforts in defending the women and children against sexual abuses, pornography is open to everyone. And while violation of the sixth commandment remains a felonious act, its most notorious public offenders seem to regard themselves as a special gift to public office. They have a luxurious visualization of themselves so they do not commit petty graft. Truly, the law is dead, and the State is dead. Of course, the State has died many times before. But it has not stopped dying since. We must realize that the rise of corruption and petty crime rates is simply other words for the collapse of the rule of law. And that, in turn, is just another word for the collapse of morality. The crisis that we are facing is first of all a moral crisis, a crisis of our soul as one Nation. We forget that the most important battle is not the battle against poverty, sicknesses, or even terrorism, no matter how critical they may be, but against evil. We have turned the truth upside down and worshipped man in his own image instead of God. We have lost distinction of good and evil. Solemn pronouncements or congressional inquiries cannot address or solve this morality crisis. Not even, with all due respect, by a political movement for moral recovery. Only a return to morality – to a sense of good or evil – will do the work. Once the rule of law is collapsed, the social order can restore it only by appealing, no longer plainly to the law, but rather to the basis of the law which is morality. The essential query in political affairs is how to arrange our lives as one. That is the role of law, which Saint Thomas Aquinas defines as an ordinance of reason promulgated by authority for the common good. To the law then, society entrust the arrangement of our lives as one. Saints for public office? Why not, if we can find them in this world. If not, let’s look for the next best, not the least worst. The Government can be an avenue for morality to spring once again; we need morally upright law-makers, judges and president. Change happens gradually. The change that we seek may not come in our lifetime, but there is no time to start the work for change than now. In the search for these people in the mean time, we can start the revolution by changing our communities, homes, and ourselves in the light of morality. Manuel Abuyo Rodriguez II is a senior student at the FEU Institute of Law. He is a former professorial lecturer at the College of Arts and Sciences of the Lyceum of the Philippines University. Currently he is the Secretary General of the FEU Legal Aid Bureau and the Articles Editor of the Far Eastern Law Review.
8
SPO
July 2013
Pen, paddle seal dream and crown By Rogie R. Sabado
Tams brace up for to When greatness comes to a halt, a new set of heroes is sure to emerge.
With the last grandslam celebration in Morayta dating back to the Arwind Santos era from 2003 to 2005, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws have a lot to live up to as the curtains open for University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 76.
She is ready for the lift off, with a best shot return to always keep the ball below the Masonite table. After she joined the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Paddlers when it coveted four straight championships from seasons 70 to 73 and tasted the bittersweet bronze medal in her two playing years, the pressure to spur the Women’s Table Tennis Team back to the golden field now lies at the paddle in her arm. A bigger world Similar to most FEU players, it was again Palarong Pambansa that served as the instrument for Lyndel Sellado to play for the green-and-gold squad. T h o u g h offers from the University of Santo Tomas, National University and San Beda College were offered on her hands, she culled her current team for three things: benefits, coaching staff and its winning tradition on the event. “Marami na pong nagsabi na maganda raw po ‘yung benefits ng FEU at saka mabait din daw po ‘yung coach. Tapos ‘yung members po parang leading na po sila sa Table Tennis, parang ‘yung goal po nila is laging champion; kaya po ako pumasok (Many people told me that the benefits in FEU are good and the coach is also kind. The members of the team are also leading; and their goal is always to be the champion. That is why I joined),” the Davao native said. Now playing under the guidance of Head Coach Noel Gonzales, her varsity years in High School at Emar Human Environmental College are now context of the past and foundation to a colorful and challenging University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) career. “Nung high school po ako, may kaba po ako kasi sa tingin ko matatalo na ako, ganito, ganyan. Pero ‘pag tungtong kong college, sabi ko sa sarili ko iba pala talaga (In high school, I always feel that I am going to lose. But once I entered college, I told myself that everything is really different),” the third year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Business Management student said. “Sa college, dun mo masusubukan ‘yung sarili mo kung kaya mo talaga at kung may kaya kang patunayan (During college, you will really be tested if you are capable and if you can really prove something),” she added. Living up Having most experiences in UAAP and being the most senior of the players, it was a long and hard decision for her to be named Team Captain of the squad. However, her responsibilities will not depend on being just a manager, but also on being an example to her teammates. “Mahirap po pero wala naman pong imposible kung susubukan. T’saka gampanan lang po ‘yung tungkulin at disiplina lang po sa sarili ([Being a Team Captain] will be hard but nothing is impossible if you will try. We just need to perform our duties and be disciplined),” she explained. Living her dream as a college student and playing for the country’s top league has been too much for her to ask. It is a life beyond her wildest ambitions. But with the full support of her family and the people behind her every game, she will never be left alone in the battles for her dreams Her last name is Spanish for stamp or seal. And this Season 76, she is going to live up to it. Once again everyone should remember her name—Lyndel Sellado— who’s ready to stamp every opponent with a smash and seal the deal of another green backdrop for a golden crown.
In constant motion Having won the most number of UAAP Men’s Basketball championships at 19, the Morayta-based squad will bag their 20th crown. It’s just a matter of time. New tactic combinations have been implemented in this season’s drive for glory—a more disciplined squad, selfless players and the most importantly , the installation of Raul Cesar ‘Nash’ Racela as the Head Coach of the guard-laden team. With only months of preparation to infuse the new system in the Tams’ game routine, Racela reminded everyone to be patient. “The important thing to us is they [FEU players] are open to the changes. Yeah, we’re happy with the development and I know it’s a long process, pero kung kaya nila pabilisan pa, mas maganda (but if they can expedite more, the better),” Racela expressed. However, with all the preseason tournaments, the team’s floor chemistry remained questionable. According to Racela, “Never did we play as a whole group, never once did we play as a complete lineup. The first time we ever did that was when we played the FEU legends.” FEU powered the core of Fruitas Shakers in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League and also participated in two other preseason tournaments—FilOil-Flying V Premier Hanes Cup and Cebu City Mayor Rama’s Cup. “[The team is] not yet a hundred percent because everything is still a work in progress, and reaching that point, ‘yung (that) 100 percent, you’ll never know when it will come. Time will tell,” he added. Taking small steps FEU’s play dribble-drive
By Robert Jon L. Garc
offense requires a lot of passing, outsi offense is mostly used by teams whose opponents and make their treys look like Key players of the Tamaraws’ o UAAP Season 73 Rookie of the Year Te Roose Garcia and youth-Olympian Mich scorers of FEU during the FilOil Cup ave accordingly. If these three guards can work gold squad will be unstoppable in the bac Out of 18 teams, FEU ranked s six 3-points made per game. In just eight and Garcia sank 11 and nine respectively In the defensive end, the system Mark Belo and Carl Cruz. Though consid in the rebounding department averaging 51.1. While it lost Patrick Guerrero and Clarence Foronda, the Tams have fi Delfinado, Jovannie Luz, Joshua Aguilon Also in the past season, Hargro here in the Philippines, but also to his six, the athletic forward/center used to “It’s a big responsibility, becau much of a big man… But I know with me leads and defensively and offensively we The team will also make the most of w manning the post. The six-foot-eleven ce up due to the sidelined Russel Escoto wh
game
Sand Spikers set for season’s gold It’s the usual game with high hopes of winning from both ends, players bringing their A-game, sharp tri-colored balls tossing, bouncing over the net in between two courts. The only difference is, now it’s just a two-man team and the challenge is to remain focused despite the sun’s heat and their sandy feet. Fuelled by optimism of bringing back the crown to the land of green and gold for the men’s team and a mission of bouncing back from three bad seasons for the women’s team, Far Eastern University (FEU) Beach Volleyball Spikers are back with a deadlier triple threat of kills and heavier spikes, as another rock-solid season of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Beach Volleyball Tournament starts anew. Sand casting FEU Men’s Beach Volleyball Team succumbed to the bites of the National University (NU) Bulldogs, after two years of owning the top spot. NU tripped them to a could-have-been third straight victory with 12-21, 22-20, 10-15 in the third game of a best-of-three finals series. Learning from the setback, Head Coach Joseph Santos ruled out any traces of overconfidence and chances of losing their focus. “Last year medyo nagkaroon ng overconfidence, masyadong nagrelax so ang sabi ko sa kanila ngayon walang mahinang kalaban; lahat malalakas (Last year they became overconfident; they relaxed too much, so I told them that there are no weak opponents anymore; all of them are strong),” Santos said. Now leading the charge to display their championship caliber skills for the Tams is Karl Ian Dela Calzada alongside Alexis Faytaren and Gregorio Dolor. There will be no big rule-changes for the team aside from having a taller partner for DelaCalzada. “Meron din tayong weakness dati kasi ang buma-block lang siKarl, kasi si Arvin [Avila] maliit so pina-depensa ko. Kung ‘yung partner ay makaka-block din maganda sana kasi makakapag-pahinga din si Karl (Last year, our weakness was that only Karl can block and since Arvin [Avila] is a little shorter, he is for the defensive end; now if Karl’s partner can also block, that would be good because Karl could take rest).” Even without the service of Season 74 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Arvin Avila, the Tamaraw Sand Spikers, backed with championship experiences, will give their all to redeem the title. Headway Meanwhile, the Women’s Beach Volleyball Team is ready to shed their underdog tags with the help of their new acquisitions, ready to bring the team to greater heights. Set to face the heat are Palarong Pambansa recruits and young bloods Bernadeth Pons and Marie Charlemagne Simberio. Moreover, all geared up and Continue to page 14...
9
ORTS
ougher hoops battle
cia and Rogie R. Sabado
ide shots and drives inside the paint. This guards are swift enough to move past their free throws. offense will still be the three-guard combo of errence Romeo, Most Valuable Player Ryan hael Tolomia. The three guards are the top eraging 16.6, 12.4 and 11.6 points per game,
k smoothly and in orchestra, the green-andck court. sixth in 3-points made during FilOil averaging t games, Tolomia had 12 treys, while Romeo y. m also paved way for Anthony Hargrove Jr., dered as a smaller team, FEU ranked second 49.0 rebounds per game, next only to UE’s
and big men Arvie Bringas, Mark Bringas five additions such as Ron Dennison, Jason n and Joel Lee Yu. ove did not only adjust to the style of playing playing position in FEU. Standing six-footbe a guard/forward in the United States. use [Russel] Escoto and Bryan Cruz is not e on the floor, we’d do very well, we get big e’re really good,” Hargrove said confidently. what they limitedly have in terms of players enter Christian Sentcheu is expected to step ho has an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury.
Wrapping up For the first time after four years, the Morayta-based squad’s preseason campaign ended without a quarterfinals appearance as they attained a 4-4 win-loss record. But FEU is still not familiar with their system back then and was only using the tournament for their building process. “The true gauge will be the UAAP. You can’t say, ‘pag nandun ka na sa [FilOil] game gusto mo na talaga makita (when you’re at the game you want to really see) how they will play together [in UAAP],” said Racela. Though not yet fully adapted with the dribbledrive offense, Racela furthered that most of the players are already in the “stage of knowing it”. “Kasi (Because) from the mental stage it has to be in your mind, then it has to be in your heart. I think slowly, nandun na sa heart nila (it’s already in their heart) but because of their bad habits, hindi pa rin sila fully nakaka-adjust (still, they cannot fully adjust.) But I know they’re trying their best,” he added. However, this year’s Team Captain Gryann Mendoza sees a silver lining from everything bad that had happened in the past. “’Yung disciplinary issues, napagdaanan din namin [‘yan pati] ‘yung mga awayan [at] alitan within the team. [But] thankful kami na nangyari ‘yun kasi as of now, we learned something. And, tingin ko naman, nag-mature na kami (We’ve been through having disciplinary issues and conflicts within the team. But we’re thankful that those happened because we learned something from them. And I think, we are now more matured).” It will not be just a walk in the park for any team this coming season with the ball rounder than ever. But with renewed hope in the coaching staff and players, the green-and-gold squad is ready to give their best in conquering them all.
Fighting stance mode for Jin By Robert Jon L. Garcia
With reports from Eryl Justine L. Bacnis
Of grace, lifts and tosses
Cheerdancers groove for third title By Leonard I. Agustin
With flawless dance routines, jaw-dropping stunts and top-of the line pyramids, Far Eastern University Cheering Squad (FEUCS) is back with a mission to restore glory to Morayta. Since the establishment of the cheerdance competition in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) in 1994, FEUCS has won two general championships in 1998 and 2009. And as the competition is just around the corner, the team will once again give the crowd another amazing performance and eventually, take their third title. All the best In the previous season, FEUCS wowed the crowd with a jungle-inspired routine as they unleashed their wilder and fiercer side with smooth acts and difficult high-cresting pyramids. They also surprised the audience with their costume change with Tamaraw head dresses and fun executions of the mammal’s move. Though they were declared bridesmaid of the University of the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad, the Morayta-based team still showed that they are one of the best squads in the competition when it recorded its tenth straight time to be in the top three of the pep tilt since 2003. In preparation for the upcoming cheer dance battle, the team joined the 2013 National Cheerleading Competition (NCC) last March. However, FEUCS landed the fourth spot this year. In spite of this, Head Coach Jacqueline Alolor-Alota said that they learned something from the cheerleading competition. “It’s a lesson for all of us. For me as their coach, to really don’t stop moving; kailangan talaga (it’s a must to) keep on practicing,” Alota said. Battling for gold With only 11 veterans left in the team, 14 young bloods, coming from Team B and new recruits, are expected to bolster the Tamaraw force that will battle for the elusive title. And though the tiara has been in others’ hand since 2009, it would not be impossible to bring it back to Morayta through hard work, according to Alota. “Every year naman is always a challenge for the members of the team, for all of us, coaches, to strive hard more and more, hangga’t hindi pa talaga nakukuha [ulit ang crown] (until we haven’t Continue to page 15...
While most Filipino boys are falling in love with the shrill sound of the ball bouncing on the floor, some just have found a different fate. One of them is Raymar Bartolome who got into martial arts the moment he walked in the room and saw it. The 22-year-old Bartolome started playing taekwondo at the age of 12. As a young kid, it was a struggle for him to learn the sport which literally requires beating your opponents down with kicks and punches. Nonetheless, he expressed his satisfaction and enjoyment while mastering the craft. “Nakita ko lang siya [taekwondo] nung elementary ako, sabi ko, ‘parang maganda ‘to ah.’ Una, sobrang sakit pero iniisip ko nag-eenjoy ako (I got my first glimpse of taekwondo when I was in elementary and I said, ‘It looks fun.’ At first, it hurt but I just kept in mind that I enjoy it,” the Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte native said. “Minahal ko din [ang taekwondo] kasi marami akong naging kaibigan hindi lang sa city ko, kung ‘di sa buong Pilipinas (I learned to love taekwondo because it helped me gain friends not just in our city, but the whole Philippines as well),” Bartolome said. Bartolome initially nurtured his talents at Pinagbuhatan High School in Pasig City but found himself obtaining his diploma from Rizal High School after having been given a scholarship in the said school. During his short three-year stint at Rizal High School, he was able to win five medals before going to college at Far Eastern University (FEU). The 2nd Dan Blackbelter bagged gold medal in the 2007 Carlos Palanca, Jr. Taekwondo Championship; silver medal in the 2008 Best of the Best, bronze medal in the 2008 Palarong Pambansa and silver and gold in the 2009 Palarong Pambansa. His huge success caught the attention of most college scouts as he was recruited by universities such as De La Salle University (DLSU), Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU), San Beda College (SBC) and University of the East (UE). But, as he witnessed his seniors at Rizal High School move on to the green-and-gold campus, he also decided to be a Tamaraw upon graduation. Despite all the offers he got, the Bachelor in Secondary Education major in 5th year Sports Recreational Management student clarified, “’Nung una pa lang e ang nasa isip ko na, FEU (Even from the beginning, my mind was already set on going to FEU).” Kicking through Bartolome still has one playing year left in UAAP after being disallowed to play during his second year with FEU due to grade problems. It was a blessing in disguise after he was made the team captain of the FEU Jins during the summer. “Kung kakailanganin pa ko ng team, maglalaro pa ko (If the team still needs me, I will still play),” the five-footeight fresh appointed captain said. After the AJins failed last season when they placed fifth, Bartolome expressed the pressure and the responsibility just to get the much-awaited title back in Morayta especially when the team’s lineup features four new players. “Mino-motivate ko sila na ‘wag susuko kahit bago pa lang sila. First year o second year, may maipapakita pa sila (I am motivating them not to give up even though they are new. First year or second year, they can already contribute to the team),” Bartolome said. While the team will be trying to kick their way into the gold this season, he leaves all his trust to his teammates from the novice to his co-seniors as a new chapter of their story will soon unfold. “Mag-sikap pa sila at hindi sila maggive up. Alam kong kayang-kaya pa nila. ‘Yung training na naibigay namin sana mag stock-up sa kanila ‘yun. (They must persevere more and they must not give up; I know they can do it. Hopefully, what we taught them during training will stock-up),” expressed Bartolome, referring to his team. Photo by John Armen T. Bongao, Marione Paul G. Infantado, Jocas D. Lozada and Kevin Victor J. Torres Layout by Alexis James L. Tud
10
LITERARY
July 2013
Mary Hicelle B. Renacido Literary Editor
By Marra Yoshabel B. Mien
If life is a lord, it would carry the title Lord of the Flies. If life is a battle, it would be named as Battle Royale. And if life is a game, it will surely be referred to as The Hunger Games. These books are fictional but their key concepts—adaptation, evolution, and survival of the fittest—can be found in the pages of the non-fiction, dust-covered biology books in the shelves of our libraries and homes. This implies that all the species on this planet are born with the main goal of survival in their minds. When someone hears the word ‘survive’, he or she might as well think of oxygen, water, food, and shelter. But in this cruel world we live in, continuing to exist requires much more than that. To live, we certainly need much, much more than that. The books mentioned above showed the exaggerated, cruel, and gruesome version of life. But every fantasy is based on reality. Everyone was born to die. Kill or be killed. It just so happens that because of human intelligence, we have created constitutions, codes of conduct, and morality that prevent most of us from doing the former, thus ending our lives with the latter. With all these troubles of creating commandments, bills, and laws protecting life, we all need to live it to the fullest while trying not to get killed. Every generation has its own kind of disaster that threaten human survival. Plagues, world wars, natural disasters, and virus strains are the major factors that erase most of the world’s population since time immemorial. There are thousands, if not millions, of ways to end a life. Therefore, it’s safe to say that we have a time bomb for our existence. Encouraging, huh?
Never buy a mirror Just so you could see your reflect ion And feel prett y Nor should you borrow one from a friend For the same purpose Instead, break mirrors in the loos Or steal some side mirrors from parked cars And you’ll be tougher for the next seven years -MJRA
Illustrations by Johnry Heinz C. Laban and Mhar Melvin L. Choi Layout by Aicel Marie V. De Guzman
Let me put it this way, life is a game of survival and only the fittest survives. Since birth, we are trained at home and in school to face the real world-a world that when described as ‘cruel’ is still an understatement. Everyone and everything can be your friend, but, everyone and everything can also be your enemy. Life can be tricky so all you need to do is to think. That’s the reason why humans have thrived and conquered for so long. We may be gutsy animals but we balance it with our intelligence. Intelligence drives us to survive but sometimes we die and end up with just surviving and not existing. You see, life can’t just be measured by your waking days but by the days that give you the reason to be awake. So what if you’re breathing? It doesn’t mean that you are ‘existing’. We live in a generation where there is rampant mediocrity. It isn’t enough to survive; you also need to help others survive. To say it clearly, let me quote Chuck Palahniuk, “We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever; the goal is to create something that will.” Life is a game and anytime sooner, it will end. We will all be knocked out eventually, it’s just in the manner we live it to the fullest without stepping on anyone that we can determine if we are rightful victors of our games. As you read this, your time bomb of a life is ticking away, so put your chin up and smile. You would get hurt and fall down sometimes, but the more scars you earn from this game, the stronger you will become. Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor.
By Mary Hicelle B. Renacido
Tredding stealthy on the molden rocks Its rasp breath- humid Gather the what thought to be broken images Its scars and cuts- numb Coaxing the nervous ground that layson its stand Its sole steps- calculated Wrecking inhibitions of self-control Its hungry need- conspicuous Alerting the gut feeling of the unaware Its move to kill- ready Under the rustle of scattered leaves On the plight from the moonlight The animal strikes again.
Hurry up a nd put up your defenses Lie, but d o not lie d own Kill if you have to Shoot whatever blocks you Or whoever, because You o nly have yourself to trust And everyo ne else to thrust - Mary Joy R. Agquiz
Andrezell U. Lee
Patnugot ng Filipino
FILIPINO
July 2013
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B in i g yan an g b aw at i n d i b i d w al n g i b a’ t i b an g k a k a y a h a n a t k a d i k i t n i t o a n g k a l a y a a n n a g a mi t i n it o n g n aaayo n sa sar i l i n g kal o o b an . Kaaki b a t n g a b i l i d a d n a i t o a n g k a t a n u n g a n k u n g a l i n a n g mas m an an ai g sa p ag i tan n g tam a at m al i . Masasabing mapalad ang isang indibidwal kung mayroon siyang kakayahan na mag-iwan ng magagandang alaala at magtamo ng mataas na paghanga mula sa kanyang lipunan, ngunit hindi maiiwasan ang pagkakataon na kailangan niyang harapin ang bigat ng responsibilidad na dala ng kakayahang ibiniyaya sa kanya.
Ayon nga kay Leodini na isang sikat na mahikero, “If he continues claiming and proclaiming that he is powerful, that he can tell somebody’s inner secrets long after the show has finished, then that unavoidably ruffles my feathers,” pagpapaliwanag ni Leodini “What he is doing is not entertainment anymore. He is using magic and mentalism—mediums of entertainment—to scam his clients and maybe the public.”
Mapanlinlang na kakayahan Ang mga natatanging abilidad na ito na minsa’y nagpapamangha sa atin ay siya rin palang maaaring magdala sa atin sa kapahamakan lalo na kung ito ay gagamitin sa maling paraan ng mga taong biniyayaan nito. Sa kabila ng mga taong gustong gamitin ito para magbigay aliw, may iilan na pinipiling gamitin ito sa Pangangatuwiran s a karahasan at pandaraya. Pinagmulan Isa sa mga nabiktima ng ganitong mga gawain ay si Franz Allen Ranas, Maraming kakayahan ang ating isang BS Development Communication student. Ayon sa kanyang salaysay, utak na nagpapatunay na tayo ang naglalakad siya papunta sa isang mall na malapit sa kanilang lugar nang may pinakamataas na uri ng nilalang sa mundo. lumapit na isang lalaki kasama ang isa pang taong nakabihis na pang-barangay Bukod dito, binigyan rin ang ating utak ng kapasidad na gawing posible ang mga tanod at nagsabing may nagaganap na krimen sa loob ng mall. bagay-bagay sa ating pang araw-araw na pamumuhay. “…nagtanung-tanong sila than nawala na ako sa aking sarili. Pagkagising ko sa Hindi maitatangging sa kabila ng ating mga pangkaraniwang katangian ay may aking malay, nakaupo ako sa Caltex na tapat ng Robinson’s without ilang biniyayaan ng mga katangi-tanging abilidad na maituturing na biyaya. Isa sa mga my phones in my pockets,” pagsasaad ni Ranas sa insidente. kakayahang ito ay ang pagpapaikot at pagbasa ng isipan Bagaman nabibiktima rin ng ganitong modus ang 3rd year o mas kilala bilang mentalism. psychology student na si Marlowe Sarabia, iba ang pananaw nito Sa pananaw ng manunulat na si Daniel Smith sa tungkol sa paggamit ng hypnotismo pagdating sa paggawa ng krimen. kanyang booklet na The Art of Mentalism, “Mentalism is “Nung um-attend ako ng seminar about hypnosis, sabi a subcategory form magic, but instead of pulling rabbits ng master hypnotist, marami daw nag-aakala na na-hypnotize out of a hat and doing cheap illusion, it revolves more sila pero sa katotohanan nagpauto lang sila,” saad ni Sarabia around the mental or mind side of things. Mentalism, also ukol sa kanyang natutuhan. “Pero merong real thing na known as “Mind Magic” uses observation, hypnosis and/ gumagamit ng hypnosis. Pero ang case raw na ganun or mental acuity to manipulate someone’s thoughts and pinainom or pinaamoy ng drug na nagpapataas ng level behavior.” of suggestibility ng isanpg tao. ‘Pag nalanghap mo ‘yun o Iba naman ang naging pagpapakahulugan dito ni nainom, tataas ang level of suggestibility mo at susunod Justin Piñon, isang professional mentalist. “Para sa akin, ka sa mga pinapagawa nila,” dagdag niya. ang mentalismo ay isang sining or art tulad din ng ibang Ibinahagi rin ni Sarabia na parang imposible na pagtatanghal;,‘performance art’ ‘ika nga. Passionate kaming gamitin ang hypnotismo para makapanloko ng tao pagkat nag-aaral at nagtatanghal tuwing lumalabas sa entablado at malalaman ng bibiktimahin mo na siya ay gagamitan nito. binibigyan namin ng respeto ang sining na ito,” pagsasaad ni Piñon. “Pero iyong taong gumagamit ng mismong hypnosis sa crime, nearly impossible siya kasi ang hypnosis Dalawang panig ‘pag ginawa mo siya, aware ang client mo. Mafa-fall siya Kaakibat ng mga abilidad na ibinigay sa atin ay sa hypnosis mo kung magtitiwala siya sayo at talagang ang pagpapasya sa kung anong paraan ito gagamitin pakikinggan ka niya pero kung hindi mo siya pagkakatiwalaan nang naayon sa ating moralidad. in the first place at kokontrahin mo, hindi mangyayaring mafaPahayag ni Daniel Smith, “When people see mentalists, fall ka under hypnosis,” bahagi ni Sarabia. many come away thinking that they must be psychic because Ang ganitong saloobin ay siya ring sinuportahan ng of the things they have been able to do, but in reality, they’re mga pahayag ni Daniel Smith sa The Art of Mentalism. - Franz Allen Ranas “Some people are mistakenly under the impression that just paying attention and using subliminal messaging and BS Development Communication hypnosis is like being manipulation to plant thoughts into your mind.” Tinuturing ang mentalism bilang isang sining na asleep, but it’s actually nagbibigay aliw sa mga tao gamit ang abilidad ng isip. Subalit gaya ng lahat, may a hyper-aware, hyper-attentive state. It’s also a mga mabubuti at masasamang naiidudulot ang paggamit nito. state of total consciousness,” saad ni Smith. “Maraming magagandang dulot ang mentalism. Unang una, Marami ang maaaring nakapagbibigay ito ng aliw sa mga manonood dahil hindi lang sila namamangha, magawa ng ating mga abilidad nakikita pa nila ang proseso ng pagbabasa ng isip ng isang pangkaraniwang mula sa pagbibigay aliw at tuwa tao,” wika ni Giancarlo Urbano, mag-aaral ng psychology at mentalist/mind hanggang sa paghahatid ng lungkot reader ng The Story Circle-isang online forum/blog tungkol sa mahika. at sakit. Gayunpaman, sa bawat Gayunpaman, bagaman ang Mentalismo ay ginagawa upang magbigay pagsarado ng pinalakang tabing ay aliw at makadagdag sa kaalaman, hindi maitatangging may mangilan-ngilan mananatili ang katanungan sa kung na inaabuso ang ganitong kapangyarihan. Tulad na lamang ng ibang grupo na paano natin ito ginamit. gumagamit ng iba’t ibang modus o paraan ng panloloko na paminsan-minsa’y Ang buhay ay isang hipnotismo. pagtatanghal at ang ating manunuod “It’s a wrong perception… ang mga mentalist kasi we entertain people. We ay nariyan, nagmamatyag mula sa itaas don’t hurt them. Yes, we sometimes hypnotize them for the sake of entertainment, at siyang nakakakita maging ang ating especially of the audience. We mentalists never use our skills to commit crime,” pinakatatagong sikreto at kamalian. pagpapaliwanag niya. -Emric Salven B. Rejano at Frances Marie Tenerife “Some individuals practice hypnosis and other mind tricks para lamangan at manloko ng mga tao. Hindi sila mentalist; they are criminals,” dagdag pa ni Urbano.
“Parang movie na naputol, nag-skip ganun ang pagkakaalala ko.”
Illustrations by Ralph Michael R. Nochete Layout by Johanna Alexandra Marie G. de Jesus
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TAMARTS
June 2013
Aaron Cedrick S. Manaloto
Mhar Melvin I. Choi
DUE DATE
TOTS
T
amPalaisipan
Aaron Cedrick S. Manaloto Art Director
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Johnry Heinz C. Laban
Robert M. Faustino
Ralph Michael R. Nochete
Search for the 12 tamolito bigaybuhays in this image to see the awesome prizes we have in store for you! If you think you’ve found them all, proceed to EB 103, present your copy of newspaper where you’ve encircled the 12 tams and claim your reward.
FAR EASTERN SIDE
Erika Nicole L. Bernardino
John Armen T. Bongao Chief Photographer
THROUGH THE LENS
June 2013
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Photos by John Armen T. Bongao, Marione Paul G. Infantado, Jocas D. Lozada, Kevin Victor J. Torres and Ronalyn B. Pordan Layout by John Armen T. Bongao
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July 2013
Admin reformats... from page 1
organizing of academic services units was in accordance with the Commission on Higher Education Memorandum Order (CMO) 9, series of 2013 or the Enhanced Policies and Guidelines for Student Affairs and Services. The CMO explains the procedure and mechanics of evaluating student welfare and activities for students enrolled in tertiary schools which include the basic services necessary to student affairs SSO intalls... from page 1
Tighter bag-checking system Miguel said that they also implemented a tighter bag-inspection system to ensure that prohibited items will not be brought inside the University. “ P a g d a t i n g s a inspeksyon, paiigtingin namin dahil tulad nu‘ng last school year, marami pa ring prohibited items na nakukuha sa mga estudyante (We will intensify bag-inspection, because like what happened last school year, we were still able to confiscate a lot of prohibited items),” he pointed out. M e a n w h i l e , Security Manager Ret. Col. Buenaventura Plantado claimed that they also imposed additional working hours for security guards on post. Guards assigned at Gate Four in Nicanor Reyes Street were given another 12 working hours from the number of guarding hours they already had in the previous years. Those at Gate Two in Quezon Boulevard and Gate Three also in Nicanor Reyes Street were given additional six-and-a-half hours. Also, four more security personnel were Enrollment drops... from page 2
that have more affordable rates instead),” she commented. Stricter admissions Moreover, Cabasada pointed out that another reason behind the enrollment drop was the implementation of “stricter” admissions. “We are strict and it is a calibrated increase in terms of selectivity in admissions so we will continue to be strict and, in fact, I am proposing several adjustments in our admissions test,” he added. FEU’s set of policies on admissions, which includes the revised FEU College Admission Test and the tightened policies on transferees’ admissions, is not yet a “perfect system” but OAFA still aims for assurance of the students’ graduation. “Meaning, those we Sand Spikers... from page 8
expected to guide the rookies for another hard hitting season in the sand is Samantha Dawson. Santos emphasized that supportive work could be their sandstone into being a rock-solid team. “Training sila sa umaga, tapos after practice kwentuhan, larolaro. Lagi naming sinasabi sa seniors na samahan ‘yung mga bago; i-guide nila sa pagaaral hanggang sa paglalaro (They have their training in the morning then after practice they’ll have a chance to mingle with each other; we always tell the seniors to guide the new recruits in their studies and in playing),” he said. Luck has not been on the side of the beach volleybelles for the past three years after they were dethroned by the powerhouse Adamson University Soaring Falcons which ended their
such as information, orientation and awareness, guidance and counseling, among others. For students, faculty In his administration, Castro plans to exhibit the “4 Cs of the 21st-century leader.” He said that student leaders should display critical and creative thinking as well as communication and collaboration. Among Castro’s plans is the development of “safety nets” in approving projects and activities of student councils, assigned to Gate Four while two additional guards were on post at Gates Two and Three. “Nagdagdag din kami ng mga guards sa mga gate para maiwasan ‘yung masyadong mahabang pila during peak hours [7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.] (We also added security guards in gates to avoid long lines during peak hours),” he added. SSO has collaborated with Office of Student Development and Leadership to conduct security awareness programs during National Service Training Program classes. It also collaborated with University Belt Consortium, City of Manila government and Philippine National PoliceNational Capital Region to maintain safety outside the campus. “Kung mapapansin mo, may nakaantabay nang pulis du’n sa labas [ng FEU]. Sila ‘yung galing sa Manila Police District na katulong natin [sa external safety] (If you’ve noticed, there are policemen on duty outside. They are from Manila Police District and our partners in maintaining external safety),” Plantado explained.
-NMV
university-wide and programbased organizations. An organization’s proposed project will not be approved unless certain documents related to previous events are presented to OSDL. These documents should include a documentation and evaluation of the event as well the liquidation of expenses. “To approve your projects, within 15 days after [your previous] event, your expenses should have been liquidated. It is high time that we professionalize it,” Castro Cloud-based... from page 2
“FEU has staked out a leadership position in preparing students for a fast-changing business world with hands-on instruction of the world’s leading cloud financials/ERP software suites,” NetSuite Vice President for Worldwide Support James Dantow was quoted in a www. feu.edu.ph news article posted last June 28. “ F E U ’ s partnership with Suite Academy can not only make FEU graduates more appealing to employers, it makes the University itself more appealing to students looking for an outstanding business and accountancy education and the practical cloud computing experience that employers demand,” he furthered. Since 2009, the company has been introducing cloudcomputing courses to undergraduate enrolees and Master of Business Administration students. -Jesserene D. Miranda
admit will finish. So ‘pag inadmit mo siya (when you admit the student), there is a high possibility that the student will finish the degree,” he said. Furthermore, Cabasada reported that FEU’s enrollment rate has been consistently increasing in the past four years. “This is the first time in four years that we will be decreasing but I do not think it is something to be worried about… I do not know, but maybe some schools also decreased their enrollment. There may be other external factors,” he stated. FEU Central Student Council President Andrea Maxine Sarile said, “The [enrollment] decrease though is not apparent. Remembering last year, it seems a bit crowded in the campus this year, with the cafeterias usually packed and
study areas always occupied.” She also said that a lot of students were not able to enroll due to financial conditions. “If we are talking about decrease in freshmen enrollment, should we consider better advertisement or a more rigorous and competitive curriculum? Or should FEU consider adding to their scholarship programs?” Sarile expressed.
two year dominance in seasons 70 and 71, they continued to drop from third in season 73 to season 74’s 6th place finish and into a 7th place last season. Problems such as lack of chemistry, composure and unfamiliarity on and off court became noticeable. Raising the bar after the 7th place finish last season, Santos said that there is a need for healthy change by picking a new set of players. “At least bago sila; limang taon pa sila magsasama, mahaba pa so mas maganda (At least, they are new to the team; they still have five more long years to play together, so it is great).”
(Our initial target is to get to the Final Four because once we get there it is a different thing; we need a strong mindset).” To jumpstart their preparation, they have started their physical conditioning which will be followed by sand court exposure training this July. This will help the teams because the absence of sand courts to train on has hampered their chances in the past. “Iba kasi ‘yung indoor eh kesa sa buhangin; dalawa lang sila sa buhangin, anim sa indoor so malaking adjustment talaga; dagdag pa ‘yung init ng araw tapos buhangin (Playing indoor is different from playing in the sand court; there are just two players playing in the sand court while there are six players in the indoor so it is a big adjustment coupled with the sun’s heat and the sand),” Santos explained. Since they started their training, a lot of improvements were seen from both teams.
Spiking harder Pressure and expectations are on the Sand Spikers, but for Santos their goal is to be part of the Final Four first. “Target muna namin Final Four, kasi ‘pag Final Four ibang usapan na ‘yun eh, kailangan ng matinding mindset
‘Worthy’ tuition When asked if the 3.5-percent hike in tuition this school year may have caused the enrollment decrease, Cabasada answered, “I do not think so because if you look at the enrollment in Ateneo, [its tuition is] increasing, the same as in La Salle.” “There are more students enrolling there... I do not think that [the tuition hike has been]
said in a meeting with heads of student councils and other organizations at Arts Building Room 202 last June 6. “My motto is streamlined to safety nets. We will make sure that [approval of proposals] is quicker, but we will also make sure that it has safety nets,” he added. Meanwhile, Teachers’ Academy which is now under Mañalac’s management plans to have a faculty retreat to develop professionalism among the faculty. “These are gatherings of regular faculty. We will be running modules for them on self and professional development, and [for] on FEU-teaching culture,” she explained. They also plan to have three batches of 40 regular faculty members who will undergo the retreat throughout the year. “120 ang target namin (our target) for the year and this will go on until all faculty [members] have undergone this,” Mañalac added. She also said that if the result of evaluation of faculty members turn out to be “notso-good,” they are willing to restructure it. “We listen to all the evaluation they are giving us, either good or bad, [because] that is the only way to improve the Teachers’ Academy,” Manalac stated. -Ma. Karlota S. Jamoralin
University eyes... from page 1
establishment as the Department of Education (DepEd) has not come up with a concrete standard curriculum of senior high school yet. Educational tracks There are two educational tracks according to Alba, categorized as academic and technicalvocational tracks, that will be offered in senior high school. He said that academic tracks are the pre-college specializations which can be continued to college for further studying. Vocational tracks, meanwhile, are courses which can be taken up on a shorter term for earlier employability. “The academic tracks prepare the student for college. But there are also technical and vocational tracks which are really meant to be terminal. Parang kumbaga (For instance), once you have finished, you should be employable [already]. Although you still have an option to go to college,” Alba said. M o r e o v e r, he stressed that FEU will not offer all the tracks in senior high school as they plan to offer only the courses that are among FEU’s “expertise,”
sila eh. Pero hindi lahat ng magaling na arkitekto ay magaling din magturo (Our professors are good that is why they are architects. However, not all good architects are good teachers).” Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that only 901 out of 1,767, equivalent
to 50.99 percent, passed in the June 2013 ALE. Meanwhile, Institute of Nursing registered a 68.70-percent passing rate in the June 2013 Nurse Licensure Examination (NLE) wherein 417 out of 607 exam takers aced the test and two passed conditionally. The institute’s passing rate this school year is lower than that of the June 2012
a factor right now for our demographics,” he added. Moreover, Cabasada assured that FEU is investing in faculty and facilities and that the amount students are paying for is worth the price. “If the library will be fully operational [already] then it would accommodate a large number of students. It now has an elevator, all of the tables [are] new, all of the seats [are] new, the shelves are new. The [electronic library] has been expanded, there are new computers...” he said. “In the classrooms, everything is complete. I cannot think of any reason why the student would not want to study here.” Furthermore, Cabasada added that the new science laboratories that will be located at the sixth floor of Science Building, which
is now under construction, will be of “high technology.” “You can actually do professional experiments with the equipment that we are buying,” he furthered. Cabasada said that FEU will continue to do what it is supposed to do, which is “to provide students quality education, to make sure that they will be trained and to make sure that they are ready in whatever industry they would like to be in.” He also disclosed that FEU President Michael Alba is eyeing for an international accreditation. “Hindi naman tayo papayag na limang universities lang ang papasok sa top Asian universities (We will not just accept that only five universities will be shortlisted in Asia’s top universities),” he added.
Arki, Nursing... from page 3
Forging ahead into their goal, they have to fight the attacks of the powerhouse team of the Bulldogs whom they see as their toughest competitors this season. Santos expects no less than supremacy. “Sa ‘kin naman ready na, actually malakas naman ‘yung team natin ngayon, so mag-training na lang kami ng mabuti. Mahirap mag-salita, pakondisyon lang talaga labanan (For me, they are ready; actually the team now is strong so we just need to train them properly; it is hard to say anything right now; being in a 100 percent condition is the real deal).” As another UAAP calendar officially starts, the Tamaraw Sand Spikers are up for the challenge of redemption. They will surge against the sand storm to find the right path toward this season’s chest of gold. - Stephanie Ruth D. Navarro
citing Hotel and Restaurant Management, Tourism Management and Nursing as examples. According to Alba, there will be a “natural evolution” of undergraduate degree programs after the establishment of senior high school. “Hotel and Restaurant Management, for example, will be pushed down to senior high, so what that means is we have to make a new value… If some of the courses are pushed down, then we have to have a new course and it might be a new program [that is] slightly different,” he said. Alba added that some general education subjects that are now being offered in college will already be moved to senior high school. “I think if you are well-prepared for college, you do not have to take Algebra, you do not have to take English [anymore],” he noted, adding that this can help tertiary schools’ in improving their undergraduate programs by incorporating more professional courses. -Norelyn M. Villaruel With reports from Justin Royce Z. Baluyot
NLE where FEU recorded a 77.84-percent passing score; 885 out of 1,137 exam takers from the institute passed then. FEU has no topnotchers in this year’s board. Last year, the institute yielded one topnotcher. PRC data showed that 16,219 out of 37,887 (40.81 percent) nursing grads passed the NLE. Shutter smash... from page 16
the game easily for the reigning back-to-back champions, giving every possible foul in each FEU possession. Va n g i e S o r i a n o , who racked 20 points and six rebounds, made two-of-two free throws with 37 ticks left, while April Siat collected four of her six charities in an 11-point outing, on top of eight rebounds, as the time expires. Meanwhile, Risa Paig and Kristine Abriam carried the Lady Bulldogs with 11 points each. FEU’s Camille Sambile settled for only 11 markers, but made it up in the defensive end with 10 rebounds, six assists, five steals and two blocks. Sambile top scored for the green-andgold squad with 25 points after posting a 54-48 victory over their first assignment of the season Adamson University Lady Falcons.
Towards the upper echelon In the last year’s campaign, the Male Shuttlers went back into the gates of Morayta with nothing at hand as they settled for a dismal fifth-place finish. According to Coach De Leon, their goal for this year is to make the team present in the Final Four picture. “Last year, fifth place kami. Ngayon, we will try na makapasok sa Final Four (Last year, we placed fifth. And for now, we will try to make it to the Final Four).” This year might be an acid test for them, as they will face the new season without two of their top gunners, former team captain Diosdado Abangan and Wilfredo Amoroso. Abangan has left the team due to graduation, while Amoroso will not suit up for the Tamaraws due to academic commitments. But despite the loss of key players in the lineup, the team added three rookies, Maquelabit, Dondon Lagnada, and Rafael Dionisio, to strengthen the team’s bid for the whole tournament. Just like the Women’s Badminton Team, the Male Shuttlers also train hard for a good showing this year. “We also train as early as five in the morning, same with the Women’s Team. And we also practice in the evening,” he said. With their will to win, the Lady and Male Shuttlers will certainly do their best and smash for the coveted crowns.
- Rogie R. Sabado
- Eryl Justine L. Bacnis
Lady Tams keep... from page 16
SPORTS
Leonard I. Agustin
Sports Officer-in-Charge
Cagebelles seek 3-peat
July 2013 1115
The growing sport
By Eryl Justine L. Bacnis
Going for a grandslam. FEU Cagebelles strive harder to ensure a three-peat title this season. (Photo by Kevin Victor J. Torres)
The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Seasons 74 and 75 titles are now in full display in their trophy case. And for this year’s contest, they set their sights in adding another crown in their collection. For the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws Women’s Basketball Team, winning for the third straight year is their primary goal. Preparing for the battle In order to prepare for a new UAAP season, the Lady Tamaraws joined three preseason competitions. And of those three, two titles were added to their collection: Collegiate Athletic League and the Fr. Martin’s Cup crowns. But the FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, which will prove their might over the preseason once it is on their hands, was within their grasp.
But a missed lay-up sent their grand slam hopes into tatters. It seems to be a bitter pill to swallow but the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws Women’s Basketball Team remains upbeat about how they fared with tough teams last summer. “Maganda naman ‘yung performance namin n g a y o n g p re s e a s on even though talo kami sa FilOil (We had a good performance this preseason even though we lost in FilOil),” Lady Tamaraws Head Coach Allan Albano said. Amid their tainted preseason record, Albano added that the team was able to understand what they should learn. “Ang mahalaga sa amin ay ‘yung mga dapat naming matutunan prior to UAAP ay nakuha namin (What’s important for us is that we got what we needed to learn prior to UAAP),” he said.
In Albano’s view, the team was able to learn their need to execute well in the defensive end. “Kailangan pa namin trabahuhin ‘yung team defense namin (We need to work on our team defense),” he stated. “Pero in terms of individual defense, okay na kami. Talagang team defense na lang ang aayusin. Kailangan namin ng mas tight na defensive scheme (But in terms of individual defense, we’re ok. It’s just the team defense that we need to work on. We need a defensive scheme that is tighter),” he added. What the team needs to adjust to is the opposing te a m s ’ t o u g h d e f e n s i v e strategies. “Kailangan namin mapaghandaan ‘yung full court press. D’un kami niyari ng DLSU (We need to prepare against the full court press. We got shut down by DLSU with that),” Coach Albano stressed.
Sights on the crown The Morayta-based cagebelles will enter the hoop wars without three of their best players, last season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) Allana Lim, Finals MVP Soc Borja and national team member Karen Columna, all due to graduation. The Lady Tamaraws will now bank in Camille Sambile, Ariele Gesalan and Vangie Soriano, who are vital parts of the teams’ offensive schemes. Contrary to the loss of their stars is also the addition of rookies, Ana Valenzona, Marites Albano, Angelica Gabriel, Jaimee Chan and Camille Basa, that will bolster their title bid this season. According to Albano, the teams to beat this year are De La Salle University Lady Archers, National University Lady Bulldogs, University of Santo Tomas Tigresses and Adamson University Lady Falcons. “Pero actually, lahat ng teams may chance manalo. Depende na lang talaga sa preparations (Actually, all the teams have chances of winning. It will just depend on their preparations),” he added. For their expectations for the new season, the Lady Tams’ tactician expects that they can win it all for the third consecutive year. “We hope manalo kami hanggang sa makakaya namin. We expect din na mag-champion kami (We hope we will win. We also expect that we will be champions again),” Albano said. W i t h t h e i r determination and hard work to win it all, it will not be impossible for the Lady Tams to usher a ‘back-to-back-toback’ celebration in Morayta this year.
Ace setter heads rebuilding volleybelles By Leonard I. Agustin
With an aim to bounce back from the past season, Far Eastern University (FEU) Women’s Volleyball Team setter Gyzelle Sy prepares for another season of sets, jousts and dumps. Since her first stint in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) last season 72, the volleybelles has only entered the Final Four once which was in season 74. And as the Lady Tamaraws recently faced a revamp making its roster full of fresh faces, Sy is expected to lead once again the volleybelles in another journey. Start of her journey The five-foot-three volleybelle started playing the sport since her fourth grade as a setter-spiker for her school Aguinaldo Elementary School. After a year, she was converted as a setter. Meanwhile, her high school journey in playing volleyball was a roller coaster ride as she studied in two different schools before she graduated at San Antonio de Padua College in Pila, Laguna. She spent her freshman year at University of Santo Tomas High School while she studied at Vicente Madrigal Memorial National High School at Binangonan, Rizal on her sophomore year. It was the Palarong Pambansa that paved the way for the Noveleta, Cavite native to play in the country’s premier collegiate league.
“Napunta ako sa FEU kasi Palarong Pambansa nu’ng 2010…kinausap kami ni Coach Nes [Pamilar] na kung gusto naming dito magaral… after nun, tumuloy na kami dito (I study here in FEU because way back in Palarong Pambansa 2010, Coach Nes Pamilar talked to us and asked if we wanted to study here. After that, we decided to enrol here),” the 20-year old volleybelle narrated. Calling plays Being the setter of team, Sy will give what kind of play will be executed by the team and where they will go from there. As she gets ‘older’ in the team, Sy admits that more are expected from her but in spite of this, she doesn’t feel pressured by the task assigned to her. “Para sa ‘kin, walang [pressure]. Para sa ‘kin kasi, parang final journey na namin; parasa ‘min i-e-enjoy nalang naming kasi lahat na naman ng hirap napagdaanan na namin e. Sa paglalaro nalang maglalaro nalang kami then i-eenjoy nalang naming (For me, there’s no pressure anymore. Because for me, this is our final journey; for us, we will just enjoy because we already underwent the hardships. In our games, we will just play and enjoy),” she said. The BS Secondary Education major in Sports and Recreational Management student will play her fourth year this season. This will also be her third year as team captain.
According to Head Coach Florentino ‘Kid’ Santos, Sy plays a big factor on how the team will perform by serving as a role model to her teammates. And when asked what a type of leader Sy is, Santos answered “She is a good leader and a good follower and nakakapagmotivate namans’ya [ng teammates] (she motivates her teammates).” And when her team feels down during times of ‘upcoming’ loss, Sy makes a move in order to get her teammates back in sync. “Mas ine-encourage ko ‘yung mga teammates ko; minsan na-da-down na sila, alam nila na medyo matatalo na, pinapalakas ko pa rin ‘yung loob nila (I encourage my teammates more, especially when they feel down because they know that it is likely that we are going to lose, I boost their confidence),” Sy explained. Sy’s stay in FEU seems to be tough as they landed on the sixth place in seasons 73 and 75. But not all memories are bitter as she was named UAAP Season 74 Best Setter. “Sa pagtiyatiyaga ko sa pag-eensayo tapos pagsunod sa mga coaches ko saka disiplina sa sarili (My perseverance in practicing, obliging to my coaches as well as discipline),” shared Sy regarding her achievement.
Sometimes, the problem is not about how to start, but rather how to sustain. The 75th season of University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) marked the growth of other sports like volleyball. This season recorded the most attended volleyball match in the country yet. The second round meet-up of arch rivals De La Salle University-Ateneo de Manila University in the women’s volleyball tournament drew more than 19,000 spectators. And months after the collegiate volleyball tournament, another milestone in Philippine volleyball has been listed. The 10th season of the Shakey’s V-League featured bigger venues to play and watch in. Given these facts, the sport is indeed growing. More people are into watching volleyball games; more people are tweeting and posting about the sport and even products and companies are using volleyball players as their endorsers. Another big thing in volleyball this year is the effort of forming a national team for women’s volleyball. As a fan of the sport, it is good to know they made that move since the last time our country had a national team was way back in 2005. According to Yahoo! Philippines article dated May 28, the Philippine Volleyball Federation formed a task force to identify potential candidates to be part of the team on midFebruary. From a big pool of players who tried out, it was reduced to 38 players. These players underwent a ’10-part selection process’ before a final list of players was formed. They were named ‘Bomberinas’ and came into action as a team in the 3rd POC-PSC Philippine National Games. Sounds fun, right? The sport is like a seed that is now growing into a sprout. But just like a common scenario in raising plants, the growth of Philippine volleyball is somewhat hampered. The Bomberinas, who played under the banner of Cagayan Valley, failed to bag the gold as they were defeated by the Philippine Air Force. Their loss was a tough one as they lack manpower by losing key players who have other commitments. With the loss, the supposedly representatives of the country in the Southeast Asian Zonal Qualifiers for the 2014 FIVB Women’s World Championships were replaced by a new team. The time and effort exerted by the Bomberinas seem to be worthless as another team took over: a selection of the Shakey’s V-League standouts, which was later called Philippine V-Belles. There were buzzes regarding the move but it was pursued. Eventually, a new team went to Vietnam for the threeday tournament. And despite being a team that has promise and being comprised of a powerhouse cast (as I see it), Team Philippines sported a 1-2 win-loss card making them as third placers in the four-team competition. As the team went home, it was later announced by the Philippine Sports Commission that the team will be disbanded despite having a performance ‘good for a team who practiced for a week’ which was not enough for the team to earn the right to compete in this year’s Southeast Asian Games. Another action was done by the Philippine Volleyball Confederation to spearhead the formation of a squad that will compete in the 17th Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship. There’s too much disbanding, right? If we believe that the formula for making our country victorious in the sport is form-then-win, then we must be thinking faultily. I do not believe that we need to disband a notso-successful team and form a powerhouse squad that can compete against foreign squads. Eventually, nothing is achieved. We keep going back to the start taking us farther from progress. And if we are going to talk about our country having more important priorities compared to the formation of a national team, I guess there is a solution. There are companies and non-government organizations lending support to the team, just like what they did in the Southeast Asian Zonal qualifiers. I just hope that with all the changes and actions done, the sport will soon meet its higher echelon, not just in the local scene (as the first women’s club league in the country, the Superliga, has been recently established), but also in the foreign setting. Plants don’t simply grow with water, it takes patience, too. Let’s talk at butsagustin@gmail.com.
Cheerdancers groove... from page 9
Setting higher. Playmaker Gyzelle Sy will lead the volleybelles once more as new UAAP season unfolds. (Photo by Kevin Victor J. Torres)
As another wavy voyage awaits the Lady Tamaraws, their captain will do her best to maneuver the ship in order to head them to the right place where the gold is.
recaptured the crown)… so we have to work hard,” she furthered. As the team showcased superb performances and achieved podium finish for the past ten years, Alota wants to continue surprising the crowd with their routines especially this year. “Ang gusto ko naman kasi, every year I want to really feel the excitement; ‘yun bang every year gusto ko pa rin ‘yung feeling na aabangan ‘yung FEU (What I want to happen every year is to feel the excitement; I want the feeling that FEU is being awaited for)… I
want to surprise everyone not just with the concept itself but ‘yung movements ng mga Tamaraws (but the team’s movements). It should be unpredictable,” she said. Asked what the differences of this year’s routine from the previous performances will be, Alota answered, “The greatest difference will be the routine. It will be fiercer; it will be wilder.” With the threats from UP and University of Santo Tomas, FEUCS is preparing once again for another performance of their lives to recapture the crown as they showcase their superb talent and skills in a battle of grooves, tosses and lifts.
Cagers grab 3 straight win rd
Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws trounced the winless University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 75-57, for a 3-0 win-loss card last July 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Tamaraws were The first canto was “Hindi ko naman talaga all throughout` the game. The comfortably in the driver’s seat owned by FEU as they opened pinaplano na gawin ‘yun… When Tamaraws also dished the ball coming into the payoff period, 62- the game with a 10-2 run, opportunity presents itself, du’n around better against Maroons 41. But the Maroons surged with courtesy of team captain Gryann ko ginagawa ‘yung part ko (It’s as they had a total of 16 assists a 9-0 run through the efforts of Mendoza’s opening trey in the not really my plan to do those… compared to UP’s 11. But the Moriah Gingerich, Agustin Amar 9:43 mark and guard Michael When opportunity presents itself, Maroons out rebounded the and Joseph Gallarza and cut Tolomia’s seven straight points that’s the time I do my part),” Tamaraws, 63-52. down their deficit to 12, 62-50. before reaching the 7:39 mark. Romeo said, when asked about “It’s a good win for us, UP’s run was halted The closest that UP his performance. because this is the first game after Terrence Romeo’s jumper got against FEU was also in the Garcia chipped in 15 that we started well,” FEU Head on the wing swished in, 64-50. first quarter, when center Raul points with three triples and Coach Nash Racela said. From then on, the Tamaraws got Soyud’s hook shot went in and grabbed seven rebounds while Prior to this game, FEU back on their offensive groove, narrowed the gap within 4, 6-10. Tolomia came with 10 points for triumphed in their first two games even pulling off a 7-0 run to widen Romeo led all scorers as FEU. against University of the East the gap to a huge 21 points, 71- he registered his third consecutive The Tamaraws shot Red Warriors and defending 50, with three minutes remaining double-double performance of 34.5 percent (9-25) beyond the champions Ateneo de Manila on the clock. the season, scoring 20 points and arc, while UP shot only 8%, University Blue Eagles. The Diliman-based hauled down 12 boards. having only sank two triples - Eryl Justine L. Bacnis squad never had the chance to get back on their feet due to the Tams’ stiff defense over them, scoring only five minutes within the last two minutes of the game until the buzzer sounded. After the halftime break, the green-and-gold squad were ahead by 20, 41-21. Their lead ballooned to 26, 54-28, after Garcia sank a triple with exactly five minutes left in the third quarter. But before coming into the break, the second quarter was a close fight between the two teams as FEU was ahead by 11, 23-12. But the Maroons threatened the Tams as they inched within six, 21-27, via a Kyles Lao layup with 3:39 left on the clock.
Shuttlers smash for supremacy
Charging to the top. Terrence Romeo leads the unbeaten Tams as he posted his third double-double performance in their game against UP Fighting Maroons. (Photo by Marione Paul G. Infantado)
Lady Tams keep unblemished record
These are the times when winning is synonymous to their playing game. As of press time, Far Eastern University (FEU) Women’s Basketball Team has extended its unbeaten run to 20 in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines after outhustling a highly physical National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 57-50, in the elimination round of the women’s basketball tournament last July 7 at the FilOil-Flying V Arena, San Juan City. With the game going head-to-head until the end of the third quarter, FEU adjusted its defense primarily to allow NU to shoot outside the perimeter and likewise limit their shooting area inside the paint.
“’Yung adjustment namin sa fourth quarter, una ‘yung defense. Ibinigay namin ‘yung outside shooting nila. Nagulat rin kasi kami sa first stop nila sa penetration eh. Tapos nakakakuha sila ng offensive rebound, nakakashoot sila sa shaded area (We focused on adjusting our defense in the fourth quarter. We allowed them to have outside shots. We were also surprised in their first stop penetration. They were also having offensive rebounds and shooting advantage in the shaded area),” Head Coach Allan Albano explained. FEU went on to have a lower 22-of-67 (32.8 percent) shooting from the field than NU’s 19-of-52 (36.5-precent); but accumulated a slightly higher 3-of-8 (37.5 percent) 3-point field goals, while NU went home with
a 2-of-7 (28.6 percent) record. “So sabi namin, patirahin na lang namin sa labas. Du’n kami nasasaktan eh, sa inside game nila (In our part, we decided to give them the perimeter shots. We were taken-aback by their plays inside),” Albano furthered. N e a r i n g a 24-second infraction, April Siat sank a forced shot inside the paint to put the game to its 12th and last deadlock, 43-all, with 8:53 remaining in the last quarter. FEU Lady Tamaraws then created a separation after a 6-0 run, 49-43, and kept the Lady Bulldogs scoreless for more than six minutes as the clock strike the 3:41 mark. With only under a minute left in the game, NU refused to give-up Continue to page 14...
Hardcourt queens. FEU Lady Tams remain on the top spot as they succeeded from a tight match against the NU Lady Bulldogs. (Photo by Marione Paul G. Infantado)
Smash for victory. FEU Shuttlers strive to have a better quest this UAAP season. (Photo by Kevin Victor J. Torres)
Far Eastern University (FEU) Men’s and Women’s Badminton Teams have one thing in their minds: to make an impact this University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season. In order to achieve their goal, they are not doing things hastily; instead they are taking one step at a time. A better season Last season, the Lady Shuttlers had a chance of taking the UAAP Season 75 crown to Morayta. But they fell short and fell down as bridesmaids behind the Ateneo de Manila University Women’s Badminton Team. And for this season, the Lady Shuttlers will try hard to capture the title, according
to Head Coach Allan De Leon. “Kung last year, naka-second place kami, now, we will try to become champions (If we were able to place second last year, now, we will try to become champions),” De Leon said. But before they fully set their sights on the crown, the team’s primary concern for now is to make it to the Final Four. “Ang target talaga namin ngayon is makapasok sa Final Four. ‘Pag nagawa namin ‘yun, then we can talk further about the Finals (Our target for now is to reach the Final Four. If we will be able to do so, then we can talk further about the Finals),” Coach De Leon furthered. The journey to the top in this year’s tournament will most probably not be an easy one, as the team lost a vital part of their
lineup in veteran Kim Mayono, who left the team due to graduation. With a loss of a key player, new breed of talents are added to the roster. The team has added two rookies, Jasmine Ang and Klowie Garcia. In order to attain their objective this season, the team is training and working hard. “Regular training kami as early as 5:00 a.m. and we also train in the afternoon,” De Leon stated. As the competition draws near, the team’s tactician expects nothing but a better performance and, eventually, take the crown that could have been theirs last season. Continue to page 14...
Woodpushers rule Spartan Mining cup
Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Woodpushers came out on top of the 2013 Spartan Mining Philippine In t e r - C o l l e g i a t e C h e s s Tournament last June 15 to 19 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. The quartet of the Lady Woodpushers, Janelle Mae Frayna, Enrica Villa, Nikki Erica Yngayo and Gladys Hazel Romero garnered enough points to finish atop of the tournament and get their gold medals plus a cash prize of 20,000 pesos. The Morayta-based squad garnered 24 points from their four players; it was followed by University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons who collected 21.5 points and the Adamson University (AdU) Falcons’ with 21 points.
Woman International Master-elect Frayna lead the champion team in scores providing eight points on seven wins and two draws, thus, staying undefeated since turning a Lady Tamaraw. Promising rookie Enrica Villa chipped in six points to FEU’s total of 24 points and also beat her seniors Yngayo and Romero who both accounted for five points in the tournament. “Nag-boost ‘yung confidence namin sa team kasi parang UAAP na din, ‘yun ‘yung nakadagdag sa kumpiyansa namin (It boosted our confidence because it was just like UAAP; our win improved our self-esteem),” team captain Yngayo said. In the tournament, six University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)
teams joined. Only the defending UAAP champions De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers and the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors were absent in the tournament. Back to UAAP Season 75, DLSU reigned as queens having scored 41.0 points, UP came next with 39.5 points followed by FEU with 38.0 points. An obvious progress was made after FEU was crowned the queens by setting aside UP while DLSU was missing in action. However, this tournament has a different set of rules compared to UAAP. Initially, the players would battle individually and gather points on their own. Then, whoever gets the highest total points wins. -Robert Jon L. Garcia