November-December Issue 2012

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November-December 2012

FILIPINO

Paano malalagpasan ng isang musmos ang hamon ng tadhana na ipaglaban ang sariling karapatan upang mabuhay?

Madalas sinasabi na ang pagiging bata ang pinakamasayang parte ng b u h a y. S a y u g t o n g i t o n a b u b u o a n g p a u n a n g k a r a k t e r a t p a n g a r a p n g b a w a t i s a .

Sa pagtanda, ang pagiging bata pa rin ang isa sa mga alaalang paboritong balikan.

Magkagayunman, may ilan na sa murang edad pa lamang ay sinusukat na ang katatagan ng loob at puso.

CHILD Haus. Kasabay nang pamamalagi ng mga may karamdaman sa institusyong ito baon nila ang pag-asa na darating ang araw na aalis sila dito na wala ng karamdaman pang iniinda.

Kalingang hanap

Isa sa pinakamalaking suliranin na kinakaharap ng isang bansang third world tulad ng Pilipinas ay ang kakulangan sa pondo para sa mga may sakit, ito ay nabanggit sa isang artikulo sa balita.net.ph. Ang kanser ay isa sa mga sakit na sakop ng pondong nakalaan para sa kalusugan ng mga mamamayan. Maliban sa mga o rg a n i s a s y o n g h a w a k n g g o b y e r n o n a t u m u t u l o n g s a m g a k a p u s - p a l a d , m a y i l a n ding institusyon na taos-pusong nagkakaloob ng kailinga sa mga pasyente.

Isa na rito ang Center for Health Improvement and Life Development o (CHILD) Haus na pinasinayanan noong ika-28 ng Oktubre 2003. CHILD Haus ang nagsisilbing pansamantalang tirahan ng mga mahihirap na batang pasyente na may kanser at iba pang sakit na walang matirahan. Karamihan sa kanila ay nagmula pa s a i b a ’t i b a n g p r o b i n s y a n a n a k i k i p a g s a p a l a r a n s a M a y n i l a u p a n g m a i s a g a w a a n g mga nararapat na pagpapagamot sa mga pampublikong ospital.

Ay o n k a y D r. E r w i n F r a n c i s c o E s t i m o , M e d i c a l O ff i c e r n g C H I L D H a u s , marami sa mga pasyente sa mga pampublikong ospital ang walang tahanan. Kadal a s a n a y n a g t a t a y o n a l a m a n g s i l a n g i s a n g b a r o n g - b a r o n g s a i l a l i m n g t u l a y, g i l i d ng ilog, at sa mga lugar na ipinagbabawal. Ang iba ay natutulog na lamang daw s a k a l y e o s a l a b a s n g o s p i t a l . D a h i l s a g a n i t o n g s i t w a s y o n k u n g k a y a ’t n a b u o a n g Child Haus na pansamantalang tumutulong para sa mga nangangailangan.

“ C H I L D H a u s s t a r t e d a s a re s p o n s e t o t h e p ro b l e m a m o n g t h e p a re n t s a n d p a t i e n t s t h a t i n f u s ed stay while waiting for their next operation. It was initiated by Ricky Reyes when he saw that there a re a l o t o f p a t i e n t s a n d t h e i r families that live along the hallways, corridors, g u a rd h o u s e s a n d o t h e r s , ” s a a d n i E s t i m o .

Hindi raw biro ang perang ginagastos ng bawat pamilyang naghihikahos upang mairaos lamang ang bawat operasyong pinagdaraanan ng kaanak. Karamihan daw ay walang permanenteng trabaho at umaasa lamang sa tulong ng gobyerno at ilang mabubuting tao.

Kung kaya’t layunin nila na makatulong maski man lamang sa pagbibigay ng komportableng tirahan.

Isinalaysay din ni Estimo na ang CHILD Haus ay hindi lamang p a r a s a m g a b a t a n g m a y k a n s e r, t u m a t a n g g a p d i n s i l a n g ibang pasyente na may iba’t iba pang karamdaman.

“ We a l s o a c c e p t o t h e r p a t i e n t s t h a t h a v e o t h e r d i s e a s e s l i k e c h i l d re n w i t h c o n g e n i t a l h e a r t d i s e a s e s . I f w e m a k e a b re a k d o w n o f t h e k i n d s o f p a t i e n t s w e h a v e h e re , f i r s t a re c h i l d re n w i t h c a n c e r, s e c o n d a re t h e c h i l d re n w a i t i n g f o r t h e i r m a j o r o p e r a t i o n s l i k e s u rg e r i e s . ” Bukod sa pansamantalang masisilungan, nagkakaloob din ang CHILD Haus ng pagkain, inumin, gatas at iba pang materyal na pangangailangan. Ang mga ito ay naisasakatuparan d a h i l n a r i n s a t u l o n g a t d o n a s y o n n g i b a ’t i b a n g c h a r i t i e s at personalidad gaya na lamang ng mga artista sa showbiz tulad nila Karylle at Angel Locsin at mga foundations gaya ng Food for the Hungry Foundation.

Maaaring manatili ang mga may karamdaman sa CHILD HAUS hanggang sa matapos ang kanilang pagpapagamot. Ngunit kung sa loob ng dalawang linggo ay hindi pa naisasagawa ang gamutan, sila ay pansamantalang pauuwiin sa kanilang mga probinsiya subalit maaaring bumalik sa panahon na isasagawa na ang takdang araw ng operasyon. “ A s l o n g a s t h e y n e e d t re a t m e n t t h e y c a n s t a y. P e r o p a g m e ron silang two-week period na vacant dito sa Manila, umuuwi sila sa probinsya para may iba ring [pasyenteng] makapasok dito,” paliwanag pa ni Estimo.

Sa kasalukuyan, may 27 pasyente ang nasa pangangalaga ng

Dakilang pagmamahal

Sa unang pagkakataong masilayan ng isang ina ang kanyang anak, hinding-hindi matutumbasan ang maaari niyang maramdaman na k a l i g a y a h a n . Ti l a a n g k a n i l a n g i s i n i l a n g n a m g a a n ghel ang pinakamagandang regalong natanggap mula sa Poong Maykapal.

Hindi naiiba si Luningning Gayafranca, isang single mother. Baon niya sa kanyang puso ang pangarap na mabigyan ng masaya at maayos na buhay ang kanyang anak. Para sa kanya si Shantell ang pinaka mahalagang regalo na natanggap niya sa Panginoon.

K u n g k a y a ’t g a n o o n n a l a m a n g a n g s a k i t n a k a n y a n g n a r a m d a man nang maagang namulat ang kanyang munting anghel sa hamon ng b u h a y. M a g k a h a l o n g a w a a t l a b i s n a p a g k a l u n g k o t a n g n a r a m d a m a n n i y a n g matuklasan na may Down Syndrome ang anak. Napakasakit daw para sa kanya na makitang naghihirap ang munting anghel niya.

‘ ’ S o [ n u ’ n g ] t h re e d a y - o l d [ s ’ y a ] , d u m a a n n a s i y a s a o p e r a t i o n . N a g k a roon siya ng komplikasyon sa katawan. Nagkaroon siya ng sepsis tapos yung bal a t n i y a , n a g - d r y . Ta p o s h i n d i m o s i y a p w e d e p a k a i n i n e h a s i n h i n d i m o n a e x p e c t n a m a b u b u h a y p a s i y a , ’’ m a y k i r o t s a p u s o n i y a n g i s i n a l a y s a y.

Alam ni Gayafranca na malaking halaga ng pera ang kanyang kailangan upang maipagamot si Shantell. Kung kaya’t mula sa bayan ng Batangas tinahak niya ang abalang kalsada ng Maynila upang ipagsapalaran ang pagkakataon maipagamot ang anak.

Sa sariling pagsusumikap, pinilit itaguyod ni Gayafranca ang kanilang buhay mag-ina subalit hindi naging madali ito para sa kanya.

“Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na sumunod ako sa a g o s n g b u h a y. U n a k a s i n i - r e j e c t i t o [ ‘ y u n g a n a k niya] ng hospital kasi special child siya. Ang gusto nilang mangyari, i-private [hospital] kasi hindi nag-oopera o dumadaan sa social service ang special child.”

CHILD Haus ang tumulong sa kanya na matustusan a n g m g a p a n g a n g a i l a n g m e d i k a l a n g a n a k a t s a k a s a l u k u y a n a y n a k a t i r a s i l a s a n asabing institusyon.

‘’Hanggang sa may dumating na tao na tumulong talaga na sila na ‘yung n a k i p a g - u s a p n a h i n d i p o r k e ’t s p e c i a l c h i l d h i n d i n i y o n a p w e d e n g o p e r a h a n . B a b a y a r a n n a m i n ‘ y a n [ a n g s i n a b i ] n u ’ n g f o u n d a t i o n . Ta p o s t i n a w a g a n n a [ n i l a ] k a m i , [ s i n a b i n g ] s i g e a d m i t n a k a y o , ’’ p a g b a b a h a g i n i G a y a f r a n c a .

Sa bigat ng kanyang dinanas sa buhay aminado siyang minsan naisip niya na sumuko sa laban. Subalit sumagi sa isip niya ang mga pangarap para sa nag-iisang a n a k . K u n g k a y a ’t s a t u w i n g n a p a n g h i h i n a a n s i y a n g l o o b a y i n i i s i p n a l a m a n g n i y a a n g k a n y a n g a n a k n a p a t u l o y p a r i n g l u m a l a b a n p a r a s a k a n y a n g b u h a y.

‘’Mas lumakas ‘yung loob ko kasi nakikita ko ‘yung anak ko na lumalaban. So parang sa kanya pa ako humuhugot ng lakas ng loob. Pinilipit ko na mabuhay siya, mas matapang pa nga siya sakin. Iniisip ko noon kung kukunin [siya] kunin [na]. [Pero] kung ibibigay [ng Diyos], ibigay na niya,” naluluhang paliwanag ni Gayafranca.

Hiling pa niya ay sana dumating ang panahon na makapag-aral ang kanyang anak tulad ng ibang normal na mga bata. Sa kabila ng pinagdadaanan ay may mensahe siya sa mga magulang na may mga anak na may kaparehong kundisyon.

“Sabi po sa’kin ng kapatid ko, kuya, bilisan mo magpagaling kasi maglalaro pa tayo.”

-John Juven

Dibuho ni Karl G. Aquino Latag ni Johanna Alexandra Marie G. de Jesus

Ti n i g n g M u s m o s

Mahirap hindi lamang para sa isang magulang kundi pati na rin sa isang bata na ang alam lang ay tumakbo at maglaro sa ilalim ng araw ang malamang siya’y mayroong malubhang sakit na maaaring magdala sa kanya sa bingit ng kamatayan.

Isa si John Jhuven Nagaras, 10 taong gulang, tubong Leyte ang ngayo’y nanunuluyan sa CHILD Haus kasama ang kanyang ina habang nagpapagaling mula sa kanyang operasyon mula sa sakit na Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, isang malubhang karamdaman na kung saan unti-unting nilalamon ng kanser ang kanyang mga buto sa katawan. Apat na taong gulang pa lang siya nang siya’y ipasok sa ospital para sa kanyang gamutan.

Sa hirap ng mga pinagdaanan ni John Jhuven kumukuha siya ng lakas ng loob mula sa kanyang pamilya. Nais niyang gumaling mula sa kanyang karamdaman upang mas matagal pa niya raw makasama ang mga ito lalo na ang nakababatang kapatid.

“Yung kapatid ko po, siya yung nagsasabi sakin na kuya bilisan mo magpagaling kasi maglalaro pa tayo”.

Dahil sa kapatid pinipilit niyang magpagaling upang makauwi at makapaglaro na siya kasama ang kanyang apat na taong gulang na si Leila. Ito ang itinuturing niyang isa sa kanyang mga inspirasyon na pinanghahawakan upang mapagwagian ang pinagdaraanang dagok.

Isa lang ang hinihiling ni John Jhuven ngayon sa darating na Pasko, hindi isang laruang robot o de-remote na kotse-kotsehan, hindi masasarap na pagkain na may libreng laruan— kundi ang makapasok sa paaralan.

“Gusto ko nga po ring mag-aral kasi nga po di po ako nakapag-aral nung nagkasakit po ako nung 4 (apat na taong gulang), nung grade 1 lang po pero dapat po grade 5 na po ako ngayon” pahayag ng bata.

Sa uri ng pamumuhay ngayon, masasabing ang sukatan ng kaligayahan ay nakabase sa mga materyal na bagay na taglay ng isang tao. Ngunit para sa mga magulang na humaharap sa pagsubok ng buhay—ang tunay na kaligayahan ay ang makasama pa ang anak na may karamdaman ng mas matagal.

Minsan ay nabubulag ang mga tao sa huwad na kaligayahan at nakakalimutan kung ano ba talaga ang tunay na saysay ng buhay. Ngunit para sa mga batang may kanser at iba pang malubhang karamdaman—ang buhay ang pinakamasayang regalo na kanilang natanggap.

FILIPINO

Ace Cielo Marie M. Gonzales Patnugot ng Filipino

Sa bawat ngiti at pagluha, palaging mayroong kaakibat na istorya.

Mula sa sakit at saya nabubuo ang isang kanta na tatalakay sa esenya ng buhay.

Masasabing malawakang trend ang pagkahilig ng maraming Pilipino sa musika. Mula noon hanggang ngayon ay patuloy na umuusbong ang interes at hilig ng mga Pinoy sa iba’t ibang genre ng mga awitin. Ito ay parang isang cycle na nagpapaikot-ikot sa bawat henerasyon.

Musika ng buhay

Layunin ng Music Psychology o ang pag-aaral ng relasyon ng awitin sa paguugali o behavior ng isang tao na matuklasan ang tunay na epekto at importansya ng musika sa ating buhay. Gayunpaman, mapasahanggang-ngayon ay walang tiyak na rason na makapagpapaliwanag sa likod ng nasabing koneksyon ng damdamin sa awiting napapakinggan.

Para sa Psychology professor ng Far Eastern University (FEU) na si James Grasparil, ang musika ay may kakayahang maging bahagi ng ating kinikilos.

“’Yung musika meron siyang ability na maimpluwensyahan ‘yung nararamdaman natin, maimpluwesyahan ‘yung emosyon natin, kaya kapag nakakapakinig tayo ng isang musika na ang tema ay malungkot, nakaka-relate tayo, maiiyak tayo; kapag nakarinig tayo ng masayang musika at nakarelate tayo, tumatawa tayo,” pahayag niya.

Isa sa mga tinalakay sa libro ng sociologist at manunulat na si Tia De Nora na “Music in Everyday Life” ay ang pagkakaroon ng oportunidad na ipahayag ng isang tao ang kanyang nararamdaman sa bawat musikang may kaakibat na titik o lyrics. Dito mas nabibigyang kahulugan at emosyon ang isang kanta.

Salaysay naman ni Grasparil, “’Yung musika kasi, ‘yung tunog kasi, depende sa tiempo, sa ritmo, nakakapag-stimulate ng emotion natin. Pwedeng maging hyper ka, pwedeng ma-relax ka pero kung pag-uusapan natin ‘yung nakakarelate, depende rin ‘yun sa titik ng musika, du’n mismo sa inaawit.”

Dagdag pa niya, musika ang nagpapaganda ng agos ng buhay at maaaring maghatid ng koneksyon gamit ang harmony ng bawat awtitin. “Iba’t iba ang rason [kung bakit ayaw ng ilan sa musika], marahil meron silang negative experience na naiisip, na kapag narinig nila ‘yung musikang iyon du’n pumapasok sa isip nila kaya pinipili nilang wag makinig.”

Puso para sa awitin

Sa bawat pagsubok ng buhay mayroong kaakibat na kanta na sumasalamin sa damdamin ng isang tagapakinig.

Bawat liriko ay tila nagsasalaysay sa kwento ng bawat taong niyayapos ang melodiya ng kanta.

Mahalaga raw para sa kagaya niyang atleta ang musika sapagkat nabubuhayan sila

Ni Ace Cielo Marie M. Gonzales

Pamagat: It’s Not That Complicated: Bakit Hindi pa Sasakupin ng mga Alien ang Daigdig sa 2012 May akda: Eros S. Atalia Nailimbag sa: Visprint Inc. ,2012 “Sa buhay na ito, minsan kailangang mamili kahit parang walang mapagpilian, at minsan kailangang mamili kahit na anuman ang mapili, talo ka pa rin.” - Karl

Minsan sa buhay, may mga taong nang-iiwan—umaalis ng walang paalam at paliwanag. Hindi maitatangging masakit mapunta sa sitwasyong maraming salita ang hindi na nabigyan ng pagkakataong masabi pa. Subalit, paano kung dumating ang pagkakataong makita mo ang taong nang-iwan sa’yo sa panahong hindi ka handa?

Nilimbag na obra

Mula sa malikhaing pagsulat ni Eros S. Atalia nabuo ang ilang obra tulad ng TaguanPung: Koleksyon ng Dagling Kathang Di Pambata at Manwal ng Mga Napapagal: Kopi Teybol Dedbol Buk (2006), Peksman (Mamatay Ka Man) Nagsisinungaling Ako (2007), Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me (2009), Wag Lang Di Makaraos: 100 Dagli (Mga Kwentong Pasaway, Paaway at Pamatay) (2011) at It’s Not That Complicated: Bakit Hindi pa Sasakupin ng mga Alien ang Daigdig sa 2012 (2012).

Nagtapos sa Philippine Normal University si Atalia taong 1996 sa kursong Bachelor of Secondary Educa-

November-December 2012

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ng loob sa tuwing nakikinig dito. Sa huli kahit anong hirap daw ng training ay parang bulang nawawala sa tuwing sasabayan ng kanilang mga paboritong awitin.

Pagbabahagi niya, masasabing ang kanta ng kanyang buhay sa ngayon ay “Puso” ng bandang Sponge Cola.

“Siyempre merong times na nado-down talaga tayo tapos kapag wala kang puso or wala kang courage to face your fears, parang... wala kang mararating,” saad ni De Guzman.

Hindi lang sa isang atleta mayroong malalim na depinisyon ang musika kundi kahit ang mga simpleng estudyante ay mayroon ding maibabahagi ukol dito.

“Music is life for me,” pakahulugan ni Mark Andrew Borja, 4th year BSBA major in Marketing Management, na malimit makinig ng mga Original Filipino Music o OPM.

Para kay Borja, nakikita niya ang musika bilang mabisang paraan pagdating sa pag-aaral, Bagamat mahilig siya sa mga OPM ay napili ni Borja ang kantang “Just A Dream” ng banyagang mang-aawit na si Nelly bilang simbolo ng kanyang buhay. “Siguro, for me kasi, you always need to have a big dream…” tugon niya.

Melodiya ng bawat nota

Hindi maitatangging maraming tao ang mahilig sa musika at awitin.

Ngunit kahit gaano man kasikat ang isang kantang paulit-ulit pinakikinggan, madalas ay hindi alam ng karamihan ang dahilan at tunay na pinanghugutan ng bawat liriko ng awitin.

Limang taon nang tumutugtog at nagsusulat ng mga awitin si Josiah Emmanuel Vistan, 2nd year BSBA major in Human Resource Management ng De La Salle - College of St. Benilde. Para sa kanya, ang musika ay isang freedom of expression kung saan naibabahagi niya ang kanyang talento at nararamdaman nang walang batas at limitasyon.

“I think life would be really depressing if music is non-existent. Music can bring many people together. Music itself can even help us identify how we truly feel and who we are. Music is life. It gives us pleasure and entertainment. If music is absent, I don’t think life would be the same,” sambit ni Vistan.

Para sa binatilyong singer-composer, ang kanyang bandang ‘Black Sylvanna’ at ‘Yin’ ang nagbigay daan sa pagpapalawak ng kanyang kaalaman bilang isang bokalista at bassist. Ayon pa kay Vistan, ang pang-araw-araw na karanasan niya sa buhay ang nag-uudyok upang tumugtog at gumawa siya ng sariling awitin.

At kung mayroon mang kanta na sumasalamin ng kanyang mga pangarap sa buhay, ito raw ay ang “As the Music Plays the Band” ng Bamboo. “It basically tells about music taking control over you. It pretty much explains how music has taken control over my life over the years and it definitely feels good.”

Ang buhay ng tao ay maihahalintulad sa paggawa ng isang magandang awitin— kailangang paghirapan at sangkapan ng mga melodiyang tat

tion Major in Filipino habang taong 2008 naman ng matapos niya ang kanyang masteral degree sa De La Salle University. Sa kasalukuyan ay isa siyang propesor sa University of Santo Tomas.

Ilan sa mga parangal na natanggap ni Atalia ang Unang Gantimpala mula sa Pambansang Patimpalak sa Pagsulat ng Tula Pandaylipi Ink., 1995 para sa ‘Maririing Tusok ng Kalawanging Karayom sa Nagngangalit na Ugat’; Ikatlong Gantimpala, Gawad Collantes sa Sanaysay, 2004 para sa ‘Ang Politika ng Wikang Pambansa: Mula sa Iba’t Ibang Pagsipat at Paglapat (Paghimay, Pagbistay at Pagtugaygay sa Suliranin ng Pilipinas sa Wika)’ at Unang Gantimpala, Gawad Palanca sa Maikling Kwento, 2006 para sa Intoy Syokoy ng Kalye Marino.

Pagbuklat ng pahina

Sa biglaang pagkawala ng babaeng minamahal ni Karl (Intoy) may ilang nanatiling tanong at pagsisi sa kanyang puso.

Sumasagi sa kanyang isip na kung inamin ba niya ang kanyang nararamdaman para kay Jen, may posibilidad kayang magbago ang sitwasyon sa kasalukuyan.

Subalit hindi naman tuluyang huminto sa pag-ikot ang kanyang mundo. Natanggap siya sa isang agency at dito niya nakilala si Tina ang kasalukuyang officer-in-charge ng Human Relations Department.

Maituturing si Tina bilang leon sa kanilang ahensya, kung kaya’t nang magpatulong ito kay Karl upang samahan siya sa isang atheist group para sa masteral thesis niya.ay hindi na siya nakatanggi.

Ilang beses din nagpabalik-balik sila Karl sa nasabing grupo hanggang dumating ang sandaling tila nagugustuhan na ni Karl ang isa sa mga boss ng pinapasukang ahensya. Subalit hindi niya matimbang kung may pagtingin din ba si Tina sa kanya sapagkat may mga pagkakataong tila inaakit siya nito.

Naguguluhan man siya, itinuring pa rin ni Karl na magandang oportunidad ang pagdating ni Tina upang kalimutan ang isang pag-ibig na hindi nawakasan. Hanggang isang araw ay inimbitahan ni Tina si Karl upang magbakasyon ng isang linggo sa Boracay tanda ng pasasalamat.

Pinilit ni Tina na sa kanyang condominium na matulog si Karl upang hindi sila mahuli sa kanilang flight. Nang gabing iyon ipinagtapat niya na may asawa na siya subalit iginiit niyang kailangan niya si Karl dahil sa ilang kakulangan na kailangang mapunan.

Nang dumating na sila sa kanilang destinasyon, tinanong ni Tina kung gusto ba ni Karl na may mangyari sa kanilang dalawa. Nagalit si Karl dahil hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit siya tinatanong ng ganun. Subalit sumunod sa kwarto si Tina at ipinaunawa sa pamamagitan ng mga halik kung ano ang tunay niyang kailangan kay Karl.

Napagkasunduan nilang magtalik subalit nakapiring ang mga mata at nakatali ang mga kamay ni Karl. Nang gabi ring iyon ay naganap ang kanilang napagkasunduan subalit tila biglang nagiba ang mga halik at haplos ni Tina—parang si Jen. Nang matanggal ang piring sa mga mata ni Karl—hindi siya maaaring magkamali, iyon ang babaeng matagal na niyang hinahanap.

Sa pagkakataong ito, hinihingi na ng tadhana na mabunyag ang mga katotohanang matagal nang nakakubli. Paanong nangyari na ang napagkasunduan niya para punan ang tawag ng laman ay naging si Jen? Anong kaugnayan ni Tina sa pinakamamahal na babae ni Karl?

Gintong aral

Sa buhay, lahat ng tao ay walang kawala sa pangil ng pagdurusa at sakit. Kung minsan ka nang nakagat nito maaari mong piliing maging si Jen, ang babaeng tinakasan ang problema at natakot subukang magmahal, o maging si Karl na naghanap sa isang taong nawala—nagsisi sa hindi pagsisiwalat ng nararamdaman subalit pinapagpatuloy ang buhay kahit alam niyang may kulang.

Sinasalamin ng nobelang ito ang katotohanan na minsan may kailangang magsakripisyo upang maging masaya ang ibang tao gaano man ito kahirap.

Ipinauunawa rin nito na kung minsan hindi lahat ng taong dumarating sa buhay ay nakatakdang punan ang naiwang espasyo ng taong lumisan.

Kung susumahin, maraming rason kung bakit hindi pa maaaring masakop ng mga alien ang ating mundo.

Aminin man natin o hindi, lahat tayo ay hindi pa buo sa maraming aspeto ng buhay.

Paalala nga ni Atalia sa nobelang ito “Baka mabigo lang sila [aliens] na madadatnan dito sa ating planeta. Inaasahan kasi nilang ganap nang tao ang mga tao.”

Dibuho ni Ardie M. Aquino; Ralph Michael R. Nochete Kuha ni Kevin Victor J. Torres Latag ni Randolph Joseph Cao; Johanna Alexandra Marie G. de Jesus

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November- December 2012

OPINION

E DITO RI A L Fit and fix

What if Rizal was still alive, would he be glad?

Most of us, Filipinos, probably hated studying history in one way or another. Maybe, we thought that memorizing such significant names and dates are difficult and tiresome.

But history is not just about noting those details. We need to discover history for it may be repeated. Then, we would learn from yesterday’s mistakes and we’d know how to face tomorrows’ uncertainties.

Someone who knows his country’s history could never be a stranger to himself. The Philippines has a beautiful history; how can its people be apathetic about it?

One hundred sixteen years ago, Dr. Jose Rizal was sentenced to death because he was fighting for equality, for the Spaniards to consider Philippines as one of its provinces, thus, to have same rights and privileges and be relieved from their oppression. Today, we are still fighting for equality, for fairness, and for justice.

If Rizal was still a student at the present time, maybe he would be the earliest to come to every class.

Maybe he would review lectures even if there were no quizzes announced, got perfect scores, never be absent and therefore, impressed his professors.

Maybe he would blog about every classmate he sees cheating. He would find vandalisms on armchairs as signs of the generation’s immaturity.

Perhaps he would not consider the youth as the hope of the land as he would cite different instances of juvenile delinquency. Let’s be specific—the media-famed stabbing case inside the campus and the more recent shooting incident where two FEU students were killed.

Maybe he would write complaint letters to professors who could not impart competent knowledge. Maybe he would also opt to study abroad for he is discontented with the quality of education here.

Maybe his tweets would trend, for they are cleverly constructed. Maybe he would be writing a lot of commentaries about politics.

If Rizal, however, could react with what he sees from where he is right now, surely he would be disappointed. He would feel awful with what the homeland he has died for become.

He would be irritated seeing Filipinos who are embarrassed and even don’t know how to sing our National Anthem properly. Worst, with those who do not even know its title.

He would feel bad with his countrymen leaving the country for adequate wealth; be more sorrowed by squatters who would ignite revolution every time they were demolished; and be distressed by beggars who were just waiting for their death.

Maybe he would be whispering to security guards to check bags and to policemen to and traffic enforcers to implement traffic rules as precise as a guardia sibil.

He might be scaring every person who would throw trash and sleep beside his monuments or in any other heroes’.

He could also be upset with Filipinos who do not appreciate the sacrifices of present-time heroes. To exemplify, the more or less 58 lives who were lost two years ago. These journalists were victims of impunity as they might have declined to receive bribes from the alleged suspects while doing their duty as vanguards of democracy.

Helpless as our national hero, they are both lost puzzle pieces to build a great nation. Unfortunately, they did not live longer to inspire and be good models to other Filipinos.

Rizal is now part of history, a memory, and an idol.

We, as his descendants, should continue his legacy for being good citizens--bearing nationalism in our blood.

The spaces that Rizal and other heroes left could be filled by us if we strive to be one of the puzzle pieces which will fit to and fix our incomplete society.

“Ang pinakamarami nating ine-export ngayon ay hindi na produkto kundi tao,” said one of my professors.

Supporting this, the Unicef claims that the Philippines is the major supplier of labor migrants in Asia to over 100 countries.

It comes to the point that I dream of seeing my countrymen enjoying their jobs because when they go home, they spend the rest of the day contentedly with their family.

I dream that my country would not push me to leave her for the reason that her employment rate is not getting any higher, and so the only way is to get out.

The moment Filipinos could have their desired income here, then that’s the time when the Philippines can be synonymous to the word ‘rich.’

With that, I opt to disagree to a cliché that Overseas Filipino Workers are our modern-day heroes.

I believe that they are not heroes because in the first place, they are not loyal.

They may be sacrificing, but they are doing it for their own welfare, for their family’s future,

Unlike the bullets fired on the evening of December 4th, the infamous news spreading like a wildfire didn’t only target three FEU students; it also assaulted the 27,459 others.

It didn’t have to take an hour before media men from national dailies came rushing, pigging out details about the shooting incident in R. Papa Street. Moreover, a minute is considerably long enough for it to creep into the social networking worlds and became one of the trending issues of the day.

The morning after the unfortunate event, the ‘sensationalized’ news finally broke out in the entire nation.

This made the unwanted public attention shift to students and persons alike who are affiliated with the green and gold colors.

Good news is that it raised prayers and sympathy for the two victims who were ‘senselessly’ killed and one wounded. Bad news is it also raised the number of victims through the implied acts of cyberbullying and stereotyping.

As a member of the online community, I have seen

Modern-day victims

but not for the whole nation.

Therefore, they are depriving the country with competent human resources.

If a Filipino studies in the Philippines but works in a different country, that is clearly a bad investment. We are eaducating and are inculcating good values for the ones who will use their knowledge and skills for another race.

It may sound offending, but we can say that OFWs put the country lower.

They daunt this archipelago from the benefit of having apt manpower to strengthen such industries, and thus, uphold the economy. They might be contributing to remittances, which do benefit the economy big time, but that is a tiny effort to make the country prosperous

compared to what they can contribute if their taxes were placed to government fund.

This is the problem now. With the cruel corruption going on since time immemorial, our fellowmen venture to somewhere else because they don’t find their income equally worthy to the hardship they make.

OFWs are not heroes but victims.

They are victims because they are helpless.

Their only way to save up is to earn in a wealthy country.

They are victims of loneliness because they are far-off, staying in a strange place with different cultures and norms. And added to that are the dangers brought about by discrimination.

Our ‘beaten’ drums

how different people from the cyberworld have overused their freedom of expression when they give spiteful names to FEU students such as “siraulo” (morons) and “murderers”.

Fear has also tainted the image of our dear Alma Mater for what had happened.

Parents and families who know someone studying in the Morayta campus instantaneously felt anxious about their loved ones’ safety.

I must admit that I already got used of people calling FEU as the number one second-choice university in the country. However, having it tagged as one of the violent universities is one thing I am sure I’ll never get used to.

I cannot fully grasp the idea on how can

someone consider the place where you met your friends and found your second family as a place like a living hell, a place for criminals.

Assuredly, people who said these things were only guided by their hollow thinking of how they perceived things to be.

Unfortunately, none of them see the truth like on how we, FEU students, value the land of green and gold.

However amid all of the insults we are receiving from them, let us be reminded, my fellow Tamaraws, to not see anger and fury as solutions to this problem. As the witty saying goes, “taking an eye for an eye will only make everyone in the world blind.”

They are victims because they are traumatized with dishonesty, poverty, and other cancers of society, thus, they want to get out and get better.

They are victims of this place which retains as developing country for so long.

I came from a family whose pillar chose to support our home through serving another’s. When my father stopped working abroad, my brother replaced him on that picture.

I live conveniently and even luckily but at some point or another, I feel incomplete. Someone is missing, something is lacking and I’m sure that every son and daughter of OFWs puts their sympathy with me.

Nevertheless, I’m still hoping that someday, my dream will do reach its rightful peak, and that is reality. How? Let your perspirations drop on your own land.

Your relatives abroad are welcome to go home this Christmas season.

Let’s exchange gifts at eleanorreyes@ymail.com.

I have said this for I also saw some FEU students who reacted to these illhumored comments violently.

Let us not fight them using their own soiled methods.

Instead, let us take the high road towards getting even.

Soon I hope that we will all realize that although we may not control how people think about us; it is wise to know that what we think about ourselves is still the most important.

Then again, I ask each of you to join the crusade of the FEU community during this trying time.

Let us show the world what a true-blooded Tamaraw is made of, that we are characterized by our genuine concern for others.

Justice, I plea! This time not only for the three students who suffered from gunshot that night, but for the thousand others who are suffering from prejudice until now.

Let them hear our cries for the immediate serving of justice!

Bang your blood-bathed drums at jeromes.deguzman@ gmail.com

OPINION Indeed, much is expected from whom is given much.

The press has the primary role of informing the public about beneficial information on the recent events in the society. But it does not end there, members of the press are expected to serve as the masses’ watchdogs of the government and act as role models to the members of the society.

Part of the undying pressworks is deciding how to convey the message to the masses, thus, making news reports to come in different shapes and sizes.

Despite the media’s role of ‘just delivering the news’, we cannot deny the fact that somehow, there are rants on how they do their work.

Fingers are pointed to media people as they seem to make the world full of negativity. The issue on media being biased is also not new.

Same goes with falsehood in news reports. Journalists are also being hated as they report the bad side of a thing, rather than focusing on its positive side.

And here goes December, the ‘Friday’ of the months!

I bet everyone’s getting busy filling out their wish list, booking a short outof-town vacation, organizing relay games for a Christmas party, wrapping gifts for a Kris Kringle, children thudding their authentic drum set while singing Christmas carols, and some are probably still knitting their own sweater.

Oh, the scent of yuletide season. Isn’t it crazy and magical how December could sprinkle the air of liveliness to the land of gloom?

But are we forgetting something? To the best of my memory, December 21 goes first before 25.

December 21, 2012.

Just writing the date down gives chills on my spine. The aforementioned date used to be the most “trending” issue of today’s generation.

You must also be anticipating for this day with the question marks in your brain asking God if you would still be waking up with the glaze of sunlight glimmering on your face;

Or worse: silently lying down on your bed, counting down the seconds to 12 o’clock and your breath comes out harsh and ragged and sweat slides down over As far as Social Psychology is concerned there is only one universal taboo—incest. Why is it then that Filipinos cringe whenever they hear the three letter word, sex?

Encarta Dictionary defines sex as referring to sexual intercourse, behavior leading to it, reproductive characteristics, genitals, or pertaining to the male and female gender. On a slightly different note, the Church and the Bible describe it as a sacred act which must be performed sternly within marriage where man and woman become one.

As everyone knows, Philippines prides itself for being the sole Catholic/ Christian country in Asia.

Yet, it is also evident that from such stems a multitude of disputes, particularly for the State. However, what the Philippine population has become oblivious about is the cultural concern.

Aside from being a democratic nation, the Constitution also describes the Philippines as a republican state. Combine it with Catholicism, you create people of conservatives! And in the 21st century, such trait could be very detrimental.

Developmentally speaking, adolescence is the most confusing and troublesome stage.

It is when curiosity and experimenting with new things beckon most.

The bigger picture

Being a media consumer, I understand how people view media that way.

But as a campus journalist having the same job as theirs, let me defend the side of the media.

First, let’s go back to the basic principle that media only delivers the news.

It is not liable for the negative things themselves that are being delivered. It has the gatekeeping function or the role of choosing what to give to the masses but it does not create or invent issues.

Second, journalists are generally objective. It is their duty to be fair to the public, presenting them

different sides of the issue, and be fair to different parties, stating what their take is. As per it only presents one side, sometimes, it is not their fault anymore.

People behind issues or the credible sources tend to play hide and seek while others remain to be silent. It depends.

Third, information given on news reports always have basis. Journalists gather the facts from interviews and reliable documents.

Sometimes, it seems to appear that media is being perceived in delivering untrue statements. This is the same as above, people regarding issues seem uncooperative.

The End

your face. Just three seconds away and you squeeze your eyes shut, waiting for the blast. You wait for another ten seconds, and then everything went black.

Sending my sympathetic condolences, you’re now being digested in the intestines of a black hole.

Thousands have cited the end of the Mayan Long Count calendar as the sign of the apocalypse, and many of us have begun to believe it. According to the Mayan calendar, 2012 is the year when the Earth will come to an end.

Several possible theories, such as a ninth planet Nuribi colliding with our Earth, thus ending life or a planetary magnetic reversal switching the poles, ignite the controversy.

However, despite all these “prophecies” and calculations, some people still tend to kill time by doing baloneys because of their faith that Doomsday on the 21st is an absurd ideology.

But what the hell, “End of the World” may not happen few days from now but unfortunate incidents do happen without us knowing that it’s already racing towards us, so why not use every second of your life sensibly?

Unlike treasured gems and any other priced possessions, time can’t be hoarded, collected, earned, or bought with hard work, money, dignity or our soul. It slips away whether or not we choose to pack meaning into it. Use it or lose it, so goes the saying.

The Mayan’s prediction may not be enough

Carnal knowledge

And teenagers, having reached puberty, become aware of reproductive characteristics as well as heterosexual relationships.

Ideally, United States has come up with a custom to address this phenomenon.

They have what they call the ‘sex talk’. It usually happens when a child has reached adolescence or puberty when parents sit with their children and explain things about sex.

If the child is a girl, it is usually the mother who talks to her and the talk is more of the emotional concerns like it should be the right boy, and if she is really ready and that she should not let herself be forced into it. The child is free to ask questions and her mom would duly answer them.

On the contrary, as for the boy, it is the father who speaks with him. The talk is more physically inclined, the use of condoms being the fundamental focus. Of course, chivalry is still reminded.

In the Philippines, there is no such thing. Mostly, sex is tackled only in school through science courses.

Parents, raised in conservative households and traditional ways where even the mention of the word is a big no-no, more often than not employ the same child-rearing practices to children nowadays who are in a society bombarded with pornography and sexually transmitted diseases.

No wonder the Philippines is one of the highranking countries in relation to teenage pregnancy which increased from 30% to 70% within a decade, states Inquirer.net.

If you ask most teenagers who engage in premarital sex, most answers would involve curiosity, peer pressure, or ‘proof of one’s love’ - the scheme lads employ to score. And girls, emotionally-driven teens that had no one to inquire to, end up succumbing to the norm.

November- December 2012

Next, thinking out of the box is a must for the press. I think having the good side of an issue is already given. With this, journalists look for the ‘what ifs’ viewing them as presenter only of negative vibes.

Finally, media rely to the underlying principle of people’s ‘right to know’. They do all these to portray their roles as the people’s watchdogs.

They report the obvious for the authorities to take action. They do not do these just to destroy one’s image.

Once again, higher standards or even perfection is set to media men. But media is composed of human beings capable of committing mistakes, just the same to other professions. Whether it is on the media material or the media men themselves, I believe that it always gives its best to play its role in the society. There might be flaws from media, but always remember to look at the bigger picture.

So you’re saying that journalists are liars? I’ll prove you wrong at butsagustin@ gmail.com.

to justify the Earth’s expiration day but it doesn’t really matter if the world is going to be swallowed by a black hole, be loosened by its gravity, or even be attacked by zombies—drop these cases!

What is more catastrophic and heart-breaking is when all God’s creations reached their endpoints, and yet you have done nothing worth doing.

Perhaps it’s somehow healthy for us to think that behind our backs, the ‘end’ is chasing us; so we can notice the beauty of living our lives as if it’s our last day here on Earth.In this manner, most people wouldn’t be foolishly spending the most valuable commodity and element of life—Time.

So kiss your grandma’s forehead, crack your craziest joke to your terror professor. Smile genuinely to your worst enemy, plug the earphones to your dream girl’s ears and tell her that the song being played is for her, set a date with God tonight or share this newspaper to the person beside you—before the hands of the clock stretch to halt.

Tik-tok! Tik-tok! You only have 30 minutes to prepare your survival kit. I won’t mind spending my last seconds with you at nikkylodeon@ymail.com.

Worse is when it results to pregnancy, being Catholics, opposing from what youths think, most families still reprimand and shun such act. Naturally, abortion is what follows.

Whether we accept it or not, premarital and extramarital sex has long been extant in the Filipino culture. It may have not been as rampant as before but it’s time that we address it.

Aside from love, sex is one of the most universal things in the world. Freud went on to theorize that it is one of humanity’s most basic drives. It is the most primal and innate need for it is a requisite for propagation of one’s species.

Hence, it is only logical, even imperative that we talk about it. And if you are wondering, there is no single reference in the Bible that says that you would go to hell for uttering the word ‘sex’; only when you think or fantasize about someone in a lustful way or engage in it outside of marriage.

One’s thoughts mainly stream from ideas not discussed and queries not raised. If Filipinos are supposed to be evolved, cultured, intellectual people, let’s be mature enough to confer ‘adult’ matters.

Curiosity is not a crime. Inquiries are more than welcome at cue_kcfc@ymail.com.

7

Of love and choices

You cannot give what you don’t have.

According to my professor, there are people who pretend that they are capable of giving love, when in fact they don’t have any or worse they never had one before.

If that would be the case, then how can we know if we are prepared to share love to others?

During our elementary and high school days, we were taught lessons that might uphold our values and wholeness as an individual. But isn’t it that we were also taught about words like limitation, acceptance and contentment? How come things like this were unintentionally forgotten?

To love others more than you love yourself is an overrated and ironic statement that anyone can ever reason out. Why so ironic then? It goes like this: how come you claimed that you are capable of loving others when you don’t have enough to love yourself?

As indicated by National Demographic and Health Survey, there are about 37% of women who suffers from physical abuse while 23% from emotional abuse. Is love the one to be blamed by this incident? If they just love themselves enough then, no woman can ever be hurt by anyone whether it is in physical or emotional aspect.

I understand that being a mother and wife take a bunch of courage to be selfless. But I just can’t get the logic behind why are there women still getting hurt. I thought that we are now living in a modern era and ladies have equal footings with gentlemen. I just can’t really get the point why some of God’s dearest princesses have to suffer from violence.

If love is the culprit, what can we do? Given that aside from pain and death, that- so-called stuff is also tagged as inevitable. If that would really be the case, how can we avoid falling in love with the wrong person? Or does it really exist, beholding the statements ‘love is blind’ and ‘love can never be wrong’?

Each of us has a brain to consult whether what we do in life is still on track or not. Therefore, if we are in a relationship and we feel like we are not growing anymore, it’s better to leave than to continue suffering. Once in our lives we must courageously choose quality over quantity.

It’s not the hours, months neither the years that can prove the real worth of a love kept than a love forgotten.

Good memories never assure a sweet life ahead in fact it doesn’t guarantee anything at all.

Consequently, the promise of love may often mislead hopeful hearts into trouble. For real, love doesn’t always offer happy endings. But one thing is for sure, we must choose wisely on whom to lay down our hearts and trust.

Women of my generation, this is my plea: It is never too late to choose the best decisions in your life. We are not born to love nor to be loved. We are here on earth to prove that life’s worth is above anything else. Never rush on anything because time will provide us the knowledge that we seek to know.

Then, for teenagers if your guy asks you to prove your love to him, that’s not love. That’s merely an intention which can somehow result to an unwanted happening in your life. Again and again I say, before you love other make sure that you had enough for yourself. And remember that a woman who’s geared up with an adequate self-respect will never suffer from insecurity and self-pity.

To my dear readers, time will come when you all look back and it’s either you laugh or regret everything that you do for that certain person. But above anything else what will matter in the future is your choice today. Your choice today may lead you to a life you’ve been dreaming for.

I rest my case.

Tired of sugar-coated lies about love? Go out of the box and spill the beans at ace_cielo_gonzales@yahoo.com.

8

November-December 2012

THROUGH THE LENS

9

Photos by James Patrick B. Manaloto; John Armen T. Bongao; Marrione Ruth A. De Castro; Marione Paul G. Infantado; Ronalyn B. Pordan; Kevin Victor J. Torres Layout by James Patrick B. Manaloto and John Armen T. Bongao

10

November-December 2012

FEATURES

By John Ismael J. Medina and Angelica R. Porciuncula

Uncertainties encountered by everyone can bring different perceptions. Understanding a person is as hard as seeing through a concealment which unveils an individual’s uniqueness.

A person’s body is like a canvas. Physical appearances and artifacts are their media to create their own unique artworks. As they draw their personalities, their reflection marks each stroke they make.

But like many artworks, an artist creates one’s individual identity, that is, their masterpiece.

Opening the treasure box

As sharp as a needle a Nursing student pierces into her dummy, as keen observer of human behavior as a Psychology student, as accurate as a computation an Internal Auditing student writes in his graphing paper, or even as forthright as a word a law major uses to his speech in a debate; Far Eastern University(FEU) students identify their fellow students through many things–mainly through their respected institute patches, next is through their physical appearance overlooking what is really inside.

As classified by the University Career and Counseling Office Director Sheila Mae Hocson, Institute Of Accounts, Business and Finance (IABF) students are the reformers of the university; they are the meek yet startling students who have passion for numbers and formulas. Some prefer to work alone while others like working in bundles.

“They [IABF students] are more of the entrepreneurial creativity, their attribute are more into selling, inclination for corporate set ups such as knowing how to follow rules for business,” she shared.

The Institute of Arts and Sciences (IAS) students join the characteristics of being enthusiasts and investigators. They are the pioneers of having new ideas in language and science. Some are passionately curious like Einstein and others have passion for words like Lincoln.

The Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM) students are more of the challenger type; they are most likely the muses and escorts of the university whose course is meant for service and mingling with other people.

The Institute of Nursing (IN) students are considered the help-now-appreciate-later students who would never get tired of doing things for other even if sometimes they are neglected and a lot of times, rejected.

The Institute of Education (IE) students have good interpersonal skills since they have to deal with people and they have the love for service and dedication for a cause.

The Institute of Law (IL) students are not head turners like the ITHM students but once they express themselves in a debate or speech, they prove to be the achievers of the university.

With canvases and tracing papers come the Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts (IARFA) students. Hocson said that though most cannot cope with their visions and artistry, are also like typical students who are idealistic in a sense that they know the difference between the tangible things and intangible things.

It is important for students to comprehend the purpose of each institute as well as to behave like you belong to that certain group. Thus, what we observe in a person echoes his course and how he projects it reflects where he belongs.

One cannot blame an IARFA student if he has murky fingers because he is using many drawing and coloring tools, even if he wants to or not, he will have one. Also, saying that IABF students fill up the library won’t make any sense since courses from their institute requires great efforts in studying.

Each student from different institutes carries his or her own incomparable trademarks. What one considers to look like a student from that certain institute might dwell in his or her own perception that this student should act and be like one. A person’s personality is affected by the environment he or she interacts with every day and with the big influence of his or her co-students with the manner they carry their own individual identities.

First impressions last?

Stereotypes are images conceived by other people towards a certain person or group. These are often misconceptions held by people on what and how do they think of their own. Here in the FEU community, students of every institute are pertained as to having outstanding attributes based on the personalities withhold by the majority.

To Edward Gupit, 4th year Marketing Management student from Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, IABF courses are not boring and the students, too, are also as fun as most people thought they are not.

“Kung titignan niyo kung by subject hindi naman siya ganoon ka-boring eh’, mas

thrill nga kasi every major subjects namin may mga paper kami para sa competition for every group or section to present. Competitive kami.

Kasi tadtad kami ng mga paper works eh’, ‘yun yung dapat i-expect hindi lang ng ibang institute pati din ng mga freshmen ngayon. (If you look at it by subject it is not that boring, it has actually more thrill since in every major subjects, we have papers for competition for every group or section to present. We are competitive since we have a lot of paper works and that should be expected from us not just by other institutes but the freshmen as well),” Gupit shared.

One of the most challenging courses is Nursing. Good grooming and proper hygiene are their evident physical attributes and because of this, IN students are considered neat freaks and grade conscious nerds.

“Depende naman kasi sa tao yun eh’, nasa sabi naman kasi nila yun kasi sa stigma na lang na dahil mahirap yung course. Ang mga nag-aaral diyan is mga nerd, hindi naman. May mga tao rin naman na mga cool. More on grooming, more on proper hygiene yung ginagawa namin.Kumbaga in a signature way, mga malilinis sa institute namin kasi as a nursing student na-practice narin namin yun. (It depends on the person. They only say that because the course is hard. The students there are nerd but it is not because there are some who are also cool.

We are more on grooming and proper hygiene because in a signature way, we already practiced that as nursing students),” Julien Ross Dela Cruz, 4th year Nursing student, explained.

Also pertained to as nerds are the Institute of Law students.

Scary and argument seeking people are usually something to be always afraid of whenever one encounters one of them.

But according to Carlo Carolino, a 4th year Law student, “Sa tingin ko hindi naman, kasi nagfo-focus lang kami sa studies namin kasi reading time namin, I think average five to ten hours. Nakakahanap lang kami ng time occasionally…

You have to study hard, you have to apply what you learned…Tao rin naman kami, wala namang something na special sa amin. (For me it’s because we focus on our studies and our usual reading time is I think the average is five to ten hours. We find time occasionally.

You have to study hard, you have to apply what you learned. We are also human, there’s nothing really special about us.),”

The smell of formalin, the sound of endless chit-chats and the sight of white uniforms not only in the Science Building but almost in every corner of the University indicates that IAS has the most number of students among others, and has the most diverse population as well.

Frances Marie Tenerife, a 2nd year Psychology student, has a different take on the common conception.

“Sa akin depende sa perception ng tao, depende sa napapalibutan mong students. Siguro kung ako from Psych ‘tas makakausap ko yung isang Masscom, talagang maninibago ako kung madaldal siya. Yung behavior kasi nila nababase dun sa mga taong nasa paligid nila, nag-aadapt (For me it depends on the perception of the person because of the students around you. Maybe if I, from Pysch, will talk to a Mass Communication student who might be talkative it will be something new for me. The behavior is based on the people around them, they adapt),”Tenerife said.

To Camille Andres, a 4th year student taking up Special Education from the Institute of Education, IE students being role models is something to really live up to despite the perception about them as such.

“As a future teacher, we should be role models to the students or to the children or youth because we have this kind of image that if you’re a teacher, you should possess some characteristics like good reputation, good influence, and a positive attitude towards other people. Hindi naman kami (We are not) invisible, our population is not that big compared to IAS, IABF, and ITHM. But ang maganda sa amin (the good thing is) we are bonded, we all know the faces of each IE students.” Andres said.

“Sa physical na itsura, hindi yun basehan ng pagkataong isang tao tsaka hindi porket maraming tattoo masama na.(In the physical appearance, it is not the basis of the personality; it also does not mean that if you have many tattoos, you’re

Illustrations by Ardie M. Aquino and Karl G. Aquino Layout by Randolph Joseph D. Cao; Alexis James L. Tud and Christine Joy V. Lopez

bad.),” Jerome Linco, 4th year Advertising Arts student, said as he was asked about the common stereotype among Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts students which are described as law-breakers and who possess unusual and deviant appearances.

“Artistic kami’ng taga-IARFA ‘e, expression ‘yan ng mga pagkatao namin. Pagiging long hair pero hindi lahat… Artistic kami.

Pati Arki, kasi may art din sila ‘e, mga professionals sila pero may art din sila.” King Supelana and Chris Timbol, also 4th year Advertising Arts students, expounded.

A person is entitled to his or her stand. Besides the stereotypes each institute has, individual preferences are the things a student handles. It might be different from the rest, but the way they think is something that affects the environment’s behavior he or she is in as a whole.

Unified Diversity

Professors and administrator play a big role in students’ life, some may not be as affectionate as others are but all have something to say about what they have observed among the Tamaraws.

Different views, and contrasting personalities, the FEU has its own diversity while nurturing unity among its students.

As per what Professor Grace Reoperez, Literature and English professor has said, “Diversity in FEU is not surprising since the students are Filipinos, and we are Asians. Ang population ng FEU comes from different from regions of the country. Diversity has its advantages and disadvantages so far, it is harmless.” (The FEU population comes from different regions of the country… Diversity has its advantages and disadvantages so far, it is harmless…).”

In college, we discover individualism. We have our own Aquinos in the student council, our own version of Dingdong Dantes and Anne Curtis in the Theatre Guild, our own adaptation of Chito Miranda in glee clubs all reincarnated in the flowing blood of the Tamaraw society.

“I think it is very healthy for you to have diversity. Kasi if you have common denominator lang, walang challenge.

And sometimes you learn from each other, you understand each other’s personality which proves that everybody is unique on their own. Different Institutes are unique on their own. (I think it is very healthy for you to have diversity. Because if you have common denominator there will be no challenge. And sometimes you learn from each other’s personality which proves that everybody is unique on their own. Different institute are unique on their own…),” Dr. Hocson explained.

Stereotyping is something that is done daily, even if people don’t realize it. By simplifying and reducing people into basic categories, it would be easier to organize new information and people could get a better understanding of the society; however, misconception may be a result.

This just shows that FEU is a diverse campus where one could bump unto any kind of person he can imagine and the best thing to do is to remain part of that society but show your uniqueness because every institute stands-out in their own way.

“I think it it is very healthy to have diversity... you learn from each other...which proves that everybody is unique on their own.”

-Dr. Sheila Hocson UCCO, Director

FEATURES

Shereen Cindy Nicole AshleyB. G.Rivera Sy Features Editor Sports Editor

The night sky is as dark as the endless vast of the world. This, among many other reasons, makes humans wonder and wander to what might be beyond the twinkles of the heavens.

November-December 2012

11

Clairvoyant people are said to have the third eye or the psychics.

“Hindi na bago sa akin ang makakita. ‘Yung huli nga nagparamdam sa akin sa panaginip. Sabi nga nu’ng isa kong friend na kapag may nakita ka daw sa panaginip mo na hindi mo kilala. Ibig sabihin, sila ‘yung nagbabantay sa ‘yo habang tulog ka. Hindi sila ‘yung mabuti (Seeing [spirits] is not new to me. The last time I felt it was in a dream. One of my friends told me that when you see a stranger in you dream, they are the ones guarding you while sleeping and they are not the good ones),” shared Mae Bernadette Bernardez, a third year Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) student.

Bernardez is not the only clairvoyant Tamaraw. Seeing spirits is also under junior HRM student Meryll Banua’s definition of natural occurrence but she is aware of how society is towards the ability.

“Hindi mo kasi pwedeng sabihin na ‘andito ‘yung multo sa tabi ko kasi pagtatawanan ka lang nila (You cannot just say that the ghost is beside me ‘cause they’ll only laugh at you),” Banua opened.

There are people who believe stories passed from one mouth to another but Terazona justified “You cannot force people to believe but as long as you experienced it yourself, you should believe that it is true and that it happened.”

People are naturally curious, observing, discovering and creating new things in the world around them with use of the senses, the sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. But what has not yet been observed, fully discovered and created by curious beings is something not possessed by everyone, which is an add-on or ‘extra ‘in a sense.

Extra Sensory Perception (ESP) has been in existence eons of years ago. Many of the supernatural lingers in this reality and the Tamaraws of Far Eastern University has been lingering with it up to the present.

Mind over matter

ESP, according to Psychology professor Renato Terazona, is broad in a sense that it touches the wide concept of the ‘extras’ and two of its narrower are telekinesis and telepathy. The former is the ability to move objects with the use of the fervent mind and the latter is the ability to transfer one’s thoughts towards another without any language but the through the mental channel.

Some people think that telekinesis shown in television and public acts is a form of magic tricks like the bending of the spoon, fork and shattering of many other utensils; and being able to transfer thoughts to another. According to Terazona, telepathy could be true to people because there are people who could prove that they could communicate their thoughts to others.

“Every semester, I am practicing this [telekinesis]. This is the power, mind over matter--that you must believe that the mind is more powerful than the matter, that the mind could really move mountains, that the mind could really let that objects float in the air without touching it but with just the power of the mind. This is really true to other people, I have my own simple telekinesis that I am practicing in front of my class by using the tip of the finger, and we could lift a person,” Terazona said.

The unexplainable exists, but these two subs of ESP are that of the ever powerful mind.

“Para lang akong binuhat ng normal, pero ‘yung sa mga bumuhat sakin, sobrang gaan lang daw kasi nakatutok lang sakin ‘yung mga daliri nila, di nila naramdaman ‘yung bigat ko (It’s as if I was lifted up normally, but to people who lifted me, they said I was very light, their fingers are just pointed at my body),” shared Ilyvm Gabriel, a second year BS Psychology student.

Through the crystal ball

Third Eye

Ghosts, spirits, souls, are often allegedly seen by an individual with stories that send chills to the spine, each swearing their experience was true and ‘they’ really exist. Some believe in their stories but some just nod and agree but do not actually believe.

How come some people see them and

some people do not is a question that is ever a mystery in life. People who could see these objects not necessarily seen by all people are said to be clairvoyant.

“Clairvoyance as defined in books, came from French words clair meaning ‘clear’ and voyance meaning ‘vision’, is used to refer to the ability of gaining information about an object, person, location or physical event through means other than the known human senses, a form of extra-sensory perception,” defined Ma. Lenor Delos Santos, Psychology professor.

Just like Alice Cullen of the phenomenal Twilight Saga, many claim that they have the ability to see what lies ahead in the future, what’s to happen is like an episodic flash that they watch, awakening feelings of deep thinking about the event to take place.

The difference is that people in this reality are no vampires; they are simple beings having another ‘extra’ touching the ground of this earthly world, some people who get glimpses of the future did exist.

“I believe you heard about precognition, and this I really believe.

There was a man by the name of Nostradamus, a man that could see tomorrow. Anything he foretold or anything he would be telling to happen in the future would come true. Lahat ng kanyang sinabi (Everything he said) eventually came true. So we call that prediction, we could really believe that prediction is a bluff but Nostradamus never failed. But some there are plenty of Filipinos claiming they have this kind of ability. ‘Yung mga manghuhula (The fortune tellers) in our country culturally... say that they could see the future,” shared Terazona.

Fortune tellers are not the only ones who have the ability to give preview to a person’s or the world’s future.

“Nanaginip ako ng tungkol sa baha then the next day, pinalabas na sa balita ‘yung tungkol du’n sa Japan (I dreamt about flood then the next day, Japan was already on the news),” experienced Bernardez.

From a famous historian like Nostradamus to a student like Bernardez, precognition is like every person’s unique physical touches. Some has it and some do not. It does not choose who to take the futuristic journey with and how much of the future will it let the person to foresee for the future is a road to be taken by surprise and it’s not what you read from books. Would we see and undertand the future if the better box of the present was wrapped up transparently?

Telepathy, telekinesis, clairvoyance and precognition ESPs--the extras--are one of the things that make our world interesting, never failing to kindle the inner wisdom, but whether to believe or not is something that makes the extra just an extra, for it is not tangible to many. It couldn’t be seen, smelled, heard, tasted and felt by all.

Just like the night sky, ESP is a dark never ending space with details that exist or might not exist depending on the perception of the eye peeking up above.

With reports from Barbara Mae T. Sison

Compiled by Clariele Jerrina S. Gatdula and Christelle Ann S. Jimenez

Makumplet o lang kami ng family ko this Christmas.. . kasi never pa kaming nakumpleto kapag Christmas.”

- Aubrey Gayle Feria, 2nd Year BSBA Internal Auditing

“An automatic blood pressure so that I can measure my father's BP (blood pressure) easily everytime he suffers from his sickness.

- Cristopher R. Dimapilis, 1st year Medical Technology

“Christmas card from a special friend or family. Christmas is not about presents or materials but it's all about what you have appreciated the whole year.

Just to be with family and friends, I'm contented.

- Dennis Paul Aliven, 3rd year Psychology

“Puppy, I want this because I am a pet lover though my stepmom doesn't want to have it. I want this in our house to avoid feeling lonely.

- Ruth Lucero, 4th year Hotel and Restaurant Management

“Cash, so that you can avail the item that you really want though you would not feel the spirit of surprise.

- Catrina Patot, 4th year Hotel and Restaurant Management

Compiled by Clariele Jerrina S. Gatdula

One-week vacation trip to Thailand to release the stress from thesis and college work. I'd also look for Mario Maurer.

Did you know that...

Santa Claus is actually based on the early Church Bishop Saint Nicholas. He was born during the third century (around 270 AD), in the village of Patara in Turkey, and was known for secretly giving gifts of money to the poor. The modern image of him as a jolly man in red most likely came from the 1823 poem “''A visit from St Nicholas'' also known as “''The Night before Christmas''.

- Juvy Galamiton, 4th year Advertising

“Macbook and world peace because I m not selfish.

If I'm happy, I want everybody to be happy as well.

-Katleen Joy Bautista, 4th year Advertising

“The best Christmas gift for me is a hug from my Dad whom I haven't seen for almost a year now.

- Gienah M. Malabanan, 2nd Year BSBA Internal Auditing

“ATM na hindi

nauubusan ng laman, pa ra shopping spree!”

- Jerome Lusung, 2nd year Business Management

“Financial breakthrough for my entire family. When this happens, everything will fall unto their proper places and my parents will be happy.

- Nina Isabel Completo, 3rd year Mass Communication

The abbreviation of Xmas for Christmas is not blasphemous. The first letter of the word Christ in Greek is chi, which is identical to X. Xmas was originally an ecclesiastical abbreviation that was used in tables and charts.

January has been named after God Janus (Latin word for door), in the Roman calendar. Janus is the God with two faces, one looking backwards and one forward, at the same time and marks the ‘spirit of the opening’ Source: Guiness Book of Answers vol. 9 (E-book)

Illustrations by Ralph MIchael R. Nochete Layout by Randolph Joseph D. Cao, Alexis James L. Tud and Bryan Benn A. Marticio

12

November-December 2012

LITERARY

Korina Camille F. Cue Literary Editor

T

houghts of going back to the park, memories I had with my Ma and Pa, and that lollipop I dropped when the Ferris wheel shifted its way to the top of the clouds linger in my mind; I swear I wanted to untangle them from every nerve of my brain. With the not-so-unusual scene, I fell asleep with melted morning glories.

I woke up with a letter beside me. It’s from Mina.

“Mark, you had your life spoiled with such dreadful memories. I tried to help you. For the past 5 years I was trying to traverse inside you.

I tried to make you realize there is more to life than being depressed and miserable. Yet you keep living in the realms of your past. You need to do this alone. It’s only you that could brighten things up. You know that I love you, I always do, even with all the imperfections our relationship had.

I’m doing this for the both of us. I’m going with Uncle Fin to Georgia. And probably by the time I come back, we’re already architects. And we’ll build the highest Ferris wheel ever.”

I always knew that she doubtlessly loves me with all her heart, even though I’m incapable of giving back what’s just right for her. It’s just that I cannot let go of my past, and that it haunts me and prevents me from giving in to the idea of being in love again.

I keep on telling her that I want to ride a Ferris wheel. She just won’t let me get in. She says she wants to protect me. She says she wants me to forget everything that happened in the past years of my life and the only way to do it is to kill the lingering frenzy of riding a Ferris wheel.

We would go to the park every time. Mina and I always do it on dismal afternoons. Glances of it invite a little ecstasy in my heart. She knows it’s my way of filling up the desire of being inside the wobbly couches of the Ferris. After it, I feel a little much lighter. It’s like my past has just married my present, only that past is off to make some money to satisfy the unending needs of my present.

It’s almost been three years since Mina went away. And there’s still no sign of her. I guess promises are really made to be broken. Maybe I’m not really worth coming back for. I truly understand why she didn’t come back.

She waited for me to grow and get over all the ultimate dramas of my past life, but I didn’t. I just miss her so much.

On a lurid morning, before I went to work, I passed by the fairground and checked out the Ferris wheel. It was Festival Day, and the rides were even more embellished with colorful banderitas.

The axles of the Wheel seemed to me like magnets, pulling me over as they swiveled. That time, I felt like I was ready to get in and drown into the memories of my family, of how they died while riding the Ferris wheel. I bought three tickets, one for me, one for Ma and one for Pa. I was about to rip the two tickets, believing they were the air around me, ready to catch the tickets and finally take a ride with me. But as swift as the roller coasters drifted into the air, I was obstructed to do so.

My hands were in tremor and the only sight my eyes could perceive was the usherette in front of me, yelling at me like I broke her precious vase. So I got off from the line and walked away, crying as if somebody had just stolen my candy bar. Until a group of girls wearing festival masks that were, by chance, licking lollipops bumped me when I realized my tears had already dried out.

“Hey! Mind your path. And take those circular candies away from me,” I shouted.

“What is so scary about my lollipop?” One of the girls replied.

“Aside from those masks you are wearing, nothing. Just don’t get too close to me with your lollipop ever again,” I replied while I was about to walk away.

I was anguished but I just turned my back on them. I just can’t let them know that I’m afraid of lollipops.I didn’t know that girl who raised her voice to me was

I love you, why can’t you understand?

Every night, I’m always trying to call you.

Seeking for your voice but wasn’t able to hear.

What part of ‘I love you’ don’t you understand?

Can’t you see? Can’t you see this spilled blood?

Since I’ve been loving you. All my love, wasted.

When will you learn to understand?

Understand?!

Is it that hard to love me? Why can’t you love me?

After every night we have a romantic walk together, Though you don’t know I’m walking with you, I was hungry to see your smile, those shining eyes.

I tried all my best to make you love me, but all is lost.

Every night I always visit you by your window.

Seeing you asleep is the best moment I ever had.

When you’re asleep, as I breathe what you breathe out.

Nothing else matters during the moment I’m with you.

I never want to close my eyes when you were crying.

I wished it was me you were crying about.

Those sobs should be about me.

I can’t believe you’re crying over a piece of s**t I wish you knew how I loved you so much.

How I would render the napkins I would steal.

How I would smell your sweat soaked shirt after P.E. How I watched when he broke your heart for ther first time.

I wished you knew, I wished you knew.

How I would sacrifice for you.

How I would buy you in an auction.

How much I loved you.

I will always love you. Love you forever more.

Even if it results to our death.

-Emric Salven B. Rejano

Illustrations by Ralph Michael R. Nochete, Hanna Leah G. Sambo, Reira B. Matsushita and Robert M. Faustino Layout by Richelle Mae B. Bautista

at my back, persistently following me like a rascal.

She kept on asking a lot of things, things that I would never let her know. She was so intrigued about the lollipop. My idea was that, maybe if I ran, she would stop stalking me, but I was wrong.

She ran after me and held my hands.

“What is actually wrong with you? You bought those three tickets but you were all just by yourself. The worst part is that, you ripped them off and didn’t take the ride. And what the heck is wrong with my lollipop? I wasn’t giving it to you in the first place.” She uttered with a heart-shaking voice, still with that mask she bought in the park.

I could have kept quiet, but I felt the need of explaining to her, maybe because I wanted her to stop from ranting. But I didn’t. Instead, these words came out of my mouth as if I was unaware of doing it.

“I cannot take the ride. I wanted to but I am so afraid. I wanted to recall every memory while riding the Ferris wheel and forget them as soon as I leave the park. I wanted to be with my parents again. I want to feel the warmth of their love. But I just can’t.. I’m too weak and feeble to try. I thought that after getting into the same situation again, I’ll be able to overcome all of these.”

“Well, if that’s so, come on. Come with me. I’m going with you.” She said.

“There’s no way I’m going with you, not with a masked person like you.”

Without any words, she pulled my hands and we headed towards the park. The bliss that the running brought me seemed to adjourn every wrinkle in my face. I don’t know but it was whimsical and ecstatic. For the past few years, I have never been in a rush like this. And when we got there, my heart seemed to jump out of my chest, like a rabbit aiming to win a race. There was magic, for I never smiled like this before, not in that park.

“Are you ready?” She asked me.

“I am. I’m sure I am.” I replied as I held her hands tightly.

My feet were trembling; my eyes were almost closing, and my heart was starting to skip a beat. The wheel, it swished to me saying, “Do not be afraid.”

“Okay, here we go. Try to recall all the painful memories. Imagine all the sequences, the moments, everything. Let them overflow now. It’s just you and me.” She told me.

And in that moment, it felt like travelling in the past. The sun, the wind, the ambience: they all conspired with us. All the painful memories, they were all reverted back. I shouted; I screamed; I took them all out of me. I almost lost my identity, but I was reborn. And as soon as the wheel swiveled down, I was over it. It was a feeling I’d covet over and over again.

To my glee, I found myself hugging her so tight. “I don’t know how to pay you back, but thank you. I owe you so much.

You freed me!” I said to her as I recognized something very familiar. She removed her mask.

“This mask is eating my face. Aghh.. By the way, aside from the Ferris Wheel, would you like us to build a merry-go-round, too?”

-Cirilo W. Cariga

By Gessa Mae E. Abriol

I do understand that love you gave me Every night before that I was in dreamland with you My voice, didn’t you tell me it goes around you every now and then Every part of it, I understand. And I ask, do you?

That blood spilling, it’s not blood I’m seeing It was just those expectations of you from me that didn’t happen You know I have understood every bit of it, every piece of love you give It was not hard to love you, I did love you, but you are asking for too much After every night we have a romantic walk together It’s instinctive that it would run through all those memories I have with you I thanked you for giving all the best you’ve got to love me But it has to be lost in track because in the same way you are too I can always see you peek by my window Watch me ‘til I fall in a deep slumber Feeling every breathe I take Nothing else really matters but that moment of me with you in there Every tear falling from my eyes are exactly the reason why I have to halt and rest It was really you I cry about Those sobs were exactly made by you You just can’t believe that it was really you I knew precisely how much you loved me How you would sacrifice everything for me But you should too know how much I have loved you too Now, be keen to watch my heart breaks again, for the last time I wish you knew, I wish we knew What love is, your love that is unerringly egocentric You should now risk getting hurt and getting lost And it’s just a part of everything you’ve done I will always love you, but first you should learn to love yourself Love is the lion’s share of your fascination, and it equates to your own death.

Ralph Michael R. Nochete Art Director

TAMARTS Ralph Michael R. Nochete

Mhar Melvin I. Choi

November-December 2012

PBB TEENS

LUPER

13

Aaron Cedrick S. Manaloto

Hanna Leah G. Sambo

Erika Nicole L. Bernardino

TOTS

CHEESEKARLS

Robert M. Faustino

Karl G. Aquino

ANAK NG PANTASYA

FAR EASTERN SIDE

Reira B. Matsushita

Ardie M. Aquino

14

November-December 2012

FEU population... from page 2

Promissory note holders increse

Meanwhile, a total of 5,324 students or 19 percent of the student population were able to enrol using promissory notes this semester, an increase of about a thousand more from last school year’s second semester’s 4,300 beneficiaries.

A promissory note, according to Republic Act 2031, is “an unconditional promise of writing made by one person to another” which enables the student to pay a lower down payment than the required 12,500 pesos for BS Nursing students and 8,500 pesos for other students.

Applicants should have already settled their unpaid balances to qualify for promissory notes. However, some students who were not able to pay their previous balances but still wanted to enrol were still granted promissory notes under a case-to-case basis, FEU Treasurer Herminia Maliwat said.

“Kapag nakita ko naman sa records ko na this particular student was paying tuition kahit na paunti-unti, then nag-apply siya for promissory note ngayon, ina-approve ko pa rin ‘yung application kasi nakikita ko naman na nagbabayad pa rin naman siya (If I see in my records that this student was paying tuition even little by little, then Senate’s Iron... from page 1

swayed by the personal appeal of a candidate. Public opinion is often shaped by conscious efforts of political elites and the media.”

Santiago furthered.

She also said that in the Philippine elections, the use of political information from the internet is increasing rapidly but still presents several problems. She revealed that the information that comes from the internet are not reviewed by professional that makes internet sources ‘lack [of] objectivity or accuracy.’

“The internet also represents ‘narrowcasting’ rather than broadcasting. I Woodpushers eye... from page 16

all of them), when it comes to board to board [match-up] we have the advantage.”

Locked and loaded

After garnering 27.5 points last season, their fourth place finish certainly is a disappointing one. Now that the Lady Woodpushers had moved on, they simply looked back at their last title in 2009.

“We strongly believe we can do it,” said Women’s Team Captain Jedara Docena.

One key addition for the Lady Woodpushers is Woman FIDE Master Janelle Mae Frayna. She is said to be a possible Rookie and MVP of the Male Booters... from page 16

predominantly UP crowd after scoring the team’s second goal in the 43rd minute.

“Kahit na sila ‘yung defending champion, hindi pressured ang team. Confident kami na kung ano ‘yung prinactice namin, malalabas namin sa game (Even though they are the defending champion, the team felt no pressure. We are confident that we will be able to execute what we have done in our practice),” shared Giganto.

The demoralized green-and-maroon squad tried to create something in the 46th minute but it turned out to nothing when FEU’s goalkeeper caught the ball easily even before they call the play.

The Morayta-based team had three more goal attempts before UP’s Albert Yatco received a yellow card for unsporting behavior specifically holding on opponent.

UP barely possessed the ball in the next 10 minutes giving FEU five more goal attempts. In the 62nd minute, FEU’s Madia shot the ball on goal but the opponent’s goalkeeper deflected the ball, however, loose possession on it thus giving Melliza, who is on the right place at the right time, his second goal in the game and fourth goal in the entire tournament.

Ironically, Melliza, who is a staple feature in the Green Archers United Football Club which is also

he applies for a promissory note now, I still approve his application because I see that he still pays),” Maliwat said.

“Some students with low amount of unpaid balances are given chances to enrol with previous account balance in case-to-case basis. So basically, [a promissory note application] is being considered depending on the reasons, and partly, on the amount,” FEU Central Student Organization President Jayvee Badile commented.

Though a data showed

by Maliwat to FEU Advocate revealed that 442 students as of November 19 were barred from enrolment because of their outstanding balance which can range from about 100,000 pesos to 150,000 pesos, Maliwat said that FEU is still “one of the most generous universities” as it does not charge interest from students.

When asked how the enrolment policies affect students, Badile said it might soon cause more Tamaraws to stop studying.

“These (enrolment policies) will push them to do extra cumbersome acts like borrowing money with interest or worse, in some cases, to stop studying even it is expectant to have received monetary resources very soon,” he said.

University goes... from page 2

refer to the phenomenon that each political group accepts only information that supports its own views,” Santiago furthered.

The senator also gave her points on controversial bills.

Regarding AntiEpal Bill, Santiago believes that students should support social media campaign to encourage smart voting among the uneducated. In that way, registered voters would be aware of premature campaigning and ‘epal’ candidates.

“You [students] should campaign so that voters will say no to epal candidates, political dynasties and premature campaigning,” she added.

Addressing AntiPolitical Dynasty Bill, Santiago said that there should be no political dynasties because it is both ‘immoral and unethical.’

“What they [family politicians] might be doing is legal because there is no law about that but it is unethical,” Santiago added.

Santiago said that Sin Tax Bill is not made for the local farmers of tobacco to lose their jobs. Instead, it will give them benefits like the 16-billion-peso budget to help them to grow alternative crops and to construct farmto-market roads.

Year awardee. If ever, it will only be the third time that this will happen in UAAP chess history.

With a very minimal change from last year’s lineup, Lady Tams completed their roster with Woman National Master Jedara Docena, Gladys Hazel Romero, Angelina Mortos, Nikki Erifa Yngayo, and Jennivie Santos.

This year, Olympians Docena and Frayna will be expected to lead the charge for the Lady Tams as they try to end their two-year championship drought. According to Coach Gonzales, they have the potentials of being the first Filipina Grandmasters (GM).

“Gusto ko po sana

mag-champion kami and hopefully makagawa kami ng history na mag-cha-champion ang men’s, women’s, [and juniors.] (I do hope that we’ll be crowned as champions and hopefully we’ll make a history that the men’s, women’s, and juniors will be champions at the same year),” Docena said.

“A lot of players who are playing for their last year for FEU want to leave a legacy for the school,” she added.

One secret in the success of FEU on chess is the coaching staff. In the country, Gonzales is the only GM and coach at the same time.

With this, the greenand-gold squad had infused a system of training similar to national teams. It requires memorizing a series of opening and ending moves but the Tams are practically more focused on developing the former during practice.

“Not double crown, I’m expecting a [triple crown]… after so many years of sacrifices and headaches,” said Gonzales.

-Justin Royce Z. Baluyot With reports from Kliezl Joie S. Demasuay

being manned by DLSU’s Head Coach Rodolfo Alicante, scored two of the three goals in their game against the green-and-white.

Noli Chavez added firepower to shut down DLSU.

“Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na nakacontribute ako sa team.

Masaya rin dahil ito yung parang rematch namin, pero ngayon kami ang panalo (It feels good to score for the team. I’m also happy because this serves as our rematch, but now, we won),” Chavez shared.

Desperate, UP seemed to collect more yellow cards than a goal after Michael Simms receive a caution in the 65th minute for infusing the cause of the scene. The State U squad was down to 10 players due to injury in the 72nd minute when their player tried to outplay FEU’s midfielder Arnel Amita.

T h e Ta m ’ s midfielders and defenders focused on tackling and passing on the late part of the game without much challenge from their worn-out opponent.

FEU indeed came prepared. Melliza said the team’s mindset before the game is, “Kaya namin silang talunin at pursigido kami. Para hindi naman sila ang champion ulit, tayo naman (We can, and we are really focused to defeat them. So we can be the champion, not they again.”

-Rogie R. Sabado

“May mga programs na ang counselors para sa mga bata. Sa labas naman, pinapakilos na ang mga pulis (Our counselors already have programs for the students.

The police authorities already are taking actions).

Our main concern is the student’s security, walang dapat matakot, lahat naman (there is nothing to be afraid of, everything) is inadvertent and [it is an] isolated case,” Cao said.

Cao assured that FEU is doing its best in handling the situation and is working on providing a longterm precautionary measure.

“We are not sitting down we have so many measures and we will not stop unless old things are settled,” she said.

FEU Security Manager Colonel Buenaventura Plantado said that they are on full cooperation with the police authorities to resolve the case and to secure the outside perimeter of the University.

Longing for justice According to FEU Green Bisons President Carlo Garcia, they see no reason why this incident occurs. He admitted that it is a shocking incident for their organization.

“Masakit saka mahirap tanggapin kasi wala kaming alam kung bakit nangyari yun.

-Janice C. Rodriguez

-Robert Jon L. Garcia

Lady Booters... from page 15

this game for sure na magtop kami kasi ngayon halos magkaka-level lang ang points eh [that we’ll be on top because right now points are almost on the same level],” said Head Coach Marneli Dimzon.

At the kick-start of the Lady Booters’ season, they finished a draw with the De La Salle Universty (DLSU) Lady Archers but bounced back after they dominated the heavilyfavored University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigers, 3-0— the goals came from Jessa Marie Sumagpao, Mara Kristia Sabanal, and Alesa Dolino .

Lady Tams also played the game in the absence of their top striker, Barbie Ann Sobredo, who was suspended due to two yellow cards that were given to her in the previous games.

Dimzon also indicated how the absence of Sobredo affected the team’s game, “Siya rin kasi ‘yung inaasahan namin sa harapan, siya yung scorer eh (she’s really the one we need in front because she’s the scorer),” she ended.

Lahat po ng nangyari last Tuesday biglaan (It’s hard for us to accept what happened because we didn’t know anything that had triggerred such incident. Everything that happened last Tuesday was surprising),” Garcia said.

He added that the victims were just supposed to eat outside FEU when the incident happened.

“Nagpaalam sila na kakain lang and then thirty minutes na ang lumipas, nabalitaan na lang namin na may shooting incident and di ko na ine-expect na sila na pala yung biktima (They said that they would just eat and then thirty minutes after, we heard about the shooting incident and I did not expect that they were the victims),” Garcia shared.

Last December 5, FEU Green Bisons bade their tribute performance for their two members who were killed by unknown suspects. “’Yung ginawa naming tribute last Wednesday, alam naming hindi sapat yung lakas ng pagtugtog namin na ‘yun para ilabas ‘yung sama ng loob at galit namin sa nangyari (We knew that the loud drumbeats we did during our tribute last Wednesday is not enough to release our anger for what had happened),” Garcia said.

Consequently, FEU conducted a nine-day vigil and masses as a form of sympathy for the victims of the shooting.

“We are requesting for justice, meron tayong (we have) consecutive line of prayers, then the [FEU] President mentioned last time that he was going to initiate a composure meeting with the coordination of all the officials,” Cao shared.

Fencers seek... from page 15

Going after the gold

If the FEU Men’s Fencing Team expects greater results for this year’s tourney, the Women’s Fencing team has a higher goal this season—that is to claim the top spot and hopefully, wear the gold medals around their necks.

“Ine-expect namin na lahat magka-gold, dahil ‘yun talaga ‘yung target namin this coming season (We expect that all of us will win a gold medal, because that is what we target this coming season),” said Nelaine Carino, one of the Women’s Team’s seniors, referring to their expectation and aim for the upcoming tournament.

Same as the Men’s Team, the Women’s Team still has an intact roster. No rookies were added to the team and no athletes graduated and left the team.

Nothing much was made with their adjustments prior to the new season, according to Carino. “Wala naman [adjustments] masyado (Just a bit of adjustments were made),” she stated. “Focus lang talaga kami sa training, and more on sa strengthening ng katawan (We just focused on our training, and we trained more on body strengthening).”

New breed... from page 15

Team Assistant Coach Jade Bejemino describes Amita.

Clearly, what made him reach the cut is, “maganda kasi ‘yung determinasyon niyang maglaro, lahat naman ginagawa niya; talagang tumutulong siya sa teammates niya (he is determined to play, he is doing everything he can for the team and to help his teammates),” furthered Bejemino.

When the team loses, he always takes a step back to look at his performance instead of joining the blaming game. Amita humbly said, “Kapag natatalo kami tumitingin ako sa sarili ko, kaya gusto kong bumabalik para tignan yung ginawa ko (When our team loses, I like to always take a step back to review my performance during that game to assess the things I have done).”

As a result of years and years of being a studentathlete, he surely knows how to balance everything else in his life.

Most especially, he does not put his studies aside but he admitted that it is hard when the tournament is fast approaching; playing

FEU hosts... from page 1

revolve around lesson plans.

“Education should incorporate not only the knowledge required for a profession but a sense of social consciousness,” he said.

During the plenary session on the second day, National Historical Commission chairperson Maria Serena Diokno stressed how tertiary students experienced difficulties in writing and pointed technology as one of the factors in this problem.

“Undergraduate students should know how to write. It is something that we [faculty] take for granted so when [undergraduate students] enter graduate school, they don’t know how to write… They can’t even connect sentences,” Diokno said.

Meanwhile during her presentation of her research “Developing Learner Autonomy: Factors Affecting Students’ Satisfaction with an Independent Learning Module,” English professor Lorraine de Beaufort from Lingnan University in Hong Kong discussed how ‘independent learning’ can also be used by students.

“Independent learning is not necessarily individual. It is rather on autonomy; focused on learner’s ability to work independently,” De Beaufort said.

She presented independent learning as a form of gaining academic knowledge through the use of advanced online modules. She furthered that it is the professors’ responsibility to assist their students in developing a sense of autonomy.

The most important factors that could determine students’ preparedness in independent learning are the students’ understanding and representation of autonomous learning, students’ capacity to self-learning and their access to resources, according to De Beaufort.

“[We should think] about how we might empower all students to become more resourceful [and] independent lifelong learners,” she added.

N a n y a n g Technological University in Singapore professor Daniel Tan presented his paper next, titled “University 2.0: Participative, Collaborative and Sustainable Learning,” a study that focused on how technology can be maximized in the academic community.

He classified this generation of students as ‘tech-savvy, cosmopolitan, have short attention span, achievement-oriented [and] team-oriented.’

Tan also believes that online modules must be campaigned more in universities because a technology-centered academic community promotes social learning as long as it is intended to be participative, collaborative, sustainable and also professor-friendly.

Meanwhile, De La Salle University (DLSU) professor Elmer Dadios discussed how robotics can engage secondary students to technology through his paper “The Role of Robotics Education in Creativity Development of Secondary Level.”

The role of educational and entertaining robots can attract students to study science and technology as robots are also becoming popular today, he said.

Dadios reported that students who were educated with robots increased their creativity level and believed on robotics’ impact to the academic community.

Professors from FEU, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (Thailand), Philippine Normal University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Saint Louis University, Sebelas Maret University (Indonesia), University of the East (UE) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) also presented their research and case studies on the first day of the conference.

Their papers were about development of instructional materials, centered learning in the 21st century, assessment practices in tertiary education, blogging as a tool in free writing, partnership between cooperating schools and teacher education institutions, blended learning and anthropology, accordingly.

Other professors from DLSU, PUP, Rizal Technological University, UE and UST also presented their respective research papers and case studies on the second day of the conference. Their papers tackled pair programming, new teaching and learning strategies, astronomy, technology teacher training, and mathematics proficiency and algebra assistance class, respectively.

The two-day conference was organized

by Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) and ASAIHL National Council of the Philippines.

-JRZB With reports from Norelyn M. Villaruel

Their aim might be that high, but with the heart and soul of a Tamaraw, the Women’s Team’s dream of getting the gold might not be within their reach; it might be within their grasp.

With the Men’s and

Women’s Fencing team having vengeance in their minds and fire in their eyes, expect them to go back in the gates of FEU and this time, dangling the gold medals around their necks and carrying the golden hardware.

for school pride is not an easy job but hearing other people tell him, “Nag-i-improve ka, maganda ‘yung ipinakita mo (you’re improving, you’re doing great),” motivates him to always give his best.

To lighten up his load, he also enjoys singing, dancing and playing basketball and computer games when he has free time.

high stamina is also needed because they are constantly moving from one end of the field to the other and to obtain this he also looks after himself by having a balanced diet and proper exercise.

Looking up to Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, this young national-team aspirant also dreams of representing our country.

Fresh from a very promising team stint during the 2012 University Games in which they were hailed as champions, he believes that things are now going to be tougher especially as the new season opens.

Being a member of the Team Azkalz with a great training, having a consistent skills development as a Tamaraw Booter and having a passion for the sport that keeps on burning and a college degree to boot, his dreams are truly within his reach.

As this new breed of green-and-gold blood continues to do his best in every game, let us all see how this rookie make his own name on the field, etch a new record and help the Tamaraws kick their goal for the gold this season.

Bigger things

He has always been thankful to FEU because of the great benefits the University had provided him.

“Sa mga kasama ko sa team, sila rin yung nagi-inspire sakin para maging humble (My teammates are also inspiring and helping me to stay humble),” Amita acknowledged.

His family has always been there to support him and guide him through this journey.

“Sinasabi nila sakin na lagi kong galingan kasi para din to sa future ko (They always tell me to give my best because it is also for my future).”

Plunging into the challenges before and after every game, the first thing he would do is pray and make sure that he is in his tiptop shape because being a midfielder requires skills to master defense and attacks. Having a

-Eryl Justine L. Bacnis

-Stephanie Ruth D. Navarro

SPORTS

Cindy Ashley G. Sy

November-December 2012

Tams stain with early loss Sports Editor

Coming from a sweet opening day victory, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws realized they were heading the wrong way when the National University (NU) Bulldogs surpassed them, 25-19, 18-25, 24-26 and 18-25, last December 8 at the FilOil Flying-V Arena in San Juan City.

After placing second for two seasons in a row, the Tams finally got the elusive title by beating the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tigers in last season’s finals.

With seven teams trying to stop them, the green-and-gold squad’s objective is simple: win the back-toback crown this season.

However, this season will be the start of a true test for the Tams after losing key players like Kirk Beliran and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Best Scorer and Finals MVP, Rodolfo Labrador Jr. from the lineup.

Holding a win-loss record of 1-1 early in the season, this already spells bad news for the Tams.

Forgettable performances

The referee whistled indicating match point with a score of 18-24 in favor of NU. Edwin Tolentino delivered the final blow with a resounding spike to finally win a game over the defending champs.

In the fourth set, FEU had numerous errors that as if it was literally raining balls all over the court. The Tams gave up six points to the Bulldogs via service errors and another six points by outside kills. All the errors gave NU

their biggest lead in the set, 8-15.

John Ian Depamaylo tried to start a momentum for FEU with a kill, 13-18. But Reyson Fuentes and Jan Berlin Paglinawan responded with a version of kills of their own to put the game away for good, 18-25.

During the third set, NU scored in all kinds of shots to take an early lead, 0-4.

However, the Tams responded through an Arvin Avila service ace to cut the deficit to one, 5-6. Since then, it was a toe-to-toe and eye-on-eye battle until the very end of the set.

The Bulldogs started knocking on the door when Peter Den Torres scored through a return spike off a bad reception from the Tams, 17-19.

Avila spearheaded the Tams by scoring back-to-back wallop to tie the game at 19 apiece. When Paglinawan tied the set at 23 by a spike, NU suddenly made crucial substitutions by entering John Paul Padua, Sonny Tekiko and Joshua Cagas all at the same time and for the first and only time in the game. The Bulldogs came out finishing on top at the end of the set by a Tams net violation, 24-26.

The second set was the real match-turning point as FEU was looking like a different team. Unorganized floor defense to be exact. In fact, NU scored 17 spikes, two drop balls, and an ace serve on that set alone. It’s actually a rarity that the Tams were down by a margin of seven points twice in a single game, 18-25.

For the green-and-gold squad, it’s just one of those off-night

Unexpected season kicker

Bad start. John Ian Depamayto launches an open attack against their opponent during the first round of eleminations. UAAP season 75. (Photo

by Marrione Ruth A. De Castro)

games. FEU’s setter and team captain, Pitrus Paolo DeOcampo, only executed 24 sets compared to NU’s setter, Vincent Mangulabnan, who executed 35 sets.

Top scorer of the game was NU’s Paglinawan who scored 17 points from spikes in 27 attempts. While FEU’s top scorer, Avila, scored 15 points from spikes but with 41 spike attempts.

First set however was a very different story for the Tams. They started strong with Avila scoring a spike and a backto-back ace serves for FEU to lead early, 4-0. NU responded as a team to tie the game at 4.

But, it was the net defense of the Tams that caused a lot of outside errors for them to sneak a set against National U, 25-19. “’Yung mga veterans natin eh, off ‘yung laro nila. Kasi

‘yung mindset, masyadong relaxed today (It’s our veterans, their game was off. Because of the mindset, they are too relaxed),” said FEU Head Coach George Pascua.

Pascua added, “Akala nila, porke ‘yun [NU] ‘yung kalaban so ayaw nila i-challenge ‘yung sarili nila, kumbaga masyadong overconfident, hindi ‘yun ‘yung normal na nilalaro nila (Just because they knew that NU was the opponent, they didn’t want to challenge themselves thus they were overconfident, that’s not their normal game).”

As for Pascua, he indicates that physical aspect of their game would never be a problem for the Tams. What is lacking is the mindset. After this game, he notified that it must always be at the top to get that back-to-back championship.

-Robert Jon L. Garcia

Lady Booters struggle for goal

Scoreless draw. Lady Booter Charmaisne Joy Fagaragan keeps the ball off an Ateneo defender during their first game in UAAP season 75. (Photo

by Marione Paul G. Infantado)

Ending the game how it started.

Far Eastern University (FEU) Women’s Football Team targeted to exceed the standings early season with their stunning kicks and blurring speed, but failed to do so after they tallied a scoreless match with the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) Lady Blue Eagles last December 9 at ADMU

Ocampo Field in Quezon City.

After the bronze finish of the Lady Booters last season, getting the championship this season is their only focus—nothing more, nothing less. The Lady Booters’ championship run will definitely be difficult considering the injuries their key players suffered.

Tired of a draw

Lady Tams’ started the game very aggressive that they were called an offside when attempting a goal attempt in the 3rd and 4th minute. Known as an early gamer, the Lady Booters managed to get a decent goal attempt inside the 8th minute by Sharmaine Siatong but was just simply deflected.

Inside the 24th minute, the Lady Tams were down to 10 players when Rookie Jessa Sumagpao was injured and had to be taken out only to get back in the 31st. Even in Sumagpao’s absence, the Lady Tams still have most of the ball possessions. The problem is that the Lady Eagles were too tall for the green-andgold squad to even execute a proper header to the goal or a teammate for a goal.

Despite playing with an injured ankle, Sumagpao had a goal attempt inside the 38th minute. After a beautiful pass from the left wing, a running Sumagpao was left open by beating her man and found herself on a one-on-one situation with ADMU’s goalkeeper,

Pitch-perfect

New breed on the Booters league In a basketball-fanatic dominated country just like the Philippines, only a few are choosing other sports to play. One of them is Arnel Amita, who dared to do away with the usual by trying out football and aspires to represent our country internationally.

In the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) world, basketball season is over and it is now time to step out to the field and catch the football fever. As another kickfest starts anew for Season 75, Far Eastern University (FEU) welcomes Amita, the 5-foot-1 midfielder.

Kick off

Nine years ago, a free-spirited kid started to play football with an invitation from a friend. Back then, he would call it “playing for fun.”

Little did he know that the “fun” he had back then would turn to be his passion and a waya to secure his future.

“Kasi po sa football ko nakikita ‘yung sarili ko, parang alam ko na sa tuwing naglalaro ako lalong nakikita

ko yung future ko (Because I could really see myself in football, that every time I play, the future becomes clearer),” said the first year Business Management student.

This 17-year-old native of Maco, Compostela Valley Province was born in a family with 11 siblings. Football playing prowess seems to be running in their blood with two of her sisters―Jenelyn and Analou― also playing for women’s team.

Tracing his roots from FEU-FERN College, Amita decided to stick with FEU in his senior year. When asked on how he started his career with the Tamaraws, Amita recalled that he was scouted by an FEU coach when they were playing in Lanao, Mindanao for the Philippine Olympics Federation.

Before wearing the seniors’ green-and-gold uniform, Amita has been part of the teams that won back-toback UAAP Juniors’ football championships, back-to-back Alaska Cup, RIFA Cup, Faith Cup, and Palarong Pambansa championship.

He has definitely come a long way from his first time of stepping into the

field, in which he recalls, “Enjoy po, masaya po, pero sobrang kinakabahan (I enjoyed it. I am happy but I feel nervous),” because at present, he is also part of the Teen Azkals team.

Fast track

He now starts to build the ladder of his success through hard work.

“Hard worker, di madaling mag-give up (he never gives up easily) until the last minute of the game,” is how FEU M e n ’ s Football Continue to page 14...

Battle-tested rookie. FEU football player Arnel Amita is set to bring an all-new charge to the Booters.

(Photo by John Armen T. Bongao)

Angelica Fae Tiu, but the kick was too high and went over the bar.

When the second half started, ADMU became more aggressive that they already obtained three free kicks and a goal attempt within two minutes.

As they start to become desperate for a goal, Alesa Dolino kicked the ball in the 61st minute against four white shirts around her surface which made it near impossible to make the goal.

Off a free kick, Marie Cadayona got an angle from the kick in the 20th but missed the goal by just 2 feet away from FEU’s metal bar. Lady Tams responded the next minute with a back-toback goal attempts by Dolino but both attempts were turned aside by the Lady Eagles. ADMU counter-attacked the miss by a straight attempt by Cadayona but was saved by Mae Sullano, Lady Tam’s goalkeeper.

In the end, both teams didn’t register a goal as Dolino was given a yellow card in the 84th minute due to the heat of the match and all the misses.

Arising problems The Morayta-based squad should be at the top with seven points via two wins and a draw only if they won the game against the Katipunan-based squad, but instead they end up with five points via 1-0-2 winloss-draw record which cost the Lady Tams their momentum they carried a game before.

“Really disappointed kasi [because] we really need Continue to page 14...

15

Loyalty versus future?

When you’re part of a team, you stand up for your teammates.

Your loyalty is to them. You protect them through good and bad because they’d do the same for you. -Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berraw

A lot has been reported and many people have expressed their feelings. For almost a month now, the word “loyalty” has been circulating around the internet and basketball world.

It was reported that the supposed-to-be most priced rookie of our dear alma mater for University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 76 Men’s Basketball has changed from the green-and-gold jersey to blue and white.

After reading a lot of articles and tweets from basketball columnists, somehow I felt “sad” for what that high school star has been going through. It was reported that he had already signed a contract with our University but then again, another deal was made by his father, who actually has the right to do it since his son is not yet 18 years old.

This is actually not the first time that FEU had this kind of controversy as one priced rookie who was Mark Lopez also did the same when he joined the collegiate league.

Because of his decision, the UAAP Board decided to have the UAAP Rule I.A.5 or more commonly known as the “Soc Rivera rule” which states that “An incoming collegiate athlete who is a high school graduate from a UAAP Member University and enrolled in another Member University shall take a mandatory one year residency except when a prior clearance is issued by the Member University for the release of such athlete.”

A lot of bashing has been thrown to him and I know some of you might have just done the same thing. Maybe you also belong to those who asked where his loyalty lies. But have you ever thought that the kid might also want to pursue a career that will help him when he grows up?

I believe that not all players, even if they were born “basketball superstars” during their collegiate days, have a stable job just by turning ‘pro’. They also have their own businesses to support them especially when the day comes that they are no longer fit for running back and forth the court.

But this is just my idea when I heard that news. Of course, I admit that somehow I got affected but in the end, I realized that maybe the kid just want to have a good future.

I’m not saying that our school is not capable of giving good education. What I meant is that the kid might have wanted to pursue a course that our University does not offer.

With this controversy roaming around not only inside their school but also around the UAAP basketball world, their team remained intact. It shows that even though your foot is in troubled water, your teammates or the people you’ve been with for some time won’t leave you fighting alone.

For four years he’s been with the team, truly they know each other well and with the championship win against the San Beda Red Cubs at the recently concluded PCCL Finals, it shows how much they are happy for whatever his decision was. They gave him respect and stood on his side when he needed them the most.

It shows that when you have put a lot into a group or into an organization that has honed your talent, they won’t leave you behind. They may not agree with you but they will keep their silence until you make the decision, the right decision at the right time.

And so while we wait what will really happen in Season 76, I suggest that we should just be happy to whatever his decision will be. May it be good or bad, he has already given a lot when it comes to school pride, I think it’s time to return the favor and just respect him.

Let’s all be happy and share what your mind is saying at cindyashleygosy@gmail.com.

As new season unfurls

Fencers seek vengeance Revenge is a dish better served cold, as they say.

And this is what’s cooking inside the heads of Far Eastern University (FEU) Men’s and Women’s Fencing Team as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 75 fencing tournament gets underway.

With the new set of competition surfacing around, the Men’s and Women’s Fencing Team is hard-pressed to snatch the golden prize, after their respective successful runs for the title last season became a “should-have-been.”

Hard work will payoff

After placing second overall during last year’s festivities with a 2-1-4 gold,

silver and bronze medal tally, the Men’s Fencing Team expects a greater result for this year’s slugfest.

“Magiging maayos ‘yung resulta ng game kasi sobrang pinaghirapan namin ‘yung isang taon na pagtetraining para lang sa UAAP na ilang araw lang. So, all out na ganu’n ([Our expectations this season are] better results, because we really worked hard in our training for a year just for UAAP, which would last only for a few days.

So, it’s all out for us),” said the graduating Men’s Team Captain Prince Villamayor.

He also added that the Men’s Team is still intact, for there were neither key additions nor key losses within their roster.

When asked about what adjustments the team had made prior to this season, Villamayor took the question for himself and his fellow graduating athletes of the team, emphasizing that they stepped it up higher.

“Mas nagsipag ako ngayon, kasi hindi gaanong nakakapag-training lahat.

Marami kaming mawawala. Mga graduating kami halos lahat.

(I trained better for this year because not all athletes were able to train. This will be our last year. Almost all of us are graduating),” he stressed.

With the Male Fencer’s hunger for supremacy in this year’s tournament, it will not be hard for them to grab that elusive title as “champions.”

Continue to page 14...

FEU Tracksters lord over UAAP athletics

The streak continues for Far Eastern University (FEU) as they dominate the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 75 Track and Field championships once again last December 4 to 7 at the Philippine Sports Complex in Pasig City.

The FEU Men’s and Women’s teams remain unshaken on their throne as the royalties of the track this season.

The Lady Tracksters whooped their rivals with 534 points, leaving University of the East behind with 311 and University of Santo Tomas (UST) at 254. Meanwhile, the Male Tracksters wielded the top spot with 390 points, outnumbering UST and De La Salle University (DLSU) with 264 and 249 points, respectively.

A step to a decade

With their ninth straight crown, the Lady Tracksters seemed to associate their victories to immortality.

Former two-time Most

Valuable Player (MVP) Dalyn Carmen remained as the long distance queen after shattering her own UAAP record in 3000-meter steeplechase at 11:43.04 compared to last season’s 11:50.52. She finished first in the 10,000-meter run while her compatriot Jenysmille Mabunga captured bronze. Meanwhile, Mary Ann Dela Cruz and Carmen owned the top two spots for 1500-meter.

In the 5,000-meter run, teammates Mabunga, Carmen and Dela Cruz occupied the podium to make it a sweep for FEU. The foursome of Hanelyn Loquinto, Avegail Marie Dizon, Josie Malacad and Mildred Salut broke another record in 4x100meter relay at 48.91 seconds. On the other hand, Loquinto, Malacad, and Salut continued picking up medals in 200-meter dash.

Malacad collected gold in 400-meter hurdles and silver in 400-meter run. She also garnered another one in 800-meter run with Dela Cruz and Carmen behind her. Malacad avenged her silver finish in 110-meter

Remarkable record. FEU Tracksters engrave a never-ending title in UAAP championships. (Photo by Wondell M. San Pedro)

hurdles with gold in 400-meter hurdles alongside Rieveneth

Volleybelles sweep past Maroons

By Cindy Ashley G. Sy and Hannah Grace N. Ramil

First blood. Lady Tams give up a hard-fought game in their first match against Ateneo Lady Eagles. (Photo by Marione Paul G. Infantado)

Two years ago Far Eastern University (FEU) Women’s Volleyball team was still looking for the right combinations to fill up the shoes left by the veteran players. This season, however, they might just have found the missing pieces and may end up with a different story.

The Lady Tamaraws More matured ranked 4th in the University The third set was a Athletic Association of the Ferris wheel ride for the Lady Philippines (UAAP) last Tams as they started out strong, season and they have shown 6-2 but cannot pull away because great potential this season of UP’s strong front line with that they can be part of the Princess Se in front and with Arylle Magtalas’ effective plays for final four again.

Opening Season the Lady Maroons.

The game went 75, the Lady Tams lost their first match against Ateneo deadlock at 13 with the service de Manila University (ADMU) ace coming from Magtalas. With Lady Eagles but had a unforced errors coming from the performance that sent a Lady Tams side, UP saw a ray message to all the remaining of light giving them the cushion, teams—they are a team to be 19-20. Exchange of points from both squads was seen through watched out for.

O v e r c o m i n g the third set. UP’s Se and pressure the next game, FEU’s Palma’s both made their the volleybelles came back presence felt for their respective winning their second game teams putting the game at 24-all.

With just two points via straight sets against the University of the Philippines away from finishing the set and (UP) Lady Maroons, 25-14, the game, FEU’s Rosemarie 25-14, 27-25 last December Vargas attacked the defensive 8, 2012 at the FilOil Flying-V wall of the Lady Maroons and Arena in San Juan City with ended the match, 27-25.

On the second set, the Wenneth Eulalio being the player of the game scoring Morayta-based squad’s confidence 19 points with 16 spikes, two was seen all throughout their performance inside the court. service aces and a block.

Christine Agno joined the Lady Tam’s scoring festivity by quickly attacking UP’s court, 3-2. With Eulalio and Vargas in front everything went with FEU’s way scoring resounding spikes that seems like UP’s worst nightmare, 13-6.

Gyzel Sy also made her presence felt by scoring off drop shots right in the middle of the Lady Maroon’s court, 17-12.

The Lady Maroons was stunned at 14 when Eulalio started to dominate the court with her quick attacks, service ace while teaming up with Palma and Winonag Bagang, 25-14.

Coming in the game, the Lady Tams looked relaxed and unpressured pulling away early in the opening set with their combination plays and witty attacks, 5-0. In a long rally, Sy made things worse for the UP’s side by dropping the ball over UP’s defense, 13-5.

Service aces worked for the Lady Tams as well as the running and quick plays for Eulalio and Palma and the resounding spikes of Vargas ended the first set, 2514. For UP, it was a forgettable set for them because of the 10 points that came from the errors of the Ladies in green and gold and only four came from their attacks.

When Head Coach Nestor Pamilar was asked if he was satisfied with what the girls performed in the recent game, this was his calm response, “Hindi pa ako masyadong satisfied sa nilaro nila kanina eh, alam ko kasi mas may ibubuga pa ‘yan, Kulang pa sa kumpyansa sa sarili at kumpyansang mananalo sila sa mga laban nila eh (I’m not that satisfied with how the girls played earlier because I know that they still have more to show. They still lack in selfconfidence and confidence that they can win their games).”

Woodpushers eye multi-titles What more can you expect from a winning team?

Simple: create a history and leave a legacy for the school.

For Far Eastern University (FEU) Men’s and Women’s Chess Team, a cup of mental preparedness is not enough to be at the top of their game. With a spoon of physical toughness and unlimited determination, these are just the perfect ingredients for them to be considered a champion-caliber squad.

Six-peat and counting

Considered as a powerhouse-team for more than half a decade now, the Woodpushers have only one goal in mind: extend their

championship streak to seven.

The Morayta squad does not include the word “meltdown” in their vocabulary as they continued to be a nightmare for other teams after totaling 37.5 points last season.

Expected to lead the men’s team for the 75th season of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) are Team Captain John Ranel Morazo, two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) Sheider Nebato and UAAP Season 74 MVP and International Master Richeliu Salcedo III.

Morazo’s wish for the team this season is straightforward, “Blessings para sa bawat isa at magkaroon ng harmony ang team. Sana

rin hindi lang [kami] magchampion, magkaroon din sana ng mataas na grades at makagraduate (Blessings for each of us and for the team to have a harmony. I hope we will not only be champions, but also for everyone to have high grades and eventually graduate).”

Completing the lineup are former Team Captain Antonio Chavez Jr. who’s in his final playing year, Lennon Hart Salgados, Mcdominique Lagula, and veterans Kevin Mirado and Alfredo Rapanot.

Coach Gonzales expressed his trust to the players, “Alam ko maasahan ko naman lahat sila [Men’s Team] (I know I can depend on

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Jayed Peñaruba at second.

Joeann Bermudo stormed the jumping events with her two gold medals and a silver in high, triple, and long jump. Dizon and Salut joined her in completing the victory in triple jump with silver and bronze.

Evalyn Palabrica and Jennefer Penepona clawed both gold and silver in the javelin throw event. Lei Ann Tan starred in shot put and hammer throw, settling at second and third.

Head Coach Roselyn Hamero happily shared her final message to her team, “Ang final message ko sa mga athletes is to do their best and makuha nila ‘yung personal best nila (My final message to the athletes is to do their best and get their own personal best). And dun sa mga kayang mag-break ng records, gawin nila (to those who can break records, do it).”

History continues

The undermanned FEU Men’s Track and Field Team created havoc in the four-day tournament, leaving all opponents behind and storming their third straight championship title and eight tiaras.

With a maximum of 20 players allowed, FEU only had 18 that were even trimmed down to 16 players in the start of the tournament. Season 74 gold medalists Ian De Los Santos and Kenny Gonzales were deemed ineligible to play due to grade problems.

But the problem became a blessing in disguise for the team. Though lacking

manpower, the team retained their title and the playing years in UAAP of those who were unable to play remains.

Leading the Tams’ onslaught was the returning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jesson Ramil Cid who is also one of the delegates of the Philippines in the forthcoming Asian University Games in Laos.

“Masaya kasi nagpromise ako na magchachampion kami. Lahat ginawa ko eh, para sa team, para sa FEU (I am glad because I made a promise to them that we will be the champions. I did everything for the team and for FEU),” graduating player Cid said.

Cid flaunted his athletic prowess with gold finishes in the 100 and 200-meter dash and 400-meter run, long jump in 6.87 meters and 4x100 meter relay run together with Jhon Rey Bandos, Abdilah Landasan, and Jerwen Ebcas with a time of 42.54 seconds.

The quartet of Cid, Ebcas, Bardos and Christopher Ulboc Jr. snatched the silver medal in the 4x400 meter relay behind DLSU.

The Ilocos Norte native added three more medals in his own haul from the 400-meter hurdles (silver), 100-meter hurdle and high jump (both bronze.)

Remaining true to their roots, Ubas and Landasan ruled the decathlon after totaling 5,565 and 5,457 points. UST’s Marvin Ronas Lupinario was at distant third with 5,529 points.

Veteran Ulboc added treasure in the team’s medal

tally with runaway gold in the 800-meter, 1500-meter run and 300-meter steeplechase where he also holds the UAAP record of 9 minutes and 24.98 second in electronic time in 2009.

Ubas collected silver medals in long and triple jump with a distance of 6.56 and 14.30 meters.

Newly-installed Head Coach Dario De Rosas pointed out three reasons on how the green-and-gold squad continues to dominate the tournament.

“Unang-una ‘yung support ng school, maganda kasi ‘yung suporta ng FEU eh.

Pangalawa ‘yung recruitment and then pangatlo ‘yung coaching. Siyempre iba pa rin ‘yung meron kang magaling na coach (First is the good support of FEU. Second is the recruitment and then the coaching. Of course, the coaching also spells the difference,)” jubilant Coach de Rosas admitted.

Team Captain Rafael Poliquit Jr. clocked 15:33.24 in the 5000-meter run for a silver medal trailing fellow Tamaraw Ulboc in 15:31.12 for the center podium finish.

Poliquit almost broke the 32:28.88 record set by FEU’s Nelbert Ducusin in 2006 in the 10000-meter run. He was four milliseconds away from engraving his name in the history book after finishing the race in 32 minutes and 28.92 seconds.

Ulboc bagged the bronze medal in the same event.

“Always go for the gold,” said veteran long distance runner Poliquit. “Hindi ko iniisip ‘yung kalaban. Ang iniisip ko eh i-break ko ‘yung record.

Eh 4 milliseconds lang ‘yung kulang talaga kaya even though nanalo ako sa race parang kulang pa rin (I don’t think of my opponents. I just want to break the record. So even though I won, it felt incomplete because I’m 4 milliseconds away from it),” he added.

But the threat is not yet done and FEU is not ready to give up that winning tradition.

“Kailangan lang naming i-maintain ‘yung foundation namin. And next season, expect na kung gaano katibay ang team ngayon, surely, doble pa ‘yung tibay nito next year (We just need to maintain the foundation of the team. And next season, expect the team to be stronger than this year),” warned Poliquit.

-Lhea Jane S. Bagona and Rogie R. Sabado

Male Booters too much for Maroons Fresh from avenging their Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association Football Preseason finals loss to the Green Archers in their season opener game, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters proved that they are a team to watch out for this season

FEU registered another win after blanking two-time defending University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) champion University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 3-0, at the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Erenchun Field in Quezon City.

It was another David-Goliath match with UP having the height advantage.

But Assistant Coach Jade Bejemino noted one simple fact. “Ang football, sa ground naman nilalaro ‘yan eh, hindi sa taas (Football is played on the ground, not in the air.)

We avoided long ball passes para ‘di makaporma ‘yung kalaban (so our opponent cannot do their plan).”

Team Co-captain Jesus Joaquin Melliza, who scored FEU’s first goal in the 19th minute, shared the same thought. “Play, pasa-pasa, at

Agressive defense. FEU Male Booter tries to get off the ball from the opponent’s possession at their first game against UP Maroons. (Photo by Kevin Victor J. Torres)

speed. Aanhin mo naman ang tangkad kung walang speed? ([Our advantage against them is on] our play, ball passing and speed. What’s the purpose of

height if you don’t have the speed?)”

Eric Giganto made the second silencer for the

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