Magazine 2014 - eka

Page 1

éka G

E

N

R

É


Tala ng mga salitang

Novo Ecijano ganire /ga.ni.’re/ pang-ukol. ginagamit upang ipakita kung paano isagawa ang isang bagay o ipakita ang itsura nito. katumbas: ganito halimbawa: Aba’y ganire ang tamang pagtahip ng bigas! ere /’e.re/ pang-ukol. ginagamit ito sa pagtukoy ng isang bagay. pwede ring ire. katumbas: ito, heto halimbawa: Ere na yung pinaluto mong kalamay sunsong. dine /’di.ne/ pang-ukol. ginagamit pantukoy ng lugar. katumbas: dito halimbawa: Dine lang sa Nueva Ecija makikita ang mga taong putik. luganggang /lu.gang.’gang/ pang-uri. tumutukoy sa isang bagay na gamit na gamit na. katumbas: walang buhay, lawlaw. halimbawa: Iwasan niyong lumuganggang ang mga banderitas! supil /’su.pil/ pangngalan. isang kagamitang pambabae na isinusuot sa buhok. katumbas: headband (ingles) halimbawa: Karaniwang makikita ang mga kababaihan ng Nueva Ecija na nakasupil. madiwara /ma.di.’wa.ra/ pang-uri. tumutukoy sa isang tao o bagay na mareklamo o mahirap gawin. katumbas: mabusisi halimbawa: Madiwarang lutuin ang bibingkang kanin. pate /pa.’te/ panghalip panao. kahaliling pantawag sa mas nakababatang kapatid, kakilala, o sa ‘di kakilala katumbas: kapatid, halimbawa: Pate, na-like mo na yung facebook page ng Genre?

ne /’ne/ ingklitik. (1) ginagamit bilang paghingi ng kumpirmasyon sa kataga. (2) pagpapahayag ng pagkagulat. katumbas: di’ba, hindi ba halimbawa: (1) Kay ganda ng Nueva Ecija, ne?. (2) Ne! Kaganda pala dine! lubay /lu.’bay/ pandiwa. ginagamit sa pagbawal ng isang aksyon o pahayag. katumbas: tigil, hinto halimbawa: Maglubay ka at tangkilikin mo ang sariling atin. sukdulan /suk.’du.lan/ pang-abay. nagpapakita ng kagustuhang gawin ang isang bagay ‘di-alintana ang mga humahadlang na mga bagay. katumbas: kahit na, hindi bale halimbawa: Sukudulang mapagod ako, pupunta ako ng Pantabangan! bangkag /bang.’kag/ pangngalan. lupaing mataba ngunit hindi binubungkal at hindi sinasaka. katumbas: bukid halimbawa: ‘Dun na lang tayo magpiknik sa bangkag at maaliwalas na’t namumulaklak na’y mga talahib ‘dun.

hagilap /ha.’gi.lap/ pandiwa. paghanap ng mga tao, bagay, o lugar. katumbas: hanap halimbawa: Hanggang ngayo’y ‘di ko pa nahahagilap yung Plaza Lucero, sa’n ba? yari /ya.‘ri/ pandiwa. pagtapos ng isang gawain o bagay. katumbas: tapos halimbawa: Yari ka na bang magsulat? banas /ba.’nas/ pangngalan. matinding pagkamuhi o inis sa isang bagay o tao. katumbas: inis halimbawa: Banas na banas na’ko sa trapik na ere. sura /’su.ra/ pangngalan. matinding pagkamuhi o inis sa isang bagay o tao. katumbas: inis halimbawa: Nakakasura naman yang mapang ‘yan, ‘di ko maintindihan. makire /ma.ki.’re/ pang-uri. naglaalwarawan ng taong maarte o katumbas: maarte, malandi halimbawa: Napagka-kire kasing magsusuot pa ng scarf, hayan tiisin mo’y init.

tumana /tu.’ma.na/ pangngalan. lupaing mataba na binubungkal at sinasaka. katumbas: bukid halimbawa: Sundan mo sila’t sa tumana sila dumiretso ng pananghalian.

itsa /it.’sa/, /it.’cha/ pandiwa. pagbato ng isang bagay tungo sa isang destinasyon katumbas: hagis, bato halimbawa: iitsa mo na lang yang unan sa sofa at nang makaupo ka.

kuno /ku.’no/ pang-abay. ginagamit upang ilarawan ang isang bagay o gawain sa mapagkunwaring paraan. katumbas: kunwari halimbawa: ‘Yang bata na ‘yan, nagbabasa lang kuno yan, puro pictures naman tinitingnan. Di ba? Di ba!?

Sapi /sa.’pi/ pandiwa. (1) paglalagay ng panyo sa loob ng damit para sipsipin ang pawis sa likod. (2) paglalagay ng pamatong o dikin sa lamesa upang hindi maulingan o masira. katumbas: patong halimbawa: (1) Sapian mo nga’y likod ko. (2) Sapian mo’y lamesa’t mainit ‘tong kaldero.

taban /’ta.ban/ pandiwa. paghawak sa isang bagay. katumbas: hawak halimbawa: Paki-tabanan nga itong OMG.

tiwas /ti.’was/ pang-uri. naglalarawan ng kawalan o pagkaka-ubos ng isang bagay. katumbas: ubos, wala na halimbawa: Aba’y nalingat lang ako ‘e nung bumalik ako tiwas na yung kakaning galing sa Penaranda.

urong /’u.rong/ pandiwa. paglilinis ng plato at ng mga kagamitang pangkusina. katumbas: hugas halimbawa: Naurungan mo na ba yung pinaglagyan ng longganisa?

tagibang /ta.gi.’bang/ pang-uri. naglalarawan ng hindi pagkakapantay ng isang bagay na nakatayo o nakasabit. katumbas: tabingi halimbawa: Ipitan mo ng papel yung paa ng lamesa’t tagibang.

bidahan /bi.da.’han/ pandiwa. pag-uusap ng dalawa o higit pang mga tao. katumbas: kwentuhan, usap halimbawa: Ngayon lang tayo uli nagkita, magbidahan naman tayo. dasog, asog /da.’sog/, /a.’sog/ pandiwa. paglipat ng isang bagay o tao sa isang tabi katumbas. lipat halimbawa: ‘Onting asog na lang po’t magkakasya kayong lahat sa jeep!


ĂŠka

pandiwa. ginagamit sa mga usapan tuwing nagbanggit ng salita o kataga mula sa ibang taong pinagmulan. katumbas: Wika, sabi Halimbawa: Maganda ang Nueva Ecija, eka ng mga mambabasa.


NOTEBOOK

X

X This is what I have learned during the creation of this

X

It doesn’t really matter how far the adventure is.

Hindi mo na kailangang magpakalayu-layo pa. Nand’yan na sa harap mo; ayaw mo lang talagang lumingon.

Hindi man laging tama, kadalasan, lahat ng inuukit sa puso ay sumasalamin sa kagandahan at

masterpiece. For the longest time, like most of us, I wanted

Kung minsan masyado kasi tayong aligaga. Aligagang

to travel as far as I can in order to gain the thrill that I wanted.

humanap ng lovelife, aligagang kumopya ng sagot,

Subalit dahil wala namang konkretong kahulugan

We have much to see, contrary to the life that we have. We

aligagang maglakwatsa sa kawalan, aligagang mabuhay

at hamak na isa lamang na pakiramdam, kalimitang

should live life to the fullest and see the world before it is

nang kung pa’no na lang. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit

nagwawakas din ang matingkad na kulay sa wala at

too late. We will all be gone someday and we will leave here

madalas tayong nagkakamali; kung bakit madalas tayong

tumutulo bilang luha.

the people we’ve been with, the moments we shared and the

nagsisisi sa bandang huli.

Gayunpaman, ang bawat segundong bumubuo sa

Hindi gano’n mabuhay.

matatamis na saglit na ito ay hindi matatawaran. Maglaho man ng tuluyan sa isip, ay lagi pa ring

friendship that we developed.

kaligayahan.

I’ve been to many places before. I have travelled across

Tama, you only live once. Tama rin, live life to the fullest.

the region (Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan). I;ve been to

Ngunit hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon, ay pwedeng sumige

North Luzon (Ilocos Sur, La Union) I have even travelled to

ka na lang nang basta-basta; iyon bang padalus-dalos.

as far as Albay. But I want more. Palawan and Batanes are

Sabi nga sa kanta ng nag-iisang Maja Salvador, dahan-

kaligayahan – mawala man ng panghabambuhay,

the places I would like to visit someday. But I never thought

dahan lang, dahan-dahan lang.

hindi pa rin mabubura ang alaalang bumubulong na

of having the same adventure in our own province - Nueva

Sa ganitong paraan nabuo ang magazine na hawak mo.

Ecija until it happened.

Mahigit

tatlumpung

utak

ang

pinagana

mananahan sa puso. Ito

ay

kakambal

lamang

ng

bitbit

nitong

minsan ka rin naging masaya.

upang

Sa

dalawang

pinakamahalagang

konsepto

I was born and raised here in Nueva Ecija and I can

mabigyang buhay ang tatlumpu’t dalawang makukulay

ng

honestly say that I don’t know much here. Until here came

at makasaysayang mga bayan ng probinsya. Madaling

pinakamahalagang pangyayari sa buhay ng isang

one of the most exciting part of my life that I will surely

maghanap, madaling magtanong. Pero mahirap maghukay

tao. Ito ay dahil wala nang mas tatamis pa sa haraya

remember.

ng kasagutan sa mga bagay na minsan nang kinitil ng

ng pag-ibig na siyang nagbubunga ng tunay na

pagkakataon.

kaligayahan… ng tunay na kagandahan.

I had the chance to travel the least place I wanted to go,

emosyon

na

iyon,

nabubuo

rin

ang

but it turned out to be the best one I’ve seen so far. And

Dito pumapasok ang unang dalawang pangungusap

At ngayon, ang isa sa bunga nang hinagap ng

don’t even think of getting lost; Novo Ecijanos are there to

ng sulat na ito. Hindi mo na kailangang magpakalayu-

pusong tumatawa at umiiyak ay nasa iyong mga

help you.

layo pa. Nand’yan na sa harap mo; ayaw mo lang talagang

kamay. Isang obra na hindi man mapatunayan

lumingon.

kung tunay nga ang konsepto ng pag-ibig, ay

This year, the editorial board decided to feature Nueva Ecija and of course, some Novo Ecijanos. We want you to

Gaya na lamang sa totoong buhay. Masyado tayong

mapagbabakasan naman ng mga gunitang isinilang

see what we have experienced at your hands. The cheapesr

nagpapakapagod magbilang ng mga bituin; hindi natin

hindi lamang sa pawis at dugo, nguni’t maging sa

travel you may get. for only P100.

namamalayan, unti-unti na palang lumalayo ang buwan

munting ngiti sa mga labi at dalisay na luha sa

papunta sa dilim.

dalawang pisngi.

So here it is! hopefully, you’ll appreciate what our province has to offer.

Simple lang ang buhay. ‘Wag nang gawin pang

Isang obra maestrang hindi man umusbong

To our inspiration, the students.

komplikado. Pero ‘wag din sige nang sige…dahil nasa huli

sa isip, nagmula naman sa puso ng mga taong

To the administration,

ang pagsisisi.

marunong umibig.

To the Wesleyan Community, To all Novo Ecijanos who guided us along the way, Thank you and God bless.

X

Kaya sa tuwing nagdadamot sa’yo ang kapalaran at tila ba ginigipit ka ng tadhana, ‘wag kang aligaga. Dahan-dahan lang, dahan-dahan lang.

X

2

X


NOTEBOOK

X

X

X Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.’s declared 2015 as Visit Philippines Year. Recently,

The further you go, the closer you are to home,

Have you tried travelling or did you already visited historical places around the world? Around

eka nga.

Nueva Ecija Tourism has come up with a branding

Ibang

ng

your country? Your province? Or even your city or

program with its new official tag line, the “Never

pagsusulat

subok ng walang

municipality? Have you ever tried to know what’s the

Ending” slogan as a global tourism campaign for

hanggang sakit ngunit nang matapos iyon ay

history and secrets behind those landmarks? Have you

the province.

napalitan na ng walang hanggang saya. Nakahanap

ever been curioused? Maybe you haven’t. Do you know

We at Genre have designed a phenomenal

ako ng sarili kong tahanan, ng sariling pamilya- at

the famous people that grew up in your place? Or even

itinerary in this line of art, in this line of love as we

tunay na pagmamahal. Naging sandigan ko ang

your place’s signature dish? Maybe, not yet.

gather stories that scatter across Nueva Ecija like

mga kapwa ko manunulat. Dumating na sa puntong

People nowadays or even before especially the

glass shards emitting spectra of cultural fireworks.

napagod na ang kamay kong sumulat kaya’t

teenagers, they just visited the place and take selfies

ginamit ko ang natitira kong lakas-sumulat ako

or groupies as souvenirs to remember the place.

For

the

wanderlust,

this

issue

provides

information on the “wealth of attractions and

klaseng sa

karanasan

akin.

Unang

ang

idinulot

‘Yan kasi ang problema natin ngayon, bira ng bira.

mula sa aking puso.

traveling escapades” Nueva Ecija has to offer. Also,

Sabay kaming sumisid at lumipad sa walang

Libot dito, libot doon. Picture dito, picture doon. Ang

discover local folklore that reinforces Philippine

hanggang ideyang nagpatibok sa aming puso

mga hinahangaan natin sa showbi, sino ang mga kilala

native mythology!

at nagdilig sa aming kaalaman. Pamula rito ay

niyo na taga Nueva Ecija? Malay mo, same city lang

nabuo ang kosnseptong iniaalay sa kagandahan at

pala kayo. O kaya naman ang mga natatanging tao

pagkakakilanlan ng ating lalawigan- ang eka.

dito sa Nueva Ecija na hindi nabibigyang pansin? Kilala

Get a load of research as we visit each city and each town, and unravel the origins of their names alongside trivia that Novo Ecijanos ought to know.

Napatunayan kong hindi pala sapat na nakatira

mo ba sila? Eh ang mga pagkain na natatangi lang sa

We have also worked out on Novo Ecijano dialect,

ka sa Nueva Ecija para masabi mo na ikaw ay isang

Nueva Ecija? Paano naman ang mga salitang araw-

our very own version of Tagalog, and compiled each

Novo Ecijano. Sa paglalakbay upang makahanap

araw mong ginagamit? Maniniwala ba kayo na tanging

word and defined them as academic as possible.

ng mga karanasang maitatatak sa papel at isip

ang mga Novo Ecijano lang ang gumagamit. Kaya niyo

It is quite a shame that even I, am not aware

ng tao, kami ay nakadiskubre ng paraiso sa lugar

bang ikuwento sa mga susunod na henerasyon, ang

of several of Nueva Ecija’s attractions. Now I have

na matagal na pala naming nakikita. At mula sa

mga natatanging nangyari dito sa ating probinsya?

discovered for myself that the province is more

pagdidiskubre, nahimay namin ito hanggang sa

Hindi lang ito tungkol sa ating lugar na kinalakhan

than just rice paddies and water buffaloes but

makabuo ulit ng mga panibago at mas malalim na

kundi pati ns rin sa ating unibersidad. Kilalanin ang

rather, a cornucopia of passion, promise, and proof

istorya.

mga natatanging tao at mga kaganapan dito sa ating

that comprise a distinct culture leaving a lasting impression to whoever that sets foot on our land. Novo Ecijanos, feast your eyes as we invite you to visit our own province and get to know the places, faces, food, and festivities of Nueva Ecija. Read and go spread the word!

Tulad nang pagkakatagpo ko ng tahanan sa aming publikasyon, nais kong ibahagi sa inyo ang saya at lukso ng dugo sa bawat pahinang inyong

eskwelahan. At kilalanin ang mga tao sa likod ng magasin na ito. They just eat the usual ones or sometimes the new ones in their tastebuds but don’t even notice that it is

bubuklatin. Gisingin ang pag-iisip at patuloy na maglakbay.

the famous dish in the city.

Wesleyanians, wander through the marvealous spirit

So for you, our beloved readers, let your eyes be

of Novo Ecijano. Take a peak at the soul of Nueva

amazed on our wonderful province as we give you a

Ecija.

tour and tell the history of it by flipping every page of this magazine. Let your imagination be free! Enjoy and God bless!

X

X

3

X


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcoming Committee

#Throwback

Upstream Adventure

Travel with us to the far north and learn a little bit of history in Dalton Pass. p52

Feast your eyes with a well-preserved Spanish era relics from San Isidro. p38

p46

santo domingo

We head east of Nueva Ecija to explore the majestic Dupinga

cabiao bongabon

nueva

carranglan san isidro gabaldon

rizal

jaén llanera san antonio zaragoza muñoz peñaranda guimba licab san jose

p48

p66

p74

Dam!

Forevermore

Gastro Trip

Join us in finding out the situation of Asia’s first dam made of rubber.

Find forever in the humble barangay of San Francisco.

4

Satisfy your palate with salted eggs and a number of foods Nueva Ecija boasts of.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

My Mushroom

Crafterpreneur

Get a load of a generously healthy serving of mushroom – one of the province’s top products. p73

Find out how an indigenous weaver managed to give cogon a good name. p76

Visita Iglesia We offer a quick trip for the faithful to Nueva Ecija’s most beautiful Catholic churches. p38

san leonardo gen. natividad palayan talugtug quezon cabanatuan

ecija

nampicuan talavera pantabangan santa rosa lupao laur gen. tinio gapan cuyapo aliaga p58

p36

p86

Bloodshed

Merry Mayhem

Remembrances

Blood painter and aficionado Amang Pintor talks about passion, folklore, art, and love.

Come celebrate with us as we learn about the origins of Nueva Ecija’s most famous fiestas.

5

Devour nostalgia as we see the memories left twenty years after the 1987 tragic incident.


EDITORIAL

X

Ready, Set, No! K+12 Program reflects to the future having a bigger picture. And yes, Filipinos are now ready for this transformation, but not the Philippines; like the preparedness of Wesleyanians, but not of Wesleyan University-Philippines (WU-P). According to the general antagonist of K+12 Program of Department of Education, the new scheme is considered to be impractical paraphernalia for a concrete development. They always emphasize that the government should repair first all the impairments of the education system of the country caused by the negligence and corruption of the leaders. And if uninterruptedly executed, they accentuated that this would just worsen the current illness of the system. That comprehension from the opponents of K+12 concludes that the Philippines is not yet ready for a major face-lift for the education system – a picture of a gruesome reality that really needs an attention of the government. But as against to that close, it does not mean that Filipinos are not yet prepared for the enormous change it can bring to their lives. Filipinos possess knowledge and strength that can be their foundation to survive on this stepping stone for a tangible development. Yes, it is a tough job because at the end of the day, it still requires money – one of the major issues that hinder particularly the affected marginalized citizens. But then again, everything is possible when they really exert effort to achieve that goal. Of course, still, with the big help from the government. In lower scope, that national picture is also the current struggle of this university in implementing K+12 Program. Wesleyan Community is definitely ready as it can easily dance to the existing music. But somehow, due to a number of major concerns of the students, the university itself is not yet set for it. WU-P is the only autonomous university in Nueva Ecija and the only accredited educational institution of the Philippine Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities Accrediting Agency Inc. in Region III. But it does not reflect to its preparedness to the full implementation of K+12 Program. Despite the claim of the administration that WU-P is well equipped in terms of manpower and facilities, the present picture of the university does not say the same. Although they are planning to build a four-story building for its execution, it cannot be said as their basis for its readiness. In fact, before that, it is a vital move to fix first all the impaired facilities complained by the students. Another thing is the issue in the quality education they market but not really seen at all times. How this university could say it is ready when in fact, some of its professors are not qualified to teach the students very well? K+12 Program does not just need a new building, but more importantly, it needs trained teachers, a ratio of 1:1, for an efficient implementation of that scheme. Yes, students and alumni of the university constantly bring achievements in the name of Wesleyan and that proves that they are ready for that transformation. But then again, it does not mean that this educational institution is now ready for K+12 Program. It is because the real thing shows that those are really the accomplishments of Wesleyanians and not the school itself. Furthermore, accreditation is different from K+12 Program implementation. So it cannot be a reason for claiming that WU-P is now really ready. But since the administration is willing to pursue this blueprint, they have to do something to overcome those concerns to achieve their objective acceptably to the eyes of those who are mournfully paying expensive tuition fees. And it is a good start to fix all the impairments in the university – in physical, moral and managerial aspects. It is not really erroneous to implement that. But before taking steps to a higher level of struggle, why not repair first the broken window glasses at Agricultural Building? Everyone in Wesleyan will be benefited, anyways.

X 6


HEADLINES

Aniag aims advancement on educational makeover by Jan Adrian F. Delos Santos Wesleyan University-Philippines (WU-P) President Pacifico B. Aniag took his hats off to Wesleyan Community, as he spelled out the achievements scored by the university from the past few months. On his internet-published letter for October, Aniag emphasized that WU-P continuously preserves its lead in excellence over other tertiary educational institutions in Region III. Starting with his ‘most favorite’ success, he pointed out the Institutional Accreditation status granted to WU-P by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) thru the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities – Accrediting Agency, Inc. (ACSCU-AAI). “This achievement has turned Wesleyan’s stature in the field of education as truly outstanding and aboveboard because thus far Wesleyan is the only one in the whole Region 3 and one of only 17 educational institutions throughout the country awarded by the FAAP-ACSCU-AAI with such an all-encompassing Institutional Accreditation status,” the president said.

He added that the said success is the outcome of the

as the new title holder. He also complimented the victory of Sharla

university’s previous struggles at improving itself as an

C. Santillan of CoEd as 1st runner-up in the beauty contest of the

educational institution.

said league.

Aniag also brought up the success of the 13 new certified

With this achievements brought by the university athletes,

public accountants from the College of Business and Accountacy

Aniag hopes that they will also give their competitive attitudes in

(CBA) who got 92% passing rate against the 37% national average.

their academic field to continue doing the best at all times.

The president also mentioned the victory of the College of

“During these uncertain times, where even in the national front

Education (CoEd) which fetched 63% passing rate versus the 34%

we seem uncertain which ones to believe among the discourses

national average for secondary education and 45% passing rate

on corruption and good governance by the contending political

against the 36% national average for elementary education.

forces in our society, the one best thing that we can continue to

Thus, he also applauded the efforts of the college deans, faculty and staff for their contributions in the attainment of the academic successes of WU-P.

do is to continue doing our best whatever the circumstances may be,” he advised. The president also eyes further improvement of the university

Valuing the exertion of Elementary Department, Aniag also

performance as respond to the challenges posed by ASEAN

commended its involvement in the accumulation of achievements.

integration next year and implementation of K to 12 Program by

It is through the A1 Dancers of WU-P championship against other

the government in 2016.

schools in the Philippines in the “Jump In Dance Off 2” Contest, Elementary Division, sponsored by Smart Communication. WU-P President also acclaimed the supremacy of Wesleyan Riders Men’s Basketball Team in the Nueva Ecija Collegiate Sports

“We have to continuously upgrade and elevate the degree of our capabilities so that we may not only advance but even maintain our lead over other institutions because this is also what they are now doing.”

League (NECSL) Season 3 after replacing the defending champion

2 MassCom students recognized in 10th GEL by Emmanuel John Pangan

Maria Jubelle Legaspi, senior Mass Com student, got third place in the Photojournalism and Faith Chloe Patacsil, junior Mass Com student, received a special citation in Poetry Making category, English division. Legaspi took images of poverty which was described by Prof. Michael Andrada of the University of the Philippines as photos that speak not just to expose what is on the scene. On the other hand, Patacsil with her poem entitled ‘Kremil-S’ described society like a stomach ache which needs medicine. She emphasized during her impromptu speech a question why we are letting those trash came in to our mouths and let destroy our system. The Gawad Emman Lacaba is considered as the highest award-giving-body in Luzon for writers.

7


HEADLINES

WU-P gears up for K+12 full implementation requirements as stipulated in guidelines of Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 4 series of 2013 which covers the application procedures. “The university is giving us the chance to attend seminars and conferences which discuss the curriculum,” she said. She added that the school has involvement in conferences, seminars and consultation meeting conducted by DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Educational Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Problems to be encountered Aside from the additional needs to suffice the implementation of the program, Agsunod stated that there are problems in terms of displacement of teachers, retrenchment of instructors especially part-time and diminution of salaries. General education faculty will be teaching subjects in senior high school.

by Jerome Estavillo Professor Tita Agsunod, high school principal, said that Wesleyan University-Philippines (WU-P) is now ready for the full implementation of Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, also known as K to 12 Curriculum. Agsunod said that the program is already implemented in their department which is composed of junior high school. Grades 11 and grade 12 senior high school. Tracking of subjects to be offered When asked about the preparations about senior high school, the principal expressed that the administration is making deliberations of academic tracks and other tracks to

be offered. ABM (accounting, business, management), HUMSS (humanities, social science), STEAM (science, technology, engineering, agriculture, mathematics) and GAS (general academic strand) compose the academic strand of senior high. Agsunod said that a student should decide his academic path in line with his desired line of profession. Meanwhile, if a student is still undecided as he enters senior high school, he can take GAS which covers subjects in all areas. Other tracks include vocational technology, sports and arts and design. On university’s preparation In an interview, Agsunod said the university already finished preparation of documents for application and compliance of

Actions already taken The administration already conducted survey tracking, facilities inventory and manpower inventory. Agsunod stated that the school is “well-equipped” in terms of facilities. Vacated classrooms of first year college in 2016 will be used for grade 11. Meanwhile, she said that the management has a plan to construct a building which will cater levels of senior high school. The university sets a community tracking to have collaborative communication for senior high school, parents’ response survey. Upon the full execution of the program, the school will be conducting industry partnership with different institutions which will serve as a training ground for senior high school students.

OSA clarifies retention on Latin honors by Rolando Iniwan, Jr. In relation to the information relayed to the editorial board last July, Office of Student Affairs Director Dr. Elgin S. Paguirigan clarified the current policy regarding the qualifications of the Latin honors. It can be recalled that former Vice President for Acadmic Affairs Dr. Virginia O. del Rosario and former University Registrar Julie Cabling released a memorandum for the revision of the honor policy from the averaging system last July 9, 2013. The memorandum stated that a student who completes his program with no failing grade, with a minimum grade of 2.25 and has an average of 1.51-1.75, would graduate as Cum Laude; with an average of 1.26-1.50 and minimum grade of 2.00 was qualified for Magna Cum Laude, and a student with an average of 1.00-1.25 and a minimum grade of 1.75 was suma Cum Laude. According to the current VPAA, Dr. Estrella C. Buenaventura, the memorandum will be implemented and should only take effect retrospectively. Freshmen enrolled this school year will be affected by the new policy. The sophomores, juniors and graduating students this academic year will still be following the previous policy. Moreover, the grading system for all programs in the university will comply with the new grading system, wherein a base of 50% shall be earned by a student. The aim of this system is to centralize the computation of grades for the fair computation of the determination of graduation honors. All students must take at least 75% of their subjects in the interview to be a candidate for a Latin honor.

SSC, CLCs scrap Php 75 completion fee by Rose Anne Pangilinan The Supreme Student Council (SSC) marked a milestone as they announced the removal of completion fees amounting to P75.00 effective on October 13, 2014, which is one of their

With regards to the compliments they got from the students, Santos figured out that they are just doing what they promised during their campaign. “Actually, last year pa kasama na yan sa platforms namin during campaign. And bago pa mag-start ‘yung school year, isa

platforms. The said elimination of fee only covered the incomplete

na talaga sa nakikita naming dapat maging focus ng council

grades of the students who do not released their final examination

ngayon is yung service sa students. And isa nga dito yung

permits due to delayed payments on tuition fees.

makatulong sana kami na mabawasan yung burden nila sa fees,”

Now, instead of presenting receipts to the registrar to acquire

Santos explained.

completion forms, students with incomplete grades are just

She expounded that with determination, they communicated

required to present promissory notes signed by their college

the students’ needs to the Office of the University President

deans, or their clearance if the overdue balance has already been

Pacifico B. Aniag, and in no time, Aniag gave his approval to the

paid.

proposal.

The announcement garnered positive reactions from the

When asked how she felt subsequent to the approval of their idea, Santos said, “Nung 1st students congress natin, isa din

students in the university. “Malaking tulong po sa mga estudyante ‘to, kasi dati, problema

yun sa major concerns na na-raise ng CLC officers. And now

na nga yung pambayad ng tuition kaya naincomplete, problema

na naapprove, syempre masaya at blessed kasi alam namin

pa rin yung pambili ng completion form. Ngayon ayos na, buti

na makakatulong ‘to hindi lang sa mga students natin ngayon,

nasolusyonan nila,” a student from the College of Hotel, Restaurant

even those na nakagraduate na, eH magbebenefit pa din,” Santos

and Institution Management said.

concluded.

8


NEWS REPORTS

Vendor’s association issues complaint against bazaar

Baratilyo ‘14 now trends in Cabanatuan

by Jan Adrian Delos Santos Cabanatuan City Public Market has now a ‘new face’ to sell, as the vendors of ‘baratilyo’ dominates again, this time, the motorways surrounding the market place since last week of October. As permitted by the City Ordinance 051-2014, Cabanatuan city Mayor Jay Vergara authorized the establishment of the mini bazaar which was previously located at Plaza Lucero. The re-formation of baratilyo, which offers cheap priced items on appliances, furniture and some surplus products, captured again the eyes of its patrons. “Buti na lang, naitayo uli ‘tong baratilyo. Talagang mura din kasi ‘yung mga paninda dito. Kumpara sa palengke, dito na lang kami bibili. Mas nakakatawad pa ng malaki,” one of the customers said.

Students hit out at proctors on finals by Christian Victor Cuaresma

After taking the final examination for the first semester of School Year 2014-2015, students grumbled their professors regarding the problems they incurred during the time. Before taking the examination, students were waiting for their proctors to give them the examination they required to take up. But for some ‘unexplainable’ reasons, a number of professors came in late in their assigned classrooms. This act, therefore, gave a reason for the students to take their examination late on schedule. Because of the late proctors, some schedules were adjusted and even removed. Another problem which happened was also the assignment of those professors to higher level students to take in charge and monitor their tasked room. While taking the examination, some students found out their examination paper unclear or having some

Amid the satisfaction catch by its benefactors, Cabanatuan City Supermarket Vendors Association Inc. (CCSVAI) members have come up complaining the permission of instituting again the baratilyo. According to the union, there has been an agreement between Vergara and the vendors since February 2011. The settlement stated that the City Local Council will

blurred parts. Thus, some students were not able to

never allow again building the said bazaar to take care

answer their examination properly.

of the original supermarket vendors.

Some proctors were also just sitting in front of the

Thus, more than 700 members of the association

students and just using their gadgets like cell phones,

conducted a rally at the city market. They have

tablets, and laptops. Some of them even were just

protested the establishment of the baratilyo in the

playing with the students. Because of this, students were

market area.

given the chance to cheat and exchange answers with

“Ilipat

ang

baratilyo

sa

lugar

na

hindi

makakaperwisyo sa mamamayan,” CCSVAI shouted in

their seatmates or even with the whole class. There were also some instances where the proctors or professors were inside monitoring students carefully, but they demanded the students to finish the exam quickly.

one of their streamers. They also appeal for the abolishment of the ordinance.

Even though the allotted time for the subject was long,

But Vergara said in an interview that people who

they kept on saying that the exam was just easy and the

participated in the rally are not from Cabanatuan City

students should finish it with just less than an hour or

However,

CCSVAI

members

stressed

out

that

whatever Vergara says, they will not stop from

shorter than the allotted time. “Nakakainis ‘yung ibang prof. Parang hindi professional.

protesting until the city mayor responds to their call.

Minamadali kami o kaya naman kung anu-ano ginagawa. Parang ayaw nilang gawin ‘yung trabaho nila,” a student

Traffic Illness Complaints regarding the traffic congestion in

from the College of Business and Accountancy said.

the supermarket caused by the baratilyo have also

f

COEd performs average with 50 new teachers by Camille Dofredo

CCSVAI objection

elementary level and 62.75% passing rate for the

become a crucial concern of the tricycle drivers. They grumble that even there are alternative routes going inside and outside the supermarket, it still annoys them because those substitute roads are also overcrowded.

Fifty new licensed teachers were the newest

secondary level surpassing the national rate of

“Kahirap ng ganito. ‘Yung wala ngang baratilyo dito

batch of Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET)

34.41 for secondary, WU-P earned 16.50% overall

eh traffic na, siksikan na, ngayon pa kaya na halos

passers

from

passing rate.

maharangan na ‘yung daan,” one of the tricycle drivers

College

of

Wesleyan

Education

University-Philippines’

after

the

said.

Professional

“It was an overwhelming experience that after all

Regulatory Commission released the August 2014

the hard works we did in college, here we are now,

LET results last October 27 of the same year.

the newest batch of LET passers,” says one of the

that baratilyo will be relocated on what they say

graduates who passed the LET examination.

‘appropriate place’.

With an eight percent passing rate for the

9

Like the

CCSVAI,

many tricycle

drivers

hope


HEADLINES

Plebiscite for Ecija voters set on Nov 8

HUC Cabanatuan set for 3rd round

by Rhounee Ron Kevin Frany The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) signed on September 24 that all registered voters in Nueva Ecija will vote whether to upgrade the status of Cabanatuan from a component city into a highly urbanized city (HUC) on November 8. The Minute Resolution 14-0541 sets November 8

as the date to determine the long-pending

plebiscite for the conversion of Nueva Ecija’s most populous city. The poll body’s resolution came five months after the Supreme Court

finally approved to conduct

the plebiscite in the city. The High Court instructed COMELEC to conduct the voting across the province,

ICT moves for ‘better’, automated clearance to

the

develops

registered voters in Nueva Ecija, with 219,430 coming from Cabanatuan. The planned Cabanatuan plebiscite has been postponed twice in the past years. In 1998, President an HUC, but the voters rejected it.

students, Technology

Electronic

During the 2013 midterm polls, there are 1,363,633

Accounting Office for the examination permits.

In 2012, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III

Student must comply with his responsibilities to

and

issued the same proclamation but was postponed

continue the step-by-step process. They can verify

Department

by the COMELEC due to the 2013 midterm elections.

their clearances through their student portal in

To provide a faster and an effective clearance Communications

The resolution states that 1,360,508 registered voters are expected to participate in the plebiscite.

Fidel Ramos issued a proclamation to make the city

by Camille Dofredo scheme

not just within the city.

Information (ICT)

Clearance

System

last

September 26.

WU-P Automate. Student council, block advisers and college

ICT added this module to Wesleyan University – Philippines Automate (WU-P Automate) website.

It was twice suspended through a Temporary Restraining Order filed by Nueva Ecija Governor

local council are allowed to send their concerns to OSA and Colleges for the encoding purposes.

Aurelio Umali. The Local Government Code (LGC) states that a city can be accorded HUC status if its population, as

It will be implemented on the first semester

“Ayos to kasi hindi na kami mahihirapan pang

replacing the manual signing of clearance forms

certified by the National Statistics Office, reaches at

pumila ng pagkahaba-haba at mag-akyat panaog

by departments/offices such as librarian, student

least 200,000, and its income is at least P50 million

sa kada opisinang dapat papirmahan,” one of the

council, block adviser, dean, registrar, Office of

at 1991 constant prices.

College of Business and Accountancy student said.

As of 2010, Cabanatuan has a population of

A student from the College of Nursing and Allied

272,676 and has an annual regular income of P235

Student Affairs (OSA) and commissary. In addition, it will supersede the individual

Medical Sciences, on the other hand, expressed

signing of the students which leads to a delay in

that the system of signing of clearance will be

releasing of permits during the final examinations.

strict and he is not sure if that can really help

Electronic Clearance System also provides a

students.

million at 1991 constant prices. Once an HUC, Cabanatuan voters will no longer cast their votes for provincial posts. Cabanatuan voters account for half of the voting

fast track of holding the student’s accountability.

“Mas naging mahigpit yung pagpapa-clearance.

Registrar will not print the student’s clearance

population of Nueva Ecija’s 3rd District, represented

Dati kasi may nakakalusot sa sanctions ngayon

when

in Congress by Umali from 2001 to 2007. It is

wala ng kawala. Time and effort saver din ito,” he

currently being represented by his wife Czarina.

it

detects

any

holding

remarks

from

the departments and colleges as well as the

added.

Source: rappler.com

10


NEWS REPORTS

Wesleyan retains university status by Jerome Estavillo The Federation of Accrediting Agency of the Philippines

(FAAP)

awarded

an

institutional

Garchitorena visited the university to give the

institution. The accreditation visit of the association

recognition.

used to happen every last week of February or first

WU-P, being the only one institution in Region III, marked on 6th place among 17 colleges and

accreditation (IA) status to Wesleyan University-

universities

Philippines (WU-P) after passing the accreditation

recognition.

in

the

Philippines

to

receive

the

week of March. “This achievement has turned Wesleyan’s stature in the field of education as truly outstanding and aboveboard,” Aniag said in his letter to the Wesleyan community last October in relation with FAAP’s

conducted by Philippine Association of Christian

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

Schools, Universities and Colleges – Accrediting

defines institutional accreditation as the highest

Agency Inc. (PACSCU-AAI).

certification that can be given to a school after

Aniag considered that receiving such merit is a

University President Pacifico B. Aniag and WU-P

a consideration of the university’s number of

“tremendous breakaway lead” at this point of the

Board of Trustees Dr. Glenn Roy Paraso received the

individual program accreditations and the result of

fourth and final quarter of the year that happened

certificate in an awarding ceremony happened last

an overall evaluation of the quality of its facilities,

in the university.

October 21 at the university auditorium. ACSCU–

services and faculty.

recognition to university.

As of press time also, WU-P is the only university

AAI Executive Director Angelito P. Pedreno and

The university underwent surveys and evaluation

FAAP representatives Vilma Emocling and Connie

in terms of the appropriateness and adequacy of its

in Nueva Ecija that bears autonomous status to be expired on December 12, 2014.

philosophy and objectives to achieve its goals as an

2 CCS faculty lauded in upper Luzon app gab by Maria Jubelle Legaspi Two faculty members of the College of Computer

Studies (CCS) won second place in the SWEEPx Best Mobile App contest held recently at the Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City, Pampanga. Christopher Joy C. Dugtong and Alison R. Ignacio developed an app that allows users to check the description of all university courses, and open the schools portal.

The users can also make use of

Here Maps to locate Wesleyan University-Philippines (WU-P) and other landmarks in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. Forty faculty members from Central and Northern Luzon created apps for their respective schools after the training program. Smart Developer Network (Smart DevNet) and Here Maps resource speakers trained and mentored the participants on the basics of developing Android mobile apps. The participants, with the mobile apps they

11

developed for their schools presented their mobile apps to a panel of judges, demonstrated the various features, and cited the problems the apps seek to address. The

Smart

Wireless

Engineering

Education

Program (SWEEPx) training focuses on Android mobile apps development as majority of the mobile handsets and tablets in the Philippines run on the Android operating platform. With Smart SWEEPx, the telco aims to nurture the mobile apps development community by building a bigger base of Android apps developers in schools. Smart is also hoping that mobile apps development will become part of the schools’ course offerings to provide students with the skills that are relevant to the market place. SWEEPx is the latest initiative of Smart in the mobile education space, and forms part of the (SWEEP), which is the longest-running industryacademe partnership that helps enhance Philippine IT and engineering education.


PERSPECTIVES

U

U

ARE YOU PROUD OF

WESLEYAN? Text: Emmanuel John Pangan Photo: Maria Jubelle Legaspi

There was a time when I interviewed a 92-year old

among top schools in the country. The surprising

towards a specific goal, creating a Christian identity,

man with a hearing difficulty. When I asked him if he

thing is they are just producing a cone effect—a

bonded in the spirit of Wesleyan.

was a proud graduate of his school, the school was

process of interpreting reality the way they perceived

founded by Jesuits, he then told me, “I am proud of

it (in short, subjective point of view).

A common problem to a good communication is this: pride.

There are also people who aim to portray their

Eliminate the sense of pride. Pride starts when

A common problem of people studying and

school the way it is. They present it with neutrality

one views himself as perfect. It hinders the essence

working in a famous university is the sense of

as much as possible (Of course, they have biases

of school which is putting human beings to a higher

pride. In promoting their school, they think they are

but they present both sides) and let others judged

order corresponding to society’s needs.

proud of it but most of the times they promote more

their school.

my school.”

So are you proud of your school or to yourself?

themselves. They tell how good they are inside the

The point is judged rightly. Know both sides.

class or office and somehow try to change what is

Any

According

to

Salvatore

Canals,

humiliation

no

is the way to humility. Humility is the opposite of

the real situation. There are times that just to put

communication-same as to your school. As a

pride. Therefore, humiliation is the way to eliminate

their names in the pedestal, they bashed the school

student, know what is happening inside your school.

pride. Humiliation in the sense of seeing yourself

to the point of describing it as a place not conducive

And as a school personnel, inform them. Then figure

as imperfect and needs others to correct it but be

for learning.

out what needs to be fixed and improved.

sure it will not cause you to self-pity or be envious

relationship

will

fail

if

there

is

In contrast, there are people who tend to label

I am dreaming of a program: Kapihan sa Wesleyan-

their school to others as an academy for elites and

a day where students and administrators will

geniuses. They want their school to be classified

mutually share their talents and time, collaborating

12

to others. The way you speak, act, and think is the way your family and school molds you.


WESLEYAN NOW

wesleyan

shout out

!

bakit naman

po ganun Interviewed by: Aldyne Kimi Alojado

Students Speak: Ano Masasabi Mo Sa Performance ng SSC?

?

•Bakit naman po ganun, napakabagal po ng process sa registrar sinasabi ng kailangan, napakabagal pa rin. Tsaka bakit napakasungit po ninyo kasalanan na ba ngayong magtanong kung kalian makukuha? BSBA 1-1 •Bakit naman po ganun, ‘yung ibang prof. hindi nagbibigay ng konsiderasyon sa grades, ang init pa po sa room namin. BSA 1-1. •Bakit naman po ganun, taon taon kami champion sa intrams ng lawn tennis pero wala pa rin kaming sariling court sa school. [CBA lawn tennis player] •Bakit naman po ganun, minsan malinis ang comfort room, minsan marumi at ang iba walang sabon at salamin. [BSECE 2-1] •Bakit naman po ganun, my schedule pa ng pagrelease ng grades pero hindi rin naman narerelease agad ,tuloy nalalate sa pagpapas ng scholarship form. [3FM2] •Bakit naman po ganun, may S.A. sa CBA office na ayaw pansinin ‘yung mga nagpapa-assist na estudyante. [3FM2] •Bakit naman po ganun, ‘yung ibang prof. reading comprehension lang? Dapat may trainings ung mga prof. sa pagdiscuss ng topic, dapat ine-explain mabuti yung topic hindi ‘yung binabasa lang kung ano meron sa libro. [3FM3]. •Bakit naman po ganun,parang ‘yung computers sa internet room ay napagiiwanan, dapat flatscreen na dahil masama at at mas malakas ang radiation ng malaki ung likod. Saan ba ginagamit ung binabayad namin.? [3FM2] •Bakit naman po ganun,yung mga accountant/cashier/clerk sa treasury madalas mali yung sukling inaabot or mali yung pagkakabilang sa payment na binibigay ng estudyante? •Bakit naman po ganun, ang papangit ng rooms sa Wesleyan lalo na ang cr? •Bakit naman po ganun, hindi mahigpit sa pagbawal sa uniform hindi malinis at maayos ang mga cr (CBA 4MM2) •Bakit naman po ganun, hindi maayos ang CR hindi maayos ang room •Bakit naman po ganun, yung ibang estudyante kahit walang sticker sa sasakyan pinapapasok pag hindi kilala hindi pinapapasok (4MM1) •Bakit naman po ganun, mabaho CR •Bakit naman po ganun, mainit po masyado sa room •Bakit naman po ganun, yung mga/iba sa bayaran ng tuition at kuhanan ng permit ay nagtetext at nag kwekwentuhan kahit na alam nilang maraming nakapila at nagmamadali sa pagkuha ng permit at hindi na marunong ngumiti. •Bakit naman po ganun, hindi po updated yung automate, at natapos na ang semester, ilang weeks na ang nakalipas, hindi pa rin kumpleto ung grades. •Bakit naman po ganun, sobrang init sa mga rooms sa CBA •Bakit naman po ganun, ang mga estudyante na second year marketing sa com sci. nila dinala diba po dapat sa CBA department (2MM1) •Bakit naman po ganun, yung mga teacher pareport ng pareport hindi na sila masyado nagtuturo ala ng natutunan (2MM1) •Bakit naman po ganun, yung sa mga tuition fee magbabayad na ng prisaa/ intramural ng 1st sem tas magbabayad sa 2nd sem? (2MM1) •Bakit naman po ganun, sobrang hina ng connection ng internet sa taas wala din naman connection ung wifi sa mga department (2MM1) •Bakit naman po ganun, yung mga tao sa registrar sobrang susungit at nagbabayad din naman po kami ng wifi connection pero ayaw sabihin yung password. (1BSA4) •Bakit naman po ganun, there are some college profs. Na medyo inappropriate yung mga salita at minsan may kabastusan na nakakawalang respeto sa estudyante. (1-PT-1) •Bakit naman po ganun, sa registrar nung nag-enroll kami isang counter lang yung open. Alam naman nilang madaming nag enroll. (3FM3) •Bakit naman po ganun, may mga teacher or prof. na binabasa lang ung textbook at hindi ineexplain (3FM3) •Bakit naman po ganun, mas marami pang absent yung mga prof. kesa sa estudyante (3FM2) •Bakit naman po ganun, basag na yung mga bintana sa classrooms hindi pa pinapalitan, ang mahal ng tuition hindi manlang mai-allocate sa mga bagay na dapat gastusan (3FM2) •Bakit naman po ganun, 5pm dapat mag-out ng books sa library, sana naman po pwede mag-borrow anytime open ang library (3MM1) •Bakit naman po ganun, yung mga computer 1 and 2 ng CBA is all about MS office which is very basic, elementary pa lang pinagaaralan na yun, sana manlang magkaroon ng syllabus ng comp 2 na web page- making para sa websites ng future businesses namin. Please naman, I hope this make sense! •Bakit naman po ganun, lagingbumabahapagmalakasangulan, wala bang fund paramaipaayosang drainage system?

•Wala akong alam sa SSC. Hindi ko nga alam na nag-eexist yun eh. -4th Year, BSBA-FM •Below Average. Yup, below average. I know that being a student leader is hard, but that’s not a reason to give up and have ineffective plans. Minsan naririnig ko na may nagsasabi na “kung alam lang nila ang hirap ng pagiging SSC.” I don’t know if it’s just an excuse or something, all I know is they signed up for that and they should know all the hardships that they will experience being a student leader unless fame and likes lang habol nila. Some of their campaigns are ok pero mismo yung ilan sa kanila hindi sinusunod yung sinasabi nila. Parang ‘yung No Cheating campaign, di ko lang sure ung mismong name ng campaign, anyways mismo yung ilan din sa mga leaders na yun eh nangongopya. Hypocrites. Makikita mo minsan nagmumura na akala mo kung ano minumura. I’m not saying that they should be perfect pero they should atleast try to limit their bad habits like swearing and cheating. Yup a lot of people are watching them kaya kailangan din mag-ingat lagi sa pinapakita, paano silang tutularan ng mga students. So you’re a student leader? So be it. – College of Nursing & Allied Medical Sciences •SSC? To be honest, hindi ako aware if they had conducted activities for us students. And performance, unsatisfied. Sorry. Haha. Wala naman kasi ako nababalitaan about sa SSC e. - 4th Year, AB Psychology •Di ko naman sila nararamdaman. - 3rd Year, BS Medical Technology •Ayos naman sila kasi very active sila pagdating sa activities and friendly syempre yung mga officer. Ayos naman sila sakin haha wla nakong masabi kase wala talaga kong masbi sa performance nila ang galing. – 1st Year, Bachelor of Secondary Education •Masasabi ko lang di ko sila nararamdaman at yung buhay eskwela nila na ‘di ko gusto, kasi cheaters are losers ano yun? Makokonsensya ba sila sa ganun? baka sila mismo gumagawa din ‘nun tapos lahat sila scholar? dapat maramdaman namin sila..ah bsta marami pa hehe - 4th Year, BSBA-MM •SSC? Di ko sila feel. - 3rd Year, Bachelor of Secondary Education •Masasabi ko po 3 M’s Mabilis,Maasahan,Mapagkakatiwalaan shortcut na lang ah? hehehe. Pero overall yan naman kasi nakikita ko, kaso ang pinaka kulang para sa’kin hindi namin sila kilala. - 4th Year, BS Nursing •Honestly speaking po, hindi ko po maramdaman na may SSC. Ano po ba ginagawa nila ngayon? Alam ko pong may SSC pero may aksyon ba sila sa concern ng mga estudyante? (CBA, 2ndyear) •So far, medyo na-disappoint ako. Hindi ko ma-pinpoint kung ano exactly pero may kulang eh. Hindi ako satisfied. Lalo na dun sa ginawa nila nung finals. Yung mga nagkalat na tarpau everywhere. “Action speaks louder than words”, mas naniniwala kasi talaga ako dun. Yun lang! – 3rd Year, BS Accounting Technology •hmmm...let’s put it this way: Una sa lahat, nakita ko ba silang gumalaw? Ang sagot, oo. Ikalawa, nagagampanan ba nila nang maayos ang mga responsibilidad na kaakibat ng kani-kaniyang pwesto? Marahil. Mayroon ba silang ginagawa para sa mga mag-aaral? Oo. Pero bakit hindi pa rin ako masaya [sa kanilang performance] bilang isang Wesleyanian? Siguro, dahil hindi naman malaking isyu kung gumagalaw ba sila o hindi, o kung mayroon ba silang ginagawa. Maybe, I am just looking for the purpose of the things that they do. hindi porke may ginawa ka, nakapag-initiate ka na ng pagbabago. Hindi porke nakita kitang palakad-lakad sa pasilyo ng wesleyan, suot ang ssc shirt, masasabi mo nang na-inspire mo ako. – 4th Year, AB Psychology •Trying hard. But I still credit their efforts. That’s all, thank you. -3rd Year, BS Medical Technology •Wala kasi mangyayari kung aattend kami. Kung maganda naman ‘yung sinabi nila ‘nun at kung maganda ang gusto nilang ipakita sa school, gawin nalang nila kase wala naman kaming napapansin kung may ginagawa ba sila or wala di ba? Gusto mo maging officer, dapat gawin mo kung ano mga sinabi mo at kung ano dapat ang ginagawa bilang officer. Gampanan nila tungkulin nila bilang officer para mapakita nila sa ibang student na may nagagawa sila sa ating school. – 4th Year, BS Criminology •Sa nakikita ko naman po, ginagampanan naman nila yung trabaho nila as SSC gaya po ng yung nagbabantay sa gym, ganun ganun.. Okay naman po. pero sa negative ala pa naman po akong nakikita kasi po di naman po lahat kilala ko ‘dun. -2nd Year, Bachelor of Arts

13


VIEWPOINTS

U

Accumulated Perspectives Rolando C. Iniwan, Jr. Editor-in-Chief

The Ten Amendments Outreach programs Don’t even get me into this one. Yes I know that helping the poor and the needy is what I refer to as “Leader-ish” as you can feature your kind heart, your community integration. Wow, how nice right? But let me get down to this. We are your students, we deserve to get the amount that we are paying. We deserve to see tangible projects that we could use. I know that charity is a good thing but overflowing charity while ignoring your stockholders is far different. Student Empowerment Program. Yes! Finally! But wait? Are we involved here. Oh. Okay another disappointment. Leadership training open to whom? Of course! It is open to? Them. Yes. Great job empowering the student. Intensive implementation of the University Feedback System. Do you have a complaint about a particular employee? A Faculty? Or a staff perhaps? Every student will now be able to do it! How? You can write your name and signature on a form and tell the University Officials directly whom you are pissed off.

I want to commend whoever wrote the statement at “The Wesleyan Files” about the performance of the supreme student council. If given a chance, let’s have some coffee and talk things over. And I would like to invite your presence at our newspapers. It would be a great honor. Disclaimer alert: Whatever is written here is based on the opinion of the writer. In case you are wondering, an opinion article is a statement given by a writer not only to criticize a person, a situation or an organization. It also gives view of the writers’ observation and moreover, suggestions. To you my dear friend, I would like to get your permission to make my own version of the things that you have already observed. Here, at my hands, I hold the flyer that was given away by the iServe Party (the only party that was formed during the 2014 Elections, unfortunately) and written here is their platforms which they promised to give us (yes including me, of course. I have my fair share of the 75 pesos SSC fee right). To protect the rights of the students. Right to know, to ensure transparency in terms of

“ do know that we at the student And before I tingle your minds, please publication is not just your critics but we are the voice of the students you are the body. What the body can’t act, the voice can deliver. Please do hear us and do not ignore the students once more.

14

breakdown of fees, utilization of student trust funds and other financial matters. As of the moment, I haven’t seen anything that conforms to this project, students are still numb of the fees that they are paying. Right to be safe, to ensure the safety of the studens against abuses, discrimination and violence inside the campus. What a big word to say, if given the chance please act on this first, because violence is not just physical. We are also prone to various maltreatment wherein students are the underdogs of the faculty and staff. You are the representation of the student body. Please bear with us. Right to be heard, to ensure that the interest of the students are properly represented in the board and council meetings. Are we properly represented? Seriously? What can you do more besides roaming around school events (Buwan ng Wika, Intrams, Foundation Week…) in your uniforms which you are too busy organizing whereas you are capable of doing more than that? Please organize your own event and not just another celebration in the university which can be held even without your help. Buhay Eskwela. Good study habits. Academics vs. Social Life. Yeah, as if students have interest on those topics. Why don’t you try to innovate and make it more interesting. And don’t even boast about that Anti-Cheating Campaign. Oh c’mon guys. Let’s be realistic here. I actually commend the SSC for organizing a program for this rather than the postings on the walls last school year but I was quite disappointed when I tried to attend the event. You will give me a questionnaire and a piece of folded paper. If I open the folded paper (the answer key) I am a cheater. If I did, otherwise. Yey! You’ve proved us that cheating is bad. Not.

What a bright idea. If we are going to be realistic here. Who do you think is brave enough to expose their names? As if we have a strong STUDENT POWER MOVEMENT here. I think you need to have a better process here. Just a suggestion. Proposed projects. OMS? The official Magazine of… SSC? Really. Is that even the scope of your job? Ehem. Can you focus on the most relevant and helpful things that you can offer rather than proposing things that are already existing? Rehabilitation of the drinking fountains. Is BIG UHAW a part of this project? Because as of the moment I can only see 2 functioning drinking fountain around a 7 hectare institution. As what I have said. This column is not to hurt anyone. It might but it is upon your judgement. On how you can take every word constructively. And please. Just please, don’t hit us with the “We are doing our best” or “We will do our best” thingy. Act upon the best that you are saying and not on the words. I salute all the student leaders for their hard work. You are doing things normal students don’t usually do. And with that, I gave you a thumbs up. But the prestige of being a student leader doesn’t end upon your proclamation. And before I tingle your minds, please do know that we at the student publication is not just your critics. We are the voice of the students, you are the body. What the body can’t act, the voice can deliver. Please do hear us and do not ignore the students once more. We are all in a single institution. I get it. But we don’t have to praise each other for the sake of proving that we are on the same side when actually we are not. To the Supreme Student Council Good luck on the remaining months and I’m looking forward to your success.


VIEWPOINTS

U

Requiem Crescendo

Rhounee Ron Kevin D. Frany Associate Editor-English

College State of Mind I have children – non-biological ones, of course. I do feel fatherly when they come to me to seek answers (think of a sensei-student relationship). Issues involved include parents’ restrictions, over-dependence to others, issues of the heart, among others… Most of them are freshmen in the university who also happen to be our staff in the publication. And whenever they ask me what they should do about their college life, I always tell them that college is all about freedom. Yep. That’s right. When you are in college you automatically acquire this sense-suggested freedom that most of the things you want to do can and will probably be done within a four-year itinerary of growing up and getting a mature perspective in life. I still remember the first time I crammed with my final requirements which led me into sleeping in a four-hour cycle. I still remember the first time I had to do some lastminute review before an exam I totally forgot about. I still remember the first time I got a taste of booze. I remember typing a rather “private” poem during a hangover and sending it as a group message. My relatives were not particularly happy about it. College is all about freedom and it gives you this

spent inside the school in preparation of the real world. Everything must have to be retained from past to present so that we may have weapons made of words for the future. I believe that education must be practical. It is a combination of theory and experience applied in actual practice. We are not taught to read. We are taught to question what we read and open up public discussions about certain issues. We must not doubt the benefit of the doubt because it is this force that drives us to a much higher truth. In college, I learned the difference between skepticism and cynicism: a skeptic temporarily believes in something until there is enough proof while a cynic doubts everything with or without proof, swinging between unbelievable naivety and utter paranoia If it is a fashion then I don’t want to follow it, and if it is a trend then you can be sure that it won’t represent me. Rather, I seek the truth – that singular truth with no versions at all. Formal education shapes and alters who we imagine ourselves to be and that’s not a bad thing. However, knowledge acquired by ourselves forged from our own

I believe that education must be practical. It is a combination of theory and experience applied in actual practice. We are not taught to read. We are taught to question what we read and open up public discussions about certain issues.

responsibility to take matters on your own hands. It is the first time where you get to be independent from your parents (not absolute, of course) and have this feeling of forging your own path. However, some of us may still believe in the archaic idea that college is all school and study while some believe that college is an all-night party. Formal education taught us in elementary school to understand all about ourselves. High school taught us to understand others. While college, it teaches us to understand the society. College is a higher calling, it is a period of looking away from ourselves and our comfort zones and moving towards a greater cause – to make an impact to the nation we know and to have a deeper understanding on the society we take part in social discussions and addressing of issues. Now I do sound like an effin’ patriotic revolutionist but believe me, college opens our eyes and our minds into a much wider perspective that we, as individuals, are just a tiny speck of dust in a complex network of ideologies and cultures. By the way, I thank education for giving me this formidable weapon. No, not the classroom kind. I always believed that knowledge first came from the society and that information enters the walls of the university to formalize it and manufacture it into a product spoonfed to us as an illusion of what we ought to learn. If there’s one thing that education generally teaches us, it is to think not to conform, not to assimilate. It is easy to pass a subject, to pass a course and get an acceptable grade after. But in the end, we should ask ourselves of what we have learned so far in a five month subject, in a four-year program. We should not be imprisoned by outmoded perception of just passing the subject but rather acquiring the knowledge needed and passing it on through time. All of that information, form our primary education up to college, should have to be retained. A third of our lives are

experiences will lead us to our own path. Educate yourself. The world is a huge material for knowledge and truth – everything is open for public discourse. Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. Nothing happens by accident. Whether you fail to learn it in your previous life, you have to learn it now. Buddha won’t be disappointed that much. Life is not an algebraic expression; life is not a chemical equation, and neither a tissue with fourteen syllables to memorize. Life, as we know it, is not quantified with what we have learned and what we have acquired. Life cannot be quantified at all. Time is an illusion that brings forth instability and imbalance. Life is not governed by mathematical equations. But we are taught to analyze situations so that we may have a stand, to empower ourselves with knowledge so that we make the right decisions and do something about issues of national interest. Experience gives legitimacy to the information we learn. It gives proof to the existence of education. Without it, knowledge ceases to exist. College is not about merely passing a subject and graduating to march on the aisle of employment. College is about making decisions and living with its consequences. Sooner or later, we would be leaving our homes to make our own future. It is only fitting that we acquire a more mature perspective in facing the world head on. Life is not about what you make out of it. Life is about what you make of it and living with its consequences. Once, somebody told me that being a father at a young age is an opportunity to inspire them. Truly, the measure of true greatness is how you develop greatness in others. I firmly believe in that. I am a father of many, and I always tell them one thing: Stay reckless. There will be a thousand of regrets when you get old, mostly for the things you did not do. What would you do if you weren’t afraid? Go ahead and do it, it will do wonders, trust me.

15


VIEWPOINTS

U

Et Cetera

Avee Rose L. Toledo Senior Desk Editor

Sa Oras na Mainip si John Lloyd Sa mga oras na ito, posibleng may isang babaeng umiiyak

Dun naman tayo sa isang tanong: Bakit ka nga

dahil iniwanan ng kanyang dyowa na sampung taon niyang

ba nagpapahintay? Nahahati rin iyan sa dalawa. Una,

hinintay o kaya naman ay isang lalaking mahigit pitong oras

nagpapahintay ang isang tao, kasi nga may kailangan siya

nag-intay sa pila ng rasyon ng mga cup noodles (P.S. yung

sa’yo. Kahit ano pa yan. ‘Yun na ‘yon. Pangalawa, dahil may tao

sinusutsot) o di kaya nama’y isang estudyanteng isang oras na

talagang sadyang pa-importante lang. Tanggapin na natin ‘yan.

pinatayo ng kanyang guro sa harapan dahil hindi masagot ang

Ayoko nang pakalawigin pa ang usaping ito. Nagui-guilty ako. Tama na sa pag-ibig. Walang forever. Charot lang. Doon na

tanong na one plus one.

tayo sa dako paroon, yung mas exciting. Yung pinipilahan, gaya

Lahat tayo ay mayroong 24 oras sa loob ng isang araw.

ng isang pelikula sa takilya, ang pag-eenrol. Bow ulit.

Presidente ka man o tindera ng chicharon sa eskwelahan,o

Buti pa sa pag-eenrol may forever noh?

kahit pa butiking hindi mo sinadyang maipit sa bintana ay tiyak na biniyayaan ng Diyos ng 1,440 minuto o 86, 400 segundo

Kung hintayan lang naman ang pag-uusapan,tiyak marami

kada araw. Kung ano ang halaga ng isang segundo ng isang

ang makaka-relate dito. Para kang naghanap ng palay sa

sikat na Hollywood star, ganun din naman ang halaga ng

palayan, at tubig sa karagatan pagdating sa karanasan sa pag-

isang segundo ng isang stunt man o double sa mga pelikula,o

eenrol. Karamihan naman sa mga estudyante naranasan yan,

kaya naman ay sa isang mananakbo, na .01 segundo na lang

kahit mga magulang, handang suungin, hamakin, tawirin, at

e, panalo na. Lalung-lalo na siguro sa mga estudyanteng

languyin ang walang hanggan mai-enrol ka lamang. Kaya ikaw,

binigyan ng one second extension sa pagsagot ng test papers

libro ang landiin mo huwag kung anu-ano at kung sinu-sino.

nila. Kaya kung sa tingin mo’y nasasayang ang oras mo sa

Kahit saang unibersidad o pamantasan pa ‘yan, walang

pagbabasa ng artikulong ‘to, sasabihin kong itigil mo na ang

exemption pagdating sa pilahan. Eksena sa pilahan 101: Pipili

pagbabasa nito, maiintindihan ko. Pramis.

ka ng linya kung saan mas maikli at doon ka pipila, pero

“ Karamihan naman sa mga estudyante naranasan yan, kahit mga magulang, handang suungin, hamakin, tawirin, at languyin ang walang hanggan mai-enrol ka lamang. Kaya ikaw, libro ang landiin mo huwag kung anu-ano at kung sinu-sino.

ngunit ginugusto at pilit na nagpapatukso ang karamihan. Ang pag-ibig. Bow. Bigyan ng spotlight.

Naririto na rin lamang tayo sa usaping paghihintay. Bakit hindi natin umpisahan sa isang napakasensitibong usapin

mabibigo ka dahil parang magkasinghaba lang naman, dinaig pa ang job fair opening o kaya naman ay PBB Audition. Halos makipagharangang-taga ka na dahil sa kaaalis-balik sa pila. Para kang isang agilang naghahanap ng pananghalian

Gaano katagal ka nga ba handang maghintay sa ngalan ng

sa pagsipat mo sa kung saan may masisingitan. Di ka na

pag-ibig? Kung iyo ba itong matatagpuan, handa mo ba itong

naawa sa taong nasa likuran mo na halos maduling na sa

pakawalan o kapagdaka’y susunggaban mo na lang? Okay.

kaiintay para lang magtanong kung magkano pa ang balanse

Kalma. Take a deep breath.

niya, ang masaklap pa nakalimutan niya ang i.d. niya, pati

May dalawang klase ng mangingibig at iniibig; simple lang

ang pangalan niya. Edi uuwi pa siya, para itanong sa nanay

- una, ang lalaking handang maghintay at pangalawa, ang

niya. Pagbalik niya, ayooooon, lunck break na. May ka- O.A.yan

lalaking mainipin. Gayun din naman sa iniibig. Ibahin natin

man, pero nangyayari ‘yan. Medyo bawasan mo lang yung

nang kaunti; una ang babaeng mainipin; pangalawa, ang

exaggeration.

babeng marunong maghintay. Bakit ka nga ba naghihintay? Kasi nga mahal mo. E, bakit ka naman hindi nakapaghintay? E, kasi nga mahal mo rin, kaso

Maraming beses na tayong naghintay, pinaghintay, hinintay at nagpahintay. Parang iisa ng kahulugan pero magkakaiba ng tao, sitwasyon at ng motibo.

nainip ka lang. Bigyan natin yan ng points: MAHAL mo, mahal

Maniniwala ka ba kung sasabihin kong sinadya ng Diyos na

ka rin kaso may tamang oras pa siyang hinihintay, at yung

maghintay ka sa labas ng C.R. kahit na taeng-tae ka na dahil

tamang panahong ‘yon ay one day after mo siyang tanungin

may taong umiiyak sa loob ‘nun kung saan doon niya lang

na kung pwede na bang maging kayo, 50 points with freebies;

kayang ilabas ang lahat ng pinagdaraanan niya sa buhay? Na

MAHAL mo, MAHAL ka na rin after three days, pero nainip ka, 50

kaya sobrang haba ng pila sa enrolment ay dahil gusto niyang

points din, minus 100 nga lang. Lugi ka pa. Bakit ka nalugi?

pahabain niya ang iyong pasensya dahil mga sampung taon

Nag-unlitext and call ka para lang makatext at makatawagan

ka pa mananatili sa college niyo? Masaklap, pero ano’ng malay

siya. (Warning: Medyo mabilis ang facing natin dito.) Bumili

mo, baka iyon nga ang plano Niya sa’yo. O kaya naman ay isang

ka ng bulaklak, teddy bear o tsokolate para iregalo sa kanya,

oras ka pinatayo ng propesor mo dahil hindi ka nakasagot sa

isama pa yung pamasahe mo. Tapos sa bandang huli sumuko

recitation niya, na naging dahilan para mag-alburoto ka at

ka. Anak ng Pasig naman. Dyosa na sana, naging troso pa.

sabihin sa kanya ang mga maling ginagawa niya na hindi

Pero magkagayon pa man, sasabihin ko pa rin sa’yo ang

masabi sabi ng mga kaklase mo dahil natatakot sila? O kaya

paulit-ulit na linya mula sa paborito kong tagalog movie,

naman e, bumagsak ka sa kursong kinukuha mo ngayon dahil

pampalubag-loob ba kumbaga (iibahin ko lang nang kaunting

may nag-aabang sa’yong mas maganda, ni-reserve na pala

kaunti) na “Baka kaya tayo (iniiwan) naiinip, kasi baka mayroong

Niya sa’yo ‘yung pwesto bilang TOP 1 sa board exam na balang

bagong darating na mas OK, na mas mamahalin tayo, yung

araw ay kukuhanin mo. No one knows. Nasa iyo pa rin naman

taong hindi tayo sasaktan at paaasahin, ‘yung nag-iisang tao

ang desisyon, simple lang, maiinip ka ba o maghihintay ka?

na magtatama ng mali sa buhay natin, nang lahat ng mali sa buhay mo..” O di ba? Nangunsinti pa ko.

16

Tandaan mo: sa oras na mainip ka, lugi ka.


VIEWPOINTS

U

Pirouette

Anne Klein Q. Roque Managing Editor-Administration

Lagyan Mo ‘to ng Title Sino ba naman ang hindi mananabik kung nakita mo ang pangalan mo sa listahan ng mga magpapa-evaluate para sa graduation? “Yes! Konti nalang, gagraduate na tayo!” Oo, ako ay isa sa mga estudyanteng iyon. Tandang tanda ko na kung kelan ako naka-schedule. Halos hindi na makatulog habang papalapit na ang araw. (Alam kong OA ‘to. ‘Wag na kumontra.) Ok, this is it guys! Araw ko na ‘to! Dahil hindi ko alam kung paano gagawin, nagtanong ako. “Kuya san po ba magpapaevaluate?” “Pasok ka lang dyan pate” “Sige po salamat.” Ako ay pumasok na nguni’t ni halos walang pumapansin sa’kin. Sa loob loob ko, siguro sa kanya ako magpapa-evaluate. Pero dahil may kausap siya, umupo muna ako at naghintay. Tumayo si ma’am at ako ay kanyang nakita. “Ano kailangan mo?” “Magpapa-evaluate po.” “Kumuha ka ng prospectus mo doon at lumapit ka sa’kin.” Pumunta ako sa tinuro nyang direksyon. Mukha akong ewan kahahanap dahil wala man lang siyang sinabi kung saan. Nahihiya naman akong makialam at baka mali ang magalaw kong mga

niya ang kanyang mga estudyante kung ano man ang nakasulat sa libro. Ma’am/Sir, kaya din po naming magbasa. Kaya po naming basahin yan. Wala na po ba kayong ibang sasabihin? Yung wala po sa libro. Meron din namang mga professors na kung makatingin sa kanyang estudyante ay parang malulusaw na. At ang iba ay pakunyari pa na magbibiro pero ang totoo manananching lang. Hoops ma’am/sir, below the belt na po ‘yan! Wag itanggi ‘to. Merong ganito, di ba? Ay meron pa pala, sila ate at kuya na humihingi na kagad ng overtime pay o sinesecure na kagad nila may overtime pay sila kapag nakatulong namin sila sa Gawain. Pero talaga po bang kailangang manghingi? Pano naman kaya sila manong guard na namimili lang ata ng mga binabawal? Wag po tayo ganun. Patas po dapat mga ma’am/sir. Hello nga po pala sa mga nagpapatupad ng batas sa unibersidad pero kahit sila hindi din nila masunod ang batas na yon. Kaway sa mga nagyoyosi dyan! Hindi lang sa mga taong nakasasalamuha natin tayo nagkakaproblema. Pati na rin sa lugar kung saan tayo madalas, sa classroom. Mainit na nga dito sa Pilipinas, tanghali pa klase mo at Monday pa kaya naka-corporate attire ka, di ba CBA students?

Kelan pa ninyo makikita ang“ problemang ito? Wag po tayo magbulagbulagan. Kung kayo ay nasa inyong mga kanya kanyang mga opisina, nagtatrabaho sa malamig na silid ngunit nahihirapan parin kayo, pano pa kaming mga estudyante?

papel. Baka mapagalitan pa ko. Akala ko nga babalik pa ko sa college ko para lang kumuha ng prospectus. Lumapit ako sa kanya para itanong kung saan. Kinukuha nya papel na hawak ko. “Ay hindi po yan ang prospectus ko.” “Kumuha ka doon” sabi nya sa’kin. SA WAKAS! Nakita ko na din kung saan nakalagay. Bumalik na ko sa kanyang lamesa, pinaliwanag ang aking gagawin. Isulat ko daw ang aking pangalan at kurso sa taas bandang kaliwa. Sa kanan naman ang mga subjects na nasa 4th year, 1st sem. Pagkatapos nya magsalita ay pumunta ako sa lamesang katapat nya para gawin ang kanyang mga sinabi. Sa isip-isip ko, pati ba yung mga subjects na na-take ko na isusulat ko pa kaya (iIrregular student kasi ako)? Hinintay kong mawalan sya ng kausap. “Pati po ba yung mga subjects na nakuha ko na isusulat ko pa din po ba?” “Natural hindi na. Ang pinag-uusapan dito ay yung mga subjects mo ngayon.” “Sorry po.” wika ko. Habang ineevaluate ako, kinuha nya yung brown envelope. Wala daw akong birth certificate from NSO at Form-137. Pero wait! Totoo ba sinasabi nya? Kasama ko pa nanay ko nung kumuha kami ng form-137 sa school ko. Nagagalit pa nga nanay ko nuon dahil pinagpapabukas bukas kami kaya pabalik balik kami para lang sa Form-137 na yan tapos sasabihin sakin wala daw?Sa mga kapwa kong estudyante na nakapag-evaluate, sino sa inyo ang nakaranas ng ganito? Kalumanay ng pagkakatanong mo, sasagutin ka naman ng ganon at may tono pa. Hindi ko lubusang maintindihan kung bakit ganoon na lang ang pakikitungo nila sa mga estudyante. Kahit sa mga professors, di ba? Magalang ka naman sana magtanong sa kanila kung bakit pagalit naman ang sagot nila sa’yo. Ano ba problema nyo? Wag din natin kalimutan ang mga professors na sa attendance lang magaling, o kaya naman sa pag-upo lang magaling. O kaya naman, magaling lang sila magpareport sa estudyante. Walang ginawa kundi magpareport ng magpareport ng magpareport at ayun, quiz na pala nila. Meron pa. Ang mga professors na iyon, para sa mga sarili nila, ay nakakapagturo na sila ngunit ang totoo ay binabasahan lang

Pagpunta mo pa sa classroom nyo, iisa o dadalawa lang ang electric fan na gumagana. Bakit? Hindi naman sa impyerno ang klase natin diba? Bakit hindi maipagawa yung iba? Walang po ba tayong pondo pampagawa? O tamad lang sila na gawin ang mga yon? Swerte mo nalang talaga kung ang room nyo ay di aircon. Kung ang klase mo ay inaabot naman ng gabi, siguro naman ay naranasan mo nang dumaan sa may Admin, Wesley Park papuntang Tech. Ni wala man lang kailaw ilaw. Bakit wala man lang po ilaw? Kadilim ng nilalakaran ng mga estudyante. Paano nalang kung nag-iisa ka lang? Baka mamaya biglang may humablot sayo sa gilid gilid. ‘Yun bang makararamdam ka ng konti na hindi ka safe sa pangalawang tahanan mo. Wala po ba tayo pondo para dito? Alam po ba ito ng nasa itaas? Tok tok po! Ay oo nga pala, sino nga pala sa inyo ang magpapatayo ng bahay? May graba pa nga po pala tayo doon sa Acacia field. Ay sorry. Hindi pala graba yon. Court pala ‘yon ng beach volleyball. Bakit nga ba tayo nagkaroon nun? Dahil tayo ang naghost sa PRISAA kaya pinagawa yun? Eh ano na po ba ang nangyari sa court na yun ngayon? Pinatayo lang sya dahil may paggagamitan. Ngayong wala na, napabayaan na nila. Magkano po ba ang nagastos nyo dito? Pinambili nalang po sana natin ng ilaw para may ilaw po sa may Wesley Park sa gabi. Kumusta naman po yung gate malapit sa gym? May schedule din sila ng pagbubukas at pagsasara. Bakit po ba? Kinakawawa nyo lang mga estudyanteng maglalakad pa ng malayo para lang makauwi sa boarding house nila sa likod dahil sarado ang gate. (Pagod na nga sa eskwelahan, dagdag pagod pa sa dagdag lakarin. Kaya para sa kapwa ko estudyante na magsisipagtapos na, masaya ba kayo sa kabila ng mga ito? Masaya ba kayo sa mga kaplastikang ipinapakita sa twing may accreditation? Ang pagpapakitang maayos ang ating unibersidad pero ang totoo ay hindi naman talaga ganun kaayos? Gragraduate na tayo pero ang mga maliliit na issue na ito ay hindi parin nareresolbahan, mga hindi napapansin. Kelan pa ninyo makikita ang problemang ito? Wag po tayo magbulagbulagan. Kung kayo ay nasa inyong mga kanya kanyang mga opisina, nagtatrabaho sa malamig na silid ngunit nahihirapan parin kayo, pano pa kaming mga estudyante?

17


VIEWPOINTS

U

Aesthetic Narratives Maria Lilibeth E. Cabral Art Director

A Life Advisory “I can’t think of a single reason why I should continue, but I can think of a thousand reasons why I should quit.” It is a game, a survival of the fittest, the life you choose and the person you will become is in your hands. Every move is counted and every choice is recorded. You can always turn back and live with your greatest fears or move forward and reach anything you can, climb the top, achieve for the impossible and do what you can do best. You should be happy. You should be you. You may be in pain, depressed or maybe life just messed up with your plans. Guess what? You are not alone, I am also in pain, I have been depressed and life just suck, I myself is not a great example I am not proud of my flaws, I am insecure and out of control. I have also labelled myself as a failure, a character that is not the protagonist in her own movie, others judged me wrong, made me feel worse than ever, and in the

philosophers and warned us about wasting time, wasting life and heard them urging us to seize the day. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. Knowing is better than wondering, waking is better than sleeping and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beat the hell out of never trying A man once said you can have everything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it. It means nothing comes without a price; you need to choose what you are willing to lose before going into the battle. You need to prepare for the worst and choose not to fear because in life, if you are too afraid to lose everything then learn to settle for something you’ll get for not trying. Too often we choose what feels good and abandoning what you know is right and then you’ll end up regretting what you choose but you cannot turn back, you cannot just leave but you can start again from what you’ve lost, you can choose again and

“ not with others. It is not about In life it is a battle against yourself winning it is not definitely about cheating, cheat all you want they said, but you’re missing the best part when you cheat. It’s the pain that will keep you going and fighting, it is the journey that matters most.

18

edge of giving up I see a light, no, not the light of heaven, but the light of inspiration and hope. I look around and see the beauty of life, others too have been suffering and fighting their own battles but they’re not giving up. They are not like me. Then I wonder, why are they fighting like they have no fears? What made them so strong that they give it their best without knowing if they will win, maybe they have cheat codes? Maybe life gave them two lives instead of one, then one day I asked them what are their secrets, they gave me no gems, no cheat codes, no hacks; but they gave me one thing: the lesson. In life it is a battle against yourself not with others. It is not about winning it is not definitely about cheating, cheat all you want they said, but you’re missing the best part when you cheat. It’s the pain that will keep you going and fighting, it is the journey that matters most. If you can feel the pain then you will know that you are alive. It is a game but you have only one life and that’s where the thrill begins. You will choose about being happy or being sad, you will choose what your priorities are, what your dreams are and what you’ll do when you reach them. It is about choosing the right people that will surround you. Set aside all your fears of failures and rejection don’t let your fears decide what you can or you cannot do because what if you’re wrong and you are making a decision you can’t undo? He who hesitates is lost, The early bird catches the worm. We can’t pretend we hadn’t been told. We’ve all heard the proverbs, heard the greatest

prepare for a strategy, the choices won’t be the same anymore and maybe the outcome won’t be either, but if it’s what you really want then it is worth it. Risking is a part of it, if you open a door it means you are leaving the room you’ve known too long, but it is not a bad thing. Choosing for happiness can be found in many places and leaving that room can be the start of it, If you are not growing then there is no point in staying. Maybe you need to seek a new adventure a new game, a new obstacle and a new level because you are now stronger than what you are before. You will once again experience another journey and may face the challenges you have encountered before but you already know what’s best and you’ll never fail this time. Change. We fear it, we don’t like it but it is always a part of it. Change is inevitable. We either learn to adapt or get left behind. We need to explore, learn something new, and keep on growing, we need to decide for the future and make a move, and at some point we will grow old and have a family and meet new people and leave those who is not worth your time and once we’ve looked back to the point where we start trying, you will see how great you have become, it is you who will decide if it is right or wrong and it is you who will feel the happiness, knowing that you’ve done great things and regretted nothing, the scars that have healed will be a proof that you have conquered the challenges and stood from it. And as you grow, you’ll know that, change is good and sometimes, change is everything.


VIEWPOINTS

U

Scarlet

Brenda Lynne P. Aguilar News Editor

The Wesleyan Files Sa sobrang high tech ng mundo natin ngayon, minsan o

kahit sino eh pwedeng makakita. Ngunit tandaan natin, kailangan din

madalas basta’t may wi-fi, kahit magkakaibigan ang magkakasama,

nating mag ingat dahil pwedeng maging kasiraan ng mahal nating

hindi na nag uusapusap. Oo, isang magandang imbensyon ng

Wesleyan kung anoman ang post natin. Sa mga post na constructive criticism, saludo ako sa inyo, sa

mundo pero nagiging hadlang para sa komunikasyon, para sa

mga pa-cute at gusto lang maghanap ng kakamot o mag hayag

pakikipag-socialize. Hindi rin paiiwan ang Wesleyanian pagdating sa mga techy

ng kanilang mga kakakitihan sa pag ibig, naghahanap ng ka-sparks,

na bagay kahit pa sobrang bagal ng ating wi-fi. At dahil isa ito sa

utang na loob, mag aral muna kayo, please. Aral-aral muna dahil

trending sa social media ng mga Wesleyanians, sige, pag usapan

hindi nyo ikapapasa ‘yang lovelife na yan. Sa mga nagpopost para lang manlait ng tao, ‘wag ganun bes,

natin. The Wesleyan Files

hindi mo ikakaganda yan, kahit na hindi kilala kung sinoman ang

Sino nga ba ang hindi pa nabibisita o naririnig man lang ang

nagpost nun, hello, isipin mo na lang ang mararamdaman nun, grabe ha, ‘wag hard teh.

“The Wesleyan Files (TDF)”? Oo, yung nasa facebook at may higit

Lalagpasan pa ba natin ang naging alitan ng dalawang

dalawang libong likes. Sosyal noh, maraming chismoso at chismosa

universities dahil sa isang post sa isang page? Aminin na natin

este maraming mahilig makibalita. Kung gusto mong malaman ang pinaka-latest na chika sa

na may pagkakamali ang dalawang side, may nagpost sa ibang

Wesleyan eh dito ka dapat tumambay. Iba’t ibang hinaing ng mga

university confession at ginamit ang ating unibersidad bilang pen

estudyante mula sa iba’t ibang kolehiyo, departamento, services,

name, syempre may nagreact at nag away away na ang lahat

facilities at maging mga problema sa propesor ay dito inilalabas.

dahil sa isang post na ‘yun. Pero tignan natin lahat ng sides, sure

Lahat ng bagay na nais mong ibahagi sa unibersidad, may pake

ba tayo na taga Wesleyan nga ang nagpost nun? Pano kung taga

man kami o wala eh pwede mong ipost dito. Open ito sa lahat kaya

ibang university at gusto lang pag awayin ang dalawang university

So bakit ko nga ba pinapakialaman“ itong mga page na to? Simple lang. Dahil ito na ang sumasalamin sa ating unibersidad ngayon, dito nasusukat o nakikita ng ibang tao salabas ng Wesleyan kung ano nga ba ang meron sa loob nito.

mga secret crush nila ‘di napinatawad sa page na ‘to.

kahit taga labas ng university eh nakakapag-post dito. Minsan pati

‘di ba? Kung taga WU-P ka man, napaka unreasonable ng pagpopost sa page ng may page, meron naman tayo di ba? Sana inisip

Confessions. Ganito ang format ng The Wesleyan files. Magse-

momunakung anoang pwedeng maging epekto ng gagawin mo

send ka sa google document para safe at sure na hindi makikita

bago mo ginawa yun. At kung taga ibang university o college ka man,

kung sino man ang sender at ipo-post ng admin sa page nila. Wait

masaya ka na ba? Sana may natutunan ka sa ginawa mo di ba?!

lang, baka iniisip nyo na isa ako sa admin ng TWF, uunahan ko na po

The Wesleyan Confessions. Ito naman ang nagte-trend sa twitter

kayo, hindi ako admin, how I really wish isa ako sa kanila, liker lang

ng mga kapwa natin Wesleyanians. Varsities ang nangungunang

din po ako ng page nila.

laman ng mga tweets ng TWC. May theme ang mga tweets bawat

Hindi lamang sa Wesleyan nauso ang ganitong page, nagsimula

araw, may pang crush ng campus, varsities, varsities ulit saka

sa “The Elbi files” ng UP Los Banos, sinundan ng “The Diliman Files”

varsities pa. Muli ay uulitin ko,hindi po ako admin ng TWC, follower

ng UP Diliman at sinundan na ng iba’t ibang files o confessions

lang din po ako.

mula sa iba’t ibang unibersidad sa buong Pilipinas. Oh di ba, competitive ang Wesleyan!

Dahil sa limitadong bilang ng words na pwedeng i-type sa twitter, mas nagiging diretso ang mga nais ipahayag ng mga

Kung ating bibisitahin o titignan ang mga nabanggit na ibang

‘confessioners’. Mas light ang mga tweets dito at mas matindi ang

page, iyong makikita ang malaking pagkakaiba mula sa mga post

pag-ne-namedrop, at hindi gaya ng saTWF, dito sa TWC ay mine-

at comments. Oo, masyadong liberated ang ibang post nila pero

mention nila ang kung sinomang naka-lagay sa confessions.

kapag tinignan ang content, ang mga pinaglalaban nila at pananaw

Kaya siguro hindi ganung masyadong matindi ang mga tweets

sa buhay, ang grammar, ang paggamit ng tamang bantas, WOW!

ditto ay dahil na rin sa paraan ng pagpapasa ng confessions,

Hindi ko alam kung nasa estudyante ang pagkukulang sa TWF dahil

i-didirect message lang sa mismong account at iti-tweet na. Ibig

sa laki ng agwat ng pananaw sa buhay ng mga post sa Wesleyan

sabihin, nakikita ng admin kung sinoman ang nagconfess. Medyo

page o dahil sa mga prof na nagkukulang sa pagtuturong mga

nakakatakot o nakakahiya ‘di ba?

simpleng bagay na tulad nito. Hmmm, simpleng sulatin ‘di ba? Bakit

So bakit ko nga ba pinapakialaman itong mga page na to?

pati pangalan ng college nila, hindi alam? May nabasa ako, CBAA

Simple lang. Dahil ito na ang sumasalamin sa ating unibersidad

daw? Naligaw ata, galing yata sa ibang school at nasanay sa ganung

ngayon, ditto nasusukat o nakikita ng ibang tao salabas ng Wesleyan

pangalan ng kolehiyo nila. Saka please lang, ang CAS, ay hindi

kung anonga ba ang meron saloob nito.Lahat ng hinaing natin,puna

department, ang CBA ay hindi department, ang CONAMS ay hindi rin

at kakulangan n gating unibersidad ay nakikita.Hindiba nakakahiya

department ganun din ang iba pa. Halimbawa ng department ay ang

kapag puro negative ang makikita nila sa unibersidad na ating

Language and Literature department, Social Sciences department at

ginagalawan? Hindi ba nakakahiya pag nabasa ng iba kung gaano

iba pang mas maliliit na sangay. Gets?

kababaw ang ating mga pananaw sa buhay at kung paano tayo

Saludo naman ako sa mga naglalakas ng loob na magsiwalat

tinuturuan at pinapaikot ng mga prof natin. Hindi ba nakakahiyang

ng mga bagay na talaga namang lagi nating pinoproblema ngunit

malaman ng iba na ang mahal at ipinagmamalaki nating Wesleyan

hindi lang talaga nagagawang i-voice out ng mga estudyante.

eh bulok pala sa loob. Isip ka muna friend bago mag-post ha. Sabi

Matinding tapang ang kailangan para magpost ng mga pananaw

nga ng isang network dati, “think before you click”, at tingin ko,

para sa ating unibersidad lalo na sa page na alam naman nating

applicable pa rin ito.

19


VIEWPOINTS

U

Paradigm Overhaul John Dalron Maestre Staff Writer

Silver Trails Honored Disgrace

decisions repeatedly is unusual, yet what can we do if that is

In every person’s life, there would come a time when we

the reality? Being a failure is not my choice. It just happens so many times until it became a habit.

would subconsciously evaluate ourselves, for what we’ve become, the things we’ve done, and the relationships we

This idea brought my spirits low. There were times when

built. Inevitably, realizations would come to either become

I thought that I would sum to nothing more than a disgrace.

an inspiration or break our impression about ourselves.

After years of struggling, there is nothing to be proud of. There’s nothing to actually prove my worth to those who

Every time we reach the finish line, we look back on the

believe in me. I am nothing.

trail which we passed through and remember all the times

My parents tend to question if their efforts are worth

we stumbled with the obstacles that we surpassed. The end is near, yet we keep on holding on to what had

something at all. They are fearful of their hardships going to

already passed because we are afraid of what to come. We

be wasted. Often times, my mother would yell at me and say

are afraid of the impending disappointment. Being a failure

that I should stop because it only gives our family additional

is never sweet.

expenses. I remembered times when there are negative

It’s definitely frustrating to stand when you know you are

comments about this. A few times, I believed in this and

bound to fall. Finding yourself in a situation in which you’ll

stopped even trying hoping that the problems will be solved

exert effort, which you cannot give, makes it a lot more

and I will no longer be a disappointment. If there is just some

irritating. Over and over again, people would barge in and

way to escape regret, then I’ll gladly give-up anything. If there

nag you to death just to make you work.

is just a way to start over, then I’ll push myself to a point where even the most durable machines would wear down

All my life, people would say that I can be a lot of things. They say I’m smart, outspoken, friendly, and talented in my

easily just to achieve the expectations surrounding me.

. Life is a war and every part of it is just a battle. The moment we take our armors off and discard our weapons we are done for. Then and there we shamed ourselves and forsaken the trust others placed in us.

way. Apparently, all those impressions failed.

Anyone would find it funny how people still believe in me

Since elementary, my teachers acknowledge me as one

regardless of my failure more than once. Hilarious is the

of the brightest in class, especially in recitation and exams.

idea that I still get the trust of other people even though they

Occasionally, I got the highest score surpassing those who

know who I really am. Some still push me to take task head

are the top students in our section. Teachers would ask

on no matter how many times I quitted half way. Funny yet

me if I could do some extra credit work for them and I am

somehow it brings to me tears and makes me realize that

part of the short list of possible participants for interschool

somehow in some ways there is hope for me, that a bastard

competitions.

like me could bring something meaningful through existing.

I’m an active student when it comes to extra-curricular

It’s hard, yet they continue to believe.

activities. In elementary, I have been given several roles

Time comes when we are weakened enough to lie down

in shows played in the whole school. During high school I

and stop fighting. Quitting on themselves would probably

became a part of the theater and contribute to the school

become the biggest mistake of a person’s life. Consider

paper. Like my studies I don’t take these activities seriously.

the possibilities. Consider the rest of the fight. Life is a war

I don’t last long in any organization because it’s easy for

and every part of it is just a battle. The moment we take

me to quit when I find it difficult or when it already bores

our armors off and discard our weapons we are done for.

me. There’s this negative attitude of mine to always take

Then and there we shamed ourselves and forsaken the trust

everything I do as a game and consider myself as an

others placed in us.

irregular player meaning that I don’t care even if I don’t finish

Though it’s annoying how others would confront you and tell you the “this is and that is” of life, it is worth it if you listen

the whole match. Truth be told I’m a useless jester who can’t differentiate

and take this disturbance in to something inspiring. If there

when to be serious and when to go wild. Maybe I’m like this

are people who believe, then definitely, there is something to

because there is a part of me which is very inclined with

believe in. Why quit when someone is cheering you onwards?

my favorite couch. Yap I am very lazy. Work for me is the

Why quit if there are expectations of greatness aimed

most uncomfortable word that is part of the Webster English

towards you? Remember that individuals were not created to

Dictionary. In my youth my father scolds me for being

become trash in a pile. We were created for something and

useless and always yells at me when I do something wrong.

that thing will come to those who make it work.

Being lazy and clumsy in the same time is a very deadly

Being bad isn’t an excuse. Everyone has a bad side but it’s on how we handle that dark side of ourselves that matters.

combination. Disappointment it’s what I am. Always falling short on

Having flaws is normal so is having talents and abilities. Why

the high expectation acquaintances placed me regardless

focus on your weaknesses when you can concentrate on

of how many times I tried. I did not ask for it. I don’t want

your strengths? Stop lying like a potato in the ground and

it. Why do they always smash the reality in my face? That

start living like the “greatness” that you can be. Fuel yourself

I could have done better. That I could have been a better

with the love of others. Start now. Start with me.

person if I take things even a little bit seriously. Making wrong

20


VIEWPOINTS

U

Apperture

Maria Jubelle J. Legaspi Photojournalist

Ano Pake Ko?!

Anong isusulat ko? Tungkol saan? Para kanino? Para saan? Ano

Yung totoo, saan pa nga ba may pake ang nakararami ngayon?

ang mensahe nito? Ano gusto kong iparating dito? Ano ang opinion

Hindi ko alam.

ko dito?

Lahat namn tayo ay may kanya kanyang opinyon. May kanya

Ito na ang pangalawang beses na pinagsulat nila ako ng column.

kanyang gusting pag usapan. Sa dami natin alin dito? Malamang

Oo, bukod sa pagkuha ng mga litrato, pinagsusulat din nila ako, hindi

social issues na ayoko naman, kundi sa katiwalian ng giobyerno,

ko rin alam kung bakit, tulad nga ng nasabi sa movie na ‘The fault in

buhay showbiz naman.

our stars’, I’m a good person but I’m a shitty writer.

Pero sa posisyon ko, sa column ko na to, bahala ako sa buhay ko.

Pero ang mga tanong na ano, paano at bakit, ilan lamang ito

Pero hindi e, dipa rin maalis sa isip ko ang opinyon ng iba.

sa mga tanong na bumubulabog sa isip ng bawat manunulat at

11:11PM na, humihiling na ako na makapag-isip at makapag

nagpapadugo ng utak ko.

desisyon na kung ano talaga ang isusulat ko sa column na ito. Nag

Bawat araw, daan daan ang tumatakbo sa isip ko, dito marami

aksaya nako ng hal;os anim na raang salita kakaiisip lang kung ano.

na akong maaaring talakayin. Pero alin dito? Alin ang dapat? Alin ang

Siguro ang tanging patutunguhan lang ng sinusulat ko ay ang

pinaka mainam bigyang pansin? Alin ang mahalaga? Alina ng gusto

dilemma na kinakaharap ko ngayon. Ano, paano at bakit.

ko? Gusto ng mambabasa (kung may babasa man)

So ano nga? Ito nga! Paano?

Sa totoo lang, nasa akin naman ang huling desisyon sa mga

Tulad rin ng bawat manunulat ay nais kong maging maganda ang

tanong na ito, kaya nga column diba? Pero hindi, may pake kasi ako

kalabasan ng sinusulat kong ito. Pero kailan at paano natin masasabi

sa opinion nyo, kayo may pake ba?

na maganda at may kabuluhan ang mga sinusulat naming?

Ano?

Syempre may kabuluhan ito at maganda para sa akin dahil sarili

Sa totoo lang, katul;ad ng halos lahat ng kabataan o kaedad ko

kong opinion to, interesado ako dito. Pero kayo, oo kayong mambabasa

ngayon (hindil lahat, kaya nga halos diba?), kung tungkol sa isyu sa

na nakakalungkot mang isipin ay binabasa laamng ito dahil baka

gobyerno o ibang social issues, wala akong pake! Mas may pake pa

kakilala nyo ako o nabobore kayo.

Lahat naman tayo ay may kanya kanyang opinyon. May kanya kanyang gustong pag usapan. Sa dami natin alin dito? Malamang social issues na ayoko naman, kundi sa katiwalian ng gobyerno, buhay showbiz naman. Hindi sa sarado ang isip ko sa ganitong mga bagay, hindi rin sa wala na talaga akong pakialam at mas lalong hindi rin dahil sa wala akong alam sa mga nangyayari sa aking paligid (Aba kung wala edi sana ipinatapon nako ng mga kasama ko sa publikasyon na, kami na nagsisilbing mata at tainga ng unibersidad na ito diba?)

ata si Princess Sarah kaysa sa akin (waley).

Kaya’t lagi kayong magiging parte ng mga sinusulat naming, hindi lang kung ano ang gusto naming iparating at ipaalam at isulat ang nais nyong malaman. Sa pagitan ng dalawa, paano nga ba masasabi na maganda ang naisulat? Base ba ito sa kaalaman na nailahad nya? Kung tungkol ba sa

Bakit nga ba ayoko ng pag usapan pa itong muli?

social issue ang tinalakay ko kahanga hanga na ba? Wala bang

Marahil sa tingin ko wala ng pag asa pang magbago ang gobyerno

kabuluhan o dapat ba nag diary na lang ako kung personal ko naman

o mga tao na mag aaksaya lang ako ng panahon para dito? (takte) Marahil sawa na ako na pag usapan o makabasa ng ganito? Sawa na?

itong karanasan o opinion? Bakit?

baka. Waka na bang bago? Hindi naman lahat ay ukol dito diba? Hindi

Mahahati na naman ito sa dalawa, para ba maihayag ko ang gusto

rin naman lahat ay interesado dito, gaya ko. Kung ganon ano naman

kong malaman nyo o maisulat ko ang gusto nyo? Kung tutuusin,

sasabihin ko? Kung hindi tungkol sa personal kong karanasan (pwede

pwede namang wala na din akong pake sa sasabihin nyo, ako na ang

rin at pwede ring hindi basta wag lovelife), kung hindi opinion sa mga

bahala kung ano, paano at bakit, wala naman kayopng pake diba?

social issues, kung hindi sa ano dapat o ang hindi dapat gawin at kung hindi para maglinaw ng isang issue, ano?! Bukod sa social issues, ano ba madalas na pinag uusapan ng mga ordinaryong mga estudyante ngayon? Kung break na bas i ano at ano? O sila ano at anon a daw?! Pwede ring alam nyo ba ang ano ni ano? O di kaya’y tara panoorin natin yung ano ni ano, bago yon yung

Bawat artikulong isunusulat, lagi itong nahahati sa dalawa,a ng agusto ko at gusto ng iba. May sitwasyong mas dapat na msunod ang gusto ng suuslat at minsa’y ang gusto naman ng babasa. Bihira na lang ang parehong gusto ito ng manunulat at ng babasa. Hindi lang naman sa column na ito kung hindi sa lahat ng sitwasyon at issue ay mahalaga ang pake ng bawat isa.

ano ni ano! Kung ganito naman ang tatalakayin ko na malamang

Sa mundo ngayon, tila mas nangingibabaw na nga kung ano ang

marami ang interesado, lubayan na to. Makikipag tsismisan na lang

opinion ng iba sa bawat kilos mo. Marami ang sumusunod na lang sa

ako sa labas,.

uso, pinipiling manahimik at sarilihin ang opinion o gusto. Isa lang ito

Bawat manunulat naman ay napapaisip kung ano ang gusto

sa mali ngayon sa atin.

niyang isulat at kung ano ang gusting mabasa ng mga babasa

Kung ako ang attanungin kung ano ang mas dapat unahin, ang

(sana nga meron). Mahirap naman talagang umisip ng paraaan para

gusto ko o gusto ng iba. Sabi nga ng aking guro, ‘It is depends (*wink*)’.

tuwagin ang atensyon ng mga studyante at simulant ang pagbabasa. Sa moderno kasing panahon ngayon, visual na ang mga tao, wala na silang amor magbasa, titingin sa litrato, babasahin ang title, konting pangungusap at kung nakakaintriga ang nilalaman ay tsaka palang babasahin.

Depende kung nasa anong sitwasyon ka, pakiramdaman lang yan. Malas mo kung wala ka non, manhid ka! (ano daw?!) Pero seryoso, kung magbibigay aral man ako … “Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals” – Oscar Wilde.

Pero kung ang bawat manunulat ay namomroblema dito, sila

Hindi ko inilagay ang katagang ito para humaba o para matapos

ban a mga mambabasa, may pake pa ba sila sa kung ano ang

na to. Kasabihan lamang to na nagsasabing na sa atin ang desisyon,

mamabasa nila? Kung ano ang gusto nilang isulat natin?

may pake man sila o wala!

21


VIEWPOINTS

U

Lex Talk, Less Mistakes Lexter G. Clemente Senior Staff Writer

Unconsciously Conscious liability?

After giving some quotations of very short, humane and lenient sentences: killers, rapists, drug pushers and addicts

They say that teens are too young to understand the

(and all other persons committing different styles of crime,

consequences of their actions or that they don’t know their

unsound and immoral deeds that people may be engaged) are

ceilings and limitations: like that of bullying that can cause

being freed from prison every time. Who are these criminals

depression and may lead to kill anybody or self-killing

and what makes them so special? These criminals pertain

actions; or maybe using of solvents, medical marijuana

to teens (minors of age) who commit adult-crimes. They are

including alcohol that can make the user unconsciously

being released and given new identities to continue to live

unconscious.

their lives outside jail in peaceful and happy comportments.

Many people may say that youths with minor age who

Because the courts and law as well as the juvenile rights’

commit crimes are therefore criminals; they are living as

promoters and advocates believe that second chances should

our neighbors, staying as our most delicate enemies, and

be given to them, even if they have victims that are being left to

threats to our environment: so why should we treat them in an

suffer and feel the innermost pain of having no justice forever.

extraordinary manner? Environment is too complex. Bullies

Everybody is questioning…

and other kinds of judgmental persons are abundant in this

What are their responsibilities on the damages that they

society and so, maybe, those bullies might affect and can

have done? Do their parents accountable for this because

be the reason of possible additional crimes that they may

they are just minors who need instructions of their guardians

commit in the future for the reason of possible depression.

before doing something that they are not sure? Or should we

In the real world, group of people lives in the same place but

say that, because they are minors, they should only undergo

they have various cultures, that one action or statement may

into a proper rehabilitation under the government agency and

be good to you but not to others. Aside from serious or maybe

They say that teens are too young“ to understand the consequences of their actions, or that they don’t know their limitations like using of solvents and illegal drugs or even alcohol that can make them unconsciously unconscious.

for the criminal actions that they have done to their victims? What else should I asked, for you to decide which treatment is right in terms of justice that the victims could avail? I believe that this view is one of the numerous arguments that our government should focused on.

neither person will be punished nor will be held accountable

light punishments, counseling is considered as a good tool towards building new identity. As part of the youth community myself, I was raised in a family who does not tolerate much physical punishments for our bad actions but rather, they always used to say this questions that states: “Paano kung sa’yo gawin ‘yon, matutuwa

I consider the thought that teens, themselves, should be

ka ba? Paano kung ikaw ang unang nawalan, inagawan at

held accountable for their actions; if not implementing a

sinaktan, hindi ka ba lalaban?. Hindi mo dapat ginagawa yung

punishment identical to the adult chastisements, but at least

alam mo nang masama.” As just like what I have been read in

of appropriate penalty for the committed crime that could

an on-line blog spot commenter with an anonymous name of

not impair their rights as minority however should challenge

“hchs1259”: we can learn morals, but in other way, a criminal

his moral responsibility that the environment (especially

is a criminal and must be punished as such. It really doesn’t

his parents) has not yet able to make minced, taught and/

matter the age of the criminal, it they are committing crimes

or showed on him. What I mean is, giving at least any moral

that are inherently adult in nature, then yes, these criminals

means of providing justice to the family of the victims.

absolutely should be punished as an adult regardless of their

I am agreeing to the statement of Ramon B. Agapay that

age.

“Without moral perception, man is only an animal. Without

I know that anyone might judge me about this commentary

morality, man as a rational being is a failure.” Doing an

article but I will stand to it because I think: a society without

immoral act is exactly immoral as it is. As just like what I

proper action (or should I say implementation if I am

always hear: “Kahit ano ang gawin mo kapag naka-patay ka,

misleading in the idea that there is no appropriate law) about

nakapatay ka pa rin”. As an individual, we should know the

this kind of matter can be compared to a “deep excavation in

difference between what is right and what is wrong. Certainly,

a street-way without signage”. We need to carefully observe

if I knew somebody who killed someone I valued, I would want

them every now and then. We need to adjust our behavior to

that criminal to experience the worst probable punishment for

help them cope in everyday living even without considering

his actions. Yes, it is the responsibility of the parents to guide

a good security. But then, “If we have not seen this deep

their children and teach them good values but I think it is not

excavation because it has no signage, and we are driving our

also a valid reason for the parent to do the punishment on

car straightly ahead with a great speed, a possibility of dying

behalf of their children, if given the chance. I think, it is not

occurs”. This means that if there are some actions that may

justiciable that parents will be considered criminals for the

lead them to be unconscious again and it happened, they, as

actions of their minor children.

late criminals might kill once more.

Try to put yourself in the mother’s position, if your child just

At this very end of my article, I want to ask you: should you

died, how would you want his killer to be punished? How would

ever allow anyone, child or adult, to get away and be released

you feel if you never got to see your child alive again while the

from the punishment of serious crimes like for instance, a

killer served only a short sentence and be released from his

murder case?

22


VIEWPOINTS

U

Dogma

Glennel C. Reyes Senior Staff Writer

Useless Eyes, Blind Mind “Bakit ba kasi isinulat niyo pa ‘yun? Dapat nanahimik nalang

“Yung teacher namin sa PE last sem na manghuhula ng grades.”

din kayo.”

“Nasan na po yung aircon ng gym?” Marahil habang binabasa

Mayroon nga bang limitasyon sa pagsasabi ng katotohanan?

mo ito, napapangiti ka nalang din dahil nakarelate ka, dahil ito rin

Pili lang ba ang dapat naming ipahayag na kung may masasaling

mismo ang nasasaloob mo. Unti-unti’y natututunan na nating

ay huwag nalang naming iparating? Para ba itong pagtawid sa

kumibo at ialis ang pagsasawalang-bahala ngunit marami pa rin

kalsada na kahit alam mong naka-GO na sa pagtawid kailangan

sa atin ang hindi alam kung ano ang ating mga karapatan.

mo pa ringmaghintay dahil hindi pa rin humihinto ang mga

“Wala naman karapatan magreklamo ang mga estudyante

sasakyan?

dahil syempre estudyante lang kami.”

Aminin mo man o hindi, nakakalungkot isipin na marami sa

Huwag nating kalilimutan na nasa atin ang karapatan.

atin ang pinipiling maging pipi at bulag. May mga taong gustong

Nakakabit sa bawat isa sa atin ang pangalan ng Wesleyan. Hindi

magsalita pero takot na sabihin ang katotohanan sa maaaring

natin kailangang magpaanod sa agos at taglayin ang kaisipang

maging resulta ng pagsasabi nito. Mahigit isang taon na rin akong

“Estudyante lang ako.” Tayo ang bumubuo sa Wesleyan kung kaya’t

bahagi ng publikasyong ito. Sa panahong ‘yun ay mas namulat

Wesleyanian ang tawag sa atin.

ako na hindi lamang sapat ang mag-aral tayo at magtapos.

I-review nga natin ulit ang mission and vision ng Wesleyan

Hindi tamang ipagsawalang-bahala ang mga bagay na dapat ay

na pinakabisa sa atin umpisa palang? Natatandaan mo pa ba?

napagtutuunan natin ng pansin.

Naunawaan mo ba at isinapuso ito?

Sabi nga nila ito ang training ground natin para maging

Mission: To participate in the transformation of society through

handa tayo sa totoong buhay. Kung ngayon palang ay hindi natin

academic excellence and service sustained by Christian values.

kayang magtanong at sabihin ang ating mga karapatan, ganoon

Vision: We envision God’s reign through a Christian institution

din ang magiging pananaw natin pagkatapos natin matanggap

of learning inspired by Methodist traditions for the transformation

“ Nakikita natin ang mga kamalian dahil tayo mismong nasa loob ang nakakaranas nito. Alam natin ang mga karapatan kaya nga tayo dumadaing at nagrereklamo pero nakakadena ang isip natin sa nakasanayang: “Hayaan nalang “

ang ating mga diploma. Ang Genre ang nagsisilbing boses ng

of society.

mgaestudyante. Lahat ng bagay na aming isinusulat at naililimbag

Let us ponder that we are here not only to be taught of

sa mga papel na binabasa ninyo ay kumakatawan sa inyo

knowledge academically but also to learn and practice the

mismong nagbabasa nito.

traits that we must inherit as we will be the contributors of what

Sa sandaling tumapak tayo sa institusyong ito at nagdesisyong

our society may become. Isa akong estudyante at isa rin akong

taglayin ang tatak Wesleyanian, kasama mo na rin ang

estudyanteng mamamahayag. Lahat tayo’y may karapatan para

responsibilidad na maging salamin nito. Anumang gawin o sabihin

mapakinggan. Wear your nametag, you’re a Wesleyanian. We are

mo ay maaaring makaapekto sa imahe ng Wesleyan dahil tayo

here to transform not to be transformed.

ang repleksyon at tinig nito.

Kami ang tagapagsalita ng bawat Wesleyanian. Tungkulin

Minsan, may nagsabi sa amin: “Dapat puro magaganda na

naming ipahayag ang katotohanan hindi sa kung ano lang ang

lamang ang sinusulat niyo. Kayo ang nakakasira sa imahe ng

magagandang katangiang nakapaloob sa unibersidad na ito.

Wesleyan.”Para akong nabingi sa narinig ko. Kami po ay walang

Hindi kami ipu-ipong nakakasira kundi parang isang bagay na

kinikilingan, hindi po kami nag-iimbento at katotohanan lamang

nakakapuwing.Isang pagkapuwing na oo nga’t nakakasaling

po ang nagiging kasangkapan namin sa paggawa ng mga artikulo.

pero kinakailangan para malaman natin na ang mga mata pala

Ang layunin namin ay magmulat ng mga mata at magbigay

nati’y matagal nang nakatulala. Maraming tao ang ilang beses na

kaalaman sa mga uhaw na kaisipan.Lumipas na ang mga taon

nating tinawag ngunit hindi makarinig kung kaya’t kailangan pang

pero marami pa rin ang hindi nakakaunawa sa kung ano nga ba at

kalabitin para tayo’y mapansin.

para saan ang ginagawa namin.

Sa mga nakalabit po namin, hangad lamang po naming

Nakikita natin ang mga kamalian dahil tayo mismong nasa

na kami’y inyong mapakinggan at mapunan ang inyong mga

loob ang nakakaranas nito. Alam natin ang mga karapatan kaya

pagkukulang. Isa lamang din po itong pagmumulat. Lahat naman

nga tayo dumadaing at nagrereklamo pero nakakadena ang isip

po tayo gusting mapabuti at mapaunlad ang Wesleyan. May

natin sa nakasanayang: “Hayaan nalang.” Dito nag-uugat ang

mga sugat lang po kaming nakikita at nais lamang po naming

reklamo mo mula umpisa na siya pa ring inaawit mo hanggang sa

pagbigyan ninyo ng pansin upang hindi na bakasan pa ng peklat.

makatapos ka. Kapag hinayaan lang natin ang mga bagay na ito, wala talagang magbabago.

Sa mga kapwa ko Wesleyanian, matuto tayong magsalita lalo na’t alam nating tayo ay nasa tama. Patuloy na dumadami ang

Isang malaking patunay ang iba’t-ibang reklamo at opinyon

nagrereklamo dahil tayo rin mismo ang nagkulang at nagpalalo.

ng mga Wesleyanian sa isang page sa facebook. Isang mulat na

Ilang sandali pa at marami na naman ang magsisipagtapos, itong

Wesleyanian na nakaisip ng paraan sa kung paano maipapaabot

pananaw pa din ba ang gagamitin mo? Nandito tayo sa biyahe ng

ng mga kapwa niya mulat ang kanilang mga hinaing. Ang mga

buhay at may sari-sarili tayong manibela. Huwag kang maiwan sa

“likes” ng bawat posts ay animo nagsisilbi na ring pagsang-ayon sa

mahabang daan na mas gustong tahakin ng iba; sa lumang daan

mga ito. May ilan pang nagkomento ng “RELATE!”, patunay na hindi

na baku-bako at malayo ang lakbayin gayong may “SHORTCUT”

lamang isa kung hindi marami rin ang nakakaranas ng mga ito.

naman pala, isang paraan na ginawa, isang progreso upang

“Sino tong Prof. na ‘to na sobrang tamad mag turo kaya nagpapa-

mapagaan ang paglalakbay mo. Imulat mo lang ang mga mata

report nalang?

mo, turn your eyes to the RIGHT. Makikita mo ang karatula.

23


PERSPECTIVES

Ang nobela ng

Highly Urbanized City Text: Jan Adrian Delos Santos

Niluluma na ng panahon ang hindi matapos-tapos na kwento

ipinagpaliban ang plebesito.

taga-Carangglan, taga-Talugtog, taga-Llanera, taga-Natividad o

tungkol sa konbersyon ng Lungsod ng Kabanatuan sa pagiging

Nagdaan ang 2013 at kasabay nito ay ang pagdaan rin ng

kahit ng mga kapwa lungsod nito sa usapin ng HUC? Wala. At

isang highly urbanized city (HUC) mula sa isang component

marami pang pagtatakda ng araw ng plebesito. Subalit lahat ng

malaki ang posibilidad na panigan ang hangarin ng goberanador

city. At marahil, mula sa maraming kabanata ng naudlot na

inaasahang araw para sa botohan ay isinantabi rin hanggang sa

ng mga walang ideya kung para saan ang plebisito.

plebisitongng nagdaan, marami pa ring pauli-ulit na istoryang

muli itong itakda noong Enero 25, 2014. Nguni’t dahil sa petisyon

mapakikinggan.

na isinumite ng gobernador sa Korte Suprema, nagpataw

Bakit nga ba kasi hindi mapakawalan ng gobernador ang

Sa bisa ng Republic Act No. 526, ganap na naging siyudad

ng temporary restraining order ang hukuman sa araw bago

lungsod? Bukod sa paniniwala niya at ng kanyang pamunuan

ang Lungsod ng Kabanatuan noong Hunyo 16, 1950. At dahil

ang plebesito. At muling itinakda ang botohan mula Abril 24

na hindi kahandaan ng Kabanatuan, ano nga ba matinding

sa masidhi nitong hangarin na maging isang mas maunlad

hanggang Agosto 24, 2014 subalit wala pa ring nangyari.

dahil na nasa likod ng kanyang pagtutol?

Sa bagay na iyon, higit sa talo, lugi ang Kabanatuan.

na bayan noon pa man, nagpataw ng deklarasyon si Dating

Sa mga mahahalaga nguni’t katapon-tapong kaganapang

Lahat naman sana ng hinihinging kondisyon ng Seksyon

Pangulong Fidel V. Ramos noong 1998 na ang nasabing lungsod

ito sa lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija, makikita ang mas malakas

452 ng Local Government Code para maging isang HUC ay

ay isa nang HUC. Subalit dahil sa sinasabing propagandang

na kapangyarihan ng mas mataas na itinuturing na pinuno ng

naibigay na ng Kabanatuan.

noong naturang panahon, negatibo ang naging resulta ng

bayan. Ito ay pinatutunayan ng pagsang-ayon ng Korte Suprema

Maraming nagsasabi na kung kaya’t hindi mabitawan ng

plebesito.

sa hiling ng gobernador na isama ang lahat ng rehistradong

gobernador ang siyudad ay dahil maraming pera ang mawawala sa kapitolyo na kanyang pinamumunuan. Kurapsyon kung

Subalit sa muling pag-upo ni Alkalde Julius Vergara bilang

Novo Ecijano sa pagdedisisyon sa pagiging HUC ng Kabanatuan.

ama ng lungsod, muli niyang binuhay ang laban para sa

Ayon sa gobernador, dapat lamang na bigyan ng karapatan

pagiging HUC nito. At noong Hulyo 14, 2012 nga ay ipinroklama

ang lahat ng nasa probinsya na makiisa sa plebesito sapagkat

Subalit sa ngayon, bago ang kasagutan kung Yes nga ba

ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang siyudad bilang HUC sa

kung sakaling maging HUC nga ang Kabanatuan, apektado ang

o No, ang mas nangingibabaw na katanungan ay kung kailan

bisa ng Proclamation No. 418. Nguni’t gaya ng pagtututol na

buong lalawigan.

magaganap ang plebesito?

tawagin ng mga taga-salungat ng ama ng lalawigan.

nangyari noong 1998, mariing na sinasalungat ng gobernador

Subalit kung susuriin, tulad ng problema ng isang pamilya,

Maraming taon na ang nagdaan. Hahayaan pa ba nila

ng Nueva Ecija na si Aurelio Umali ang hangarin ng lungsod na

walang karapatan ang mga kapit-bahay nito na makigulo

masayang pa ang mga susunod na taon sa pagkakataong

maging malaya.

sa pinagdaraanan ng pamilya. At ito ang malaking punto na

makausad ang Kabanatuan o ang Nueva Ecija?

Disyembre 2012 unang itinakda ang plebesito sa ngalan

tumutuligsa sa desisyon ng hukuman. Isa pa, sa lahat ng

Sabi nga sa sermon ng banal na misa na ipinahayag sa

ng paghahanda para sa lokal na eleksyon noong 2013. Subalit

isinagawang plebesito, kung matutuloy man, ito ang kauna-

buong Diyosesis ng Kabanatuan, hindi na muna mahalaga

bago pa man dumating ang itinakdang panahon para sa

unahan na magkakaroon ng mga botante mula sa buong

kung oo o hindi. Sa ngayon, mas mahalaga kung kailan

botohan, marami nang gulo ang dumaan sa probinsya. Kabilang

probinsya.

matutuldukan ang isang tanong na matagal nang nabibinbin

na sa mga ito ay ang walang habas na pamamaril kay Julius

Ang petisyon ng gobernador at desisyon ng Korte Suprema

Cauzo, mamamahayag ng DWJJ na pagmamay-ari ni Vergara,

ay tunay na nakakalabag sa kalooban ng mga taga-suporta ng

at ang mga sunod-sunod at palitang pagpo-protesta laban

HUC.

sa magkabilang panig – isang tinuturong dahilan kung bakit

sa kawalan. Uhaw na ang mga taga Kabanatuan sa kalayaan at sa lalo pang kaunlaran. Uhaw na rin ang probinsya sa kapayapaan.

Ano nga ba naman ang nalalaman ng mga taga-Nampicuan,

24

Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?


PERSPECTIVES

bilibid Ang Paglipat ni

KAKOSA sa Nueva Ecija Text: Jerome O. Estavillo

Ililipat na ang bilibid. Baka nandiyan na sila sa likod ng bahay mo. Kamakailan lamang ay napabalita ang paglilipat ng New Bilibid

Agreement (EDCA). Ang kasunduan ay nagpapahayag ng paggamit ng mga sundalong Amerikano sa teritoryo ng Pilipinas upang magsanay na tatagal ng sampung taon.

Prison (NBP) na mula sa kasalukuyan nitong lugar sa Muntinlupa,

Kung iuugnay mula sa kaso ng bilibid, may posibilidad na

ililipat ito sa Fort Magsaysay. Ito ay ipatutupad upang mas lalong

ang magsisilbing sanayan ng mga banyagang sundalo ay ang

masiguro ang seguridad sa mga preso at upang masolusyonan

nakapiit na mga Pilipino. Dahil na rin ito sa magkasabay na bagay

ang problema ng bilibid sa espasyo sa kasalukuyan nitong lugar

na mangyayari sa iisang lugar. Marahil ay isang piit na Pilipino

kung saan ang kapasidad nito ay umaabot lamang sa 14000

ang sumunod kina Nicole at Jennifer Laude na pawang biktima

katao ngunit tinatayang nasa 20000 ang nakapiit dito.

ng Amerikano. Maaari ring mapasama sila sa mga nangyaring

Kung lilimiin ang sitwasyon, wala namang masama sa

pagpaslang na hanggang ngayon ay hindi naiuulat sa media.

pagtatangka ng ating pamahalaan kung ang hangarin nila ay

Isa pa sa sinasabing nakaaalarma na epekto nito ay ang

tiyakin ang seguridad ng mga preso. Bagkus, makatutulong ito

kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan na nakatira sa loob ng Fort

upang solusyonan ang problema ng bansa sa piitan. Magsisilbi

Magsaysay. May ilang residente na rin ng lugar ang nagpahayag

rin itong malaking hakbang sa paglago ng negosyo dahil sa

ng kanilang takot na ilapit sa kanilang lugar ang piitan. Maaari rin

ipatatayong business district sa Muntinlupa.

itong maging mitsa ng kanilang buhay kung makatatakas ang

Sa kabilang banda, masasabi rin natin ito na patagong agenda ng pamahalaan ng Amerika upang isulong ang kolonyalismo sa

isang preso. Maaari silang paslangin, nakawan o gawan ng kung ano pang krimen kung hindi sila mababantayang mabuti.

ating bansa. Maaaring parte na naman ito ng panlilinlang ng

Inaasahang sa taong 2015 ay magsisimula nang ilipat ang

banyagang pamahalaan upang gamitin ang teritoryo ng bansa

mga preso dito. At sa pagsisimulang iyon, inaasahan ng mga

para sa kanilang pansariling interes. Ang ibig sabihin ko lamang

mamamayan ang mas mahigpit na sitwasyon sa kanilang lugar.

dito ay makikinabang na naman ang mga Amerikano sa lupain

Mas lalo ring dapat pag-ingtingin ang inspeksyon sa lugar upang

ng bansa na sa halip ay tayong Pilipino ang unang nakikinabang.

maiwasan ang anumang kaso ng kriminalidad buhat ng piitan.

Sa paanong paraan?

Higit sa ano pa mang bagay, kailangang isaisip ang interes at

Maliban sa magiging piitan ang Fort Magsaysay, ito rin ang

kaligtasan ng mamamayang nakatira at nakapaligid dito. Dahil

tinitignan sa panahon ngayon na magiging lugar ng base-militar

kung hindi, buhay ang masasawi. Kailangan ng katinuan sa piitan.

ng mga Amerikano sa ilalim ng Enhanced Defense Cooperation

25


PERSPECTIVES

SECURITY CHECK: NUEVA ECIJA Text: John Dalton Maestre

U “The province of Nueva Ecija in history had the highest criminal rate in Central Luzon. In 2008 it recorded the second highest in the region. Provincial police department recorded several criminal offenses some of which are heinous crimes like murder, rape, homicide and others. Non-Index crimes like robbery are also on the high. Apparently there is a network of criminals in the province. Civilians should be wary and always be alert in case of unwanted events happen�

U 26


PERSPECTIVES

Security is the biggest concern of people when deciding to stay in an area as domicile. We live in a place where we would not worry that sooner or later someone would deprive us and our constitutional right to life, liberty and property. Being safe is the difference between leaving and staying. The government, especially the local government units, are tasked to maintain the peace and order on their area of jurisdiction. Public safety relies on their performance. Mediocrity of the system will only leads to chaos and expose the citizens to possible dangers of criminal minds.

The province of Nueva Ecija in history had the highest criminal rate in Central Luzon. In 2008 it recorded the second highest in the region. Provincial police department recorded several criminal offenses, some of which are heinous crimes like murder, rape, homicide and others. Non-Index crimes like robbery are also on high note. Apparently, there is a network of criminals in the province. Civilians should be wary and always be alert in case of unwanted events happen. Politics intensifies the already unsound situation in the province. In the past several crimes were

27

linked to political unrest. One of which is the murder of a journalist Julius Causo. Causo, being allied with Mayor Julius Vergara, was allegedly assassinated through the order of Governor Aurelio Umali. If this is the truth, then the citizens should be more wary of their safety because those who should be keeping public peace are the ones who cause conflicts. Currently, there is a high growth in national crime rates per province. Nueva Ecija is not an exemption. In a five time period (from January to May), crimes went up by 1.17A per cent. Though it is a small amounts a growth in criminality should always be taken seriously. More crimes mean more victims. Working to keep a safer community should take part of the priorities of the local government. Criminality is a measure of public safety but should not be the sole evidence to the judgment of people. Public perception is the ultimate measure of how peaceful a place is. This is why overreaction from anyone in the community should be discouraged because it will lead only to more problems. Although if there are a lot of criminals, if the authorities are doing their best to perform their jobs, we could be certain that the place is peaceful overall. Some of the problems are rooted from the ones who should be the solution, but we should remind our selves that it is only between them. Political crimes like the occurance reported in the past year, comprise a very small part of society. It does not justify the conclusion that a place is dangerous. Nueva Ecija is a province where an estimated of two million people lives. Two million people’s lives are at stake. The authorities exert effort to maintain public welfare but I think that what they are doing isn’t enough. Keeping the life of the people safe is not a small thing. Enough will not be enough.


SHUTTERBUG

28


PHOTOGRAPHY

AKO,

NOVO ECIJANO Photos: Maria Jubelle Legaspi

29


SHUTTERBUG

(chandelier)

(ka (dibidi) 30


PHOTOGRAPHY

(tumbok)

ahel)

31


FEATURE

WESLEYAN MOST

WANTED Krizel Cunanan, Joyce Culala, Lyn Lastimosa, Roma Mae Herrera and Maria Lilibeth Cabral

AdmitOne #HariNgTondo Hari Ng Tondo, incredibly realistic! What made this believable and convincing is we aren’t watching “actors NOT BORN with a silver spoon in their mouth playing rich

people” but “actors BORN with a silver spoon in their mouth playing rich people”. Ricardo Villena (Robert Arevalo) is on the bankruptcy because of poor investments

gone wrong and it brings his grandchildren, Anna (Cris Villonco) and Ricky (Rafa Siguion Reyna) back to Alapaap, community that made and shaped him, only to find out the place is no longer the same. Staying in Alapaap immerses the kids into a world they have never experienced before.

#TheJanitor Starts filthy, cleans up tidy!

these suspects.

This is about Crisanto Espina (Dennis Trillo), a

We suffer together with poor Manalo throughout

committed police officer who was suspended when

his cruel torture scenes. The implementation scenes

he shot a minor drug suspect dead. On June 21,

worsened from simple to complex.

201, the Mabuhay Bank in San Pedro, Laguna was

Derek Ramsay, on the other hand, plays the

held up and ten of its employees were killed. A drug

idolized scourge of Drug lords SPO3 Dindo Marasigan.

addict tricycle driver Junjun Carasco (Nicco Manalo)

While Lj Reyes stands for the role Melba, pregnant

was detained for questioning and a list of suspects

wife of Espina.

was tortured out of him. The new police chief of

Although the twist is as predictable as most of the

Bugaouisan (Ricky Davao) initiates a senior police

elements in The Janitor’s story, it at least packs one

officer Rudy Manapat (Richard Gomez) to handle the

more punch to redeem itself. The movie do managed

solitaire style, which turned out to mean summary

to clean up after itself in a way that at delivers a

execution. Manapat assigns Espina to “clean up”

satisfying ending. This is such an odd beast!

#TheTrial

Ronald (John Lloyd Cruz), a mentally deranged student, was accused raping Bessy (Jessy Mendiola), his tutor and school teacher.

School files a case

against Ronald in an effort to throw him in prison. And suddenly, a developmental Psychologist popped

up

in

the

scene--Amanda

(Gretchen

Baretto). She pleads her lawyer husband Julian (Richard Gomez) to take on Ronald’s case when she discovers a connection between Ronald and her dead son Martin (Enrique Gil). But wait! They determine soon that they are all linked in more ways than just the case. Do not be deceived into thinking otherwise; The Trial isn’t a family drama by any conservative means. But it is a film about family.

32


ACCENTS

BookWorm

The highly regarded author in the Asian-American literary world, Filipino National Book Awardee and Palanca Awardee, Eric

narration of the story settled in.

Gamalinda, wrote a contemporary work where he narrates his

The brothers independently try to solve the puzzle and mysteries

story through combination of series and ideas with existential

about their father and their complex history of how they ended up

philosophy, cynical malevolent characters, doomy atmosphere

being sold and separated. They will both discover about their father

and mystery in his named after The Descartes Highlands, an area

and the violence, corruption and unethical empowerment of the

of the moon where the Apollo 16 expedition landed in 1972, the

government flaunted to his generation that echoes and passes

same year in which the Philippines began its descent into political

through the later generations. They also made a journey in search

disarray after Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law. Thus, the

for something to understand their existence outside of the chaos

story was brought forth.

of their lives which are coiling out of control.

The Descartes Highlands is a fascinating and enigmatic story

The boys, though their lives are completely distinctive, unfold

that revolves with the lives of two brothers. Unaware of each

in the same ways when it comes to their relationship with women.

other’s existence, Jordan and Mathieu were sold for adoption by

Both women who Jordan and Mathieu fell in love with were

their American father, Andrew Breszky, just as after their births in

complicated but compassionate. Jordan’s girlfriend, Yuki, helped

the Philippines. Andrew is a young man that gets embrangled

to search for someone who could answer his quest about his father

in Philippines politics and inexplicably thrown into prison.

Andrew Breszky and offer for considerations to ease his adoptive

He desperately sold his two sons that were both born in the

mother’s grieve whilst Mathieu’s girlfriend, Janya, travels different

Philippines. Jordan ends up in New York, while Mathieu is espouse

countries with him in also the quest of details on the death of his

by French filmmakers who are mourning the recent death of their

adopted parents’ first child in which he replaced just weeks after

two-year-old son, which he replaced and little did he know that

the child’s death and also for the questions about his birth parents.

they had already a son that was named like him. He followed their

The Descartes Highlands

circumstances are untwined once the commentary or the

career and became a documentary filmmaker.

Gamalinda’s novel is a complex, dark, plucky and completely opposite to any feel-good novels. The full picture of circumstances,

The book is told from the point of view of the two brothers

physical and emotional sufferings of the character’s life conveyed

and their father shifting between different points in time and

through poetic paragraph and dramatic endings made it more

place. Descartes hasten forward as mysteries of identities and

interesting and obscure at the same time for the readers.

CouchPotato

Ilustrado

Hawak Kamay

The Amazing Race Philippines 2

Another version of epic docudrama aired on GMA Channel 7

It is one of the family drama television series directed by Jerry

A reality game show in the Philippines based on

last October 20, 2014. It is about the life, other events and tragic

Lopez Sineneng, the main characters are Piolo Pascual playing

the American series “The Amazing Race” is now on

experiences of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal played by the GMA

the role of “Gin”, Iza Calzado as “Atty. Bianca”, Zaijan Jaranilla as

TV5.

Kapuso star Alden Richards with her leading ladies like Solenn

“Emong”, Xyriel Manabat as “Dara”, Andrea Brilliantes as “Lorry” and

Telpad, 2 house & land lots from RCD Homes, and

Heussaff as “Nelinda” and Kylie Padilla as “Leonor Rivera.” The story

Yesha Camille as “Ningning.” Hawak Kamay is a story of a man who is a frustrated musician and lately becomes a guardian of

2 brand new Kia Sportage cars were the goals of the

of Ilustrado focused on the teenager life of Pepe especially on his love life. It is also highlight the works and important happenings

three orphaned children (Emong, Dara and Ningning). On the other

in the life of our national hero. Pepe known as a novelist, poet,

hand Iza Calzado playing the role of Atty. Bianca, the one who help

ophthalmologist, journalist and linguist but despite of all the

out for the legality case of adapted children. She and her daughter

achievements he possess through his life, he’s still a man…a

Lorry (Iza and Andrea) witness how Gin became a fine and liable

Filipino who are proud and take pride in his own country. Most

father to the three children. An image of reluctant and unprepared

of the Filipinos today can relate to the story of Pepe’s life, like

man turns into a different personality and shows a good parental

other Filipinos who needs to go abroad and left their families in

figure to the three orphaned kids. Different struggles tried to tear

the Philippines to pursue their careers and studies just like Pepe

them apart but Gin stayed strong-minded to fight all the trials he

who left his own country. Pepe is the best example of someone

and his family meet. He made all efforts just to keep all of them

who made ways and used his knowledge by means of defending

together.

The prize of 2million pesos from PLDT Home

eleven teams of two, pre-existing relations in a race around the Philippines. The winning team of each leg wins 200,000pesos from Shell V-Power Nitro+. This show airs every Mondays to Fridays at 9:00 pm and had a special recap episode of 6 weekly episodes every Sundays 9:00pm. The backdrop of the starting line for this new season is the wreck of Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros, Manila. The TV5 commissioned Australian Production Company for the produce of the show. Because of filming of the drones aerial shots 39 cameras were

and improving the lives of his country and countrymen. Ilustrado

Hawak Kamay is a perfect TV show for families out there,

is directed by King Mark Baco created by and hail as the first

because it was full of Filipino values drama with a bit of comedy

used and there are lots of changes from the season 1

BayaniSerye in primetime series of GMA News and Public Affairs. It

that will truly entertain and touch our lives. The series was aired on

to season 2. The Amazing Race Philippines is hosted

is also aired worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV.

ABS-CBN and worldwide on Filipino channel last July 21 and it will

by Derek Ramsay.

end on November 21, 2014.

33


ACCENTS

BlogTime

THE PURPLE DOLL This is a personal-turned-food blog detailing the doll’s food adventures as she explores Metro Manila’s finest foods. It houses not just informative and entertaining food reviews, but also a treat for the hungry eyes. Now we have this doll food blogger, Sumi Go. She obviously loves photography specifically food photographs. If you are going to read Sumi’s blog, I think you will always end up craving for foods which is just a testament of how great a food blogger she is. Aside from wonderfully taken photos, she describes each food in the plate in a manner that would make you want to experience yourself. The Purple doll has gained a lot of good reviews only after 10 months.

BREAK MY STYLE In fashion, inspiration seems to work in a circular motion. Designers get inspired and come up with awesome collections and here’s Break My Style blog. Most of us know who Liz Uy is, well it’s not her. It is her sister, Laureen Uy, the beautiful Break My Style blogger. They are considered as two of the biggest names in the fashion world. If there is someone who never fails to impress, wow and make you drool, it is Laureen. Her choice by clothes and most especially accessories is just unpredictable yet always amazing.

TWO2TRAVEL Before we travel locally or even globally we demand to look for photos of places we’re about to visit or we’ll love to visit and if there is a blog that can offer you great photos I prefer you the Two2Travel. Two2Travel is the online photo diary of photographers Owen and Nikka from the Philippines. They travel for photography’s sake and they still do. This blog is all about adventures and once-in-alifetime encounters with beautiful strangers. Owen and Nikka started this blog last 2012 as a way to make sense of the little adventures they were having our beautiful country.

PlayList

Sarah Geronimo “Perfectly Imperfect”

Barbie Almalbis “My New Heart”

With Sarah G.’s latest album Perfectly Imperfect, comes with a

Barbie Almalbis has a New Heart! Barbie is now coming up with

Yeng Constanino released her latest album All About Love

satisfying blend of career-reinventing dance tracks and gorgeously

a highly anticipated new album this August, which she considers

and has a successful impact from all her supporters. Yeng’s new

sung ballads. It is worth listening not only due to Sarah’s soulful

her most special and most adventurous album yet. My New Heart

album is basically about love and how to be loved, she conquers

interpretation but also because it draws distinctly Pinoy sensibility

contains all original tracks that music lovers from all walks of life

many supporters by singing her heart out and creating songs that

from the nostalgic appeal of its bittersweet lyrics. You need not to

and ages can relate to. The new album is set to inspire others

will make you believe that love still exist. She sets out new theme

be a poster to notice that Sarah Geronimo as a Pop star Princess

with her new found Heart. Try and listen to the song and you’ll find

and obviously, she never disappoints her fans with her new songs.

has become with her perceived strengths and limitations as a

that every singer is an artist that is set to lighten up your heart with

All about love contains songs about her beliefs and hoping that

performer. Tunes about loving and losing are the new theme and

their songs and dreams.

the listeners will also believe in true love.

you will definitely not regret listening to her once again.

34

Yeng Constantino “All About Love”


FEATURE

Nueva Ecija

festivals inside

Wesleyan Text: Faith Chloe Patacsil

Illustration: Patrick Henry Inocillas

Piyesta ba kamo? Akala niyo, kayo lang? Mayroon din kami niyan! Wala mang pormal na pagdiriwang o selebrasyon, banderitas, at kung anu-ano pang pa-boksing at pa-liga ni kapitan, batid kong ramdam naman ng bawat isa ang ispirito ng pagkakaisa; ang init ng pagsasama-sama; at ang hindi maipagkakailang saya ng pagsasanib-pwersa ng kalokohan at kultura, dito sa pamantasan kung saan si John Wesley ang bida. Halika, tara! Samahan niyo akong tumawa habang naglalakwatsa, at maglakwatsa habang tumatawa. Ang isagot niyo nalang, “OMG Kuya you’re so nakaka-g.r.r.r, hindi po ba kayo nainform?! Tsinelas Festival po kaya today!”

Kalabaw-Sibuyas Festival Sa lahat ng mga pista, ito ang pinaka-kakaiba. Una, tuwing

hapon lang ito ipinagdiriwang. Pangalawa, ito ang pinakamasaya

Mais Festival Kung sa inyo, ang mais ay alinman sa iniihaw o nilalaga, dito sa amin, ang mais ay pinapahid. Sa buhok.

ngunit ito rin ang pinakanakakasuka. Ano ito? Welcome sa araw-araw na Kalabaw-Sibuyas Festival! Kung saan ang mga galing sa ilalim ng sunlight, halo-halong pawis, pabango, at tumulas na foundation, ay magsasama-sama sa

Kapag nagsama-sama at nagtabi-tabi na ang mga

hindi kauna-unahang pagkataon! Free registration po ito! Simple

#MedyoFeel-Am (Medyo Feeling Amerikano, pero charot lang

lamang ang procedure: Tumakbo lang ng isang ikot sa field ng

#peace muhahaha), maghanda ka na sa isang malaking

mga bandang alas dos ng tanghali, pagkatapos ay bumalik sa

pagsabog ng iba’t ibang kulay ng mais katulad ng: Chestnut Corn,

classroom; piliin yung may aircon para sulit. Itaas ang kamay,

Dark Beige Corn, Light Corn, Golden Corn, Platinum Corn, at ang

iwagayway, ihanda ang sarili sa mga katabing mahihimatay.

pinakapaborito ng karamihan sa CAS at CBA—ang Copper Corn.

Enjoy!

Taong Putik Festival Sino

nga

ba

naman

ang

Langit, ihanda ang ulan. Wesleyan, ihanda ang baha. Wesleyanians, ihanda ang sapatos at uniporme. Mga magulang, ihanda ang sabong panlaba ni Carmina na Breeze, sabay sabing, “SIGE LANG ANAK! SIGE PA! PUTIK PA MORE!”

Unang-una, wala itong kinalaman sa hugis ng longganisa. Kayo talaga…alam na alam ko ‘yang mga iniisip niyo.

Aba siyempre, magpapatalo ba naman kami sa Tsinelas

Nagkakamali kayo d’yan.

Festival ng Gapan? Mayroon din kaming sariling bersyon niyan!

(pakibasa ang mga susunod na pangungusap gamit ang

Dito sa amin, bawal ipakita ang bagong pa-pedicure na gawa

boses ni Kuya Kim)

ng Salon De Buchi. Dito sa amin, bawal din ipakita ang mga ugat

Pero, ano nga ba talaga ang Longganisa Festival? Saan ito

ng paghihirap, ang mga ebidensya ng katandaan (at kabigatan).

ginaganap? Tuwing kailan ito ipinagdiriwang?

Kung kaya naman, ang pistang ito ay dinadaluhan lamang ng mga malalakas ang loob na humarap sa mga guard sa main

Ang Longganisa Festival ay ginaganap tuwing lunch

gate at sa ibang mga gates (na kadalasan ay sarado naman).

break, sa world-class nating food court na kung saan dahil

Kaya sa tuwing tatanungin kayo nila Manong Guard kung bakit

sa sobrang dami ng exhaust fan, pagkatapos mong kumain

kayo naka-tsinelas, ang isagot niyo nalang, “Bakit, dapat ho ba

at paglabas mo ng kainan, ikaw ay mag-aamoy bawang.

nakapaa?” JOKE.

35

sa

din kami niyan!

Longganisa Festival

Tsinelas Festival

makakalimot

napakamakasaysayang Taong Putik Festival ng Aliaga? Mayroon


PLACES

U mga

Pagdiriwang

na Dito lang matatagpuan

U Text: Rolando Iniwan, Jr.

Photo: Ramlaya Photography and Aileen Feliciano

Isa sa mga patuloy na binabalik-balikan ng mga Pilipino sa isang lugar ay ang kanya-kanya nitong mga pagdiriwang ng mga pista. Ikaw? Nasubukan mo na bang pumunta sa mga masasaya at makukulay ng Festivals ng Nueva Ecija? Tara. At maglakbay paikot ng probinsya. Longganisa Festival Tuwing Pebrero, sa lungsod ng Cabanatuan ay ipinagdiriwang ang pista kung saan itinatampok ang produktong “Batutay”. Ang batutay ay isang espesyal na klase ng longganisa kung saan ito ay gawa sa . Itinatampok din dito ang iba’t ibang patimpalak kagaya ng “Pahabaan ng Longganisa” at “Pasarapan ng Longganisa”

Tsinelas Festival Katulad ng mga makukulay kapistahan sa iba’t ibang bahagi

na ng

Pilipnas, mayroon din nito ang Nueva Ecija. Ang Tsinelas Festival ay ginaganap tuwing Agosto kaalinsabay ng selebrasyon ng anibersaryo ng Gapan. Sibuyasan Festival Isang linggo naman ang selebrasyon nito na ginaganap sa bayan ng Bongabon kung saan ipinagdiriwang ang pasasalamat sa masaganang ani ng sibuyas. Ito ay karaniwang ginaganap sa unang liggo ng Abril. Kariton Festival Isa namang kakaibang paraan ng selebrasyon sa masaganang ani sa bayan ng Licab kung saan ipinagdiriwang ang Kariton Festival sa paniniwalang ito ang ginamit ni Don Dalmacio Esquerra nang kanyang madiskubre ang bayang ito. Ito rin ang pangkaraniwang ginagamit ng mga mamayan dito bilang pangunahing paraan ng transportasyon.

36


FESTIVITIES FESTIVALS Pandawan Festival Pandawan (from the word ‘Pandaw’, meaning to check for fish catch) Festival is a seven-day event of Pantabangueños’ thankfulness for their life-rich lake and river. Fishing is the primary means of livelihood in Pantabangan. Displaying their vibrant culture, the festival was organized with activities like boat race, native games, street dancing and rodeo tournament which was participated by guests and residents every last week of April. Araquio Festival Isa ang pagdiriwang na ito sa itinuturing na kakaiba sa ating bansa at maging sa mga dayuhan. Isa itong klase ng Moromoro sa Nueva Ecija na naipasa na sa iba’t ibang henerasyon. Isa itong Pagtatanghal na kinabibilangan ng mga kabataan at maging ng mga nakatatanda tuwing pista ni St. Helena. Itinatampok dito ang mga eksena ng espadahan at mga kumikinang at makukulay na kasuotan. Ito ay karaniwang ginaganap tuwing ika-13 ng Mayo. Pagibang Damara Festival Ito naman ang kasiyahang ginaganap sa bayan ng San Jose tuwing huling linggo ng Abril. Ito ay sumisimbolo sa masaganang ani ng sibuyas katulad ng sa Bongabon. Ang San Jose ay kilala rin sa pinakamadaming nag-aani ng sibuyas sa buong Pilipinas. Baybayanting Festival Ang pagdiriwang na ito ay ginaganap sa bayan ng Lupao tueing ika-25 ng Hulyo bilang isang pagbibigay-pugay sa kanilang patron na si St. James. Ang pistang ito ay nagtatampok rin ng isang pagtatanghal kagaya ng sa Araaquio Festival.

37


FEATURE PLACES

It’s a time for the

GREAT

JUBILEE Text: Rolando C. Iniwan, Jr.

Photos: Maria Jubelle J. Legaspi, Ramon F. Velasquez & Rolando C. Iniwan, Jr.

The spirit of the Roman Catholic church has always been present to the culture of the Novo Ecijanos since it was one of the center of industries in that era. Religion and of course, churches are one of the few things that the spaniards left us. And up to this day, it is continously practiced by Nueva Ecija’s residents. How well do we really know some of the old churches that were established from the 1500s? 1700s? Here are few of the churches you might consider visiting someday.

St. Joseph the Worker Parish Sto Domingo What’s interesting about this church is that it features a small image of the town patron, San Geronimo, Doctor of the Church. The image was donated by the Nuñez Family in 1961, it depicts San Geronimo as a cardinal, in a red cardinal hat and cape and it was based on an erroneous legend from the Medieval age that the saint was a prince of the Church. Wherein the image shows the animal attributed to him by his side. This story was transferred to him from the tradition of St. Gerasimus. San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish Carranglan

Immaculate Conception Church Nampicuan

This parish was established by the Augustinian missionaries, the first church made from wood and dried leaves. It was built on the 1701

This church is one of the oldest

as the visit of the mission of Pantabangan.

church in Nueva Ecija. There are

The building was later on renovated to its current façade on the

only three churches in Nueva Ecija

year 1765 by Reverend Father Miguel Soriano.

built in the 1700s. These are erected

Unfortunately, the church was crumbled down by the July 16, 1990

in Pantabangan, Carranglan and

earthquake through the efforts of its town men with the help of the

Nampicuan.

Simbahan Foundation, Inc. The church was blessed on the 6th day of March Jubilee year 2000 by Bishop Leo M. Drona.

38 37


WANDERLAST CHURCHES

St. Francis of Assisi Church Penaranda The establishment was originally made by Fr. Alvaro Callega with thatch-roof and stone walls The

church

of Penaranda was

erected in 1869 by Fr. Florentino Samonte. Unforrtunately, for some

reason,

the

construction

was stopped and was later on continued by Fr. Candicho San Miguel from 1879–1881 and it was finished during the administration of Fr. Santos Vega from 1887-1889. From 1889 to 1891, the parochial house of bricks and wood was built by Fr. Valentin Gatode la Fuente.

Three Kings Parish Church Gapan City The existence of the Three Kings Parish church was dated to be on the year 1595. It is the oldest existing church in Nueva Ecija and one of the oldest in the Philippines. The church also features the image of the Patron saint of Gapan, Divina Pastora wherein it is also declared as the national shrine for the said image.

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish Licab, Nueva Ecija The façade of this parish does not looked like what it was originally built. Until it was decided by private individuals (Grandchildren of the late Don Exequiel Ramos Lina and Doña Dominga Domingo Sawit II) to offer a renovation of the church and its bell tower. The renovation was completed in time for the celebration of Licab’s 112th Founding Anniversary blessed by Myro Hubert C. Vergara. St. Dominique Parish Church Sto Domingo San Isidro Labrador Church San Isidro

What’s interesting about this church

Not that distant to the old city hall, we

is that it features a small image of the

can find the San Isidro de Labrador

town patron, San Geronimo, Doctor of

Church which was know to be the first

the Church.

church to be built in the 1800s.

The image was donated by the

After the Americans had colonized the

Nuñez Family in 1961, it depicts San

Philippines, it was destroyed and was

Geronimo as a cardinal, in a red car-

rebuilt on the 1930’s.

dinal hat and cape and it was based

Moreover, the municipality also has a

on an erroneous legend from the Me-

mini-parish that was unusually built

dieval age that the saint was a prince

on the years 1890-1898 in the middle

of the Church. Wherein the image

of the public cemetery wherein ruins

shows the animal attributed to him by

of it are still present, up to this date.

his side. This story was transferred to him from the tradition of St. Gerasimus.

39 38


PLACES

40


WANDERLAST

Nuestra

Senora de Los

SALERAS

The patron saint of Aliaga Text: Jan Adrian Delos Santos Photo: Maria Jubelle Legaspi & Rhounee Ron Kevin Frany

Divulging Nuestra Senora de las Saleras’

bought a land called “Lupang Mitra” for future use or purposes to accompany the growing

Miracle In the heart of the town of Aliaga, there is an established parish known to be a miraculous

population of town people having faith with the church.

one, blessing the Roman Catholic Church and

In 19th century, several historical events

its followers through their unwavering faith. Let

affected the whole nation and the church.

us know the miraculous events behind this.

Revolts continuously happened against the

Let us discover the facts and history attached

government of Spain. Augustinian priest were

and written in the books of the church, Nuestra

replaced by secular priest. Fr. Benito Cebrero

Senora de las Saleras.

was the first one. During that time, the church

Found on the old books of the church, the

made

of tiles was

burned

by suspected

parish was build in 1849 under the control of

members of the “Himagsikan”. Several sects

Valentin Garcino Payad, Augustinian Missionary,

were founded. In spite of the challenges,

the first priest of the parish. The town of Aliaga

Roman Catholic faith pursued its efforts to

was place under the guidance of Blessed Virgin

spread the tteachings of Lord Jesus Christ so in

Mary named as “Nuestra Senora de las Saleras.”

1926 the “Apostolado ng Panalangin” and “Hijas

Its name “delas Saleras” was related to the

de Maria” were enacted.

Blessed Virgin Mary because of the miraculous

Another unforgettable calamity was the great

happening. Base on the story, the Spaniards are

flood in 1936, which submerged the town, aided

in search of new colonies in the pacific usually

with raging waters and had killed hundreds. It

affixing

holy images such as “Sto. Nino” and

was restrained by a lady described as having

“Blessed Virgin Mary” as a signs of introducing

a long hair and believed to be the miraculous

Roman Catholic Church and as a protection

Nuestra Senora de las Saleras. Also in 1960’s

against many disaster. They believe that in the

the head of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus

midst of a fiery storm they encounter during

was stolen. On February 16, 1963, Nueva Ecija

the voyage, Blessed Virgin Mary saved them

was established as a Diocese. It was also

as the ship floated back to the surface after

during the time of Vatican Council II decreed

they have prayed. When the weather was clear,

that Holy Mass prayers and songs be translated

they noticed that the edge of the Blessed Virgin

into Filipino language rather than Latin.

gown was filled with Saltwater, which eventually

After

so

many

years,

developments

dried up, became salt and so, she came to be

were made through the efforts of the local

known as Nuestra Senora de las Saleras.

government. They cemented the road, made

Aliaga is also a frequent flooded area. This

irrigation projects, and started to give chance

may be the reason why Augustinian priests

for education. Many town folks returned to their

chose to place Nuestra Senora de las Saleras

land of their birth, sharing their success to the

as their protection.

town of Aliaga. Nowadays, the Catholic Church

The first parish church was made up of light

still longs for the journey towards program as

materials. Few years after, it was constructed

a follower of God through the Guidance of the

with the materials made in “tisa” to serve as

beloved Nuestra Senora de las Saleras.

the house of Virgin’s image. The church also

41


PLACES

tara

na

dine

Talon na, sa Nueva Ecija Text: Jhon Mark Paynor

42


WANDERLUST Kimmawa Falls

Sa paglagaslas ng malamig na tubig na sin

kalakihang talon na kagaya ng iba ngunit sadya

lamig ng yelo na nagmula sa bundok, hanggang

nga naman nakaaakit ang pagtama ng tubig

sa pagtama nito sa naglalakihang mga bato,

sa naglalakihang mga bato na nakapaligid dito.

pababa sa bukal papunta sa ilog, sino ba naman

Ngunit hindi lamang ang mga naglalakihang bato,

ang hindi matutuwa sa lugar na ganito.

at ang malinis na tubig ang atraksyon dito, isa rin

Para sa kaalaman ng nakararami, hindi lamang

ang luntian na palagid nito na iba’t-ibang uri ng

hitik ang Nueva Ecija sa bukirin na taniman,

puno at halaman ang iyong makikita, na sadya

sapagkat sa likod ng mga ito, nagtatago ang

nga naman nakagagaan ng pakiramdam para

mga nagagandahang mga talon, na paraiso kung

sa mga taong makakalikasan.

ituring ng ilan.

karanasan ang iyong hanap, nasa Kimmawa

Calaanan Falls

Kung kakaibang

na ang lahat, bago marating ng talon na ito, Gabaldon Falls

kailangan muna dumaan sa mabatong lugar, at

Sa mga hindi pa nasisilayan ang ganda ng

magpadausdos sa burol, kaya nga naman bago

Talon ng Gabaldon, ito ay sampung talampakan

magsimula sa paglalakad ibayong pag-iingat ang

ang taas na talon, napalilibutan ng naglalakihang

sinasabi ng lahat. Hindi man gaanong malapit sa

mga bato na nahulog mula sa bundok na inukit

Cabanatuan ngunit pag nasilayan ang natatagong

na ng panahon, puno na luntian na tila inihagis

paraiso ng Carranglan tiyak ang iyong pagod ay

na lamang ang mga buto at tumubo kung saan-

mapapawi ng kakaibang kasiyahan.

saan, at ang tubig na sinlamig ng yelo, sin linaw ng kristal, at pinaniniwalaang nakagagaling ng

Calaanan Falls

iba’t-ibang karamdaman. Ngunit bago masilayan

Ang Bongabon Nueva Ecija ay kilala sa buong

ang natatagong paraiso ng Gabaldon ihanda

Pilipinas dahil sa kanilang pangunahin produkto

muna ang sarili sa halos isang oras na lakaran,

ang sibuyas, ngunit hindi lamang ekta-ektaryang

kung ikaw man ay mauhaw sa paglalakbay,

taniman ng sibuyas ang mayroon, sa Barangay

maari umano pawiin ang iyong uhaw ng tubig

Calaanan ng Bongabon, Nueva Ecija nakahimlay

na nagmumula sa talon, at huwag ng mag-alala

ang isang talon, ang Calaanan Falls, isang talon

pag-dating sa bayarin, ang pagpunta sa paraisong

na kailan pa lamang binibigyan ng importansya

ito ay libre lamang, ang tanging babayaran mo

ng

na lamang ay ang pamasahe. Kaya ano pang

papuntang Calaanan makikita mo na agad ang

hinihintay mo tara na sa Talon ng Gabaldon.

naglalakihang

gobyerno

ng mga

Bongabon, puno,

sa

pagbyahe

naggagandahang

halaman, at mga damong ligaw. Ang talon na Kimmawa Falls

ito ay hindi man sinlaki ng ibang talon sa Nueva

Isa sa pinaka dulong parte ng Nueva Ecija,

Ecija, tiyak naman sa pagpunta mo rito kakaibang

papuntang Norte ang Carangglan, sa likod ng

kagalakan pa rin ang iyong matatamasa. Kagaya

malawak na mga bukirin dito, at tamihik na

na lamang ng ibang mga talon, ang pagbaybay

lugar,

sa paraiso ng Calaanan Falls ay nangangailangan

nagkukubli

ang

isang

kahanga-hanga

sa kagandahan na talon, ang Kimmawa. Hindi

ng kakaibang tyga sa paglalakad.

43

Gabaldon Falls


PLACES

Ang

Hiwaga sa likod ng

OLIVETE ng Bongabon Text: Faith Chloe Patacsil Photos: Ramon Velasquez

44


WANDERLUST

X Tila ba isang paglalakbay na walang katapusan ang sumalubong sa akin simula nang mabasa ko ang mga katagang, Purok 1, Barangay Olivete. Liblib ang lugar. Napaliligiran ng mga bundok ng bulubundukin ng Sierra Madre. Paisa-isa lang ang mga taong masasalubong mo sa daan. Isang magsasaka na nakasakay sa kariton ng kanyang kalabaw—marahil galing sa pagpapainam ng lupang kanyang sinasaka—mapapansin sa mga bahid ng putik na nakadikit sa kanyang kasuotan. Isang matandang babaeng naglalakad sa tulong ng kanyang tungkod—marahil nais lamang niyang damhin ang sariwang simoy ng hangin— mapapansin sa ngiting nakapinta sa kanyang mukha, kahit na halos balot na ito ng kulubot dulot ng katandaan. At isang batang babaeng walang suot-pambaba, walang saplot sa paa—subalit masayang kumakaripas ng takbo—marahil pauwi sa kanilang tahanan, galing sa kanilang kapitbahay matapos maglaro ng bahay-bahayan. Masikip ang mga kalsada. Baku-bako, ni hindi pa nga sementado. Maraming bato, maraming

uka. May mga tubig-ulan pang naipon sa daang maihahalintulad sa larong sungka. Kagaya na lamang ng mga kalsadang napagiwanan na ng panahon, ganoon din ang mga tahanan na halos napagdaanan na ang lahat ng klase ng bagyo, unos, trahedya; pero matikas at matibay pa ring nakatayo magpahanggang sa ngayon. Mayroon na ring mga bahay na konkreto, pero karamihan pa rin ay ang pambansang bahay kubo. Matataas ang puno. Sariwa ang simoy ng hangin. Tamang-tama sanang pahingahan ng mga magaaral na hapong-hapo matapos ang isang araw sa eskwela. Pero walang paaralan. Walang lugar na pwedeng paghasaan ng kani-kanilang kakayahan. Walang lugar na pwede nila sanang pagsanayan, bilang paghahanda na rin sa mga hamon ng buhay. Karamihan ng mga kabataan ay hindi nakakapagaral, ngunit ang ilan ay araw-araw nagbibiyahe ng kulang isang oras, makahabol lamang sa kanilang klase sa paaralan sa mismong bayan. Ang denominasyong kinabibilangan ng karamihan ng mga residente ay ang Iglesia Filipina, o Philippine Church—kilala sa pagiging

X

45

Adarnista—isang simbahang nakabase o kabahagi ng paniniwalang Rizalista. Mayroong “Ilog Jordan” sa Olivete, na itinuturing nilang sagrado sapagkat ito raw ay mapaghimala at nakapagpapagaling ng mga sakit. Madalas raw binabanggit ng kanilang Inang Adarna (tagapagtatag at lider ng mga adarnista na pinaniniwalaang nakakagawa ng mga himala noong nabubuhay pa ito, kaya naman ngayo’y mayroon siyang rebulto sa mga simbahan nila) ang ilog na ito, kaya naman magpahanggang sa ngayo’y patuloy nila itong inaalagaan at pinapanatili ang kalinisan— hindi lamang dahil sa paniniwalang Adarnista— kundi dahil ito rin ang nagsisilbing patubig sa mga lupang sinasaka ng mga naninirahan doon. Tahimik ang paligid. Ang tanging maririnig ay ang huni ng mga ibon, kaluskos ng hangin, at mababang ugong ng mga makina ng sasakyan. Ngunit sa kabila ng marahang pagdating ng modernisasyon sa komunidad ng Olivete, nagkukubli ang mga lihim na kwento ng mga naninirahan dito na sumasalamin sa riyalidad at tunay na buhay— mga kulturang naalagaan at napanatili sa paglipas ng maraming panahon.


PLACES

The

Majestic River:

DUPINGA of Gabaldon Text: Jerome O. Estavillo Photos: Justin Laranilla

Formerly known as Sabani, Dupinga River is found along the Nueva Ecija-Aurora Road, in the municipality of Gabaldon, the easternmost town of Nueva Ecija bordering Laur and Dingalan, Aurora.

structures offer us a surrounding of a true nature. How to get there? There are some ways on how to get to Dupinga. The journey to get to the place is about an hour of

A refreshing experience

travel from Cabanatuan City. You can ride directly

The river is surrounded by the legendary Sierra

from a jeep going to Gabaldon or you can ride on

Madre mountain range. The waters of the place

a bus or van going to Dingalan and tell the driver to

are coming from higher altitude which causes its

drop you off to Dupinga.

chilling temperature. Dupinga is indeed a perfect

Upon the travel, you will pass by a curve-straight-

destination in summer getaways to someone who

curve road going to the province of Aurora. You

seeks relaxation, to kill the heat in their body and to

will pass by mountains along the two-lane paved

bond with their families. Its proximity in the highway

highway. You will be passing Salupungan, the

makes it more visible to be visited by travelers.

junction of Bongabon and Palayan, and the eminent

Aside from experiencing cold water upon bathing, boating is also prominent in this place. Some tourists say that their best boating experience took place in Dupinga.

“bitukang manok” along the boundaries of Palayan City and Laur. What to remember? If you are planning to spend your day in this

For those who seek longer stay or picnics,

paradise, you don’t need to bring an ice or an ice box

cottages, which are owned by indigenous Dumagat,

anymore. The naturally-freezing water can serve as

are

an alternative fridge where you can just plunge your

available

for

renting.

46

The

cogon-inspired


WANDERLUST

bottles of drinks and wait for few minutes until it gets cold. What a great way to save not only your budget for ice but also to your environment by not using your refrigerator. You also need to bring your own foods. Though there are some people in the place who sell foods, the best thing to do is to bring your own. You can enjoy much of your stay by satisfying yourself not only to the natural view but also to your hunger. You can relish your stay by eating your favorite food. Be a time conscious. Pack-up not too late. Because there is only one route going to the place, passenger vehicles are hard to see at night. A 5-pm ending of your journey to Dupinga is enough unless you want to spend your night to cottages. Nevertheless, if you have your own car, you can extend your enjoyment to this place. Dupinga is still one of the best paradises of Nueva Ecija. If you want to escape from a tempering city, now is the time to experience it.

47


PLACES

Ang Nakaraan ng Llanera

Rubber Dam Text: Jerome Estavillo Photo: Maria Jubelle Legaspi

48


WANDERLUST

It was the first though it did not last. The fate of this beautiful scenery was suddenly changed

cement. The foundation makes it tougher so that it cannot easily be destroyed by calamities. The Rubber Dam was intended to provide electricity

throughout many years.

The lack of support from the government has been a factor for not retaining the place into its original form.

Nueva Ecija is surrounded by various numbers

to some parts of Nueva Ecija. It was also constructed

Most of the students of Wesleyan when asked

of magnificent scenery. Minalungao National Park,

to uphold the tourism in the municipality as well as

about the Rubber Dam will probably do not know its

Diamond

generating revenues in the nearby places. The view

existence. Because this is what happening right now.

before gave the tourist a nice spot on the dam.

Waters may be seen rarely during rainy seasons.

Park,

Gabaldon

Falls,

Dupinga

River,

Casecnan Falls and Pantabangan Dam are only

It will take one and a half hour jeepney ride from

The hot weather causes the dam useless during dry

Aside from the mentioned, there is one discrete

the city of Cabanatuan up to the place. You will

seasons. The distance of the place from the city also

location found in the municipality of Llanera, the

pass by Maharlika Highway and turn right to Rizal-

affects the factor that the place is not prominent to

Rubber Dam. The walls of the dam are traces of its

Pantabangan Road before getting to Llanera.

most people.

some of the few distinct places in the province.

beauty that occurred once in the past. The First and Only

Lack of Awareness and Maintenance

The hope of the residents of Llanera shall happen

As of press time, due to insufficient maintenance

soon as to restoration of the Rubber Dam. And after

The Rubber Dam of Llanera is the first and only

of the place and also to the changing climate, the

this, the place will get back into its original form that

existing rubber dams in Asia. The structure is made

dam became a dried empty place which is seen

once again, it can return to its status as one of the

by latex with a foundation-support made from

along the road.

distinct tourist spots in Nueva Ecija.

49


PLACES

THE Great

raid at fort

mag s ay s ay Text: Emmanuel John Pangan Photos: www.google.com/ph

50

A place of development during the late 50s which turned into fear in the late 80s is now a symbol of history: the Fort Ramon Magsaysay. It was named in commemoration of the seventh President of the Republic who proclaimed the place as a military reservation way back 1955. During its early years, it was known as Camp Alibangbang because of the many alibangbang trees that can be found in the place. It was Presidential Proclamation 237 by then President Ramon Magsaysay which paved way to the creation of the 78,779 hectares military reservation. Formerly, its borderline extends up to Laur and Gabaldon of Nueva Ecija, Dingalan of Aurora and Do単a Trinidad of Bulacan. But today only 35,467 hectares was left due to subsequent Presidential Proclamations and Executive Order. Now, it covers portions of Palayan City, Gen Ti単io, Laur, and Gabaldon of Nueva Ecija and the municipality of Dingalan in Aurora province. Fort Magsaysay is considered to be the biggest military reservation in the country and has a training area counted to be one of the best in the Far East. It has facilities for airborne and amphibious training, jungle survival, and guerrilla warfare. Its topography makes it ideal for combat exercises of army units. Generally, it has flat lands from the center to western section and the opposite area is rough and mountainous. During 1983, the Training Command of the


WANDERLUST

Philippine Army was transferred to Fort Magsaysay from Fort Bonifacio which makes the reserved area developed into a training complex. Fort Magsaysay is equipped of rest and recreation facilities. Its notable features are the Pahingahan and Aliwan Dam, Hill 123 North and South, Taclang Damulag Hill, Lourdes Grotto and Batyawan. Tourist can enjoy kayaking and hiking in nearby trails. The reserved area is also a place of history. Inside it can found the Aquino-Diokno Memorial Shrine. It was during Martial Law when it has been turned into military confinement of people who were against the Marcos regime. Two of them were Sen. Benigno Aquino, Jr. and Sen. Jose Diokno. Visitors can see their lifesized wax image and their individual detention cell with the marks they left. The vast land of Fort Magsaysay has been the site of several agricultural and forest preservation projects but most of them failed due to the inhabitant’s destructive instinct and left unguarded areas. It is about 20 kilometers from Cabanatuan City and can be reached through Bangad-Fort Magsaysay Road, Sta. Rosa-Fort Magsaysay Road, or Dingalan-Fort Magsaysay Road. The travel time is about two to three hours from Manila. Why not include Fort Magsaysay on your vacation get away place. 51


PLACES

IT started

here at CARRAnglan A visit to dalton

pass Text: Jomar Silva & Camille Dofredo Photos: www.google.com/ph

52


WANDERLUST

Have you ever reached the far end of Nueva Ecija

Dalton pass was made to commemorate the

mountains and forest around the area. This site still

and came across the famous Balete Pass or what

great general and commander of the United States’

posses a lot of potential for development that could

other may call the Dalton Pass? Have you ever

Army, Brigadier General James Leo Dalton II, who

further uplift tourism in the region.

wondered about its story? And the history of the

was killed while in battle by a Japanese sniper

famous pass during the World War II? Nueva Ecija

during the Battle of Luzon in May 16, 1945.

Balete Pass lies along the highway of San Jose and San Fe; it became a very tactical defensive strategy for the Japanese during the World War II

plays a great part in the history of the Philippines,

Dalton was posted at Pearl Harbor during the

from fighting against the Spaniards to battling the

1941 Japanese attack; he took command in the

Japanese during the second World War, Nueva Ecija

161st Infantry Regiment and was also awarded the

Despite of all these negative histories of the

has a rich stowage of war stories.

Silver Star. Dalton was one of the eleven United

Dalton Pass, it still has some hidden riches within

under the leadership of Tomoyuki Yamashita.

During the final stages of World War II in 1945,

States general officers killed in action during the

its vicinity. It is the only place in Central Luzon

Dalton Pass or the Balete Pass was the only access

World War II. He died May 16. 1945 and was buried in

where the most endangered orchid in Nueva Ecija,

from

United States Army Forces in the Far East cemetery.

Ceratocentron fesselli, an orchid which slightly

Central

Luzon to

Cagayan Valley which

that

glows in the dark can be found. It is endangered

strategies to plan defense against our countrymen

commemorates the war loses would be found in the

due to illegal logging and selling in the black

thus, making the Battle of Luzon, a bloody battle,

summit of the pass, this serves the perfect tourist

market, making the national government dedicate

possible.

spot that offers a magnificent range of view of the

Dalton Pass to become its natural habitat.

made it easier for the Japanese to think of better

The

Balete

Pass

Tourism

53

Complex


PLACES

Ang Nalalabing Alaala ng Nakaraan:

Nueva Ecija Sa Panahon ng mga Kastila Text: Lyn Lastimosa, Avee Rose Toledo, Jan Adrian Delos Santos & Rolando Iniwan, Jr. Photos: Ramon Velasquez & K. Frany

Ang San Isidro ay matatagpuan sa dulong timog ng Nueva Ecija, ito ay naging punong kabisera

TABACALERA RUINS

Naging saksi ang mga natitirang pader na

o provincial capitol ng lalawigan noong 1850

gawa sa bricks o ladiryo na siyang naging simbolo

hanggang 1917. Nagmartsa ang mga rebolusyonaryo

sa hirap ng mga magsasaka sa pagpasok ng

na nanggaling sa Cabiao patungo sa San isidro

monopolyo ng Tabako sa lugar ng San Isidro mahigit

na nagresulta sa pagbu-buwis ng buhay ng mga

daang taon na ang nakalipas. Tinawag na Factoria o

Pilipino. Ang lugar na ito ay isa sa mga unang nag

pakturya ang San Isidro noong panahon ng kastila

aklas laban sa mga espanyol kung kaya’t ang Nueva

dahil sa naging malaking ampawan ito ng mga

Ecija ay napabilang sa walong sinag ng araw sa

tabako, na siyang nagbigay ng hindi makatarungang

ating pambansang watawat.

distribusyon sa mga magsasaka dito dahil hindi

Sa ngayon, may iilan na lamang ala-alang

sapat ang kanilang kinikita. Kapag sila ay hindi

naiwan na siyang naging saksi sa makasaysayang

nakaabot sa kota, sila ay pagbabayarin pa ng buwis.

kahapon ng bayan ng San Isidro; SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR PARISH SIDECO HOUSE

Ipinatayo noong 1843 upang ialay sa magsasaka

Ipinatayo ni Crispulo Sideco (mas kilala bilang

na si San Isidro. Kagaya ng mga simbahan dito

“kapitang pulong�) ang sideco house noong 19th

sa Nueva Ecija, ang loob nito ay nagtataglay ng

century. Inilalarawan nito ang isang tipikal na bahay

katangi-tanging

disenyo,

na naglalarawan ng mala-kolonyal na arkitektura

makasaysayang

imahe

noong Floral Period. Noong ika-29 ng Marso 1899

naging modern na ang labas ng simbahan dahil

ay dumating sina Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo at ang

sa mga ginawang restorations dito. Ang interior

kanyang mga kasamahan upang dito ay manahan

na disenyo ay pulang sahig na gawa sa tiles,

habang nagtatago sa mga Amerikano.Sa kanilang

binarnisang kisame at malalaking bintana na

paninirahan doon, ay naitalaga ang San Isidro

siyang nagbibigay ng magandang liwanag sa loob

bilang capital ng bansang Pilipinas noong ika 31

ng simbahan. Samantala, dahil sa mga ginawang

ng Marso 1899 hanggang ika-17 ng Mayo 1899. Dito

mga restorations ay halos wala nang natira na mga

rin nanirahan sina Gobernor Heneral Wright at Col.

relics bukod sa orihinal na kampana na makikita

Frederick Funston noong digmaan ng Filipino-

naman na naka-display sa labas na lalo pang

America habang nagpaplano sa paghuli sa unang

nagbigay ng kaaya-ayang larawan sa kabuuan ng

pambansang pangulo na si Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

simbahan.

ng

54

napanatili nakaraan

dito kahit

ang na


THROWBACK HISTORY

Casas Consistoriales This establishment was build during the spanish colonization and haven’t undergone any major renovations since then. The building now serves as the town hall of Sto. Domingo wherein government offices are currently working. It is now situated along the municipal gymnasium and in front of a mini park.

Plaza Lucero

Mariano Llanera

Despite of its frequent facet, Plaza Lucero in

Kapag nababanggit ang salitang ‘Llanera’ ang

Cabanatuan City wears a noteworthy textile stamped with

agad na papasok sa isipan ng karaniwang Novo

the yesterday’s great reminiscence.

Ecijano ay ay bayan ng Llanera. Saan nga ba

Plaza Lucero, after all the passing years, is the one and

nagmula ang pangalan na it?

only living eyewitness of the death of one of the greatest

Pinangalan ang lugar na ito kay Gen. Mariano

defenders of the country – General Anonio Luna. He died

Llanera na tubong Cabiao at siya ay kilala bilang

after the black execution of the blueprint of Philippine First

isa sa mga nagpasimula ng unang sigaw ng Nuva

President Emilio Aguinaldo.

Ecija kasama sina General Manuel Tinio, Gen.

According to the stories, Luna and Aguinaldo had a

Pantaleon Valmonte at Gen. Mamerto Natividad.

mix-up regarding the autonomy offered by the United

Pamilyar din ba ang iba sa kanila sa’yo?

States to the country. Aguinaldo was willing to embrace it

Isa sa mga kahanga-hanga sa kanya ang

but Luna is a humongous opponent of the offer. Thus, due

kanyang paggamit ng kanyang sariling bandila

to the contradiction against both sides, many assumption

sa kasagsagan ng rebolusyon at ang bandilang

that the president is the man behind Luna’s bereavement.

ginamit niya ay kinilala rin ni Andres Bonifacio

The general’s loss was done when Captain Pedro Janolino, one of Luna’s former warriors, attacked him with a bolo outside the convent and in front of the plaza. That assailment was then followed by ruthless gunshots especially for him. Francisco “Paco” Roman tried to save him but he was also assaulted by the men of the president and died. But then, Luna still managed to go to the plaza and fired his gun. However, he still died because of weakness caused by the wounds on his body. Today, the general has his own statue in the plaza. His monument exposes that he is riding in a horse with an enormous body structure signifying a braver soldier fighting for his country.

bilang isa sa opisyaal na bandila ng Katipunan. Siya ang namuno ng rebolusyon sa Nueva Ecija

Mabini Marker Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija – Sa bayang ito nagkukubli

kasama ang tatlong libong katao na nagsimula

ang isang natatanging kasaysayan na nagpatunay

sa dalawang bahagi ng probonsya (Ang Cabiao at

sa isang kabayanihan. Kilala bilang dakilang lumpo

Gapan)

,- si Apolinario Mabini ay naging isang larawan ng talino at paninindigan sa salita at sa bayan. Nang matuloy ang digmaang Pilipino-Amerikano , si Mabini ay inilikas sa bayang ito,ngunit noong Disyembre 10, 1899, siya ay nasundan at nadakip ng mga Amerikano. Matapos dakpin ay dinala siya sa Bautista, Pangasinan at pagkatapos ay sa Maynila. Siya ay dalawang taon na naging isang bihag pandigmaan. Ang dambana ni Mabini sa bayan ng Cuyapo, na itinayo sa tahanan kung saan siya ay

inaretsto,

ay simbolo ng isang pagkilala para sa kanyang kagitingan sa kabila ng kaniyang kapansanan. Ito ay isang patunay, na sa bawat lugar na ating

dinaraanan,

maaaring

nahihimlay

ang

isang kasaysayang maghahatid sa’tin sa mga storyang hindi lamang basta basta ginawa ng isang malikhaing kaisipan. Milyong taon man ang lumipas, ang alaalang ito ay nakaukit na sa bayan ng Cuyapo.

55


PLACES

Nueva Ecija, and the History during the

world war II Text: Emmanuel John Pangan, Jerome Estavillo & John Dalton Maestre Photos: Ramon Velasquez, Manny Francisco, Manny Francisco & Maria Jubelle Legaspi

56


THROWBACK Pangatian Shrine Amid the chaos of slavery and injustice comes the will and determination to fight and reclaim what has been stolen. Years ago, we Novo Ecijanos, like most of our fellow Filipinos suffered from the tyranny of the Spaniards. In a small village formerly part of Gapan raised the spirit of freedom and heroism. Jaen was a mere barrio of Indios led by the optimism of its leaders and the love for its country decided to stand against the tyrants. With bolos and courage they attempted to attack 40 Spanish soldiers passing through a secluded area. Through faith they succeeded in the ambush. This victory for the Indio is to be remembered as an inspiration to the small and the oppressed that with bravery and efforts even the biggest foe can be beaten. The place where the successful attack was lunched was named Pinagtambangan and there erected a marker to symbolize the victory and to immortalize the valor of Jaen.

Aquino-Diokno Shrine Proclamation No. 1081, aka Martial Law, has been written in the minds of the Filipinos as a law which destroys people literally. It was during the early 70s by then President Ferdinand Marcos imposed the whole Philippines under the rule of Martial Law. Many people, whom the government suspects to be a rebel, were taken by the military for solitary confinement. Two of them were senators Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Jr. and Jose ‘Pepe’ Diokno. They had been brought up first in Fort Bonifacio and secretly transferred to Fort Magsaysay. The municipality of Laur by then covered the military camp which by events brought together two of the keenest minds of the resistance to the Marcos regime. Aquino and Diokno were confined separately. During those years, they only wear karsulsilyo and sando even their glasses were prohibited. It was the idea of the dictator to break the spirit of the two men but unfortunately it made them strengthen their principles. The solitary confinement is now inaugurated as a shrine in memory of the two great statesmen: Aquino and Diokno. Wax replicas were made which made visitors easily imagine how the experience of the two men was during their imprisonment. The shrine is a one-story building with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a visiting area and an office for the jail guard officer. Today it is a symbol of a violent past to be remembered by present and future generations.

Guimba Trial House

Pinagtambangan Marker

It will be definitely an unforgettable adventure in

The names on the wall remind us of what

Triala or Trial House.

happened in the past.

After almost an hour and a half trip from Cabanatuan

Situating along Kilometer 124, after a 20-minute

City, an old house in Guimba, Nueva Ecija has been the

journey from the city proper, is a place called

setting of legal matters in the municipality, as it was

Camp Pangatian. The entire site is composed of

the municipal hall before.

two phases: one which is a memorial shrine and

The white old-fashioned two-story site was owned by

a park.

the revolutionary leader and former Nueva Ecija governor

During the World War II, the camp served as a

Gen. Manuel Tinio. People of the Commonwealth period

prison camp of Filipino and American veterans

built the structure which served as a trial house where

who survived the historical death march. Their

several court cases had occurred in this place.

names are engraved on the walls of the memorial

Aside from the blast-in-the-past atmosphere, Triala

shrine.

house is an ideal place for exposure to a different

A tourist spot

ambiance. And for those who want to see an outmoded

The site is ideal for educational tours and sight-

yet developed zone, in front of it is the plaza where its

seeing. The venue offers museum as a blast in the

residents used to relax.

past of the sacrifices and hardships of veterans.

Nevertheless, the local government still preserves

Meanwhile, a playground is found outside the

the place as an attraction for tourists who want to

museum to provide amusement to young tourists.

experience an antiquated journey.

A big screen setting

As of now, the said house is now an office of a

“The Great Raid”, a war drama that showed the

government agency. And beside it is the fire station of

raid in prison camp during World War II, was taken

the town.

in this place.

Barangay Triala is named after the house where it

The raid remains one of the most successful

is located.

missions in the history of United States.

57


FEATURE

“Kailan mo ba malalaman kung tunay ang pagmamahal? Siyempre sa pagsasakripisyo. ‘Di ba Kung mahal mo ang isang tao ay magagawa mong magsakripisyo sa kanya? ’yung dugo ko kapag nagpipinta ako, kasama ‘nun ang pagmamahal at pagsasakripisyo ko sa bayan.”

58


PROFILES

LUKSO NG DUGO

Ang buhay at tagumpay ni Amang Pintor

Text: Lyn H. Lastimosa Photos: Rolando C. Iniwan, Jr.

“Noong bata ako, lagi akong napapalo dahil mahilig akong mag-drawing, sa dingding ng bahay namin gamit yung uling naming sa kalan, Gumagamit din ako ng dahon, kamatis o kaya ay duhat, ikukulay ko sa punda ng unan ko, lahat… pati sa damit ko. Pinag-e-eksperimentuhan ko”

59


FEATURE

Araw-araw, tuwing umaga, suot ang polong puti, pantalon na puti at sapatos na puti, at dala ang dedikasyon sa aking puso, tinatahak ko ang landas pagpasok upang makibaka sa aking landas na pinili. Hindi ako nurse, isa akong Medical Technology student.Trabaho namin ang pagkuha ng dugo sa pasyente upang i-eksamin ito sa laboratoryo. Kaya’t napakalaking parte ng dugo sa propesyon namin at na siya ring sumisimbolo sa amin. Bukod sa ang dugo ang natatanging pluidong biyolohikal na patuloy na bumubuhay sa ating pisikal na katawan, may iba pa palang kahalagahan ang dugo sa ibang tao. Ang pananaw kong ito ay nagbago simula ng makilala ko ang isang tao na may kakaibang persepsyon sa buhay… Nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataon na makapanayam ang isang sikat na pintor hindi lamang sa Nueva Ecija kundi maging sa buong Pilipinas, siya si Elito V. Circa o mas kilala bilang “Amang Pintor” sa kanilang bayan sa Pantabangan. Nakilala siya dahil sa paggamit ng kakaibang istilo sa pagpipinta. Nananalaytay na sa dugo ni amang pintor ang pagmamahal sa sining kaya’t literal na dugo niya mismo ang kanyang ginamit sa pagbuo ng kakaibang obra maestra. “Noong bata ako, lagi akong napapalo dahil mahilig akong mag-drawing, sa dingding ng bahay namin gamit yung uling naming sa kalan, Gumagamit din ako ng dahon, kamatis o kaya ay duhat, ikukulay ko sa punda ng unan ko, lahat… pati sa damit ko. Pinag-e-eksperimentuhan ko” Natatawang ibinahagi sa amin ni amang pintor ang kanyang karanasan noong siya ay bata pa lamang, kung saan nagsimula ang interes niya

sa paggamit ng mga alternatibong mga materyal bilang midyum sa pagguhit. Ipinaliwanag niya, sa pag-eeksperimento o self-discovery nagsisimula ang lahat kaya’t kahit sa murang edad ay naging malikot ang kanyang isip sa pag-asam na makalikha ng obra. Nagka-interes siya rito dahil na rin sa kanyang ama kapag nakikita niya itong gumuguhit. “‘yung kahirapan na dinanas siguro naming mga tiga-Pantabangan ang nag-trigger sa akin para maglabas ng sama ng loob sa pamamagitan ng art at pagsulat...” Nagkaroon ng malaking pagbabago sa ekonomiya at pamumuhay ng mga tao sa Pantabangan simula nang naipasa ang Upper Pampanga River Project Act (Republic Act 5499) na naglalayon ng pagpapagawa ng Pantabangan dam na siyang proyekto na pinangunahan ng dating pangulong Ferdinand E. Marcos noong 1970s . Mahigit 8100 ektarya ng bukirin ang lumubog at ilang barangay ang sobrang naapektuhan dahil dito. Hindi alam ng mga tao ang kakaharaping kinabukasan dahil wala na silang mapagkukunan ng ikabubuhay noong mga panahong iyon, naging malaking pagsasakripisyo ang kanilang dinanas para sa paglago ng ekonomiya ng bansa. Sa pagsasalaysay ni Amang pintor, sa sobrang laki ng pinsala sa kanila ng ginawang pagbabago, Helicopter pa ang naghahatid at naghuhulog ng mga pagkain sa kanila at kung walang rasyon ang gobyerno ay wala silang kakainin. Taong 1973 lumipat ang pamilya ni amang pintor sa bayan. Swerteng siya ay napasok sa World Vision Inc. at nakapagaral ng libre. Siya ay nagkaroon ng Sponsor mula sa

60

Australia na sina Cynthia at Leigh Brown na siyang tumulong sa kanya hanggang siya ay makarating ng sekondarya at magtapos sa Central Luzon State University na may degree ng Elementary Education. Bago kami nagtungo upang makipanyam kay amang pintor, nagkwento ako sa aking mga kaibigan ng kaunti kong nalalaman tungkol sa kanya. Ang iba ay namangha at nanlaki ang mga mata ng aking sinabi na sariling dugo at buhok ang kanyang ginagamit sa pagpinta. Ngunit sa aking sitwasyon noong una kong nalaman ang kanyang midyum sa sining, imbis na mamangha o mamintas, isang salita lamang ang umiikot sa aking isipan, ang tanong na “Bakit?” bakit nga ba ito ang ginagamit ni Amang pintor? Ano nga ba ang interpretasyon at simbolismo nito sa kanyang buhay? Nangingiting ikinuwento sa amin ni Amang Pintor kung saan nagsimula ang lahat. Bata pa lamang siya, dahil na rin sa kahirapan, ay wala siyang sapat na materyales sa pagguhit. Kaya’t lubos na lamang ang kanyang kasiyahan kapag umuuwi ang kanyang karpinterong ama na may uwing mga sobrang pintura. Ang brush na kanyang ginagamit sa pagpinta ay ginagawa ng kanyang ama mula sa kanyang ginupit na buhok na iniipit sa sirang lata o elemento ng antena ng telebisyon. Aniya, hindi hadlang ang kahirapan para matuto sa sining. Wala mang pormal na edukasyon sa Art, pinatunayan ni Amang Pintor na sa sariling pagsisikap at dedikasyon ay maaari mo na itong magawa. Ikinuwento pa ni Amang Pintor na kapag siya ay nagpipinta gamit ang kanyang buhok, may naiiwan pang mga hibla nito kaya’t isa-isa pa niya itong tinatanggal. Ngunit maglaon, ng siya ay nasa kolehiyo na, dahil na rin sa mga kaibigan niyang nasa larangan ng sining ay napag-alaman niyang maaari niya pala itong gamitin bilang sarili niyang tatak. Ginamit niya ang sarili niyang buhok sa iba pa niyang mga obra na siyang nagdagdag ng kakaibang istilo dito. “’yung litanyang pabiro ng mga Pilipino na lukso raw ng dugo, ginamit ko ‘yun sa mga paintings ko dahil baka sakaling matandaan ko yung mga gawa ko kapag na-reincarnate ako, masasabi ko sa sarili


ko na akin itong painting na ito..” Ayon kay Amang Pintor, ang buhay ng tao ay parang bilog. Wala itong katapusan. Namamatay lamang sa atin ay ang pisikal na katawan at kaluluwa, ngunit an gating espirito ay patuloy na naglalakbay. Gustong patunayan ni Amang Pintor na siya ay magbabalik sa mundo kaya’t pumasok sa isip niya na gamitin ang kanyang dugo, simbolo ng kanyang buhay, sa pagpi-pinta. “sabi ko sa sarili ko gagawa ako ng painting na magiging history sa bayan at university namin, pero hindi ko alam na aabot ‘yon sa magiging history ito ng bansa.” Isa sa kauna-unahang pininta ni Amang Pintor gamit ang kanyang dugo ay ang kaniyang selfportrait na pinangalanan niyang “Erose” noong 1992 at siya ay ginawaran bilang “Artist of the Year”. Sa kanyang pagsasalaysay, mismong bisperas ng Art exhibit sa kanilang paaralan, ay pumasok sa isip ni Amang Pintor ang paglikha ng kakaibang obra maestra. Nagtanong pa siya sa isang doctor kung maaari siyang kuhanan ng dugo para sa gagamitin niyang obra, ngunit hindi pumayag ang doctor ditto. Kaya’t napagdesisiyunan niya na magkulong sa isang silid, habang may nakabantay sa labas, ay ginawa niya ang isang sining na nagpabago

PROFILES

sa kanyang buhay. Gamit ang cutter ay sinimulan niyang paduguin ang dulo ng kanyang mga daliri sa kamay at maging sa paa. Madaling araw na ng matagpuan siya ng kanyang mga kasamahan na hinang-hina ngunit tumatak sa kanila ang kanyang obra na kanyang tinapos. Naging usap-usapan sa unibersidad ang kanyang unang painting na buhat sa kanyang sariling dugo. Inamin ni Amang Pintor na takot siyang malaman ng iba na gumagamit siya ng dugo bilang midyum sa kanyang pagpi-pinta dahil noong una, takot siyang mapagsabihan na siya ay nasisiraan na o natitimang. Ngunit ‘di naglaon, pumutok sa media ang balita ng kanyang istilo. Marami man ang humamak sa kanya, ay pinanghawakan pa rin niya ang paninindigan at pagmamahal sa kanyang sariling sining. Nasundan pa ang kanyang mga gawa ng limang serye ng obra na binansagan niyang Lukso ng dugo. Maging ang portrait ng kanyang pamilya ay iginuhit niya gamit ang dugo na sumisimbolo sa kanyang pagmamahal. Nakilala rin sa Amang Pintor sa pagpinta ng labinlimang serye na nagku-kwento sa istorya ng pag-ibig ni Minggan kay Mariang Sinukuan na siyang sumisimbolo sa kasaysayan ng Pantabangan. Sa kasalukuyan ay mayroon

siyang tinatapos na tatlong serye na nagpapahayag ng kasaysayan ng Pantabangan gamit pa rin ang sariling dugo. Sa paglipas ng panahon, at dahil kailangan na ding mag-ingat sa kanyang kalusugan para sa kaniyang pamilya, imbis na gumamit ng cutter ay gumagamit na siya ng needle prick sa pagkuha ng kanyang dugo. Sunod-sunod ang naging paglabas niya sa mga documentaries at interviews sa telebisyon. Patunay lamang na nagkaroon ng malaking ambag ang kanyang mga gawa sa larangan ng sining. Ipinasa rin niya sa kanyang mga anak ang pagkakaroon ng interes sa arts at pagiging malikhain. Tulad ng ginawa sa kanya ng kanyang mga magulang, hinayaan niya ang mga ito na diskubrehin ang kanilang natatanging talento. Sa pagtingin at pagsalat ko sa bawat canvass na kanyang ibinahagi sa amin, ay waring nasalat ko ang litrato ng isang munting bata na naghahangad na magkaroon ng pagkakakilanlan sa mundo ng sining. Hindi na nakapagtataka na sa bawat obra niya ay mayroon siyang parte doon ng kanyang pagkatao na tanging siya lamang ang maaaring umangkin, tatak ng isang Amang Pintor na kahit kailanman ay hindi magagaya ng iba. Nagmistulang DNA niya ang kanyang mga obra, na sumimbulo sa dugo ng kanyang pagkatao hindi lamang sa pisikal niyang katawan, maging sa kanyang espiritu at kaluluwa. “Kailan mo ba malalaman kung tunay ang pagmamahal? Siyempre sa pagsasakripisyo. ‘Di ba Kung mahal mo ang isang tao ay magagawa mong magsakripisyo sa kanya? ’yung dugo ko kapag nagpipinta ako, kasama ‘nun ang pagmamahal at pagsasakripisyo ko sa bayan.” Pinatunayan niya na ang mga bagay ay magkakaugnay. Tayong mga tao, mga lugar, at lahat ng likha ng Diyos. Tulad ng ating pamilya, mararamdaman mo ang presensya nila kahit nakasara ang iyong mga mata, dahil nakatatak na sa espiritu at pisikal na katawan natin na tayo ay parte nila, at sila ay parte na rin ng ating pagkatao – lukso ng dugo. Maaari din itong mangyari sa mga materyal na bagay o sitwasyon sa buhay, naniniwala akong lahat ng bagay at sitwasyon na nagaganap ay may dahilan at may parte sa mangyayari sa atin, maliit man ito o malaki. Tulad ng sinabi ni Amang pintor na may paniniwalang tayo ay muling mabubuhay at marereincarnate, dapat ngayon pa lamang ay gumagawa na tayo ng mga bagay na magpapa-alala sa atin ng mga bagay na sariling atin, na masasabi natin na ito ay may tatak ng ating nakaraan. Para kung sakaling tayo ay pumanaw at muling tumuntong sa mundo, kahit sa lukso lamang ng dugo, ay maalala natin na kahit minsan ay may ginawa tayong kontribusyon na tumatak sa puso at isip ng mga tao.

61


FEATURE

I’m a proud

NOVO

ECIJANO Text: Faith Chloe Patacsil and Rolando Iniwan, Jr.

•Kathryn Bernardo Kathryn Chandria Manuel Bernardo traces her roots from Cabanatuan City, where her family owns a kids’ clothing business. Hailed as this generation’s “Teen Queen”, Kathryn’s humble beginnings catapulted her to where she is right now, making waves in the showbiz industry of the country. Starting off with countless child roles way back It Might Be You, to Makisig Morales’s love interest in the superhero drama Super Inggo, to Goin’ Bulilit stints, Kathryn acquired her current status when she played the role of ‘Mara’ in the remake of the famed Mara Clara—starring alongside Julia Montes. From there, she starred in the youth-oriented show Growing Up, where she would later meet her ka-love team, Daniel Padilla. The love team was so celebrated that big projects followed after that. Princess and I, where she played ‘Mikay’; Got to Believe, where she played ‘Chichay’; Must Be…Love, where she played ‘Patchot’; and the recent blockbuster hit, She’s Dating the Gangster, where she played ‘Athena’.

•Daniel Padilla His built, physique, voice, and over-all charisma scream he’s without a doubt a Padilla. From his uncles, Robin and Rustom, to his very own father, Rommel, Daniel sure knows how to capture every woman’s heart, look them in the eyes, and let them melt while at it. Born Daniel John Ford Padilla, he started as a bassist in a band called Parking 5. Who would have thought he would later become the “Teen King” of his generation? From youth-oriented shows Gimik 2010 and Growing Up, Daniel took the country by storm when he starred alongside ka-love team Kathryn Bernardo in the hit TV series Princess and I. Also during that time, he released his self-titled album, earning him a Double Platinum Award for selling 30,000+ copies in a few weeks. Those were the days when almost all the radio stations were madly playing Hinahanap-hanap Kita, when almost all the teenagers were wearing Daniel Padilla shirts and other merchandise, when almost all adults were once again young—going gaga over him and KathNiel. In spite of all these, though, he never fails to mention his Novo Ecijano roots, where his father and the Padilla clan came from.

62


PROFILES

Yen Santos Born Lilieyen Santos, she first appeared on TV through the reality show Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010. From there, she made herself known through Maalaala Mo Kaya and Wansapanataym stints, landing roles in hit TV shows Mutya, Good Vibes, Pintada, and DAugong Buhay. Her latest TV drama, Pure Love, where she is one of the lead actors, alongside Alex Gonzaga and Matt Evans, ended on a high note last November 2014. Yen is from Cabanatuan City. She is a former student of Wesleyan University-Philippines.

Jason Abalos

Ryza Cenon

Remember the doe-eyed, innocent-looking man from Star Circle Quest? Yup! That was Jason Jimenez Abalos, who is now playing Victor—the man hated by many viewers—in the adaptation of the hit Koreanovela Two Wives, alongside Kaye Abad and Erich Gonzales. Numerous major and minor roles in TV dramas, including Juan Dela Cruz, Maria Mercedes, and Moon of Desire catapulted him to showbiz success, but it was through indie films Endo and Adela that he received Best Actor awards from Gawad Urian and Young Critics Circle Annual Citation of University of the Philippines-Diliman. Jason Abalos hails from Pantabangan, and is a graduate of Civil Engineering at Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology.

She was the Ultimate Female Survivor of the second installment of GMA’s Starstruck. From there, she made her presence known in showbiz by starring in TV shows Darna, Majika, Joaquin Bordado, and Indio, among others. Her latest roles were as ‘Priscilla’ in Innamorata, and a series of Magpakailanman stints. Ryza, born Rhiza Ann Cenon Simbulan, is from Gapan City, Nueva Ecija.

63


FEATURE

Kenneth Santiago Kenneth Santiago is the lone Novo Ecijano candidate in the recently held Binibining Pilipinas 2014. She finished as one of the Top 15 finalists, but not without catching the hearts and attention of viewers when she delivered her oh-so-adorable answer to 2005 Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman’s question, “Name one thing that you would sacrifice for a Binibini crown.” After a few deep breaths, with poise and elegance, Kenneth answered, “I think…one thing that I would sacrifice for a Binibini crown, is my shoes. You know, it’s very hard for me to find shoes because I have this very big shoe size. But for Binibini, I would sacrifice this special thing that I have, just to have the crown. Thank you.” By the way, Kenneth owns Threefeety—a shoe business. Perhaps, you now know the reason why she opted for such business. Yep, saves her the hassle of finding shoes suitable for her shoe size in the market.

Anthony Taberna “Ka Tunying” is a Novo Ecijano. Yup, he is. He traces his roots from the Talens-Taberna clans in San Antonio. A broadcast journalist and radio commentator, Ka Tunying is one of the regulars in ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda, where he gained immense popularity in his own segment, “Punto por Punto”. From 2013 up to present, he is hosting his very own show, Tapatan ni Tunying, where he features a lot of famed celebrities, politicians, and other personalities.

Cindy Miranda Joanna Cindy Miranda hails from Penaranda, Nueva Ecija. A former Pinoy Big Brother housemate, Cindy officially entered show business in 2012 as a host in Willie Revillame’s Wiltime Bigtime on TV5, with Mariel Rodriguez and Camille Villar. In 2013, she surprised many people when she was announced as one of the contestants of Binibining Pilipinas. In the end, she won the Binibining Pilipinas-Tourism title, earning her the chance to compete in the Miss Tourism International. She finished as one of the Top 10 finalists, and was welcomed warmly by the Filipinos after that, celebrating the honor she brought for the country.

64


PROFILES

Former Senator Juan Liwag Senator Juan R. Liwag was born on June 12, 1906 in Gapan, Nueva, Ecija. He finished his high school and Liberal Arts degree at the University of the Philippines. He completed his law course in the same university as class valedictorian and copped second place in the 1932 bar examination. Prior to his election in the Senate, Liwag served in various capacities in the executive and judicial branches of the government. In 1945, he began his public service as prosecutor in the justice department, assuming later the position of head of the office of special prosecutors. Four years later, he was appointed judge-at-large of the Court of First Instance and the following year he was named district judge for Albay and Catanduanes. He was appointed Solicitor General in 1952, a position he held for four years.

Lino Brocka Epifanio delos Santos (EDSA)

Does Tinimbang ka Ngunit Kulang ring a bell to you? How about Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag,

He was the former district attorney of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. He was also elected as governor of

the film considered by many critics as the best

Nueva Ecija from 1902 to 1904.

Philippine film ever made? Who would have known that the director behind such legendary films was a

His victory in the 1902 election made him the

Novo Ecijano?

first democratically elected provincial governor

Yup, you read it right. Catalino Ortiz Brocka was

of the province and he was also the head of the

born in San Jose, Nueva Ecija.

Federal Party in Nueva Ecija.

Lino Brocka was openly gay; partly the reason

After his term, he was appointed provincial fiscal

why he always incorporate LGBT themes in most of

of Bulacan and Bataan.

his films. In 1983, he founded Concerned Artists of

he also held the position Director of the

the Philippines (CAP), an organization dedicated to

Philippine Library and Museum.

help artists address issues confronting the country. Many films of his were shown in the Cannes Film Festival as his official entries, including Insiang— which most say is his masterpiece—and Jaguar, another award-winning film. He died because of a car accident in 1991. Six years after, he was given the distinction of National Artist for Film.

Felipe Padilla de Leon He is known to be a National Artist

of

the

Philippines

for

Music. He is a composer, conductor, and scholar. He was also known to

Filipinized western

forms,

a

feat

music

which

made

preceeding Filipino composers aspire to follow him. De

Leon’s

compositions,

musical notably

the

sonatas, marches and concertos

Lazaro Francisco He is considered as one of the most prominent

became the expression of the sentiments of Filipinos in times of strife and of peace, making

names in Philippine literature. Some of his works

him the epitome of a people’s

are the novels “Singsing na Pangkasal”, “Bayang

musician.

Nagpatiwakal”, “Sa Paanan ng Krus”, “Ilaw sa Hilaga”,

He

also

received

various

“Binhi at Bunga”, “Cesar”, “Sugat ng Alaala”, “Ama”,

awards and distinctions such as

“Maganda Pa Ang Daigdig” and lastly, the “Ang

the Republic Cultural Heritage

Daluyong”. Maliban sa Bayang Nagpatiwakal, lahat

Award,

ng kanyang nobela ay nalathala sa Liwayway.

from UP, Rizal Pro-Patria Award,

He is known as one of Philippines’ National Artist for Literature.

Doctor

Presidential

of

Award

Humanities of

Merit,

Patnubay ng Kalinangan Award, are among others.

65


FEATURE

ang B Y A H E N G

FOREVER SA SAN ANTONIO “Ritwal nila ang magsunog ng mga gulong kapag maghahati na ang taon. Huwag nyo ng itanong kung bakit. Sino nga ba sila? Sino nga ba ang mga tao sa likod ng kakaibang pakulo na ito? Sila lang naman ang pulis pangkalawakan ng barangay ng San Francisco�

Text: Joyce Culala & Krizel Cunanan Photo: Ritchie Linao

66


PEOPLE

W “Happy 8th Monthsary babyheart! Padlock forever. Sana tumagal pa tayo lalo. I love you.” 3…2…1… Facebook status: feeling broken with Juan dela Cruz– Single forever. Forever alone. Kainis ‘yang forever na yan! Oo sa panahon ngayon, bilang na lamang sa mga daliri ko (sa kamay lang) ang naniniwala sa Forever. Ngunit para patunayan sa inyo na may mas tatagal pa sa mga minsan ninyong pinaniwalaan na pangmatagalan—maagang pagbati sa nalalapit na anibersaryo sa isang samahan sa San Antonio. Maligayang ika-siyam na taon ng pagiging tambay! Sa tuwing sumasapit ang bagong taon, tulungtulong nilang ibinabalandra ang malaking banner sa Brgy. San Francisco, bayan ng San Antonio. Hindi ito dahil may nakapasa sa anumang uri ng licensure examination kagaya ng nakasanayan. Naka-imprenta rito ang mga katagang “Maligayang ika-cheneling taon ng pagiging tambay!” Ritwal nila ang magsunog ng mga gulong kapag maghahati na ang taon. Huwag nyo ng itanong

kung bakit. Sino nga ba sila? Sino nga ba ang mga tao sa likod ng kakaibang pakulo na ito? Sila lang naman ang pulis pang-kalawakan ng barangay ng San Francisco. Tila mga alagad ng batas na nagmamasid, nagbabantay at matitikas na nakapwesto sa kanilang tambayan. Huwag ka, sumesegway pa sila sa pa-liga ng barangay. Oo, instant basketbolista pa ang mga ito. Binubuo sila ng mga maton na hindi pa nakakahanap ng pwesto sa kahit anong industriya. Wala ng paliguy-ligoy. Tama na ang pa-mysterious effect, hindi bagay. Isa-isa natin silang pangalanan. Enard Lantes, isang frustrated nurse na syang tiga-gamot ng barkada. Reiniel Salbuachera, graduate ng Hotel and Restaurant Manager na naninilbihan bilang tagapagluto ng kanilang pulutan. Melchor Medrano, seaman ngunit naiwan raw sya ng barko kung kaya’t wala pang katarungan ang natapos niyang propesyon. Marvin Medrano, technician na nakapagtayo ng kanyang shop malapit sa kanilang

X

67

tambayan. Donato Manahan, factory worker pero sya pa rin di umano ang may hawak ng kanyang oras kung kaya’t mas marami pa syang oras sa barkada kumpara sa trabaho. Darwin Manahan, may-ari ng computer shop na kadalasan ay pinupuno ng tropa. Joseph Cainbec, tattoo artist at suki niya ang sariling mga kaibigan. Kevin Lantes, pulis na sana, hindi lang natuloy. Kasama sina Ramil Medrano, Edison Santos, Ruel Pano, Jef Pano, Arnel Pano, Ryan Pano at Michael Pano. Seryoso, halos iisa lang ang dala nilang lahi. Samahang nabuo sa kalagitnaan ng inuman kasabay ng pagsabi ng “Simula ngayon, icecelebrate na natin ang pagiging tambay.” Mga salitang nanggaling mismo sa kanilang mga bibig. Hindi ka makapaniwala. Hindi ka makapaniwala na napanindigan at pinapanindigan pa rin nila. Hindi ka makapaniwala dahil kahit minsa’y hindi mo inakala.


FEATURE

DARE TO

EAT?

Nueva Ecija’s Fear Factor Text: Arjan Joe Coma & Christian Victor Cuaresma

Salagubang Isa sa mga pinaka sikat na Exotic Food ng Nueva Ecija ang Salagubang. Karaniwang nakikita ang mga salagubang sa mga bukohan at bukirin sa Nueva Ecija kaya naman naisipan ng mga Novo Ecijano na iluto ito at gawing pagkain. Mayroong tatlong paraan kung paano lutuin ang mga salagubang. Pwede itong ipirito, iihaw o gawing adobo. Halos magkalasa ang iprinito at inihaw na salagubang. Parehas silang malutong sa labas at makatas sa loob. Kung ihahalintulad ang pagkaing ito sa ibang pagkain, maihahalintulad ito sa pagkain ng maliliit na hipon dahil sa pagkakapareho ng kanilang texture. Sikat ang mga lutong ito bilang pulutan o kapares ng alak. Isa pa sa paraan ng pagluluto ng salagubang ang pag-adobo rito. Halos magkaparehas lamang ang proseso ng pagluluto ng Adobong Salagubang sa tipikal na Adobong baboy ng mga pinoy. Gaya ng tipikal na adobong baboy, ang Adobong salagubang ay isinasabay din sa kanin o sa madaling salita ay ginagawa din itong ulam.

Itlog Ti Aboos (Hantik) Ang Itlog ti Aboos ay isang Exotic Food na makikita sa Barangay Baloy, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija. Gaya ng pangalan nito, ang Itlog ti Aboos ay itlog, ngunit hindi ito pangkaraniwang itlog lamang. Ang Itlog ti Aboos ay itlog ng mga malalaking pulang langgam o Hantik sa mga Novo Ecijano. Nakakain lamang ang Itlog ti Aboos tuwing panahon ng pangingitlog ng Hantik o ng mga malalaking pulang langgam. Kinukuha ng mga magsasaka ang itlog na ito sa mga pugad ng Hantik sa taas ng mga puno at kanila nitong iniiipon upang kainin. May isang paraan ng pagluluto ng itlog ng Hantik at ito ay ang pag babanli ng maligamgam na tubig dito at minsa’y hinahaluan ito ng kamatis upang mas lalo itong maging masarap sa panlasa at ang tawag nga sa lutong ito ay Itlog ti Aboos.

Chicharong Ahas Sa Nueva Ecija isa sa mga kilalang Exotic Food ang ahas o sawa. May mga taong kumakain ng ahas sa paniniwalang nakapagpapagaling ito ng sakit. At mayroon ring naniniwalang nakakapag pataas ito ng sexual desire ng isang tao. Ang pagkain at pagluluto sa ahas ay gaya din ng sa iba pang Exotic Food ng Nueva Ecija ngunit mayroong isang paraan ng pagluluto dito ang talaga namang maari nating ipagmalaki. At ito ay ang pagluluto sa balat ng sawa upang ito ay maging isang Chicharon. Maaring gawing Chicharon ang balat ng ahas o sawa kagaya rin ng paggawa sa Chicharon na katulad ng sa balat ng baboy. At ang lutong ito ay sikat na sikat sa mga Novo Ecijano dahil sa kakaiba nitong lutong at lasa.

68


TAASTEBUDS

Daga At ang ikatlo sa mga Exotic Food na makikita sa bukirin ay ang mga daga. Sa panahon ng pamumunga ng mga palay ang isa sa mga kalaban o salot para sa mga magsasaka ay ang mga daga. Dahil kinakain ng mga daga ang palay kaya naman upang makaganti ang mga magsasaka sa mga dagang kumakain sa kanilang mga pananim kanilang hinuhuli ang mga daga at kanila din itong kakainin. Maraming maaring gawing luto sa mga daga pero ang pag adobo rito ang pinaka sikat. Upang makaluto ng adobong daga kailangan munang tanggalin ang ulo, buntot, balat at lamang loob nito. At gaya din sa pagluluto ng tipikal na adobo ang proseso sa pagluluto dito. May mga taong takot kumain sa daga dahil sila ay nandidiri o natatakot dito, ngunit marami din ang nahuhumaling dito dahil sa kakaiba nitong lasa.

Susuhong/ Kamaru Dahil sa pagiging Rice Granary ng Pilipinas maraming bukirin sa Nueva Ecija. At kapag sinabing bukirin hindi lamang palay ang makukuha dito, marami ring Exotic Food ang mahahanap dito. Una na dito ang mga Sosohong. Ang mga sosohong ay likas na makikita sa mga bukirin dahil ang mga ito ay nagtatago sa ilalim ng lupa. At sa tuwing may mag aararo ng bukid kasabay din nito ang paglabas ng mga sosohong sa ilalim ng lupa, kaya naman ang mga magsasaka ay hinuhuli ang mga ito at niluluto upang kainin. Mayroong dalawang paraan ng pagluluto ng mga Sosohong, gaya ng mga salagubang maari itong iprito at maari ding gawing adobo. Hindi nagkakalayo ang lasa ng Sosohong sa Salagubang, halos magkapareho sila ng lasa ngunit magkaiba sa texture dahil ang Sosohong ay hamak na mas malambot kaysa sa Salagubang.

Palaka Isa pang exotic food na makikita sa bukirin ay ang mga Palaka. Sa kalagitnaan o bago magsimula ang pagtatanim ay siya din namang paglabas ng mga palaka sa mga bukid dahil na din sa pagkabasa ng lupa nito na siyang gustong gusto ng mga ito kaya naman hindi lang pagtatanim ang pinagkaka abalahan ng mga magsasaka sa panahong ito kundi ang panghuhuli din sa kanila. Maraming pwedeng gawing luto sa mga palaka. Pwede itong gawing Tinola, Sinampalukan, Adobo o kahit prito rin lamang. Maraming tao ang nahuhumaling sa pagkain ng palaka dahil sa lasa nito. Hindi lang Novo Ecijano ang nahuhumaling dito kundi ang iba ring mga lugar sa labas ng Nueva Ecija. Maihahalintulad ang pagkain ng palaka sa pagkain ng manok dahil halos magkaparehas ang kanilang mga lasa at texture at ang pinagkaiba lamang nila ay ang laki dahil hamak na mas maliit ang palaka kaysa sa manok.

69


FEATURE

KAKANIN de

Nueva Ecija Text: Maria Jubelle Legaspi and Lyn Lastimosa

70


TASTEBUDS

Nueva Ecija, known as the Rice bowl of the Philippines is considered to be the largest producer of rice in the country. Rice is the main ingredient to our province’s well known mouth watering native delicacy, “kakanin” (Rice cakes). What made it interesting and special is that they vary from one area to another. Here are some of the places with their trademark rice cakes: SANTO DOMINGO Sto. Domingo’s tupig is made from glutinous rice that is well grounded, premixed with grated coconut curd and sugar before wrapping in a squared banana leaf and toasted to coal. What made the Sto. Domingo’s tupig special is that they put macapuno to add some flavor. Tupig festival is celebrated annualy in Sto. Domingo as a celebration for the bounty harvest of glutinous rice. SAN LEONARDO San leonardo is very popular for their “kalamay sunsong” that they even held a fiesta dedicated solely to it every month of August. Kalamay is made from sticky rice, coconut milk and sugar and is usually served with latik as toppings. PEÑARANDA Peñaranda is known for their flavorsome, delish rice cakes like Sapinsapin, espasol and Putong puti. Sapin-sapin, or layered rice cake is also made from glutinous rice and coconut milk. In other places, they use different colors in each layers, usually white, violet and yellow. in Peñaranda, they only use

white and gray with gelatinous texture and topped with coconut flakes. Espasol in peñaranda is a roasted sticky sweet that is made out if galapong (flour made from glutinous rice), carabao milk, condensed milk, butter and sugar. It’s usually served in a cylindrical shape covered with powdered sugar. It’s the top on the list Pasalubong from Peñaranda. Putong Puti, also known as steamed rice cake with cheese or salted egg on top. The difference is that, the normal molding of putong puti is mini cups or cupcake-like shape, but in Peñaranda, it’s presented like a mini-pizza. SAN ANTONIO Kutchinta is the main delicacy of san antonio, it’s a gelatinous brown rice cake usually looks like a little round cake served with grated coconut. It’s often seen during fiestas and other celebrations RIZAL Biko, another famous delish nationwide with the tradional ingredients, sticky rice, coconut milk and brown sugar. cooked traditionally and served with Latik as toppings. But in Rizal, they serve it with langka and fresh buko that add to its sweetness and made it more flavorful CABANATUAN Bibingka is a popular rice cake usually during christmas seasons, but in Cabanatuan, they have it all year round! Traditionally cooked in a banana leaves and clay pots with coal, this fluffy rice cake is topped with butter and grated coconut.

71


FEATURE

Ang Tamis sa bayan ng Gen. Mamerto

NATIVIDAD

Text: Brenda Lynne Aguilar Photos: Maria Jubelle Legaspi & Rhounee Ron Kevin Frany Isa ang ice cream sa mga pagkain na mahirap talagang tanggihan dahil sa sarap at lamig nito lalo na kapag mainit ang panahon. Sino nga ba ang aayaw dito? Sa sentro ng Gen. Natividad ay makikita ang natatanging sorbets ng bayan, ang Pascua’s ice cream. Ito ay halos apat na pong dekada na at patuloy na pinalalago ng pamilya Pascua. Nagsimula ang paggawa ng sorbets sa ama ng pamilya na si Rolando Pascua o mas kilala bilang Mang Lando. Ayon sa kwento nya nuong nabubuhay pa, tinuruan daw syang gumawa ng kanyang byenan na isa ring sikat na sorbetero sa Llanera taong 1960’s. Nuong una ay inilalako lamang ito ni Mang Lando sa buong Poblacion kung saan ito ang sentro ng bayan. Takal takal sa paligid ng barangay upang maitaguyod at mapag aral ang ang kanyang walong mga anak. Hindi kalaunan, napalawak ang pagbebenta ng ice cream at nagawa na nilang libutin ang iba’t ibang barangay ng Gen. Natividad sa tulong na rin ng kanyang mga anak at apo na lalaki sa gamit ang kani-kanilang mga tricycle. Sa halagang dalawang piso hanggang sampung piso ay malalasap mo na ang kakaibang sarap ng sorbets. Hanggang sa hindi nagtagal mula scoop ay naging cup, litro, hanggang sa gallon na. Sa ngayon ay tumatanggap na din ng mga order na ice cream ang pamilya. Iba’t ibang klase

ng flavors mula sa orihinal na cheese, ngayon ay meron na ding buko, cookies and cream, choco at para sa mga espesyal orders ay meron ding fruit salad. Kanila itong ginagawa ng may pagmamahal sa bawat ikot ng mixer. Ayon kay Kuya Celo, anak ni Mang Lando na sya ngayong nagpapatuloy sa kanilang negosyo, hindi iilang tao ang lumapit sa kanila para pumasok na katulong o trabahador sa paggawa ng sorbetes, ngunit kapag kalaunan na, humihiwalay na din ang mga ito at gumagawa ng sariling negosyo at kinokompetensya sila. Isa daw sa mga iniiwasan nila ay ang kumuha ng katulong sa negosyo na wala sa pamilya para hindi na rin mawala sa pamilya ang pamamahala at sekretong sangkap ng sorbetes. Hindi iilang beses na din daw kasing sinubukang talunin ng mga kakompetensya ang nasabing sorbetes ngunit nananatili pa rin nila ang kakaibang hatak ng sorbets ng mga Pascua. Sa kasalukuyan ay may permanente na itong pwesto sa loob ng palengke na dinadayo ng mga mamimili, patuloy pa rin ang pag iikot ng mga naka-tricycle para sa iba’t ibang barangay at pag order ng mga tao para sa mga okasyon iba’t ibang okasyon. Tunay ngang hindi maitatangging ang Pascua’s ice cream ay naging kasalo na ng mga taga Natividad sa kanilang mga handaan.

72


TASTEBUDS

KABUTEHAN Sa San Leonardo Text: Roma Mae Herrera

Photo: www.google.com/ph Maihahalintulad sa isang kabute ang paglubog at paglitaw ng mga pagkaing ating nasasaksihan kung papaano ito sumisibol, kumakalat at natitikman… Sa isang maliit na bayan matatagpuan ang lugar kung saan pinararami, pinepreserba, at ginagawan ng maraming bersyon ang mga kabute na maaaring kainin mula sa magkakaibang klase ng putahe. Paano ito nagsimula? Mushroom Farm o kilala sa tawag na Kabutehan, ito ay pagmamay-ari ni Jacinto “Jack” Nagano. Isa sa kanyang mga kaibigan ang nakapagkuwento tungkol sa kabute, kung paano ito napaparami, paano itinatanim at kung anu-ano pa, kung kaya’t doon nagumpisa ang pagkakaroon ng ideya ni Jack para magtayo ng negosyo na ang pangunahing produkto ay kabute. Nagsimula sa pagpaplano, paghahanap ng naaayong lugar at pagseseminar. Mga estudyante mula sa Central Luzon State University (CLSU) ang nanguna sa pagbibigay ng sapat na impormasyon, tumulong sa paghahanda ng mga gamit na kakailanganin ukol sa pinaplanong pagnenegosyong pagtatanim at pagpaparami ng kabute. Katuwang ang kanyang anak na siyang dumadalo ng mga seminars at iba pang paghahanda para sa binabalak na negosyo ay nakapagtayo sila ng isang matagumpay na Kabutehan, naging parte ng kanilang manggagawa ang ilan sa kanilang mga kababayan na labis ang suporta sa negosyong kabute. Lakas ng loob ang pumuno upang

maisakatuparan at mapalakad ng maayos ang negosyong kabutehan, tapang ang siyang nanguna upang makipagsabayan sa mga kilala o mas sikat pang mga produkto ang Nagano’s Mushroom Farm. Oyster Mushroom – isa sa uri ng kabute na maaaring kainin at ito rin ang kabute na tinatanim at pinaparami ng Nagano’s Mushroom Farm. Bago ito maging isang ganap na produkto ay dumadaan muna sa mahaba at mabusising proseso. Mula sa paghahanda ng mga kusot (pinagtistisan ng kahoy), maingat itong isinisilid sa polypropylene plastics na mayroong butas na nagsisilbing daanan ng hangin na kailangan ng kabute. Pinananatili itong nakasalansan o nakabitin at hindi hinahayaang natutuyo sa halip ay nilalagyan ng parafilm plastics ng manatili itong basa-basa sa loob ng anim hanggang siyam na buwan. Unti-unting magsusulputan ang maliliit na bilog ng kabute, ang unang sibol ng kabute ang siyang makakaapekto sa buong kusot upang magprodyus din ng iba pang supling ng kabute. Matapos ang anim hanggang siyam na buwan saka makikita ang paglago at pagtubo ng katawan ng bunga. Ang mga kusot ay patuloy na magluluwal ng bagong supling ng kabute sa lilipas pang ilang taon. Karamihan sa ating mga Nobo Esihano ay walang ideya tungkol sa maaaring gawin o putahe na pwedeng lutuin gamit ang kabute bilang pangunahing sangkap. Ang Nagano’s Mushroom Farm ay gumagawa at nagbebenta ng mga produkto tulad ng Mushroom Sisig, Mushroom Tepura, Mushroom Siomai at Mushroom Burger Patties.

73

Ito ay nakakarating pa ng Maynila, iniluluwas sa mga malalaking groceries pati na rin sa maliliit na sari-sari stores. Nakaabot na rin ang kanilang produkto sa mga malalaking establisyimento gaya ng Robinson’s Supermarket at ibang sangay ng SM Supermarkets isa na rito ang SM Megamall Supermarket sa Ortigas Metro Manila. Saan ito matatagpuan? Ang San Leonardo ay isang bayan sa gitna ng Gapan at Sta. Rosa Nueva Ecija. Tatlo hanggang apat na oras ang itinatagal ng biyahe kung magmumula sa Maynila hanggang dito. San Leonardo ay may ekonomiya ng pagsasaka, mayroon ditong malawak na bukirin na mainam sa pagtatanim at pagpapalago ng palay at mga gulay. Sa dulo ng pang-anim na barangay (Mallorca) ng San Leonardo matatagpuan ang Kabutehan na gumagawa ng malaking papel sa merkado at unti-unting pinapalaganap ang kasipagan ng mga Nobo Esihano pagdating sa pagnenegosyo, nagpapatunay din ito na mayroon tayong ibubuga sa pagpapamalas ng kaalaman sa isang bagay at kaya nating makipagsabayan sa ibang produkto na may pangalan. Samu’t-saring mga bagay ang nagsusulputan sa ating bansa, kanya-kanyang pagtangkilik sa ninanais na makuha, subukang tikman ang sariling gawa na dito mismo sa atin nagmumula, tiyak na malalasahan ang linamnam ng tagumpay na sa bawat puso natin talagang mag-uumapaw. Kabutehan sa San Leonardo, ating puntahan!


FEATURE

Cabiao Pastillas

Talavera Patis

Text: Rolando Iniwan, Jr.

Text: John Paul Dizon

Are you craving for something sweet? In the municipality of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, Philippine Soft Baked Candy or Pastillas is one of the growing industries that this town is known for. When we asked for the best tasting pastillas of Cabiao, one company stood out among the rest. Aying’s Pastillas. For only 170 pesos per box of 30 pieces, a musttaste delicacy is at your reach. What’s special about this? They are serving flavored pastillas such as Ube de Pastillas, Pastillas de Queso, Pastillas de Buko Pandan, Pastillas de Langka and Special Yema. They even serve pastillas with less sugar. What is their secret? According to Mr. Ariel Viñas, their key ingredient is the continuous stirring of the produce while it is the process of baking. Through this, the process makes their pastillas softer.

Naisip mo na ba kung anu-ano ang sangkap ng mga pagkaing ating kinakain

But wait there’s more. Did I mentioned that they are using 100% Carabao Milk? It

sa araw-araw? Maging sa loob o labas ng ating bahay ay may mga namumukod

is a resourceful way of introducing not only its product, but also the other products

tanging nilalaman at nagpapalinamnam ng ating mga kainin. Binibigyan ng

of the province.

lasa ang mga nakahain sa mesa… ito ay ang Patis.

They had also introduced innovations to their product as they also serve pastillas

Isa na marahil sa pinaka kilala at ginagamit pang bigay-buhay at kagat ng

as an ingredient to pastas and lumpia rolls. They are also serving pastillas-flavored

alat sa mga pagkaing matatagpuan sa hapag-kainan ng mga Novo Ecijamo ay

smoothies and frappes, and halo-halo with pastillas.

ang Talavera Patis.

The production of Aying’s pastillas started in 1995 and is continuously being

Para sa ilan ay nakakapagtakang sa isang lugar na malayo sa baybaying

acquired even by buyers in Metro Manila.

dagat, sa kahabaan ng Quezon Street, Talavera Nueva Ecija, matatagpuan ang isang pagawaan ng patis kung saan ang pangunahing sangkap ay isda. Ito ang sagot: Mula sa Maynila, kung saan matatagpuan ang tunay na manufacturer, ibabyahe ang malalaking balde ng patis, makakarating ito sa isang pabrika sa Talavera na pag-aari ni Alain Wy ng Ang Bayan Ko Enterprises (A.B.K.E.) Ilalagay sa mga bote, lalagyang ng pangalan, ikakahon, muling maglalakbay patungo sa mga sari-sari store at saka pa lamang makararating sa ating mga kusina na siyang magbibigay sarap sa pag sasalu-saluhan ng mga pamilya. Bukod sa kilalang Talavera Patis, handa ring ihatid ng A.B.K.E. sa ating panlasa ang asim ng paksiw at linamnam ng adobo sa produkto nilang suka at toyo.

74


TASTEBUDS

zARAGOZA

Salted Eggs

JAEN Mangga

Text: Rhounee Ron Kevin Frany

Text: John Dalton Maestre

Zaragoza may be all but plains and rice paddies but it is also the leading producer of salted eggs in the country. With a reputation that competes with that of Southern Tagalog, Zaragoza’s salted eggs have been a staple in every household in the town. Salted eggs can be paired with tomatoes or can be made into salads which are a local favorite. Locals use eggs from the itik, a duck with a brown plumage farmed in wetlands and along irrigated rice paddies. The eggs of these ducks are harvested and are preserved either in mud with salt or in brine. Summer in the Philippines would not be complete without the luscious

Usually, it takes up to two weeks before the eggs completely absorb all the

savory or the ecstatic sour taste of our number one sweetheart, Mangoes.

salt.

Mangoes our national fruit is one of the tastiest treat there is. Delicious either

What’s good in Zaragoza’s salted eggs is that once cracked open, you would

ripe or raw it will surely bring a different experience every time. Satisfying even

see the yolk oozing with yellowish oil which gives it extra oomph in flavor.

the most elusive taste pallets this fruit is a sure hit leaving those who had a

Zaragoza’s salted eggs come from various manufacturers but are always sold

taste wanting more!

at local markets in the province and even in local supermarkets.

In the province of Nueva Ecija a particular municipality dominates the mango industry. Jaen with its wide mango orchards produces the most mangoes both in number and quality here in the province. They have a variation of species of mangoes one of which is the sweetest in the world though the Carabao mango is more popularly grown in Guimaras. People from Jaen surely have a memory under the proud shades of the mango trees. Finding the pieces of their childhood in the summer hiding underneath the majestic tree while its blooms with flowers and bears fruits.

75


LIVELIHOOD

EXPLORING

The Best of

TALUGTUG The Craft from Cogon Text: Jan Adrian Delos Santos Photo: Maria Jubelle Legaspi & Rhounee Ron Kevin Frany

76


DEVCOM

Aside from the green milieu it has to offer, the municipality of Talugtog in Nueva Ecija has a lot more to offer. Giving the 100% best from the people of the town, everything comes up as worthy with their exceptional cogon products. Cogon grass, also called alang-alang or bloody grass, is one of about seven species of perennials constituting the genus Imperata native to temperate and tropical regions of the Old World. It is a serious weed in cultivated areas of South Africa and Australia. But in Talugtog, it is the source of handicrafts known in the entire rural and now making its own name in urban. One of the manufacturers of the cogon products in Talugtog is the family headed by Aling Lina Costales. She started entering the business of selling items from Cogon grass since 2000. And for her, it is a noble job which has been giving life to her family. The owner of Lina’s Cogon Crafts said that accidentally, she crossed the threshold of the industry. She did not meant to sell products from the said grass but when she realized that if people in Baguio City can make manufactured goods through rattan and pine tree, why not in the means of Cogon? Thus, with the strike of a greater level of poverty and with the experience in interlacing the harvested meadow with the use of yarn, she swallowed her pride and commenced in vending different products like bags, lampshades, baskets, figurines and trashcans. “Noong una, nahihiya ako. Iniisip ko kasi na, bakit ba ilalabas mo yung mga ganyan na gawa lang sa Cogon? Baka pagtawanan ako ng mga tao. Pero nung nagtagal, naisip ko na malaki maitutulong sakin nito kasi may silbi naman talaga,� she said. When she finally decided to went out with her small business that time, she admitted that only P50 was her starting capital. She said that the said amount was only used for sewing materials like

77


LIVELIHOOD

“Noong una, nahihiya ako. Iniisip ko kasi na, bakit ba ilalabas mo yung mga ganyan na gawa lang sa Cogon? Baka pagtawanan ako ng mga tao. Pero nung nagtagal, naisip ko na malaki maitutulong sa’kin nito kasi may silbi naman talaga.”

78


DEVCOM

thread and needle. But as time went by, with her products’ ability to conquer the whole municipality, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) discovered them which gave them their very first break. Aling Lina humbly told that the DTI weekly visits their house-slash-store in Talugtog. And those visitations from the authority pave ways for them to earn more than the usual incomes they earn. She confessed that with the help of the department, the popularity of their business is gradually improving. From the former income they get from the local buyers, they are now flying with colors with a global demand which usually gives them an estimated P100,000 profits. Yes, they are now exporting different products all over the world if there is order. “Natutuwa kami dahil nakikilala ‘yung mga gawa dito sa’tin. Nakikilala ‘yung mga gawa sa damo ng Cogon s aibang bansa. Madalas kasi, ‘yung mga balik-bayan, bumibili dito sa amin tapos dinadala sa ibang bansa para ipasalubong o kaya para ibenta,” she expressed. But aside from those earnings, DTI also lends a hand to them to popularize their products in the country. Whenever there is handicraft exhibits, be it in Cabanatuan City or in Manila, the DTI is always there to notify and support them. According to Aling Lina, they conventionally gross an approximately 20,000 if invited to take a stall in exhibits which gives a big help for them for the progress of their business. “Pag walang DTI, wala rin kaming buhay. Mabait po sila. Lagi kami nilang naaalala,” Aling Lina’s daughter-in-law said. But amid this, Aling Lina admitted that there are also unsalable times like any other business experiences. But then again, whenever the peak season comes like October, they tend to become very busy in producing the requested items. And these times also mean more manpower for an efficient production. Thus, aside from the whole family who help hand in hand, they still need to hire

some workers outside their folks. Meanwhile, in ordinary occasions, cogon products from Aling Lina’s store just range in normal prices. The lampshade and bag she sells just costs P300. The basket is just P75. The figurine just amounts to P100 and the trashcan is for sale for P50O. Aside from these, many more products are available in her store in Talugtog with affordable prices. On the other hand, although she has business to take good care of, Aling Lina shares the knowledge that the heaven has given to her. She educates particularly women in how to weave different products using Cogon grass. “Hindi ako natatakot na ituro ‘yung mga nalalaman ko kahit may business ako. Gusto ko mai-share kung ano ‘yung alam ko para kumita rin sila. Mga kababayan ko sila kaya okay lang para sa akin,” she concluded.

79


LIVELIHOOD

Cuyapo and the Water Lily products

Text: Jan Adrian Delos Santos

80


DEVCOM

From being an ordinary free-floating plant which considers as the one main culprits for clogging major waterways in Nueva ecija, water hyacinths has now a more crucial role in the culture on Novo Ecijanos, particlurly the residents of the municipality of Cuyapo. Water lily has become well-known recently when the information spread about its plaguing the watercourses of some bodies of waters, especially the rivers in the country. But amid its negative reward for the affected people and places, one milestone about its efficiency was developed. In Cuyapo, many farmers found that water lily has a difficulty to deal with their livelihood. It is because the water-loving plant compromises their farms during flashfloods which caused of clogged up rivers. However, with this dull picture of reality, the vestigial plant now plays a significant role in empowering both men and women in the town. Many people in Cuyapo have seen the life through an instant livelihood in the image of the innovation of baskets, boxes, paintings, and slippers with the use of water lilies. According to one of its sellers, products from the plants have really been a big help for the country, for the community and for the basic unit of the society, the family. It is because it does not just help people to survive from the daily demands of life, but also to develop the exceptional uses of the ordinary matters around us, in which may contribute for a greater height of progress of the country. Furthermore, aside from providing them a good livelihood, the water lily business has also cleaned up the town’s waterways. It also gives means to free the bodies of water from water lilies which eventually made fish began breeding again on the affected sites. But still, for a conventional native of Cuyapo, the best thing that the plant offers to them is the chance to engage in the business. It is the same benefit get by its patrons who take advantage on the low prices of the worthy products from water lily. Like in Las Piùas City which really owns the birthstone of the industry, they have really developed so many commercial goods since they started few years ago. And now, they gear up with more ideas in the pipeline which can give them an increase in profits. As of now, since they have just started, vendors of water lily products in Cuyapo are anticipating that the goods they sell will not just become popular, but also will be loved by every Novo Ecijano. It is because, more than a thing, it is a gift that they can give, not just only to the people of Nueva Ecija but also for the rest of the world.

81


SRYNRATIN

Fracture & Backbone Nueva Ecijanos’ Harvest on Rice Self-Sufficiency Nation Text: Adrian Delos Santos Photos: www.google.com/ph

The compassion of a customary grower thinks of a future

97-percent rice self-sufficiency status on 2013 with registered

global crisis in rice and other commodities. The row of P40 per

of his family. It is far different from another heart of a cultivator

4.04 percent average boost in milled rice production from

kilo was last violated in 2008-2009 and in 1972-1973 caused

who deems tomorrow’s face for the circumstances of his nation.

2010-2013. Based on the records of World Market and Trade of

of that worldwide disaster not only for rice, but all agricultural

And in the name of love and altruism, before the texture of

the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the country

products. The breach in 2008-2009, ex-President Gloria

currency, Novo Ecijano farmers nurtured their lands with golden

producesd 10.99 million metric tons of milled rice, up from 9.77

Macapagal Arroyo’s term, happened because of that global

harvest – a devotion wrecked by a manly-catastrophe.

million metric tons produced in 2011 – a big change, indeed,

commodity crisis. But the price of the staple, rice, just averaged

from the 81 percent self-sufficiency status in 2010.

to P34.20 per kilo – a big difference compared to a 25 percent

The Province Nueva Ecija is tagged as the “Rice Bowl of the Philippines. This is brought by its naturally rich agricultural land

The said achievement put the country in limelight as it

which perfectly suitable to lowland crops, particularly rice. Thus,

outshone major rice exporters such as China and India, which

The crisis-like occurrence today in rice is primarily caused of

its planting has played a vital role in molding the culture of the

gained only a 1.55 and 3.77 percent respectively in milled rice

smuggling explosion under President Aquino’s term. To supply

people. Hence, it is in the reality that the typical Novo Ecijano

production. It is nearly close to Thailand, a leading exporter,

the needs of the Filipinos, Philippines has to import smuggled

family is firmly interweave and is the essential operational

which only posted a 0.39 percent distinction.

rice from Vietnam and Thailand, which are shipped in Batangas

element on the farm.

From this success, Department of Agriculture Sec. Proceso

increase under President Aquino’s regime.

Port.

But as time passes by, many Novo Ecijano farmers gradually

J. Alcantara praised the Central Luzon farmers for their

According to the analysis of Rigoberto D. Tiglao about the

feel the complexity, not of the devastation leaves by natural

contribution to attain the highest rice harvest in the Philippine

International Monetary Funds’s trade figures on his column in

calamities, but of providing the extreme needs of the President

history thru the Farmers’ Lakbay Palay held at PhilRice in

Philippine Daily Inquirer, smuggled rice from Thailand could

Benigno Aquino’s goal for the country to become a fully-rice

Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija last April 1-4. He said that

have reached P16 billion in President Aquino’s two years in

self-sufficiency nation. Although they know that not all the rice

they will not stop at 97 percent self-sufficiency status; they will

office. But Bureau of Customs Head Ruffy Biazon rebuffed his

needed for that blueprint is coming from the province, many of

work harder so that the rice to be served on a Filipino family

claims even after he filed a barrage of criminal charges against

them are still disappointed caused of one of the factors why

table will be planted and harvested in the Philippines.

those he recognized as notorious rice smugglers. As outcome,

Philippines faces rice shortage – something they perceive as a calamity made by the president too – the goal itself.

However, amid this anticipation, there are still many Novo Ecijanos who do not believe that this will turn into reality. It

the supply for the smuggled rice decrease without any move from National Food Authority (NFA).

Rice Self-sufficiency nation

is because they suppose that although there is really no rice

On the other hand, contrary to President Aquino’s declaration

Last year, the president and his yellow media duly bragged

shortage in the country right now, a crisis in rice is still reigning

of self-sufficiency, the USDA publicized that the Philippines still

on top at these times.

need to import 2 million tons this year – almost double from

that the Philippines has achieved self-sufficiency in rice. It happened as the country registered the biggest improvement

Domestic rice crisis

the 1.1 million metric tons imported last year and 600,000 more

in rice production in Asia based on the recent World Market data.

Like many Filipinos, Novo Ecijanos found inflation in the

than the government announced it would import this year.

According to Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)

current price of rice which range to P42.00 to P45.00 per kilo for

Consequently, suppliers market for the country, international

Executive Director Eufemenio Rasco Jr., the Philippines posted a

the normal variety – a height observed only during periods of

traders, could raise their costs. Furthermore, the NFA has been

82


DEVCOM

under pressure to order rice at such expensive prices which results to P42.00 levels seen available in local market. For Novo Ecijano farmers, this is something that kills the verve of their livelihood. NFA intricacy on functions Issues on rice self-sufficiency, rice trade liberalization and National Food Authority’s state of affairs are all interconnected matters affecting Filipino farmers, especially Novo Ecijano growers. Like in Japan, South Korea, China and India, the Philippines is not alone on its fervent defense of rice supply. It is as all regimes and congresses consider rice self-sufficiency with emotional and political charge. However, aside from the short period in the early 1970’s during President Marcos term, rice supply in the country has always been insufficient. The scarcity is primarily caused of much more mouths to feed with the nation’s limited rice land. Thus, a need for importation from ASEAN neighbors takes place – the slaughterer of Filipino farmers. NFA is tasked to maintain a strategic reserve from which to draw rice during emergencies and natural catastrophes. Aside from this, it is also assigned to stabilize rice prices with two sub-objectives. First is to maintain rice prices affordable to consumers and the other one is to ensure that the rice farmers gain a levelheaded return from their exertions. However, these two goals are against to each other. President Aquino’s aim to achieve a rice self-sufficiency country is a tough job, not only for the government, but also for Novo Ecijano farmers. Its policy, therefore, has been costly. It is because in order for the farmers to plant more rice, there is a need for their protection against cheap rice available in the world market. It is is done through imports’ restriction and providing price support by buying palay from farmers at a higher price. But then again, farmgate price of palay has increased overtime, along with a faster increase in the retail price of rice. As consequence, Filipino consumers are much more willing to patronize the smuggled rice coming from other countries. Thus, cheap rice imports will bring down the farmgate price of palay and impose a 29 percent drop of gross income on 3,000,000 rice farmers. Hence, Filipino farmers will shift to planting other crops, ending up importing more rice. Novo Ecijano farmers’ blueprint Jay Montoya, a rice farmer palay at Barangay Sta. Arcadia in Cabanatuan City, said that his livelihood is the peak of decline right now when importation of rice is in trend. Although he admitted that a traditional Novo Ecijano would rather buy smuggled rice in a low price, he still tries to uplift his occupation against that rice trade liberalization. “Dati, okay talaga ‘yung kita dito. Kaso ngayon, iba na. Sapalaran na rin. Oo, may kinikita pa rin kaso hindi na tulad dati. ‘Yung mga namimili kasi ng palay ngayon malaki na rin tumawad. Eh kesa maimbak lang ‘yung palay dito, nakabagak lang, kesa walang kita, binebenta na namin,” he said. Montoya also explained that like other Novo Ecijano farmers, he cannot do anything right now but to dance with the current music. He said that he rather vends them after harvested with the correct farmgate price than milling it and sells with higher price than the normal cost. It is because he believes that consumers will still prefer to buy the rice with a lower price available in the market, which many of them are smuggled. “Syempre, ayoko namang sukuan ‘tong palayan ko. May kinikita pa naman din talaga ko para ipantustos sa pamilya ko. Pero kung mahihirapan na talaga ko na iangat ko, siguro iba na alng ‘yung itatanim ko. ‘Yung sigurado na malaki ‘yung kita. Baka sa oras na ‘yun, bumili na lang din ako ng bigas,” he concluded.

83


SRYNRATIN

THE

LORD’S PRIZE TO HIS SERVANTS Text: Jan Adrian Delos Santos Photos: CEGP Central Luzon

After 20 years of dark domination in the memories of Filipinos, another military canon is now set to knock down the civilization of the municipality of Carranglan in Nueva Ecija. Being the largest town in the province, Carranglan

ban.

is home for its large land area, particularly its wealthy

These

public land. And almost 82% of its total land area

nightmare

composing of 78, 100 hectares is categorized as

sovereignty of the fleeting general Jovito Palparan as

watershed of the Pantabangan reservoir and Talavera

7ID Army commander despite their new campaigns

River.

and re-engineered psy-war strategies applied these

This truth speaks behind the reasons of siege happening in Carranglan. Philippine Army’s Touchdown Leaving a humongous annihilation, warfare in

circumstances of

revitalized

ruthless

experiences

the

locality’s

during

the

days. AFP’s Legal Delinquency October 18 last year, the purok leader of Sitio Dalipawen in Brgy. Bunga in Carranglan,Fernando

Zamboanga, even if it was not totally resolved, also

Salazar,

came to its end. But its ending eventually gave birth

attempt by a paid military asset from the village namely

marginally

absconded

a

manslaughter

to the blast in Carranglan which all started to the

Johnny Ganson. The possible angle seen by the people

supremacy of the Arm Forces of the Philippines in the

regarding that endeavor is the criticality of Salazar

town.

against class oppression and abuse. Carranglan

It is another picture of Marcos regime, indeed, which

Philippine National Police (PNP) investigated the crime

was captured by the army soldiers. With the additional

and forced Ganson to surrender the .45-caliber pistol

troops from the Companies of the 3rd Infantry Battalion,

issued to him by his military handlers. But because he

they drew a new face of daily lives of the citizens. They

has a strong clamp in the name of AFP, he was not

occupied the barangay hall and several villages of Brgy.

arrested or there was no even any serious charge filed

Bunga in Carranglan, and deployed in other barangays

against him.

to expand Alpha and Bravo which man their patrol

However, after five days, Salazar received a search

bases, and to conduct their triad operations in the

warrant for illegal possession of dynamic rifles, various

neighboring barangays of Bugos, Gen.Luna, RA Padilla,

ammunitions, and explosives supposedly hidden in

Puncan, Minuli, and Conversion of Pantabangan. Their

his residence. PNP searched his house but did not find

arrival instantly dethroned the civilization of the natives

anything until he was directed to go with the authority

through lengthy filaments of growling dogs infuriated

to his abandoned house few kilometers away from his

by footsteps of battle boots at dawn; subjective curfew

current residence. From there, they found a grenade

by the military without prior official approval from their

which was so surprising for Salazar because he did

host barangays; interruption of unwelcome armed

not really know anything about it. Eventually, Fernando

military personnel in several local junctures without

was arrested and brought straight to his prison cell in

formal direction from their organizers; camouflage

Cabanatuan City

uniforms and pieces of underwear hanging with

But according to some witnesses, before the influx

impertinence within the borders of their occupied

of Special Forces from the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police

barangay halls, chapels, and other public facilities;

Office (NEPPO) in the area, members of 3IB Philippine

armed riding-in-tandem intelligence agents in civilian

Army had a secret clearing operation that night, along

clothes heedless of the contemporary COMELEC gun

with Ganson and two other local assets. And from that,

84


DEVCOM

many residents conclude that they might put the grenade that time in Salazar’s house. Aside from the 3IB, 81st IB, which also led the Oplan Bayanihan in the town before the current group, also harassed Salazar many times. That abuse was also caused by his firm opposition to the wrong way of control of the soldiers. The Real Score With the bless and order of the administration of the current President Noynoy Aquino, AFP rules Carranglan to assure all their foreign and local masters of a passive environment which is “helpful” for “their progress”. This is parallel to the multi-billion Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects set to be laid out to the municipality. According to the 2007 municipal records, developed areas for agricultural production accounted to 28.15%. These figures expose a 10% of cultivated land which is done in its forest areas, botching-up authorized matters on releasing land and administration sustenance for the highland farmers. The said development was due to the effort of the national minorities and poor settlers in their different upland communities. They did it for in return, it provides them maintainable foundations of livelihood for their mounting inhabitants. However, Aquino’s administration does not see it as development. It is because they see it as a kingdom just suitable for their foreign lords and local counterparts. That reality reflects to the authenticity of the past wherein ethnic groups had become preys of expulsion and land-grabbing. If this ‘kingly’ order will be tolerated, the history will really repeat itself. The number of victims will increase as logging franchises, energy companies, mining giants, and real estate brains obtain lawful rule under the president’s fiscal flagship.

85


SRYNRATIN

ANG GUNITA ng

Pagdanak ng dugo SA

LUPAO MASSACRE Text: Jan Adrian Delos Santos Photos: Rhounee Ron Kevin Frany & Rolando Iniwan, Jr.

Mula sa noon ay mapayapang pamayanan, maituturing na lamang ngayon na asilo ng madilim na nakaraan ang buong Sitio Padlao sa Barangay Namulandayan sa bayan ng Lupao, Nueva Ecija. Sa ngalan ng hustisya, mababakas pa rin dito ang kahulugan ng bawat dugong dumanak mula sa mga inosenteng mamamayang ginulantang ng dahas. Hanggang ngayon, binabalot pa rin ng kakaibang

mga sundalo nga raw ang nakapatay sa 17 na mga

takot ang atmospera ng lugar kung saan naganap

magsasaka at walong sugatan doon. Ito ay sanhi ng

ang walang habas na pamamaslang sa 17 na walang

umano ng pag-aakala ng mga nakapatay na ang

salang katao na noo’y nananahan dito. Saksi ang

mga sibilyang ito ay ang mga miyembrong kanilang

malawak na tigang na lupa, at ang luntiang kalikasan,

tinutugis sa ngalan paghihiganti para sa pagkawala

binasag ni kamatayan ang nakakabinging katahimikan

ng kanilang pinuno. Subalit nang makarating umano

sa pook noong ika-10 ng Pebrero taong 1987. Kung

ang mga sundalo sa lampas ng tulay, ilang hakbang

kaya’t sa kasalukuyan, bukod sa bukirin na dati ring

na layo lamang mula sa mismong pinangyarihan ng

sinasaka ng mga naging biktima ng krimen at ang

krimen, nagsimula nang magpaputok ng baril ang

ingay ng daloy ng tubig sa batis, halos mawalan na

mga ito.

nga ng buhay ang sitio – isang bagay marahil na kung

Dahil gutom sa hustisya at nag-aapoy ang hangaring

hindi nangyari ang delito noon, ay hindi rin mangyayari

palitan ang dugong dumanak mula kay Dizon, gigil na

ang karimlan ng ngayon.

pinagbabaril ng mga kawal ng batas ang lahat ng

Ang Sigalot ng NPA at Philippine Army

naabutang mga tao sa lugar. Kasama sa mga kaawa-

Ang maitim na kasaysayan sa pamamaslang na ito

awang nadamay ay ang anim na musmos, isang

sa Lupao ay buhat sa likas na sigalot ng mga kasapi

buntis at dalawang matanda mula sa mga pamilya

ng New People’s Army (NPA) at ng Alpha Company ng

Gante, Dupali, Nacasandili, Carnate at Acosta.

Philippine Army. Base sa mga ulat noon, nagkaroon ng

Sanhi ng pangingibabaw ng pangamba sa puso

isang operasyong militar ang gobyerno noon ni Dating

nila at sa ngalan ng kaligtasan ng kani-kanilang

Pangulong Corazon “Cory” Aquino laban sa hukbong

pamilya, lumikas ang lahat ng residenteng nakatira

sandatahang taliwas sa pamahalaan. Ang pagdaluhong

sa sitio at nanatili sa mga bahayan sa pusod ng Brgy

na ito ng alagad ng batas ay sanhi ng pagkamatay ng

Namundalayan. Tulad ng pakiramdam kapag may

kanilang pinunong opisyal na si Second Lieutenant

unos, tila delubyo ang pinagdaanan nila noon at

Edgar Dizon sa kamay ng NPA noong gabi bago ang

kailangang kailangan ng mapagkukublian mula sa

araw ng mismong mas malawakang pamamaslang.

balawis na kahapon.

Ayon sa mga haka-haka mula sa mga mismong

At matapos ang malamig na kinasadlakan ng mga

residenteng Brgy. Namulandayan, tunay na ang 24 na

walang kinalamang biktima, humarap sa korte ang

86

mga kasangkot na sundalo subalit napawalang-sala pa rin ang mga ito. Kung kaya’t nang mangibabaw ang kanilang kapangyarihan kaysa sa paniniwala ng mga residente roon na sila ang mga salarin, pinagpatuloy nila ang mala-diktaturyang pamamahala sa Brgy. Namulandayan. At dito, nakaranas nang kakaibang pagtapak sa pagkatao ang mga mamamayang walang kalaban-laban at walang kasiguraduhan sa kanilang kinabukasan mula sa kamay ng mga sundalo. Ang Buhay sa Namulandayan Matapos ang mahigit 17 na taon, malaki na ang pinagbago ng Brgy. Namulandayan subalit sa kabila ng pagbabagong ito, hindi maikakaila ang nananatiling pag-ere ng takot sa mga tao roon. Ito ay katulad rin ng nanatiling katahimikan sa mismong Sitio Padlao, na kung saan ay tila sariwang sariwa pa ang nangyaring krimen. Isa si Albert Nacasandili, 52 anyos at dating kagawad sa nasabing barangay, sa buhay na patunay na kahit marami nang nagbago sa paglipas ng panahon, ay sadyang may takot pa ring namumutawi para sa karamihan, partikular na para sa mga walang gaanong nalalaman ukol sa bangungot na naganap. Ayon sa kanya, walang magandang idinulot kahit katiting ang pamamaslang na ginawa ng mga sundalo. “Sa totoo lang, nakakatakot talaga. Maraming natakot kaya ‘yung mga taga Sitio Padlao noon, nakarating dito sa mismong mga bahayan. ‘Yung ibang taga-dito naman, lumayas sa sobrang takot na maulit ‘yung patayan na ‘yun,” kwento niya. Wika niya, mahirap daw ang naging buhay ng panahong iyon sapagkat limitado ang kanilang galaw. Hindi nila halos magawa ang kanilang nais gawin at nahihirapang makalabas ng kani-kanilang tahanan. “Sa tuwing lalabas kami tapos may dadaan na


DEVCOM

mga Army, talagang natatakot na ‘yung mga tao. Ba’t

Subalit kahit naniniwala si Albert na hanggang

nga hindi matatakot, tinututukan pa naman ng baril.

doon na lang ang kaso ngayon, para sa kanila, hindi

Tatanungin nila kung NPA ka o kung may nakita kang

makatarungang doon magwawakas ang buhay ng

NPA. ‘Yung mga tao no’n talagang halos maihi sa takot.

kanilang kaanak. Bida niya, may pagkakataon umano

Di makagalaw kapag kinakausap sila,” paliwanag niya.

siyang nakikitang may inaayos ang mga opisyal ng

Nguni’t bukod sa hirap at takot na kanilang

kanilang pook hinggil sa hindi niya maunawaang

naranasan, nangingibabaw ang pilat mula sa sugat

bagay na marahil ay tungkol sa krimeng iyon. Nguni’t

na iniwan ng nasabing pamamaslang, partikular na

sa kabila ng kilusang iyon, hindi na umaasa si Albert

sa mga pamilyang namatayan. Kung kayat’t kahit

na mabibigyan pa ng hustiya ng kanyang tiyuhin gaya

maraming taon na ang nagdaan, nagugunita pa rin

ng pagiging imposible nito na magkaroon pa muli ng

ng buong kamag-anakan nila Albert ang sakit, galit at

bagong buhay.

poot na nagmarka sa kanilang puso nang madamay na namatay ang kanyang tiyuhin

Sa ngayon, hindi man nakakalimot, ay naging kuntento na ang marami sa kanila sa sinasabing

“Syempre hindi naming matanggap na namatay

kapalit ng nangyaring katampalasan. Ito ay sa anyo

‘yung tito ko noon ng ganun-ganun na lang. Masakit

ng pagbibigay ng pamahalaan ng mga lupa sa mga

talaga pero wala na kaming magagawa doon. Nangyari

residente sa pook mula sa pagmamay-ari ng kanilang

na. Tapos na. Siguro, hanggang du’n na nga lang talaga

kinikilala bilang Donya Sobil.

‘yun,” pahayag niya.

Usaping Pulitika

Maraming

tumitingin

na

kahambugan

ito

ng

pamamahala ni Dating Pangulo Cory Aquino. Para sa ilan, ito ay produkto ng kanyang kapabayaan at kagahamanan gaya ng ipinamamalas ng kanyang lahi hinggil sa usapin ng Hacienda Luisita sa Tarlac. Masakit isipin para sa kanila na halos walang naitulong ang dating presidente ni sa pag-usad lamang ng kaso ng mga namatay na taong sumuporta sa kanya sa panahon ng snap election. Kung kaya’t itinuturing nila ang pagkibit balikat niyang ito bilang mas masakit na pagpaslang – sa buhay at sa pagasang mabigyan ng katarungan ang mga nasawi.

87


SRYNRATIN

suppressed

living killings in expressed

Text: Jan Adrian Delos Santos Photos: Rhounee Ron Kevin D. Frany

88


DEVCOM

More than a threat, there is a blood shed. More

Eduardo “Tatang” Joson. Thus, the authority had

found him. Llanera Police said that Areola is from

than a loss, there is an assassination. A series of

then concluded that Joson was the man behind

Cabanatuan City and working as agent of Smart

innocent lives calms by the endless installment of

the executed ambush to Perez. That juncture, as

Money Communications Inc.

Saw movie.

very tragic one, sees by Novo Ecijanos as start of

And the latest, just this year, was the death of

the blood outflowing in the province in the name

Dra. Carolina Talens. In the afternoon about 1:30

of politics.

of June 7, 2014, her dead body was found floating

A face of dreadful episodes of crimes, particularly the express killings, has already been shown to the entire Province of Nueva Ecija. Although this gives

On January 28, 2012, a lady was killed at Barangay

in an irrigation canal in Science City Muñoz. Her

culture shock among its people, somehow, it has

Aduas Sur Cabanatuan City by her live-in partner.

body with shoulder-length hair, medium built, fair

already become a traditional scene in the sphere.

According to the stories, the two had a harsh fight

complexioned, and clad only with white bra and

Through the years, there are already countless

because of financial problem. The suspects was

beige-colored panties, was identified by Laura De

incidents of this crime including those which are not

said to be a drug addict that’s why after he blocked

Guzman and Dr. Alfred Justo, her friend and uncle,

officially recorded in the list of Philippine National

the face of the victim by a pillow, he threw into a well

respectively. Based on the initial findings by SOCO,

Police (PNP). Unfortunately, many of them remain

at a ranch at the back of their house.

the victim was hit in the head by a blunt object and

just as it was meant and don’t go to its right and

Another killing which shocked Nueva Ecija was the

they are still investigating up to now. Governor Umali

final locus – they are recorded as murder case, as

demise of a radio anchor Julius Cauzo last November

was reportedly offering P100,000 to any possible

homicide case, massacre case or whatever case,

8, 2012. He was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding

witnesses who could help to trace the suspect.

but at the end of the day, they just really remain as

gunman along the road of Brgy. Aduas Norte while

The above mentioned crimes are some of the

case with no progress in phase.

on his way to the radio station owned by the family

most remarkable killings happened iun Nueva Ecija.

This is a mirror of that crime’s reality; not an issue

of Cabanatuan City Mayor Julius Ceasar Vergara. The

And more than a history, these need action – action

of justice but a subject of unanswerable questions.

said mayor and Governor Aurelio Umali are known

that can shed light to the cases of the victims who

Up to date, there are still cases of assassinations

for having a prizefight regarding the conversion of

were taken away of lives.

in the province which are not yet resolved -

the city into a highly urbanized city and Cauzo is a

If there is no even a single sensible action to be

something that cannot be denied as they become

loyal supporter of Vergara. Thus, this angle is seen

done, there is a hundred percent assurance that the

national news and gave birth to general awareness

by the PNP as the main reason for his assassination.

history will repeat itself.

of Filipinos. One of the most unforgettable events in the

Meanwhile, with his body trending on social media, Arnel Areola was

chopped-chopped

by

history of the province, particularly of Cabanatuan

unknown suspects. Different parts of his body were

City, is the April 1995’s disturbing death of that City

found along the Provincial Road at Brgy. General

Mayor Honorato Perez and his bodyguard. He was a

Ricarte in municipality of Llanera. According to the

gubernatorial candidate that time competing with

rumors, he came from a debut party in the said

his formerly ally-turned-chief rival late patriarch

town and the day after it, people jogging at the area

89

If the government will remain stagnant and sleeping over their inside jobs, another horrible job will continuously happen outside their office. In the end, Nueva Ecija might become a provincialwide graveyard.


SRYNRATIN

A

PURISIMISTIC

Approach to Fraud Text: Jerome Estavillo Photos: www.google.com/ph

This is not another new story. This is something usual in the system of the Philippines. Too dismaying.The story of this article refers to accused Director General of Philippine National Police (PNP) Alan La Madrid Purisima. 90


DEVCOM

his five-hectare property located in San Leonardo,

with no expenses, it would take 1333 months to

Before he entered the limelight of the roster of

Nueva Ecija. The stuff which Purisima declared as

accumulate P90 million.

corrupt officials, Purisima, born on November 21,

a ‘rest house’ is composed of a 204 square-meter

1959, was raised in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur. He was

two-storey

a graduate of Philippine Military Academy in 1981

swimming pool and landscaped premises. His

and later, he finished Master of Public Administration

declaration of the value of the assets has a large

(MPA) at Manuel L. Quezon University in 1995.

discrepancy on its through worth as Senator Miriam

FACT SHEET: ON HIS LIFE BEFORE

Purisima is a family person. He is the husband of

main

house,

guest

house,

gazebo,

Defensor-Santiago said.

“Unless

Purisima will

have

businesses

and

corruption involvements, he will have all that means.” IRONIES OF A POLICEMAN Purisima is indicted of not exposing his Statement

Maria Lydia Isidoro Purisima and has four children.

A coverage conducted by GMA News, on its

of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) leaving no

He became the director general of the agency on

program 24 Oras, stated that some of the stuffs of

copies at the Office of the President (OP), Civil Service

December 17, 2012.

his rest house were removed before it was shown to

Commission (CSC) and even at his office [PNP].

UNVEILING HIS BRIBERY The director general is entangled with different issues. He is currently accused into a P100-million

media. Traces of wires with no plugged devices and

How this happens that an official of a government

a master bedroom with marks of removed furniture

who jails criminals are those who are charged with

on its floors are just few of the evidences that the

offenses against the law? The situation becomes

house was already cleared at that moment.

more suspicious and the call for public exposé

peso plunder case over his suspected participation

His name is also involved in a poultry farm and

in a license delivery deal, wherein the PNP entered

a trucking business in Brgy. Macatbong, Cabanatuan

into a contract with a phony company which is

City. The property is named into his son which is

said

worth some P90 million.

unregistered to

Securities

and

Exchange

Purisima confessed that he accepted money

AS TO FILIPINOS Being one of the biggest group of persons

Commission. donations amounting to P25 million to compensate

becomes a must.

whose primary duty is to ‘serve and protect’ the HIS

COMPENSATION

CANNOT

COMPENSATE

HIS

LUXURIES

nation, it should be the PNPs initiative to exercise transparency in all aspects with no exemptions

the renovation of his official residence (also called

“It is impossible for a police officer to have those

“White House”) located inside Camp Crame, Quezon

means even if he assumes a high position,” one of

City. He is also involved in using a bulletproof Land

the netizens said.

even the topmost officials. The Filipinos’ trust to our leaders is already mortifying and it becomes dead already as a

Cruiser vehicle not registered in his name and

If the regular monthly salary of an official in his

policeman is involved. The Filipinos who are grassed

buying a sports vehicle at around P1.5 million with a

position is P67,500, that would only be P 810,000

by our present society will demand impeachment

market value of P3 million.

in a year and P 1,417,500 if it would be computed

and even conviction of those who are charged

HIS TREASURES. HIS LUXURIES.

on his 21 months of service from the time he was

against them.

Aside from being an object of illegal works,

appointed in his position. The math would be very

Purisima is at the critical point with his unexplained

far upon acquiring a villa and a P90-million poultry

wealth.

farm and a trucking business. If the situation

The public was amazed when the media exposed

happens that he earns the same income of P67,500

91

For the sake of integrity, imprisonment is a requisite for law breakers.


SRYNRATIN

Philippines’ Tricycle

Culture Text: Jhon Mark Paynor

Photos: www.google.com/ph

Big or small, fast or slow, inclined or not, cheap or a bit expensive, whatever the description will be, one thing is for sure – no one among us does not know what tricycle is.

92


CUTLURE

Vicent Abella, a resident of Arevallo, IloIlo City.

Aside from jeepneys, taxis and buses, tricycles

specific motorcycle brand. But perhaps, as what a

are definitely one of the most in demand public

traditional driver says, the said brand is more fuel

transportation whether in urban or rural areas in

efficient than other motorcycles, making it the trike

The designs of the tricycles in Isabela are like

the Philippines.

From the tricycle we commonly

drivers preference. But in the end, whatever it is,

the trike features in Cabanatuan City, only a bigger

see every day along the road while going to the

trikes are the number one mode of transportation

version of it. At the same time, the seat and the

University and going home, I have searched some of

in the city.

sidecar are not that too low, making it a bit easier to ride at. And if most of the trikes in Cabanatuan City

the different tricycle designs in the country. And now, let’s begin traversing the world of tricycles.

Isabela

Cagayan De Oro

are not painted, in Isabela, almost all the trikes are

The tricycle in CDO is like a three-wheeled mini

dyed with different colors.

jeep where the driver is also in the same roof with Lubang Island, Mindro

Batanes

the passengers. Trikes in the place have benches

The roof itself makes it totally different from the

on both sides with an over-all total capacity of six

Seeing it a far distance, you might say it is a

other kind if trikes, for it is made up of a carefully

passengers. Thus, its fare is cheaper than other

jeepney. But as you get closer to it, you would

weaved dayami, which is also used as the roof of the

trikes in the country.

realize that it is a tricycle. The design itself is a product of wide imagination of Filipinos because

nipa hut in the country. Furthermore, its side car is a bit different from usual trikes which are closed

Compostella Valley

it has a casing of a jeepney. It has also a bumper

compartment because in Batanes, they are open.

One of the most extraordinary designs of trikes in

making it more confusing if it is really a jeepney or

the Philippines can be found in Compostella Valley.

a tricycle. But this type of trike is only applicable

It is because unlike the other structures of tricycles

for those who are not in a hurry, or somehow, for

Cabanatuan City

in the country, theirs have a unique composition,

those who are just touring around. It is because its

During my first time at Cabanatuan City, the

wherein the driver is at the middle and there are

casing is a bit heavy, which slows down the speed.

first thing that really caught my attention are the

just some additional galvanized iron at both sides of

Meanwhile, in comparison with a conventional trike,

hundreds or even thousands of tricycles that roam

the motorcycle for the passenger to sit. Containing

this Lubang Island’s version can carry a maximum

around the city. Upon noticing them, it amazed me

only two wheels, it accommodates eight passengers

of six passengers.

as I read from one of the stickers pasted at the back

which when one gets down, another passenger

of trike that this place is the tricycle capital of the

should replaced that customer to maintain the

Philippines.

balance of the weight distribution on both sides.

And it is known as kolong-kolong.

Zamboanga Peninsula Same as the other trikes with colorful side car

Aside from the number of trikes, another that

But passengers have nothing to worry about

designs, the trikes in Zamboanga Peninsula made a

caught my attention is the design and motorcycles

because his trike has also roof. However when the

little bit twist on its tricycle. Since they have a hilly

being used by most tricycle drivers. The not so big

rain pours, be ready to get wet.

terrain there, trikes are customized with inclined structure. That configuration makes riders to feel a

and lowered side cars make it a bit hard to sit for those who are tall because the roof is not that high. At

Iloilo

bit scared because the line of vision of a passenger

the same time, the seats were a bit low thus, making

The trike itself is a bit smaller than other trikes in

is directs upward. But then, it will not roll anyway

it unique side cars than others. Another thing is that

its neighboring provinces in Visayas Region. However,

because the design itself just makes it easier in

it doesn’t have that much colors and designs unlike

the sidecar itself is very innovative making it very

tackling slopes.

other trikes in other provinces in the country which

attractive to ride at. It is because its sidecars are

really exert too much effort just to make their trikes

somehow inspired by modern and futuristic designs.

All the things I cited here are just some of the

more attractive than other trikes.

It is made up of fiberglass mat, resin, woven roving,

best designs of the tricycles in the country. But at

Lastly, I noticed that the motorcycle usually used

galvanized steel, and other composite materials.

the end of the day, its features don’t matter at all.

by the drivers, I do not know if it is a requirement

It is also lightweight and made with elegance and

What is important is, it helps every Filipino to have

before venturing in tricycle driving livelihood, has a

sleek. This design was being patented by Elmer

an access to a cheaper and safer transportation.

93


METAPHORS

Balahaw Kaladkad

Nabutas ang aking damit

Nang ipain sa katapusan. Kadena sa pagitan

Ng malalaking gulong

Sa ilalim ng Izusu JB-1, Kinandado ko sa aking paa Bago mag-init ang makina Kapayapaan. Ang guhitan ng pula Ang kahabaan ng Maharlika. -John Paul Dizon

94


PROSE & POETRY

Graphics: Freddierick U. Ladignon and Rolando C. Iniwan, Jr.

95


PROSE & POETRY METAPHORS

Wala Kanan o Kaliwa? Sila kumanan, Ako sa kaliwa. Pero‌ Sa kanan nga ba O sa kaliwa? Nandito na ako, Nasaan na sila?

-Jan Adrian F. Delos Santos

Byaheng Puso Hindi ito basta-basta pampublikong sasakyan. Huwag mong asahang hihintuan ka nito upang ikaw ay isakay. Matuto kang pumara nang malaman niya na may naghahanap sa kanya. Matuto kang magbayad kapag hinihingi niya. Matuto kang mag-abot ng tama kapag nagpapaabot siya. Matuto kang maging tapat Matakot ka na kapag niloko mo siya ay dumating ang araw na hindi ka na niya suklian ng tama, Baka maghiganti siya. Baka ibaba ka na lang sa niya basta-basta, Iwan at hindi na balikan. Sabihin mo sa kanya kung saan mo gustong magpunta. Kung hindi niya alam ang daan, Pag-usapan ninyo. Kung alam niya ang daan, Magtiwala ka sa kanya, Magtitiwala rin siya sa’yo. Alalahanin mo lahat ito, Ala-ala ng pagiging mabuti mo. Ngayon alam mo na, Ngayon alam mo nang sumakay, Ngayon makakabiyahe na kayo ng maayos. -Arjan Joe Coma

96


PROSE & POETRY

Pista ng Aybori Nakaamba ko nang ratratin ang mga lintik na nakabalandra sa daan nang hawakan ako sa braso ni Jenny. “Ok lang, kaya ko pa.” habang hinihingal. Habang nabibingi ang kanya-kanyang tainga sa tibok ng puso ng isa’t isa. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pag-salat ng malamig na hangin sa bawat patak ng aking pawis.

Tatang

Nakadagdag pa sa inis ko nang magputukan ang mga kuwitis sa himpapaid. ‘Di na ko nakapag-pigil

Minsan, hindi ko alam kung paano ko papatigilin

at hinarurot ko ang kotse habang pinapaulanan ng

sa kakasalita ng mga bagay si Tatang na siya lang

sunod-sunod na busina ang mga kanina lang ay

naman ang nakakaintindi. Pero wala naman akong

nagsasayawan sa kalye.

magagawa, siya lang ang kasama ko sa bahay. Nag-

Sa isip-isip ko’y puputok na ang sa asawa ko… lubayan niyo ko sa mga Sinasanto Niño.

tatrabaho kasi sa iabang bansa mga magulang ko. Sa halos pagkabata ko na kasama ko si Tatang, nakabisado ko na rin ang gawain niya. Sa umaga,

-John Paul Dizon

magwawalis siya sa bakuran at magdidilig ng mga tanim nya. Pagkayari, mamamalengke sya at magluluto ng tanghalian. Sa hapon naman, pupunta siya sa court at doon tatambay habang kakwentuhan ‘yung mga tricycle drivers na nakapila doon. At pag gabi, kakain kami at manunuod na siya ng tv hanggang sa makatulugan nya itong nakabukas. Pero sa bawat pagitan ng mga gawain nya na ‘yun, rumerepeke rin ang kanyang bibig. Isang gabi, nagpaalam ako sa kanya. Sabi ko dadalo ko sa debut ng kaibigan ko. Hindi sya kumibo na parang walang nakita at narinig. Kinabukasan, umaga pa lang, nagluto na siya ng pagkain. Hindi na niya nabigyang pansin ‘yung mga bisyo nya at umalis na lang bigla ng walang paalam. Tapos na ang tanghalian subalit wala pa siya kayahinanap ko siya. Alas singko na pero di ko pa rin sya makita. Natatakot na ko, baka dahil sa katandaan, ay nawala na siya. Pero di ko na alam gagawin ko kaya umuwei

Buti na lang taya ako

na lang ako. Maya-maya ay may pumasok sa pinto ng bahay. Pag-lingon ko, sya na nga. “Saan ka ba galing Tatang? Kaninang umaga pa kita hinahanap. Di na tuloy ako nakaalis!”

Buti nalang taya ako. Pipindutin nalang na niya ang buton nang makaramdam ng paghilab ng tiyan. Bumaba siya sa dump truck at agad tumakbo sa pinakamalapit ng

“Pasensya ka na apo. Pumila kasi kaso ako sa

portalet. Habang dumudumi, narinig niya ang mga

bangko para makuha yung pension ko. Alam mo

batang nagkakantahan ng It purikit sa likod ng ban-

namang kailangan maaga ka do’n dahil maram-

yo. Paglabas nya’y nagbibilang na sa dingding ang

ing tao,” wika niya. “Diba hindi ka pinadalan ngayon

taya. Nagkamot pa siya ng puwet bago muling uma-

ng pera ng Mama’t Papa mo? Heto oh, bumili kong

kyat sa trak. Inatras ng kaunti ang sasakyan at napamura

pang-regalo mo.” Nang makita ko ang inaabot sa akin ni Tatang na

nang may kumalso sa gulong nito at pinindot na

paperbag, biglang tumulo ang mga luha sa pisngi

ang buton, sumahimpapawid ang dump box at un-

ko.

ti-unting tumapon ang buhangin sa maliit ng balon.

“Salamat Tatang,” sabi ko.

Nasilip niya sa side mirror, nagtatatarang sa pag-iyak ang kaninang nagbibilang, malapit ito sa

-Jan Adrian Delos Santos

balon. Muling napamura ang driver at bumaba sa kinauupuan. “Lintik kang bata ka, lumayo ka dyan!” Dadaklutin na niya sa sando ang batang babae nang makitang may ulong nakapailalim sa hulihang gulong ng trak. Muli siyang napamura, sa pagkakataong ‘yon may masama pa siyang kutob. “Nasan ‘yung iba? Nasan yung mga kalaru mo?!” tanong niya sa batang hawak niya sa kanang braso. Sumagot ang paslit, nanginginig, tumutulo ang sipon, namamalahaw… “Nata bayon” -John Paul Dizon

97


METAPHORS

Luksa Hanggang ngayon Ay naghihintay pa rin Sa terminal kung saan ka namin hinatid. Sa ‘yong pag-byahe Sabi mo babalik ka, Magsasama tayo. Bumalik ka nga pero hindi na kita kilala. Literal. Halo halong katawan, Iba’t ibang kasarian… Umaasa pa rin ako, na babalik ka. -Brenda Lynne Aguilar

A Cruise To be aware nor clueless Cherished, nor craved. To be guided nor misguided In love, nor broken hearted. But to sail in waters Unmapped.

-Joyce Culala

98


PROSE & POETRY

A voyage for answers

Byaheng Langit

I have been everywhere.

…sa kanto ng gasolinahan

Searching for answers to questions.

Walang pinag-iba… … maikling tela’y nakabalot

..devoid of meaning’

ikaw pa din ang babaeng dati kong kasalo…

Shrouded by pretenses. I have been to the far end of the pedestal

Hindi ko makakalimutan ang araw;

Amassed great fame,

Wasak na wasak

And was regarded with too much prom.

Ang damdamin kong tinapakan Biglaang kalabit sabay alok mo sa akin

I have been to scarcity

Hindi ko makakalimutan

Less luxuries to relish

ang araw ng

But I rose above the quagmire

byahe.

And emerged victorious

Kung saan narating ko ang langit kapalit ng tatlong papel na kulay ube.

I have been through a lot of heartaches And found refuge in my lone and one friend-

-Roma Mae Herrera

SILENCE I was love for who I am, not for what I am I’m a shoddy being, flawed inside and out. I’ not perfect but I’m trying to be one. I’M STILL SEARCHING. In my moments of quietude, I keep asking why Why am I feeling like this? Incomplete, so frivolous. When will I ever find the answers? End my search. Bring me home. -Joyce Culala

Bsto Tumilaok na ang manok Nagpakita na ang araw Dumagundong ang mga sasakyang tanda ng lansangan Lumipas na ang oras Nakauwi na ang estudyante Sumisilay na ang buwan Naglabasan ang mga bugaw Naglipana na ang mga magnanakaw Nagsulputan ang ahas Nagkalat ang buwaya Araw ay nagdaan. Ngunit,

Enrollment

Tulog ka pa rin Tulog ang katawan, Mas natutulog ang iyong kaisipan, Ang kamalayan

Muli ka na namang aasa, Ilang oras na pipila Patungo sa pangarap.

Sa mga nangyayari Sa iyong kapaligiran.

Papalapit sa diploma.

-Jerome Estavillo

Siya diumano’y abala

Isang hakbang sa tagumpay.

Sa kanyang opisina Pagdating sa iyo, wala na. Kahit na panglima ka lang sa pila. Tanghali na pala. Balik na lang mamaya. Pagdating ng hapon, mauulit Ang umaga. Ang ginawa mo sa umaga Na muli, Ikaw ay aasa. Maghihintay, masasaktan. Muling aasa, bukas.

-Jerome Estavillo

99


SPORTS EDITORIAL

After striving for victory When everything had ended, we

had missed. On the other hand, we believe that professors should also

should go back to where we started. Ecija

have a wholehearted consideration

Collegiate Sports League (NECSL) Meet

to those players who competed in the

had ended and the university had

name of the university. They should be

proven that it could dominate among

open-minded enough to understand

other schools in the province. The

that missing classes upon practice is

hardships of our players brought us a

inevitable. It is a nature of everything.

Another

season

of

Nueva

There is one thing that we should

fruit of success. It would be another thing that our school can brag to

consider

others.

university: to study. Being the best

upon

our

stay

in

this

But, after all the screams and

player is good but being a good

supports from our contemporaries,

student is the best. To all our players,

what comes next? Is our university

before we put ourselves into the fire

going to strike another fight? Are our

of fighting, we should consider that

players going to another battle?

we can do two different things at the

At the end of the day, athletes are

same time. Being an athlete should

still students. Though being a varsity

not always our career, but, being an

plays an important role for them

individual who craves learning inside

to stay in their college life, there’s

the classroom.

something more important to do. They

Our victory inside the arena is

need to study to achieve their dreams.

represented by medals and trophies

Players need to go back to attend their

but they can fade away after some

classes and act like normal students

times. The true success of being a

inside the

classrooms. They have

student can be denoted by a diploma.

to comply with their requirement or

The true battlefield is not literally the

unless, they will fail.

sports arena but the struggle for a

Upon consuming too much time

better future. Winning a game is just a part of

to be excused from their classes, athletes have the responsibility to

victory. It is not the victory itself.

cope up with the lessons that they

100


SPORTS OPINION

Just a little bit of worth o n

a t h l e t e s

Text: Jerome Estavillo Photos: Darren Mark Dante As I write this article, I do not know

student needed to compete in her

game of Nueva Ecija Collegiate Sports

what to write as our editor-in-chief

event but her professor did not give

League (NECSL). He watched the game

task me to do everything about sports.

her any consideration in the quiz that

personally to show his support to our

I admit that I am one of those who

she missed. The end-product of her

athletes.

are ignorant when it comes to sports

condition was a zero grade in that

I am valuing every minute that they

activities in our university. I don’t even

particular quiz. This situation became

spend in their massive training instead

pay too much attention if someone

really upsetting on the part of the

of putting their time to study their

will talk about our varsity players. My

athlete who just wants to represent

lessons. There are times that they even

mouth is zipped whenever my friends

our university. She might not have

need to compromise their class to

converse about their favorite athlete.

her choice because aside from being

prepare for an upcoming competition.

But, I am only much after on the

a student, she is a scholar of the

Their hardships have become a great

recognitions that they have as they

university whose duty is to represent

part on the excellence of our university

compete events outside the university.

the school in athletic events. Her choice

in sports.

Because after all the negligence that I

not to play might affect the matter that

have, I appreciate the efforts and pains

makes her stay in this institution.

The next time that I am going to ask an athlete, I hope that the school

are

can provide full support to them. If

some good points as the current

the president can watch the event

But, do they get what they deserve?

administration put their support to

personally, teachers should also put

Sometimes, no. Sometimes, yes.

our players. I really admire what our

their considerations to our athletes.

university

Nothing will be lost if we support them.

they did to keep the good standing of our school in the field of sports.

That was a good answer. There was a case before when a

On

the

other

hand,

president

there

Pacifico

Aniag

did during the finals of the basketball

101

Just a little bit appreciation.


SPORTS NEWS

U

Riders cagers clinch buzzer beater Text: Faith Chloe Patacsil & Jomar Silva9 Photos: NECSL Facebook Page

Wesleyan University-Philippines once again secured its position as one of the lead universities in the province to excel in the field of sports in the Nueva Ecija Collegiate Sports League (NECSL) last October. The Riders were able to maintain their position as one of the top performing schools that brought home trophies in the NECSL Season 3. The Wesleyan Riders dominated all of the games in Men’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball, making them both contenders for the championship trophy. The Men’s Basketball team emerged as champions against the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) Phoenix in their final game held at the Araulio Gymnasium. The basketball’s championship game ended

with a 60-58 score, credits to the buzzer beater lay-up shot delivered by Jopet Tolentino. Before the Wesleyan Riders was formally announced as champions of the basketball tournament, the NEUST filed a complaint saying that Tolentino’s lay-up shot didn’t make the time. The issue was resolved by the referees and the technical panel, in the end the Wesleyan Riders went home as basketball champions. Last year the Wesleyan Riders basketball team only came in second. In an interview with Norvie Padilla, third year Mass Communication student who was able to watch the game, she said “Dikit ‘yung laban saka magaling parehas ng mga manlalaro sa depensa kaya mahirap lumamang.” She further added that Wesleyan Riders

improved their game plays compared to last year. She also commented on how many students came in to support the team. Geof Tadeo, Hotel Restaurant and Institution Management student, was named as the Most Valuable Player. Meanwhile the Women’s Volleyball team finished first runner-up against the NEUST Phoenix, this is a downfall since the team was able to come on top in last year’s NECSL. The volleyball’s championship game was a total rally between the two teams, ending with a final 3-2 sets score, in favor of the NEUST Phoenix On the other hand, Sharla Santillan, a student from the College of Education, came in as first runner up in the NECSL Pageant.

U 102


SPORTS FEATURE It is not merely about the face but it’s all about heart, mind, and soul. The right attitude of a beauty queen brought the second year financial management student Maxine Jianna Cruz to grab the crown as Bb. Palaro 2014. Her stint in Mr. & Ms. CBA 2014 carried her to join in a more serious contest where she competed in a university ramp of splendors. The pageant started on the first day of Palarong Wesleyan. Upon the literally-heating temperature of the university gymnasium, the screams and support from different colleges was even hotter as the place where it was happened. The candidates were called one-by-one but yells never did stop. “Of all the candidates, siya yung sa tingin ko na kahit walang make-up, maganda. Effortless yung beauty niya,” said one of the students from College of Business and Accountancy. With her looks and athletic physique, it was undeniable that Maxine could seize the crowd during the pageant. It was a great opportunity that the publication held a conversation with a girl who does not have only the height but also the heart of being an icon of beauty. Q: What did you feel when you were crowned as Bb. Palaro? A: The indescribable feeling of happiness. Because that is one of my dreams & my stepping stone to become a real beauty queen. And I know that my parents would be so proud of me, and that’s the best feeling ever right? To make your parents proud. Q: How did you prepare for the pageant? A: I keep myself physically fit to have a good posture, and mentally fit to have a good answer. Q: How do you define the word ‘beauty’? A: For me, beauty isn’t about having a pretty face. It is about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart, and most importantly a beautiful soul. Q: What was the thing that led you to win this contest? A: “Always act like you are wearing an invisible crown” this is one of my favorite quotations. Because, it means that always remember what you deserve or you should maintain self-confidence. And I think I have enough confidence to win the title. Q: Who encouraged you to join Bb. Palaro? A: It is my family. Because they are the one who are always there to support me in every possible way, and I know that no one can ever replace them. Q: May mga naging hadlang ba sa pagsali mo dun? A: Wala po  Q: Kung may kamukha kang artista, sino yun sa tingin mo? A: As my mother watched “The Heirs”, she said that I look like Park Shin-hye, and it is because of her cheeks. But for me, I more like Julia Baretto. [Hehe] because she’s pretty! Q: What are your views in life? A: Life is a matter of choice. We made our choices according to circumstances, ambitions, and purposes. But then, at the end of the day, we have to accept the result of our decisions. Right decision or wrong decision, we have to deal with it responsibly. Life is a matter of choice, faith, and right attitude to deal with our daily lives. Q: Sino yung mga gusto mong pasalamatan? A: I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the overwhelming support of my family, friends, fellow students, faculty and staff, to our beloved dean, Ma’am Mavic who were always there to guide and support us in every competition we may in. And of course, I want to thank God for everything that He has given me. The journey of a beauty queen is just starting. For Maxine, having a full support from her family is the perfect road to her dreams. Maxine treasures that making her parents proud is one of her desires in life.

NOT YOUR ORDINARY

BEAUTY QUEEN MAXINE JIANNA CRUZ Text: Jerome Estavillo Photos: Maria Jubelle Legaspi

“Life is a matter of choice. We made our choices according to circumstances, ambitions, and purposes. But then, at the end of the day, we have to accept the result of our decisions. Right decision or wrong decision, we have to deal with it responsibly. Life is a matter of choice, faith, and right attitude to deal with our daily lives”

103


SPORTS fEATURE

Presenting: The UAAP of

NUEVA ECIJA Text: Jhon Mark Paynor

Sa pagsimula ng University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 77(UAAP) kasabay rin nito

Photos: NECSL Facebook Page hindi mawawala sa isip ng ibang tao na kaya ito

iba’t-ibang larangan ng sports. Paano kung hindi

iniorganisa ay para lamang sa pulitika.

ka magaling mag basketball pero mahusay kang

ang pagbubukas ng Nueva Ecija Collegiate Sports

Suporta Mula sa Iba’t-Ibang Unibersidad

maglaro ng badminton? sayang ang opotunidad na

League (NECSL) na nasa ikatlong taon na.

Kung iisipin mas napagtutuunan ng pansin

maipakita ang husay sa buong probinsya ng Nueva

na

ang mga manlalaro ng UAAP kaysa sa NECSL.

Ecija. Ngunit gaya nga na sabi ko, hindi naman

associations.

Ito ay sapagkat kung titingnan pa lang naman

masamang umasa na malay natin, pagdating ng

Hayaan mo akong ipahayag ang mga pagkakaiba at

mga manlalaro ng UAAP, hitik na hitik itosa mga

araw, madagdagan na ng swimming, badminton,

pagkakaparehas ng dalawang ito.

benepisyo kagaya ng 100% scholarship, libreng

track and field at maraming pang sports events ang

77yrs vs 3yrs

boarding house, allowance na malaki at marami

NECSL.

Hindi lingid sa lahat na talaga nga naman na

pang iba. Hindi gaya ng players ng NECSL, may

bago lamang ang NECSL kumpara sa 77 years ng

mga ibang manlalaro mula sa mga unibersidad na

UAAP. Ibig sabihin lamang nito, mas marami ng

napipilitan lamang maglaro o kaya naman wala ng

namang

kasaysayan

na inukit ang UAAP kaysa sa NECSL.

mapiling ipanlalaban kaya naman sila na lamang

ginagamit ng mga manlalaro ng UAAP kumpara sa

Mas marami na rin naging iba’t-ibang pangyayari

ang isasabak kahit walang training. Minsan, kung

NECSL, kaya nga naman mas nakagagana maglaro

ang ginanap sa likod at harap ng UAAP committee

malas at nagigipit, ultimo jersey na isusuot ay baka

kung ang pasilidad at mga sports equipment na

na mas lalo pang nagpapatibay sa kanila. Kung

sila rin ang gumastos. Nakalulungkot ngunit hindi

gagamitin ay maganda.

tutuusin, wala pa sa kalingkingan ng UAAP ang

ko sinasabing kailangan natin ng suporta ng kagaya

ABS-CBN over TV48

NECSL, ngunit malay natin, pag inabot na ng 77

ng sa UAAP ngunit kahit sana sa kalingkingan

years rin ang NECSL ay maging ganyan na rin ito

nama’y umabot tayo sa kanila.

Ngayon,

ating

pinagkaiba

ng

limiin

dalawang

ang

mga

athletic

bagay

kasikat. Hindi naman masamang mangarap.

iba’t-ibang

unibersidad

ang

heads

University

mula of

the

panunuorin

sa

magaganda

telebisyon,

ang

mga

sadya

pasilidad

nga na

Kung ang UAAP ay ibinobroadcast ng live sa ABStao na hindi nakabili ng ticket para panuorin ang

walong

bakbakan sa loob ng ring, ang NECSL ay mayroon

mayroon

din namang TV48. Hindi na rin masama para sa

tatlong

labinganim na unibersidad na kalahok. Kaya nga

kasisimula pa lamang na sports event sa probinsya.

Philippines,

naman gaya ng sabi ng iba, “the more the merrier.”

Kung

Para sa kaalaman ng iba, ang UAAP ay iniorganisa mga

Kung

CBN para mabigyan ng oportunidad ang ibang mga

8 over 16

Pag-oorganisa ng

Facilities

sa

sa

unibersidad

National University, at University of Santo Thomas

UAAP na

mayroon

kalahok,

sa

lamang NECSL

at mula sa tatlong ito mas lumawak hanggang sa

Ilan

lamang

iyan

sa

pagkakaiba

at

pagkakaparehas ng UAAP at NECSL. Nguni’t gayun

Sport Fields Kung sa NECSL mayroon lamang iilang event

pa man, halos parehas lang naman ito ng layunin –

maging walo, samantalang ang NECSL ay iniorganisa

na

cheerdance,

ang maipakita ang kakayahan ng bawat manlalaro

ng Provincial Government ng Nueva Ecija. Hindi ko

basketball at volleyball, ang UAAP ay tila isang

sa iba’t-ibang unibersidad, at makilala ang mga

sinasabi itong mali. Mabuti na nga lang at may nag-

Olympic event na talaga nga naman nagpapakita

mahuhusay na manlalaro sa iba’t-ibang mga

organisa ng ganitong event sa Nueva Ecija ngunit

ng iba’t-ibang kahusayan ng mga estudyante sa

larangan.

maaaring

lahukan

gaya

104

ng


SPORTS FEATURE

THE

PERKS OF BEING A

WESLEYAN

ATHLETE Text: Anne Klein Roque, Camille Dofredo, Jhon Mark Paynor & John Dalton Maestre Photos: Maria Jubelle Legaspi, Kevin Frany & Darren Mark Dante

Cagers and spikers have dominated the sports scene for decades in the university outpowering most of the other sports teams in popularity. Genre has rounded up four of the university’s star players from different varsity teams aside from basketball and volleyball and here’s what they have to say.

105


SPORTS FEATURE

Name: Nicholes Maglatang Year Level: 3rd Year Course: BS Information Technology Age: 18 years old Name: Nicholes B. Maglatang Year/Course/Block: 3BSIT2 College: College of Computer Studies This veteran server of our Sepak Takraw varsity players describes Sepak as ¼ of his life. It all started when he was in elementary when he saw the¬ others playing the game. Right after he was amazed, he tried playing it. “Yung iba po kasi akala nila mahirap pero practice lang naman po, tyaga, practice. Lahat naman po siguro ng sports need maging matiyaga,” he said. For everyone’s information, the team always rank first in the Regionals but last year, they ranked 2nd. Nevertheless, the team is aiming again for the rank one in the said level. Conferring to what he said, their training is every Saturday but when the competition is getting near, the schedule of their practice will be adjusted. But of course, he won’t let his studies to be compromised. Just in case he has a feeling that they will fail in a certain subject, Coach Pearl, or “Mommy” as how they call her, is coming to rescue him along with his teammates, as she gives her all out support to her sons. Nicholes, this shy-young-expert and full of spirit person, just laughs whenever he’s out for a game even when in practice. But he said he is serious although he looks like not one. He also added that he never gets nervous when he’s inside the court because he has been through a lot of games. As what he said, he played Sepak since elementary. Thus, as piece of advice, he added that being nervous can’t help any player in any game. Meanwhile, aside from Sepak Takraw, he also plays badminton, football and basketball. But he focused on Sepak Takraw when he reached college because that is really his passion. And oh, ladies out there, he doesn’t court anyone now but he has lots of crushes. He doesn’t have a girlfriend but for him, for the team, their girlfriend is the victory! - KR

106


SPORTS FEATURE

Name: Rose Ann Curioso Year Level: 2nd Year Course: BSEd - Filipino Age: 17 years old “The pin is mightier than the sword.” Chess might seem boring as it sounds, but to this girl, Chess is a world where she could express everything. When you visit the College of Education building, you would most likely see her playing Chess in the college’s lounge. Her mighty moves and sharp mind brought her to countless success. And behind this success, there is still a cheerful and funny Rose Ann Curioso. “Make the right move, play Chess.” Rose Ann started playing Chess when she was still on the fifth grade and is always hailed as the champion in her elementary years. Now, the 17-year old girl has competed in several competitions and often takes home the award for being the best player in her field. Some of her most remarkable matches include Central Luzon Region Athletic Association (CLARAA), Palarong Pambansa, and National Chess Champion – Luzon Leg, where she placed 6th among the top players. “Yung pinaka practice namin is yung before the game, nakikipagcompete kami sa mga mas experienced and mas matatanda na players para makakuha kami ng ideas sa mga strategies nila” This girl might be the best player in the University, but still, she seeks some help from the pioneers in her field. For her, a lot of practice makes her the champion. She makes sure that before competing, she is well prepared. She also said that she does not have any special before-game rituals as most players have. “Wala po. Wala pong mga ginagawa before the game. Practice lang po talaga.” According to her, there are no special strategies that make her advanced among other competitors. She just relies on her own skills in order to win the match. “Yung advantage ko po siguro is yung mas naging experienced po ako because of competing with other Chess players.” This girl might not be so familiar in the whole campus. She might be just a regular student who experiences problems every student experiences. She might be an unsung champion, but still her skills would bring her slowly to the limelight. - CD

107


SPORTS FEATURE

Name: Ramsey Lopez Year Level: 3rd Year Course: AB Political Science Age: 18 years old While most of the people are having a hard time hitting the very small pingpong ball, he is indeed gifted with eye and body coordination making it as easy as ABC in smashing those balls. I am referring to Ramsey Lopez, a Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science student. Some of you may have heard him in some seminars and activities in the university singing different genres of music but aside from being a good singer, he is also very good at table tennis. The first sport he ventured into is not table tennis but badminton. But during his first badminton competition, he lost the fight, leaving him crying for the defeat. When he was in 4th Grade, he tried to play soccer but then he was being hit by a ball in his face. On his 5th grade, he tried playing baseball but he was once again hit by the ball in his stomach, making him decide to leave. And the time came when the first time of his life, he played table tennis during his in 6th Grade. Thanks to his cousins who encouraged him to play the game. The first championship title he won was during his 6th grade on the division meet. When he was in High School, he continued playing and he was able to play in CLARAA. During his third, year he was given the chance to play in Palarong Pambansa but then his father didn’t allow him since he was the only player from Aurora. And the rest went as history for Ramsey. And now that he is in college, his journey as table tennis player continues. He is dreaming someday to play in the national and even international level. Yes, he is ready to face any barrier to his goal. Thus, he undergoes a tough practice every night after his classes. As an advice for those who have stories like his, “Practice, not just practice but correct practice, faith in God, and believe in yourself.� - JMP

108


SPORTS FEATURE

Name: Melissa Grospe Year Level: 2nd Year Course: BSBA - MM Age: 17 years old Got the “hots” for kick-ass chicks. Be careful though cause this one stings. Whether it’s a high kick or a low one, she will definitely deliver with grace. Melissa

Grospe,

a

headstrong

girl you

will

definitely admire hails from Cabanatuan City, is a loyal Wesleyan University-Philippines student. After graduating from Wesleyan high school department,

she

went

straight

to

the

home

of excellence – the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) – and currently takes up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in marketing management. In our society, we see girls as fragile princesses who deserve to be given the world in a silver platter. Their role is being the damsels locked up high in the tower waiting for their prince charming to come and save them. Fortunately Melissa refused to be part of the stereotyped female race. She learned to kick for herself. It started with childish jealousy. She saw her sibling doing taekwondo and found it cool that’s why she forced herself to learn the sport. Eventually she fell in love. She loves the sports and likes competing. During elementary and high school, she became a varsity player. Constantly she is a representative for the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Competition. There was a short stop in her career but it seems that she can’t take her back from the ring. Entering tertiary level she became a representative of CBA for the intramurals. The taekwondo team garnering the most points which contributed for its grand slam championship. After being a player for the intramurals, she became a fully pledged varsity player for Wesleyan Riders. Her high kicks brought low her foes and garnered points letting her qualify for the National Private Schools Athletic Association. Currently, she is a blue belter and is aiming to get that black belt as soon as possible. She may have stopped once but taekwondo is always a part of her. It is definitely what makes a Melissa Grospe. -JDM

109


ENTERTAINMENT

Zhonrox Upgraded Version:

Novo Ecijano Edition Prutas na pula, sa congreso ay gagawaran sya, itong si Ina ay walang boses talaga, literal man o paos pausan man, puro puso mo at puso ko, sa the voice siya ay panlaban. Mike na malaki ang kailangan nya para tayo ay maikatawan nya. Sa ikatatlong buto nya, kami ay umaasa, kaunting hilot naman, para hindi nirarayuma. Amang mahabagin, kami ay pagpalain, sa iyong kinita sa mga pataba sa bukid namin. Aming hiling, sa susunod

Advertisements Urgently needed! As in now na! Tao na pagsasabihan mo ng

“You complete me”,

sa pinakamabilis na paraan! Hindi masungit at laging nakangiti.

For sale!

OVEN TOASTER

sa 3rd at 4th floor With mga naka-uniform na estudyante Plus pawis na tatlong balde. Contact Manacop_EZE@yahoo. com

na tanimang dadating, hindi na tao ang gamitin naming pataba kundi ‘yung totoo na, ‘yung pang bukid talaga. Sa iyo igagawad ang natatanging parangal, parangal ng pagkilala sa mga nasasakupan nya. Isang politician na nag-aaspire maging boxer ang susunod na gagawaran, idol ata nito si Pacman. Best in attendance sa misa de gallo tuwing mag-eeleksyon, sa simbahan ay lagi syang number one! Kapag nga naman ikaw ay nagustuhan, tiyak kayo’y magkikita sa botohan. Mula sa dating kampo, ikaw ay nagtampo, bakit bakit, ang aming tanong. Gawad namin ay sa’yo itutuon upang madagdagan ang iyong posisyon. Sa tagal mo na sa opisina, bakit parang di ka naming nakikita? Nagpapaputi ka rin ba tulad ng iba? Walang duda, mamamayan ay gusto sya, sa tagal na sa ginagawa, maraming gawad na rin ang kanyang natanggap. Iba’t ibang parangal, sa kalye sa kanya ay ibinibigay, maging ang pagrampa minsan ay kinakarir

Wanted: SABON AT SALAMIN

Ipagbigay agad sa kinauukulan kung sinuman ang makakita. Pabuya: Libreng tisyu mula sa Vendo machine.

nya, kayang daigin maging si Papa P man. Itong si kuya ay ating gagawaran, sa pagkain ng pandesal ay number one! Malambot man o matigas, karir na karir nya, ito man ay umabot ng isang buwan! Sa patapangan siya rin ay hindi uurong dahil sa mga batas, siya raw ay marunong. Taga pagtanggol daw siya ng iyong ama, kaya siya ay regular na inyong makikita. Mala-mansyon na bahay, resthouse lang daw para sa kanya, nahiya naman ang mga walang bahay na maggagawad sa kanya. Isang malaking lupain ang pagmamay ari nya, kung pwede lang makihati ay tiyak ito’y ubos na! Tiyak pagpipyestahan na, hindi lang dito sa

Bagets palang itong si Kuya ay kagawad gawad na! Sosyal pa si Kuya may sariling pa-scholarship with allowance pa basta ikaw ay sumama sa paborito nyang malamig na lugar, hindi Baguio, hindi Tagaytay, bahala ka na. Basta malamig na lugar… na maraming salamin. Dalawang malalaking bato ang nag-uumpugan, nagaagawan ng gawad at nagbabatuhan ng kani-kanilang piraso para maipakitang mas matibay ang pagkakagawa sa kanilang semento. Bawat bato ay ayaw magpatalo hanggang sa pati mga nanunuod at nadadamay na sa pagpapalitan ng bawat piraso. Ang nanalo, walang

Professors!

Qualifications: Marunong magturo, hindi puro pareport, Hindi puro reading comprehension at Nagdidiscuss ng matino. Nawawala:

Wanted:

Collector ng antique

Kaya pang pagtiyagaan ang mga computers sa comp.lab Buy one take all.

Nueva Ecija, baka buong bansa ay mag -unahan pa!

Mahilig sa malamig na lugar lalo na at may kasama.

Wanted:

UPUAN

Kung sinuman ang nakakuha ay pakibalik lang at may magkaklase na sa kabilang room.

For hire: Karpintero, tubero Calculator, at interior designer pang compute ng in one. tamang sukli. Nagtitipid tayo eh.

Urgently needed!

nanalo. Parehong talo.

110


ZHONROX

CHORVA SCOPE Muli na namang nagbabalik ang manghuhula na walang ibang alam kundi ang manghula ng sagot sa multiple choice, sa exam at sa buhay-buhay. Hayaan ninyong ang inyong bituin ang magtalaga ng inyong kapalaran sa pamamagitan ng chorvascope. Aquarius Hindi ka ga-graduate on time. Huwag ka nang umasa, masasaktan ka lang. Walang forever sa iyong buhay maliban sa umasa. Forever kang aasa at masasaktan. Lucky number: infinite. Lucky color: lavender, la-la-lavender, le-le-lemon (Please see TV ads for more details.) Pisces Kasing bango ng surf powder five pesos lang ang kapalaran mo. Patuloy kang hahabulin ng kalalakihan dahil sa kakaiba mong amoy. Sa kwarto, sa pagligo, maging sa pagtulog mo. Lucky color: rainbow Lucky number: square root of 525,600. Aries Ma-iincomplete ka sa lahat ng subjects mo this semester. At dahil libre ang completion form, magpapasalamat ka sa registrar pero matutuklasan mong ‘lacking requirement’ ka kaya magbabayad ka pa rin. Hahaha. Lucky color: black or green. Depende sa kulay ng print sa completion form. Lucky number: 75 pesos each multiply to the number of subjects na meron ka. Taurus Pupurihin ka ng prof mo. Hindi dahil nakasagot ka sa recitation kundi dahil sa wakas, pumasok ka! Lucky color: orange (wala lang) Lucky number: 7, 7:00 am mong klase. Gemini Medyo makakarelate ka kay Taurus. Iko-congratulate mo ang prof mo pero ‘wag kang masyadong matuwa dahil buntis ka kaya congrats sa’yo! Lagot ka sa nanay mo! Hahaha. Ang bata bata pa kasi, inuuna ang chenelyn. Lucky color: lumot Lucky number: 7 pa rin, 7 am. Cancer Magpaalam ka na sa mga kaklase mo at sa mga pangarap mo. Mag-sishift ka na next sem dahil sa bagsak mo sa iyong major. Isusumpa mo ang prof na nagbagsak sa iyo pero wala kang magagawa dahil bunga rin naman

iyan ng kapabayaan mo. Lucky color: red (puro pula ang transcript mo) Lucky number: 5, singko ang grades mo. Leo Mabait, matalino, maaasahan kang tao. Ikaw ang nandiyan kapag kailangan ka ng iba. Magiging cum laude ka at magiging topnotcher sa board. #ASAPaMore. Lucky color: kahit ano kasi swerte ka Lucky number: 1 to infinity. Virgo Please see our next issue. Mahirap manghula eh. : Libra Matino ka din daw sabi ng kasama ko. At dahil sa sobrang tino mo, masisira ito. Kita-kits sa mental hospital ‘pag di ka umayos. Lucky color: super yellow Lucky number: wala. Huwag kang assuming. Masasaktan ka lang. Scorpio Mag-ingat ka sa araw na ito. Maliban sa sisigawan ka ng pulis ay mahuhulog ka sa imburnal dahil sa pagtakbo mo. Madudulas ka dahil nabali na pala ang takong ng sapatos mo dahil sa iyong pagkakalaglag. Lucky color: kulay-kanal Lucky number: wala. Magsama kayo ni Libra na assuming. Sagittarius Malapit na ang katapusan ng mundo. Humingi ka ng tawad sa mga niloko mo. Tigilan mo na rin ang pagpatong sa presyo ng libro kapag nanghihingi ka ng pera sa magulang mo. Huwag kang kumain ng lunch. Huwag ka na ring pumasok. Pero syempre, joke lang. Lucky color: black, para sa kakulay mo Lucky number: 10. Wala lang. Naisip ko lang. Capricorn Sa totoo lang, wala akong makitang bituin na sasangayon sa zodiac mo. Katulad ka rin ni Virgo. Sa next issue ka na lang. Nakakatamad na kayang magsulat. Hahaha. Lucky color: next issue na lang Lucky number: Next issue na nga lang!

111


ENTERTAINMENT

PUSH NATIN ‘TO Ang mga may pakana: Patricia Anne Navarro, Patrick Henry Inocillas & Rami Cantal

112


COMICS STRIPS

113


WHO TO BLAME

JR InIwan when not busy taking selfies, he is busy listening to 2NE1.

Kevin Frany

Adrian DS

Jerome Estavillo

Dreams of a Fall Out Boy – Ed Sheeran collaboration and learning how to bike.

It’s three in the morning and he roams the streets of the city.

might have been a mutant with foresight powers. Likes to finish other people’s sentences.

Klein Roque would doodle random words on blank spaces when she’s bored.

Jomar Silva

Avee Toledo

Brenda Aguilar

he’s the pub’s most trusted repository of movies AND reviews.

A real go-getter. Has a habit of imitating Jessa Zaragosa.

author of “The Guide for a Single Man” and “The Guide for a Single Woman”.

John Mark Paynor A native of Isabela, a product of Nueva Ecija, a student of airbending.

Chloe Patacsil

Lyn Lastimosa

John Paul Dizon

listens to Girls’ Generation but sings like Celine Dion.

acts like Arianna Grande but listens to KPop.

Has a lethal liking for brownies. And brownies. Oh, did I say brownies?

Chai Cabral

Jubelle Legaspi

Fred Ladignon

Patrick Inocillas

True or false. Spaghetti is never complete without tuna.

is a waterbender from Vermillion city. Likes to play Grand Chase.

Likes hedgehogs, DOTA 2, and anime. Dislikes the Kree.

has an unhealthy obsession for milk tea and uploading her covers in Soundcloud.

114


WHO TO BLAME

Peachy Navarro Her playlist won’t be complete without Mayday Parade, 5SOS, and Sleeping with Sirens.

Seann Pangilinan

Darren Dante

Lex Clemente

Glennel Reyes

Three words: Up. Dharma. Down.

only he knows how “combine” longganisa tastes like.

calls herself the “Rhythm Princess”.

French cuisine anyone?

You can follow her on Twitter, but not in real life because that would be weird.

Camille Dofredo

Dalton Maestre

Emman Pangan

life is like a box of pizza. And DOTA.

wants to learn tai chi but would rather read the Bible instead.

Homer Gavino enjoys early morning drives with the windows rolled down while listening to his secret Taylor Swift playlist.

Rami Cantal

Roma Herrera

Arjan Coma

on weekends, you’ll usually find him online and/or posting his mother’s lilies.

has a total of 637 profile pictures in Facebook.

trains dogs when he’s done watching The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and The Flash.

Krizel Cunanan

joyce Culala

Christian Cuaresma

Kimi Alojado

the toughest girl in town. Likes to sport skirts rather than rifles.

would rather read Rick Riordan than talk to anyone.

calls in the middle of the night just to say “thank you.” She’s really sweet.

you should ask Siri on her iPhone 6 to know more about her.

115


WHO TO BLAME

EDITORIAL BOARD

2nd Semester, Academic Year 2014-2015 Rolando C. Iniwan, Jr. Editor-in-Chief Rhounee Ron Kevin D. Frany Associate Editor-English Jan Adrian F. delos Santos Associate Editor-Filipino Jerome O. Estavillo Managing Editor-Finance Anne klein Q. Roque Managing Editor-Administration Jomar P. Silva Operations & Circulations Director Avee Rose Toledo Senior Desk Editor Brenda Lynne P. Aguilar | News Editor Jhon Mark Paynor | Opinion Editor Faith Chloe Patacsil | Feature Editor Lyn H. Lastimosa | DevCom Editor John Paul Dizon | Literary Editor Maria Lilibeth E. Cabral | Art Director Freddierick U. Ladignon Patricia Anne P. Navarro Patrick Henry C. Inocillas Joviroyce Nunez Rami U. Cantal Cartoonists Maria Jubelle J. Legaspi Darren Mark Dante Photojournalist Alvy V. Toledo Lexter G. Clemente Glennel C. Reyes Rose Anne P. Pangilinan Camille Dofredo Coleen M. Sopongco John Dalton Maestre Emmanuel John Pangan Homer Gavino Roma Mae Herrera Arjan Joe Coma Cristoffer Licuanan Jerome Sibuma Joyce Culala Krizel Cunanan Christian Victor Cuaresma Staff Writers Aldynne Kimi Alojado Genalyn Ramos Renzo Pancho Ariel F. Salonga Maria Andrea Clarissa L. Dela Cruz Trainees Dr. Elgin S. Paguirigan Technical Adviser

116


BEHIND THE SCENES

117


omg official magazine of genré

The Central Student Media of Wesleyan University-Philippines Main Campus, Mabini Extension, Cabanatuan City 3100 Published 2014 by Genré All Rights Reserved. Digital Layout by: Rolando C. Iniwan, Jr. and Rhounee Ron Kevin D. Frany


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.