CSU Olympics 2017 Special Issue by The CSU Statesman

TO EXALT GOD; TO HONOR MAN THE OFFICIAL TERTIARY STUDENT PUBLICATION OF CATANDUANES STATE UNIVERSITY

Member: COLLEGE EDITORS GUILD OF THE PHILIPPINES

SPECIAL

OLYMPICS ISSUE

EDITORIAL

news

FEATURE

p. 2

p. 3

p. 10-11

SET THE FIRE

UNIT III FEISTY AND GRAPPLES... FESTIVE

KULTURA

KITA KITA p. 12-13

SPORTS FEATURE

LIGHTER SIDE

p. 4-17

p. 18-19

GGWP: KAGSING DotA PLAYERS HORROR SCOPE

EDITORIAL

SPECIAL ISSUE VOL. XXVI NO. I

NEWS

Unit III grapples trophy in 2017 Olympics EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ariadne Mae B. Tesorero ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ace John F. Tabuzo MANAGING EDITOR Shaina Mae M. Benavidez

Set the Fire The hangover from the four-day Olympics swiftly faded and the atmosphere suddenly changed to face the more serious matter leaving no trace of any sports in playing courts and fields. It seems like the fire that was lit up during the sports fest weakened dramatically and will grow again monthS before the annual Regional SCUAA Meet. Such has been the practice in our University, especially now that we need to sustain, or even surpass, our ranking in the regional meet held at Bicol University in January this year. There is a need to prove that notching the second highest place is not just luck but a demonstration of prowess of our sportsmen. And our game plan to sustaining glory should stem from continuous sports development program in the institution. The administration should give attention to our athletes not only before big competitions but also for amateur events that will hone their skills in their specific sports. After all, sports competition does not only mean SCUAA meet. The school should also be aware of the athletes’ needs not just before they compete but even after. One particular case that must be uncovered is the issue in the taekwondo team. Currently, the team only has one black belter while others have white belts but with the skills worthy of a higher rank. And without a belt ceremony the skills each player has will be wasted. Hence, the school must provide them involvements as incentives with respect to the

About the cover Cover Design by: Alexia Therese L. Bihag and Neil T. Trilles

honor and effort they give during SCUAA meets. Though it does not mean that the school is obliged to give the student-athletes incentives for their achievements, but it is the school’s responsibility to provide comprehensive trainings for athletes for a better performance. Another case is the university’s soccer team which practices for SCUAA every year in a field only applicable for futsal, an elementary soccer game. They are giving their all in this sport but it seems that their best is not enough to win the game in a wider field due to the low-level training they do. One problem soccer players suffer during the annual meets is that they find it hard to keep up with the game in the real-sized soccer field because they trained in a field not even a half of what an actual court is. However, this issue can be crossed out since the semi-furnished Sports Arena has been opened. But still, practice is not just what one needs in order to excel but exposure. Exposure to actual games builds confidence and experience which most of our athletes need. The power of these kinds of competitions to boost the athletes’ skills must not be understated. Improved training and exposure are necessities and these call for bigger funding and additional professional trainers. One step at a time and we can win the odds. Let us start the fire now and keep it burning for the realization of our university’s long-term vision for greater glory.

A giant sleeping soundly in time of labor clearly depicts Catanduanes State University’s current sports condition. The annual regional SCUAA is fast approaching yet the university is not even initiating intensive trainings for the athletes to at least maintain last year’s standing in the said sports competition. The university can do well with its composition but not with elements full of rusty potentials.

NEWS EDITOR Marianne Claire T. Ogalesco FEATURES EDITOR Andrea S. Morales SPORTS EDITOR John Carlo R. Montero PATNUGOT SA KULTURA’T LATHALAIN Rodolfo B. Tomagan LITERARY EDITOR/FINANCE OFFICER Cloie T. Tapel ART EDITOR Demetrio E. Celestrio III ASSISTANT ART EDITOR Godfrey B. Evasco LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS EDITOR Neil T. Trilles ASSISTANT LAYOUT AND GRAPHICS EDITOR Alexia Therese L. Bihag ONLINE AND MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Kevin D. Kozma CIRCULATION MANAGER John Mark C. Villaflor

Marianne Claire Ogalesco IT WAS ALL YELLOW. With this year’s new Unit compositions, CSU Olympics concluded with a refreshing and unexpected ranking as Yellow reigned supreme against the Red, Green and Blue which ended as runners-up. Unit III (Yellow team), composed of the College of Education, College of Business and Accountancy and College of Information and Communications Technology, was hailed as the new champion after reaping 56 golds, 29 silvers and 40 bronze medals in almost all the sports events. Yellow team dominated in lawn tennis (men and women’s division), badminton (men), sepak takraw, softball, football, table tennis (men), and volleyball (men and women). On their tail was first runner-up Unit I with 41 golds, 42 silvers and 15 bronze medals. Red team, composed of

College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Industrial Technology, ruled in swimming events (men and women’s division), basketball (women), baseball and chess (women). Meanwhile, Unit IV (Green team; CSU Panganiban Campus) made a surprising performance in this year’s Palaro after breaking its four-year last-place streak and landing on a better spot as the third-runner up with 37 golds, 35 silvers and 33 bronze medals. Green team owned almost all

the athletic events in men and women’s division. The team of College of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Fisheries and College of Health Sciences comprised Unit II and ended as the third-runner up with 21 golds, 47 silvers and 44 bronze medals. The traditional threeday CSU Olympics was extended until August 26, Saturday due to the forum on free tuition with House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez

and company, and the heavy rains brought by Typhoon Jolina. Sports Development Coordinator Edgar Tatel said that there was nothing he could do to avoid the delay of Intramurals. “Ako talaga nagamo man ta ikan ako nin igprepare na schedule, dai nagkakatapos, dai man nasunod… ta respeto man ki Congressman buda kay Speaker,” he said. Federated College Student Council (FCSC) President Jeric Idanan also expressed his disappointment to the unforeseen delay of the Olympics. “Nadisganar lang ta nagbagyo, yung expectation na talagang magiging successful na successful dai (nangyari),” he said. “Tapos nung pag-awarding, masyadong kalat-kalat (ang mga estudyante) na dai naaraman kung sain ang awarding,” he added.

Yellow netters clinch women’s volleyball champ title vs. Blue Rochellee Jane C. Idanan

JUNIOR STAFF Aimee Rose R. Canada Juine C. Tabios SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENTS Cyr Ernest T. Tevar Rochellee Jane C. Idanan Nicole Clarence O. Magtangob STATESMAN VOLUNTEER CORRESPONDENTS Bartolome Sarmiento Neil Bruce Isorena ADVISER Adem Nalu V. Rubio

With a twice-to-beat advantage, Yellow netters vaporized Blue’s dream to grab the championship trophy in Women’s Volleyball after a landslide win in Game 2, 3-0. After losing the 1st match of the championship game to Blue, Luisa Angela Clavo led the Yellow netters to an early lead on the first set of Game 2 with her service aces, 3-1. Lea Mae Nazareno of the Blue team was able to tie the game, 3-3, with her spikes, but with Ross Andre Valeza’s successful spike and service aces, Yellow netters brought

the lead back to their favor, 6-3. Yellow volleybelles continued to dominate the set with Andrea Tatel’s service aces, aided by the continuous reception errors of the Blue, giving the Yellow a sevenpoint advantage, 15-8. However, the Blue team managed to fight back and tie the set, 21-all, when Valeza, Rose Ann Pelagio and Stephanie Marie Suarez of the opposing team committed consecutive unforced errors and netballs. But Suzette Teope of the Yellow team did not allow the Blue

to reign against them and led her team to own the set with her spikes and smart drop balls, 25-21. The second set started with an unstable scoreboard when both teams scored and exchanged errors after thrilling rallies. While trying to save the ball, Hyacinth Jayme Valenzuela of Unit I suffered intolerable pain from her chest area to the lower part of her body, and was immediately assisted by her teammates to the courtside. “Pagbagsak ko pano natamaan ini (chest area), tapos nanalagas su legs ko kaya dae ako

nakabuhat,” said Valenzuela. The game continued and Yellow stunned the opponents with Clavo’s effective drop balls and with the Blue team’s unforced errors Yellow dominated the second set with a five-point lead, 14-9. Nazareno tried to shift the momentum to the Blue and sneaked a drop ball, 14-10, but Teope of the Yellow team was against the idea and delivered her thoughts through her spikes, 23-14. Blue volleybelles were pinned at 14 when Clavo, with her drop ball and successful spike, led the Yellow turn to page 6

NEWS

SPECIAL ISSUE VOL. XXVI NO. I

Yellow’s G-force twerks away with gold vs. Blue in men’s volleyball finals Marianne Claire T. Ogalesco After experiencing an unexpected defeat in the first game, the twice-to-beat Yellow netters managed to outshine the Blue spikers and bid the championship title after trouncing the Blue jerseys in the second game of men’s volleyball finals, 24-26, 25-22, 27-25, 25-18. Blue spikers led the first set of the game, 8-5, with the combined efforts of Mark Joseph Tayamora and Leo Manlangit who stunned the opponents with their drop balls and quick kills, aided by the Yellow’s netballs and service errors. But Yellow matched the opponent’s quick play and tied the set, 10-all, with the heroic saves and digs of libero Ronrick Santos and placings of John De Leon, and finally controlled the game, 15-11, with the strengthened offense of SCUAA players Gerald Basallote and captain ball Joseph Villacorta and defense of John Vincent Bilono. Blue captain ball Felix Nazareno, Lhem Gio Suede and Tayamora, who are all SCUAA players, tried to regain their lead and tied the game, 22-all, with their combination plays, quick attacks and rapid kills. Basallote of the Yellow tried to overpower the opponent with his knock-down kills but Manlangit countered with foxy dumps and speedy spikes, ending the set 26-24, in favor of the Blue team. The opposing teams started the second set with a close, seesaw fight but Yellow’s De Leon, Basallote and Jay Mark Sarmiento sneaked back-to-back spikes and placement shots, enabling the team to earn a seven-point lead, 19-12.

NEWS

Unit III batters defend last year’s title, sweep down Unit II Ariadne Mae B. Tesorero

Neil Bruce Isorena

But Yellow committed consecutive net violations and reception errors, allowing the Blue team to gain confidence and narrow the lead to three, 23-20. Troubled by his team’s faulty play, Yellow coach Carlito Gelito called for a timeout. “Iwas lang tayo sa net,” warned captain ball Villacorta. The game resumed with a more cautious, yet aggressive Yellow team who finally owned the set with Paul Andre Fermalan’s spike, 25-22. The crowd got wilder at the start of the third set when the two teams exchanged attacks and powerful spikes and executed

thrilling rallies, until they tied the set, 9-all. Blue powered up with Mark Rey Barro’s swift service aces, captain ball Nazareno and Suede’s combination plays and placings, and outscored the Yellow, 20-17. But Basallote of Yellow refused to give in to the Blue’s offense and countered with consecutive backrow attacks and thunderbolt spikes which smashed Suede’s defense, and led the Yellow to their second set point, 26-25, after deucing twice. Tayamora of the Blue team tried to prevent the opponent to score another point and had

a joust with De Leon but he fumbled, ending the set with 2725, in favor with the Yellow team. The Sports Arena was filled with the even louder cheers of the crowd at the start of the fourth set as the Yellow team gained an early dominance, 7-1, with Basallote, Sarmiento and De Leon’s placings, drop balls and undisputable spikes. However, Blue team’s determination did not falter with Nazareno and Suede’s quick sets and combination plays, Tayamora’s attacks from the backline and Barro’s service aces. But Basallote hindered the opponent’s ambition to control the set and spiked the end of the game, 25-18, hailing the Yellow team as this year’s champion in men’s volleyball tourney. Yellow captain ball Villacorta said that their teamwork and trust to every team member were their key to bag the championship title. “Confident na kami ta nagsanay kami na sinda [Blue team] ang yaexpect ming kalaban,” Basallote revealed. On the other hand, Blue team’s four-time SCUAA player and captain ball Nazareno admitted that their team lacked setters to have the upper hand of the game. “Gabos pano kami spiker tapos su mga setter mi medyo baguhan pa,” he said. “Tapos kulang man po kami sa practice,” he added. Nonetheless, Nazareno expressed that he is satisfied to the result of the game. Blue team will be awarded with a silver medal for being the 1st runner up while Green team will receive a bronze as the 2nd runner up.

defend last year’s title, yellow lady batters showed dominating moves that struck down blue in softball championship game, 14-11. Yellow heated up the field despite the drizzle as its first batter, Shyra Martirez, successfully belted the pitch of blue’s pitcher and National SCUAA player Pamela Traquena giving her the chance to step on the first base. After consecutive strike outs and tag by Abegail Sanchez and Marjorie Tabian, the pitcher donated National SCUAA player Micah Jaria Tabor a free ride to the first base. Upon receiving the opponent’s gift, Martirez ran like flash to give her team the first home, 1-0. However, Janella Mendoza a National SCUAA player from the blue ended their early feast as it effectively caught the fruit of Mitchelle Tayamora’s successful

bat ending the first top. Blue’s hunger for point showed at the start of the first bottom. Blue’s captain Donita Mae Teano, a National SCUAA player, secured the first home upon the second batter, Mean Delos Reyes, successful swing in the first pitch. Delos Reyes followed her captain’s path and ran for score on Traquena’s bat. Blue’s celebration however, did not last long as the pitcher, Vanessa Bea Taroy, a National SCUAA player threw hard pitches to the newbie Shienalyn Tedera that ended the first inning in favor of blue, 2-1. Yellow did not let chance pass in the second inning of the game as its batter, Alexia Therese Bihag made her first run straight to the second base and then to the home after Taroy hit the ball, 2-2. Yellow lady hitters easily glided 4 points from Traquena’s faulty pitch. The blue’s pitcher redeemed from her flaws and

ended the yellow’s luck in the second top. With blue on the offense, second bottom’s first batter Angel Celestino effortlessly stepped on the first base as the opponent’s pitcher gave her four consecutive balls. Binas experienced déjà vu as the pitcher gave her same free ride. Taroy got her senses back after her two consecutive flaws and gave two blue batters successive hard pitches but her moves backfired and brought home two blue batters on the second and third base. Teano, aggressively wanting to lift her team after the two strikeouts, took the risk as she ran straight to the first base after her lame swing on the fourth pitch. Delos Reyes supported her captain with a hard hit giving Teano the chance to score. Jenvie Tobiera, though, ended her team’s long suffering as she hardly received balls from the

opponent’s decisive pitcher. The second inning ended with an all-5 score. Blue froze yellow’s offense at the start of the third top. However due to unforced errors given by blue’s pitcher, Vanessa Costudio slid in a home. Blue further strengthened their defense and gave their opponent two consecutive fall. The yellow avenged early in the third bottom and showed no mercy to the blue batters. The third inning ended with the yellow on the lead, 6-5. Blue’s defense continuously declined and gave five free rides to the yellow batters. The yellow’s earned instant 5-point advantage from Tabian, Tabor, Tayamora, Bihag and Taroy in the fourth top. Another five ride donation happened with blue on the bat. First consecutive free rides by Binas, Vista, Mendoza and

Blue and yellow softbelles pose for a picture after a friendly match at the CSU oval on a rainy morning of August 25th.

turn to page 7

Kevin D. Kozma

NEWS

SPECIAL ISSUE VOL. XXVI NO. I

Yellows netters... to finally end and own the set. During the set break, Lubelle Sanchez of Blue team had a hard time breathing due to the strong heat and was immediately aided by her teammates and was forced to rest during the third set. Yellow netters welcomed the Blue on the third set with a service ace from Amabel Alfaro and a spike from Stephanie Suarez, 2-0. Exhausted but still determined to win, Nazareno managed to bring the lead to Blue volleybelles with a spike, 5-4. Luck continued to sway long on the Blue’s side when Teope and Panti committed unforced errors and with another spike from Nazareno, Blue earned a threepoint lead, 10-7. An error from Blue volleybelles shifted the momentum to Yellow netters, and with Teope on the service line, Yellow was able to make a 7-0 run, 15-10, in favor of the Yellow team. With the combined efforts of Teope and Panti, Yellow netters finished the match and was hailed champion of the Women’s Volleyball Division, 25-21, 25-14, 25-17. Nazareno said that they failed to defend the title because her teammates were exhausted since the championship’s game 2 started right after game 1 and that they had no time to rest. On the other side, Clavo shared her thought about being the champion in this year’s volleyball and said, “Sarap sa feeling.” She also shared that her motivation for giving such incredible performance was her goal, to win. “Talagang first goal ko talaga sa mga kawat ko manggana,” said Clavo. And when asked about her chances on being a SCUAA player, she confidently said, “Based sa naging performance ko, iyo.”

SPECIAL ISSUE VOL. XXVI NO. I

Unit III slams opponents, claims lawn tennis championship

Ace John F. Tabuzo

Kevin D. Kozma After a critical win in the scorching heat of DPWH’s tennis court in San Isidoro Village, Unit III players were named victorious in this year’s Men’s Lawn Tennis tourney, on August 26, 2017. Ariston Macero of Unit III’s heroics decided the win in the men’s singles championship game as he outplayed SCUAA player Karlo Glenn Boneo of Unit I. Under the revised scoring system, the one and only winning set came to 8-2. Macero was determined to gain redemption in this game, because of his previous loss to Boneo in 2015’s CSU Olympics. He started off the game with a straightaway lead and never reduced composure as he steadily completed the winning set. Despite Boneo’s strong serves and counters, he struggled to set an effective offensive push against Macero. Both players struggled to maintain poise under the beating sun since the match began at 9:30am, exposing them to the intense heat after Typhoon Jolina passed the previous day.

Yellows emerge as Sepak kings in championship match

Don Demetrious Unit I’s Clairevifer Sorrera reaches for a smash against her fierce oppenent against her fierce opponent in the heat of the day

“Napagod kami agad dahil sa init pero mas nauna siya mag-collapse,” Macero shared, regarding the weather’s effect on their game. Focus and determination were said to be Macero’s key traits throughout the championship game. “Hold the lead and step up your game more,” Macero concluded. Meanwhile, Unit III also remained supreme in the women’s category of lawn tennis, despite Unit II’s dominance in single’s games. Unit II’s April Vannie Lou Tusi conquered the women’s singles

category with two consecutive wins against Clairevifer Sorrera of Unit I, followed by Rose Ann Sta. Rosa of Unit III. On the contrary, since Unit III was the only unit with two available players, the gold in doubles was rewarded to them by default. Player shortage also proved to be a determining factor in the men’s lawn tennis tourney. In men’s doubles, Unit III automatically gained the win as Unit I and Unit II forfeited due to lack of available players. A Doubles win holds 2 gold medals, while a Singles win only holds 1.

Snapshot Bartolome Sarmiento

Unit III prevailed as kings of this year’s Sepak tourney after vanquishing the twice-to-beat advantage of Unit I in the Championship game held at CSU Gymnasium, August 25, 2017. Yellow spiker and SCUAA player John Paul Pantaleon immediately unleashed two perfect sunbacks during the initial set of the first game, stunning his Blue opponents from Unit I. But even with the latter retaliating some good shots tying the score to 6-all, Yellow notched a 6-0 run due to successive outside spikes committed by the Blue. Pantaleon continued to show his prowess throughout the play, finishing the set to 21-15. Unit III continued its supremacy in the second set, with the tandem of CSU SCUAA tekung James Noel Tasarra, and Pantaleon maneuvering the play, 7-1. A series of tricky head smashes and Pantaleon’s powerful kicks widened the score margins to 17-3. Blue spiker John Rey Palero commanded a new defensive strategy for the team, but it was not enough to neutralize the rampage of the Yellows. The onslaught was punctuated with Pantaleon’s killer head smash, 21-7, securing Yellows’ victory in the first game. The play in the first set of the second game was no different. Yellow’s masterful 12-0 run capitalizing on Pantaleon’s perfect spikes left their rivals trailing behind, 17-5.

Bartolome Sarmiento

Even with spiker Romel Icaranom entering the play and Blue rookie John Angelo Rodriguez doing some tricky digs, their combined faults, service and reception errors gave the Yellows play advantage eventually leading to their win in the initial set, 21-7 again. Now with a renewed energy after a 15-minute break, the Blue carved a comeback in the second set as Palero and Icaranom shot an offensive play that somehow broke the calculated tactic of Yellow’s duo. The Blue advanced a 14-9 record, due to failed sunback returns of Pantaleon and knee kick errors committed by his teammates Tasarra and Johnny Clores. In the neck-and-neck rally, Pantaleon failed to anticipate Icaranom’s block, sealing the second set win in favor of the Blue, 21-16. During the third set, however, both teams showed resilience. But Yellows, determined to bury their rivals, countered the suc-

cessive attempts of the Blue to outsmart them. Palero delivered head spikes to inch the gap to a tie, but Pantaleon was quick to release killer spikes, 17-12. Icaranom’s perfect sunback gave the Blue a point but their consecutive outside shots and faults gave the Yellows their win, 21-15. After the match, Unit III was declared as champion of the Sepak tourney followed by Unit I, IV and II. In an interview, Pantaleon said he expected the intensity of the championship match. He also said answered that such game level would be “ten times mas intense” during SCUAA. For Palero, he considered Unit III’s ace players Pantaleon and Tasarra at his team’s disadvantage. The three were part of the CSU Sepak team in the regional SCUAA Meet. Meanwhile, Icaranom said “Nagkaproblem sa defense tapos sa coordination buda medyo lamang sinda sa serving.”

NEWS

Unit III batters...

Teano led to four easy points. After a strikeout, yellow’s pitcher Tabor gave another free ride to newbie Cervantes. Tabor again committed another flaw, an illegal pitch, with Traquena on the bat and, again, a free ride to Celestino. Tabor rose up from her failures and threw heavy pitch to Vista which she successfully hit. Vista immediately ran to the first base but got caught by the man-onbase while Traquena on the third base sneaked her way home giving her team an additional point. The fourth inning ended, 11-all. In the last inning, Taroy efficiently hit Traquena’s hard pitch which assisted Tabor and Bihag to steal their way to the home plate. With same strategy, Tojon’s successful swing backed Taroy and sored the last point before the fly out. The bottom fifth was an easy part for the yellow team, the defense. The aggressive yellow did not let the opponent to score even once and finally won the game, 14-11. “Sa last inning, ang unit 2 dai nakapasiguro,” commented the Tournament Manager, Salvacion Murillo. Despite the loss, the former MVP and now the Blue’s captain Teano is looking at the brighter side of the game which is having to play with her friends from the yellow for the upcoming SCUAA meet. “Ginibo mi man ang gabos, siguro ining game na ini bako talagang para sa amo,” she concluded.

VIEW THE OLYMPICS 2017 SPECIAL ISSUE on your PC or mobile devices. Access the digital copies of our publications on the web at issuu.com/thecsustatesman To boost team morale and strenghten the prominent football club’s unity, Unit III forms a traditional huddle before kick-off

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NEWS

SPECIAL ISSUE VOL. XXVI NO. I

Unit II muling umukit ng kasaysayan sa Men’s Basketball Cyr Ernest T. Tevar Ubusan ng dugo’t pawis at patibayan ng buto sa dalawang magkasunod na sagupaan. Ito ang paninindigang pinatunayan ng Unit II upang ulitin sa ikatlong pagkakataon ang kasaysayan at wasakin ang hangarin ng Unit I na agawin ang tropeo matapos nitong tapyasan ang kanilang twice-tobeat advantage sa kampeonato ng Men’s Basketball Tournament sa CSU Covered Court. Bumangon ang Asul mula sa unang pagkatalo sa iskor na 69-65 at muling dinomina ang laban sa nauwing do-or-die game sa iskor na 73-47. Agad na inilayo ng Unit I ang abante matapos ang sampung fast break points na naitala ni Albert John Leosala at pagposte ni National SCUAA player Jonel Masagca ng 11 rebounds sa loob ng unang kwarter pa lamang, Pagsapit ng ikalawang yugto, determinadong hinabol ng asul ang distansya ng pula sa pamamagitan ng matitinding depensa at pagbomba ni SCUAA player Marino Buendia ng dalawang malulutong na tres na nag-iwan ng kalamangan sa pagtatapos ng ikalawang kwarter, 30-26. Hanggang sa ikatlong kwarter ay hindi tinantanan ng Unit II ang Unit I at patuloy na nagpaputok ng dalawang tres mula kay Frank Mendoza at Christian Batallones kasabay ng pamatay na salaksak ni National SCUAA player Paul John Docor na umani ng 3 point play sa katapusan ng kwarter, 47-46, pabor sa asul. Nagpatuloy ang madugong bakbakan at mas uminit pa ang

Don Demetrious

banggaang Docor at Masagca sa pagpatak ng huling kwarter matapos ang palitan ng offensive rebounds at supalpalan ng bola. Samantala, ginamit naman ni Leosala ang malakidlat na bilis upang makasulot ng tatlong steals at pumukol ng tres na nagbalik sa kanila ng momentum. Habang ang Unit II ay napilayan ng depensa matapos ang pagkakafouled-out ni Docor at pagkakainjury ni Buendia sa huling 40 segundo ng laban. Mistulang torong nakawala sa hawla ang Unit I at ipinagpatuloy ang pag-atake sa depensa ng lumamyang Unit II. Ipinanalo nila ang laban sa iskor na 69-65 matapos ang two point buzzer beater ni Leosala. Nagtala si Leosala ng 22 puntos habang walong puntos at 14 rebounds naman ang naiposte ni Masagca upang tapatan ang 15

puntos at 12 rebounds ni Docor na dinagdagan pa 15 puntos ni Mendoza. Kinailangang ipagpatuloy agad ang Do-or-die game makalipas ang labinlimang minuto dahil sa kakapusan ng oras at lumalalim na gabi. Pinagpahinga muna ng bawat koponan ang kanilang mga alas at inilabas ang mga bagong sandata sa una’t ikalawang kwarter. Mistulang liga ng mga Rising Stars ang natunghayan ng madla matapos ang pasiklaban ng mga sixth man pagdating sa three point shooting at crossovers. Pinatunayan ni Alexander King ng Unit II na siya ang hari matapos makapagtala ng 12 puntos at 10 rebounds sa buong laro. Kung gaano kainit ang unang sagupaan ay siya namang ikinilamya ng pangalawang

paghaharap dahil sa pagod buhat ng magkasunod na laban. Patuloy na lumubo ang kalamangan ng Unit II at hindi na kinaya pang habulin ng Unit I hanggang sa ikatlo’t ikahuling kwarter, 73-47. At muling nasungkit na naman ng asul ang kampeonato sa ikatlong pagkakataon. “Sa ngunyang taon, nasakitan kami ta dinaog kami nin sarung beses nin Unit I pero nagbawi kami ta kaipuhan ming makua ang kampeonato,”pahayag ni Docor matapos ang makasaysayang panalo. Sa kabilang dako ng torneo, iniangat ni National SCUAA player Angelic Tayamora ang Unit I sa kampeonato matapos siyang magtala ng 50 puntos, 12 rebounds, at 6 stls kontra Unit II sa Women’s Basketball Championship, 61-32.

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ipping with gleaming smiles and centralized routines, Unit III’s festive getup once again towered over the 2017 CSU Cheerdance Competition on August 26, 2017 at the CSU front grounds. The Yellows shined as this year’s best with their breathtaking stunts, Padadyao-themed dance steps and perfectly executed pyramids, all fervored with taste and grace. A real crowd favorite, they embarked vivacity on their tourism-inspired music and evident scenery balance on a fiercer and bolder scale. “The tosses, transition, the motion, the skills sa taas, lahat yun binigay nila. Parang sinigurado kasi namin na this is something new, this

This cramped schedule lead to some minor setbacks on the team. However, due to immediate fostered relationship among the group, eventually the situation alleviated on itself and they used this to strive harder for perfection. As it is only for the team’s welfare, the group also imposed a Php 50 fine and penalty for whoever came late for rehearsals. “Pagnagsisimula na kasi ang practice mi set by set by set. Pag pinagsasama-sama na siya naggiging cramming yung ano (pagpraktis) kasi ayun sasabihin nila ay ganun pala yun kabilis, sunod-sunod pala yun. Nagkaroon ng maraming problema but yet naperfect nila routine kasi pinilit

Feisty and Festive

CHEERDANCE 2017 is something different. Let’s forget about the animal representing the student, it’s the students representing their lives,” Silver Jean Bañares’, Unit III trainor, optimistic response on an interview regarding the team’s winning chance over the competing teams. Gaining two consecutive wins, Unit III bagged the following minor awards together with the College of Information and Communications Technology (CICT), College of Education (CED) and College of Business and Accountancy (CBA): Best in Musical Arrangement, Best in Stunts, Best in Costume and Best in Choreography. HALA BIRA: BEHIND-THE-SCENES Unit III started practicing on the 2nd week of August everyday from 7:00-11:00 pm at the front yards of the College of Education Student Organization (CESO) office.

nila maging perfect,” Bañares admitted. Moreover, John Randell’s perfect somersault on top of a twotiered pyramid became a real heartstopper that stunned the crowd. Hala Bira Fiesta was inspired from 2010 UAAP’s Cheerdance Competition but instead of representing the UP Oblation, the name simply represents happiness. MARAWI’S DOWNFALL Meanwhile, Unit II’s a tributeto-the-heroes concept secured them the second spot and the Best in Choreography minor award, tied with Unit III, from the competition. Sapphirus Commando dropped a show-stopper start by mimicking the downfalls and backlashes on the still evident Marawi siege on Mindanao. Wearing the t-shirt colors of the group and a military garb, the team gave way to a

Andrea S. Morales (with reports from Ace John F. Tabuzo, Shaina Mae M. Benavidez, Ariadne Mae B. Tesorero, and Marianne Claire T. Ogalesco) Photos: Alexia Therese L. Bihag Graphics: Neil T. Trilles Article:

pounding vibe experience in an original and creative craft that hailed a first timer performance on the Cheerdance Competition history. The concept was timely and relevant but the fire was not sustained. With fewer stunts, the performance somewhat became a “field demonstration” rather than a cheerdance competition. “Yung pigaexpect ko dun (sa Unit II), gaexpect ako ng peak ng transition from that concept, painano maitatawid yung painano nila ichecheer yung ganung transition ng creative dance. Sa stunts, well di natin pwedeng tanggalin ang stunts kasi that’s still a cheerdance competition so kailangan natin ng stunts pero siyempre haluan natin ng creative side so medyo namove ako dun sa (Unit 2),” Anthony Emerenciana, one of the head judges of the 2017 Cheerdance Competition. This was opposite to the perspective of Brian Dy, lead trainor of the Blue team, that stunts are unnecessary for a performance to be called a cheerdance. Although, he admitted that he had a hard time rehearsing the group due to frequent absentees from the members. “Sa cheerdance kasi, di mo kailangan mga stunts na grabe kasi rootings ang pinakaimportante diyan. Iyon alam mi sa BU. Minsan pero may absent kasi may mga athletes sa mga member ko (nag) training din,” Dy explained. Unit II’s preparations revolved around on warm-ups and proper tutorial of the steps. The Blue team consisted only of 39 members, the least number of competitors, distributed among the College of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF), College of Engineering (COE) and College of Health Sciences (CHS). STINGERS WITH LESS STING Although the Red Stingers may have set the standard as the first performers of the day, their own fire was not enough to fully energize them, or even the crowd.

Unit I’s hippy and cool concept did not end up well with their unsynchronized dance steps and poor execution of stunts. With their numerous lift errors resulting to catastrophic falls, the Red team garnered themselves the last spot of the competition. Nevertheless, Cedric Bench Tendenilla, junior student and frontrow dancer, lead the group’s misses and raised the energy bar with his not-to-miss sizzling performance. In an interview with The CSU Statesman, Tendenilla confessed of the struggles they have commuting from CSU to Capitol grounds and late-night schedules, from 7:00-12:00 pm, for practice. This then resulted into regular absentees from the group. “Muntik nga kami magawyaway eh kaso kailangan talagang lumaban,” Jeffry Bendal, 8 years trainer and Unit I’s head mentor, responded as what kept them forward. Unit I’s one month preparation didn’t cross upon the group’s final showdown. Overall, it was still a good performance but there was less sting. “I counted many times ung (fall) nila yung sa pyramid. Eight times na may something. It’s either unstable yung base tapos nahulog yung nasa taas. For me sa Mastery and sa (Choreography) bako siyang ano (magayun),” Emerenciana said

OTHER TECHNICALITIES Unexpected turn of events from bad weather and the “open forum” activity brought the threeday intramurals a one-day extension for the cheerdance competition and other championship games to proceed. Other than that, FCSC President Jeric Idanan said that there has been no other problems and that their flow of management for the cheerdancers went smoothly. Furthermore, the winning team received Php 10,000 for first prize; Php 8,000 for the first runner up; and Php 6,000 for the second runner up. Criteria for judging were Choreography/Mastery, 30%; Originality and Creativity, 20%; Stunts Difficulty, 15%; Musicality,

10%; Costume and Props, 15%; and Audience Impact, 10%. This year’s CSU Olympics brought major sweep of events to all of us but even so, students made the most out of it, enjoying the glorious triump of winning and dealt with the aching side of losing. Still the remnants of insuffiency regarding the true state of our annual sports competition is long overdue. And as Bañares said pertaining to his team’s management, “Intrams is for the students. Maski anung mangyari hindi ko pwedeng ipamukha sa kanila na hindi niyo kailangan magIntrams kasi eh kailangan legacy na yun na every year may Cheerdance, every year may Intrams.”

SPECIAL ISSUE VOL. XXVI NO. I

Kita Kita: Ang isang mapagmatyag na mata ay patuloy na makakakita ng mga bagay na maaaring maging mitsa ng pag-usbong ng mga kulturang tatatak bilang pagkakakilanlan ng isang tao o ng isang institusyon (read it in a rap mode, to the tune of Willy Revillame’s “Doo Bi Dap”). Sinindihan na ang apoy na hudyat ng pagsisimula ng tatlong araw na walang humpay na pakikipagbakbakan ng mga kabataang nais patunayan ang sarili sa larangan ng palakasan. Sabik na ring makatakas ang karamihan sa nakasusulasok

na amoy ng mga pina-print at pina-xerox na papel upang ipasa sa kani-kanilang mga propesor. Nasisilayan na rin ang mga makapigil-hiningang labanan ng iba’t-ibang kulay na siyang magbibigay buhay sa pagsisimula ng CSU Olympics 2017. Gayunpaman, bukod sa mga manlalaro na siyang sentro ng kaganapang ito, huwag nating kalimutan ang madlang CSU na mas nagpapatindi pa sa init ng kompetisyon at nakikibahagi sa koleksyon ng mga pawis at anghit na nanunuot sa kaibuturan ng kanilang balat. Bigyan natin ng pansin ang mga kadalasang gawain ng mga madlang CSU tuwing Intrams na siyang bahagi na ng kultura ng ating institusyon. Panuto: Alamin kung ikaw ang tinutukoy sa mga sumusunod. Check the Attendance Mommy “Attendance is a must”. Palaging sundin ang katagang palagi ring naisasawalangbahala. Dedma na sa iba na hindi na talaga pumapasok tuwing may okasyon sa ating mahal na CSU. Aminin natin sa hindi, may

Mga Nakikitang Gawi ng mga Students Tuwing Intrams

mga pagkakataon na mas pinipili nating manatili sa bahay kaysa dumalo sa mga kaganapan sa mahal na Isteyt. Ngunit, dahil ayaw natin ng fines and everything, ilan sa mga strategies ng mga students ang papasok para pumirma ng attendance at uuwi, pipirma ng attendance at uuwi, pipirma ng attendance at uuwi at pipirma ng attendance at uuwi. Dahil apat na beses kailangang mag sign ng attendance ngunit hindi nangangahulugang apat na beses din kailangang umuwi. Depende sa trip mo. Kitang-kita rin ang iilan na may photographic memory na kayang kopyahin ang signature ng kanilang friend. Mas praktikal ito dahil hindi na kailangang mag-effort ni bes . Ika nga, it’s a matter of having great friends para cleared sa fines. Huwag lang magpapahuli sa mga pinaghalong mala-angry bird at matanglawin na SBO officers. Colors Everywhere At dahil Intrams, “I see your true colors shining through. I see your true colors that’s why

Ni Carbon Rhod Grapiks nina: Alexia Therese L. Bihag, Juine C. Tabios

you should wear it.” Ang kulay ng Yunit 1 ay pula, bughaw sa Yunit 2, dilaw ang Yunit 3 at Berde sa Yunit 4. Ang mga kulay na ito ay hindi lang sagisag na naghihiwalay sa kada yunit. Ito ay identity na nagbubuklod sa isang Yunit at dapat panghawakan ng mga estudyante. Sa unang araw pa lang ng Intrams, kailangang maging matingkad ang bawat kulay. Ang pagbubukas ng isang selebrasyon ay kailangang masigla at bongga. Ngunit tila lumalamlam at tumatamlay ang mga tunay na kulay dahil hindi lang apat ang makikita kundi samu’t saring kulay na inihasik sa bawat manggas at kwelyo ng damit. Ang iba sa ating madlang CSU ay hindi nagsusuot ng damit na pinintahan ng kulay ng kanilang Yunit. Mas pinipili nilang yakapin ang Yunit ng iba. May Yunit 1 na nasabugan ng kulay

ng Yunit 4 at may nag-ala Yunit 3 dahil kay Oppa kahit taga-Yunit 1 naman talaga Ang isa pang dinadahilan ng iba ay labahan o walang available na ganoong kulay sa kanilang aparador. Ang iba naman dahil sa walang pasok every Wednesday at di makapag “Outfit Of The Day,” ngayon sinulit ang pagkakataong magamit ang nag-amoy alkampor sa tagal sa kaban na Instagramworthy outfit nila. At meron din namang kulay ng ibang Yunit ang trip ipang ‘OOTD’. Eh, wala na tayong magagawa, nairampa na ang mala-Stephie Cheon na fashion statement. Gayunpaman, huwag nating ikahiya ang ating kulay dahil maaaring ito ang maging kulay ng tagumpay. Players’ Privileges Lingid sa ating kaalaman na ang ultimong dahilan ng pagsali ng mga estudyante sa Intrams ay para ipakita at mahasa ang kanilang abilidad sa palakasan, nagkakamali tayo. Ayon sa aking reliable source, ang ilan sa ating mga athletes ay nagbabakasakaling mapili maglaro dahil ayaw nilang magbayad ng fines at support fee, makalibre sa lunch at snacks sa tatlong araw at magkaroon ng immunity sa attendance. Hindi na kasi kailangan ng mga athletes na pumirma pa sa attendance sheet dahil busy sila. Ang iba naman ay gustong makasali sa SCUAA dahil hindi pa raw sila nakakaluwas ng isla.

Meron din namang mga athlete ang may iba pang hidden issues kumbaga, bukod sa nabanggit na dahilan ng pagsali. Isa na dito ang pagiging swag at cool sa uniporme ng kanikaniyang Yunit with matching knee pad, hand support at kung anu-ano pang mga echos na pamprotekta kuno pero design lang naman talaga para makadagdag sa coolness. Ang iba naman sumali kasi andun si bes at ayaw niya lang malamangan. Nariyan din yung mga sumasali kasi may popormahan na student coach o di kaya ay athlete rin. Eh di-shing! Sa Pagtanggal ng Blindfold Naisalaysay na ang ilan sa mga gawi ng ating mga estudyante tuwing Intrams. Ngayon, ang nag-iisang tanong: Ikaw ba ang tinutukoy ko? Sa kabilang banda, ang mga gawing ito ay hindi sumasalamin sa tunay na kahulugan ng CSU Olympics. Simula’t sapul, pagkakaisa, pagbubuklod, at pag-usbong ng mga estudyante ang nais ipakita ng taunang

pagdiriwang ng lakas isports. Kaya’t sana’y lawakan natin ang ating pananaw sa halaga ng isports sa ating pag-usbong bilang mga estudyante at mga nilalang. Sa taun-taong pagsasagawa ng CSU Olympics, taun-taon din nating nasisilayan ang ganitong uri ng gawi ng ating madlang estudyante. Nangangahulugan lamang ito na ang isang maituturing na simpleng gawa na nauwi sa gawi ay maaaring makaimpluwensya sa pananaw ng iba na patuloy itong gawin hanggang sa mahulma bilang isang kultura.

KULTURA

indi mapagkakamalang isang maliit na computer shop pala ang madalas tambayan ng kabataang kalalakihan sa kaloob-looban ng Palnab del Norte. Sa unang tingin, maaaninag ang bakas ng isang normal na bunggalow sa kanilang tarangkahang puno ng kalat-kalat at patong-patong na tsinelas. May 45-days na manok na nakatali sa may pintuan, halamanang nakapalamuti sa daanan at isang sementadong kulungan na nagmimistulang babuyan. Sa iyong pagpasok, bubulugta sayo ang umaalingasaw na lumang aircondition at hile-hilerang desktop computers. Makukulay na dingding at kupas nang vending machine, kapansin-pansin din ang mga kabataang naka-headset at panay ang pagpilantik ng mga daliri sa keyboard. Sa malapitang pagsusuri, lumalabas na iisa lang ang niluluwa ng kanilang mga computer screens: isang dikdikang labanan ng araruhan ng mga katunggaling heroes at pagpapabagsak ng taverns ng bawat koponan. “Ok ok gg na! Push na sir. Push na!” Tiyempong kasagsagan ng National Hero’s Day at walang pasok, sinulit ng magkakaibigang Carlo, Reymart, Eduard, Migz at Jomar ang nalalabing oras ng laro bago sinunggaban ang sarap ng tagumpay nang pagkapanalo. Sa ganitong mga araw madalas magtipon ang magbabarkada upang pagpiyestahan ang kanilang all-time-favorite na video game. At ito ay ang paglalaro ng Defense of the Ancient (DOTA).

Nakadepende sa Offlane ang pagkapanalo o kababagsakan ng team. Kailangang versatile at madiskarte ang naatasan sa role na ito. Gayundin, ang mga Offlane at Support Players ang madalas napupunta sa Intelligence heroes o mga energy producers ng grupo. “DotA is like playing a remote controlled robot toy. That toy (called a “Hero”) is seen on your computer screen and you use the keyboard as the control to make that toy move in the cyberworld called DotA map. Using the internet, you play your Hero against other heroes controlled by other gamers,” ito ang simpleng pagpapahayag at eksplinasyon ng Dota para sa mga non-gamers ni Omartony Sy-Bongan Llave, isang BS Psychology graduate at mahigit dalawang taon ng Instructor I ng Social Science department ng CSU. Katulad ng ibang team sports, maigting din na pinaiiral sa laro ang pagkakaisa’t pagsunod sa tunguhin ng buong koponan. Ang ng pagkakaroon ng kasanayan, estratehiya at deksteridad ang mga sangkap sa pagpapanalo ng laro.

Deconstructing DotA Kalimitang libangan na ng mga kabataan ngayon ang paglalaro ng DotA. Layunin ng laro na pagtutulungang pabagsakin ng tiglilimang players ang Ancient, ang pinakaimportanteng edipisyo sa magkabilang dako ng mapa ng Starcraft, ng kabilang team habang dinedepensehan din ang sa kanila. Nagsisimula ang laro sa masinisinang pagbuo ng Draft kung saan ang bawat captain ay pipili ng kanilang Hero at lima pang Heroes na sa tingin nilang gagamitin ng kalaban. Ang limang napiling Heroes ay tatanggalin sa laro at hindi na maaring pagpilian ng kabilang kampo. Kaakibat nito ang kategorya ng players kung saan ka napapabilang. Kalimitang Carry o Core players ang nagsasabuhay ng Strength at Agility type na heroes kung saan sila ang mga nagmimistulang body guards ng grupo. Sila ang mga nagpapaulan at tagasalo ng mga hits o atake ng kalaban at ang pinakapapel nila ay ang makarami ng kills at hayagang maglevel-up. Sa pagatake naman ng mga kalaban pumapasok ang papel ng mga Support players. Sila ang mga waring mga healers ng grupo, taga-unleash ng mga AIcontrolled fighters (kagaya ng mga wards o visions) at ang pangunahing taga-suporta sa mga Carry. Dito na rin papasok ang tungkulin ng Offlane players, ang malimitang captains ng team, na nagmimistulang semi-Support o semi-Carry. Gawain nilang mag-ikot sa buong mapa at sumaklolo sa kapwa players nilang nangangailangan ng tulong.

The Rise of eSports Maituturing na rin na sport ang paglalaro ng video games na siyang kinakataga bilang eSports o electronic sports, isang uri ng kompetisyong pinapasalita ng electronic systems partikular sa

mga video games. Sa isang iglap, nakuha ng Valve Corporation, ang responsable sa pagsilang ng DotA, ang atensyon ng madla. Simula ng magrelease ito ng stand-alone sequel na DotA 2, hinakot nito ang bumubuo sa halos 71.5 milyong kataong ganap na nanonood at kininilala ang eSports sa buong mundo. Ayon sa ulat ng Major League Gaming, ang bahagdan ng kataong ito ay nasa humigit-kumulang 85 porsyentong kalalakihan at 15 porsyentong kababaihang nasa edad 18 hanggang 34. Ang kasikatang ito’y nagbunsod ng iba’t ibang tournaments na may prize pools na umaabot sa milyonmilyong US na dolyar. Isa sa mga kinikilalalang tournaments na ito ay ang The International (TI), ang nagbukas sa pinakamalaking prize pool at kasalukuyang pinakamalaking kompetisyon sa buong kasaysayan ng DotA 2. Gayunpaman, minsanan na ring napabilang ang Pilipinas sa ganitong mga presitihiyosong labanan. Noong 2016, kinamit ng TNC Pro ang titulong nagbulaga sa kasaysayan ng DotA 2 ng talunin nito ang OG, isang kilala’t kinakatakutang European team sa TI tournaments. Ang pagkapanalo ng grupo ang nagpukaw sa pusong gamers ng mga Pinoy na siyang nagbigay inspirasyon sa lahat ng nagsisimula pa lang sa larangan ng video gaming. Ngayong taon,

Panulat nina: Andrea Morales at Kevin D. Kozma

GG WP

ANG PAGSILIP SA MUNDO NG MGA DotA PLAYERS

> GRAPHICS: NEIL TRILLES, KOEN PHOTOS: ALJON ZAFE

* Ang ibig sabihin ng GGWP ay good game, well played. Ito ang karaniwang sinasabi ng mga DotA players kapag mainit ang naging bakbakan sa laro at lamado na ang katunggali sa iskor at maging sa stratehiya.

sumabak muli ang Pilipinas sa TI 2017 kung saan ang kabuuang price pool ay umaabot na sa tumataginting na US $24,787,916. Dito’y maagang napa-pack up ang Pilipinas ng nilanding nila ang 9th to 12th place kung saan nag-uwi pa rin sila ng nagkakahalagang Php 18 million. Nitong summer, may naganap rin na mini-tournament sa isang maliit na shop sa Palnab del Norte noong April 19 - 23. Isa sa mga kasaling teams ay ang Team Cafrezzo na binubuo nina Jose Miguel “Push” Arcilla (Carry), Reymart John “KiDZ” Nazareno (Mid/Carry), Carlo “Blank” Magtagnob (Captain/ Offlane), Eduard Benavidez (Support) at Jomar Magtañgob (Support). Sa limang araw na tagisan, isa-isa nilang pinatumba ang pitong nagtutunggaling teams hanggang sa masungkit nila ang unang gantimpalang nagkakahalaga ng Php 10,000.00. “Serious practice, bakong throw (malayang paglalaro sa DotA),” pagbabahagi ni Magtagnob sa kanilang istratehiya sa naganap na tournament. Karamihan sa grupo’y maaga nang namulat sa mundo ng DotA. Nagsimula sa pahilahila ng barkada hanggang sa naging libangan at ngayo’y nasungkit na nila ang pang-apat na pagkapanalo sa mga ganitong uri ng patimpalak.

“Puon kauni (minitournament sa Palnab), naintriga ang gamers ng C a t a n d u a n e s , nagluluwasan ang mga interesadong magkawat sa DotA 2,” paglalahad ni James Noel Tasarra, 4th year BS Information Technology at isa ring DotA player. Kasalungat ng tipikal na negatibong konotasyon ng nakatatanda sa mga video games, hindi naman talaga ito ang ultimong dahilan ng pagkasira ng bata. Maraming salik ang maaring nakakaapekto nito, kabilang na ang paaralan at ang tahanan mismo. Pagdidiin ni Llave, ang DotA ay isang pamamaraan lamang ng bata upang takasan ang problemang kanyang kinakaharap at hindi talaga ito ang puno’t dulo ng problema. Dagdag din niya, haka-haka lamang at walang tiyak na pagaaral ang makakapagtunay sa kaisipang masama ang dulot ng video games sa kabataan. Kung tutuusin, may mga siyentipikong pa ngang pag-aaral na nagpapakita ng positibong epekto sa paglalaro nito. Isa rito ay ang mabilisang pagdedesisyon kung saan mas nahahasa ang frontal

Conflicting Viewpoints Bagama’t kinakategorya ng eSport ang lahat ng larong elektrika, ang paksa ng video games sa pagiging “true sport” ay paksa pa rin ng debate magpanghanggang ngayon. May mga nagsasabing hindi raw ito isang sport kundi isang kompetisyon lamang. May mga nagsasabi rin na ang pagiging popular , mabusising pagpaplano, kalkuladong tiyempo at ang dalubhasang pagbibigay-bisa ay mga klasipakasyon ng isang aktibidad bilang isport kung saan

IMAGE FROM: TECHLABS CUP - DOTA 2 TOURNAMENT

lobe kaysa sa parietal lobe na nangangailangan ng mental at behavioral na liksi. Isa pa ay ang paghasa ng kasanayan sa multi-tasking lalo na sa panahon ngayong prayoridad ang may kaalaman sa computer sa trabaho. “Playing DotA enhanced my computer skills, and that was where I credit my entry to a multinational engineering company, one of the largest across the globe, before I left the city for the island,” dagdag pa niya. Mahalagang maialis sa kaisipan nating mga Pilipino ang negatibong reaksyon pagdating sa mga taong naglalaro ng DotA o kahit ano pa mang computergenerated na laro. Malayo na ang narating ng mga taong sangkot sa mga ganitong pangyayari. Hindi imposible na balang araw matanggap na ito hindi lang bilang isang libangan ngunit bilang isang katanggap-tanggap na propesyon sa lipunan.

pasok ang eSports sa mga salik na ito. Sa ibang bansa, kinikilala na rin ito bilang isang ganap na kurso at posibleng hanapbuhay. Ilan sa mga kalapit na bansa ay ang Japan, Singapore, at iba pang SEA (Southeast Asia) katulad ng China na siyang nangunguna pagdating sa usapan ng DotA tournaments at paggiging top sa buong mundo. Kumakailan lang, ang University of the Visayas New School (UNVS) ay naglunsad ng bagong kurikulum sa larangan ng eSports at game development sa kanilang Senior High Arts and Design nitong May 2017. Ilan sa mga saklaw nitong asignatura ay ang pagtuturo ng stratehiya, mechanics, game theory at game awareness. “After two years, the students can either choose to be game creators, designers, or e-sports players in the professional league,” ito ang pahayag ni Genesis Raña, founder at school director ng UVNS. Bagamat hayagan nang kinikilala ang ganitong konsepto sa paaralan, mahaba-habang proseso pa ang kailangang maisagawa upang tuluyang maisali sa kurikulum ng mataas na kaantasan o CHED Memorandum Orders (CMOs) ang ganitong uri ng programa. Datapwat, hindi malayong maisakatuparan ang konsepto ng eSport/DotA tournaments sa CSU Olympics. Hindi ito nalalayo sa ibang recreational activities katulad ng chess o basketball. Di hamak din na hindi brutal ang sinimulan ng DotA, hindi tulad ng ibang isport na produkto ng balawis na yugto ng digmaan at labanan. “Removing the stigma, social acceptance for gamers,

makapasok sa TI. Sa huli, sa kabataan pa rin nakasalalay ang huling hantungan ng mga eSports, lalo na ng DotA tournaments dito sa isla.

and all o t h e r wonderful results – students can play DotA with sense of pride at school and thereby love school. We have to make the school a pleasant place for the young people. Not a place of stigma, bigotry, and dogmatism,” mungkahi ni Llave ukol sa kalakip na bunga ng pagsakatuparan ng eSport bilang bahagi ng intramurals. Taliwas ito sa pahayag ni Ma. Concepcion S. Vera, Dean ng College of Information and Communications Technology (CICT), na mariing tinututulan ang DotA tournaments o kahit anung video gaming sa CICT week at maging sa CSU Olympics. Pagdepensa niya, nakadepende naman sa estudyate ang kanyang kakayahang mabalanse ang pagaaral at paglalaro ngunit may mga pagkakataon talagang iba ang kinahihinatnan nito sa bata. “We have an IS (Information Systems) student na nag-stop siya and medyo naapektuhan yung kanyang pag-iisip because nagdoDotA siya hatinggabi, madaling araw and di na kumakain so yun yung masamang epekto. Grabe ding parents na

gapunta uya na gareklamo na baging ang epekto sa aki iba. Igwang gapulunta tapos minsan su faculty igareklamo na su mga aki na galaog tapos ito nahihiling sa computer café, gaDotA,” ito ang pahayag ni Vera patungkol sa pagkondena sa tradisyunal na DoTa tournaments tuwing sasapit ang CICT week. Ayon rin kay Ma. Antonia E. Rojas, Chairperson ng CICT, bagamat teknolohiya na ang nagpapaikot sa mundo mahalaga pa ring tangkilikin natin ang mga tradisyunal na laro. Ang ganitong kultura ay unti-unti na raw na nawawala sa kabataan. Nakakaalarmang pagdating ng panaho’y tuluyan nang maglaho ang mga ito na parang bula. Gayunpaman, hindi raw sapat ang badyet pambili ng mga bagong computers para maisakatuparan ang ganitong kurso sa nasabing college. “When it comes to our resources hindi pa pwede. Unless ma-upgrade yung CLRF (Computer Lab Resource Fee). Kaya kung mapapansin niyo sa mga computer natin dito hindi pa masyadong kahigh-end,” pagpapahayag ni Vera. Pagdagdag mungkahi din ni Llave, hindi pa “viable career” ang DotA para sa mga kabataan pagka’t kakaunti pa lamang ang mga kompanyang nagpopondo sa mga ganitong patimpalak at napakaliit lamang ng tsansang

The eSport Prospects Malayo na ang narating ng DotA. Mula sa parami ng paraming nahihikayat nitong madla hanggang sa mga kontrobersiyang madalas na kaakibat nito. Marami man ang di sang-ayon sa larong ito, hindi maipagkakailang isa itong ganap at kinikilalang isports na mahigpit ding pinaghahandaan ng mga manlalaro. Marahil “taboo” pa ang ganitong konsepto sa Pilipinas, lalo na sa ideololohiyang gawin itong isang ganap na kurso at karera, importanteng bumalikwas din tayo sa tradisyunal na aral-munabago-trabahong kaisipan pagka’t araw-araw ding nagbabago ang konspeto ng diskarte, at arawaraw nagbabago ang mga salik na basehan ng tagumpay. Bilang isang bansang malugod na nagtataguyod ng “global competitiveness”, mahalagang buksan natin ang oportunidad sa isang potensyal na sports revenue na maaring hakbang tungo sa makabagong yugto. Sa maliit na net shop pa din, nagpaharurot pa ng isang game ang magbabarkada. Taliwas sa naunang siklab ng kanilang laro, kapansin-pansin ang untiunting pagkalamyado ng grupo nang maungusan sila ng

kalaban sa simula pa lang ng laro, 7-2 ang iskoring. Nataktikahan sila ng kalaban sa playing field na ginawang kalamangan ang kanilang umaaktibong simula at hinusayan ang pagpaandar ng mga atake’t salpukan. Mahusay ang naging stratehiya ng support na mahigpit ang bantay sa kanilang Carry. Dahil sa miskomunikasyon at kakulangan sa team management, nagapi ang Cafrezzo sa final iskor na 23-14. “Nawala na sa kondisyon. Outplay[ed], outtrap[ped], nilamangan pati kami sa draft. Pero okay lang kasi mas namomotivate man kami pag nadaog,” pagpakumbaba ni Magtañgob. Karaniwang kataga na sa mga gamers ang mga ito: “DotA is life”, “Gaming equals living” and “DotA is a lifestyle”. Kapansinpansin, na ito na ang karaniwang bumubuo’t humuhubog sa mga kabataan ngayon. “Kaysa man magdrugs o magtambay eh magDotA na sana,” ito ang mungkahi ni Benavidez patungkol sa mga dulot na nabibigay ng laro. Nagbabago na ang mukha at istilo ng paglalaro ngayon. Sana mapatawan ito ng agarang pansin ng mga kinauukulan.

IMAGE FROM: ALUMNO

LIGHTER SIDE

Kapitbahay ko si Mam Mining – Koyang dilaw gahiling ning softball Say uto? – Ateng nakablack na lipstick, black na shirt at black na pants Say lugod beh?????? Hamak sana yan, nakiinom kamong tubig sa Unit III -K’ya na taga Unit III na gigil sa unit II Sa sobrang kapawutan mo koya duminunok lugod maghapon. Wag kasing ganern! Split pa more k’yang volleyball player na mukhang gymnast. -Ateng mukhang volleyball Baka gymnast sya sa past life ateng tapos ikaw hahaha!!!!

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Dahil nabigla ka noon sa malaking tarpaulin ng CSU Olympics 2017 lalo na sa Algerian font at mala-Word art design kailangan mong mas maging maingat ngayon. Nakikita kong mas kagulat-gulat ang ibibigay na pasakit ng mga professor mo. Huwag dodoblehin ang pag-inom ng Kopiko78°C para maiwasan ang hyperactivity at LBM, na mas lalong magpapalala ng sumpa. Ang lucky color ay ang color palette ng tarpaulin ng CSU Olympics 2017. Lucky number mo ay 3.0.

SPECIAL ISSUE VOL. XXVI NO. I

Tuwad pa more Kuya sa pag-dig maski masiseen na ang visible earthlings mo. Saludo akes sa score na naitao mo. -Next Ms. Gay 3021 Enjoy naman you ateng magsighting anek? Hari man pagpangani ta sayang ang fes. Luway luway sana. Ako nalang ang saktan mo, huwag na siya. -Hugoterang frog Wag puro hugot ate ha, tanom naman ha Akin lang si Dianne, walang sayo Zander, akin lang si Dianne, akin lang. Sabot??????? -Franco, f na f ang labtrayangol Akin na lang si Zander! Werws. *kelerg* hekhekhek! Nawawala ang among pagkaginwapong art editor. Pahiling ka man powzzz! -Inang pub Iyo ngani mader baad galablayp na man parehas ni layout artist Oho baga di man akong karapatan magtampo bako mo man akong gf. -Ateng lumalablayp kahit walang poreber Intrams to! Intrams! Bawal ang lablayp!!!!!!

Grabe man! Dyan talaga pinahuba? -Ate girl pasimpleng gahanap ning minions ni koyang boxer na pinahuba after the game Ateng ha nakita ko yun. WAG AKO!

Ngata ta kaipuhan gabos na Statesman uya sa grounds, mapicture man sana? -Koyang gahiling ning Cheerdance na bitter much I’m tired, talk to my hand. One more word and I’ll fold your face! – Jaime Lannister Ate pwede pakisara ning payong mo nakatama ka eh! –Ateng nakacamouflage ang pants at may pusong Maute Cool ka lang atey ha patapuson mo muna gyera sa Marawi. ;))))) Dai man ning beach volleyball. Gabos na sana yapaasa ako. -Tormund Wag ka kasing umasa at lalong WAG KANG HUMUGOT! Bwisit ka! - Jorah Mormont na na-friendzone Sige na ishoot mo na! I-shoot mo na!! Dariiiii!!!!! -Ateng gawatch ning basketball f na f ang game Itulak taka kaya dyan anes?

Sa paglilibot ko sa green university sa buong apat na araw habang nakasuot ng hello kitty pajamas at pink Dora slippers, naoverheard ko or should I say nakinig talaga ako ng taimtim sa iba’t ibang sentimyento, saloobin at kakyemehan ng madlang CSU pips. - Mother of Dragons

KAGSING, KURAHAW, KIMOT

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Suwerte ka dahil mapapansin ka ng crush mong varsity player. Sa isang karinderya ay pareho kayong oorder ng extra rice. Unti-unting magtatama ang inyong mga mata. Magkakatitigan kayo nang mga 0.00001 second. Pero lahat nang iyan ay magiging ilusyon lamang kung hindi mo ila-like at isi-share ang Facebook page ng The CSU Statesman. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Patugtugin ang Despacito at Doo Bi Dap ng buong araw. Ang mga ito ang iibsan sa dinaramdam mo at maging ng mga kaibigan mo. Kabisaduhin mo na rin ang lyrics nito, at ituro sa mga kaibigan mo ang naisip mong choreography. Huwag maniwala sa sabi-sabing may sumpa ang mga kanta. Pauso lang yun.

Pisces (Feb 19-March 20). Magpapatuloy ang kamalasan mo na nagsimula noong naudlot ang Beach Volleyball. Maiibsan ito kung lahat na makakasalubong mo ay sasabihan mo ng “Wag ako” in Ivy Agua’s voice. Sa loob ng limang araw, magsuot din ng itim na damit sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Ito ang haharang sa mga masasamang elemento. Lucky color: Black, duh? Lucky Number: Channel 2, 5:45 pm. Aries (March 21-April 20). Babagsak ka ngayong semester dahil puro ka walwal, at di mo talaga sineseryoso ang pag-aaral. Sanhi rin ito nang pagma-marathon mo ng K-dramas buong Intrams. Maghanda sa katakut-takot na fines and penalties sa susunod na enrollment. Magmakaawa na lang sa SBO president mo. Ipaalala mo rin sa kaniya na iwasan ang pagtataray sa mga estudyante, lalo na sa staff ng Statesman na walang tulog buong intrams. Gigil niya si acoe! Taurus (April 21-May 21). Suwerte ka dahil magiging subject ka ng “Komiks ni Alex.” Ipadala ang pinakamaayos mong litrato na naka-wacky pose sa opisina ng Statesman thru LBC o 2go Express. Ikaw ang napili ng sansinukob para sa napakahalagang tungkulin.

R R HOR O P S CO E

puno ng Ang daigdig ay an ng am al ka sa id hiwaga. Ling ang ito binubuo i lam marami, hind wan at Dutertards. ng mga Dila gnan ang Mas angkop tin katauhan ng sa ng i at pagkakahati-h ac signs, dahil ang zodi buo ng base sa mga pektibo ay binu ganitong pers at money. Sa pagsilip art, science, inag natin msim, maaan natin sa salagi ng ating mga tadhana. ang repleksyon naigting na version ng pi Narito na ang Horror Scope.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21). Sanhi ng pagpalit ng rotasyon ng celestial sphere, mag-iiba ang sentro ng iyong buhay. Mararanasan mo ang sunod-sunod na pagkasawi’t pighati. Maging mapili sa mga kaibigan. Ika nga, “Tell me who your friends are, at ipakilala mo ako dun sa cute.” *wink* Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan 20). Hindi ka maka-get over sa Cheerdance competition. Pero kung patuloy ka pang magdi-dwell sa past ay mahihirapan kang mag move forward, at ito ay makakaapekto sa direksyon ng constellation mo na maaaring pang maging rason para hindi ka maka-graduate on time. Para hindi ito mangyari, humingi ng kaunting libag mula sa 10 miyembro ng nanalong team sa Cheerdance. Pagsama-samahin ito at gawing lucky charm. Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb 18). Aabot na sa 22 likes ang selfie mo with Gabby Concepcion. I-share ito at i-tag sa comment ang lahat ng friends mo. Ito lamang ang tanging paraan para hindi maagaw ng iba ang jowa mong pinaglihi sa pimples. Wala kang lucky color kasi may love life ka.

ase ko sa payo kong ibin Iyan na ng mga me, Number Theory at Sche Constellation Pinapaalala na ang Horror Tarot Cards. ron tayong bi y lamang. Me g Scope ay gaba at maaari rin natin silan ll, r. tuin at free wi rticular orde sundin in no pa

STATESMAN NI ASY ONG,

TROLOGER

RESIDENT AS

Gemini (May 22-June 21). Kailangan mong makilala kung sino nga ba si “Diane” na nagpakulay ng Olympic atmosphere noong ikalawang araw ng Palaro. Magtanong-tanong sa mga nasa CSU Oval dahil alam nila ang kwento. Gawan ito ng reaction paper. Magiging doble ang dinaranas mong suwerte kung ipapasa mo ang nasabing reaction paper sa Statesman’s office. Cancer (June 22-July 22). Isa ka sa mga dahilan kung bakit natalo ang Unit ng College ko. Humanda ka. Hahanapin kita at ipapa-Tokhang sa grupo ng mga tambay! Leo (July 23-August 22). Sunod-sunod na brownout ang mangyayari sa inyong barangay. Huwag nang sisihin ang zodiac sign mo kasi FICELCO talaga ang sanhi nito. Mawawalan din kayo ng tubig at VIWAD naman ang sanhi nito. Wala ka nang ibang magagawa kundi maglupasay sa inis. Ngunit gawin ang paglulupasay sa gitna ng CSU Grounds tuwing Biyernes, alas-5 ng hapon, habang kumakanta ng Two Less Lonely People in KZ Tandingan’s voice. Magdala ng isang sako ng saging at magsuot ng blindfold na red.

(Si Asy Ong ay hindi Chinese o maging half-Chinese, pero slightly singkit siya. Kumuha siya ng Doctoral Degree sa Keetoy Institute of Herbology, Astrology and Ukay-Ukay Business – Aruba Branch sa Sapporo, Japan. Nagtapos siya with dying colors. Kasalukuyan niyang tinatapos ang undergrad degree dito sa CSU para maging valid ang kaniyang credentials dahil it’s a competitive world out there. Plus factor din marahil ang pagiging ISO-certified ng institusyon. Maaaring magpahula sa kaniya tuwing Full Moon sa may fire exit malapit sa opisina ng publikasyon. Mangyari lamang na makipag-ugnayan sa mga kawani ng The CSU Statesman para maayos ang schedule kasi busy siya sa acads.)

OPINION

SPECIAL ISSUE VOL. XXVI NO. I

Pasakalye

ACE JOHN F. TABUZO nasabing usapin. Sa huli, natapos ang forum na magulo ang lahat at hindi tayo nabigyan ng sapat na impormasyon sa isang isyu na tayo ang apektado. Mula nang maging bahagi tayo ng institusyong ito, marahil iisa lamang ang nahihinuha natin dito, ano pa nga ba ang bago? Ang mga magaaral ng CSU ay nahahati lamang sa dalawa – ang mga may pakialam at ang mga piniling magsawalang-kibo, manahimik o magbulag-bulagan sa mga nakikitang mali sa sistema. Marahil ngayong Intrams ay makikita na naman natin ang mga pagkukulang at naunsyaming mga kaganapan, hahanapin na naman natin kung sino ang pagbubuntungan ng sisi. Ngunit sa kabila ng mga pagkukulang na ating nakita at narinig, marapat siguro na alamin muna natin ang mga dahilan sa likod nito. Siguro, isa rin tayo sa mga salik na nakaapekto sa sistemang ito. Katulad na lamang sa mga atletang ating tinilian at hinahangaan sa kani-kanilang larangan at madalas na nagbibigay karangalan sa ating paaralan, sa kabila pala nito ay ang mga

hindi katanggap-tanggap na pang-iinsulto at pambabagsak sa kanila ng ilang mga guro na ang tingin sa kanila ay mahina ang mga utak at magaling lamang sa isports. Sila ang mga atletang mas piniling manahimik para makaiwas sa gulo. Isang pagkakamali dahil lahat ng tao ay may likas na magkakaiba-iba kung saan ang galing, talino at tagumpay sa mga asignatura ay hindi isang sapat na barometro para masukat ang kakayahan ng isang tao Siguro, isa tayo sa mga kamag-aral o kaibigan ng isa sa kanila na may kakayahan sanang ipagtanggol at ipaglaban ang karapatan nila ngunit mas pinili ng ilan na manahimik at pakinggan na lang ang eksena. Nawa’y sa tatlong araw na Intramurals ay nabigyan tayo nang mas malalim na pagpapakahulugan ng salitang tagumpay na hindi lamang kayang sukatin ng mga gintong medalya na naiuuwi ng mga atleta, kundi ang laban para makuha ang panalo, hindi lamang gamit ang isip at liksi, kundi maging ng puso.

Exposing Excellence KEVIN D. KOZMA

trange aspirations would momentarily send a rush of enthusiasm into my mind. One of these brief ambitions included the pursuit of a professional basketball career. It was no more than a pipe dream, since I was young, inexperienced and had no chance. As distant as the possibility may have appeared at the time, I was set on becoming a recognized figure. I often wonder if the true potential of CSU’s sport talents have been tapped by the right people. The right people who can take these young athletes to monumental sport events and reveal their talent to the country. The annual celebration of Olympic is seen as the perfect opportunity to display CSU’s sport department skills and depth. Because of that very reason, this event should be taken just as seriously as any other high-regarded sports competition since occasions like these are increasingly scarce.

Timeout

SHAINA MAE M. BENAVIDEZ sa sa mga pinangangambahan ko noon pa man ay ang pagsapit ng edad na 18 hindi dahil maaari na akong makulong kapag nakagawa ng krimen kundi dahil alam kong mas malaki na ang responsibildad na inaasahan sa akin ng lipunan. Isa na rito ang pagiging isa sa mga taong pipili ng mga taong iluluklok sa pwesto para mamuno at dalhin ang mga pinamumunuan sa landas na anuman ang kahinatnan ang sisi o papuri ay mapupunta palagi sa namumuno. Nasa kalagitnaan tayo ng Intrams ngunit tila pinaalala lamang sa atin na ang pulitika ay nakakabit sa bawat sulok ng lipunan na anuman ang ating gawin para malinis ang sistema kung mayroon laging nangunguna sa pagbalga nito, marahil hindi sapat ang pagkakaroon ng sapat na tapang at ideyalismo para malabanan ito. Ang ating konsentrasyon ay nakasentro sa Intrams ngunit hinayaan natin ang ating mga sarili na ibaling sa usaping tuition fee ang ating mga atensyon sa pag-aakalang sa pamamagitan ng isang malayang deliberasyon masasagot ang ating mga katanungan at agam-agam hinggil sa

OPINION

In a recent discussion with one of my athletic friends, a college junior, I learned there are plenty of hidden sporty gems scattered throughout the CSU population who have not topped the national charts due to lack of inter-collegiate exposure. Another instance can be observed with the university’s powerhouse of a group in Taekwondo. Even though their skill clearly surpasses the range of white belt, the Taekwondo players are unable to compete for a much-deserved black belt due to the absence of a trainer holding the authority to grant the very position. While college varsity teams across our region participate in different tournaments held nearly every month in several sport categories, Catanduanes’ teams are expected to solely rely on Regional and National State College and University Athletic Association (SCUAA) Meets for professional competition as well as individual

exposure. For an aspiring athlete, this event, as prestigious as it may be, is not enough to propel one hopeful sportsman into the big leagues. Our happy island may be too isolated from big-time sporting possibilities. I know National SCUAA Meet has given plenty of talented individual and team sport players the opportunity of a lifetime to gain fame and glory through their determination. Some lucky individuals even received scholarship grant offers from top universities in the Philippines. A passionate athlete, on the other hand, would not settle for just a few school-oriented tournaments, no matter how grand. This individual would know one’s determination knows no limits and their passion would fuel them to strive beyond what our school offers. Athletic exposure can really make a huge difference between an island legend and a national superstar.

hese days, I hear less of the advice for me to slow down. It seemed I learned to tone down a bit – let things flow, accept that time is not always rigid, linear. In conversations then with few of my friends, I would share that I want to achieve my goals before turning 25. With a serious look, I’d say that death is inevitable, and would certainly come for me in my youth. Of course, the joke was to give an irrational support to the haste people see in me. The realization became more profound during a presswork this CSU Olympics, as I watched everyone around me moved while I sat in silence. I was just done with the first draft of my sports article, and saw my co-staffers tried to beat the deadlines we set. If there is one thing I learned from Statesman is that time is marked by deadlines. Efficiency is of prime importance if one is in a publication. However, I also learned that overdoing deadlines would likely result to inferior article

quality, major typographical errors, and poor layout. Just like the current state of affairs in the country. Blinded by our thirst for a radical shift in the government, which was apparently embodied and promised to us by an uncanny candidate, we elected someone who pronounced to eradicate drugs and criminality in the country in just three to six months. From the moment Rodrigo Duterte took office last year, the death tolls escalated quickly to thousands. An article in Aljazeera cited an estimated number of 3,451 drug personalities since June 2016 to July 26, 2017. Moreover, 2,000 more died in drug-related homicides, and 8,200 homicide cases are considered “death under investigation.” I could not help but attribute to the timeframe the fast schemes of summary killings. The drug war is anything but bloody, since the pressure to liberate the country from the drug menace was on.

Police officers, backed by the chief commander and anxious to deliver his orders, came rampaging homes and streets, a speedy cleansing of the so-called “ills” of the society. And then Duterte asked for another six months after he realized the serious extent of the drug problem, which he again asked to be extended until the end of his term. Still, he remains persistent in the war he has waged, and the death figures continued to add. In what shocked the country, 32 suspected drug pushers and users were killed in just 24 hours, including the death of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos. This earned the ire of the Filipino people, including our “good” senators, whom I thought were already desensitized by everyday news of “nanlaban” cases. With the president admitting he has miscalculated his capability to stop the drug problem, we see the failure of foresight, as well as the issue of urgency which reverted to his close-to-impossible promises.

If there has been rigorous planning, we may have not seen this bloody crackdown. The administration could have considered other options than the punitive approach, and that, instead of murdering our people, review the root causes of the problem – poverty, inefficient delivery of basic social services, and corruption in the government. A closer look would always suggest to be deliberate in the “drug war,” for it has to be strategic – never hurried and always calculated. Our University sportsmen have shown such. In one game I watched this Olympics, the losing team called for a timeout. In a turn of events, they rose from the meltdown and notched the win, to the surprise of the crowd. Maybe, just maybe, that is what our country, particularly the administration, needs - a time out. To think things through. To reevaluate plans and actions. To change the game plan. For, at least in that way, we raise the chances of winning.

ONLINE. @isteytsman thecsustatesman.wordpress.com /TheCSUStatesman

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