HANDS UP BLOWING. Intramurals 2013 opens with a bang as the Saint Louis University Marching Band performs for the Louisian crowd at the Father Raphael photo by Yna Darla Olarte Desmedt Oval, Maryheights Campus, Jan. 12.
news
CICM at 150, SLU goes 101
PHOTO BY LEVIN ACE DANGANAN
Just as CICM’s year-long sesquicentennial celebrations came to a close, Saint Louis University’s 101st year kicked off last November 26 at the jampacked university grounds with a week’s worth of see more on page 2 festivities.
features The Lone Voyager IMAGE FROM THE INTERNET
Making a splash on 1956, he has been reputed as a great Filipino whose sterling spirit drove a myriad of skills and talents. see more on page 11
sports
SLU opens Maryheightsbased Intrams
NSTP Chief on Letter to Editor:
PHOTO BY YNA DARLA OLARTE
‘Let the readers judge’ by
Shiela Marie Sandoval
National Service Training Program Coordinator Albert Guinguino refused to give comments regarding the Letter to the Editor by a student who wished to be identified as Galileo in the recently released European Tabloid of White & Blue (Volume XVI, Issue I). “We did not have the chance to equally present our side, so let the readers judge the whole situation,” Guinguino said. In the open letter, ‘Galileo’ expressed several concerns about compulsory seminars and events allegedly being imposed by NSTP every Sunday, one of which he emphasized was the NSTP
Cultural Festival last Sept. 30. “The event was stained with the luxurious, lavish, costly, and timeconsuming way of celebrating it,” the letter stated. It accused the NSTP for not generating any financial report on the estimated Php 1,000 contribution per student for expenses for the tribe pictorial, rental fee for costumes, picture frame, preparation for the indigenous food, and props for the cultural presentation required in the festival. However, in an interview with White & Blue asking his reaction on the truthfulness of the statements in the letter, Guinguino said that “the students will have
to find that out themselves.” Guinguino pointed out that White & Blue should have written NSTP’s explanation of the event to go side-by-side with the Letter to the Editor on the same Eurotabloid issue. “The activities were done in a particular context. May guidelines. [There are guidelines.]” Guinguino cited the Procedure, Guidelines, and Form (PGF), a document which contains the objectives, policies, and activities in any NSTP event, and which serves as the waiver for participating students. According to the PGF on the NSTP Cultural Festival, each NSTP 1 student is
required to prepare and submit an 8”x12” personal picture-portrait in ethnic attire. The NSTP Office even requested the University official photographer to take the photographs of interested students for Php 100, with a separate fee of Php 250 for the frame, if students wished to avail it from the office. The PGF did not explicitly require any monetary contribution from the students for any activity in the Cultural Festival; however, it stated that the preparation of the indigenous food for competition must be good for twice the total number of students under one instructor. continued on page 5
Louisian appointed to Supreme Court by
Admin to Union: Explain ‘outsourced’ loan program
Banoar Abratique
The country’s highest court will have a taste of Louisian blood as Baguio-boy Mario Victor “Marvic” Leonen enters the controversy-stricken Supreme Court which he more than once assailed. Leonen, a T. Alonzo native and Saint Louis University Boy’s High School valedictorian, was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III on Novmber 21, 2012 to fill out the position vacated by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno who replaced impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona. Prior to his appointment in the High Tribunal, Leonen was the chairman of the Philippine Government’s Peace Panel with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which recently ironed out the Bangsamoro Peace Agreement, getting international acclaim. The new associate justice of the highest court of the land was also the dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law. During his leadership as dean, the faculty of the UP-College of Law publicly assailed members of the Supreme Court and the Court itself including the alleged plagiarism of Associate Justice Mariano Del Castillo and the flip-flopping decisions of the High Court in different cases. In the official statement of Malacanang, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that the president views
by
WHITE STRIPES. To keep SABM students safe from passing vehicles, SLU Maryheights paints pedestrian lanes along the photo by Yna Darla Olarte campus’ streets.
Leonen’s appointment as a contribution to his vision of an empowered, independent and reformist judiciary. “The appointment of Dean Leonen is one that the president views as a lasting legacy of his administration, consistent with his desire of a judiciary imbued with the highest standards of independence, probity and integrity,” according to the statement. It added that a revitalized Supreme Court, with the renewed confidence and public trust of the people, is essential to
the fulfillment of the President’s Social Contract with the Filipino People for a truly impartial judicial system that delivers equal justice to the rich and the poor. Leonen is the fourth appointee of the president after Chief Justice Sereno, and Associate Justices Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Bienvenido Reyes, who were both former Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals. He is the youngest Supreme Court Justice since 1938 aging 49 years old at his time of appointment.
Best Cultural Group
Tanghalang SLU astounds Aliw Awards by
Cheri Danielle Leyaley
Twice the Ghost light. Now the Limelight. After two consecutive years each with three nominations and having gone backstage each time, Tanghalang Saint Louis University has finally captured the limelight as they owned the title of Best Cultural Group during the 25th Aliw Awards held at the Manila Hotel’s Centennial Pavilion, Nov. 26. “When Jon Santos announced the winner, we all felt an overwhelming great joy, [because it was our] first time [to] showcase [one] national award [in theater],” said Sir Dan Rommel. Tanghalan SLU outshone four other nominees including Harlequin Theater Guild of De La Salle University, Philippine Science High School’s Sipat Lawin Ensemble, Regional Pilot School for the Arts
Saint Louis University exhibited athleticism as the new chapter of the Intramurals unleashes, bearing the theme, “Mission beyond Borders,” last January 12 at the Defending Champion’s Homegrounds: School of Accountancy and Business Management’s see more on page 14 Maryheights Campus.
Cultural Troupe of Angono, Rizal, and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Bataan Banda Kawayan. “We hugged each other in joy,” said Riopay in the vernacular. Looking Back Back in 2011, the group was nominated in three categories namely Best Non-Musical production for Kagila-gilalas na Buhay ni Lam-ang, Best Actor for Chase Cervera who played Lam-ang and Best Stage Director for Dan Rommel Riopay, both for non-musical production in the 24th Aliw Awards. In 2010, Tanghalan had a near-grab for Best Stage Director with Dan Rommel for Zwardeenah, and Best Actor for Ray Angelo Aurelio for musical production category and Best Cultural Group. Among the basis used by the screening committee chaired by Frank
Rivera, an international multi-awarded Filipino playwright and the Board of Judges invited by the Aliw Awards Foundation to choose the winners, includes the company’s credibility, number of “quality” productions, and the continuity of shows, its vision, mission, objective, and the festivals participated by the production. When asked what’s behind their success, Sir Dan proudly said with a huge smile, “All of it.” “But more than that, we have the burning passion and dedication to reach for the heights of excellence [because] we always set a standard, and try to surpass it with every performance we do,” he added. This year’s awards were given to productions staged from Oct. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2012. continued on page 5
SSC to launch its own website by
Shiela Marie Sandoval
It will be just like Facebook. As part of its initiative to form the Committee on Information Dissemination, the Supreme Student Council sought help from Louisian Information Technology students to build a website which will serve as a social networking platform for students. According to School of Computing and Information Sciences Governor Darel Gandol, leader of the IT group developing the website, students will be able to read announcements from University officials and be updated about various student activities through the SSC website. The website will include the “Louisian Blog”, a feature which will allow students to comment on posts by other Louisians. Also, a “Contact Us” page will also be provided for students to voice out their concerns and suggestions to the SSC. News updates will be viewable by school, and various school publications will be available for download. According to SSC President Victor Atitiw the website may also include downloadable financial statements from the SSC to foster transparency of their records. Unlike the existing SLU website, the SSC website will involve only SLU college students. “The main features of this site go hand-in-hand with what we are trying to achieve in the CID,” said Atitiw. “Kunware ‘pag bumagyo, pwede nang makita ng mga estudyante sa website kung may pasok ba o wala.” [For example, in the event of a storm, the students may already know through the website if classes will be suspended or not.] continued on page 5
Banoar Abratique
Vice president for Administration Atty. Arnulfo Soriano asked the Union of Faculty and Employees of Saint Louis University to shed light into the union’s alleged outsourcing of its loan program for its members where the university is being used as a “collecting agent” of the private lending company. In a letter addressed to UFESLU president Joseph Porfirio Andaya last January 15, the administration through VP Soriano expressed its “strong objection” in continuing the collection through salary deductions for the loan payments of its employees. Although admitting that the decision of engaging an external private entity is within the prerogative of the Union, the SLU admin said that it is “highly inclined” to stop payments due to UFESLU’s breach of a standing agreement regarding the implementation of the loan program for its members. According to the letter, there was an understanding between the Union and the Administration that the UFESLU should allocate a revolving fund to be used for the loan program of faculty and employees. On the administration’s part, the accounting office shall collect the loan payment of the union members through salary deductions. The proceeds from the salary deductions will be remitted to the UFESLU. As of press time, there has been no response from the UFESLU on the letter of VP Soriano.
LIGHTS IN BEAT. SCIS boasts its Christmas Tree featuring the climbing Santa Claus giving off cash to lucky Louisians. photo by
Yna Darla Olarte
NEWS
Volume 16 issue 3
Back-to-back celebration
JANUARY 2013
CICM at 150, SLU goes 101 by
Banoar Abratique
In this university, the celebrations never end. Just as CICM’s year-long sesquicentennial celebrations came to a close, Saint Louis University’s 101st year kicked off last November 26 at the jampacked university grounds with a week’s worth of festivities. Opening the double-celebration events, Former Provincial Superior of Brazil Rev. Fr. Vidalito Ludan, CICM, led the students from elementary, high school and college, local seminarians, Indonesian and Congonese seminarians, faculty members, staff, administration, CICM priests and visitors from SLU’s sister schools in a Eucharistic celebration from a makeshift stage facing the statue of Fr. Theophile Verbist. Following the mass were simultaneous opening ceremonies of the Extension Program Exhibits by the Research and Extension Office and a flag raising ceremony of the different flags of the nations where CICM has established its mission. The afternoon filled the university grounds with music as the Bandang Louisian concert featured some of the best student bands who played three songs each. The bands who will garner the most votes will be called back during the closing ceremonies of the Handogng SLU sa Baguio on December 2. Booths were also set up on the other side of the university grounds by different university organizations selling knick knacks of all sorts including food, clothes, books and Christmas decorations. By six in the afternoon, all eyes were sent to the unveiling and lighting of the Louisian Christmas Tree. The grounds behind the left wing of the Diego Silang Building was filled with people in this third-Christmas kLighting event of the University. The Christmas Tree, designed by the School of Computing and Information Sciences, featured a volume-activated lighting system with dancing lights. The glow became more intense as the volume around it increases, hence, it became brighter the more clapping noise the spectators made. Prior to the lighting, the Christmas Tree was offered to the whole Louisian Community. Each color also representing different values held important by the university and the people. Fr. Fernold Denna, CICM, in a short prayer before the official lighting, emphasized the reason for the celebration, which is the birth of Christ. The orchestra and glee-club offered songs and musical pieces at dusk while
DANCING SISTER SCHOOL. SLU hosts the closing of the CICM sesquicentennial celebration. One of the highlights of the event is the cultural presentation by the CICM photo by Yna Darla Olarte schools namely: SLC, USLT, SMU, and SLC Cebu.
waiting for the dark six o’clock sky to fill the place. A long series of applauses echoed through the air backed with Christmas songs when the tree was finally lighted. A Santa Claus figure that climbed up the tree through a string released balloons from his gift bag with coupons which can be exchanged for money as a gift from the SCIS. With a crowd more than the previous years, students, employees, visitors and the administration officials stormed the tree right after the formal program to take photos of the tree.
Another Pascual tops Regional Statistics Quiz, takes 4th in Nationals by
Abratique takes spot in AYLC 2013 by
Shiela Marie Sandoval
Out of 845 applicants from topperforming schools in the Philippines, BanoarAbratique, BSAc 4, will be among the 81 students to participate in the 15th Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC) on Feb 5-8. Abratique underwent stringent screening to qualify for the AYLC 2013, which will be held at Alfonso, Cavite. The first phase of the screening assessed online written applications in meeting the core qualifications for the program, such as active involvement in recognized school organizations and community organizations, awareness of community issues, and excellent communication skills.
The 175 qualifiers for this year were then interviewed by a panel of senior executives and Human Resources personnel of the Ayala Group on Nov. 21-23, 2012 at Makati City. AYLC is a four-day student leadership summit held by the Ayala Group every year. It selects 81 students from schools all over the country to participate in plenary sessions, workshops, and outdoor group activities. Delegates also get to meet government officials, top business leaders, and artists during the summit. After the summit, the delegates are required to conduct a community project with their fellow youth leaders. Louisians have been applying for AYLC
for the past years. The most recent Louisian to attend the summit was Marchad Coilan, a School of Teacher Education alumnus, in 2010.In the 14th AYLC, Allan Castro, BSEd 3, was among the 179 qualifiers in the initial phase among 809 applicants. Ayala Foundation, Inc. is the Ayala Group’s philanthropic arm, which engages in extension programs. The AYLC is one of the primary efforts of the Ayala Foundation, Inc. in contributing to national development. It aims to develop over the long term a community of principled, values-based servant leaders who will use their leadership ability to contribute to nation-building and to uplift the lives of their fellow Filipinos.
Sherwin Nico Emiliano
It runs in the blood. Saint Louis University marked another record in this year’s Philippine Statistics Quiz after representing the Cordillera Administrative Region and taking another top spot in the National Level last December 4 in CHED Auditorium, Diliman, Quezon City. First year Accountancy student Martin Allen S. Pascual, the younger brother of 2010 champion Gabrielle Paul Pascual, obtained the regional Championship and the fourth place in the National arena. Battling against 16 other freshmen from all over the country, Pascual trailed behind Jay Nelson T. Corbita (Region 10), Henry Jefferson C. Morco (NCR), and Jundel F. Sebial (CARAGA) who ranked first, second and third, respectively. Together with his coach Engr. Harold Lagto, Pascual also took the first slot in the regional competition, along with Mark Joseph Abang who took the third place last November 20. In 2010, the older Pascual, representing the Cordilleras, secured the national crown against Clar Don Evangelio (Eastern Visayas), and Agnes Casiano (Western Visayas). From PSQ’s birth in 1992, SLU managed to obtain eleven participants to top the regional finals and qualify for the national level, in which three of them took the top. The two other national titles taken by Louisians were Daryl Abiog in 1999 against Marcelino Uy (NCR), William Cheung (Region 1), Jan Garingarao (Region 12), and Allen Michael Arendon (Region 6); and Med Tech student Christopher Ang in 2008 against Rimson Junio (NCR), Eric James Magay (MIMAROPA), Ralph Anthony Espos (Region 9), and Rosa Lea Baldevarona (Region 6). Role Model Under the stewardship of then coach Nora De Vera, the older Pascual said he “had to balance my studies with the review sessions.” He added that he spent his [semestral]
break in SLU for the review. Aside from the sessions, he scanned a lot of Statistics books in the lib and the web for practice questions. He also studied different disciplines such as Economics to prepare for the competition. “I believe what put me on top was the early preparations and the constant practice we had,” Gabrielle stated. Hand in Hand Gabrielle said another factor in their achievements was their high school education and their parents. He said, “Perhaps it was the curriculum we had as science students in Baguio City National High School. We were exposed well to Statistics that’s why we had no difficulties during the reviews. I also think that growing up with very supportive parents helped out.” In addition, GabrieIle offered assistance and support to his younger brother by helping the latter in his preparations for the competition. “I gave him my notes during my reviews. Aside from clarifications on some concepts, talks on trusting your guts, a back massage and presence during the regional [eliminations], he was well on his own,” Gabrielle said. He also stated that there were lessons they have learned from joining the contest. “The accomplishments we both had from the Philippine Statistics Quiz have taught us that nothing is impossible as long as you persevere to achieve it. It has also taught me that in life, a point could spell a huge difference in the future,” he said “I was only ahead by a point from the 2nd placer during my time in the nationals. Martin inched his opponent only by a point during the regionals. A point or two lower, the PSQ might have witnessed two different stories. Parang si Pacquiao, Isang segundo lang at maaari kang ma-knockout. Kahit makatulog ka sa ring, ang importante ay lumaban ka hanggang sa huli. [Like Pacquiao, in just one second, you may be knocked out. But even you go down, you still fought until the end.],” Gabrielle said.
WHEN STARS ALIGN. SLU School of Medicine shines for the fourth time in a row with their Dominican Republic and Haiti-inspired parols during the annual lantern photo by Julian Carlo Barbadillo parade of the university.
SOM scores 4-peat in annual lantern parade by Jermaund Ivan Junio
Louisian physicians, sporting black make-up and illuminated fruit baskets, were hailed as the four-time champion in this year’s lantern parade held last December 1 in line with Baguio City’s opening ceremonies for the Christmas celebrations. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of CICM, each school was assigned a target country of the CICM missionary as its theme. The graduate schools clinched the top two awards. The School of Medicine was designated the countries of Dominican Republic and Haiti, while the first runnerup, the torch-bearing School of Law,
represented the United States of America. The School of Engineering and Architecture grabbed third place with it’s tribal-inspired theme from Congo. The School of Accountancy and Business Management, with their dragon from Hong Kong, and the Brazilian mar di gras of the School of Natural Science placed fourth and fifth respectively. Other schools were the School of Computing and Information Sciences, representing Zambia and South Africa, School Humanities, dressed up in European attire, the Mexican-themed School of Nursing, and the School of Teacher Education from Indonesia
The parade stretched from Upper Session Road to Melvin Jones Football Field where the schools performed a lantern exhibition to the jam-packed crowd that braved the chilly evening winds. The lantern parade was preceded by a Christmas concert sponsored by the City government of Baguio, with bands from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Edralins, and the lighting of the grand Christmas tree and Belen atop Session Road. A band concert followed the lantern parade at the football field with the top winners of the “Bandang Louisian”, who initially performed during the opening ceremonies of the CICM week.
NEWS
White&Blue Volume 16 issue 3 JANUARY 2013
3
European org cites SLU’s quality commitment by John
Ray Pucay
with
White&Blue Research
Saint Louis University’s dedication to higher education, research and community extension was highlighted when Business Initiative Directions graced the university with its World Quality Commitment Award for the first time, in the Gold category, last October 29 at the Concorde La Fayette, Paris, France. The WQCA is a private business – oriented award given by a private company mostly to business institutions though it has been handing out awards since 2002. Conversely, several blogs and internet sources are questioning the legitimacy of the award-giving group, B.I.D. The consumer watchdog blog The Voice alleged that the B.I.D is a scam that operates by inviting organizations to receive an award in different parts of Europe. These organizations will be required to pay 3,700 Euros as participation fee and they will be billeted in the hotel. According to the blog, the hotel accommodation costs only 560 Euros. Another online publication, The Rwanda Focus, alleged that “[BID] does not give awards based on merit, it sells them at random.” However, The New Times calls this award as “one of the most prestigious international awards given to companies worldwide for outstanding work.” The Planning Quality Assurance and Communications Office Assistant Director Dr. Wilfried VanHoutte said that BID sent a letter of invitation to SLU last August stating that the University has been nominated by
an anonymous person or institution and, after running all the nominated awardees through the criteria, an institutional management approach model usually focusing on customer satisfaction called the ‘QC100 Total Quality Management’, chose to present SLU with the award in Gold category. He added that BID did not require any photos, videos, or any forms of documentations from the University making them unsure of what exactly SLU did to acquire such award stating that after they were given a password to gain access into BID’s more detailed pages and information in its website, they found out that one of the more crucial factors considered in the awarding procedure is the nomination or recommendations. Van Houtte believes that SLU is the only grantee so far in the whole Cordillera when they saw the list of some of the other awardees. The award however, “cannot replace more classical forms of [educationally oriented] awards like Center of Development, Center of Excellence by the CHED or accreditation by PAASCU” according to VanHoutte. To maintain or improve SLU’s excellence in management and educational quality, The PQACO Assistant Director stated that the University just passed the Strategic Planning 2012 – 2017, the backbone of the management plan for the University for the next incoming years to the Board of Trustees last July. One of the new strategic differences
‘CAMP 7 jeeps can ferry Maryheights students too’ by
Gelliane Guil Benlingan
Long lines that have distressed Maryheights students wanting an affordable jeepney ride to the school could have been avoided, only if they were more informed according to the leader of another jeepney line servicing a nearby route. “Ang problema lang kasi dito sa SLU, ang mga studyante din eh. Matagal na kami rito, alam naman na siguro nila na every morning, nag seserve kami papuntang Bakakeng” (The problem with SLU is the students themselves. It’s been years since we transport students to Bakakeng and they know that), said C-7 JODA (Camp 7 Jeepney Operators & Drivers Association) President Thomas Mendoza. Unfortunately, students are not well informed since SABM students still line up in Igorot Garden despite the long line sometimes circling the whole park. Mendoza admitted that they are disappointed with the students who do not give attention to the loud voice of the dispatcher announcing “o SLU, SLU” in their respective parking area just between KFC building located in lower session road and Tiongsan Harrison. The Camp 7 jeepneys will pass in Lexbur heights but still with a fare of P8.00. This arrangement was also concurred by BJODA (Bakakeng Jeepney Operators &Drivers Asscociation) Vice President Fernando Kung-o, that during rush hours and usual time of students to go home, Camp 7 Jeepneys are to help in transporting students from Bakakeng to town proper especially when the students falling in line can not be accommodated by the Bakakeng Jeepneys immediately. The officers of Camp7 and Bakakeng Jeepney Operators and Drivers agreed that when the students are already forming a long line and there is a shortage of Bakakeng jeepneys, automatically, the Camp7 Jeepneys will go around Lake drive to pick up the passengers. This should have occurred during rush hours since the 43 units of Bakakeng jeepneys could be stuck in traffic. Camp7 jeepneys will fetch the students in gate 2 from 3:30-6:30pm. Unfortunately due to internal issues and conflicts from the different drivers, these agreements were never realized. Kung-o admitted that even if the officers consented with those agreements, they can not control the mind-set of some
drivers who have attitude problems. There are some who don’t want other jeepneys to help them service passengers. He also divulged their petition with the council to approve the additional 60 units to fix the problem of jeepney shortage as preparation for FEU’s (Far Eastern University) plan to construct a hospital and a school. However, the petition filed was not granted since according to Coun. Nicasio M. Aliping Jr. ,Chairperson on Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Traffic Legislation, they have to consider the means and ways to solve the traffic congestion and not worsen the situation. Aliping stated that the solution is not to provide additional units just so that they (jeepneys) could accommodate the riding public. “We understand the plight of students, but it’s just a matter of sacrifice”, he said Aliping disclosed that camp 7 jeepneys are actually out of line – they are violating the franchise route of their CPC (Certificate of Public Convenience) but SLU-SABM’s case is special since despite the violation, the council and JODAs agreed to this internal arrangement just to be of assistance to the students. At this time, several students know the presence of Camp7 jeepneys transporting students from town proper to Maryheights but the agreement is that the students should be gathered before they call for more student passengers. The usual time that students gather in the Camp7 parking area is around 8:15 am or when they see the long line in Igorot Garden. Mendoza divulged that he had a dialogue with previous SSC-KASAMA officers, whom he doesn’t remember, and told them the problems of the students not giving attention to the assistance given by the Camp7 jeepneys. Mendoza also said that it would be proper that a meeting should be held with the presence of the SSC and the two jeepney associations to clear any misunderstanding since the main objective of the jeepney drivers should be to deliver their passengers conveniently and on time. SSC-KASAMA President Victor Atitiw also looked into this transportation problem and said that he tried to organize a meeting with the different JODAs but the SLU Administration advised him to let matters cool down before they make any move.
W&B NEWS BRIEFS SLU population bluer this sem by Jermaund Ivan Junio
Enrollment statistics showed a drop in the number of enrollees for the second semester with 26,848 students from last semester’s 29,513. In the undergraduate program, the School of Accountancy and Business Management has the greatest population with 7,490 students. Following closely by was the School of Engineering and Architecture with
7,348. The School of Teacher Education and the School of Computing and Information Sciences ranked lowest with 1,333 and 1,381 students, respectively. For the graduate schools, medicine students dropped from last semester’s 596 to 591 and law students were cut from 285 to 269. However, the population for this year’s second semester is greater compared to last year’s 26,555 students.
Medical clinic takes no lunch breaks by Juvy
Claire Danigos
Students waiting outside the clinic during lunch time will wait no more. To accommodate the number of students in need of medical assistance, there has been a long time policy of no lunch break among the medical staffs of the Saint Louis University- main and Bakakeng. Schedules of med staffs has been arranged as to always have somebody in the clinic. In the absence of physicians during Monday and Saturday afternoon, nurses along with other personnel would
assume responsibility. Staffs are allowed to take 15-minute break in the morning at about 10:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon. In special cases when one of the physicians is absent, the other physician must have a lunch break. At times of emergency, medical staffs won’t have their breaks to attend to the situation. “It is our duty to cater the needs of the students but they should be patient.” said Dr. Shiela Villanueva.
from the old SP 2006 -2011 is its increased emphasis on the importance of internationalization of the University. It aims to additionally require new context guidelines which the CHED is to impose on higher institutions by 2014 that works in a kind of point system He also stated that the University’s internationalization includes the increase of exchange programs and for it to come up with more formal memoranda rather than just isolated exchange cases. “The message in this context is that SLU has achieved something. Quality is a process. It is not an achievement once and for all. So I would rather emphasize the element commitment,” Van Houtte said. “There are a few things we may be proud of and there are a few things that we still could do better. So I think that this be a challenge for all of us to work and continue strategy of self improvement” he added, stating that one of the new SP’s focus on management is the emphasis of the commitment factor. Additionally, one of the focuses of the SP 2012 – 2017 is the enhancement of the general well being of the staff and its management. “I think quality should be an aspect of our work, of our activities. Quality is something [that] should be rather a verb than a noun. [Quality is] something which affects our doing, our thinking rather than something we purely advertise and that’s it,” he concluded. Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Noel De Leon and Vice President for Administration Atty. Arnulfo Soriano received the award at the Convention hall in Paris from BID Chief Executive Officer José Prieto. As of press time, White & Blue is still trying to get comments from the administration officials. White & Blue also contacted the website of Business Initiatives Directions but there has been no reply.
STANDING ALONE. SLU displays its international quality commitment award beside the accounting office in Silang. The recognition was given by the Business Initiative photo by Julian Carlo Barbadillo Directions based in Europe.
Louisians shine in board exams anew
by Juvy
Claire Danigos
From the Light of the North to the board exams, Louisians continued to glow as they secured top spots in the different licensure and board examinations this year for the second semester. Based on the results from the Professional Regulation Commission, with a national passing rate of 43.50 percent for this year, SLU’s bumper crop Mia Magdalena Fokno Longid took second spot with a rating of 88.80 percent in theLicensure Examination for Teachers (LET) given last September 30 in 22 testing centers all over the Philippines.. Meanwhile, School of Accountancy and Business Management slated their first top-notcher after a long time with Wayjorie Acop Depayso attaining 93.57 % to earn herself the third place in Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Licensure Examination held on October. She shares the spot
with Jerard Megg Depra Cordero from UP Visayas-IloIlo City. Result on the Civil Engineer Board Exam held last November 24 and 25 showed two topnotchers from SLU. Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines National Finalist Cesar Estillore Higoy Jr. marked 95.30 % garnering fourth place. Next to him is Patrick Aylsworth Cerdan Garcia with 94.90%. A total of 2,508 out of 4,863 (51.57%) passed the Licensure Examination for Electronics Engineers held on October 2012. Of these, John Rodrigo Frianeza Tamayo with a rating of 96.7% earned second place. Eigth placer Christone Rodriguez Mallari scored 95.3 % and trailing is Karen SarcenoMargayao with only a 0.1 percent difference. White & Blue photojournalist Julian Carlo Barbadillo with Rizza Rivera Castro from FEU-East Asia College dominated the
charts of the Licensure Examination for Electronics Technician with a rating of 86 %. Fourth placer Alfie Mark Somera attained 82% rating with six other examinees. Prexel Parnacio and Daryl Santos Reyes both sixth placer had a rating of 80% with 15 others in the October 2012 Electronics Trchnician exams. A passing rate of 43.26%, 433 out of 1,001 examinees, resulted from the Radiological Technologist Licensure Examination given in December 2012 where Louisian Joanna Marie Garcia Narvasa with 86.60% rate got 5th place while Theresa Rose Lintot Magno followed at 8th position with 86.00% SLU Rad Tech alumnus Nicko Villanueva Mendoza shared 10th place with two other examinees while Debbie Jen Rosado Osben was at 9th with 85.80% rating with three more.
SPINE OR PENIS. Dr. Bryan Lim, one of the speakers from the Social Oncology Forum conducted by the KASAMA/SSC, talks about the role of the youth in the Universal photo by Levin Ace Danganan Health Care at the SLU CCA on Nov. 11, 2012.
Health Forum wants ‘Social Cancers’ cured by
Al Ibarra Espinosa
In promoting free discussions regarding universal health care, the First Social Oncology Forum opened the efforts of former Top Outstanding Students of the Philippines in tackling sensitive issues including the ongoing Reproductive Health legislations. Sponsored by the KASAMA-SSC and held at the Center for the Culture and Arts theatre on November 11, the forum represents the first of a series of three health-related forums to be held at North Luzon’s largest Catholic university, with upcoming events dealing with topics such as the RH Bill. In the forums, students can learn about career opportunities that allow them to combine their academic knowledge with social responsibility, allowing them to target the “cancer of society” through Social Oncology. This initial forum served as a venue to advocate for the social determinants of health, focused on the idea of providing equitable health coverage for everyone in the Philippines, including those who live in the rural areas. These events are intended to be
organized on a semestral basis, providing students with a focus on the medical sciences with an opportunity to become more aware of the conditions throughout the Philippines and within the Cordilleras, and to stay updated on health care programs. The three speakers during the event, medical doctors Bryan Albert Lim and Ryan Camado Guinaran, and registered nurse Rochester Lubos Juan, each presented their individual perspectives on the nation’s health care system with respect to their unique fields of study. Economics of Health Care Lim, a health economist and a former Top Outstanding Student of the Philippines in 2006, focused on the current conditions of the nation’s health care system citing the regions of Manila, Cebu, and Davao as the most progressive centers of health in the country, having life expectancies of 80 years. “Health is inelastic,” Lim said, emphasizing the economic concept that people will continue to demand and pay for health services even if the price is high or increasing.
“People go bankrupt because of catastrophic injury,” he added saying that this is the result of people who are forced to pay an often overbearing portion of their income just to seek aid for illness and injury, and a single misfortunate accident can completely deplete a family’s resources. However, this cannot be avoided, and people find themselves willing to sacrifice their income to allow themselves to recover from such mishaps and then rejoin the workforce. He pointed out that privatization of health care will allow more health needs to be fulfilled since the public sector would be able to dictate private programs, bringing health care toward a social optimum. Striving Toward Equity Guinaran, an alumnus of Saint Louis College and Top Outstanding Student of the Philippines in 2002 and former SLU instructor, emphasized the social importance of meeting the Millennium Development Goals, a series of benchmarks established by the United Nations at the turn of the millennium in 2000. continued on page 5
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NEWS
White&Blue Volume 16 issue 3 JANUARY 2013
7 ‘Handog ng SLU’ awes Baguio th
Al Ibarra Espinosa with White&Blue News Bureau
by
reports from
Featuring the theme “Mission beyond borders”, the seventh annual Handog ng SLU sa Baguio kicked off the City’s Christmas Month with various booths, parades aand concerts by the university’s different schools, crowding tourists and Baguioites alike at the Melvin Jones Football grounds last December 1 and 2. Unlike in previous years, the organizers did not specify any beneficiary this year because it aims to welcome the whole community of Baguio to embody its theme. This coincides with SLU’s own Foundation Week Celebrations, the 101st anniversary of the establishment of Saint Louis University as a center of education in Baguio City. While last year’s festivities marked the 100th anniversary of the school, this year’s festivities were given equal magnitude as the sesquicentennial milestone in the global achievements of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) and its continuing “Mission to Transform” by touching the lives of people among all nations. The theme of the event expressed this notion as an international gathering of cultures from various countries and regions of the world. Each school within SLU was assigned with a certain nation or area where the CICM had been able to establish missions and reach out to local populations, including places so prominent in the history of the congregation such as China, Haiti, and the Philippines. During the two-day event, the various schools set up booths devoted to the nations assigned to them, showing off their creativity while also providing services that represent the specialties of each school to the greater Baguio community. The School of Law provided free legal counseling, while the SLU Hospital of the Sacred Heart, School of Medicine, the School of Nursing and the School of Natural Sciences provided medical aid and laboratory services such as blood typing. In keeping with their theme, the School of Engineering and Architecture set up an archery range to emulate the safari adventure experience of sub-Saharan Africa, where the CICM is a prominent missionary. Other schools and university-wide organizations offered food, trinkets, and entertainment of many varieties, providing exposure to the products of aspiring entrepreneurs of the School of Accountancy and Business Management while also enabling other organizations like Vinculum and Ecolodians to have a chance to interact with the community. “In the past, the booths were more on the exhibits of the students. But this year, Father Jesse [Hechanova] wanted to have more of the services of the different schools. That’s the highlight actually, service,” said Rebecca Nulud, the Director of SLU’s Center for Culture and the Arts and coordinator of the entire Foundation Week events.
Neverland Banoar Abratique
HERE COMES SEA. Students from the School of Engineering and Architecture celebrate after winning the “Best Booth Award“ in Handog ng SLU sa Baguio ‘12 photo by Julian Carlo Barbadillo held at the Melvin Jones grandstand.
She emphasized the goal of giving back to the community through the many services that were provided, and that the Handog celebration was in fact celebrating two events. The festivities were commenced early in the morning with the Run for Hope 2012, an event organized by the SLU Sunflower Halfway Home for Boys in partnership with the Marketing Mixers as a fundraising avenue for the Halfway Home for Boys and SLU’s Project Daily Bread. According to Nulud, this fun run greatly enhanced awareness for these programs and for the events of the Handog, which would occur later during the same day. The number of participants tripled compared to last year, totaling over three thousand runners. And many of those who participated in the Run for Hope stayed for the duration of the entire event that day, which greatly boosted the population at the Handog grounds when compared to past years. As the first day progressed, various cultural presentations were exhibited by
ERRATA In Volume 16 Issue 2 of the White & Blue, the following errors were committed: •
Story of SSC
In the first paragraph of the Article entitled “New UFESLU chief looks back, calls for ‘real transformation’” on page 1, the UFESLU was spelled out as “Union Federation of Saint Louis University” when it should have been “Union of Faculty and Employees of Saint Louis University.”
•
In the second paragraph of the News Briefs Article entitled “Immoliap leads Congress, Elemen heads LOG” on page 3, the deputy speaker should have been Efren Balag, Jr. of CCPG instead of Ecolodians President Winnie Ace Culaton.
•
In the Sports Bits sidebar of the Sports Section on page 17, the SLU Navigators Women’s Basketball Team was second place, not third place. The Women’s Table Tennis Team was Champion, not fourth place, and the women’s chess team was champion, not second place.
•
In the last paragraph of the Sports article “SLU bowswingers dominate BBEAL archery” on page 17, the coach of the SLU Arhcery team is Daisylyn Buliyat, not Buciyat.
BOXES OF RELIEF. KASAMA/SSC leads the collection of relief goods and other donations for the victims of Typhoon Pablo photo by Renante Andres, Jr. last December.
students of SLU’s elementary and high schools. Water-propelled rockets were launched as part of a minor competition, and students engaged themselves in a martial arts display to show off their talents. The first-day festivities ultimately culminated in the highly anticipated Lantern Parade, an event that captured the City of Baguio in a standstill as students and faculty marched from upper Session Rd. and made their way through the city streets until they entered the Handog grounds. Traffic was shut down with support by the city government along Session Rd. and Harrison Rd., providing for the route that would take the parade down to the Melvin Jones area. Each Louisian carried lanterns that were designed in accordance with the theme of his or her school, and upon reaching the center of the Handog grounds, performers from each school presented a choreographed cultural dance that is associated with their region, as part of the competition that determines the winners of the Lantern Parade. Highlights include a dragon dance from the SABM to emphasize its Chinese theme, a European waltz by the School of Humanities, and an indigenous dance
performed by the Cordillera Cultural Performing Group on behalf of the university-wide organizations which collectively represented the Philippines. On the second day of the Handog, the festivities continued with an aero-fusion dance competition among the instructors of each school, along with performances from the SLU Marching Band, Glee Club, Dance Troupe, and Tanghalang SLU. Afterwards, the results of the competitions for best booth and best Lantern Parade presentation were announced. While the collective booths of the organizations within the SABM were given a Hall of Fame award for having won in the past years, SEA was honored with the first place for best booth this year. As the name of their school was announced, a large mass of students from the school ran from the distant parts of the Handog grounds and toward the stage, screaming and chanting as they moved closer, and the crowds parted for their dramatic entrance as they rushed forward in a display of pride for their school. A concert jammed by thousands of Louisians followed in the evening of the second day featuring the winners of the “Bandang Louisian” who had their preconcert at the University Grounds last November 26.
Follow outreach guidelines, students told by
Banoar Abratique & Juvy Claire Danigos
Following the donation drive headed by the Supreme Student Council, University president Rev. Fr. Jessie Hechanova, CICM instructed Louisians that all succeeding outreach activities to be coordinated with the University Outreach Council in accordance with the Manual of Operating Procedures and Guidelines for Extension. “We commend and express our admiration to those who organized and contributed to donation drives in the University for the benefit of disaster victims. However, conformably with the [provisions] of the MORPGE, we would like that from now on all initiatives relative to these shall be centralized for greater efficiency and transparency,” Hechanova affirmed in a memo dated January 8, 2013.
The issue arose after the SSC headed a donation drive last December to aid the victims of typhoon Pablo in Mindanao. The SSC, through its different school assemblies, set up booths in its campuses to receive donations ranging from clothes and food to money from students. Although approved by Fr. Pres., it was not coordinated prior to UOC which was tasked by the MORPGE to “ take charge in the planning, organizing and overseeing of emergency outreach activities on behalf of the University with the approval of the president.” According to the MORPGE, this was intended “to implement well-organized and systematic initiatives that are well within the means of the University, its employees and students.” As its first action, the UOC in September of 2011 has already conducted an inventory of its available human, physical and material resources which can be used for the emergency outreach activities. Furthermore, the president has formally designated the SLU Campus Ministry as the only agency that can collect or receive donations for the victims of the recent typhoons. The Campus Ministry was instructed to be in close coordination with the UOC. The MORPGE was initially primed to ensure that the extension programs connected to SLU are transparent and sustainable, thus it discourages providing dole outs as a form of outreach program. However, Hechanova took exception of the donation drive of the SSC citing that “there are certain cases when the contribution of goods and financial resources to government and non-government agencies alike will be of greater help in disaster response and relief efforts especially when the country is already facing disasters of great magnitude.” SSC President Victor Atitiw welcomed the instructions of the university president but emphasized that there is a need for the SSC to act immediately for the relief of the typhoon victims. They had the accumulated clothes, food and other dry goods sent to Red Cross of the Philippines and monetary handed over to Research Extension Office from the collections of different organizations and school assemblies in the university.
The Congress of Louisians has convened. At last. This is the Congress that we have elected five months ago. They will be amending our constitution and bylaws. This is something we should look out for. For the first time after so many years, there may be things that will come out which can change our lives as students and the generation of students after us. For one, the long clamour of the students to have the elections on the last months of the second semester should be legislated so that there will be more time to serve the students than the time political parties spend in building their line-ups or the time the Commission on Elections makes its preparations. It’s not just about the time; it’s also about the money. It looks as if the only spending that the SSC has for the first semester is the elections and the induction of winners where the voters are not even allowed to witness their leaders take oath in flamboyant gowns and fabulous coats. The students need to feel you, my dear SSC. Yet again, there are also interests of students not very well served. I really believe that the SSC should have supported, financially and psychologically, the leadership activities of student organizations. In the first semester, student leaders of the School of Engineering and Architecture and the School of Accountancy and Business Management have requested for funds from the SSC for a re-echoing of the lessons they have learned from the 8th Louisian Convergence. There may be other schools that requested the same but I just haven’t heard from them. Somehow, the Executive Committee disapproved this request of making a development opportunity for the grassroots level of student leaders. I don’t think there is any other way that the SSC could support the development of student leaders other than this. Though SEA was able to push through, others were disheartened. I don’t think the SSC wants a core of disheartened student leaders. Bear in mind, my dear SSC, that these student leaders are more efficient in tapping the Louisian studentry than any other machination that the SSC has. I have heard in my informal talks with some friends that some members of the ExeCom think that these leadership development programs or team building activities are just “junkets” or “amusement activities” of student leaders. Well, perhaps the best way to make these members of the ExeCom realize that these are authentic learning experiences is to make them attend one. Maybe, they will be able to if they are elected earlier, perhaps before the school year ends. But it is not all that bad for SSC this year. Aside from the amended constitution and by-laws, which hopefully would be student-serving rather than self-serving, Louisians should be expecting a website soon. It should bring the SSC closer to us students. We should be receiving real-time updates on school policies and, of course, our favourite school suspensions. I should also praise the relief efforts spearheaded by the SSC. They have done well in thinking about the impact of the expediency of providing emergency dole outs to the victims of the typhoon over following the strict bureaucracy of the guidelines set by the Manual. I also wish to thank Father President for recognizing the efforts of the student body. Of the seminars the SSC organized, I have heard and read that the social oncology forum has done so much in forwarding the medical profession much as forwarding the cause for student involvement. Another one of the commendable activities of SSC. Then again, the job of the SSC is not over yet. The school year is not over yet. The students are not satisfied yet. February is not only Flower Festival Month. SLU annually announces as Tuition Hike Festival to darken this colourful month through the carry-over scheme. There is no legal question to this scheme and to the fact that a consultation is no longer needed. But, I think the SSC can do something about this. Maybe, they can request for more equitable terms of tuition increase so that they incoming first years will not be much burdened. The responsibility of the SSC is not limited to one school year. SSC, much as White & Blue, has a responsibility to the future generations. This is both a criticism and a challenge to the current SSC. There is still time to leave a legacy to the students. The students still have time to feel you. You, my dear SSC, still have so much more time. In the end, it is not what I write that will determine your legacy. It is what you will do about it. “You don’t only spend time, you can also make it.” – Anonymous for now **** To all my family and friends, all students and leaders, all mentors and teachers, all my critics and detractors, all my idols and supporters, and to God, you are worth all my love. Awesome and amazing, you are.
NEWS
White&Blue Volume 16 issue 3 JANUARY 2013
Health Forum wants ‘Social...
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from page 3
A FATHER’S BLESS. Churchgoers crowd the Prince Bernhard gym as Rev. Fr. Fernold Denna begins to celebrates the first of the series of nine photo by Daniel Mark Kelvin Eblahan Misa de Gallo.
‘CICM schools should educate, evangelize’ by
Banoar Abratique
Former CICM Provincial Superior of Brazil Rev. Fr. Vidalito Ludan, CICM, called on schools run by the congregation to not only focus on its mission to educate but also to give prime importance to its mission to evangelize. “CICM schools should not only focus on education but also on its mission of evangelization,” said Fr. Ludan during his homily when he celebrated the Eucharistic mass to conclude the year-long celebration
of the congregation’s sesquicentennial year and to launch Saint Louis University’s 101st year festivities. During his visit to SLU, he also enjoined the members of CICM’s biggest educational institution to fulfill its “special mission”, which is to educate the youth of Cordillera emphasizing on the visionmission statement of the university. “We must all be missionaries,” he added as he addressed the jam-packed university grounds with SLU elementary,
high school and college students, faculty, employees and staff, administration, guests from sister schools, CICM missionaries and seminarians including seminarian visitors from Indonesia and Congo. He echoed the message of Pope Benedict XVI to the youth in preparation of the World Youth Day to be held in Rio de Jainero, Brazil next year. “The world is counting on you [youth],” he said. He also dared the students to “go and make disciples of all nations.”
Meanwhile, he described the CICM missionaries as people who work and live as brothers while challenging them to facilitate the encounter of Jesus Christ and the nations and experience the coming of the Kingdom in the country’s own conclave. “Mabuhay ang Saint Louis University. Mabuhay ang CICM missionaries here and abroad,” he concluded his homily message. [Long live Saint Louis University. Long live CICM missionaries here and abroad.]
These eight goals provide specific targets which are used as a measure of a country’s progression toward uplifting public health, influencing policies and government programs in 193 countries, including the Philippines, which have agreed to meet these goals by 2015. These goals involve the end of poverty and hunger, universal education, gender equality, child health, maternal health, combat of HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, and global partnership. As he revealed these targets in relation to the Cordillera Administrative Region, he pointed out significant problems, such as the accessibility of safe water in the province of Benguet, a mere 15.62% compared to Baguio’s 91.48% and Mountain Province’s 98.62%, blaming Baguio’s industries. Similarly, Abra allocates a low investment of its provincial budget toward health services. “What good does it do to treat illnesses, only to send them back to the conditions that made them sick?” he asked. Health Care in the Rural Areas Meanwhile, Juan, a member of the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service (RN HEALS) – Benguet, shared the unique experience of being on site as he and other nurses bring their services directly to those who need it. RN HEALS is a joint project by the Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare & Development, which deploys nurses to unserved or underserved rural communities throughout the Philippines, providing both employment for the present surplus of nurses and the opportunity for people who are unable to travel to seek medical care. Juan provided details about the SHINES program, which is an acronym that describes their intent to provide a Safe environment, Health and social services, Income generation, Nutritious food, Education, and a Stable food supply. The program intends to improve all categories for the sake of improvement and public welfare while reducing malnutrition. He described how he and his fellow nurses try to make this a reality by going to each village, providing immunizations and general care to everyone in the nearby communities. Relating to the Next Generation While they all have differing means and methods of reaching out to the next generation of social oncologists, they all see this forum as an opportunity to describe the many career options and pathways that are available to students of the medical field and beyond. Emphasizing their belief in the students, the three speakers all agreed that they have seen excellent ideas presented by the younger minds, inspiring them to continue on with their own efforts to raise awareness.
Archi’s PISALILUNGAN gets international nod by
Nelia Gahid
Architechture students Jeremiah Marco A. Bildan, Aristotle N. Mamangun and Uziel F. Barut with their adviser, Architect Dulthe Carlo C. Munar put the spotlight on the Philippines and Saint Louis University as their designs qualified in ASEAN’s most prestigious architectural contest. This was after their project entry proposal entitled “PISALILUNGAN” The City Arcade was chosen as one of the top 14 finalists of ARCHIPRIXSEA 2012 last December 9-11 at the Department of Architecture of the University of Singapore (NUS). Before the program formally kicked off, all the participants were able to visit and appreciate new building developments around the city Centre and the Bay Area of Singapore namely-Gardens by the Bay, Marina Barrage, National Library and Pinnacle @ Duxton during the architectural tour. “I was able to see in my own eyes these real architectural designs which I used to see only in magazines,” Mamangun said. On the other hand, Barut said in a separate interview that these architectural designs have made him appreciate more the state of Singapore. Moreover, Bildan said that the tour had increased his knowledge and leveled up his imaginations. Among the highlights of the program is the keynote speech of Prof. Tay Kheng Soon where he encouraged real architecture design over star architecture
and the presentation of the different finalist schools. SLU SEA participants wearing in “barong tagalog” received appreciations from the juries and fellow participant because of their poetic and lively presentation. “It even made the president of the jury Dr. Erwin Viray, an architecture graduate from the University of the Philippines homesick,” team leader Bildan proudly said. Workshops were conducted giving the team members different lessons such as doing the arithmetic design before designing, making a residential house, having social interactions, and promoting teamwork with students from different schools in ASIA. Archiprix SEA 2012 is an international competition for the innovative use of technology in tropical architectural design participated by architecture schools from the ASEAN region with the hope to establish greater exchanges of ideas, increased awareness of the region’s built environmental legacies and sharing among the top regional universities. It is also intended to encourage ASEAN architecture students to reflect upon the conditions of their urban areas. The team members told in an interview that PISALILUNGAN is a product of the collective efforts of the team with the guidance of their tutor and supervisor, Architect Munar. They added that a mock defense was held to further improve
SPREADING THE WORD. A Louisian scans the exhibit at the Diego Silang lobby as Saint Louis University joins the National Bible Week for the first photo by Ivan Gedrick Lopez time on Jan. 21-27.
the project before finally bringing it to Singapore. PISALILUNGAN is the local dialect of most Tarlacquenos which connotes a structure that gives shade thereby conceptualizing a “bilihan + tambayan”. The development converts the dry and idle site into a cool plant-filled area blended by commercial development: divided into 3 Zones: Commercial Stores & Food Courts, Transit Hub and Student Lounge.
Tanghalang SLU astounds Aliw Awards... from page 1
To Everyone Established in 1998, Tanghalang SLU is the resident theater company of Saint Louis University. It envisions becoming a successful theater company imbued with a Christian spirit that consistently delivers magical and transforming experiences and outstanding performances with a mission to provide the highest quality and artistically excellent theater dedicated to developing and training young theater actors who are competent, creative, future oriented and socially involved. “This is not just about us, but rather about what we can also share to people, about every goose bumps, and every
smile we bring. And I think, one of the main reasons why we can do this is the people behind every show. Our actors are extremely talented and everyone can see how they capture every single one of the audience; but it would never be that successful if nobody wrote the story and nobody directed it.” “So, we have the writer of a splendid story, the director, then bring in the actors, and that makes another grand act. But most especially, what really matters is how we accept and respect, that one can never work without the other,” said Riopay. “This award serves as a challenge
to do better to be able to showcase better performances for the people,” Sir Dan added. Fast Forward Tanghalan’s curtains are not closing anytime soon as they would now be opening for their 14th Theater Season with the theme “Karangalan”. Also, they would be showcasing another show this December and the Ibong Adarna next year. The Aliw Awards is a prestigious award-giving body which honors the best in live entertainment industry in the Philippines and was founded in 1976 by Alice H. Reyes.
NSTP Chief on letter to editor... from page 1
“If there are 90 students in the said class, the preparation should be good for 180 students. The extra food prepared will be for other students of other class codes who wish to partake of the indigenous food prepared,” the PGF stated. According to the Letter to the Editor, this requirement alone took Php 60 – Php 150 contribution from each student. Guinguino said if there were concerns regarding the PGF, the guidelines contained his office number and personal contact number for the students or parents to call. However, he said that he did not receive any complaint that was similar to the Letter to the Editor. “Nabigla nga ako sa lumabas na ‘yan [I was surprised by that published article],” Guinguino said, but later added, “but that’s probably part of a free country.” “It was a letter to the editor. It is a part of our newspaper that welcomes any reaction or complaint [from] anybody student or teacher who wishes to voice out. That’s why it’s under opinion [page],” said White & Blue Editor-in-Chief Henri Lomeus Ching. He added that White & Blue is not
taking sides on this issue and that White & Blue did not have the intention, if there was, to offend or put down the name of NSTP. “That’s why our news department is doing its job, taking the coordinator’s side,” he said. White & Blue remains open to any comments or reactions to all parties concerned in this issue.
SSC to launch... from page 1
The CID, composing of student volunteers for the different schools, was established a month after the new set of SSC officers took seat. Each school has a group of volunteers to effectively disseminate news to its students. According to Gandol, the SSC website will be hosted by the IT Center, which was immediately willing to use one of its servers for the organization in their negotiations with the IT group and the SSC. The project’s full implementation will be on February 2013.
OPINION
Volume 16 issue 3
JANUARY 2013
Beyond Borders Recently, the Maryheights-based intramurals posted the theme,“Mission Beyond Borders” - a theme that may reflect not only the missionary evangelical travels of the CICM priests all around the world, but also the continuing urge of Saint Louis University to educate multitudes through building additional schools. The P600M Maryheights campus was opened last June 2010, and just recently, a new set of buildings in Navy Base is being built to cater School of Teacher Education Students. We appreciate the university’s action in fulfilling its ‘mission to transform’ and ‘evangelize’ more people. More students will be accommodated and be given a chance to study. But are these costly buildings really the ones we, the students, need? With its goal to accommodate its ever-growing number, is SLU keeping up with the quality as well? Complaints are still heard about the Maryheights Campus’ facilities, especially the tiles lifting here and there, despite being in its 3rd year of operations. Isn’t it just fine as well that together with the expansion, the university also invest in more advanced facilities of students, especially in engineering and HTM students? Isn’t it also good to spend some to further the competence of our instructors, to refurnish some facilities in the old buildings, and to improve security measures in our present campuses? After all, SLU is a university “committed to quality”.It is a university where students must enjoy themselves learning, and is not just a place to meet more and more people. The students deserve to have their tuition fees allocated to their best interest. We believe that the university continues to admit more and more students not, at least, to have more contributors for building more campuses, but to fulfil its vision-mission to develop the students to be competent, creative, and socially involved.
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Editorial Board 2012-2013 working staff for this issue
Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Managing Editor Exchange Editor News Editor Features & Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Chief Layout Artist Chief Photojournalist Editorial Cartoonist
Henri Lomeus Ching Karen Joy Bangibang Joshua Ganay Aldrick Agpaoa Banoar Abratique Hazel Luy Ivan Ramil Ferrer June Carlo Pabaira Orange Happee Galanay Omengan Kyth Pallogan
Senior Staffwriters Maryrose Castillo, Johanna Mariz Dario, Mary Eliz Gadiano, Nelia Gahid, Janice Guzman, Jermaund Ivan Junio, Cheri Danielle Leyaley, Patricia Denise Magisa, Diane Kaye Migallon, Ace Navarro, Gabrielle Paul Pascual, Jared Kenan Pasion, Shiela Marie Sandoval, Karen Smith, Rasha Faye Tulas, Gerald Turqueza Staffwriters Renante Andres Jr., Marian Dominique Aurora, Gelliane Guil Benlingan, Juvy Claire Danigos, John Daryl Decafe, Sherwin Nico Emiliano, Al Ibarra Espinosa, John Ray Pucay, Daniel Reyes, Myrrh Khalim Garnet Sacki Senior Layout Artists Junix Jerald Delos Santos, Carlo Gatdula, Orlando Angelo Santos Jr. Layout Artists Imoan Shallom Aguas, Jolas Burayag, Stacy Ellaine Castañeda, Roselle Nympha Lim, Feme Nathalie Serquiña Senior Photojournalists Levin Ace Danganan, Ivan Gedrick Lopez, Raiza Nerissa Veridiano Photojournalists Julian Carlo Barbadillo, Daniel Mark Kelvin Eblahan, Yna Darla Olarte Senior Cartoonists Juno Abreu, Anthony Garlejo, Jasper Carl Kabigting, Flora Mae Santos Cartoonists Gabe Awao, Joanna Keziah Dacaimat, Ranielle Marrero, Adrian Nicolas, Jon Carlos Tabios, Marianne Vergara Editorial Consultant Evelyn Yeung Advisers Engr. Jeffrey Des Binwag, Mr. Miel Albert Laoyan White & Blue is a member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines and the National Council of Campus Journalists of the Philippines Editorial Office: Rm. 06 Student Center, Saint Louis University, Assumption Rd., Baguio City 2600
Si Louisiano ang tunay na hurado
ouisiano, ramdam mo ba ang award-winning kalidad ng ating unibersidad? Kung naging isang suntok lang ang bawat proyektong naglalayon ng kalidad na ‘yan, may pasa na ako sa mukha. Pero sigurado akong buhay pa ako. Kailan lang, naparangalan ng isang gintong gantimpala ang ating unibersidad dahil raw sa layon nitong maitaguyod ang kalidad ng mataas na pag-aaral, pananaliksik, at pagtulong sa komunidad. Sa aspeto ng komunidad, maniniwala pa ako. Sandamakmak ang ginagawa ng SLU para tulungan ang ating mga kapwa. May donasyon dito, may pakain doon. May feeding program. May diskwento para sa mga sobrang-talinong mga mag-aaral. May libreng pang-matrikula para sa mga high school valedictorian na papasok sa SLU. ‘Di pa natatapos diyan. Ang ating mga student organizations ay abala din sa pagtulong sa iba – sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo, sa mga walang kinikita, sa mga tagapag-alaga ng kapaligiran, at kung sinu-sino pa. Padadaig ba naman ang SLU sa pananaliksik. May taunang Research and Inventions Week. May kung anu-anong pag-aaral dito at diyan. Ngunit saan naman daw kabilang ang mga aksyong naglalayong mapabuti ang pag-aaral, mahasa ang isipan ng mga estudyante, matugunan ang kanilang mga pangangailangang-medikal, at mapabuti ang kanilang pamumuhay sa loob ng kampus? O teka, meron nga ba? Sa pinakahuli kong pagmamasid, mayroon naman. Kahit paunti-unti. Siyempre, bumabandera ang ating magiting na klinika. Eto, mayroon akong kuwento. Galing sa chief photojournalist namin. January 2013. Pumunta siya doon, masakit kasi ang tiyan. Pagkaraan ng ilang mga minutong check-up, namaalam na dahil may klase siya. Sinabi ba naman ng isang doktora, “Ano, mag-aabsent ka? Magpapa-excuse ka? Kayo talaga.” Ano’ng tingin niya sa sa’tin? Pumupunta tayo sa klinika para makahanap ng dahilan upang hindi makaklase? Kaya nga pumunta sa klinika, kasi nangangailangan ng gamot at pag-alaga. Kung ako liliban sa klase, ba’t pa ako dadaan sa klinika? Ang dali-daling umuwi at sabihing may emergency sa bahay. Itong pangalawa naman ay paulitulit ko nang naririnig. Nasusuka na ang isang estudyante, o kaya’y sasabog na ang ulo dahil sa sakit, o di kaya’y nahihilo na’t lahat-lahat, ang estudyante pa rin
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displayed by this institution. They spread the word through tarpaulins and print, but never will Louis know that many in the outside world already claimed the award to be fraudulent. How will he know in the first place? Louis is a prisoner after all. Louis is a creative thinker. He always proposes an online enrolment system. But for some reason, maybe the institution’s ego, the prison cannot do away from its manual enrolment system. Maybe they enjoy seeing Louis lining up in an endless snake line. They enjoy charging Louis Php300 per semester to surf the internet with a tortoise speed and make him use ancient computers that are as old as this institution. But this institution has also its ways to show their creativity through a face-lift. Yes, this is a beautiful prison. Where can you find a prison that has a serene atmosphere at night? Only in this prison, thanks to the renovated fountain and stairs including the always-Christmas atmosphere brought about by the gigantic Christmas tree. But no matter how beautiful prisons are on the outside, it will always have a rotten side. Looking closer, this prison stays rotten in every vandalism covered classrooms and comfort rooms. This prison stays rotten in every rusty apparatus, machines and facilities. This prison stays rotten and stays the same for a hundred years. Louis joins groups to be socially involved. Through this, he has a chance to meet other people and at the same time he gets to help. But the time he tried to be
Henri Lomeus Ching
mismo ang kukuha ng kanyang sariling dokumento sa files. Hindi naman makatarungang estudyante pa ang maghanap. Eh kung masukaan niya kaya lahat ng mga files, eh ‘di mas lalong nagngitngit sa galit ang doktora? Halos lahat ng nagsabi sa’kin nito, umuwi na lang daw sana sila, bumili ng sariling gamot at nagpahinga na. Hindi ko kinukuwestiyon ang galing at talino ni Dr. Vergara, ang ulo ng University Clinic. Pero may mga iba kasing mas mataas kung umasta. ‘Yun siguro ‘yung quality. Ang kalidad ng pagiging matigas at mapagmataas. Parang artista, ang doktorang iyon ay may character at attitude na dapat i-portray. Tungkol na rin lang sa matataas ang pinag-uusapan, banggitin na natin ang napakataas na Maryheights Campus at ang kalidad nito. Maganda naman. May ATM. May plaza. Pasado sa akin na may elevator. Maganda ang mga kuwarto. Kaunti pa lang ang vandal hanggang ngayon. ‘Yun nga lang, may mga kulang pa. Sa humigit-kumulang tatlong taong operasyon ng Maryheights Campus, walang buwan na hindi ako nakakita ng nakalitaw at nakausling tiles. Hindi tatagal, may nakaharang na na mga basurahan at aayusin na naman ang mga ito. Inaasahan kong pag-graduate ko, sana, tapos na ang mga ito. At wala nang matitisod. May isa pa palang kakulangan sa Maryheights – ang mga support offices. Mayroon ngang pisikal na opisina, wala namang mga tao. Idle na ang property ng unibersidad doon. Sayang ang espasyo. Hindi ko pa nakitang nagbukas ang registrar’s office doon. Kaya nga rin may support office sana ng accounting office para makapagbayad ang mga estudyante kahit ordinaryong school day lang. Pero bukas lang naman ito ‘pag panahon na ng pagsusulit. ‘Yun ang kalidad. Para hindi masira agad ang mga cash registers, calculators,
Louis
Printed by MJC Press Corporation, 1720 Pres. Quirino Avenue, Pandacan, Manila
ouis, after being thrown in a prison-like place for five years, will finally be issued his bail out. How can he not think of this place as his detention when after draining out his money, he gets what? He gets services that are literally aged 100 years. When he leaves, he will always carry with him the memories of friendship and all other good memories but he will also remember why he felt like a prisoner. He was always been reminded to practice the four principles of this institution. Yes, Louis always does. Louis works hard to see at least a passing rate on his pink form. He joins competitions to represent this institution but he only gets to be recognized when he won. Never will he forget the time when this institution built another prison for them, but it ends up the same. The new building deteriorates in less than a year; he already lost count of how many times the tiles of the floor sprout up. Of how many times he saw scratches on the newly painted walls. But the scenario of this place might be better than what the others receive in the old prison. In the old prison, they have to endure the sneeze-triggering curtains and the graffiti-infested blue tables not to mention the dark dungeons located in every building. As Louis works hard to be competent, this institution only gives him these much competence in return. Not only that, to show this institution’s competence, an ‘international award’ was proudly
Double Rule
at iba pang mga gamit sa loob ng mga ghost offices na ‘yun. Buti natira pa ang SAO. Malapit na namang magtapos ang pangalawang semestreng ito. Ibig sabihin, ga-graduate ka na, o sasabak na naman sa isang matinding pagsubok – ang pageenrol. Mapapasubo na naman tayo sa paikot-ikot at pagkahaba-habang pila. Parehong eksena nang nag-enrol ako noong unang taon ko dito. Malapit na akong magtapos. Pareho pa rin. ‘Yun ang quality commitment. May consistency. At may quality commitment to making us fit and healthy and waiting. Salamat po sa libreng sun-bathing. Eto pa, nabubuhay pa naman tayong nananaliksik gamit ang mga mamahaling kompyuter sa Internet Library. Biruin mo, nakagagamit pa rin tayo ng mga sinaunang kompyuter? At hindi lang iyon, sobrang bilis pa! Ni hindi mabilang kung ilang beses ito mag-redial. May ilan pang hindi nakakapagbasa ng mga flash drive. Saan kaya napupunta ang P300 nating binabayaran sa kanila kada semestre? ‘Yun ang kalidad. Kalidad in terms of pagtitipid. At quality in terms of making us patient. Kita mo? Karapat-dapat naman talaga sa unibersidad ang gantimpalang iyon. Isang gintong gantimpalang nagpapakita ng kalidad. Kalidad na naramdaman na ng ibang tao, pero ng mga estudyante, wala pa. Sa Europa pa galing ang nakaramdam ng kalidad na ito. Panalo na kung panalo ang SLU doon sa World Quality Commitment Award. Pero wala naman daw silang ipinasang mga dokumento? Ni walang mga litrato. Basta na lang daw sila nakatanggap ng isang imbitasyon. At tada! May award na. Sa Paris pa. ‘Wag kayong mabahala, mga kapatid. Pinagtatrabahuhan na ng mga news section staff namin ‘yan para sa ikaliliwanag ng lahat. Ayon sa website ng ating unibersidad, nagfo-focus daw ito sa customer satisfaction. Ibig sabihin, sa iyo. Ikaw ang sentro ng lahat ng aksyong ginagawa ng unibersidad na naglalayon ng kalidad. World Quality Commitment Award? Ang mga estudyante lang mismo ang makapagsasabi. *** Louisians, malapit na ang Kuwaderno! Kalidad ba ang gusto mong pagusapan? I-email mo lang sa henlomchi@ gmail.com.
philanthropic, he got blocked by the bars of this prison by requiring him to process papers. While Louis thought of helping, this prison threw a big party in the midst of a calamity. This institution that requires an outreach program to every group, instead dressed in glamorous outfits and clink wine glasses while Louis sit in one corner asking relief goods for the typhoon victims. Finally, Louis was always thought of the teachings this institution represents. But neither had he got what he deserves. He will always carry with him the missionary values that this institution did for a hundred years. But still he is not treated with a missionary heart. When Louis loses his permit, he paid P 35 for a duplicate to take his exam because the receipt is not enough for his instructor. For Louis, P 35 can buy him a meal, but the P 35 just went to a piece of paper. When Louis loses his ID, he paid P 200 for a duplicate to enter the school. For Louis, P 200 can finance him for 2 days but the P 200 just went to a piece of plastic. It’s the same over and over again. Maybe, these high charges are warnings not to lose anything in this prison but still these charges are without consideration. Not to mention the P 9 for a piece of sticker, P 45 for a certification, and a lot more unreasonable charges that drains out Louis’ money. However, at last, Louis will be free soon enough. In his memory, he will always be the Louis once entered this institution. An institution known to produce individuals with competence, creativity,
Mockingjay
Karen Joy Bangibang
social involvement, and Christian spirit. Still, the competence, creativity, social involvement and Christian spirit given to him will always be etched in his memory. He will remember that what this institution gave him is a prison. And as he looks back and gets a glimpse of the new faces entering this prison, he hopes for change. He hopes that these new faces will never be prisoners. And then he looks forward hoping that he will never be a prisoner again in a place like this, a prison that had been one for a hundred years. *** Louis, reactions and comments are all welcome. Thanks to my family who’s always there. Thanks to June Carlo Pabaira for suggesting the topic. “I’m not trying to look strong, I just tell the truth.” *** This writer needs a thousand words to fill her allotted space. So, since this writer thinks that this is her last column, she’ll tell the readers what this whole publication is all about. This publication is a family. Maybe, that’s what it means
when we say that ‘we are more than just a paper’. We are more than just a paper that though we don’t receive any benefits or scholarships, just like what others perceive, we still find glory in our by-lines and find fulfillment in every student we moved. We are more than just a paper that though we sometimes, or most of the time, take a lot of heat from critics, we stand firm as one. We are more than just a paper that though we have flaws, we find ways to fill each other’s inadequacy. We are more than just a paper that though everything written sounds melodramatic, it’s the truth. This writer penned these words not just to enumerate the reasons why we’re more than just a paper but this writer also wants you to find the same. To the girl sitting alone in the corner of one of Perfecto’s floors, to that boy who reads his favorite classics in the Library fiction section, to that student wandering around still confused, to those who takes the time to read this words, this writer wants to encourage you to find the same. This writer especially address those still lose, still new, still finding his or her way. Find that something you like to do. That something you feel passionate about that when how many times you feel like quitting, it’s hard to let go. Find that and this writer assures you that you’ll find home. *** This writer hopes she didn’t waste space but moved someone in one way or another.
White&Blue Volume 16 issue 3 JANUARY 2013
Great Expectations
M
y whole life is full of expectations. Everything from what I have done and what I have achieved were all anticipated. And in the process, I think I have failed. I have failed to establish my own expectations. I was afraid to let people down, but I have left myself in the dark. ***** Sorry for the emotional lead. I have no idea what to write and White & Blue is expecting me to deliver. That is why I decided to write about this subject. This is a big deal to me – bigger than being gradeconscious, bigger than earning money after college. ***** All people look forward to something – be it in life, love, education, work, or practically anything that applies. It is their belief that something, usually great, will happen in the future. In seminars, workshops and other gatherings, facilitators and organizers often ask participants what their expectations are – a rather ingenious way to let delegates be satisfied or disappointed at the end of the event. However, too much anticipation of the future could affect the present. It could ruin the future. It’s called ‘dwelling in the future’, with a humoristic reference from the phrase ‘dwelling in the past’. With excess expectation, a person could totally wreck what he is waiting for to happen. I don’t know if this applies to all but it is better, for me, to feel a little nervous in a quiz, for instance, than being confident and expecting to ace the test. Once, I was very confident about an exam, and after the instructor gave the test questions, I was so baffled why I did not have the slightest idea what to do. I don’t know, too many expectations, maybe? Once upon a time, I have expected a lot in studying in a respected university in a cold climate like Baguio City’s. I expected clean classrooms, un-vandalized tables, chairs, walls, and chalk- or whiteboards, excellent quality of laboratory equipment, and very motivated and active students. In the end of my five-year stay in that university, I am clearly disappointed. Because of these great expectations, I haven’t appreciated the many small things that made studying in Saint Louis University enjoyable and worthwhile. For instance, the tables and benches in the second and third
A
Sounds Greek To Me Joshua Ganay
floor of Otto Hahn, though spilled with lots of ferric chloride, made so many memories – assignments, plates, experiments, and gossips. Center for Culture and the Arts presentations developed analysis while being entertained at the same time. Quiz shows and talent showcases boosted students’ competence in academics and skills. And all those things that I haven’t realized made learning in SLU more fun. Come March, I would be one of the millions of graduates in the thousands of higher education institutions in the country. In a country that is full of expecting people, graduates are supposed to work and alleviate their family’s poverty and suffering. They are further anticipated to not just work, but be employed in a high-paying, benefits-bursting company. But to expect something from such young and newly-graduated professionals is to expect a chick to lay eggs a day after being hatched. In a recent study of the Department of Labor and Employment, 1.052 million of unemployed Filipinos are college graduates and undergraduates. In 1999, journalist Ames Gross noted the problem on the expectation of the country for graduates to help the economy by being employed in companies locally. However, “there are more qualified employees in the Philippines than there are adequate employment opportunities.” Too many expectations yet again. I wouldn’t deny that I expected to lose in the OSSEI National Conference for Campus Journalism and Writing Competition in Tagaytay City. Without the expectations of the White & Blue family of Levin and me winning in the said competition, we would not have made it to the top. That is the power of other people expecting a lot from you: pressure. Pressure, as defined in science, is force per unit area. When applied in practical terms, pressure can be defined as
OPINION W&B DAHOY! the force that leads you to succeed or not in a certain area. I remember it used to be Chiki’s expression, along with the action of his hands fanning his face, when we first joined White & Blue, four years ago. Funny yet it is a good depiction of what the anticipation of other people can affect you and your outlook which could make or break you. During the opening program of the electrical engineering week in the first week of January, our dean made announcements that our department has never failed to deliver in the board exams, adding that the previous year’s percentage is high and he expects us to do the same or even to do better. Another implication of expectations: challenge. Challenge is a bit milder form of pressure, taking consideration that the person expecting is not demanding whether you succeed rather willing you to succeed. In today’s setting, challenges are everywhere. In every situation, there is a challenge or two. And as most people would say, challenges are what mold you to become better in what you do. However, it doesn’t mean that if we ignore the expectations of others about us would make us care less about what others expect. Taking this for granted means we do not want to strive to achieve great things. Remember, I mentioned expectations are usually great. Therefore, wanting to satisfy the hopes of others are oftentimes a good goal to follow. I would just like to point out that one should not feel the pressures that these expectations bring that will lead to us crumbling like grains of sand in a sandcastle, and accept these as challenges to be better in our future endeavors. **** “Don’t expect the expected. It’s better to feel surprised than disappointed.” – as relayed by Kevin John delos Santos **** My family expects me to succeed. My friends, Henri in particular, expects me to graduate with honors. My classmates expect me to top the board exams. June Carlo expects me to write a column about expectations. Here’s to you: Thanks. I’ll do my best but do not expect. It’s better to be surprised in the end. I am expecting you to send your reactions and suggestions about this column at joshuaganay@yahoo.com.
Ngayon, Kami Naman
pat na taon ng saya, Apat na taon ng luha, Apat na taon ng paghihirap, Apat na taon ng ginhawa. Hindi mo aakalain na ang apat na taon na ‘yun ay magtatapos na sa ilang saglit na lamang. Ang pagtungtong sa Kolehiyo na marahil ang isa sa mga pinakamakulay at pinakamakabuluhan (at pinakamahirap, para sa iba) na pangyayari na puwedeng mangyari sa isang tipikal na estudyanteng katulad mo (siyempre, katulad ko rin.) Kolehiyo na rin marahil ang magtuturo sa ‘yo kung pa’no mabuhay sa sarili mong mga paa. Maaaring matanong niyo rin kung Kolehiyo rin ba ang sanhi ng pagbabago ng pananaw natin sa mga bagay na nangyayari sa araw-araw nating mga buhay. Malamang, ang sagot ay oo. Ngunit sino kaya sa atin ang makapagsasabi na ang Kolehiyo rin ang isa sa mga bagay na puwedeng humubog sa ating pagkatao tungo sa ating mga pinapangarap sa hinaharap? (Sa mga nais pang magbasa nito, ipagpatuloy, kung sa tingin niyo’y medyo seryoso, mag-isip ulit. Ito na siguro ang makapagbabago ng iyong pananaw sa mundong ginagalawan niyo.) Ngayon, kami (tayo) naman. Ito ang isang pangungusap na tumatak sa isipan ko na marahil nagsabi sa akin na “Tayo na ang susunod sa pila. Tayo na ang susunod na huhubog sa susunod pang mga henerasyon.” Sige, tayo na lahat. Kasi nga ga-graduate na. Ngunit hindi niyo ba naisip na sa mga salitang iyon ay may nakalakip na responsibilidad? Responsibilidad na baguhin ang ating mga sarili para naman maging kapakipakinabang naman tayo sa mundong ginagalawan natin? “Change is inevitable” sabi nga nila. E ‘pag pinagusapan na ang pagbabago, lahat tayo tatamarin na. Pa’no na ang mga susunod sa atin, edi tatamarin na rin? Kung sa bagay, katamaran ang pinakakalaban ng responsibilidad, hindi natin ‘yun maikakaila. Bilang isang estudyante, may karapatan din tayong tamarin kahit paminsan-minsan, as the saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” na sa tingin ko naman ay tama din dahil kung isusubsob mo ang sarili mo sa pagtupad sa sarili mong pangarap, maitataguri kang makasarili – hindi mo na inisip ang kapakanan ng iyong kapwa at ng iyong mundong ginagalawan. Sa isang tipikal na estudyante ay dapat isipin din nila ang magiging pakinabang at saysay
Homogenous Chikinensis Aldrick Agpaoa
ng kanilang mga pinaggagawa sa buhay sa mas malawak pang saklaw na ‘hindi kailanman maabot ng kanilang sariling imahinasyon.’ Sa apat na taon natin sa Kolehiyo, ano naman ang nagawa nating makabuluhan na sa tingin niyo ay nakaapekto sa pananaw ng ibang tao tungkol sa mundo? Hindi sapat ang puro kaalaman lang na nakukuha natin sa ating mga guro, ang pagbabagong nais maranasan ng mundo ay ang pagbabago sa ating mga sarili mismo. Totoong mahirap baguhin ang sarili lalo na kung alam mong ikaw na ang ‘dumidikta sa sarili mong kapalaran.’ “The truth hurts”, ika nila. Malamang ang iba sa atin ay sadya talagang hirap sa pagtanggap sa kung ano talaga ang katotohanan. Ayaw nilang magising sa pantasiya ng kanilang mga panaginip na hindi nila namamalayang sa isang iglap ay maglalaho na na parang bula. Ayaw nilang harapin na ang katotohanan ang magbibigay sa kanila ng daan patungo sa kung ano ang nais nilang maging pagdating ng panahon. Gusto nilang kumawala sa realidad ng buhay kaya nagpapakasasa na lang sila sa kanilang mga pangarap na suntok sa buwan. Ngayon ang tanong naman ay, “Handa ka na bang harapin ang tunay na kulay ng mundo ngayo’t hindi mo pa lubos na alam kung ano ang magiging kapalaran mo sa kanyang mga palad?” Sa tingin ko, “we’re getting there.” “Life is a never-ending process, learning is continuous,” sabi nga. Kaya ngayon pa lang, sa apat na taon na iginugol, ginugugol, at gugugulin natin sa buhay Kolehiyo, dapat walang karanasan ang masayang para masabi nating “life is worth living.” Ano pa nga ba ang masasabi ko kundi maging handa na lang tayo sa kung anuman ang ibigay sa atin ng buhay. Positibo man o negatibo. Accept it! Live it! Go with it! “Experience is the best teacher” nga, ‘di ba? Matuto tayong matuto sa ating sariling mga karanasan. Matuto, mabuhay, makaranas. Ito na siguro ang mga sangkap sa pagiging isang
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tunay at ganap na katawang lupa. Hindi magsisimula ang buhay kung wala ang isa sa mga ito. Sadyang “life is unfair.” Sino ba naman ang makapagsasabing nabigay sa kaniya lahat ng buhay ang kaniyang mga hiling at gusto, ‘di ba? Imposible ‘yun! Lahat tayo ay pare-parehong tao lamang – materyalistiko, mapangarap at minsan, makasarili. Kaya sa lagay na ito, hindi lahat ng bagay at layaw natin, dapat masunod. “Don’t spoil yourself with earthly things, you cannot bring all of those to heaven,” sabi ko. Totoong marami-raming sagabal ang masasalubong natin habang hinuhubog natin ang ating mga sarili upang maging isang ganap na ‘tao’. Bakit? Dahil ito ang magbibigay sa atin ng karapatan na maipagmayabang sa buong mundo na sa bawat hadlang na nalampasan mo, sa bawat problemang nasagot mo, sa bawat kritisismong natanggap mo, masasabi mong napagdaanan at nalagpasan mo ‘yun sa marangal na paraan. At para sa mga susunod pang mga henerasyon, “take life (easily / hardly) as it is but live every day as it were you last.” Para kung kayo naman ang papalit sa mga nauna sa inyo, ang masasabi niyo na lang ng buong yabang, “Ngayon, kami naman (ang huhubog sa mundo).” *** #LastKoNaYataTo kaya lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng nagbabasa (tumatawa at lumalait na rin) sa aking mga kolum! Hindi sapat ang ‘apat na taon’ upang maibahagi ko ang aking mga karanasan at ‘insights’ tungkol sa buhay bading (chos!) ng isang Homogenous Chikinensis. Salamat! Sa mga BFFs ko na hindi nang-iiwan at hindi nagsawa (at actually gumagaya pa) sa mga jokes at pausong expressions ko <insert thy names here>, salamat sa coffee at French fries! :3 Mahal ko kayo! Weee! Muito obrigado, Braziwww! #WeShallLiveForever, at kay mama God for divine intervention, as always. Basahin niyo na lang pasasalamat ko sa Kuwaderno XII, mas marami dun! Maraming salamat! Hanggang sa muling pagbabasa sa ngalan ng kabadingan, *bow!* *** May mga Kumento, Argumento, Banta at mga posibleng Mungkahi tungkol sa kolum na ito? Ipahatid lamang sa chikiness_32892_goddess@hotmail.com o kaya nama’y sa twirrer @chikinensis salamat! salamat! salamat!
Heto na naman ang aming mga mapagmatyag na mata. Kaya kung may ginagawa kang himala, siguro nahuli ka na. 1. Tutulong na nga sa mga sinalanta, hinaharang pa. Kailangan daw ng sandamukal na papeles muna. 2. Talking about sinalanta, ang lakas talaga ni bagyong Pablo, ‘no? Ang engrande ng handa n’ya. Magsaya tayo, habang maraming nagdurusa. 3. Hanep ang pedestrian ninyo d’yan sa SABM ha. May gamit ba? Puwede rin bang maglagay ng traffic light? 4. International na pagkilala kamo? Maipagmamalaki nga ba ni Louis, ‘yung totoo? O nagbayad lamang TAYO ng libolibong euro? 5. Kuya driver at Kuya dispatcher, bakit ba ang init ng ulo ninyo? Kung may problema kayo, ‘wag niyo naman sanang ibaling sa iba. 6. Louisians, may subscription na po tayo sa National Geographic. Pansinin n’yo naman. At hanggang sa muli nating Pang da-DAHOY, hinding-hindi titigil ang mapagmasid naming mga mata. Kaya kung nahuli ka, bakit ka kasi nagpahalata. Sabi nga nila, bato-bato sa langit, natamaan ka na, huwag ka nang uulit.
White & Blue values your contributions. We are accepting articles, photos, illustrations, or letters to the editor from the Louisian community. Articles must be encoded, while photos and illustrations should be provided with descriptions. Include your name, course and year, and contact number. Works with deficient information will not be entertained, but names can be withheld upon request. Submit your entries at the White & Blue office (Student Center, Rm. 06) or to any White & Blue staff. You can also contact the editors via their e-mails or interact with us via our Facebook account (www.facebook.com/ whiteandblueslu). Submissions are still subject to our screening process.
W&B LETTER TO THE EDITOR Bureaucracy Gideon Hope Cachero BIBAK President & Former KASAMA/SSC President
I
wrote this letter to humbly share my observation and experience as a simple student learning in SLU. According to the MerriamWebster Dictionary, the third definition of BUREAUCRACY is stated as such: a system of administration marked by officialism, red tape, and proliferation. The term bureaucracy has negative connotations to most of us. It is identified with rigidity, formality, and delay. Well whatever the definition may be, I believe that bureaucracy is a relative term, in a sense that it differs from person to person either through experience, knowledge, or norm. For me, I’d like to define bureaucracy as a person/office habitually associated with rigidity and delay (an understatement some would say). During my earlier years in SLU, most people/offices denied the existence of such (even when the reality of it was deliberate right before their 20/20-vision eyes) while some pointed to others as “more bureaucratic” than theirs. Some individuals began devising ways of warding off any potential threats to the status quo. Change was usually interpreted as a threat. There were moments when bureaucracy was so bad. Bad was on occasions where the bureaucracy became a complex network of regulations and implied “strategies” that define “appropriate” rules of conduct. Innovative thinking was dismissed as irresponsible, absurd, unreasonable, or impractical. Rules and regulations became ends in themselves rather than vehicles for reasonable decisions. They stifle creativity and innovation. Important questions are coldly received. Thinking
or actions that challenge the status quo is stifled. But not everything was that bad. If there’s something bad then there has to be a good side right? Well, Good instance was when the other people/ offices positively and encouragingly improved their system. Bureaucracy facilitated the efficient performance of tasks. Misuse of student organization funds was prevented. Action plan implementations were smooth and orderly. It is no hidden matter that SLU still has a lot of areas to improve on, from academic facilities to delivery of services, student development to support of extra-curricular activities and organizations, and real student involvement/participation in policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and responsibilities. It’s still trying to expand its areas, but that’s for another note. Whether this “bureaucracy” is a problem depends on you. Depends on how you see it. Depends on how you react to it. Depends on how you act on it. As students, we shouldn’t be afraid to confront this problem; we still have our Student Council and teachers who can help us. We can even help improve the offices in the University by stopping by their suggestion boxes (We hope it’s still visible and accessible) and write in something useful and reasonable. There are a lot of ways where we (Students, Faculty and Employees, Administration) can all help each other overcome this difficulty and come to a compromise reasonable for us all. For a better tomorrow, let us work together with fairness and equality. As one SLU, one true Louisian Community, one Family.
W&B TAPE RECORDER
TANONG: Anong alam mo sa SSC? “Ang alam ko lang, nagpapakita lang sila tuwing eleksiyon.” – BSBA FinMan 4 “Student program.” – BS Psych 2 “Student Supreme Council ba? Or Supreme Student Council? Hala, ‘di ko alam.” – BSAc 4 “Nagmamanage ng students.” – BSMecE 3 “Sila ‘yung pinakamataas na student body.” – BSN 1 “Social Student Council?” – BSEd 3 “Sila ay mga student helper.” – BSAc 3 “Louisians Got Talent lang ang event nila, hindi matuloytuloy ang sportsfest. Walang nagagawang projects.” – BSAc 4 “Naggo-govern sa students, pero wala namang pagbabago sa school.” – BSMA 3 “Ano ‘yun?” – BSCE 1 “Projects!” – BAComm 2 “’Di ko alam.” – BMLS 3
Wall of Death Stacking up the spartan's
by
Karen Joy Bangibang Adrian Nicolas
illustrations by
T
he wind and rain were hitting their faces hard. Richard weighs in his mind if he would come for his wife’s rescue. On his arms, his son’s dead body will never come to life. The wind that took his child’s life, the same wind that can surely take his wife’s thin frame away, does not even allow him to mourn. With one of his arms broken and only one of his wife’s hands clinging on the door, he dropped his dead child and rushed towards his struggling wife. (Richard Masamayor, 29. Resident of Banganga, Davao Oriental)
More than 1,000 dead. Hundreds still missing. Almost 7,000,000 families affected. And a staggering 24,000,000,000 pesos worth of damages in agriculture and infrastructure. These are the numbers that continue to reveal the recent devastation brought about by typhoon Pablo. Numbers that should be astounding for human’s perspective; but for this country’s people, these are numbers anticipated. State of the Nation
Southern Philippines, rarely hit by tropical storms, suddenly took another hit after Sendong’s devastation in December 2011. This time, Pablo, category 5 super typhoon, planted a mark in the country’s history as one of the deadliest and costliest typhoons to ever hit the country. The government also recognized it as the worst storm to crash in Mindanao in two decades. Though the provinces were put into high alert a week before the storm took its land fall, the death toll still leveled that of Sendong, a storm that the Philippines was not even prepared for. On the first day, families were evacuated to emergency shelters thinking these places were safe enough, but raging water and mud engulfed the shelters leaving a number of casualties and people buried. The mud flashflood wiped out a whole town slightly submerging houses, infrastructures and lives. Most people described that the winds were strong enough to snap electrical poles like matchsticks, wipe flexible coconut trees out from the ground, and take every roof in town away. People are wet from day till night. Many are traumatized after that even a slight change in the sky would make them shiver with horror. Many provinces were affected most crucially the Compostela Valley which was once a banana paradise. The province formerly covered in hectares of banana plantations became unrecognizable with what was left of it. At one point, it was overflowing with natural flora to eat; now it became a hungry community. A man was even thankful to have found a dead carabao washed out to the evacuation center. “The carabao filled us all in one day, but I’m afraid that we would run out of resources before the help comes in,” he added sadly.
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Volume 16 issue 3 JANUARY 2013
As was expected, financial aids from all over the world came. The needs of the affected communities were slowly filled but many are clueless on how they will start again. After six days of desolation, people grieved for their loved ones as death mounted up while others continued to look for their missing relatives. Majority of resident houses were unrecognizable. People’s primary livelihoods were cleared flat by a ten-foot high flashflood. Many are mortified with the little, scratch-like remnants that was left to them. And it will be a rough and long road for them. The country of disasters
Aside from deadly storms, the Philippines experienced a couple of nature’s wrath over the years. Adding to the yearly average of 20 typhoons and dangerous storms, the country also got a dose of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions throughout. Since the Philippines lies afloat in the middle of the most active earthquake zone in the world—the ring of fire—there is a high probability that earthquakes will frequent the country. Disastrous earthquakes rattled the country like what took place in the year 1990 where thousands of lives in Baguio, Dagupan and other parts of Luzon were lost. To add to the motley of catastrophes are volcanic eruptions. Most of the 7,102 islands of the Philippines are of volcanic origins. Therefore, a good number of active volcanoes brew in the country. With these volcanoes come eruptions that bring devastating effects, one of which is the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century in June 1991: the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. When disaster strikes
Every time a disaster raids the country, aside from the expensive damages, hundreds, if not, thousands lose their lives. But it seems like we become unprepared over and over again. After the damages brought by Typhoon Pablo in Visayas and Mindanao, the government intends to review and assess the current evacuation and rescue strategies being employed. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinating Council (NDRCC) even pointed out that these policies are extremely outdated.
“The Philippines has a long way to go when it comes to disaster preparedness and response.”
In order to save more lives, advanced and accurate facts help in order to warn the communities. It is better to have fewer if not, zero casualties at all by putting people in high alert before a disaster strikes. Since last year, the government is installing tools and equipment to accurately predict the weather. PAGASA set up a Water Level Sensor that predicts tsunamis and typhoons. An 18-million Doppler in Cebu and a 35-million marine weather station in Madridejos were also installed last year. But even if there are more equipment being obtained, the country still has a long way to go when it comes to technological improvements needed. The cost of this equipment is nothing as compared to the effects brought by these disasters. Aside from tools and equipment, the country necessitates great minds to understand and assess the information at hand. Scientific centers like PAGASA, Philvolcs and DOST need to train young minds that are knowledgeable enough and are aptlyequipped in responding properly to disasters. During the Pablo devastation, many infrastructures were erased. Even evacuation shelters are not sturdy enough to cater the victims. This is where the Philippines is vulnerable. There is a need to build stronger evacuation centers. Aside from shelters, the government should strictly implement building codes and zoning laws. It is becoming noticeable that some city engineers are failing to do their jobs because public infrastructures are easily toppled and damaged. At the same time, proper resettlement plans should be implemented for squatter communities. If the government are to be successful in removing illegal settlers from this flood-prone areas, there will be no need to evacuate them in the first place. In every disaster, people always rant about the relief delivery being so slow. For the government to have emergency personnel and volunteers to arrive on time, the roads should be improved especially those roads going to far-flung places. Instead of reconstructing roads that are still good, they should invest in roads that aren’t built yet or is in need of heavy rehabilitation. The government should also take a step in protecting the environment. Residents in Compostela Valley suspect that the landslides were caused by the logging and mining activities in the place. If the local government restricts and regulates these activities, many of those buried could have been still alive. Lastly, all of these keys to help us mitigate disaster loss will be useless if the people are not prepared. Every household, school, and establishment should be trained to be active through drills and practice. President’s words
“If we need to double our efforts; if we need to triple our preparedness; if we need to evacuate people a week before the disaster, we will do that because it is our duty to ensure the people’s safety in the best way we can,” PNOY related. The Philippines has a long way to go when it comes to disaster preparedness and response. It will be a winding road ahead, but with a continued effort from the government and from the people, we will soon be arriving at that destination. As what PNOY said, if we were not able to prevent it, we should be positioned to heal their wounds and to make them feel that they’re not alone; that we should be willing to carry them through until their wounds heal until they eventually learn to walk and live life again.
THE LONE
Voyager by
Daniel Reyes
I
t was suicidal! No modern communications and no navigational instruments. Nothing to guide him, but the compass and the stars. But, to his Fatherland at last! A Filipino Tom Sawyer Making a splash on 1956, he has been reputed as a great Filipino whose sterling spirit drove a myriad of skills and talents. He caught the attention of the media and has become an instant media personality. He was called the “The Lone Voyager”, “The Jack of All Trades”, “A Filipino Eulysses”, or just simply “Mang Tinong”. On May 14, 2006 a plague was dedicated in Kewalo Basin Park Pavilion to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his voyage. His feat was when he crossed the Pacific Ocean alone with just a boat. Born in 1918 in Samar Philippines, Florentino Das at the age of 16 stowed away with a friend, and got aboard a British freighter heading to Hawaii in 1934. They were discovered, but the ship was already in the middle of the ocean. Soon, Florentino Das landed on Hawaii, fell in love, and then stayed. He had eight children that he had to take many jobs in order to support them. He was boasted as a fisherman, a boat builder, a prize-fighter, a carpenter, a former Pearl Harbor shipyard worker and the first to perfect the Hawaiian pottery. Lady Timarau He loves the ocean that he wanted to conquer the Pacific. Defying the Coast Guards and the Philippine Consulates, Das created his Lady Timarau. Originally an Australian surf boat, patched along with several junk yard scraps- Das came about of a simple sloop. Powered only by two 25 hp outboard motors and a canvass, this 24-foot wooden boat sailed into the heights of the waves and survived the besetting power of the ocean. Others may have all the reasons to declare his logic a product of partial insanity, but Das knew he was not mad. To find a place for the Philippines in the world, to inspire his countrymen, and to go home at last- these filled his spirits and provided him the courage to pursue his voyage. The Voyage “The sun looks so red like a big fireball. At noon, I changed course to 270 degrees. I did not want too far down near the equator for I have been traveling
I
n moments of complete dullness when the music starts rolling on shuffle and a great pure song ends and the world pauses as I wait for another great pure song to please start playing. It is when I wait to hear ‘I love you too’ after I said it or when the wind seem to be still, and every scene passing by doesn’t amount to anything. In these moments, the subconscious fills in the gap. In this dizzying moments of nothingness, my parallel universe of the subconscious roams like a drunk man. It walks to no end. It keeps staggering aimlessly to a place where home is and where the angels may be. A whirlwind of sweet nothings and escapes of reality. And for my parallel universe, it starts with an ancient uprooted tree. *** I was like an old uprooted tree thrown to some far-off dry land. Up above me were the flights of free birds that move ever so swiftly, unconcerned of all man’s busy somethings. The sun, the provider of warmth and some purpose, made me feel afloat in a moment that could be described as the best I had ever been since I turned sixteen. And this could be the best I’d ever feel in years; I’d never know. Walking to what seemed like a province, I bowed my head to the grounds in defeat to the same dreary morning heat. In the parallel universe, my shadow was still there with me. Like a good friend, it was always with me. I opened my wet palms and those curious lines haunted my sunken head for a while. Oh, in the lines of my palms, the many futile somethings of the world disgusted me. I wished for a pure, pure peace of body and soul. When walking
Some Somethings Valium Meal Hazel Luy
alone with my shadows will be enough. So in this separate universe, I just kept on walking along the great white divide of the road. I trudged the nowheres. Cars and things with wheels flew fast beyond me, leaving a trail of whirling dust and smoke that brought me to a dizzying high. A profound moment where birth reconciles with death, where walking alone with my shadows will be enough—it is all I ever wanted from this walk in the parallel universe. But ghosts of the realm of reality haunted me. As I forwarded my feet, I debated on running fast back home to where I was born. In blankets of my childhood and lamps of the night where the calendar hangs on the wall. But if I were to save my soul to some form of death or destruction, I had to keep on walking and to never stop walking. And I kept walking, this I did. To rescue myself of decades of stagnant nothings, of familiar everythings. In this parallel place, my eyes rested over strangers’ houses I came across along the way. With every towering gate, my neck craned in efforts to see the world beyond. Then in the arches of windows, my eyes found comfort. On every moss-covered wall of somebody’s house, my eyes lingered. For some indescribable reason, my eyes thirsted for symmetry in every structure,
for dew in every knee-high grass. To my tiredness, I found myself bound to some plot of real soil. And with my solitude, I finally had in me the chance to raise my eyes unabashed to the skies. To the skies that mother over us the rest of our lives. The clouds, they hovered in friendly gesture. The birds, they sang in my sorrow. And as I attempted to ever so slightly lift my feet and rest my heavy weight on my toes, I felt a great something brewing beneath my toes. In my years on unanswered confusion, I felt the great history of the universe on my toes. This great history ran free on the earth underneath. And in this third planet from the sun, the history of everything and of some somethings ran uncontrolled in this mass below me. And on some fated moment, the past of the life that were once alive diverged to where my toes were. Memories and deeds, betrayals and art, everything and some something were right at the tip of my body. And then I threw my hands upward in some attempt to release the heavy feeling of the moment. I savored the pasts of the world as it enveloped this lonely child of the earth whose hands were thrust heavenwards. In this ecstasy, my delusion made me wish wild wishes: Oh John Keats, romance me, Lana, hum me to sleep, Holden, be my yellow friend, my baby, hold my hands. At the end of the euphoria, I sat in solemn thinking. The thoughts I had were written all over my memory. So then I thought that in this romance with the road, I stumbled upon a truth. The truth that the ultimate end of our feet is the road. The road that brings us to all that is in the world. ***
southwest for five days now. The weather has been very treacherous for the past five days but I’m not worried, probably the Almighty is just trying to find out how much faith I have in him. The only thing that bothers me most is the lonesomeness, for my children and my wife are away from me,” Das contemplated. Something more than the ride was at the stake. The whole world is waiting how he would fare. He even stopped and repair his boat along the way. But surely, Das bravely fought the waves and the winds. He said in his journal that indeed the ocean plagued him with its vastness but it was nothing compared to the great seclusion he felt for his family. He must have realized the foolishness of what he did, a month into his solo voyage, when Das’ boat took in water when he encountered six several storms. Luckily, he was aided and towed by a Japanese fishing vessel to Ponape, in Micronesia, where he stayed for several months repairing his boat. While there, he was instructed by his sponsor, the Timarau Club, to abort his journey and return to Hawaii. But he refused to heed them and proceeded with his bold yet valiant voyage. He felt that “Filipino national pride was on the line” and so the voyage went on, passing by Truk and Yap islands, and reached the island of Surigao, off the north- eastern part of Mindanao, Philippines, on April 25, 1956. A Grand Welcome From Santa Monica, Surigao, he sailed to Samar, his place of birth, before being escorted by the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard to Manila where a hero’s welcome awaited him. Lady Timarau sailed to Manila Bay on May 8, 1956 and was welcomed by a flotilla of navy and other boats, with Philippine air force planes flying overhead to salute the Pacific conqueror. He landed at the Philippine Navy Headquarters in Dewey Boulevard, where a large crowd of people and dignitaries awaited him. Das was decorated “honorary commodore” and was paraded around Manila through the cheers of his countrymen installed sideways. For his formidable feat and patriotic zeal, he was received and honored by President Ramon Magsaysay. A Tragic Ending After the initial adulation, however,
Das slipped into obscurity. His heroic and adventurous story ended into desperation. Months after the heroic welcome, a version of bitter Das emerged. He felt insulted on how the Philippines government could not provide for their heroes. His sponsors abandoned him. He was broke. Das was unable to return back to Hawaii as he planned and he failed to get the support of the government in transferring his family in the Philippines. He became ill with diabetes and its complications. Impoverished and without work, Das was admitted to charitable hospitals and was completely blind when he succumbed to uremia on October 7, 1964 in Manila. He was 46 years old. The Philippine Navy Corp honored him with 21 gun salutes at his burial. Das kept a diary of his voyage from Honolulu to Ponape which he sent to his sponsors, the Timarau Club. In 1990, through the initiative of the Congress of Visayan Organizations (COVO) and then Philippine Consul General Buddy Gomez, with financial support from the City and County of Honolulu, a replica of his boat was constructed and is currently housed at the Hawaii Maritime Museum.
White&Blue FEATURES 11
Volume 16 issue 3 JANUARY 2013
by
Patricia Denise Magisa Abreu
illustrations by Juno
T
here may be differences in games we played, singers we listened to, crayons we picked, and playgrounds we rolled in during childhood, but we shared the same years, we shared the same generation, we shared the same nineties. It was a rainy day of June in 1998 when I first set my feet on a school. It was early in the morning and all I felt was excitement to learn a whole lot of new things that older people know. I was excited to use my new set of crayons, eager to write my name on a freshly opened pad of paper. I can still remember the faces I saw on that first day. The kids of my age were crying as their mama and papa try to leave them as the school day begins. It was a normal thing but I will always remember how my mother appreciated my effort to be brave at that times. My kindergarten days went on. It was just a small school in my hometown, which is double purposely used as a church during Sundays. I had made lots of new friends while I’m there, some names I still remember now and some I lost touch with. There are lots of apple colorings during those times. But my favorite crayon color has always been pink. I remember how my classmate taught me how to improvise this color by applying white over red. We were five way back then. I always bring snacks for recess. I can still remember my favorite red lunch box, probably also my first. It comes with a mini red bottle which was always filled with orange juice. The memory is still vivid: I remember the sweetness of the orange juice every time I pour the contents into the tumbler’s cover which I also use as a cup. Recess will not be complete without my favorite Regent flavored cakes, Rebisco cream sandwich or Knick knacks. That’s my usual baon for school. Recess times during my lunch box days seem to be infinite that there is still time to play on the school’s garden. There are numerous plants growing out there including Santan bushes that bears red and yellow flowers. We would pick several bundles and would sip out the nectar from it. I feel like me and my friends are butterflies back then. The usual straight-line-, curved-line-, and dotted-linewriting activity went on until dismissal. I am always equipped with my favorite orange umbrella just in case it will be too shiny or rainy outside while I wait for my mother or father come and pick me up. Outside, while walking down the road to our home sweet home, we would usually buy samalamig on a nearby store. At times I would say, “Pagod na akong maglakad”, and my mother or father will carry me on their shoulders and then they would be the one who say, “nakakapagod ka namang buhatin”, but they would still carry me home. After school, I would just be sitting, wondering how it feels like to wake up in Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Po and Noo-Noo’s quarters and eat their pastel colored breakfast. Or I will go crazy pressing on the up-up-down-down-left-right-leftright-B-A-B-A-select-start buttons while playing Super Mario, Contra, and PacMan. Then I would ride to my three-wheeled Barbie bike. I would just ask for food when I’m hungry and water whenever I am thirsty. There are nothing much to think and worry about during those times but everything about my childhood is precious. That was when complete simplicity is my happiness.
F
SLU IT’S MORE FUN IN
PA R T by
T W O
Patricia Denise Magisa, Aldrick Agpaoa, & Maryrose Castillo illustrations by Flora Mae Santos
rom age-old computers to magic wands to all things worth nothing, the list never really ends. Pretty much like the entire set of stairs going to the ladies’ dorm and back, or like the long queue in front of the accounting office, the list goes on and on. Enough said. Louisians! Here is your second dose of all things fun in SLU. Freedom Table: More fun in SLU We all have freedom but do we have to tell the tables and chairs that? If there’s a freedom wall, there must be a freedom table. Or, a freedom chair. Or maybe even a freedom door? From the ‘press button to eject the teacher’ to the ‘I was here’ vandals to sweet nothings to a formula with far too many numbers and letters in the alphabet, and of course, your unusual dose of human anatomy. It’s crazy to think that almost every furniture and fixture in the school have markings on them. It gets crazier to think that students would rather put their time in placing their intricate art on furniture. Perhaps, it’s just one of those cost-cutting measures done in an effort to save trees from being cut to make paper. Sadly, no. It’s a product of non sequitur thinking. KFC: More fun in SLU Can you taste KFC in just 10 pesos? The Kikiam - Fishball - Chickenball combination is one of the most affordable yet delicious food available in the university canteens. In just ten pesos or less, you can savor the campus-slash-street delicacy generously seasoned with Ate Fishball’s mixed sauce. Absence and Tardiness Excuses: More fun in SLU Is a “40th death” of one’s grandmother even possible? 40th death anniversary sounds much more like it. And, what causes one to get back at his ID? Or does he mean that he was late because he had to get his ID back? It’s either one or the other. These are just some of the absurd, grammatically wrong, yet funny excuses students have to offer. They do mean well. They
really do. Only that, it’s either wrongly phrased, misspelled or students are lost in translation that makes these excuses all the more weird-sounding. Sir, puwedeng Tagalog na lang? Nosebleed eh. It’s the perfect comic relief for all that tension in the office. So the next time around, one would know how to avoid the scolding. Now that’s the perfect excuse! Angelus: More fun in SLU SLU is one of the religious institutions which practice praying the Angelus every 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm. Ever since the praying habit started, students have been ‘loyal’ to this Catholic tradition. But, its essence is being lost and more students are failing to give this short but sacred prayer its due respect. Maybe it’s because they mistake ‘Stop’ for ‘Go’ when the guards raise the placard that reads ‘Stop and pray the Angelus!’ Passing: More fun in SLU SLU is known for a lot of things but let’s not forget about the quality of education here in the university. And with high standards comes great expectations; expectations that students must keep up with the passing rate of SLU’s 75 grade and above. Together with the pressure to maintain a grade higher than 75 and the unending survival of the fittest, sleepless nights are a must for Louisians. Whether it is for research, for projects, for PE rehearsals or for a deadly quiz the following day, closing one’s eye or even blinking is forbidden. Louisian life can be compared to hunger games. If you will not know how to fight laziness and sleepiness, then the game will devour you alive. So, to the Louisians, may the odds be ever be in your favor! For over 100 years and counting, the fun never really stops here at SLU. Even after those golden days in college, it’s really the nostalgic memories that count. Whether it’s that time you scribbled that theoretical nonsense on the desk, or time spent waiting in line just to get cut off by noon break, it doesn’t really matter. It’s more fun in SLU. Really, it is.
White&Blue 12
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ENTERTAINMENT Volume 16 issue 3 JANUARY 2013
ANG KALUNGKUTAN NG MGA REYNA
NI YOLANDA by
Patricia Denise Magisa, photography
by
Orange Happee Galanay Omengan
Ang lahat ng bagay ay may solusyon, pero paano kung ang solusyon sa problema ng bansa ay isang malaking pagbabago? Ina ng Bayan. Iyan ang titulong pinanghahawakan ng ating bida na si Yolanda Cadiz. Bukod sa pagiging pinuno, madami na rin ang naging pangalan niya sa mga tao sa lipunan. Yolandang pranka, Yolandang walang takot, Yolanda la viuda, Yolanda ngala-ngala, Yolandang diktadora, at Yolandang kurakot. Ngunit sa mga pangalang nabanggit, wala ni isa doon ang hinihiling niyang pangalan na itawag sa kanya. Matagal na siyang nanunungkulan sa bansa. At sa hinabahaba ng panunungkulan niya, hindi pa rin niya nahanap ang solusyon sa problema ng kanyang nasasakupan. Madami na rin siyang sinubukang paraan. Nagawa na niyang magpatupad ng Martial Law. Pero ang huli ay isang paraan na sa tingin niya ay pinakaepektiibo sa lahat – isang malaking pagbabago. Matters of State Nagsimula ang malaking paghahanda ng ipatawag ni Yolanda si Marcel de Alba, isang kilalang hair dresser ng mga reyna sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo. Nakausap ni Marcel ang Ministro pagkadating niya sa palasyo tungkol sa mga pagbabago na nagaganap, pati na rin ang paulit-ulit na pagpapatugtog nang Somewhere Over The Rainbow ni Judy Garland matapos ang pag-anunsiyo ng batas militar. Nagsimula ang malaking paghahanda ng ipatawag ni Yolanda si Marcel de Alba, isang kilalang hair dresser ng mga reyna sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo. Nakausap ni Marcel ang Ministro pagkadating niya sa Palasyo tungkol sa mga pagbabago na nagaganap, pati na rin ang paulit-ulit na pagpapatugtog nang Somewhere Over The Rainbow ni Judy Garland matapos ang pag-anunsiyo ng batas militar. Sumunod ang pagdating ng pangulo. Naging paksa ng kanilang pag-uusap ang mga naging karanasan ni Marcel sa mga reyna na naging customer niya. Ikinumpara ni Yolanda ang kaniyang sarili sa mga kilalang reyna at napagigting lamang nadagdagan ang kanyang pagdadalamhati. Matters of Taste Pinagusapan nila ang dating taga-ayos ni Yolanda na si Zendo at ang kanyang kawalan ng taste at nalaman nila na ipinatawag ang hairdresser hindi dahil sa Matters of State kundi sa Matters of Taste. Sa tinagal-tagal ng panunugkulan ni Yolanda ay ang
itinagal rin ng kanyang apple cut hairstyle na ginawa ni Zendo. At sa tingin ng pangulo ay isa iyon sa isang bagay na nakakapaekto sa kanyang panunugkulan. Sa kanyang pananaw, ang pagbabago ng kanyang hairstyle ang magiging panimula ng magandang kahihinatnan ng bayan. Tip of the iceberg daw kumbaga. Matters of Style “Hindi umaasenso ang bansa dahil sa walang tigil na pagpapalit-palit ng mga namumuno… iba din ang pagtingin ng tao sa isang reyna at sa isang pangulo”, ang hinaing ni Yolanda. Kapag nakakita nga naman ang mga tao ng reyna, nagiging speechless ang lahat at nagbibigay-galang kahit galit ka man sa kaniya o hindi. Kapag naman ang presidente ang nasa iyong harapan, hindi tumatahimik ang mga tao ngunit mas lalong nag-iingay ang mga ito at nagtitiliian at kung minsan pa nga’y hinahagisan ng kamatis. At mula doon ay nabuo ang naging solusyon ni Yolanda – ang gawing monarkiya ang pamamalakad sa lipunan at nang siya ay maging reyna. Sabi nga niya, “Ang pag-asa ng bayan ay isang bagay na hindi nila inaasahan na kailangan nila.” Madaming naging plano si Yolanda para mabigyan ang kanyang kaharian sa style ng isang monarkiya. Naiba na ang titulo ng mga namumuno at mga heneral gaya na lamang nila Conde ng Candaba, Duke ng Dipolog, Prinsipe ng Dipolog at Visconde ng Visacaya. Maging ang bansa ay napalitan na rin ng “Kaharian ng Mayi”. Mas lalo pang pinaigting ang pagpapatugtog ng Somewhere Over The Rainbow ni Judy Garland na maging ang pagmartsa ng mga sundalo ay alinsunod sa himig nito. Ayon kasi kay Zendo ay aspirational ang awiting ito at kung palagi raw itong ipatutugtog at iparirinig sa mga taong bayan ay papasok ito sa kanilang consciousness. Matters of Coronation Wala pang karanasan ang bansa sa monarkiya pero madaming mga pelikula ang umiikot dito. Kaya naman maging si Reyna Yolanda ay kumukuha din ng style base sa kanyang mga napapanood. Sabi nga niya, ”Gustong-gusto ng masa ang pelikula.” Sinimulan na ang pagbabagong anyo ni Reyna Yolanda. Sinubukan niya ang istilo ni Marie Antoinette, Belgian Queen Elizabeth at Cleopatra ngunit pinili niya ang istilo ni Urduja at Maria Makiling. Binihisan ni Marcel ang reyna. Inayos ang kaniyang buhok at nilagyan ng champaka at ipinatong ang kaniyang korona na gawa sa 7,000 pearls at gemstones na sumisimbolo sa mga isla ng kaharian. Hindi naging masaya ang mga taong bayan sa mga plano ni Yolanda at maging ang mga senador, aktibista, rebolusyonaryo, fashionista at mga make-up artist ay tutol sa pagkakaroon ng monarkiya. Nag-aklas sila upang patunayan na nababaliw na nga ang reyna. Alam ito ni Marcel ngunit hindi niya magawang umalis hindi dahil sa kanyang trabaho ngunit dahil sa kanyang sinumpaang katungkulan. Hindi rin lingid sa kaalaman ni Yolanda ang assassination plot na binabalak ng militar laban sa kanya ngunit hindi siya tumalikod at pilit na hinarap ang kanyang kinabukasan. Muli ay napatunayan niya na mahirap ang maging isang reyna. Isang reynang loka-loka at baliw sa kapangyarihan. Matters of our actions Umikot ang kabuuan ng pagtatanghal sa pagnanais ng bida na makapaglunsad ng pagbabago para mapatunayan na may malaki siyang naiambag sa bayan. Naipakita sa huli na hindi tanggap ng bayan ang naging makasarili at biglaang pagdedesisyon ng pangulo. Ang pagpapalit ng political system mula sa diplomatiko patungong monarkiya ay isang malaking transition. Nangangahulugan ito na kinakailangan ng madaming paghahanda at mahabang panahon hindi kagaya ng ginawa ni Yolanda. At kinakailangan din ng kooperasyon ng mga mamayan upang ito ay maisakatuparan. Hindi naman kinakailangan ng isang malaking pagbabago upang maipakita ng isang naglilingkod sa bayan ang pagiging matagumpay ng kanyang paglilingkod. Ang kailangan lamang ay ang sinseridad sa iyong ginagawa. Kahit maliliit na mga bagay lang ang iyong magagawa, kung pagsasamasamahin ay malaking tulong na rin kung tutuusin. Dapat din nating isaalangalang ang mga tao na maapektuhan ng ating bawat desisyon dahil ang bawat aksyon natin ay palaging may kaakibat na kapalit – maaaring makakabuti o makakasama. Matters of the Play Ang produksyong ito ay ihinandog ng Tanghalang SLU bilang bahagi ng kanilang ika-labing apat na theater season sa direksyon ni Dan Rommel Riopay. Ang mga nagsipagganap ay sina Donna Liza bilang Yolanda Cadiz, Kevin John De los Santos bilang Marcel de Alba, Blytton Fernandez bilang Ministro at sina Raymund Publico, Bassanio Tello, Alvin John Matias at Mark Anthony Mamitag bilang mga Heneral. Ang Kalungkutan ng mga Reyna, sa orihinal panulat ni Floy Quintos, ay nagwagi ng unang gantimpala sa 2008 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature at Outstanding Original Play at Outstanding Production of a One-Act Play sa 2008 Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards. Ang Tanghalang SLU naman ay nagwagi bilang Best Cultural Group sa 25th ALIW AWARDS – ang pinakaprestihiyosong tagapag-bigay rangal sa entertainment industry.
White&Blue Volume 16 issue 3 JANUARY 2013
ENTERTAINMENT
Music
TRAVELLING
“Without Music, life would be a mistake.” – Friedrich Nietzsche Music, one of the most successful inventions known to mankind, has been one of people’s favorite pastimes. It is the lifeline that connects us to the inner being of the lyrics that embody each tone. It is the feeling of the mind and heart that seeks vivid expression. As for the SLU Symphonic Band, it is the material that brings nostalgia and makes people travel in time, through music. Travelling in time can be experienced in different ways. It can be through motion pictures, through theatrical plays and displays and can also be through music. Through the years, music has provided added entertainment to people which made it popular through the years. Different genres have been created in order to suit the ever-changing tastes of its audiences. Being reminiscent of the different time periods in history, the SLU Symphonic (Marching) Band featured last November a concert which displayed the different musical pieces that best describe the different eras of music, its evolution through time and how they showed what became of music at present. They played different types of music ranging from lively Rock and Roll, to the hippy Medleys to serious Concertos and to timely Pop music. Indeed, they served as the gateway of what music is truly like and they showed how it shaped the creativity of people in the craft of making music better. “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” – Bob Marley Truly, music is the one that hits you but you’ll never get hurt. Rather, it soothes your totality and submits you to a whole new dimension of making every pitch and tone into reality. It keeps people, however, into a fantasia of pitches and sounds. It’s truly hard to escape. Music is the one that will bring you to the “harmony of spheres.” Music enlightens one’s soul and gives people the opportunity to take a glimpse into the real meaning of each lyric. Creatively it may have been done; every word encompasses a sense of purpose that brings true meaning and life to a musical piece. Through time, the SLU Symphonic Band brought us to different eras by rendering different nostalgic musical
IN TIME THROUGH
by
Aldrick Agpaoa Raiza Nerissa Veridiano
photography by
pieces. Take a look at some memorable pieces and see how it is to travel in time, through music. The Olympic Spirit A piece made by John Williams in celebration of the 23rd Summer Olympiad of the modern era in Los Angeles way back in 1984. This piece was rendered to signify the strength of a true athlete in the spirit of true sportsmanship and fair play. This piece was then adopted in succeeding Olympic Games which made it as one of the official fanfares of the International Olympic Committee every Olympic Games. Classic Rock and Roll This piece is a medley of songs from the rock and roll era which made Elvis Presley the popular proponent of such genre. Rock and Roll has been the mother of some evolved genres of the present time and is still being used and played today. Carpenter’s Medley This medley is made in tribute to one of the world’s best duo. Their pieces have been made popular in the 80’s and is still being played today and is now catering to people who loves mellow music. Miss Saigon This widely-known musical play has been reinterpreted through a musical concerto which is about a woman who was abandoned by her lover during the Vietnam War. It featured musical pieces such as “The heat
w&b COMICS
is on in Saigon”, “The American Dream”, “Last night of the World” and “Morning of the Dragon”, among others. Michael Being recognized as the “Most Successful Entertainer of all time” by the Guinness Book of World Records and in tribute to the king of Popular Music, Michael Jackson, “Michael” features a medley of his popular songs such as “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Man in the Mirror”. Truly, his songs are still in the hearts of many people who still consider themselves die-hard fans of the King of Pop. I Gotta Feeling In consonance with the ‘travelling in time through music’ theme, the SLU Symphonic Band featured a contemporary song and popular song which now caters to the youth of today. “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas from their album “The E.N.D.” lifted the spirits of its audiences by rendering one of the band’s most liked songs. Truly, travelling in time is never easy without an accompaniment, especially music. Whatever genre it may be, whatever timeframe it may belong to, as long as it remains in the hearts and minds of its audiences, it is still referred by some as the “food for the soul” as it makes one’s feelings better and happier. Finally, music is not just a form of any media. It is the lifeblood of every musician – the source of fulfillment and inspiration from different points in time.
13
SPORTS
Volume 16 issue 3
JANUARY 2013
STE Faculty conquers Admin by
TORCH MARKED GO SIGNAL. SLU Athlete carries the flaming torch around the Fr. Raphael Desmedt Oval to signal the start of another photo by Julian Carlo Barbadillo Intrams season.
SLU opens Maryheights-based Intrams;
SABM eyes for grand slam by
Sherwin Nico Emiliano White&Blue Sports Burueau
with reports from
Matched with the theme “Mission beyond Borders”, Saint Louis University unleashed a new chapter beyond the main campus at the defending champion, School of Accountancy and Business Management, home grounds last Jan. 12. Parade on new grounds Despite the cloudy atmosphere, SLU’s athletes, along with the deans and faculty sports coordinators, occupied the Fr. Raphael Desmedt oval to commence the parade following the beat of the SLU Marching Band. SLU’s Center for Culture and the ArtsDance Troupe and Glee Club captured the crowd as they performed the invocation and sang the National Anthem. After which, Vice President for Academic Affairs Noel B. De Leon, in lieu of Fr. Jessie Hechanova, graced the event with his opening message concerning the importance of sports in relation to this year’s theme. Henry Gando, gold medalist of the Second World Arnis Tournament, then led the athletes in the Oath of Sportsmanship. The parade ended as the SLU Varsity and the CCA in harmony with the Intramurals hymn exhibited the eight sports included in the annual event: Badminton, Chess, Table Tennis, Sepak Takraw, Taekwondo, Volleyball, and Basketball before lighting of the torch. Viva grand slam Impressive visual appeals, unique designs and creative concepts were tested as the school mascots contended for the championship title for this year’s mascot competition. The School of Medicine with their Avatar- inspired mascot, Avadoc, marked another record in the competition after holding the top title tightly in their hands for three consecutive years. Dubbed as Loubei, SABM’s mascot flashed at second. As stated in the mascot’s character background, the tiger mascot reflected justice to the CICM missionaries in China and in the business world.
School of Natural Sciences’ Koo the Parrot, serving as a representation of the CICM missionaries and the university’s graduates, soared at third place. Each school mascot entry displayed creative choreography and showcased dance numbers, while the mascots’ character backgrounds were narrated. Marco G.L. Punongbayan, Noel Calma, and Noel de Leon, the panel of judges, assessed the mascots according to the criteria, which is composed of originality45% (materials used- 10%, visual appeal- 15% and uniqueness of design- 20%), character background- 40% (appropriateness of the mascot to the school- 20% and relevance to the intramurals theme- 20%), and thematic concept- 15%. Two down, one more to go SABM seized most of the awards grabbing their second over-all championship, along with other schools that were awarded in the latter portion of this year’s opening program. SABM dominated the six events including championships in men and women’s Chess and Basketball, Table Tennis- women, and Taekwondo- men. The Bakakeng-based squad also garnered two first runner- ups from the ladies of Volleyball and Taekwondo; and another two second runner- up from the Sepak Takraw and Table Tennis - men. School of Engineering and Architecture conquered the second notch by grabbing two championship titles in Sepak Takraw and Badminton- men; four silver titles in Badminton and Chess- men, and Basketball- men and women; and a single second runner- up in volleyballwomen. Obtaining two championship titles from Volleyball- women and Badmintonmen, SOM garnered the third rank overall. School of Teacher Education chased fourth place, topping volleyball- men, seizing second spot in badminton- women, and capturing the third rank for taekwondomen. SCIS, SNS, SOH and SON also
captured titles in last year’s competitions. SCIS snatched two silver awards in Sepak Takraw and Table Tennis- men and a bronze in table tennis- women. SNS acquired the top title in Taekwondo- women and obtained two silver titles from Table Tennis and Chess- women. SOH triumphed in Table Tennis- men, while ranking third in Chessmen. SON obtained three second runner-
up in Volleyball- men and Basketball and Taekwondo- women. The symbolic ceremonial toss wrapped up the ceremony and signaled the commencement of different sports events, which will be proving if SABM would succeed in defense to grab their grand slam, SEA’s powerful comeback or a new champion’s birth.
Sherwin Nico Emiliano
Saint Louis University’s School of Teacher Education (STE) faculty seized victory against the SLU Administrative staff under 40, 65- 59, in a match for the Family Welfare Program last November 26 at the Prince Bernhard Hall. Arsenio Pasual of the STE blazed early in the first quarter for delivering double three- pointers, but was quickly replied by the Admin’s Al Odra for scoring the first seven points for his team. Johnny Soriano and Mike Bulanday offered the next points for the blue jerseys, while Jeonard Ellamil and Quirico Bambico gave it for the Admin. The early ballgame came close after being tied at 10- 10 at the half of the quarter. Soriano continued to bring the lead in their favor by scoring the final points before ending the chapter at 16- 13. Digits came closer in the second quarter after several responses were created by both sides. Bullanday, Soriano and Bong Laguyo fueled STE’s numbers, while Bambico and Gerald Peralta provided for the young Admins. The second quarter was still with STE’s dominance, but the black jerseys were close, trailing only by a twopoint margin, 28- 26. The Admins delivered the first four points in the third chapter, but was followed by another four points conquered by the Educators. Admin’s Rommel Consolacion dropped a three- point shot to try to keep up, yet was not enough to impede STE to seize the lead in the quarter. The blue jerseys continued to dictate the pace in the game with Soriano, Laguyo, and Edmund Domingo’s attacks, nailing the Admin far by 15 points, 50- 35. Odra, Ferdinand Tafaleng, and Bambico scored early in the final quarter to lessen STE’s lead to seven points, 5043, forcing the latter to call a timeout. The Admin continued closing up the scores, while tightening their defense to allow STE to score only a single point, 51- 48, at 6: 37. Noel Rullan hooped a three- pointer for STE and was followed by Soriano to attempt to keep the lead. With five minutes remaining, Soriano and Rullan swayed on their rhythm, scoring another five points. With barely a minute remaining, the Admin tried to chase STE’s digits with a three point shot, but was missed, forcing them to call a timeout, 6356. The Educators executed good offense and defense, after Bullanday successfully converted a steal to a two- point shot in their favor. Consolacion still scored for the Admin before the buzzer sounded, declaring STE’s six- point lead victory, 65- 59.
AVATAR, M.D. SOM’s Avatar-inspired mascot, Avadoc, wows the crowd during the Intrams ‘13 opening at the Fr. Raphael Desmedt Oval last Jan. 12. photo by Julian Carlo BArbadillo
Big Names, Big Games Go Home, You’re Dope Lance Armstrong is one of the biggest names in the world of sports. He was one of the best in his sport, winning cycling’s most prestigious tourney, Le tour de France, seven consecutive times from 1999. The feat became so sensational because of the fact that he was diagnosed and cured of testicular cancer in 1997. However, these things turned out to be lies when he admitted of doping, or using performance-enhancing drugs, and blood transfusions when he won all seven tours. As a consequence, he was stripped of all his winnings from 1998 and was banned from the sport that was his life. Before Armstrong’s admission, the Tour was plagued with several other doping scandals, which include highprofile cyclists. Several tour winners have been found out to use these substances to boost their performances while training and on the tour itself. However, Armstrong’s admission this year had made the most noise since he was an icon, and at one time even an inspiration to those who can relate with his experiences. Big question, why dope? Doping is the use of banned performance enhancing drugs like the
anabolic steroids used to make muscles more defined, or erythropoietin, which enhances red-blood cell production. These drugs had been widely used not only in cycling but in several other sports, including those which are part of the Olympics, such as weightlifting and athletics. It is not allowed in many, if not all sports, and is therefore considered as cheating. The dictionary meaning of sports is ‘an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others’. You use your body to be able to perform at your best to compete with others. That is why athletes train hard, to be able to be at their best. Another meaning adds the component of self-satisfaction into the equation. However, when the competitiveness heightens up to an unhealthy level, athletes tend to try their best to be the best, not to be at their best. These can lead to cheating, like doping. Athletes become overwhelmed by the competition that they abuse themselves and go beyond the line and try products that promise them victories. Greed overcomes even those surrounding the athletes that they tend to become the pressure to them. Sometimes those who lead the teams and clubs are even the ones who mastermind
Crunch Box Ivan Ramil Ferrer
all these ‘strategies’. ‘Winning the best way possible’ now has a different meaning. The Lance Armstrong controversy should be an eye-opener to everyone. Armstrong had lived his life in cycling, but he chose to use the wrong way to win in what was once HIS sport. He even admitted that he wouldn’t win any of those seven cups if he hadn’t doped. Those titles would’ve landed to someone more deserving. He should be a good example of how Karma strikes back, bigtime. Cheating in any way is a serious offense, and in sports it’s just the same. It is shocking to know how much of these offenses have been exposed, big controversies countless in number. How much more of these are unexposed? Who else will be caught? Are you sure your favorite athlete is clean?
The Mistake Manny Pacquiao’s fruitful career had recently been on the rocks. Starting from the controversial decision loss to Timothy Bradley, things haven’t been going his way, and Filipinos fear that his worldwide glory may be coming to an end. The decision was a shock to everyone who had watched the fight. Pacman had clearly won the fight, but the decision was on the contrary. Before the announcement, data were shown in the television showing Pacquiao’s number of punches. After the announcement,the world was shocked. People here in Baguio called the fight as “luto”. The decision could have ended Pacquiao’s career right there and then. And judging from his last fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, it could just end badly if these kinds of things continue to happen. Several inferences about why the decision was given to Bradley had been circulating around the sports world. One thing was apparent among these, and it was money. Some say that it was a tactic to further lengthen the road to the Mayweather fight, that a win against Bradley would have ultimately meant that there were no more opponents willing to
fight the former pound-for-pound king; therefore the money they make would stop abruptly. The strategies of those behind the scenes in the boxing world have become profit oriented. I’ve watched several careers being ruined by these. With the continuous motives of those conspiring behind the fighters’ backs, the sport’s reputation is risked. The sport becomes something like those scripted plays you see in the television that aims to profit on the people watching it. As the boxing scene becomes a million dollar sport, the people behind it become more like capitalists, in which they care more about the profit rather than the entertainment, on which the sport was built for. The fighters become mere puppets that can be manipulated according to the capitalist’s will. Big names, Big games With an athlete’s name gaining attention, it requires a handful of things to consider. These things would later be stepping stones, or prices to pay in the future. If you were given a chance to have a BIG NAME like them, what would you do with it? Would you let others stain it? Would you work to keep it clean? Or would you do whatever it takes to make it the biggest?
SPORTS
White&Blue Volume 16 issue 3 JANUARY 2013
15
Nightingales soar with two crowns by
Gerald Turqueza
“One school, two crowns.” After all the nerve-wracking banters coming from the nine different schools, yelling their hearts out to cheer for their respective candidates, the Mr. and Ms. SLU crowns finally succumbed to the rightful owners, School of Nursing ‘s tandem, Vandame Valerio and Crystal Gail de Jesus, at the Prince Bernhard Hall, Jan. 11. Hundreds of students, guests, celebrities, school faculty, and athletic staff assembled in the semi-packed hall to see 18 participants vie for the much-awaited “Mr. and Ms. SLU 2013”. Free tickets were given, but on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wears beyond borders The Masters of Ceremony turned the spotlight a notch higher to present the participants in the newly-introduced “Creative Wear” category. “This year is very different because we introduced a new category, the creative wear”, commended Rebecca Nulud, CCA director and organizer of the pageant. Eighteen gorgeous men and women paved their way to center stage with flashing attires and headgears inspired by nine out of 22 different countries representing CICM’s mission namely: Congo, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, USA, and China in line with CICM 150’s theme “Mission Beyond Borders”. The School of Humanities produced an exquisite medieval-inspired outfit portraying a knight with a lance and a conservative European woman, while the School of Nursing flaunted Mexican capes with a symbolic sun inscribed in both creative wear. An aggressive Amazon with her ferocious counterpart in the School of Computing and Information Sciences removed the border between the city and the jungles in a South African spirit. Meanwhile, the rather simplistic yet cultural beauty of Indonesia was wellinstilled by School of Teacher Education
in their reflective suits and primordial gestures. School of Accountancy and Business Management closed the category with a Hanfu Chinese clothing and a garish feathered hat. With the stage overflowing with colors and glaring ornaments, a production number immediately followed exhibiting the rich culture held by contestants’ representative nations. Let the ‘battle’ begin After Tanghalang SLU lit up the hall with their intermission number, the participants exhibited the next round with bold and sporty attires in the “Sports Wear” category. School of Engineering and Architecture’s female candidate demonstrated a well-handled dual sword exhibition while her male counterpart flashed a cycling scheme. School of Law flared up with sleek archery outfits while School of Natural Sciences and School of Medicine presented a marathoner and fencer looks, respectively. The SLU Dance Troupe relived a remix of Filipino rap music to add up another accent in the concluded Filipinoinspired performances. After which, the participants flaunted their elegance and beauty at the “Formal Wear” category with a bunch of gorgeous suits and evening gowns lighting the hall with luxe designed by Harvic Dominguez. Not so Casual “Kneel, look up, and pray to God”, replied Blytton Fernandez (SoH), after he was asked to give one advice to a friend who is pregnant, during the casual interview. Other notable answers were Eman Corrales’ “the Bible” when asked if he were to recommend a book to his fellow students and Nestor Kub-aron’s (STE) “even the greatest has its failures” as an important lesson he learned after Pacquiao’s most recent defeat.
SON SWEEP. Mr. and Ms. Nursing Vandame Valerio and Crystal Gail de Jesus (center) were hailed Mr. and Ms. University 2013 last Jan. 11 at the Prince Bernhard Hall. Also in the photo are first runners-up Mr. STE Nestor Kub-aron and Ms. SOM Priyanka Parajuli (left) and second runners-up Mr. SOH Blytton Fernandez and Ms. photo by Julian carlo Barbadillo SNS Kimberly Orduna (right).
Meanwhile, the female candidates bested each question with SCIS’ Shane Co answering “success: handling the worst and still finishing the race” as her most significant achievement in 2012. “Anak, just be yourself; you make a life by what you give”, said SNS’ Kimberly Orduña, reiterating her father’s advice to the audience. However, SoL’s Karel Mejia proved that studies and serious love relationships can perfectly go together
by
1,963 Run for Hope Ace Navarro
The 2012 Run for Hope headed by SABM’s Marketing Mixers jump start the annual Handog ng SLU sa Baguio, at the Lake Drive, Burnham Park on December 1 early morning, garnering a record breaking 1,963 runners each joining three, five and ten kilometre races. The race started at 5:30 in the morning, letting the 10-kilometer runners lead the race and the 5-kilometer runners after. The runners passed by Burnham Park going to Gibraltar with 3k, 5k, and 10k
friends call her, after being crowned Ms. SLU that night. STE’s Kub-aron and Calicdan followed at second and fifth places, respectively while SNS’ Corrales-Orduña settled at fifth and third. Meanwhile, the Gadiaza-Parajuli pair snatched the third and first runnersup. SOH’s Fernandez emerged at second runner-up and SoL’s third runner-up Mejia completed the list. Shauna Indra Curran, SLU 2012’s first runner-up, applauded the candidates as not only very beautiful, but also very intelligent. “Be better than the winners in the past years”, she dared the top five. “This is a proof that the School of Nursing produces competent individuals”, said SoN dean Dr. Mary Grace Lacanaria, after capturing both crowns in the Intrams pageant. Five acclaimed judges and celebrities headed by Mutya ng Pilipinas Project Organizer Noel C. Calma decided the winners of the pageant. Former Binibining Pilipinas 2nd runner-up Raquel Versoza, Focus Management Inc.’s Marco Gil Madlangbayan, model and public figure Chryst Josef Almazar, and former actress Karen Navarette-Anton were also among the list. The Mr. and Ms. SLU 2012-2013 was sponsored by Fashion Designer Harvic Dominguez, EGL Builders & Construction, Bayan Telecommunications, Avon, King Louis Flowers & Plants, Gaussian Land, 6J Steven, Beauché International, Globe Telecommunications, BPI, and Photo Techniques Professional Photography.
SEA Cagers set to steal crown
RUNS AGAIN. Former KASAMA/SSC presidentiable Dianalyn Santos traverses the route back to Melvin Jones Grandstand during the 3rd Run photo by Julian carlo Barbadillo for Hope last Dec. 1.
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because true love can inspire you to do your best. After the casual interview, special awards were given. De Jesus bagged the titles Ms. Avon, Ms. Beauché, Ms. Photogenic, Best in Creative Wear, and Best in Evening Gown. However, SOH’s Lei Gwyneth Molina emerged as the Designer’s Choice and Best in Sports Wear while STE’s Jamaica Calicdan settled as Ms. Congeniality. Meanwhile, SABM’s Alvin Dumuk bested the awards in Mr. Avon, Mr. Congeniality, and Mr. Photogenic. Fernandez seized the Best in Creative Wear and Best in Sports Wear, with Valerio taking Mr. Beauché and Best in Formal Wear. Designer’s Choice was awarded to SoM’s Richard Gadiaza. Final Answers Immediately after the first awarding ceremony, the SLU Glee Club serenaded the female participants with their take on AJ Rafael’s “She Was Mine”. The formal interview took over after, with the top five male and female candidates were given a similar question in a thematic concept: “What is your personal mission beyond borders?” Mr. SLU 2013 Valerio replied creating a social group to make a better future while his partner de Jesus wanted to transform within herself starting from the SLU’s four core values. “I feel blessed and pleased for that honor being an ambassador. I will be simply a role model for the youth and the Louisians”, promised Tala, as what her
runners turning at Military Cut-Off, South Drive, and Gibraltar respectively. This 3rd Run for Hope is considered the most successful one, having sponsors like John Hay Manor, American Corner of the SLU Library, BIP Water delivery, K-Lite, ABS-CBN, and C&E Bookstore. The race had a total of 1,963 runners which is comprised of all age brackets, from as young as 4 to 60 years old. Compared to May 2011, the race has become more organized. Most of the
earnings from the race was used to aid the Halfway Home for the Boys and Project Daily Bread, headed by the guidance centre of SLU. Marketing Mixers started preparing and conceptualizing on October deciding where to print T-shirts and produce ballers for the race. The Run for Hope is now being adapted to the annual Handog ng SLU sa Baguio becoming a tradition to the event anticipated by the community.
Sari-saring Laro ni
sa
Adrian Nicolas
Gabrielle Paul Pascual
The School of Engineering and Architecture cagers, overpowered the team from the School of Natural Sciences, 62-51, to start anew their campaign towards reclaiming the men’s basketball intramurals crown last January 12 at the Saint Louis University covered courts. SNS heated the first quarter with backto-back three-pointers from Justin Coquia and Fergie Bugayong to lift them by six points, 2-8, with four minutes remaining on the clock. SEA closed the gap with bombs coming from the two-point area. The 1st quarter ended 8-12, with SNS getting the upper hand. The men in green continued their momentum early in the second quarter, 1418. By the fifth minute, however, technical glitches caused the scores between the teams to swap. Four points were added to the score of 18, making a total of 22, this
Unibersidad
time, in favour of SEA. Protests from both sides were heard at halftime, and scores were corrected to 25-23. SEA, needing a few sparks from their halftime two-point lead, started to heat up in the third quarter, with SEA’s Julaquit brothers firing a barrage of shots both from the inside and the outside of the three-point line. With around two minutes remaining, SEA has already marked their territory with a 12-point lead, 44-32. The third quarter ended 48-36. Penalties from both sides proved that by now, it’s all-in in the last quarter. SNS tried to close the gap with their tight defences; however, the superior offense of SEA tested by time was too much for the green team to beat. The game ended, 62-51, pushing the SEA big men closer to the crown which they lost to the School of Accountancy and Business Management last year.
photo by Orange Happee Galanay words by Shiela Marie Sandoval
Omengan