Christened. Rev. Fr. Gerald Costa, together with other CICM priests, blesses the newly renovated Burgos Gym, which has now taken the official name of Prince Bernhard Hall.
SSC Congress on slow pace; Speaker blames ‘lack of guidance’ by
photo by Ivan
Gedrick Lopez
Joshua Ganay
Congress of Louisians speaker Allan Paul Abando admitted that the Supreme Student Council’s legislative branch is making slow progress in implementing their plans and projects for this academic year. Abando, the 3rd – 5th year representative of the School of Engineering and Architecture, revealed in an interview with White & Blue that the problem was due to the “late election and induction of Speaker and Deputy Speaker [of the Congress]”. He claimed that the induction of the officers of the Congress were only done a month after their election. According to him, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker were elected and proclaimed last Aug.18 and took their oath only on Sept.17. “We cannot start [working] unless we have taken our oath of office,” he emphasized. According to the SSC’s Constitution, the term of the past officers will end upon the proclamation of the newly-elected officers and the latter will only assume office after oath. He said that the interval between their election and induction into office is marked with the inability to perform their duties in implementing the schemes of the Congress. “We are looking into possible amendments on the [SSC] Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, and the Internal Rules of Procedures [of the Congress of Louisians],” he answered when asked what they are there plans to prevent the inactivity of the legislative body during such time. Previous sessions of the Congress also pushed through with the amendment of these documents but to no avail. When asked if this year’s
news SLU jolts nat’l debate scene
PHOTO BY rina paula burgos
Louisian law students made noise in the debating arena after emerging as one of ANC Square-Off CVC Law Debates grand finalists among the top 16 law schools in the country. see more on page 2
features
Steve Jobs
Apple’s cult-like following would say Steve Jobs was an inventor, an innovator, a genius and such. Critics would say he was just a pirate who stole other people’s ideas.
Continued on page 5
see more on page 10
Double Celebration
illustration by bryan d. davis
sports 1,300 ‘Run for Hope’ amid rains
SLU centennial over, CICM sesquicentennial begins by
Banoar Abratique, Henri Lomeus Ching, Cheri Danielle Leyaley, and Grellyn Paoad
After celebrating 100 years of missionary education, Saint Louis University embarked on another set of year-long activities, this time to celebrate the Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae’s 150 years of “Mission Beyond Borders”.
CICM Provincial Superior Rev. Fr. Ramel Portula, CICM, in his homily during the launching mass of CICM’s sesquicentennial held Nov. 28 at the university park, said it “is God’s mission, not ours.” The mass was celebrated by Diocese of Baguio-Benguet Bishop Carlito Cenzon, DD, and concelebrated by other local and visiting CICM priests. The mass featured an offering of the CICM Seal and the flags of the university during the presentation of gifts. Louisian elementary students also offered 100 candles during the offertory. Before the mass was ended, Rev. Fr. Jessie Hechanova, CICM, expressed relief over the culmination of the centennial activities of SLU. “Boy, am I glad that [the series] of centennial events [of SLU] is over,” he said. After the end of his speech, Hechanova signaled the opening of CICM’s celebration in SLU with a symbolic unfurling of a giant tarpaulin featuring CICM’s different thrusts of
SLU initiates efforts to end bullying by
missionary work around the world. Several balloons of white and blue were set free simultaneously with the unfurling. Hechanova then invited the CICM priests and guests to witness the unveiling of the CICM corner, located at the right side of the Diego Silang Lobby, and the SLU timeline, almost surrounding the left side of the lobby. An exhibit highlighting the earlier lives of local CICM priests was presented at the lobby. Meanwhile, booths were also set up by different organizations at the University Park after the mass while concerts by different Louisian student bands were featured on the main stage. The SLU Marching Band, Tanghalang SLU, Dance Troupe and Glee Club also performed pieces for the dignitary audience and the students. Thousands of students stayed until past six in the evening at the university park to witness the lighting of the Grand Christmas Tree of SLU, which was designed by the School of Humanities. After a short ceremony, cheers from spectators echoed among the walls of SLU’s building as flashes from cameras
flickered moments after the Christmas tree was lit. Subsequently, events of Dec. 2 were hosted by the Maryheights Campus. A motorcade at 2 p.m. departed from the main campus and traversed the route to the School of Accountancy and Business Management. From the Bakakeng archway to the Devesse Building, the visiting schools and offices were welcomed by the yellow-clad business students along with the SLU Marching band. SABM-based organizations and entrepreneurship practicum students set up their booths in different areas within Bakakeng campus. A program was launched in the afternoon where the Glee Club, Tanghalang SLU and Dance Troupe showcased performances despite the impending rains. Students, faculty and guests remained in the evening at the Devesse Plaza overlooking the amphitheatre to witness the Christmas Tree lighting at SLU’s Annex. Even when the rain poured, the Christmas Tree lighting pushed through with little ceremony preceding it. Continued on page 4
Line of the north. Lacking an online system to facilitate faster and easier transactions, Louisians have to bear the inconvenience of waiting and standing in long queues every enrolment season. photo by Henri Lomeus Ching
Jermaund Ivan Junio Banoar Abratique
and
Saint Louis University is taking the challenge of dealing with bullying head on. The Guidance Center, in cooperation with the National Service Training Program, launched the Gabay Series to address the rapidly globalizing issues on bullying in educational institutions last Nov. 20 at the newly inaugurated Prince Bernhard Hall. Themed, “Taking the Bull By the Horns: Taking an Active Stand Against Bullying”, Gabay Series seeks to confront the problem “head on [through] dealing with [bullying] openly.” The lecture seminar primarily focused on the existence of bullying in SLU based on a research by the Guidance Center. All over the world, bullying is widely recognized as one of the causes of suicides by teenagers, such as the Megan Meier case. Especially highlighting cyber bullying and bullying in school premises, which were the alleged reasons for the suicide of Missouri teenager Meier, the presentations showcased testimonials from school children who experience bullying. Bullying was characterized as a hostile aggression, which is intentional, harmful, threatening, and repetitive. It involves power imbalance with regards
to physical, verbal, social, racial, sexual and electronic circumstances. Although the seminar clarified that fighting or teasing is not always tantamount to bullying, there were discussions on how one can avoid being a target or a bully. It clarified that though not directly participating, one can still become a bully by being a disengaged onlooker or an active or passive supporter of the principal bully. Students enrolled in NSTP and visitors, as well as the Guidance Center’s peer facilitators, took active part in the efforts to end bullying in SLU through a pledge. Noted speakers include Guidance Center Director Corazon Kawi, Mia Cheong, Jam Dela Cruz, Renee Taguibos, and Krizza Hernandez.
Board passing rates sweeter for 2011 by
PHOTO BY rina paula burgos
Roughly 1,300 Louisians and Baguio residents joined the Centennial Run for Hope on December 3, an event staged for the benefit of the SLU Sunflower Centennial Halfway Home for Boys. see more on page 14
Labor issues hound SLU Shiela Marie Sandoval and Jermaund Ivan Junio with reports from Cesar Paolo Gemino by
Although awarded for the second consecutive year as the Top Employer in Northern Luzon by the Social Security System, Saint Louis University is still confronted by several labor issues. Here are some of the most recent labor issues that the White & Blue researchers have come across. Yearly problem on summer loading In 2008, a source from the Union of Faculty and Employees of Saint Louis University (UFESLU) submitted several suggestions to the SLU Administration to address the problems on teaching loads encountered during summer. Because of the uneven distribution of teaching loads, some faculty members would receive less than their regular salary during the summer term. The minimum class size maintained during summer is 35 students, in order to have an even breakdown of fees in terms of expenses and salaries of teacher. Classes with less than the prescribed number are eventually dissolved. For the convenience of the instructors, the Union suggested that the minimum class size should be decreased to 25, and the maximum class size of 50 lowered to 35 students. In addition, since some classes can have 50 students, the classes with less than 35 students should not be dissolved because the need to fill the class to a maximum of 35 students is already solved with the “excess” students of the other classes. With this, Continued on page 4
Henri Lomeus Ching
Almost all passing rates of the University on licensure and board examinations improved, some even the highest in Saint Louis University’s history. This year, board examinations for architects, accountants, electronics engineers, electrical engineers, physicians, radiologic technologists, social workers, and teachers had sweeter results for the University, while results of board examinations for pharmacists and medical technologists clung at the top spots, both maintaining 100 per cent passing rates. However, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and nursing graduates slipped behind previous records.
Up Although SLU did not qualify as a top performing school in the October 2011 CPA board exams, SABM was still able to record the highest in its CPA board history of 62.13 per cent, with its first timers slating an 88.24 per cent feat. Bouncing back from an 83.33 per cent performance last June, the Radiologic Technology graduates rocketed to the top spot marking a 100 per cent. Meanwhile, the University managed Continued on page 4
Tree of light. Incorporating the Filipino spirit with Louisian creativity, the School of Humanities spearheads the construction of this year’s Christmas tree. photo by
Levin Ace Danganan
NEWS
W&B
Volume XVI issue 1
DECEMBER 2011
Admin defends Haranah, calls it ‘satisfactory’ by
Henri Lomeus Ching
and
Grellyn Paoad
Monopoly of a tour agency and expensive field trip prices topped the list of issues raised to White & Blue by students mostly coming from the School of Accountancy and Business Management and School of Computing and Information Sciences regarding educational field trips in the university.
Prep Time. SLU Law Debate Team secures its spot as grand finalist during the 4th Square Off’s CVC Law Debates on Nov. 26. photo by Rina Paula Burgos
SLU jolts nat’l debate scene by
Karen Bangibang
Louisian law students made noise in the debating arena after emerging as one of ANC Square-Off CVC Law Debates grand finalists among the top 16 law schools in the country. Arguing affirmative on the issue of the constitutionality of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s leaving the country, they succumbed to University of the Philippines’ topnotch debate team in the final round aired Nov. 25. The participating schools were chosen based on their performance in the Bar Examinations in which SLU placed 8th. “We are the only regional [law] school who were given an invitation by the CVC law debates,” the debaters told White & Blue. The Louisian team composed of Clifford Chan and April Gwen Marquez, both fourth year law students together with third year Rhenan Diwas proved that they were among the sharpest minds with the strongest arguments, words that describe the motto of the show’s fourth season promo. The journey Taking the affirmative side, the team’s first face-off was with San BedaMendiola debaters aired live on Sept. 9. Adjudicators, composed of CVC law partners and other law practitioners, commented that the Louisian trio described the proposition to legalize divorce “clear and clever.” As said by the judge, the team was able to litigate the proposition even though they were given the proposition’s limited side. University of the East (UE) students fell short during the quarter finals with their arguments when the Louisian presented their well-researched presentation opposing the propositionSupreme Court’s recall of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) decision is unconstitutional and contrary to law. “We made extensive researches on
the topic. That’s why I think preparation is the key to success,” Chan added. After showing depth of preparation, the Louisian team advanced in the first semi-final round. With a proposition of “Placing conditions for the release of funds to the judiciary does not violate its fiscal autonomy and is necessary”, the Louisian team rebutted a winning argument against the La Salle students. And after presenting the case clearly and answering questions alertly, Marquez took the best speaker title in the same round. Final round’s proposition, “GMA’s leaving the country is constitutional,” was given to the ANC debaters less than 24 hours. The said round was taped more than two weeks before it was aired on television. “We said that GMA has a constitutional right to leave the country since there are no charges yet against her, (and) then it was aired when they filed charges against her [GMA], so it seemed outdated,” the debaters said. When it was aired on Nov. 25, the judges came to a decision to declare UPDiliman as the 2011 CVC law debates champion. “We tried our best and we hope the Louisian community is proud of us,” Chan said. The team also had their equal share of debate experiences. Chan and Marquez won last year in the PISIGMA debate at UP. Diwas was a researcher and adjudicator for the MOOT court local debates. Behind the scenes Unlike other debates, CVC law debates need to present informative discussions grounded on facts,
applicable laws and jurisprudence through extensive researches and preparation. “From the elimination round up to the semi-finals, we always have the unpopular side, so we have to research extensively,” Chan said. Aside from having in-depth researches, the team also used a debate strategy of having their instructors and co-students critic their arguments in practices. This preparation strategy enabled them to integrate suggestions and to be pre-emptive. “That’s why we would like to express our gratitude to those who helped us through the whole process. Our dean [Atty. Cesar G. Oracion], coach, SOL faculty and the SOL students,” Marquez added. The team was also faced with having to travel back and forth to attend classes and compete in Manila. “Of course, you also have to attend classes, in law school you have to review at least six hours a day to prepare for your classes,” Chan said. Debating arena The CVC Law debates, sponsored by the Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco (CVC Law) law firm, airs on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) weekly where the top law school outwit each other every elimination until they reach the final round. SLU has been participating since the first season where they have been ousted by the Ateneo de Davao in the semi-final round. The Louisians who took the affirmative side fell short with their arguments on the topic of legalizing euthanasia in the Philippines. SLU’s School of Law has been consistent in having favorable passing rates during the Bar examinations. “That’s why, regional schools are really at par with Manila schools,” Marquez added.
New rules set for outreach, extension programs by
ERRATUM When God Calls: The life of Rev. Fr. Paul Van Parijs, CICM
R
ev. Fr. Paul Van Parijs assumed the position as University President on March 21, 1997 and served the Louisian community for about eight years and still his legacy as one of the fathers of SLU continues to flourish in the hearts of every Louisian. Indeed, he is a man of action, a person for others – and that is what makes the flame of the mission continuously burning. Under Fr. Parijs’ administration, White & Blue released its February 14, 1997 issue, with the banner headline “We’re Back.” It signaled the revival of the official student publication of SLU after three years of closure. White & Blue’s Sapientia issue, Vol XV, No. 1, in the article entitled “Kilalanin: Ang mga orihinal na Louisians”, which featured SLU’s presidents, the photo of Fr. Parijs was inadvertently not included. White & Blue apologizes for the error. by
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To standardize and increase the sustainability and benefits to their beneficiaries, school organizations will now have to follow a new set of directions in implementing outreach and extension activities. According to Lucas, extension is part of the trifocal functions of SLU as a higher education institution, along with instruction and research. He explained that the nature of extension is sharing the instruction and research expertise of the university to the community. He added that the REPO is encouraging student organizations to partner with their mother departments to come up with sustainable extension programs. This way, the extension programs will be discipline-based and research-guided through the support of the faculty of an organization’s mother department. He emphasized that outreach and extension activities are “more than just good intention”. He said that outreach programs should be backed by research, being an official function of the university. The new MOPG is available at the REP Office located at the 2nd floor of the Burgos Administrative Center. Lucas encouraged different school organizations to read and understand the policies and guidelines of extension and outreach projects. He also set out his expectations that advisers should have read the MOPG so that they can answer the queries of the organizations. The drafting and approval of the new MOPG lasted for almost seven months, commencing in January, and was finally approved by Rev. Fr. Pres. Jessie Hechanova, CICM last July 29.
Asked about his reactions on the said article, Soriano said that he “refuses to comment unless the [UFESLU official] will reveal his identity.” The vice president then described Haranah’s performance as “very satisfactory.” Also, he said that one of the provisions in the contract requires that an evaluation report was to be passed by the one in charge of the trip. A certain percentage of the total payment to Haranah is retained, subject to the result of the evaluation. In an interview with Mr. Ronaldo Felizco, a subject instructor for Ecology integrating an optional field trip in his methodology, he said that the “price seems high because there are unseen expenses like insurance of the participants, compensation of the drivers and tour guides, and preparation fees” among others. Curriculum-dependent Dr. Cecilia Mercado, Dean of the School of Computing and Information Sciences, explained that students’ participation in field trips depends on the design of their specific curriculum. If the subject is offered as an elective, it is optional, but if part of the curriculum and included in the course checklist, it is required. “We follow CHED (Commission on Higher Education) policies and guidelines. At the same time, each institution has their creative design, and they may design it according to their niche. CHED provides the minimum requirements, while the school gives the additional requirements,” she said. For the itinerary, Mercado said “I have a list of companies, and from the list we write a letter. We are the ones who choose the company, but we also ask for their help since they have the experience. Still, we have the final say and we confirm through e-mail.” In terms of the financial aspect of the trip, she said that the accounting office takes care of it. “We just give the list of the dates and the itinerary and it is the accounting office who lobbies for the price.
Aldrick Agpaoa
Miss Centennial 1st runner-up is Miss Baguio
Banoar Abratique
As a framework for outreach and extension activities by school organizations, a new Manual of Operational Policies and Guidelines was released early this semester by the University through the Research, Extensions and Publications Office. The new MOPG entails several other necessary documents to be approved apart from those required by the Student Affairs Office. Hence, an organization needs to comply with both the requirements of the SAO and the REPO as the forms are not substitutes for each other. However, Extensions Officer Ramonchito Lucas clarified that the new MOPG for extension does not give additional work to organizations when doing outreach. “[The MOPG] was created to practically put a framework or set the direction for outreach and extension programs,” Lucas said. He also emphasized that such framework was “long overdue”. He added that the MOPG aims to ensure that the beneficiaries of outreach and extension programs will “get the best” from the university. “They deserve the best from us,” he stressed. Outreach vs. Extension The MOPG distinguished extension from outreach programs by specifically identifying research as a key component of any extension activity. Research is necessary to recognize the true needs of the target communities, in contrast to outreach, which is often dole-out programs and immediate-need-assistance activities.
In a memo circulated by Rev. Fr. Jessie Hechanova on July 27, 2006, “the University has accredited one tour agency to provide services to all duly approved educational field trips and study tours.” Haranah Tours Corporation, the chosen exclusive travel package provider of the school, has been chosen as a response to the “sad experiences with educational field trips in the past,” said Vice President for Administration Atty. Arnulfo Soriano. Put in a bad light Prior to Haranah, Soriano cited an example wherein Saint Louis University was sent a demand letter from a particular hotel stating that the university failed to meet its obligations. The students involved were not allowed to leave the hotel, when in fact they have already paid the tour agency which organized the trip. Another instance was when a tour agency was independently contracted by a group of students. Because they they did not come on time in one of the companies they were supposed to visit, the university was blacklisted in the said company. “The university was put in a bad light [because of the incidents].One tour agency was chosen, to protect the interest of the university and the students as well,” explained Soriano. He further reiterated that the tour company, unlike other tour agencies, has been accredited by the Department of Tourism, has a working business license, and has its own buses. Monopoly In White & Blue’s September 2011, Volume VI, Issue 1, a high ranking official of the Union of Faculty and Employees of Saint Louis University (UFESLU) said that Haranah has not been performing well since it signed a contract with the university to monopolize the field trip services in the university. The informant claimed the travel agency’s services “has been deteriorating” and violating contract agreements when it agreed to provide tour packages to SLU exclusively.
Shauna Indra Salina Curran
photo by Topper Capuyan Ballola Fotos
Although falling short of Miss SLU Centennial crown, fourth year Mass Communications student Shauna Indra Salina Curran bagged this year’s Miss Baguio title after representing Barangay Bakakeng Norte. Filipino-British Curran, who understands both Iloko and Tuwali, a native Ifugao dialect, bested 12 other contestants in the highlight of the month long celebration of the 102nd Charter Anniversary of Baguio City conducted last Sept. 30 at the Baguio Convention Center. “It was a great experience. I learned not only how to be a beauty queen but also how to better myself,” Curran said.
Nelia Gahid
and
Road to title The contestants, after being screened from representatives of 129 barangays in the city, were exposed to different activities and trainings. To promote known tourist spots of the city, an ‘amazing race’ was held which incorporated stops such as proper waste segregation. According to Curran, it was also a way of promoting physical fitness. The Talent Night was held the next day, Sept. 25, at the Baguio Country Club where the contestants impressed the judges with their variety of talents. Meanwhile, the contestants also underwent tribal wear and swimsuit pictorials by Babes Studio and Ron Garcia Photography. Ambassadress of Goodwill Born June 22, 1991 to Bruce Curran and Angelie Fortunato, Curran now officially represents the city as an ambassadress of goodwill to promote its programs, projects, or activities. “Being an ‘Ambassador of Goodwill’ is having the responsibility of building friendship with other people and inspiring others to simply enjoy the beauty of life,”said Curran. She added that the responsibility also includes sharing her knowledge
Neil Edson Torres about the culture and tradition of the city and its people to promote tourism. When asked how she prepared for pageant, Curran said that having joined Miss Mass Communication, Miss School of Humanities and Miss SLU Centennial gave her the knowledge to become a ‘beauty queen’ which includes taking care of your physical appearance, being yourself and being aware of what is happening around you. She stressed that joining the pageant had been a way for her to show that she is truly “a Baguio girl and a good product of the city, and to thank the people of the city for being part of her life”. “The best thing about the pageant is that I gained friends. We are all different in our own ways but we managed to be one family,” Curran said. Ordinance No. 30 of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Baguio City mandated the Search for Miss Baguio or Binibining Baguio or any similar title in the City of Baguio which shall be held every year on the occasion of the celebration of the city’s Foundation Day. This year’s Miss Baguio pageant is a step to professionalizing pageants in the city. Curran received a check of Php 50,000.00 as prize.
NEWS 3 th Tanghalan nominated fourfold in 24 Aliw Awards W hite &B lue
volume xvi issue i december 2011
by
Banoar Abratique
Tanghalang SLU raised the bar for theater groups in Northern Luzon after it materialized in four categories as nominees in the 24th Aliw Awards for its production, “Ang kagila-gilalas na buhay ni Lam-ang.” Two-time Aliw Awards Nominee and TSLU Director Dan Rommel Riopay was nominated Best Stage Director for Non-Musical Category together with several topnotch Filipino stage directors like Tony Mabesa of the University of the Philippines Playwrights Theater, Jomari Jose and Paolo O’Hara of Virgin Labfest 7, and Pepito Sumayan of the Mindanao State University. Mabesa, who was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for the 24th Aliw Awards, won the best director with the play, “Fake.” “It was overwhelming to have my name beside [Tony] Mabesa as a co-nominee,” Riopay said. “It was a humbling experience for me.” Mabesa is a nationally acclaimed veteran artist, multi-awarded director, playwright and theater actor. Meanwhile, fourth year School of Accountancy and Business Management student James Anthony Mallari, under the screen name Chase Cervera, was nominated as Best Actor for a NonMusical Play for taking on the role of Lam-ang. “Hindi ko [akalaing] isa ako sa pinaka-magaling na stage actor sa Pilipinas,” Mallari told White & Blue. [I could not believe that I’m one of the best stage actors in the Philippines.] He was aligned with Teroy Guzman of the UP College of Arts and Letters, Mario O’Hara and Bembol Roco of Tanghalang Pilipino, Cris Pasturan of Virgin Labfest 7 and renowned movie director Joel Lamangan, who won the award. “Pinaghandaan talaga namin ang Aliw Awards. Naging inspirasyon din namin ang pagsusulat ni Dennis Teodosio [writer of “Ang Kagilagilalas na Buhay ni Lam-ang”] para maipakita namin na deserve naming
Grandslam. Award-winning Tanghalang SLU, the resident theater company of the university, presents “Pagninilay-nilay: Ika-limang yugto” on Nov. 18 at the Center for the Culture and the Arts Theater. The group brought home four nominations from the prestigious Aliw Awards held this year. photo by Ivan Gedrick Lopez
manominate,”Mallari added when asked on his preparation and inspiration. [We really prepared for the Aliw Awards. We found inspiration on the writing of Dennis Teodosio to show that we deserve our nominations.] In the group categories, “Ang Kagilagilalas na Buhay ni Lam-ang”, a recreation of the Iloco epic “Biag Ni Lam-
Poor women get cash from trash by
ang” by Dennis Teososio, was nominated for Best Non-Musical Production while, for the second time around, Tanghalang SLU was nominated for Best Cultural Group. Last year, Riopay was nominated Best Director for Musical Production Category for the play, “Zwardeenah,” making this his second nomination in
the Aliw Awards. TSLU alumnus Rey Angelo Aurelio who played Zwardeenah was also nominated last year as Best Actor for a Musical Production. Tanghalang SLU is the only studentbased theater group to be nominated in the Aliw Awards, aside from Dulaang UP, who are considerably professionals according to Riopay. “If it’s purely
CCA embarks on first European tour
Cheri Danielle Leyaley
The Ecolodians of Saint Louis University armed the 20 poorest women of Barangay Lourdes Extension with ecologically-sustainable livelihood opportunities in three sessions last semester to advance its vision, “Saving Earth, one Person, one act at a time.” “[We] believe that Ecolodians can do more than conducting environmental seminars and other activities within the campus and I want them to go out the comfort of the university and get involved outside where help is more needed,” said Ecolodians president Valerie Buaquen. Through the efforts of the Ecolodians, the women were trained by the Imelda Village Barangay Livelihood Organization to produce marketable goods through old newspapers and magazines to help them raise funds for their families last Sept. 18, 25 and Oct. 9. The products of the women were exhibited on Dec. 11. “Hindi man kami nag-provide ng pagkain o damit sa mga beneficiaries, tulad ng ginagawa ng iba, we provided the residents benefit [that is] long term,” Buaquen said. Buaquen added that they targeted women, because many are not able to
finish their schooling and receive lesser opportunities in acquiring jobs especially jobs that do not entail degrees, like in construction and janitorial that prefer males. She also pointed out Baguio City’s ecological issues including abortive solid waste management processes as the criminal of the notorious Irisan trashslide. Avoiding these kinds of unfortunate events is one of the objectives set by the Ecolodians in implementing the project. “It can even be a source of living for them, plus, they can share it [also] to others,” she added. Ecolodians, a contraction of “Ecological Guardians”, is the only university-wide environmental student organization founded two years ago by Ronaldo Felizco, who incidentally founded the College of Accountancy and Commerce Ecological Society now known as the Green Core Society. He is currently the senior adviser of the Ecolodians, together with other instructors from the School of Natural Sciences.
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Chic trash. Ecolodians own the runway as they ramp their outfits made of recycled materials during the E-Fashion Show held at the Otto Hahn AVR on Nov. 26. photo by Ivan Gedrick Lopez
By Joshua Ganay
The Civil Engineering Law of the Philippines may just be history as five separate bills seeking for amendments on the Republic Act No. 544 are pending in the Congress amid architects crying foul over certain parts of the proposed law.
Centennial metamorphosis. The Diego Silang Building signage receives a fresh coat of paint, as part of the series of improvements done on the university’s various infrastructures. photo by Levin Ace Danganan
version, that civil engineers are “unqualified and disqualified by law due to [their] lack of academic and sub-professional training” in the architectural planning and design of buildings. The position letter also stated that civil engineers have a “clear lack of professional qualifications and innate capabilities, attitudes, and values necessary for lawful practice of
Diane Migallon
With the help of former Saint Louis University president Rev. Fr. Paul Van Parijs, twenty eight Center for Culture and the Arts performers showcased their talents, this time to a different audience, during a tour of Belgium which lasted from Oct. 16 to 24.
Architects claim CE bill vague
Claims from the United Architects of the Philippines and the Professional Regulatory Board of Architechture say the bills contain “vague and general words” such as plans and buildings that may lead to “confusion and crossboarding of civil engineers to the practice of other building professionals already protected by [the] law”. PRBoA also asserted that the senate versions of the bill, SB 2770 introduced by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, and SB 2109 filed by Sen. Francis Joseph Escudero, seek to give civil engineers the exclusive professional privilege of preparing, signing, and sealing architectural documents. The Board said, in the official PRBoA position on the said Senate
students, then it’s [Tanghalang] SLU,” he added. The Aliw Awards is one of the most prestigious award-giving bodies who recognize outstanding individuals, groups and productions nationwide in the performing arts industry. The awards night was held on Nov. 8 at the Resorts World Newport Performing Arts Theater.
architecture in the Philippines”, citing R.A. No. 9266 or the Architecture Act of 2004. However, recently, Lacson deferred his version of the bill to give way to Escudero’s SB 2109. Why change present CE Law The proposals for the new Civil Engineering Law made clear in an explanatory note saying the law was last amended at least 49 years ago.
With the number of civil engineers in the Philippines growing to over 100,000, there is a need to incorporate globalization and cross-over practice in the profession, says Escudero in his own version of the bill. The proposed law also seeks “to attune the [existing] law to national development need and to upgrade the level of competence of the civil engineers”.
The series of shows, known as “SLU Centennial Cultural tour to Belgium,” included full performances of Filipino song and dance medleys. Neo-ethnic dance drama Inglay and the cultural show Pamana also made it to the cut. Parijs, who arranged the tour, said in a personal e-mail to CCA Director Rebecca Nulud: “The CCA group has made SLU known all over Flanders and Brussels. They performed extremely well.” “Father Jess [Hechanova], you may be proud of them!” he added. Parijs was the fifth president of SLU, who preceded incumbent president Rev. Fr. Jessie Hechanova. The group visited various places in Europe such as Saint Remigius Church, a church used by the Filipino community in Brussels, and the Catholic university of Louvain in Kortrijk, West Flanders. Eleven members each from the Dance Troupe and the Glee Club, and six Tanghalang SLU members made the tour. They were supervised by Nulud, with assistance from Normita Pablico, music coordinator, Dan Rommel Riopay, stage and theater coordinator, and Mark Anthony Erquiza, technical coordinator. Dr. Wilfred Vanhoutte, SLU’s chief academic coordinator, pitched in the tour as the group’s interpreter and escort. The Center for Culture and the Arts is the resident performing group of SLU. It aims to bring not only entertainment to the public, but also to provide a wide understanding of art and culture that has been preserved for the next generations to understand.
The latter can be made possible, according to the note, “by peer recognition of specialization in civil engineering, by continuous professional development, and by strengthening the accredited professional organization of civil engineers”. At present, the accredited professional organization of civil engineers is the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers.
4
NEWS Campus press freedom takes teeth with new bill
W hite &B lue
volume xvi issue i december 2011
Grace and Rhythm. SLU Dance Troupe awes the audience with their interpretation of various dances during their show “Step by Step” on Nov. 16 at the university’s resident theater. photo by Orange Happee Omengan
by
Banoar Abratique
and
Henri Lomeus Ching
With the increasing number of repressed campus journalists, two congressmen seek to protect and strengthen press freedom in schools with the new bill they filed before the 15th Congress that repeals the virtually toothless Campus Journalism Act of 1991.
Number of board topnotchers up by
Henri Lomeus Ching
Along with the surge in board examination passing rates, the number of Louisian board topnotchers went up by two by the second half of the year. As of press time, 10 Louisians made it to the Top 10 of board examinations taken at the latter part of the year compared to its earlier counterparts taken last January to early June, where only eight topnotchers were recorded by SLU. Three of the 10 are radiologic technologists, two each from pharmacists and nurses; and one each from electronics engineers, social workers, and elementary teachers. Ranking higher and adding one for the November 2011 Licensure Exams for Radiologic Technologists, RT roped in three of its passers at the Top 10 with Grace Jimeno, Luisito Boado and Jolyn Lampesa landing at 4th, 5th and 6th places respectively.
SLU Pharmacy, comparing to its last two board examinations which recorded no topnotcher, had this year Vladimir Guillermo who ranked 4th and Jill Marie Arabia at 8th during the June 2011 Board Examinations for Pharmacists. Continuing the tradition of filling names at the Top 10 in board examinations for nurses are Catherine Go and Mary Jane Ocampo who landed at the 7th and 10th places respectively. Meanwhile, Janelle Esconde of electrical engineering and Jireh Lyn Altiyen of social work both ranked at 6th places in their respective licensure examinations, and Marie Cortes from elementary education filled the 5th spot last September. Topnothers for the board examinations for architects, electrical engineers, geodetic engineers, mechanical engineers, medical technologists, and secondary teachers listed no SLU graduate this time, compared to their respective immediate previous results.
Filed by Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino and Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino, House Bill No. 4287 or the Campus Press Freedom Act will make contribution of publication fees mandatory and penalize individuals for violating campus journalists’ right to free speech. If passed, individuals who restrain campus press freedom may be fined P100,000 to P200,000 or imprisoned for a year to five years upon conviction by a court. If the offender is a juridical person such as educational institutions, the penalty shall be imposed on the individual responsible for the violation. Private educational institutions’ license to operate may also be revoked. The authors believe that the Campus Journalism Act (CJA) of 1991 is flawed and is being used to attack campus press freedom instead of protecting it, pointing out the cases of closed student publications and dismissed editorial board members. Student press suppressed The College Editors Guild of the Philippines reported 279 cases of campus press freedom violations in 2008 which is double the number of cases reported in 2006 and 2007. In 2010, CEGP has documented 204 campus press freedom abuses from more than
42 of its member publications. Student publications have been experiencing assaults on their rights to expression like harassment of student writers and editors, interference with editorial policies, censorship of editorial content, withholding of publication funds, non-collection of publication fees, padlocking of publication offices, closure of student publications, and unfounded suspension or expulsion of student editors and writers, according to CEGP. “Such attacks continue because of the flawed nature of Republic Act 7079, or the Campus Journalism Act. School administrators are able to commit offense after offense yet suffer no retribution due to the lack of penalty clause,” Palatino said. According to CEGP, several student publications closed down immediately after the passage of the CJA of 1991 including The Quezonian of the Manuel L. Quezon University, Ang Pamantasan of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and White & Blue of the Saint Louis University. Presently, all these publications are operating. Student press frozen Meanwhile, Palatino pointed out that a non-mandatory collection of publication fees is tantamount to
a budget freeze, as evidenced by the cases of The Catalyst of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and The Perspective of the University of the Philippines – Los Baños. In the case of PUP, the editors had to personally source out funds after the school administration stopped collecting publication fees from the students because of articles published exposing a proposed P250 developmental fee. The PUP Board of Regents was forced to retract its proposed fee increase after the articles incited almost 1,000 students to protest. Similarly, upon the order of UPLB’s Office of Student Activities, regular publication fees of The Perspective were impeded because “agreement on the collection of fees is not yet finalized”. The administration invoked the CJA of 1991 as a justification. In its explanatory note, Palatino and Casiño described this relationship between the school administration and the campus press as “adversarial” due to the commercialized system of education. The two authors believe that the CJA puts student journalists “at the mercy of school authorities” and that the loopholes of the law are subjected to “malevolent interpretation [used] to kill the student press”. With the passage of the bill, the solons hope to have a law that “genuinely upholds campus freedom”.
Double celebration... from page 1
The third day of the celebration of the centennial culmination and the launching of the sesquicentennial of the CICM, Dec. 3, was commenced by the Centennial Run for Hope which started at Burnham Lake Drive. Even if it rained, about 1,300 runners braved the run organized by the SLU Sunflower Centennial Halfway Home for Boys and Marketing Mixers. “We’re happy that majority (of the registrants) came,” Mrs. Marife Posadas, adviser of MM, said. The run was immediately followed by the day’s opening program at the Melvin Jones Grandstand which featured the SLU Marching Band and the Glee Club among others. Unlike the previous years, the Handog ng SLU sa Baguio at Melvin Jones was less filled with booths, which were limited only to those who registered at the Student Affairs Office.
Booths of some schools were also noticeably lacking. Food booths dominated the fields while medical services offered by the schools of Nursing, Natural Sciences and Nursing were given to interested Baguio residents and Louisians. By six in the evening, the lantern parade started at the upper Session Road. All the schools of the university including the elementary and high school departments outshone each other with their creative Christmas lanterns. Accompanying the faculty and students of school were their representative mascots who entertained the spectators. While stars and cubed lights held the majority of the designs in the parade, the School of Engineering and Architecture took a divergence
with their Star Wars-inspired concept, and the School of Medicine with their colorful parasols. SOM defended their championship in the Christmas lantern contest, seconded by the SEA. The School of Teacher Education, School of Humanities, and School of Nursing landed at third, fourth, and fifth place respectively. SOM was the night’s take-all winner as it also bagged the first place in the Landscape Contest, followed by the School of Natural Sciences, Hospital of the Sacred Heart, SEA, and the SLU Libraries. SLU also treated its employees and their families on Dec. 4. Games and food were provided for the enjoyment of children and their parents alike. The SLU Centennial Village at Brgy. Kamog, Sablan, Benguet was opened for visitors from Dec. 2 - Dec. 4.
Labor issues hound SLU... from page 1
the class would not be dissolved and the instructor would still have the additional work load. In cases where an instructor has no teaching load, UFESLU proposed that the faculty member should be required to do a paid summer in-service work. Equivalent units would be given to curriculum development, syllabi upgrading, research work, module making, and other works related to their field of teaching. A few years ago, general education teachers were permanently assigned to specific colleges. With this, there was no problem on summer loading since deans of specific colleges would have to offer subjects for their general education teachers during summer. For instance, a general education math teacher assigned to the School of Natural Sciences will always be given a full nine units during summer term since the dean has to offer a basic mathematics subject during summer. At present, general education teachers are now placed under the supervision of a specific school. The supervision, evaluation, and assignment of the faculty would now be under the discretion of their specific colleges. The Union also recommended that freshmen of schools that are fully loaded, such as the School of Nursing and School of Natural Sciences, should be allowed to take basic subjects offered during summer before their first semester to greatly reduce their stress and load. With this, general education teachers would be given the chance to receive additional teaching loads. ‘Across-the-board’ salary increase For every tuition fee increase, the increase in the salaries of the employees
was computed through the percentage system. Suppose the tuition fee increase is five per cent, the increase in the employees’ salaries will also be five per cent. Granted that a faculty’s monthly salary is 10,000 pesos, 500 pesos would be added to his salary totaling to 10,500 pesos a month or if the faculty receives 60,000 pesos every month, his salary would also increase by 3,000 pesos. UFESLU pointed out that some employees find the scaling of their salary increase unfair and insist that the increase should be “across-the-board”, meaning, if the SLU administration so desires, a specified amount (say 1,500 pesos) should be given equally to all employees regardless of salary earned. Revisiting the 2008 Holiday Pay UFESLU filed a case against the SLU Administration for the non-payment of Holiday Pay during the Holy Week (Mar. 21 and 22) and Independence Day ( June 12) in 2008. The case reached the Court of Appeals (CA) and was eventually referred to a mediator accredited by the CA. Nearly three years after the case was filed, the mediation reached a decision favoring UFESLU, which led to a compromise agreement between the Union and the SLU Administration. In effect, the Administration agreed to pay the affected faculty members an amount corresponding to only two holiday pays. The payment was initiated early this year, according to the UFESLU official. However, some of the said faculty members were already retired by then. “That’s the funny thing about it.” he said, “What the Union did was find ways and means to locate them [the retired faculty members] so that they will receive their pay.”
Time-pressured. Supreme Student Council President Albert Francis Abad lectures the functions, responsibilities, and duties of the student body’s elected officers on Nov. 20 at the Center for the Culture and the Arts Theater. photo by Ivan Gedrick Lopez
Board passing rates... from page 1 an 81.82 per cent passing rate during the June 2011 Board Examinations for Architects, beating its 65 per cent performance last January, and landing it at 3rd place in its bracket of 20 or more examinees. Almost tripling its previous passing rate, SLU graduates of Electronics Engineering in the October 2011 Electronics Engineering Board Examination handled a 44.57 per cent passing rate, compared to 15.03 per cent November last year. On the other hand, 66.67 per cent or 64 out of 96 Electrical Engineering graduates of SLU passed their September 2011 Board Examination, 8 per cent higher than the national passing rate of 58.02 per cent, and 22 per cent higher than the University’s mark last April for the same examination. Placing 6th among top performing schools out of 38 medical schools in the country, the University’s medicine
graduates pulled off a 92.45 per cent record on its August 2011 Licensure Examination compared to its previous 88.89 per cent and 75.32 per cent national passing rate. A 22 per cent increase in the passing rate was also recorded by the University during the June 2011 Licensure Examination for Social Workers. The University had a 97.50 per cent mark for the said examination. Meanwhile, passing rates for teachers went up. For elementary teachers, the School of Teacher Education recorded 83.33 per cent compared to its previous 79.29 percent. Secondary teachers likewise attained a higher passing rate,72.11 per cent, which is more than twice the national passing rate of 26.28 per cent. At the bar and down Board exam results for the university’s Chemical Engineering graduates continued turning sour as
the November 2011 Board Exam result dropped to 32.43 per cent from 58.33 last April and 62.86 November of last year. The result was lower than the national passing rate of 47.18. Also dropping are the results of Mechanical Engineering Board Examination which landed at 78.75 per cent from 92.59 last year. Moreover, the University was slashed from the list of top performing schools in the country. Meanwhile, SLU nursing graduates did not manage to maintain a 100 per cent passing rate as they slipped to 98.50 per cent last July though SLU still placed as the 7th top-performing school. The University’s Geodetic Engineering graduates, on the other hand, sustained a 50 per cent passing rate.” Passing rates were one criterion in Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings, where SLU was one of its Top 201+.
NEWS
W hite &B lue volume xvi issue i december 2011
photos by
5
Rina Paula Burgos, Ivan Gedrick Lopez, Levin Ace Danganan, Orange Happee Omengan
SSC Congress on slow pace...
The Winged People “Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth.” I really found this quotation by Henry David Thoreau very interesting. It is funny, yet rooted in the absolute truth. Funny if you try to literally picture the world if man lived with wings, flutters them like a bird, flies in a graceful or stealth-like manner. It would be chaos all around! No border-control, no passport. We could go wherever whenever we want. But, like birds that tire and rest on land, we too may as well live in either land or air. But, unlike the small birds swooping in the sky, these winged men have one thing that accompanies even the youngest of mankind: destruction. And that’s where the truth dwells in Thoreau’s words. Why, in the name of Mother Nature, does man always do something to anything in his path, like a tornado ravaging a barn house and sending it to oblivion? Can man change and make a difference? Honestly, I don’t know the answer. Maybe you do. I am still amazed on how people in Singapore manage to live up to their ‘No Littering’, ‘No Spitting’, ‘No Smoking’ and other ‘No…’ policies in one of the cleanest countries in the world. How can Filipinos cope if presented with such absurd-yet-necessary laws? Have you thought that these may be a solution to all the environmental problems, even the economic problems, we are facing today? Maybe Philippines’ reserve will rise to a cost that could pay all the country’s debts to other countries and lending organizations, with all the fines paid by violating citizens. That would be a great blessing, even greater than Pacquiao’s win against Marquez! Then the Philippines would start over and
Sounds Greek To Me Joshua Ganay
may even surpass the United States’ economic status! Enough daydreaming. I do not underestimate Filipino’s discipline because I believe that all of us are brought up by rigid training to have respect to others, to religion, to the government, and to nature. But the lack of information and laws with teeth enough to scare the wits of even the most vicious violators are some of the factors that contribute to us being complacent in preserving nature and doing things that are necessary for development. We become unaware of the effects of the selfish acts we do. Take for example the neverending vandalism. The “Bawal magvandal dito” graffiti alongside Berta engravings in the desks of our chairs make me smile every time I see one. It’s so ironic seeing such message to avoid destroying the school properties blatantly violating what was written. Foolish. It’s one and the same with the issue of environment protection. There are many advertisements and laws and policies campaigning for the protection of Mother Earth yet there is no use. We decline to listen. And we even do what is opposite. Masarap ang bawal seems to be our motto. Trees die from continued violation of forestry laws, especially in the provision of illegal logging. The result:
tragic mud- and landslides that kills hundreds of people during stormy days. No more trees to absorb excess water brought about by frequent typhoons and irregular rains. Smoke replaces the fresh air due to billowing gases from the exhausts of jeepneys, tricycles, and other means of transport, amid efforts of limiting, if not eliminating, smokebelching vehicles. The result: respiratory ailments become prevalent especially in young children. Plastics and residuals and biodegradables now become one as because of the non-segregation of our wastes. The result: the never-ending problem on waste management. Since I came to Baguio to study some four years ago, I observed the trash lining up major streets of the city. It even came to a point that these piles of crap stink enough to make you cover your mouth and nose and wish you were somewhere else. A recent news article has the following lead: Because of the dedication of city officials and the cooperation of local residents to standing garbage collection and disposal policies, the city government is fast gaining ground in coming out with a lasting solution to its solid waste problem that continues to greatly affect the city’s image in the global village as one of the prime tourist destinations in the country. Great! But I’m still wondering how fast the solution being brewed finally can answer the problem. Maybe it will take still another century of planning to get the thing implemented. The bag-iws have already withered and died. Please, not the whole of Baguio. I still hope for the best for every problem has its own solution. Perhaps a better waste disposal scheme, a no-garbage policy (How long
can we live with that?), or a device to eliminate every solid, liquid, and gaseous wastes on earth. A Louisian may invent one, with constantly-churning brilliant minds walking along the corridors of our hundred-year-old university. **** Recent news says that the Philippines achieved a major feat for the protection of natural resources when the Puerto Princesa Underground Cave was voted as one of the provisional New7Wonders of Nature, along with famed Amazon in South America and Komodo in Indonesia. This will definitely boost the tourism of the country. And besides that, it will give the impression that there is still a surviving strong wildlife and nature preserved in the Pearl of the Orient. Hurrah for that! **** I guess I have to say a ‘Save the Mother Earth’-like slogan here. However, I know you know better than to read those slogans without really caring what you are reading. But know, for a fact, that the earth we are living in is just a speck in the whole Universe, but is special in a big, big way. This is where we live. Perhaps I am not just the one who says that I do not care about Mother Nature. On second thought, I am certain that I am not. But it’s time to be brave, okay, I admit I’m wrong. We need our planet. In turn, we need to make it our home. Because who wants to live in a dingy and unclean havens? You’ll do with one, if you’re a rat! **** Special thanks to my supportive classmates for ‘sticking with me through thick and thin’. Send your suggestions and violent reactions to joshuaganay@ yahoo.com.
from page 1 leadership will be successful, “If time permits,” he said. However, he stressed that their priority concern is the amendment of the internal rules of the Congress. Abando also said that the slow pace of the Congress is due to the fact that most of the members of the body are beginners in the SSC. “Halos lahat ng members ng Congress ay first-timers (Almost half of the members of the Congress are first-timers,” he claimed. He said that the present members of the legislative branch need “thorough training” on the procedures done within and outside the Congress, expressing concerns regarding the “lack of guidance” of the members of the body, especially the new ones. Until now, the Congress is still working on the appointments of members of the Student Court and the Commission on Audit. “There are only few students who are interested in joining,” he reasoned. Presently, interested students come from only the School of Humanities and the School of Accountancy and Business Management. According to him, the Student Court and Commission on Audit must represent all of the nine schools. “We have also endorsed two schoolbased organizations [to the Student Affairs Office] for their recognition as [legitimate] student organizations,” he added, referring to Muyang of the School of Teacher Education and the SLU Mining Engineering Society of SEA. He pledged that the Congress of Louisians will do its best to carry out its plans and activities in the remaining period of the academic year.
OPINION
W&B
Volume XVI issue 1
DECEMBER 2011
Where Art Thou? Leadership starts from winning the trust of your constituents. It does not end once you take your oath of office. It is fulfilled by working hand in hand with your people to serve your people. But, it seems the SSC is proving the irony of it all. After a landslide win in the election, what’s the next breaking news? The trust of the students shifted to a new party though the last SSC administration had done a good work. Perhaps the students want to test if the appealing promises will be fulfilled, or if not to try something new this school year – the reason why the starfish swept the Executive Committee lineup and left the dove scrambling for the college assembly positions. We want to remind the current SSC of how active the previous administration was. Count the seminars and activities they had spearheaded. School organizations were empowered, encouraged and supported financially to actively deliver their own objectives. By November, a clean-up drive was launched. The extended book-borrowing hours in the library, one of the concrete projects in the now hanging Louisian Charter, benefitted a lot of students. This is not to compare per se. It is only a reminder of what we expect and a challenge. A challenge – not only for the SSC, but also for the other organizations and publications in the university as well, that for the rest of the school year, we cannot sleep over our duties and responsibilities. We cannot please everyone, but we cannot also disappoint the Louisians whom we are tasked to serve.
W&B editorial
Editorial Board 2011-2012 working staff for this issue
Editor-in-Chief Internal Associate Editor External Associate Editor Managing Editor Exchange Editor News Editor Features & Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Chief Layout Artist Chief Photojournalist Editorial Cartoonist
Grellyn Paoad Henri Lomeus Ching Banoar Abratique Diana Ann Bisares Karen Joy Bangibang Joshua Ganay Aldrick Agpaoa Ivan Ferrer Neil Edson Torres Rina Paula Burgos Kyth Pallogan
Senior Staffwriters Johanna Dario, Mary Eliz Gadiano, Nelia Gahid, James Lontoc, Hazel Luy, Ace Navarro, Cedric Pascua, Gabrielle Pascual, Shiela Sandoval, Karen Smith, Rasha Faye Tulas Staffwriters Maryrose Castillo, Khirstie Evangelista, Cesar Gemino, Janice Guzman, Jermaund Junio, Danielle Leyaley, Patricia Magisa, Diane Migallon, Fremilyn Miguel,Jared Pasion, Leslie Salvador Senior Photojournalists Orange Happee Omengan, Raiza Nerissa Veridiano Photojournalists Levin Ace Danganan, Ivan Gedrick Lopez Senior Cartoonists Juno Abreu, Flora Mae Santos Cartoonist Jasper Kabigting Senior Layout Artist Junix Jerald Delos Santos Layout Artists Carlo Gatdula, June Carlo Pabaira, Orlando Angelo Santos Jr., Allana Soriano Adviser Mr. Marianito Meneses
White & Blue is a member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines and the National Council of Campus Journalists of the Philippines Rm. 06 Student Center, Saint Louis University, Assumption Rd., Baguio City 2600
Editorial Office:
Printed by
MJC Press Corporation, 1720 Pres. Quirino Avenue, Pandacan, Manila
Primary Key Oktubre 31, 2011. Ipinanganak ang pang- 7,000,000,000 na tao sa mundo.
Ikaw, ano ang numero mo? Natanong ko lang dahil napapaisip ako. Kung sakali kaya na ako ang pampitong bilyon na tao na yun, ako pa kaya si ako? Ang mga magulang ko kaya ang kagigisnan ko na magpapalaki sa akin? Sa Saint Louis University kaya ako nag-aaral? O nag-aaral kaya ako? Ilan lamang ito sa mga tanong na umuulirat sa utak ko. Kasi kung lahat pala tayo ay may kakambal na numero pagluwal natin sa mundo, gaano kaya maiiba ang ating mga buhay kung madagdagan o mabawasan ang numerong yun ng kahit kaunti lang? O maaaring isipin mo sa paraang ganito. Nagkita si egg cell at si sperm cell. (Paunawa: Hindi ako bulgar, nais ko lamang mas maunawaan ang nais kong ibahagi.) Naging si zygote. Lumaki, malamang. Ngunit nang ipapanganak na ang sanggol, ano nga ba ang nagdedetermina kung siya ay magiging gusgusing bata sa kalye o magiging prinsesa sa isang mala-palasyong bahay? Batang-kalye. Lagi ko silang nakikita. Minsan maiinis ka, lalo na kung ayaw ka nilang tantanang hingan ng pera. O kung binigyan mo na nga ng pagkain, choosy pa. Ayaw. Kung hindi ka naman sinusuwerte, mananakawan ka pa o masasaktan. Parang yung mga napaulat na bukas-kotse sa EDSA. Modus-operandi ng mga bata - buksan ang pintuan, bugbugin ang drayber, kumaripas ng takbo. Mga bata pa lang, gago na. Pero, mas nananaig sa akin ang awa. Marami sa kanila, imbes na maglaro, natututo nang magbanat ng buto sa murang edad. Kahit delikado, nakikipagpatintero sila sa rumaragasang mga sasakyan para magpunas ng windshield at makatanggap ng kaunting barya. Kapayat-payat na nga, sa sidewalk pa natutulog sa kalamigan ng gabi. Kung kumakalam ang sikmura, sa basurahan ang tungo. Kung walang makalkal na lamangtiyan, uupo na lang at maglalaway sa mga pagkaing hindi nila mabili. Sinisigawan. Itinataboy. At ang nakakalungkot, ang iba sa kanila, sa halimuyak na lang ng rugby nagpakalalango para makalimot. Kung pang-490,303,394,309 kaya silang taong naipanganak o kaya naman
Renaissance Grellyn Paoad
iba ang kumbinasyon ng egg cell at sperm cell na bumuo sa kanila, ganoon pa rin kaya ang kakamulatan nilang buhay? Tayo rin ba? Hindi ba me posibilidad na ating kapatid, anak, kaibigan o tayo mismo ang muntik nang nasa katayuan ng mga batang nasisilayan natin sa kalsada? Famine. Tagutom. Dumaranas ngayong ang Africa ng tinatayang pinakamalalang tagtuyot sa loob ng kalahating siglo. 13.3 milyong katao ang apektado. 750,000 bata na wala pang limang taong gulang ang malnourished, 320,000 sa kanila, severely malnourished. At sa loob lamang ng tatlong buwan, 30,000 bata na ang namatay sa tagutom sa Somalia. Siguro nga, umay ka na sa pakikinig ng statistika. Pero para magkaroon ng ideya, isipin mo na lang ang buong populasyon ng SLU na mangamatay sa loob lamang ng tatlong buwan. At sa susunod pang mga buwan. At sa mga susunod pa. Namamatay dahil sa isang dahilan na puwede namang mahanap ng lunas. At isipin mo uli, puwedeng muntik ka nang kabilang sa mga yun. (Isisingit ko lang. Dito ako naiinis sa mga umoorder sa restaurant na hindi inuubos ang pagkain. Kung pasosyal lang kayo o diet-dietan, bilhin niyo na lang yung kaya niyong lunukin, o kaya huwag na lang kayo kumain. Nagsasayang kayo ng grasya.) Louisians. Andito tayo para mag-aral at magpakahusay para sa isang magandang kinabukasan. Marahil, lagi kang laman ng linya para sa promissory note tuwing enrolment. Pursigidong mag-aral kahit kapos sa pera. Maaari nga sigurong mas maikling stick ang nakuha mo sa bunutan ng buhay, pero ayos lang yan, meron pa rin kahit paano. Tiis-tiis lang, makakabawi ka rin. O kaya ay nasa “hindi-ka-na-mareach” level. May dala-dalang Galaxy Tablet, branded lahat ng damit, naka-kotse, at hindi na tinitignan ang assessment kapag bayaran ng tuition fee. Rich kid. Ang suwerte mo rin naman sa sinapupunang
napuntahan mo, noh? Sana kung gaano kamahal ang mga gamit mo, ganoon din ang pagmamahal mo sa pag-aaral mo. Pero kahit ano man ang antas natin sa buhay, isa pa rin ang nagbubuklod sa atin – ang pag-aaral sa SLU. Si promissory note regular, rich kid, o in-between ka lang, lahat tayo ay nabiyayaan dahil natatamasa pa rin natin ang pribilehiyong eto. Siguro nga kung minsan, life is unfair. Kaya sa mga atin na kahit paano ay sinuwerte, pahalagahan na natin kung ano mang meron tayo na pinagkait sa iba. Malay natin, balang-araw, mula rito, makagawa tayo ng paraan para mabigyan ng pantay na pagkakataon ang lahat. Number x man siya ipinanganak o x+y cells man ang bumuo sa kanya. *** Kung nais niyong tumulong, puwede kayong makipag-ugnayan sa DSWD((63)(074) -442-79-17 para sa CAR o bumisita sa www.dswd.gov.ph) o iba pang organisasyong nag-aaruga sa mga bata dito sa Pilipinas. Maaari din namang bisitahin niyo ang website ng UNICEF (www.unicef.org). Dito sa SLU, meron din tayong sariling Sunflower Centennial Halfway Home for Boys((63)(074) 4465664 o mag-e-mail sa sluhalfwayhome@ yahoo.com ). *** “If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies; succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway… You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.” ― Mother Teresa *** Binabati ko ang mga kaibigan,kaklase, at mga guro ko sa School of Computing and Information Sciences (Paano siya isasalin sa Filipino?).Sa Kuwaderno 11 ko na lang kayo iisa-isahin. Komento? Suhestyon? Katanungan? Ipadala sa grellynpaoad@ gmail.com.
2012 na. Anong bago? Isang taon mo na’ng nakalipas.
Isang taong pagbibitter, panlalalaki, pambababae, pagpapalaki ng tiyan at paggasto. Boring na. Ikaw. Oo, ikaw na magmomoveon na daw. Ilang buwan na ang lumipas, hinahagulgulan mo pa rin ang picture niyo ng ex mo. Sweet memories daw. First date. First kiss. Pero naghiwalay. First love never dies, depensa mo. Hindi nga namamatay, pero doon ka na naglagi. Doon ka na namuhay. Nadagdagan pa pagkatapos mong makitang may kasama na siyang iba. Kakalkalin mo tuloy ‘yung sinabi niyang, “Oo, ikaw lang. Wala nang iba babe.” Tapos iiyak. Tapos magiistatus sa FB. Masaya na ang buong mundo, nagmumukmok ka pa rin. Bagong taon. Bagong pagbibitteran? Eh kasi, may pangako siya? Eh kasi, siya na? Sa pagkakaalam mo. Pero madami pang inihanda ang mundo para sa iyo. Lumabas ka ng kuwarto at gamitin mo ang nangyari sa iyo bilang isang aral. Maging masaya ka naman. Sa tingin mo ba, masaya rin mga kaibigan mong nakikita kang lagi mo na lang sinasaktan ang sarili mo? Eh kasi siya naman na talaga? Bahala ka na nga. Sino nga ba naman ako para diktahan ka, ‘di ba? Bitter. Isunod natin ‘tong pagtitipid. Isa ito sa karaniwan mong sinasabing gagawin
mo na pero hindi rin naman nasusunod. Marami kang bibilhing libro, nakukuha mo pa ring bumili ng kape sa Starbucks. Nakahiga ka sa pera? Pero sabi mo walang-wala ka na. Nagkape ka na lang sana sa bahay niyo. Buhusan mo ng asukal, isulat mo ang pangalan mo sa baso. Maawa ka naman sa mga magulang mo. Pawis mo ba ang pinambibili mo ng The Bar linggo-linggo? Ng Don Hen? Bagong taon. Bagong kayod nina Tay at Nay? Eh sa gusto mong i-please mga kaibigan mo? Na-please mo nga, wala ka namang baon kinabukasan. Eh kasi, may darating namang allowance? Ipunin mo na lang. Natatakot kang sabihang KJ? Bayaan mo. Kung mangyayari iyon, hindi sila kaibigan. Itapon mo na sila. Pero kung maiintindihan ka naman, sakto, jackpot! Mangutang ka na. Biro lang, magpasalamat ka ketdi. Mahirap na ang pera ngayon. Pero kung may mahirap, siyempre may mga mayayaman din namang nakabibili ng kahit anong gusto nila, nagunguna na diyan ang pagkain. Kaya naman, may mga nasobrahan na at kailangang magpapayat. Ang pagpapapayat yata ang namumurong resolution. Sinabi mo noon, hindi ka na kakain ng marami para naman maalis na ang bilbil mo at masuot mo na ang fitted mong damit kahit fitted naman talaga lahat ng damit mo.
Double Rule
Henri Lomeus Ching
Pero anong nangyari? Lumobo ka pa dahil panay ang kain mo pagkatapos ng mga nakadedepress na pagsusulit. Dahil party ni ganito, ganyan. O dahil may nanulot sa girlfriend mo at hindi mo matanggap at maikaila na mas may sinasabi naman ang pinalit sa’yo. Lumaklak ka. Nilamon mo na lahat. Bagong taon. Bagong bilbil? Kasi birthday ng kaibigan mo at hindi mo mapigilan ang sarili mong kumain ng madami dahil sasabihan kang KJ at “Weh? Ikaw na ba ‘yan?”?. O dahil pinapaniwala mo ang sarili mong kahit 18 ka na eh baby fats lang ‘yan? Nakailang “Promise talaga, last na ‘to. Desidido na kong magpapayat!” ka na? Masarap kasi ang bawal. Wen. Naimbag. Naimas. Naganas. Masarap ngang kumain. Pero masaya ang mabuhay. Mainam maging malusog. Hindi tayo namuhay sa mundo upang magpalaki lang ng tiyan pero para apektuhan ang buhay ng iba sa pamamaraang itinakda para sa atin. Tama na nga ang drama. (hingang
malalim) Isa pa ‘tong “Oo, mag-aaral na ‘ko nang mabuti. Promise, promise.” Tinamad ka na bang mag-aral? O trip lang? Hindi ba nakakasawa? Kung may takdang-aralin, inuuna mo pa rin ang Facebook. Si crush kasi, baka kasi nagcomment, o nagpost sa wall mo. Okay lang, inspiration. Gabi na noong inspirado ka. Kaya bukas na lang, dahil katabi mo naman si matalinong klasmeyt. Kopya ka nang kopya. Photocopying machine ka ba? Sumusuko ka agad dahil sabi nilang terror daw iyong guro. Dahil noong nakaraang semestre, lima lang daw pinasa niya. Pinasa, o lima lang iyong nagsikap? Lima lang ang naniwalang kaya nila. Ayawan mo na ‘yung guro, huwag lang iyong asignatura. Kung hindi nagtuturo, sariling sikap na lang. Bagong taon. Bagong kursong paglilipatan? Dahil hindi ka sigurado kung alin ang gusto mo? Marahil nga. Subukan mo lang, mamaya, hindi mo namamalayan, diyan ka na pala nalilibang. Kung hindi pa rin uubra, ituloy mo na lang, tapos gamitin mo ang inaral mo para makapagipon. Pagkatapos noon, maaari mo nang aralin ang gusto mo. Kung wala pa rin, agkali ka ti kamutit dita arubayan yon. Madami pang iba diyan. Ito lang ang
mga naisip kong isulat kasi sa isang punto ng aking buhay, may nagsabi din niyan sa akin. Ako mismo, naranasan din ang mga sinabi ko. Hindi ako perpekto at nasabi ko ang mga ‘to. Gusto ko lang ibahagi sa iyo ang mga payo sa akin, baka sakaling may magagawa ito sa buhay mo. Oh, ano nang babaguhin mo? Bahala ka. Buhay mo ‘yan. Binigyan Niya tayo ng bagong taon. Ang bagong taon ay isang bagong pagkakataon. Bagong pagkakataon upang magsaya. At makapagpasaya. *** Natapos din! Salamat kina Nanay Chit, Dy Franco, Ate Loiba, Ate Fayanne sa suporta, pagmamahal at pera. Banoar na idol nating lahat (sa accounting at pagsusulat), Ate Grel na sobrang galing, Ate Karen na hindi natutulog, Ate Ianne na tumatawa na naman, at Ate Rina na papayat na, salamat nang marami sa tuwa’t ligaya. Reynante Jun-jun Sansales, Joanlareng nasa labas ng probinsiya namin, Myshael Ang The Best Drumstick, Joanna Chance Passenger Idol, AngelouGee, mahal ko kayo. Rose, Ela, Ina, Kaye, Jean heto na. May, salamat sa bahay. Angal? Payo? Magsabi lang sa henlomchi@yahoo.com.
OPINION
W hite &B lue volume xvi issue i december 2011
Career Whites and Passion Blues College is the best time to commit mistakes.
I was anxious about my opening statement. I know many people will not agree with me. I know that my opening statement could be a mistake. Yet, I still made it my opening statement because I am in college, anyways. College is the best time to commit mistakes. Right now, I am committing so many mistakes in my life. I do not want to commit them when I am already old because I may already be principled. I know too, that these mistakes that I commit are part of the path that I must take to find myself. Yes, I think I am lost together with several other thousands, if not millions, of college students around the Philippines. College is the time to be lost. It may be because you’ve made drinking alcohol as your form of celebration. You could have puffed your first cigarette as a form of relaxation. Maybe it has been your habit to spend your parents’ hard-earned cash for stuff you do not really need. You might have bought clothes costing thrice as much as your tuition in one of your boring subjects. You might even have asked P10,000 from your mother when your down payment only costs P5,000 and bought rubber-flavored coffee available beside a giant bee (No Offense, My Opinion). There are so many ways to be lost but sadly, the most unfortunate way to be lost is to not know your passion. You go to school every day without any goal or vision. You wake up every day to sit in a room and watch your instructor open their lips and make sounds that do not really make sense to you. This is the sad story of many lost college students. I congratulate those who have found what they really want to be in life. I am happy that as young as 16, when they graduated in high school, they already know the path they will take – the path which will make them happy. I am happy for them who have no doubts in the course they have taken, being truly their passion and will. They are those who will become the prodigies of each generation – heroes, leaders, billionaires, zillionaires, and happy-men-and-womenwho-simply-love-what-they-do. If you’re that guy who has already found their passion in their course, better stop reading. However, in reality many students see the forest before the trees. They were so engrossed with the idea that their path
Neverland Banoar Abratique
is the path to success, money and fame – which are their criteria for happiness. Blinded by the earthly opportunities, people become lost especially students, whose dream hormones are skyrocketing and idealism, uncontrollable. Many students were forced to take courses they don’t want. I’ve heard millions of stories about how mother was a doctor and father was a doctor so you can’t be an engineer. Others were misguided. I’ve heard thousands of stories about how their boyfriend took up accountancy so they will take accountancy to or how their ate is a topnotcher in Nursing board exams so they took up nursing too. But, what’s sad is that how many youths are lost so they choose whatever course looks, sounds, feels or smells good. After a year, they will shift to another course which looks, sounds, feels or smells better. Then they will shift to another school that offers a course that looks, sounds, feels or smells different. Years and money wasted. That’s what’s happening when you’re lost. Yet I don’t blame them. Being lost is not a sin. It’s a path towards selfdiscovery. A long and difficult path filled with thorns and rocks and stones and mud with dancing purple dinosaurs and other odd creatures mocking you along the way. Anyways, you don’t really have to find yourself immediately. Sometimes, it comes by some sort of accident or magic. Example, Noynoy didn’t want to be president. He just found himself being president through some Cory Magic. College is the time to be found. I know many people who have already got their thing figured out. They pursue a career and a passion at the same time simply because their career is their passion. They also always turn out to be amazing and awesome people. Who would not be awesome doing the thing you love as a career? Yet, many still do not have their passions figured out. Many people still got their thing hidden somewhere in between their lungs. There are so many things going on in their lives it becomes
7 W&B DAHOY!
cluttered. In the end, the only way to figure out your passion is to let go of the things that do not beat in the same rhythm with your heart. Doing this is really hard though. The things you do today, especially those done consistently and continuously, often already have a space in your heart. It is hard to let go but remember, it is harder to hold on to the things that destroy the melody. The point is we have to learn to let go so that we can pursue our passion and be happy. It is hard but the pain is temporary. Hopefully too, the joy it would bring would be everlasting. This is the lesson we must learn while still in college. Let go of the chain that keeps you from being happy and find yourself. On the way, we will commit mistakes, fall down, be deceived and waste time. This does not matter. The important thing is that before you decide on anything, you reflect. This is something I have learned from all of my failures in my short life. This column, all in all, is essentially a self-reflection. At this point, here’s the realization. You can, as a person, follow a career and pursue a passion. Be a doctor and a cook or be a lawyer and a journalist. Be a scientist and a photographer. Be a CPA and an awesome CPA, if accountancy is both your passion and career. Take risks. Make decisions. Change your boring existence. Have a goal. Create a vision. Experience life. Dream big. Read, read and read. Think. Think twice. Think again. And, corny as it is, follow your heart. And Love. Right now – while you’re still in college; while it is still the best time. College is the best time to jumpstart a career. College is the best time to commit to a passion. **** “We seriously undervalue the passion a person brings to an enterprise. You can rent a brain, but you can’t rent a heart.”- Mark McCormack **** THANKS: To my parents, Zosimo and Brigida, my brother, Lakan, my sister, Sanata for helping me find myself; To JPIA for all the opportunitiesto find myself; To White & Blue for finding me; To Bionic Ate Grel, Ate Diana exponent 2, “Those-who-are-humble-will-be-exalted” Ate Karen; To Hen for being lost with me; To my friends and foes; To God for finding everything.
Bakit kaunti na lang ang gumagalaw na school publications sa SLU? Gising mga kapatid, may responsibilidad tayong kailangang gampanan. Sige, lahat na binago. Ang pintuan, binaliktad. Mga whiteboard, pinako. Ang lobby, pinalamutian. Ang mga kinakalawang na kompyuter, pwede rin namang langisan, ‘di ba? Blackboard. Whiteboard. Blackboard ulit? May galit ba kayo kay ma’am? Nag-Centennial ba? Parang hangin na dumaan lang ah. Heto na ang sinasabi nilang end of the world— 2012! Napaaga na rito sa tiles ng Devesse! Kelan pa naging deadly weapon ang laptop? Kung natatakot kayong ma-hack at magkandaletse-letse ang network ng SLU, bakit hindi na lang pag-igtingan ang seguridad nito? Yan tuloy, maraming Louisian ang gumaling sa ninja moves. Kelan pa tinawag na “shorts” ang bitin lang na pantalon? Kapag ba maputi at makinis ang legs, exempted na? Hanggang congrats na lang ba ang kaya niyong ibigay sa mga nagpapabango ng pangalan niyo? Sapat na ba ang pagbati lang sa Facebook? Buti na lang, kahit butas na ang bulsa dahil sariling gastos, nakakapag-uwi pa rin ng karangalan. -1. Para sa mga makakapal ang mukhang ginagawang libangan ang pagrirate sa mga babaeng dumaraan sa tapat ng Otto Hahn. Kaunting respeto naman, hindi naman kailangan ipagsigawan ‘di ba? Next time, ma-picturan nga at nang kayo naman ang ma-dissect mula ulo hanggang paa. May fashion trend ba sa SLU? Ba’t uso ang pagpapalit-palit ng instructor? The more, the merrier ba? Speaking of fashion, maganda bang irampa ang damit na mala-peacock? Pang-gown material ba ang dyaryong ‘to?
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.
Forgotten love and Fake philantrophy Please bear with me in these two topics. You might realize something.
Back in high school or elementary, I always answer this slum book question: “Who is your first love?” by indicating that my parents are my first love. It’s never wrong to write that. It is, for me, the best answer. But as slum books fade away and as we approach adulthood, the concept of love always means an intimate relationship with the opposite gender (I’m not pertaining to everyone). In our perception, our parent’s love we knew suddenly transforms into a love that is controlling. The teenager is blocked by the mentality that the love is never there because the parents restrict them to move and do whatever they want. To be free. To enjoy. To love. During enrollment, I remember a mother of a Louisian student lining up beside the accounting office. I was behind her at that time, and then suddenly, she asked me why I’m lining up. I said I’m lining up for my validation slip to be signed by the accounting personnel. Naturally, I asked her the same question. She was actually lining up for her daughter since her daughter was still enrolling. She said, “ang hirap magpa-aral ngayon ano?... lalo na ngayon, nasira ‘yung karinderya namin dahil sa bagyo, naku! Ang laki ng dapat ayusin, ang mahal pa kamo... pero mas
uunahin ko munang bayaran ‘tong tuition ng anak ko... nga lang medyo kulang pa kaya magpropromissory note muna ako...”. When I heard that I wonder if her daughter appreciates what her mother was doing for her. Then that question also hit me. I remembered the moments I saw papa bringing his work at home and mama having a hard time checking students’ quizzes and test papers very late at night while I don’t give a damn reviewing my notes. There are times when I ask my parents to load my cellphone but I don’t give a damn replying to their messages. There is a time or two when I am so caught up with my school activities that I don’t give a damn time asking my parents how they are doing. Yes, I forgot. Often, I forgot. Think of this. Every time you feel being a “one-day millionaire”, think of where and how that money in your pocket went to your pocket. It’s easy for your parents to hand that money to you but it’s never easy to work for that money. Every time you feel that your life is being controlled by your parents, think that you too will grow old. It’s not easy to have a responsibility; you too, will have your time having your own children. Sometimes, it is our perception that is wrong. We think that they are controlling us, but the truth is, they just care about us. Would you rather have
MockingJay
Karen Joy Bangibang
parents who don’t give a damn on what on earth are you doing? And even if they don’t show or you can’t feel that love I’m talking about, the fact that you exist in this world is a proof that you are being loved by your parents. A friend of mine said that love will never fade, it will just come up or down in a certain degree. So, if you think that your parent’s love never exists, question yourself instead if your love for them is still there. By simply saying thank you to them or remembering them not just in special occasions, I think that is a manifestation that you still remember your first love. Even if it might sound “corny”, tell them you love them. You only have them in one lifetime no return, no exchange and most of all- cannot be duplicated. I’m not asking you to push yourselves to remember that love. I’m not here to run your life. I don’t really know the relationship you have with your parents. I might be writing nonsense in your perception. Maybe, I can’t open the minds of all the people because there’s a
reason that it’s always locked. Either you agree with me or not, I still thank you for reading ‘til the last word. *** The less we see with our eyes, the more we feel with our hearts... Thank you lord for my parent. *** Fake Philanthropy Kaya ngayon para makompleto ang 1000 words: ‘eto na ang pangalawang yugto. Kailan nga ba nagiging peke ang isang kawang-gawa. Manipis lang ang linya na pumapagitan sa isang walang bahid na kawang-gawa mula sa isang pagtulong na may balat-kayo sa mukha. Kayong mga pulitiko, simpleng pagtulong nga lang ba ang ipinangangalandakan n’yong mga proyekto o isang taktika para makuha ang bawat simpatya ng mga taong inaahas n’yo. Sa mga noontime shows, pagtulong nga bang matatawag ang mga binibigay n’yong papremyo o isang paraan upang tumaas ang rating n’yo. Wala akong angal sa pagbibigay ng papremyo, kahit nga umiyak ka lang d’yan may premyo ka na ‘diba? Pero ang hindi ko maintindihan ay ang sobra-sobrang pag-asa ng tao sa swerte. Isa nga bang kawang-gawa kung tinituruan mo si Juan na maging tamad? Ikaw, pati ba naman ikaw? Tinuringang isang kastilyo sa gitna ng
kabundukan, nagbibigay ilaw sa kanyang sinasakupan. Tunay nga ba ang tulong na ibinibigay mo? Ang mga nasasakupan mong nagtatrabaho para sa’yo kasabay ng pag-aaral. Bakit kakarampot lang ang nakukuhang sweldo? Iisipin pa tuloy nila kung saan nila kukunin ang dagdag para lamang makapasok sa inyong inaamag nang kastilyo. Kailan pa naging boluntaryo ang kontribusyong ginagawang house to house. Oo, sabi n’yo kahit magkano pwede na, pero bakit kailangan pang ilagay ang pangalan at halaga ng binigay. Nahiya naman daw ako. Nahiya naman daw ‘yong pumasok na pamasahe lang ang dala. Kailan pa tinawag na kawanggawa ang gawing requirement sa bawat organisasyon ng inyong sinasakupan ang pagkakaroon ng programa upang tumulong. Hindi ako umaangal sa pagtulong pero parang may mali. Tumutulong dahil inutos, tumutulong para lang may maipresenta ka sa hari at ma-GAWARAN ng parangal? May mali talaga eh. Puputulin ko na rito. Baka ako’y papugutan ng ulo ng hari. Paalisin pa ako sa inaamag na kastilyo. *** Inaamag ka na rin ba? Magkomento, magmungkahi o magbigay ng reaksyon sa karenjoybangibang@yahoo.com
When We Can Hope Again Hope. It’s the greatest gift the P-Noy administration has given to the people. In fact it’s the greatest any president of this country has given.
Honesty pays off. Justice is possible. Hope is never lost. That’s what P-Noy has been proving to us. At first, I thought his No-Wangwang policy is plain ridiculous. I would have known how metaphorical that was—a celebrated metaphor. It’s more than just taking away an unjustified privilege the powerful have. Ironically, it’s a loud siren warning the [unrighteous] powerful that justice is coming. With a hard blow on them. At this point of our history, we should defy for once the adage, “Great things start from small steps.” We need to let the giants pay for their debts to this country. We shake the giants, the dwarves will tremble. We shake their great walls of tainted power, we could break their territories. Begin with Gloria, the master of all iniquity. P-Noy won’t let Gloria off the hook. Even when she tries so hard to gain the masses’ sympathy by faking a bad medical condition. Her doctors had spoken, perhaps because her rotten schemes and lies had already rotten their nerves, if not the least their conscience. Even if some in the government want her to just get away with every hideous
thing her administration has stormed this country. P-Noy will not let her crimes go unanswered in jail. The most, the people will not let her mock justice for the nth time. We had enough. No. We actually had too much of her Hell. Debates are now raised whether GMA should end in an ordinary jail or be put on a house arrest. With no respect to her being the ex-[illegitimate] President, I would like her to rot in a city jail fitting for a hardcore criminal (okay, no final decision is made yet so this might boil some negatives on me; but, it’s my opinion I’m entitled to tell and I’m hoping to be true). However, I will vote for putting her on a house arrest. Not that she’s some kind of a Royal Highness. Let’s take into consideration on how it would appear to the international environment how we treat our leaders. Oops. I take that back. Haha! Kidding aside, put her in jail! The Hacienda Luisita, where P-noy had withdrawn his ownership (a very good move), will be distributed to the more than 6,000 farmers. Finally. After waves and baths of blood, tears and battlecries. Did P-noy just stop there, being happy for the people? No. He ordered the Department of Agriculture to support these farmers financially and morally. Grace at his common sense. The logic. Heto ang magsasaka. Heto ang lupa. Nasa’n ang araro’t kalabaw? Nasa’n ang itatanim at pampataba ng lupa?
-poiesis flutterby
Diana Ann Bisares
It might be too early for me to say this but I’ll say it anyway. P-Noy defines a public servant in its true sense. He could be the real deal after all. Can you count how many public masters we have elected to positions? That could be like counting the stars. Ang kapangyarihan ay hindi karapatan para mang-api. Ito ay pribiliheyo para magsilbi sa nakararami. Six years is too long for a bad president but too short for a good one. The former has been proven countless times. I thought no one will ever prove the latter. P-Noy’s just done that and still proving more. Writing on such a big issue is unlikely for a student. But never for a student journalist. And never for a citizen who cares. This is not to show off that we know a lot. In fact we know so little that we venture beyond the voices of our school. Out there is a bigger Philippines. Out there is a country of our own. We write to know more. I chose to write such topic for my
column to share my happiness of finally seeing hope for the country. Hope from a powerful man, the least expected. A genuine hope from a father we have entrusted our homeland and our lives to. That does not happen a lot. I want us to hope that before P-Noy’s administration ends, education can also own the limelight of priority. One day perhaps we don’t need to prepare placards and tarpaulins that say “Education must be free!” and “Ipagkaloob sa kabataan ang karapatan sa de-kalidad na edukasyon!” One day perhaps no students have to face the raging array of armored policemen in the street as they raise their rallying calls to provide them the best quality education. Most of all, someday we don’t need to work our asses so hard on whatever job is available just to pay the ever soaring tuition. We have a mountain to hope for. Because now is when we can hope again. *** This is unrelated to the above but nevertheless bears importance. The following comments written here, please refer to photo by Ivan Lopez (Chic trash) in page 3. The intention is good: making students aware of ways to recycle trash— most unlikely through fashion. At mula rito ay tatagalugin ko na nang sakaling mas malakas ang impact. Responsible recycling naman sana. ‘Yung mga ginamit
na papel, latest issue ng White & Blue. Hindi ito reklamo nang dahil sa hirap naming gumawa nu’n kasi tinanggap naming responsibilidad ‘yun sa mga kapwa estudyante. Reklamo ‘yun kasi may mga gustong magbasa ng White & Blue pero hindi nakakakuha ng kopya. Kung sana pinahiram na lang ‘yung ginamit pangdamit. Kung sana pinalampas muna ng isang taon bago i-recycle. Masakit sa parte namin na may mga humihingi ng kopya pero hindi namin mabigyan kasi ubos na, samantalang may mga nagtatapon at nagrerecycle agad sa Papel ng Unibersidad. Ganoon na lang po ba kababa ang halaga ng ating sariling Papel? Para sana kumpleto at naging endorser ka na, sana ginamit na ring sombrero ang Kuwaderno at tinupitupi na ring accessories ang Iglap at Sapientia. Maaaring hindi po sinasadya. Kahit na. Pasensya na lang pero hindi po kami natuwa. *** Thank you to my Mama for the patience and love, to Kotoy and Kumay for the sisterly love, to Aries who’s always so smart as to wake me up from my intellectual slumber, and to White & Blue family who’s always been a real family [BunHenGrelKarenNeil]. For comments, email me at diannbisares@yahoo.com. If you could also offer me a job, my email will be so glad to receive your message. Hehe.
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It was an episode straight out of a horror movie. One evening, a young lady went to a classmate’s dormitory to work on a group project. Twelve hours later, the police found her remains dumped outside the university campus. With the hands cuffed and the mouth gagged, the bruised body had stab wounds all over. A gunshot to the forehead made sure that her parents would never see her alive again. In the course of the investigation, the Jane Doe was later identified to be Given Grace Cebanico, a 19-year old junior from the University of the PhilippinesLos Baños.
Maryrose Castillo
and
Diane Kaye Migallon
Cebanico rape-slay case is just one of the stories highlighting the dangers women are faced with everyday. Crime and Punishment In ancient history, rape was
socially acceptable, especially in times of war. Men in those societies obtained their wives through the practice of bride capture, which in some cases, was even celebrated as heroic. In this custom, a man would kidnap a woman, force her to have sex with him, and then marry her. of
However, because civilization, an elaborate
allows researchers to develop and test novel hypotheses about complex behaviors. The first kind, the ‘disadvantaged male’, is motivated to rape with no other means of securing copulations, as characterized by having a low socio-economic status and lower facial symmetry. Facial symmetry is linked positively with physical and psychological health, and men with lower facial symmetry are perceived as less attractive and as less desirable mates. Deprived of mates by normal means, some men may resort to rape. In contrast to first kind is the ‘high-mating-effort rapist’ – the aggressive, dominant and high selfesteemed type. Such rapists often may be characterized as psychopathic.
Days later, the suspects to the brutal crime were caught. With the help of his grandfather who reported what he knew to their barangay captain, bank security guard Lester Rivera surrendered. Rivera later admitted that together with tricycle driver Percival De Guzman, they took turns in raping Grace before killing her.
Another kind is the ‘specialized rapist’ – distinguished by being sexually aroused by violent sexual stimuli. They are more likely to rape a highly fertile woman than a woman who is less fertile, brought about by their possession of mechanisms that cause them to evaluate the sexual attractiveness of rape victims.
Alarmingly, the system of law based on judicial decisions, known as the common law, was developed in England. The common law has evolved since, and has been the basis of most countries. Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines defines rape as “committed by a man who shall have carnal knowledge of a woman under any of the following: through force, threat or intimidation; when the offended party is deprived of reason or is otherwise unconscious; by means of fraudulent machination or grave abuse of authority; when the offended party is under 12 years of
age or is demented.”
Meanwhile, receptive women catch the attention of ‘opportunistic rapists’, but might shift to sexual coercion and rape if women are not receptive, or if the chances of injury or retaliation by the victim, the victim’s family or society are particularly low. The last of which is the ‘partner rapist’. Females who have partners are at risk for partner rapists. As the name implies, this includes men who are motivated to rape their partners under conditions of learned and suspected infidelity. Statistics show that not all rapists are strangers lurking on dark street corners waiting on their prey; approximately two-thirds of rape cases are committed by someone known to the victim. Statistically Speaking
serial killers, rapists and kidnappers are out on the loose. But not all of them are victims of abduction. The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) reported that most of these young women who have been out of contact with their parents or guardians have been linked to gang cases. Police City Director Sr. Supt. David Lacdan cleared that most of the missing young women ran away from their families or they eloped with their lovers. These young women who are out of sight from their guardians may clearly have their own problems. Parents could give them too much pressure. They could also be being abused physically and emotionally by anyone inside of their own homes. Fleeing for love’s sake might be another reason. This could be an influence from movies and songs that encourage living the teenage dream. That is, when you love someone, you have to be with them even when you have to run away, foolishly without thinking of the consequences. With rape being the most underreported crime, there is still more to what the police hear of. This can be attributed to the fact that the stigma and the embarrassment of recalling their ordeal to the authorities can be very disturbing to the victim. The real concern is the incidents of rape or sexual assault that go unreported. With this, only six percent of rapists ever spend time in jail, which translates to 15 of 16 rapists being free men. No one is still at their safest. Road Signs Clearly, things have changed. Criminals have evolved into a more ruthless strain. Streets are no longer safe as they were before, with every nook and cranny of the place a breeding ground for bad elements, waiting for their opportune time
In Baguio City, four dozen women, aged 12 to 25, had been found missing since January 2011.
Rapists Classified Most experts believe the primary cause of rape is an aggressive desire to dominate the victim rather than an attempt to achieve sexual fulfillment. Experts also consider rape as an act of violence rather than principally a sexual encounter. Many studies have also been conducted to delve deeper into the whys of rape. Researchers have come to define several rapist types using evolutionary psychology, a tool that
Statistics in 2009 shown by the Philippine National Police (PNP), nine women were reportedly raped each day—approximately one woman is raped every two and a half hours. Metro Manila and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao have the highest and lowest rape cases, respectively. In Baguio City, four dozen women, aged 12 to 25, had been found missing since January 2011. These back-to-back cases of women missing had worried the public, with parents and guardian scared about their children going home while
to attack unwitting victims. Danger may lurk in every dark, creepy alley you turn into. Promoting the safety of everyone is a concerted effort. While authorities are strongly implementing police visibility 24/7, personal regard for safety should not stop right there. Having a heightened alert on the dangers that may happen anytime might also help. These dangers are bound to happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Being alert is the key to avoid becoming the next victim.
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Afraid of the dark? Baguio City turns into a different scene when the sun sets. Once the flickering lights from the street lamps replace the enormous fire ball in the sky, danger takes an unprecedented turn. You may be one of those hardworking students who stay until the wee hours of the night at school or at a classmate’s house. Either that or your schedule is too lousy to have had a class up the so-called ‘graveyard shift’. For whatever reason it may be, many students still go home late. And though taking one step out of the campus could be just a simple step for some, it’s a step towards a parade of mad men taking the souls of their being… for others. Though law enforcers patrol the streets at night to ensure the safety of the populace, people cannot always rely on them and hope that the moment they cry for help, they would be saved in the blink of an eye. One’s street smarts can come in handy when it comes to dealing with the complexities of the modern city. Here’s how. Sense of mind Once you are out in the streets, first thing you have to do is have an alert sense of mind. Observe your surroundings, know where you are and know exactly where you are going. Take into mind the paths that will lead to your destination. Pick one that is lighted and closest to where you need to go, and where you know most people will be walking through. Carrying a flashlight would also be helpful. Be mindful of safe spots. These are places where you can run to in case of an emergency, like police stations, a friend’s house or even restaurants or malls en route to your destination. While on your way to your destination, avoid being a phone zombie – someone who is engaged in conversations or super-important text messages that he or she does not watch where he or she is walking. Apart from being easy targets for pickpockets and muggers, phone zombies also run the risk of crashing into other phone zombies. Just like the preoccupied phone zombie, do not let the music drown you out. Keep your senses on heightened alert, especially when walking. Set the volume to a point where you still get to hear cars and passing pedestrians. Anything that distracts you from being in the moment makes you a ‘soft target’. It is also noteworthy to know that 50 percent of the time, if a predator perceives you to be a hard target, he
will look elsewhere. Also remember, there is strength in numbers. Use the good old buddy system. Keep a friend or two when going out late. In that way, you will make yourself less susceptible to mug attacks and you can keep an eye on one another. Carry your bag or purse close to you and avoid displaying your cash or expensive gadgets that may catch the attention of unwanted guests. In addition, scale down your bag. A bigger purse is attractive to a thief because he thinks you are carrying more stuff. Whenever you find yourself in a secluded place, say a parking lot, and you see someone staring at you eerily, show him that you are not someone to be messed with. Get your game face on; look as if you are a hard target. Be aware, alert and project confidence. Trust your instincts. If someone you do not know approaches you and makes you feel uneasy, be the first to go. Leave as soon as possible and avoid the person and/or the situation.
Maryrose Castillo
off the jeepney with you. If the person makes you feel perturbed, go to where there are other people. Taxi cabs are also very common and along with it is its feared reputation. When taking a cab in going home, always let someone know your whereabouts, when you expect to be home and even the plate number of the cab you are riding on. It may also be better to split a cab between you and a friend, but not a stranger. You might also want to check the cab for suspicious people inside. That may make one paranoid, but you never really know. So that when anything happens, God forbid, this information could be extremely of value to the police department. Street Ethics If someone you do not know
and
Diane Kaye Migallon
you have. And like Plants vs. Zombies, you do not just plant and plant, shoot and shoot; you should also think and strategize. If someone tries to rob you, give them what they want. It is much better to lose your belongings than to lose your life. But, throw them to a different direction of where you are going and run as fast as you can. If the person wants something more than your belongings and tries abducting you, be resourceful. Use anything you can use as a weapon. Whether be it a branch, a stone or even a trash can lid. As in anything! Even a sharp pencil can be weapons. But keep in mind, unlike a ‘zombie’,
Imagine it like a ‘Plants vs. Zombies’ game. You, the plant, must protect the brain, your life, with all that you have. This best applies in front of an ATM machine. If the person standing behind you makes you uncomfortable, leave, even if you just got there. Do not take rides offered by someone you do not know. Riding solo Still the most common used mode of transportation is the public utility vehicles. But even these have been used for heinous crimes. Reports of robbing and sometimes murder have been proven to be true. It is quite fearful to trust these means of getting home, especially when you are alone. But do you have any cheaper option? There are just limited public vehicles people may use here in Baguio City, so to start off here are some useful tips when riding a jeepney. Again, and as always, stay alert! It may be common for you to sleep during your ride home but that is the easiest target for evil doers. Do not doze off, most especially when you do not have any company. If a drunk person, or sometimes even a sober person, sits beside you and starts to bother you, loudly tell them to stop. This will put other passengers’ attention on you and some will try to help. But if these fail, ask the driver for help. Sometimes drivers will ask these people to step out of the vehicle. Observe who gets
asks, be more careful what to answer. Once you are in the streets, you never really know who is nice or bad. It is hard to be trusting nowadays, since even the ‘Ms. Goody two-shoes’ can fool you. Unless you are being politely asked for directions and only for directions, learn how to ignore and avoid. Plants vs. Zombies mode W h a t happens when you are still out on the street and all of those dark alleys just could not be avoided? It is hard to think about, but you should always be ready for the worst case scenario. Imagine it like a ‘Plants vs. Zombies’ game. You, the plant, must protect the brain, your life with all that
once you take a life, there is no more ‘play again’. Your objective here is to wound and paralyze, not to kill. A good tip from taekwondo, the elbow is the strongest point in your body. Use it for your protection. Yet, when all else fails, and someone is still on really attacking you, go into ‘flight mode’: run away as fast as you can while screaming your head off and look for open stores or crowds of people to run into. Your attacker is more likely to get out of there rather than to pursue you further. Sometimes, your voice box would fail you. So carry a whistle. It may not be known to all that whistles are now used for calling help. It is effective as it is used largely as a defense even in Western countries like the United States. It is low-cost and very efficient and probably better for a student to carry whistles rather than guns. Going back to the old ways “Do not talk to strangers” is perhaps the age-old street smart.This maxim has always been a constant reminder for kids not to trust a man giving out candies or a man claiming to be a family friend. But today, things have changed. It is not only the kids that are being victimized, even adults too. In the city alone, it ranks first in terms of crime volume with 3,190 reported cases. Nevertheless, who would forget the secret weapon aside from the street smart superpower? It must be the best and probably the most effective one of all – prayer. “For even at the darkest alleys, there are miracles, if only one remembers to pray.”
FEATURES
W&B
Volume XVI issue 1
DECEMBER 2011 Sources Pirate Flag - Andy Hertzfeld (folklore.org) The Tweaker - Malcolm Gladwell (newyorker.com) Creation Myth - Malcolm Gladwell (newyorker.com) Triumph of the Nerds: The Rise of Accidental Empires (1996) Episode 3 Steve Jobs: the short biography (allaboutstevejobs.com)
by
“It’s better the Navy.”
Rasha Faye Tulas
to be a pirate than join
The above was quoted by Steven Paul Jobs, the world-renowned founder and former CEO of Apple Inc. Apple’s cult-like following would say Steve Jobs was an inventor, an innovator, a genius and such. Critics would say he was just a pirate who stole other people’s ideas. And a pirate he was. A successful pirate. Apple’s Mac team even went as far as flying a pirate flag, with the company’s colorful apple logo as the skull’s eye patch, over their building for a time during their early years. Well, calling Steve a pirate might be a bit of an overstatement. He didn’t go about plundering other people’s ships and all that. He just made profit from others’ inventions. With their consent. But this isn’t about whether Steve was a saint or otherwise, there’s enough argument about that on the internet. This is more about Steve raising Apple to worldwide fame and success. “Creative things have to sell to get acknowledged as such.” –Steve Wozniak It’s safe to say Apple began when Steve met Woz. Steve and Stephen Gary Wozniak, more commonly known as Steve Wozniak or “Woz,” met in 1971. In 1976, Woz single-handedly invented the Apple I computer. Where did Apple I’s design come from? Woz. “I had a TV set and a typewriter and that made me think a computer should be laid out like a typewriter with a video screen.” Woz invented and Steve marketed. Woz’s personal computer gained some attention from other computer enthusiasts. Together with Ronald Wayne, Steve and Woz founded Apple Computer with funding from Mike Markkula, an Intel retiree. Their main office? Steve’s parents’ garage. Woz had come out with Apple II by then, the first successful massproduced personal computer. To cope with their growing company, they began to seek for an experienced executive. From February 1977 to March 1981, Mike Scott served as CEO. Markkula replaced him for a while. In 1983, Steve asked PepsiCola’s John Sculley his now-well-known question: “Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life, or do you want to come with me and change the world?” Sculley became Apple’s CEO for ten years. “Picasso has a saying: good artists copy; great artists steal. And we have always been shameless about
stealing great ideas.” –Steve Jobs Steve “stole” the Graphical User Interface (GUI) and the mouse from Xerox PARC. PARC (Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated), formerly Xerox PARC, was where all the innovation and development for the Xerox Corporation took place. PARC’s engineers developed a GUI which can be controlled by a mouse, but Xerox’s executives failed to grasp the enormity and marketability of it. At that time, Apple was already well known as a company. Steve proposed a deal between Xerox and Apple wherein Xerox would be able to buy a hundred thousand shares of Apple Computers for a million dollars if PARC would show them all the stuff they had developed. After some haggling, they reached an understanding. In December 1979, Steve Jobs and a few of his companions strode into PARC’s doors. “And they showed me, uh, really, three things, but I was so blinded by the first one that I didn’t even really see the other two. One of the things they showed me was object-oriented programming, they showed me that, but I didn’t even see that. The other one they showed me was a networked computer system that had over a hundred Alto
computers, all networked using email etcetera, etcetera, I didn’t even see that. I was so blinded by the first thing they showed me which was the graphical user interface. I thought it was the best thing I have ever seen in my life. Remember, it was very flawed. It was incomplete. They’ve done a bunch of things wrong, but we didn’t know that at the time. Still, though, they had the germ of… the idea was there and they have done it very well. Within ten minutes, it was obvious to me that all computers would work like this someday.” After the visit from PARC, Steve met with Dean Hovey, one of the cofounders of Hovey-Kelley Design. “I had a series of ideas that I wanted to bounce off him [Steve], and I barely got two words out of my mouth when he said, ‘No, no, no, you’ve got to do a mouse.’ I was, like, ‘What’s a mouse?’ I didn’t have a clue. So he explains it, and he says, ‘You know, [the Xerox mouse] is a mouse that cost three hundred dollars to build and it breaks within two weeks. Here’s your design spec: Our mouse needs to be manufacturable for less than fifteen bucks. It needs to not fail for a couple
of years, and I want to be able to use it on Formica and my blue jeans.’ From that meeting, I went to Walgreens, which is still there, at the corner of Grant and El Camino in Mountain View, and I wandered around and bought all the underarm deodorants that I could find, because they had that ball in them. I bought a butter dish. That was the beginnings of the mouse.” The Apple Lisa was developed with the GUI and mouse. Steve was forced out of the Lisa group, so he headed the Macintosh group. Lisa was a commercial failure and was quickly overshadowed by the Macintosh a year later. Steve introduced the Macintosh to a very enthusiastic audience in 1984.The Macintosh, invented by Apple employee Jef Raskin, was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a graphical user interface rather than a command-line interface. “My job is not to be easy on people. My jobs is to take these great people we have and to push them and make them even better.”–Steve Jobs With all the success of Apple, there were internal troubles. Steve was a charismatic talker, but the Apple employees had problems with his leadership. He worked people too hard.
Often demanding very long hours and throwing temper tantrums. Steve was also causing financial trouble for the company. In 1985, John Sculley, with backing from the Apple board, removed Steve from the Macintosh team and gave him a minor office. A short while later, Steve quit Apple. With the five top Apple managers he took with him, Steve founded NeXT Computer. His new company focused on selling software when they realized they had only a small market for their hardware. In 1997, Apple acquired NeXT and reinstated Steve as CEO. Steve revitalized Apple with his return. NeXT’s technology seeped into Apple, such as NeXTSTEP which is now Mac OS X. “Think Different” –Apple’s ad slogan. Apple branched out and introduced and worked on other gadgets. They took existing technologies and improved on them because they “truly suck.” Apple introduced the iPod in 2001 because Steve thought the other music players were unsatisfactory. The iPhone was introduced in 2007, about a decade after the first smart phones. The iMac, the iPod, and the iPhone were all designed by Jonathan Ive. As for the iPad, Steve got the idea from a Microsoft engineer. Steve tells Walter Isaacson, his official biographer, “This guy badgered me about how Microsoft was going to completely change the world with this tablet PC software and eliminate all notebook computers, and Apple ought to license his Microsoft software. But he was doing the device all wrong. It had a stylus. As soon as you have a stylus, you’re dead. This dinner was like the tenth time he talked to me about it, and I was so sick of it that I came home and said, ‘F*** this, let’s show him what a tablet can really be.’” “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.” –Steve Jobs Steve Jobs was a dollar-a-yearman. He only earned one dollar a year as Apple’s CEO, but held millions in Apple and Disney shares. In 2003, Steve discovered he had a neuroendocrine tumor. For nine months, he opted out of surgery, preferring alternative medicine. He went under a pancreaticoduodenectomy in 2004. The surgery appeared to be successful. However, a decline in his health throughout the following years was visible to the masses. In August 24, 2011 Steve resigned as Apple’s CEO. He died 42 days later.
W hite &B lue volume xvi issue i december 2011
FEATURES
11
By Cedric Pascua
O
ne of the heart’s desires is affirmation. Since time immemorial, humans have been striving to identify themselves; their peers and society playing a role in their journey of self-discovery. Over the years, humanity’s vainglory has turned into an art, with trends venturing to the realms of the unconventional and the avant-garde. Enter the world of fabric. From mere body covering, clothes have become ensigns, emblems and symbols of identity. Political ideologies, religious beliefs, and words of wisdom continuously enrich the arsenal of fashion statements. The summer of 2010 found statement shirts being strutted in the catwalk, the grand parade of printed words catching everyone’s eyes. Fueled by the need for self-expression and attracted by the playful designs, people from all walks of life have caught the latest fashion hype. The humble t-shirt is now worn – loud and proud. Commemorative Crafts Saint Louis University was one of those who indulged in this lexical livery, even tailoring ones for exclusive use. In the form of the Louisian-owned and managed Societee Co., Ltd., Louisianitee Centennial Shirts were apparently made to give back to the Louisian community. The limited edition shirts was “conceived to highlight the success of graduates” of the university and to “express Louisian pride.” These Centennial shirts had all sorts of statements blatantly spread in vivid colors. For instance, a shirt may
Sources Image from katanazstock.deviantart.com Shirt Design by Louisianitees
have “Don’t Hide the Louisian Pride” artistically printed on a plain, dark or light background. Other tops would have SLU-related designs imprinted on them, while the rest are emblazoned with white and blue, the university’s colors. What transpired a few more months later is the appearance of other commemorative items made by the alma mater itself – key chains, ID straps, mugs, pens and even note books. As with all holiday celebrations and merry-making, the university had the economy rolling to pave way for new developments and whatnot. The exclusivity of these items wooed the Louisian crowd and bored holes on everyone else’s pockets. Patriotism surged in the campus, at least, as evidence by the mushrooming of students proudly adorned in apparel celebrating the Louisian pride. Pride and prestige It is still unclear to the ordinary people in SLU of whatever happened after the grand celebration. Things went back to normal. Guards continued to patrol and keep the campus orderly. Students quickly picked up their pace in doing whatever they were expected to do, and so did the faculty. With the exception of
the newly-renovated fountain and the Christmas tree that stood sturdy for a little longer, it all seemed too normal. In a culture where the aesthetic seems to outshine the naked, prestige is stripped off its essence and clothed in pretentious pride. Folly things such as rainbow-blotting pens and waterproof stationery seem to swoon the multitudes of mainstream more than a used-up HBW for a well-written essay paper. The innovativeness of introducing something fresh seems to be preferred rather than improving the already-innovative. In a hundred more years, Saint Louis University will be celebrating its second centennial. We can never be sure then if we will keep weaving whatever we wear, or keep crafting a gamut of school-related materials. We can never be sure then if our light will continue to vivify the north or if our pride’s regalia will no longer just consist of garments, but of the prestigious name of Saint Louis University itself. Creative, competent, socially-involved, and imbued with the Christian spirit – not just in print, but more importantly in action. That is still the best fashion statement a Louisian can have.
Read a Movie Watch a Book by
Vampires have come from ink to television in True Blood and the Vampire Diaries, and the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew brought their sleuthing and deductive skills to the boob tube in the ‘70s. In 2005, Cathy Reichs’ crime novel series Bones was adapted as a television series, and rumor has it that this time, Neil Gaiman’s Sandman Series (graphic novel) will take its cue on stage. J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy, C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis Caroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Ian Fleming’s James Bond, and a gazillion other best selling novels have hit the Big Screen time and time again. Along with the boom of musicals such as Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber from Fleet Street and the massive hit of high school performers: Glee, TV and movie adaptations of pocket books, classics and even graphic novels are the fad today. More and more books give birth to TV series and movies, thus recreating both literature and screen. Movies and shows have brought characters like Jason Bourne (Matt Damon in The Bourne Identity), Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man), Sherlock Holmes (also Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes), serial killer Dexter Morgan (Micheal C. Hall in Dexter), Inspector Lindsay Boxer (Angie Harmon in Women’s Murder Club), and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson in Twilight) to life. Victorian Backtrack However, there was a point in history when this evolution in literature and screen was not dreamed to be possible. There was a time when the novel did not even garner the recognition it has today. For 18 centuries, the world focused on poetry and song as mainstream literature. It was only during the Industrial Revolution and Victorian Era that the novel became the leading form of literature in English. The best selling novels of today would not have been as popular and as widely patronized as they are if it were not for their Victorian forefathers whose legacy lives to this day; Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre by the Brontë Sisters; Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Vanity Fair: A Novel Without a Hero by William Thackeray; The Pickwick Papers, Hard Times and Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens; and of course, the very disturbing work that challenged a certain social institute: The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. In contrast to the novels of the 21st century, these novels advocated social reform and development. They were books that aimed to entertain the reader and open his eyes to the current state of society at that time; to
enlighten him. If we have a Global Recession, back then they had the Great Depression which was far worse. Problems such as poverty and child labor were at its peak because of the lack of employment [1929 in America – the most devastating stock market crash occurred (The Wall Street Crash), causing fear, vertiginous disorientation, and mass hysteria], and these books opened readers’ eyes to such injustices - books that inspired today’s generation of writers. Before digital and 3D movies, people watched stage plays, dance and opera, which had elements common to films like scripts, sets, and props. Image and sound were all live, not like films. Let’s skip a few centuries now. In the 1830 - a time when the camera was already invented, moving images were recorded and produced on revolving disks
James Lontoc, illustration
by
Flora Mae Santos
and drum known as the Stroboscope in Austria (Simon von Stampfer), Phenakistoscope in Belgium ( Joseph Plateau), and the Zoetrope in Britain (William Horner). This was merely the beginning of the century long history of film. Magic The experience of reading a book, what is it like? Well, it is like being immersed in a different world altogether. A world of beautiful words and paper and ink and imagination morphed with reality to create something magnificent and distinct. Reading a best seller is like entering the mind of another person, the author or the protagonist, and perceiving the world as he does, seeing things through his eyes, and recreating these perceptions in your own mind. It is like closing your eyes as you slowly chew on a strawberry, its flavor mixing with the taste of whipped cream;
you cannot see its taste but the experience sends sparks to your hypothalamus, telling you how delicious it is and clicking on your happy hormones. Watching a movie or TV series is similar to the experience of reading a book, but slightly different too. It is like entering the imagination of the film maker and watching as it plays out vividly before you. It awakens happiness, sorrow, excitement or fear. Film viewing is a sensual experience, where your visual and auditory senses are at their peak (your heart racing, veins filled with adrenaline) and are in sync with your thought processes. It is like watching a thunderstorm or fireworks, viewing a rainbow fresh after the rain, or a sunset at twilight; drawing out
brutally real emotions in you. That is what makes the new book-to-screen adaptation fad so special. It squares the fun; combining the two experiences, making them meet halfway and making you twice as satisfied (especially if you read the book and watch the movie too). To add to that, it gives you an opportunity to compare and contrast your’s and the director’s perspective of the same story. It is extraordinary. It is ecstatic. It is inspiring. It is magical. Experiencing this... magic... is one of the best things a person can do in this world. So whenever you can, read a movie and watch a book.
12 By Cedric Pascua
FEATURES and
W hite &B lue volume xvi issue i december 2011
Khirstie Evangelista Sources Population seven billion: UN sets out challenges(www.bbc.co.uk) UN News Center (www.un.org) 7billionactions.org Other related links
Earth’s population has just passed the seven billion mark. Yet, humanity continues to grow almost endlessly, and with it, the gripping fear of uncertainty. 7,000,000,000 – a mere number posing as both threat and triumph, but what exactly does it signify? Cause vs. Effect The 31st of October was marked as the “Day of 7 Billion” – the day which has been officially designated by the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), aimed at raising global awareness. This extraordinary moment in human history will undoubtedly have a great impact on every living person on the face of the Earth. Knowing that our planet has achieved to house seven billion gives an indirect suggestion for sustainability, urbanization, entry for health services and youth empowerment. Yet, it also offers an odd prospect to mend global commitment for a better and healthy world. As the population grows, extreme poverty, lack of food, inequality and other factors persist in many of the poorest countries. This fraction of the seven billion constitutes to the ‘bottom billion’, rendered vulnerable with little or no access to basic needs. It encompasses hundreds of financially oppressed families, thousands of malnourished children and even millions swathing in sickness. Yet, it all seems contradictory to what the other billions have – huge advancements in medicine and technology, lavish lifestyles and firearms for protection. As damned as their seemingly doomed disposition may seem, this fraction of the seven billion constitutes to the millions and billions of opportunities which can be harnessed to reach global solutions to poverty, inequity and to re-think approaches for the planet’s sustainability; the millions and billions of opportunities to conserve our already dwindling resources.
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Continuing consequences Perhaps the solution to a better and healthy world is relative. People could plan days, or event years on end – or they could act on impulse. People do a lot of things right now by means on acting on it, though they cannot even block the growth of the earth’s population in any suitable way immediately. People have gone through a lot of second choices and yet they still arrived in this kind of moment. But, they
At the same time, the population needs a speedy transformation of energy, water and material utilization through conservation, efficiency and green technologies. Yet, if they could, in some way, close the consumption gap, the significance of the numbers would be even clearer as the restrictions of natural systems are crossed. It barely lessens the importance of reducing both consumption and inequity to celebrate the fact that population growth can end without policies that restrict births, without coercion of any kind and without judgments on those who choose large families. The people are not far from a world in which the number of births roughly balances the number of deaths, based on pregnancies universally welcomed by women and their partners. The irony The world works in a paradox. It thrives in an unlimited growth with only limited resources. It flourishes infinitely in a barely finite state. It continues endlessly, even in the verge of termination. In a seemingly innumerable wave of population, which every living person belongs to, each and everyone are seemingly useless specks, limited by actions and dispositions. Yet, remember, every person in this whole wide world is the same in some way. All people are one-persons multiplied by seven billion. They may be limited by various factors, but their potential, endless and ideas, unceasing. It is just a matter of whether to act now or never.
Yet, it all seems contradictory to what the other billions have – huge advancements in medicine and technology, lavish lifestyles and firearms for protection.
Alam ko nakaka-relate ang bawat estudyante sa mga sinabi ko sa unang talata. Hindi ako sigurado pero nararamdaman ko at alam kong may ‘kababalaghang’ nangyayari sa labas ng silid-aralan. Hindi ako makakagawa ng kolum na katulad nito kung hindi dahil sa ilang mga mag-aaral na nagbibigay kulay sa bawat araw sa unibersidad. Hindi maikakailang may mga mag-aaral na matatalino, mayroon ding mga magaaral na ‘feeling’ matalino at ang iba ay sadyang umaasa na lamang sa mga matatalino. Sure Pass! Maraming kaganapan ang nangyayari sa loob ng unibersidad na hindi alam ng nakararami. May mga takdang-araling kinopy-paste lang sa internet na wala pang source para lang may mai-submit sa guro, may mga quiz papers at kodigong lumulutang na lang bigla at nakakarating sa kabilang dako ng silid dahil pinagpapasa-pasahan na pala ito ng mga magbabarkada sa klase, may mga instructors na hindi alam ang ginagawa kaya minsan ay nagpapaseatwork na lang kunwari, may mga mag-aaral ding nakakapag-facebook sa internet library dahil kasabwat nila iyong student assistant na nagbabantay at meron ding mga mag-aaral na ginagawang giant canvass ang mga upuan at pader sa silid-aralan dahil sa kaboringan ng klase o ‘di kaya’y ng
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M
uling nagbukas ang pangalawang semestre ng taong panuruan na ito at aligaga at hindi nanaman mapakali ang mga mag-aaral sa paghahabol na matapos ang kanilang mga requirements sa iba’t ibang asignatura dahil malapit na ang christmas vacation.
can put in place circumstances which can support an early end to population growth; perhaps making this year the last billion of population to mark. People can lower birth rates by confidently assuring that women become pregnant only when they themselves decide to bear a child. By providing good education and raising their awareness on issues concerning them, many women would be guided in making life-changing decisions.
Sure Pass instructor. Kung isa ka sa mga ito, at sa mga hindi ko pa nabanggit na sa tingin mo ay ‘maanumalya’, sure pass ka. Pasulyap-sulyap ka pa kunwari sa kisame ng silid-aralin niyo pero sa totoo’y lumilipad na pala ang mga ito at tangkang mag-landing sa papel ng classmate mong matalino o ‘di kaya’y ‘feeling’ matalino. Hindi ka sigurado sa sagot mo, este, sa sagot ng katabi mo. Bura dito, bura diyan, hanggang sa magmukhang basahan na ang papel mo. Medyo pass. Tinanong mo ang instructor mo kung tama ba ‘yung sagot niyong dalawa. Kung ang sabi ay ‘oo’, tsamba. Kung ang sinabi naman ay ‘hindi’, malas ka lang talaga. Mayroon pa namang ibang bagay na madidiskartehan diyan, hindi mo lang mahanap-hanap dahil siguro likas ka lang talagang tamad. Nalpas! Lahat naman tayo may kaibigan, sino ba naman ang wala, ‘di ba? Loner ka lang siguro. Pero sino kaya sa mga kaibigan natin ang masasabi nating tunay, o ‘di kaya ay ‘kumakapit’ lang o ang mga tinatawag na ‘friends with benefits’? Hindi ko alam at alam kong hindi mo rin alam. Hindi rin ako makakapagsalita ng tapos dahil lahat naman ng kaibigan ko ay tapat sa akin. Ikaw? Masasabi mo bang tapat din sila sayo? Ewan. Panahon na lang din siguro ang makapagsasabi. Medyo pass din dahil hindi tayo tiyak sa kung ano ang inihanda sa atin ng hinaharap. May mga kaibigan tayong sadyang at natural na talagang kumakapit sa atin para lang makasabay sila sa pag-akyat natin sa rurok ng ating tagumpay. And take note, ‘natin’ hindi ‘atin’. Hayaan na lang natin. Lilipas din at iyan. Kaya nga naimbento ang karmang mabuti at masama ‘di ba?
Homogenous Chikinensis Aldrick Agpaoa
Kung ayaw mo nang basahin ang susunod na bahagi na kolum na ito, ibigay mo na lang ito sa iyong kaibigang gustong magbasa nito dahil sayang naman at binayaran niya rin ito sa miscellaneous fees niya. Gusto lang niya sigurong sulitin iyong bayad. Sure pass! Tipikal na sa buhay estudyante ang magkaroon ng mga problema hindi lamang tungkol sa mga asignatura kundi pati na rin sa love life, sa pera, sa instructor na sure fail, sa facebook at YM account na nakalimutan ang password, sa ID na nakalimutan at sa iba pang mga problemang hindi naman talaga kailangang problemahin at feeling mo nanaman na problema iyon. Samakatuwid, pinapahirapan mo lang ang sarili mo. Negative stress kumbaga. Medyo pass ito dahil hindi naman talaga natin maiiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng problema. Iyon nga lang, tamad lang talaga tayo na isaulo ang mga dapat nating gawin bilang isang estudyante ng isang paaralang katulad ng SLU. Ituring ba naman itong kasali sa Top 201+ universities in Asia. Mahiya naman tayo. Normal din namang humingi ng tulong sa iba, pero huwag din tayong garapal sa paghingi nito. Lahat naman ng bagay ay may limitasyon. ‘Tayo’ dahil minsan ganito rin ako, tao rin naman – nagkakamali at higit sa lahat, tamad paminsan-minsan.
Ngayon pa lang, simulan na natin ang pagbabago sa mga sarili natin, sabi nga sa Ecolodians na T-Shirt, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’. Tama na muna ang pagre-relax relax, bawasan muna ang mga petiks-petiks moments at pagtuunan na muna ng pansin at bigyang prayoridad ang ating pag-aaral dahil ito ang magdadala sa atin ng tagumpay sa huli. Ikaw at ang sarili mo lang ang makakatulong sa’yo sa huli. Hindi madali ang mabuhay ng mag-isa, kaya naimbento ang pagkakaibigan at mabuting samahan upang madamayan tayo na ating mga kaibigan. Tayo din ang mas nakakaalam sa ating mga sarili, wala nang iba. Dahil kung ayaw mong magbago para sa iba, subukan mong magbago para sa sarili mo – dito mo matatanto na maganda ang buhay – buhay na mas malawak at mas mahirap pa sa inaakala mo. Inihahanda ka lang ng paaralang pinapasukan mo sa mundong mas malupit pa sa mga quizzes ng mga sure fail at sadista mong mga instructors. Inihahanda ka ng paaralang pinapasukan mo sa mga pagsubok na mas masahol pa sa ‘failed’ na marka sa pink form mo. May panahon pa para magbago, hindi pa naman huli ang lahat kung kikilos na tayo ngayon. Kaya nga at naimbento rin ang tamang diskarte dahil hindi na nasusukat sa talino at lakas ang mga bagay na ginagawa natin – tamang diskarte din ang kailangan para sure pass. Kung ayaw mo pa rin, nalpas! Nasa atin pa rin naman ang desisyon kung tayo ba ay uusad sa mas maganda o mananatili na lang sa madilim na wala namang kaunlaran. Maniwala kang kaya mo dahil ang mga duwag lang ang umuurong sa laban. Ilabas at kalimutan
na natin ang mga takot at pag-aalinlangan na humaharang sa atin patungo sa ating mga pangarap na alam nating mahirap talagang abutin ung hindi tayo kikilos. Parang utot lang iyan na kapag nailabas ay giginhawa ang ating pakiramdam. Para sure pass, alamin muna natin ang ating mga kahinaan at unti-unti natin itong harapin. Kung talagang kinakailangan ay humingi tayo ng tulong sa ating mga kaibigan. Pero huwag natin itong abusuhin, huwag tayong maging ‘linta’ sa kanila na umaasang bibigyan tayo ng ‘dugo’ kung tayo ay kakapit na lang basta basta. Magtulungan, huwag maghilaan pababa. Opinyon ko lang naman ang mga ito, ibinahagi ko lang ang bahagi ng nalalaman ng malikot kong imahinasyon at mapagmasid kong mga mata. Sa bandang huli ay may mga tanong na naiwan sa inyong mga isipan habang binabasa ang kolum na ito. Subukan niyo itong sagutin. Makakatulong ‘yan sa pagtuklas sa totoo mong sarili. Para sa huli ay hindi ka rin magsisising sure pass ka at hindi nalpas! ***** Maraming salamat kay Mama God sa kanyang divine intervention, kay John Nicole Mendiola Gamueda na galit pa rin sa akin hanggang ngayon, sa mga surepassers na sina Jaycob, Amir at Rollie Baby, kay inang Stephanie Ireneo, sa mga BFFs ko na hina-harass ako positively (haha! you know it guys), sa mga HTM buddies ko, sa HTM department na mahal ko talaga at sa SLU Band na tinatanggap ang mga excuse letters ko at sa tuition fee na rin. Salamat salamat salamat! ***** Sure pass ka ba? Ibahagi mo naman sa chikiness_32892_goddess@hotmail.com
Entertainment T he Dance of
INGL AY by
Diane Migallon
W
ithin the walls of the Center for Culture and the Arts, another story takes place. A story which dances with love and friendship, with betrayal and war, and with love and its consequences.
From the mountains of Kalinga and Mountain Province comes the story of how two tribes made war because of a woman. This is the story of Inglay. It starts with a rhythm The story, as narrated by Amphosan (Madelaine Chrystene Valencia), begins in the Mountain Province when Inglay(Golda Meir Soriano and Keycy
Buan) was born to Lengwa(Generoso Rillon), the tribe leader, and his wife Ligawa( Joy Marie Perez). The tribe lived in peaceful place. As she grew up, Inglay became fond of wandering off to places beyond the mountainous regions of her home. During one of her wanderings, she discovered a path no one else in her village knew about. The surroundings were alien to her and it was too late to run when she noticed a python lurking behind her. Inglay was trapped when her hero appeared. Appearing like a flash of lighting with a spear in hand, the stranger fought the monster. Failing to pierce it with his spear, the stranger wrestled the python instead. Of course, the stranger
managed to kill it. However, the warrior was injured during the fight, leaving Inglay to take him to her village. When the warrior was finally well, he introduced himself as Wanawan( Jarvis Aboy), son of Dongdongan(Rufo Nilo Maltu Jr.), chief of the Kalinga tribe. Inglay fell in love with Wanawan. She was disappointed to hear that he was from another tribe, but Lengwa surprised her by telling her that he was old friends with Dongdongan, which would mean that Inglay could marry Wanawan, after all. The wedding ceremony was a joyful one. Happiness flourished between the two tribes, celebrations occurred everywhere. And all was well… for a time. The couple still had no child. Inglay was barren. Barrenness was not acceptable in their culture; separation was the consequence. Wanawan married another woman—Edonsan(Crystal Jayne Quiambao), a Kalinga native. Inglay was furious. Upon hearing that Wanawan and Edno-
san had produced an offspring, Inglay stole the child. When Wanawan realized that the crime lead to no one else but Inglay, he and the Kalinga warriors set out for war. They soon reached Mountain Province. When it was revealed that Inglay stole Wanawan’s child, the two tribes clashed. It ends with a bang Spears struck shields where they didn’t find flesh. One by one, the warriors fell. Spears were flying from all directions. As a spear was about to strike Wanawan, Inglay used her own body to protect the man she loved most. Inglay collapsed in Wanawan’s arms. Dying, she confessed her crime and asked for forgiveness. Their surroundings were quiet. There were no longer shouts or sounds of weapons. Everyone watched as Inglay spoke and died. Her death ended the war and a peace-pact was made between the two tribes. The dance drama The dances offered a wonderful element to the dramatization of In-
W&B
Volume XVI issue 1
DECEMBER 2011
glay’s story. The choreography, from the fight scenes to the drama of love and its barriers, gave such strong emotions that seemed to envelope the audience. Whether it be love, hatred, or sadness, the performers’ movements conveyed how the characters are feeling. The stage setup, with the mountains and the thick forests, also gave vibrancy to the story. It gave a good visual concept of the two tribes’ culture. Dancing with the stars Inglay, a neo-ethnic dance drama written and directed by Sir Dan Rommel Riopay, has truly shown the wonders of the different cultures of the tribes of Kalinga and Mountain Province. Using different style from the usual theater play, Inglay proved to be one of astonishing plays presented by Tanghalang SLU along with SLU Dance Troupe and SLU Glee Club. With stories like Inglay, we are taught of the value of peace through diversity. No matter how different two tribes—or two people can be, peace can always be achieved between them.
SPORTS
W&B
Volume XVI issue 1
DECEMBER 2011
1,300 ‘Run for Hope’ amid rains
by
Henri Lomeus Ching
Roughly 1,300 Louisians and Baguio residents joined the Centennial Run for Hope on December 3, an event staged for the benefit of the SLU Sunflower Centennial Halfway Home for Boys. The Centennial Halfway Home is an extension program of SLU providing the essential needs of abused, abandoned and neglected boys aged five to 17. According to Faridah Kristi Cabbigat, Assistant Director of the Halfway Home which holds to date seven beneficiaries, the proceeds “will go a long way especially for the boys’ basic needs: food, clothing, and shelter”. “Nagpapasalamat po kami sa mga taong tumulong po sa amin lalung-lalo na po ‘yung mga SLU Fathers. Malayo po ang mararating ng mga tulong na ‘to sa amin” (“We are thankful to those who helped especially the SLU Fathers. Their help could go a long way.”), one of the boys taken care of by the Halfway Home said in an interview with White & Blue. Majority of the 1,500 registrants came even when rains poured at six in the morning at the starting point in Burnham Lake Drive. “We are really waterproof Louisians!” said Mr. Andrew Macalma, Associate Dean for Men, while hosting the awarding ceremony. Winners The run awarded winners for the 3-kilometer, 5-kilometer, and 10kilometer categories, which had their respective turning points at the Military Cut-off, Old Tree, and First Cemetery. Rogie Rubang left his rivals in the 10-kilometer Men’s category, posting a fastest time of 43:10. Behind and almost simultaneous were Nathaniel Balagan and Richard Ulat, who finished the run with 51:40 and 51:41 on the clock, respectively. Clutching the top spot for the 10kilometer Women’s Category with 59:59 record time was Che Alberto, while landing at second and third places were Emily Ramos and Anna Salazar who finished the race at 1:25:11 and 1:25:43. For the 5-kilometer Men’s category,
Footloose. Runners brave the cold morning mist and the rain to help children in need of special protection during the second staging of Run for Hope on Dec. 3. photo by
Mar Vincent Mendoza clocking 23:00 ended first, followed by Gremil Galut and a certain Runner 0522 with 24:55 and 25:46 in the watch. Maribel Bogbog, meanwhile, ensnared with 33:30 the first place of the female category of the 5-kilometer run. With 35:49 and 35:41, Marife Omaweng and Shinder Rainbow Bogbog followed behind. Mark Gimenez bested others in the 3-kilometer male category recording 13:48. Trailing him were Jalenguiro De
Rina Paula Burgos
Castro and Jerick Pakias with 14:04 and 19:50. First placer in the female side of the 3-kilometer run was Janice Guzman, with 20:01. On track with 21:37 and 22:55 were May Rose Avilez and Elinemar Raquindin. Awards were also given to the Mr. and Ms. Body Beautiful, Face of the Day, Mr. and Ms. Fashionista. Centennial Run for Hope family – Barlis family, oldest runners Raul Apilado and Francisca Dadat, 74, and youngest runner Chloe
Bogbog, 3, were also recognized. Successful Director of the Halfway Home Fr. Gerald Costa assessed the event as “successful because there are a lot of people [who attended]”. “This is really a centennial event. It shows that SLU family is really supportive to one of [SLU’s] core values – social involvement,” Fr. Costa said. Marketing Mixers President Michael John Pineda said he is looking forward to another run soon. Marketing
W&B SPORTS FEATURE SABM grabs 6 championships; SEA down to 1 by
W&B Sports Bureau
The red flag was finally replaced by a yellow one. After almost having their third grand slam, the School of Engineering and Architecture took a step back making way for a new title holder- the School of Accountancy and Business Management. The Black Horse Stepping up from their 1st runner-up overall finish last year, the School of Accountancy and Business Management (SABM) boosted its claim on the overall championship for this year as they swept six championships, three 1st runner-ups and four 2nd runner-ups. SABM dominated both men’s and women’s divisions in chess and basketball. The school situated at the Maryheights Campus also bagged the championships in men’s taekwondo and in women’s table tennis. SABM lagged behind SEA at second place overall last year. Champs no more After last year’s triumph, the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) would have to say goodbye to a supposed-to-be Grand Slam Championship after an unexpected overall tally of only one championship with five 1st runner-ups and one 2nd runner-up finish. SEA brought home its lone championship from sepak takraw. The five 1st runner-ups were from men’s and women’s badminton and basketball, and men’s chess. The solitary 2nd runner-up trophy was from women’s volleyball. Last year, SEA seized seven out of the 13 events included in the Intrams line-up. Viva medisina- another sequel Eyeing to repeat their finish in last year’s Intrams, the School of Medicine (SOM) finished with two championships and one silver. The championship crowns were from women’s badminton and volleyball while the silver was from men’s taekwondo. SOM shared the third spot overall with the School of Natural Sciences (SNS) last year. * As of the time of writing, the overall winners of the Centennial Intramurals have not been officially-awarded yet.
Sources senate.gov.ph sikaranpilipinas.com imageshack.us
The Fighting Art of the Filipino Farmer by
Johanna Mariz Dario
Who would have thought that a Filipino martial art survived 50 years in the American borders without having popularity in the land of its origins? And after traveling overseas by establishing schools in different countries in four continents, the lost art-SIKARAN finally came home to its people. A Canvas of History Sikaran, which is a simple but intense martial art game, traces its roots from the jungles of Luzon particularly in the town of Baras, Rizal long before the Spaniards came to the Philippines in 1521. Unlike any other martial arts developed for the purpose of war, Sikaran was originally developed by farmers more for amusement. Rarely did these farmers use the art for self-defense. The folks of the town just utters “magpanikaran tayo” meaning “let’s play the kicking game” if they want to enjoy the physical activity of Sikaran. “Nagsikaran kami” (we played the kicking game) then became the favorite verbalization activity of the town. This classical martial art also came from one of the Philippine dating traditions. If two young men choose to court the same young lady who cannot choose between them, the two men will have to fight to death with their wrists tied together by a cord and a Balisong on the other hand.
Because it was considered as a martial art of the lower class men who were barely literate during the Spanish colonial period, there was no written document found. Thus, it was passed from tongue to tongue. And as the use of Balisong was outlawed during Marcos regime, Sikaran found its way to build schools in the US but it had to adapt some structural aspects in Karate like the belting system, choreographed forms and uniforms for it to be accepted internationally. Since then, Sikaran unfortunately gained fewer practitioners in the Philippines. The “Hari” There is only one known and accepted Sikaran geneology, and that is the lineage of Meliton Geronimo, the only Grandmaster of Sikaran. He became an individual champion in Utsunimiyama Tochegeken, Japan and was awarded by the first Asian tournament. Geronimo became the man behind making Sikaran popular in the international scene. He built two organizations known as Kapatirang
Sikaran Ng Pilipina (ruling body of Sikaran) and the Kapatirang Pandaigdig Ng Sikaran (World Brotherhood of Sikaran). Because Sikaran was losing its identity at that time associating it as a Philippine Karate instead of recognizing it as a distinct Filipino art, Geronimo cuts its ties with the World Union of Karatedo Organizations (WUKO). Fighting styles of nature Different fighting techniques were developed mimicking several animal behaviors. The player may use several fighting styles to attack the opponent. The player may start to imitate a docile carabao stomping its rear foot and swaying its tail when annoyed by birds, a move called “padyak ng kalabaw”. Then the player may attack by kicking like a horse with its front legs called “damba” while executing a kicking style like a horse kicking with its rear legs called “sipang kabayo”. Another kicking style that start by gaining speed and height like an eagle sweeping down to catch its prey is dubbed as “dagit ng agila”. And to complete the attacks, the “panabong” (fighting cock) can be used as a direct frontal attack. To block these attacks, the martial art imitates the “pagaspas” (flapping) of the “labuyo’s wings” also known as the wild fowl.
Mixers, a School of Accountancy and Business Management-based student organization, initiated the run together with the Halfway Home. The Centennial Run for Hope is the second run, after last May, in line with helping the Halfway Home for Boys. It was backed by the Center for Health Development – Cordillera Administrative Region, United States of America Embassy, Mario’s Restaurant, SkyCable, and ABS-CBN among others.
These fighting styles further evolved into modern styles adapted and more commonly known in the international scene. Some of the modern kicking techniques were called Biachi (similar to hook kick) and Batamba (flying spinning back kick). Other common kicks adopted in other martial arts like the front kick, round house kick and the side thrust kick were executed without snapping the knee. The modern styles of blocking are called pangahilos (paralyzing blocks, strikes, and kicks) and pamatory (potentially fatal blows). Sikaranista’s journey It was only in the 1800s that Sikaran matches were formally established. Techniques started to evolve turning the martial art into a methodized footfighting system. Offensive techniques were suddenly limited to blocking, pushing and pulling. And since “Hari” was used even before, the title was adopted to name the champion. But having the title “Hari”(King) is not that easy to have. The quality fighter must dominate 12 matches. Other than that, a “Lupon” (Board) consists of the “alalays” (second) of the winning and losing fighter and three independent “alalays” must agree to grant the title. After having the title, there can never be a runner-up in the competition because the game of life states that being second means being dead. The game does not require a referee or a mediator for breaking rules because a Sikaran fighter was expected to be a man of honor at all times. Bringing Sikaran home To finally bring Sikaran to its roots, Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid introduced the Senate Bill No. 3193 known as the “Sikaran Martial Arts Act of 2009” to develop aspiring Filipino fighters into international champions. The Act filed on April 28, 2009 aims to preserve the distinct Filipino martial art providing appropriate funds for programs integrating Sikaran martial art as a Physical education curriculum nationwide. The act has a pending approval as of this time. After all, even though the Filipino martial artists including our farmers have no access to a more developed standard of fighting system (like the Western styles and accessories), they have proved that with their own innovative ways, they have come up with a skill, a style and a sport that can build a fit, confident, productive and better Filipino citizen.
W hite &B lue volume xvi issue i december 2011
SPORTS
15
UFC: Modern Gladiator’s Arena
by
Fremilyn Miguel
Several fighting combat styles, perfect physique, testosterone– fueled theme, raging tempers and hyped audience- these are what the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is all
about. Aside from basketball, football or boxing, no other sport takes the center stage like the UFC. Surviving major ups and downs, the sport captured the spotlight with its numerous audiences worldwide anticipating
every competition. UFC times More popularly known as an American Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion company and the largest in the world, UFC was the innovation of Rorion Gracie, an expert in Brazilian
Sources entertainment.howstuffworks.com sportsmadness.net Other related sites
jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and Arthur Davie, an ad man. Gracie wanted to further promote his family’s martial arts school, which was basically centralized on techniques that would work in an actual fight and scrap any that were meant more for show or style. It was SEG employee Michael Abramson, however, who took the credit of formulating the name UFC. SEG began to organize more tournaments that brought masters of karate, kickboxing, boxing, jiu-jitsu and even Sumo wrestling together to challenge each other and prove that their fighting technique is the best. It gained several critics including US Senator John McCain who described UFC as a “human cockfighting” tournament when SEG began adverting UFC as brutal fights of martial arts. But SEG resisted, taking steps to regain public approval regardless of the political pressures. Eventually, capable companies refused to patronize UFC pay-per-view which resulted to the company’s bankruptcy. Brothers Frank Fertitta III and Lorenzo Fertitta, founders of Zuffa LLC, later on brought back UFC’s credibility when they bought the company in 2000. UFC fully came back to its feet, with former amateur boxer and fight promoter Dana White as its president. UFC way The UFC seems to embrace traditional and typical ideas of masculinity. Physically-powerful men fighting is an act that goes back to the beginning of time, an execution captured in countless movies about gladiators, warriors, samurais and soldiers. It institutes, hosts and promotes MMA events which particularly characterize several bouts. Each bout is a fight between different competitors. Fights are divided into rounds and are under the surveillance of a referee. UFC competitors are granted to use punches, kicks, knee strikes, takedowns, elbows strikes, and submissions to win in the clash. Fighters are also permitted to strike each other both above and below the belt with only a few restrictions. UFC is also been recognized with its exceptional trademark ring, the Octagon (an eight-sided mat in a cage). The octagon, which is 30 feet across, has walls made up of fencing material with padding covering all the corners and edges. During a fight, only the two fighters and the referee are
allowed inside. It is guarded by two gates which open between rounds to allow the fighter’s corner men to enter. In addition, UFC fighters are required to wear fingerless four to six ounce gloves and no footwear. Another unique trademark which makes UFC more grasp-breathing is their battling techniques which are classified into three broad categories: striking, grappling and ground fighting. It’s a must for a fighter to train himself in all these three techniques to be a successful UFC fighter. The most utilized technique is striking which includes punches, kicks, knee strikes and elbows. Frequently, fighters acquire these striking techniques from diverse disciplines like boxing and Muay Thai. Since the gloves are thin compared to boxing gloves, fighters must be careful not to wreck their own hands when throwing punches. Several fighters allot themselves on grappling or wresting skills rather than striking. A fighter struggles to takedown his opponent by forcing him to the ground. One can defend from takedown with a sprawl where one can use leverage and balance himself to stay standing. Unlike boxing or other kickboxing matches, UFC fights still persist even if a fighter falls to the ground. Fighters can throw strikes or employ submission holds while on the ground. A fighter can win in a match by submission, when an opponent either physically taps out or verbally submits. Unlike other sports, submitting to your opponent is acknowledged as an honourable way to lose a fight. One can also win by technical knockout (TKO). If a fight ends without a submission or knockout, results are determined by the decision of a panel consisting of three judges scoring with the use of a 10-point system. UFC style No holds barred fighting is exactly what this sport is all about. Once the ring announcer yells “Let’s get it on”, the mayhem begins. Once in the ring, there are few rules and almost anything is allowable. But that is a fallacy. To become a champion you not only need to be talented but also to have dedication, motivation, great work ethics – characteristics which are the foundation of success, not only in the Octagon, but also in everyday life as well.
is Arum’s present asset. And I could also say that every step they take these days is part of a scheme to earn more and more. ***** You might have heard of our present Philippine Dragon Boat team. Or if you didn’t you might want to go back to our last issue and read about them (if you have the last issue, and I was just advertising it). It told us about how the PDBF (with the F for Federation) had tried all means to achieve support from private sectors of the country after being ‘abandoned’ by the sports officials in the country. They had gotten support from companies like PAL and Coca-Cola, as they bore the Cobra name. With the support of the private sector, the Dragons had won 5 gold medals from the World Championships in the Tampa Bay in Florida. It just makes me laugh whenever I see statements that try to compare the Dragon Boat Team and the Azkals. It just reminds me of how proud I am when I heard that the dragons won, and the way I was just too disgusted when the Azkals lost to Kuwait. I just don’t see the reason why they were not given funding. Dragon boat is also different from kayaking, so they shouldn’t be merged. Oh well, to sum it all up, The PDBF team won even though they had monetary problems. In the following situations, money became the most intriguing factors.
Well, you can’t just ignore how money is connected with virtually everything in the present generation. As I read through one of the articles I had seen in the past, I got caught with a statement. It said that a sport is a way to have fun, and those with the money were usually the ones who gets lots of fun. Now, it seems that sports also became a business. A way to earn money. Others take sports as a way to earn the other way. Betting became popular, as you can also see in the Philippines, and became a huge part of the sporting world. In the sports culture, we cannot avoid these, especially money, as we always see money as a way to satisfy ourselves. It had become a vital factor, as money is used to support trainings, publicity, etc. But still, we can’t just ignore the fact that money has its disadvantages. Everything has disadvantages. All we can do is minimize these disadvantages and maximize the pros. Sports have lost their natural spark that, for me, was the primary thing should have. All I want to stress in this column is that money controls certain sports events, and diverts the enjoyment and true essence of the event. Sports are for fun, everyone should enjoy them, not only the ones who have the money, but everyone. ***** Comments? Like us on facebook and post it on our wall. http://www.facebook. com/whiteandblueslu
SARI-SARING LARO SA UNIBERSIDAD by
Juno Abreu
Money Talk It’s not about the money. Or is it? We’ll let me just think for a second. Money, money, money. Whoever doesn’t think of money isn’t human. Some people think of how to spend it, burn it. Others think of how to have it. It just makes the world go round. I really don’t know how to get to where I want to go, so let’s just cut to the chase. Money plays sports. You might have a different see to it, but this is my perspective. Many things happened recently in sports. And you might just believe me when you see what connects all of these events. ******* The NBA Lockout. Loyal NBA fans were driven into confusion and despair last September as news of the cancellation of the pre-season spread out feverishly throughout the globe. NBA legend Michael Jordan was fined for commenting about the lockout. The fans’ nightmare continued as elimination games in October were also cancelled during the lockout, and the cancellations were continued until the December games. It was just until now that the players and teams reached an agreement to end the 4th lockout of the league. But still, the players’ had not yet ratified the agreement, thus, the lockout is not yet formally ended. But who, or what, started all this fiasco? The NBA Season was delayed
for almost three months, the pre-season cancelled, and news like Deron Williams and Kobe Bryant playing for a European team had left fans asking what the lockout was all about. This mess should have to be of a rational reason. Money. The lockout started after the last Collective Bargaining Agreement of the league expired this July. The league was set to introduce a new CBA that would be adaptive to NBA’s current situation. NBA claimed that the league was losing money, and that the player’s were gaining more. With this, the league proposed changing the salary cap for each team from 58 million dollars to a hard 45 million. It would only mean salary reduction for the players. The negotiations started, but the lockout still continued. You can’t really get into an agreement that fast when you’re talking about money. The problem was then the same during the league’s third lockout in 1998. Players and teams couldn’t agree with the salary cap after the last six-year CBA had expired. Have you seen something? History just keeps repeating itself. ******* Manny Pacquiao became one of the prominent images in the boxing world. He is now considered the Pound-for-Pound King, and one of the the greatest of the sport. He also became a Filipino icon, the fighting pride of the Philippines. With that much glory and fame, what else would the
Crunch Box
Ivan Ferrer
Destroyer be known for? It may not be for you, but for me, he is a growing icon of money. A superstar with a big pocket. Pacquiao started as a poor guy, living in the neighborhood of General Santos City. Now, he is one of the richest Filipinos. He was sixth and eighth in two of Forbes’ lists of Highest Paid Athletes. Now that’s numbers. He was reported to earn 42 million dollars in total last 2010. Aling Dionisia Pacquiao’s Hermes bag from her son Manny became one of the most talked about items in the Philippines. This news made a huge impact to the Filipino press. Jinky’s bags and shoes were signature, imported, and expensive. I’m not saying that they didn’t deserve all these, I just want to make a connection between money and Manny’s boxing career. You wouldn’t just say that he fought all those people for the pride and glory, because as you can see, he is earning money from all those shots he’s taken. And although Bob Arum has helped Manny with everything, you would also agree if I say that Arum’s business is what Manny does, and Pacman
photo by
Rina Paula Burgos