Varsity Courier Broadsheet 2016 by NVSU Varsity Courier

Varsity

Inside:

News: CAS snatches overall champs

Duterte inks FOI 4

Editorial: Drastic change, drastic move

Opinion: Bawal ang Judgemental

DevComm: Oplan Tokhang

Feature: Good Taste Restaurant and Bencab Museum

COURIER

Feature: Duterte the First Feature: Hugot 101 New Acad facilities Literary: May Tama na si Elmo

Sports: Filipina weightlifter ends 20-year medal drought

Sports: Buhay atleta: may forever o wala

The Official Student Publication of Nueva Vizcaya State University-Bayombong

June-August 2016

Volume X Number 3

Nueva Vizcaya State University opens its arms to AACCUP accreditors for the first and second survey visits of select degree offerings of the different colleges of both Bambang and Bayombong campuses on August 10, 2016 at the university gymnasium. Photo by Billy Joe Peralta

NVSU shifts calendar, confirms Aug opening Alger M. Cerojales

By virtue of Referendum 03-10-01 Series of 2016, the shift in the academic calendar of NVSU was approved on May 10, 2016, making August the opening of classes starting SY 2016-2017. It was Former Vice-President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), Dr. Edwin P. Ramos, who benchmarked with other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and proposed the shift in the academic calendar. With the new calendar, the first semester will run from August to December; second semester, from January to May; and the mid-year classes from June to July. Jeremy Dasalla, president of the Northern Campus Supreme Student Council (NCSSC), supported the calendar shift because, according to him, aligning the Philippine academic calendar with the rest of the world, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will open up academic opportunities for Filipino students.

In addition, Dasalla explains that cancellation of classes due to the wet season are prevalent in the former schedule, and shifting the calendar could address this issue.

At first, Dasalla who is in his senior year was against the calendar shift for personal reasons. He, however, changed his mind after weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the situation.

In her statement last March 26, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, on the other hand, said that the June opening is the “most feasible” considering socio-cultural implications. She added that the June school opening is “better harmonized” with the basic education calendar. In a separate survey conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd), 95% supports the June to March academic calendar and only 5% favors the August-May schedule. “[T]he academic calendar is not a major issue. There is no provision in ASEAN Integration about synchronizing academic calendars of HEIs,” the chairperson explained.

The university’s decision to implement the calendar shift is within the provisions of Republic Act No. 7797 (RA 7797). The act requires that the school calendar should have a maximum of 220 class days. It further states that the school year may start as early as the first Monday of June but not later than the last day of August. To encourage innovation and academic freedom, RA 7797 provides leeway for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to establish their own academic calendar and set their opening days. Prior to changing their calendar, HEIs are required to seek the approval of CHED not later than 15 days before the last day of June opening of classes. (With reports from Rappler and GMA Network News Portal)VC

AACCUP accreditors visit NVSU Jakee Mar M. Mangaccat, Marimel M. Puguon, Alger M. Cerojales, and Xaviery Joseph F. Guzman A pool of accreditors from the Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP) surveyed the university’s degree offerings that are up for level II accreditation on August 9-11, 2016 at Nueva Vizcaya State University - Bayombong.

Among the colleges that were subjected under scrutiny were the College of Teacher Education (CTED) and the College of Agriculture (CA) for Bayombong. For Bambang campus, on the other hand, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the College of Industrial Technology (CIT), and the College of Engineering (CE) were examined. During the opening program of the survey visit, Dr. Loreta Vivian R. Galima, campus administrator for Bayombong and also the OIC vice president for academic affairs, promoted Nueva Vizcaya to be a beautiful province that is yet to be discovered, quoting from an American Peace Corps Volunteer who once served the university. “We want to show our accreditors what we really have and what we are doing,” Dr. Andres Z. Taguiam, university president,” said in his inspirational message.

The accreditors were introduced by Dr. Erlinda Ortega, head of the accreditation team. cont. to page 2

NVSU opens another year, holds general assembly Jefford Peralta, Jennifer Llantada, Xaviery Joseph F. Guzman, and Tricia Kae Obra

“As a student, all you need to do is to study…,” Dr. Loreta Vivian R. Galima, OIC Vice-President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and Campus Administrator (CA) said in her opening remarks during the Opening and Orientation Program of the university, August 12.

The affair was intended to equip the students with the necessary information for them to survive in the university. Concerned offices discussed the rules and regulations, policies, and code of ethics to the students. The teaching and non-teaching staff of the university were introduced as well as the student organizations within the campus. University officials, led by the university president, Dr. Andres T. Taguiam, were introduced, as well as the newly-elected Northern Campus Supreme Student Council (NCSSC) officers. “My service to the university should always come first,” Dr. Taguiam said as he presented his plans for the univer-

Seeking to address the concerns of students in the university, Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) held its Orientation Program and General Assembly on August 12 and August 15, respectively, at the University Gymnasium.

sity. He added that the students are his priority and that they are in his heart and mind.

Themed “Crossroads,” this year’s General Assembly was spearheaded by the Northern Campus Supreme Student Council (NCSSC) on August 15.

Prof. Ma. Teresa A. Fulgencio, dean of the Student Affairs and Services (SAS), opened the program asserting the need for the administration and the students to work together for the betterment of the university. She highlighted that the event will be able to familiarize students of the services that they can avail and the offices that they can consult on the various issues that they may encounter in the university. Also, she said that the open forum will surface student concerns for these to be addressed by concerned offices and units, especially the NCSSC and the SAS. During the open forum, Jeremy V. Dasalla, NCSSC Chairperson, explained the functions of the NCSSC as a partner

of the university in providing the academic needs of the students.

Mr. Fidel M. Patricio, head of the Management Information Systems (MIS) discussed the Wi-Fi access in the university. He also urged the students to take advantage of information technologies such as the My NVSU website where students can freely access their grades and other academic records. Among the concerns aired by the students are the WiFi access, wearing of uniforms, lack of facilities, and the enrollment process, particularly the services rendered by the cashier’s office and the registrar’s office. In addition, students asked about medical and dental services, security services; gender sensitivity and the LGBT Community, imposed fines, and student funds and programs, among many others.VC

LGU, NGO to build mini-hydro in Bambang Nap Gerald G. Tolentino To provide additional income to the local government unit (LGU) of Bambang and to provide cheaper power costs to the villagers, LGU in partnership with a private company will be constructing a multi-million mini-hydro power plant project. Matuno Hydro Power Project (MHPP) will be operated through a five-year Public Private Partnership (PPP) between the Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) and the Matuno River Development Corporation (MRDC).

The plant is estimated to produce eight megawatts of hydro power which can sustain the power needs of the residents of Barangay Manamtam, Bambang, including its nearby barangays. According to Engineer Amando Diaz, MRDC chairman, the MHPP is the first renewable energy project in the province which will utilize the water resources of the Matuno River basin. “Nueva Vizcaya has a big potential on renewable energy resources and we want to introduce [this] to help our LGUs and the residents,” Engineer Diaz said during the groundbreaking program. cont. to page 3

news

CAS snatches overall champs in socio-cultural fest Melchor O. Agpawa and Claudia Lacsay

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) bagged the overall championship in this year’s Soio-Cultural Festival held at the University coinciding with the Buwan ng Wika celebration, August 31. nez; and Radiance Band’s guitarist and song writer, Jayson Salunat.

The college’s consistent podium finish (including four first places) propelled them to the top spot, overtaking the long-time reigning overall champion, the College of Teacher Education (CTE). CTE meanwhile finished on the second spot while the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) secured the third spot. The activity was primarily geared at selecting the University’s representatives for the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) due to be conducted late this year.

Another highlight of the competition is the short and sweet play. CTE’s “Hapag-Kainan,” which tackles sensitive family issues seen from a child’s point of view clinched the top place. On the judges’ panel were Joe Hendrick Morales, an alumnus and former student leader; Jason delos Santos, an English teacher; and Julie Ann Gajes a former English instructor in the university.

Other contested activities include the dagliang talumpati, extemporaneous speech, storytelling, charcoal rendering, quiz bowl, on-the-spot painting, instrumental solo, OPM solo, kundiman solo, vocal duet, radio drama, essay writing and pagsulat ng sanaysay which were conducted simultaneously

One of the highlights of the festival is the live band competition dominated by MC Band, CAS’ official entry, which wowed the audience and impressed the judges. The panel included musician and sound engineer, Patrick Ignacio; BEED Department Chair and Music teacher, Dr. Bonimar Tomi-

at different venues.

This year’s Buwan ng Wika Celebration which coincided with the Socio-Cultural Festival, was themed, “Filipino:Wika ng Karunungan.” Prof. EulogioB. Dela Cueva, a retired principal of NVSU Laboratory School, who graced the celebration as resource speaker stressed the importance of using local languages. “Ang wika kapag di nagagamit ay nawawala,” Dela Cueva said.

Dr. Joey Villanueva, chair of the Languages Department and program director, added that the Filipino language as an instrument for communication should not be spoken only during the month of August. He further advised that Filipinos have to embrace it and keep it alive. #

Duterte inks historic FOI Laymar P. Umhao To promote transparency and strengthen public participation in governance, President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order (EO) requiring all government offices under the executive branch to disclose details of their transactions, at Davao City last July 23.

Home-grown artists of the university sketch their way to success in the charcoal rendering competition of the Socio-Cultural Festival of the Nueva Vizcaya State University last August 31. Photo by Alger M. Cerojales

VC attends campus journ national confab Marimel M. Puguon Six staff of the Varsity Courier (VC) attended the National Seminar-Workshop on Campus Journalism with the theme, “Retooling the Techniques of Journalistic Writing: A Requisite for Good and Ideal School Paper” at Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City, July 1-3. Among the VC staff who participated are Donna Mae B. Torrecampo (Editor-in-Chief), Marimel M. Puguon (News Editor), Reonel M. Gallardo (DevComm Page Editor), Jevelyn L. Justo (Features Editor), Melchor O. Agpawa (Graphic Artist), and Alger M. Cerojales (Online Editor) together with their adviser, Noela M. Lodevico-Palma.

Barely three weeks after he assumed office, President Duterte signed the second EO on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, stating that every Filipino shall have access to information, records, and documents to official government transactions, as well as research data.

Martin Andanar, presidential communications secretary, said that information such as contracts involving the use of public funds will be made available. The EO will cover all government offices under the executive branch including the national government and all its offices, departments, bureaus, offices, and instrumentalities. It will also be implemented in state-run firms, universities, and colleges, including the Nueva Vizcaya State University. All public officials are also reminded of their obligations to file and make available for scrutiny their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations, and the spirit and letter of the order.

Technically, no person requesting for information shall be denied access unless the information sought “falls under any of the exceptions enshrined in the constitution, existing law or jurisprudence.” The details of which will still be decided upon by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Office of the Solicitor General (OSG). According to Andanar, with FOI, the release of the requested information should not take more than 15 days. Failure to abide by the order will entail facing administrative cases.

Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Carlos Zarate said that a genuine FOI is “a necessary tool” in the fight against graft and corruption and against other forms of abuse and excesses in the government. (With reports from CNN Philippines, Rappler and PIA) VC

Staff of the Varsity Courier participates in the National Seminar-Workshop in Campus Journalism organized by the Language Educators Congress at Teachers Camp, Baguio City, July 1-3, 2016.

To raise awareness on the significance of good maternal and infant nutrition, on its 42nd year, the 2016 Nutrition Month underscores the first 1000 days of life.

Donna Mae B. Torrecampo

The First 1000 days of life, globally known as the “golden window of opportunity,” highlights the period from the child’s conception until his/her 2nd birthday when growth and development are most crucial. According to NNC, the First 1000 days, comprising of 270 days of pregnancy, 365 days for the 1st year of life, and another 365 for the 2nd year, is the period of rapid growth where nutrient deficiencies can have longterm consequences. “It is during the first 1000 days of life where growth faltering happens. Studies

“Bukod sa individual pointers sa bawat diniscuss ng mga speakers, tumatak sa akin yung mga paghihirap at challenges sa campus journalism na dapat talagang itackle as a team,” Donna Mae B. Torrecampo, VC Editor-in-Chief, said.

Filipinos may request for needed information through a letter of request sent to the concerned office along with a valid proof of identity.

2016 Nutri-Month focuses on first 1000 days of life This year’s Nutrition campaign, “First 1000 Days ni Baby Pahalagahan Para sa Malusog na Kinabukasan,” is based on the winning entry of Desiree Reyes of Laguna in the nationwide contest conducted by the National Nutrition Council (NNC).

Joey Ramos Silva, consultant of School Advisers and Campus Journalists in Bataan lectured on editorial writing, editorial cartooning, and layouting. Ariel C. Lansang, Education Program Supervisor (English) from the Department of Education – Olongapo shared insights on feature writing, news writing, and sports writing.

have shown a link between undernutrition, and stunting [pagkabansot] in early years of life,” NNC pointed out.

The council, then, pushes the public to attain optimum weight gain during pregnancy, ensure proper health check-up and supplementation, and practice breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding to infants. NNC emphasized that while the celebration is done in July, ensuring good nutrition of pregnant women, infants, and children below two years old should be done yearround. In the celebration program of the Municipality of Kasibu, the Provincial Nutrition Office (PNO) donated Detecto weighing scales and height boards to public elementary schools; Salter weighing scales and height

boards to Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS); and vegetable seedlings to families with underweight children.

PNO in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) also conducted feeding services giving “Nutri-curls” made of mongo and rice blend at the Nueva Vizcaya State University. The program also marked the launching of the Regional Science and Technology Week celebration.

Awards were given to outstanding municipalities, nutrition committees, and BNS for their good performances in alleviating malnutrition in the province. The outstanding municipalities include Santa Fe, Villaverde, Solano, Kasibu and Bagabag. Outstanding Nutrition Scholars, meanwhile, include Liza Dominguez, Juliana Aninto, Janette Cristobal, Josephine Degamo and Marialita Tamiray. Moreover, the Barangay Nutrition Commit-

tees (BNC) of Sinapaoan, Santa. Fe; Osmeña, Solano; Dopaj, Dupax del Sur; Ibung, Villaverde; and Lantap, Bagabag, were lauded best nutrition committees.

The focus on the First 1000 Days is expected to contribute to the achievement of various global targets and international commitments, including the 2nd International Conference on Nutrition, Global Nutrition Targets 2025, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) 2030 which aims to eradicate all forms of malnutrition and poverty, and promote maternal, infant, and child nutrition. Presidential Decree 491 (1974) also known as the Nutrition Act of the Philippines mandates NNC to lead and coordinate the nationwide annual campaign on the importance of nutrition among Filipinos. (With reports from PIA- Region 2 and NNC)VC

AACCUP accreditors...from p.1 The deans of colleges, heads of various units, and other university officials were introduced by Dr. June Grace Domingo, university board secretary.

Aside from leafing through the documents prepared by the concerned units and colleges, the accreditors also visited the extension programs of the university. They went to see the university’s Gulayan sa Paaralan project at Ipil Cuneg Elementary School, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

The accreditors also did ocular inspection at the livelihood program of the university at Malasin, Dupax Del Norte. The project, Bayan Anihan Program, which was established in September 2015 is in collaboration with Gawad Kalinga, a non-profit, humanitarian organization. The survey visit lasted for four days. The results and recommendations from the accrediting body have yet to be released.VC

Volume IX Number 4

news

PCA tribunal favors PH on WPS Jevelyn L. Justo

Pulse shooting dahil umano sa steroid Jerico L. Ellorenco and Nap Gerald G. Tolentino Nagulantang ang Orlando, Florida sa Estados Unidos nang walang habas na pagbabarilin ng isang 29-anyos na hinihinalang gumagamit ng steroids ang mga parokyano ng Pulse Night Club, Hunyo 12. Patay ang 49 katao, habang sugatan naman ang 53 iba pa sa pamamaril na tumagal lamang ng 1.28 minuto na siyang itinuturing na isa sa pinakamarahas at malawakang pagpatay sa ka-saysayan ng Amerika. Ang suspek na si Omar Mir Seddique Mateen ay napag-alamang negatibo sa Human Immune Virus (HIV) at posibleng matagal nang gumagamit ng steroids, ayon sa dalawang opisyal ng Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Sa kasalukuyan, ang hinihinalang paggamit ng steroids ang tinitingnang anggulo ng mga awtor-idad na maaring nagtulak kay Mateen upang gawin ang madugong krimen. Batay sa ulat ng National Institute on Drug Abuse sa kanilang website, ang paggamit ng steroids ay nagpapalaki ng katawan at mga kalamnan. Ito rin daw ay nagdudulot ng pagiging iritable at agresibo. Ayon pa sa ahensiya, maraming steroid abusers ang aminadong nakagawa na ng mga agresibong bagay gaya ng pisikal na pakikipagbuno, panunutok ng baril, paninira, at pagnanakaw.

Ayon kay Carrie Proudfit, tagapagsalita ng Orange County, Florida, makikita sa pamamagitan ng pagsusuri ng specimen kung ang isang tao ay gumagamit ng steroids.

Samantala, inamin ng FBI na may mga panahong sinubaybayan nila si Mateen dahil sa hayagan nitong pakikisimpatiya sa militanteng Islamic State of Iraq and Syria(ISIS) subalit itinigil din nila ito sa kawalan ng matibay na ebidensya.#

LGU, NGO...from p.1 Diaz explained that the first phase of the MHPP will be a multi-sectoral consultation among the affected villages and tribal communities to ensure that all their concerns will be considered and addressed. “We will be conducting consultations among the affected villagers so that we can come up with a sound and safe design and engineering plans for the construction of a low dam,” Diaz said. Diaz also assured that the preservation of the environment and its natural resources will be a primary concern.# (With reports from PIA-Region2)

Once MHPP was built, electricity supply will provide free and cost low to the main areas and the nearby barangays, given that additional income for the barangay and municipal local government units.VC

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) from The Hague, Netherlands rendered its ruling on the maritime dispute after three years of waiting on July 12, 2016. The Arbitral Tribunal of the PCA ruled in favor of the Philippines in its arbitration case filed against China over the West Philippine Sea, saying there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources, in excess of the rights provided for by the Convention, in the sea areas falling within the nine-dashed line.

The nine-dashed line is China’s purportedly historical boundary that takes up 85% of the South China Sea, including 80% of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) entitles a coastal state to an EEZ of 200 nautical miles of sea from its coastline. The United Nations’ arbitral tribunal also declared that China had violated the Philippines sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone. China violated Articles 286 and 287 of 1982 UNCLOS and Article 1 of Annex VII of the said Convention.

Bilateral talks and diplomatic negotiations is what the Philippine government’s response to the PCA ruling. President Rodrigo Duterte said that war is not an option but peaceful talks with China. The powerhouse team of the Philippines was composed of high-ranking government officials and the country’s legal experts. Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, Paul Reichler, Professor Bernard Oxman, Professor Philippe Sands, Professor Alan Boyle, Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza, to name a few.

One of them is Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who has spoken

extensively on the Philippines’ position in the maritime dispute with China. Justice Carpio on his paper Historical Facts, Historical Lies, and Historical Rights in the West Philippine Sea in Philippine Law Journal said that historical facts, even if true, relating to the discovery and exploration in the Age of Discovery or even earlier, have no bearing whatsoever in the resolution of maritime disputes under the UNCLOS. “These men and women worked hard to achieve this historic victory that underscored our earlier assertion that the disputed territory is ours,” Senator Bam Aquino praised on the Philippine team.

The five-member tribunal composed of Judge Thomas Mensah who served as President of the tribunal, Judge Jean-Pierre Cot, Judge Stanislaw Pawlak, Judge Rüdiger Wolfrum, and Professor Alfred Soons who are experts in sovereignty claims and maritime law.

The West Philippine Sea (WPS) refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago that includes Luzon Sea, as well as the water around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG), and Bajo de Masinloc internationally known as Scarborough Shoal.

The West Philippine Sea is home to over 30% of the world’s coral reefs and has many valuable aquatic resources. It is a source of oil and natural gas, an interest to surrounding countries that import energy. VC

References: http://www.update.ph/2016/07/include-ph-team-to-the-hague-indialogue-with-china-senator/7589 http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/07/06/hague-arguments-philippine-case-explained.html http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/07/06/hague-arguments-philippine-case-explained.html http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/07/12/1601768/south-chinasea-arbitration-faces-behind-philippiness-case http://www.moveon.ph/west-philippine-sea-a-battle-for-resources/ Historical Facts, Historical Lies, and Historical Rights in the West Philippine Sea: Philippine Law Journal

italy’s 6.2 quake recorded 297 deaths jakee Mar M. Mangaccat

Approximately 297 victims were killed as a 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit Central Italy on August 24, 2016, according to Italian civil defense service. The massive quake struck at 3:36 am with its epicenter at the town of Amatrice, 100 km (65-miles) north-east of Rome.

Aside from Amatrice, which was severely damaged, other towns near the epicenter sustained considerable loss of lives and structural damages, particularly Accumoli and Arguata del Tronto.

Amatrice had the heaviest loss with 230 casualties. Fifty were killed in Arguata del Tronto area and 17 from Accumoli.

June-August 2016

China’s assertion today that its Nine-dashed line claim is based on abundant historical facts is a lie, contrary to its own official historical documents and pronouncements. Scarborough Shoal whether named or unnamed is a part of the Philippines from maps dated 1636 to 1940, a period of 304 years opposite to what China’s claim.

Pope Francis offered prayers for the bereaved families and those affected by the disaster. The Italian Voluntary Blood Association asked for blood donation from people.

Some leaders around the world like France, Germany and Russia had expressed their sympathy on the catastrophe; US President Barack Obama also extended his country’s assistance to Italy.

This is not the first time that Italy experienced such a massive quake. In 2012, dozens of people were killed in Northern Italy, and in 2009, another magnitude-6.3 earthquake hit Central Italy, leaving 295 people dead.VC

The town of Amatrice in Central Italy, the epicenter of the 6.2-magnitude earthquake, suffered structural damages and lost 230 lives on August 24, 2016. Photo Courtesy of CNN

editorial

An Open Letter from

the NCSSC President Jeremy V. Dasalla NCSSC President

Lead.serve.inspire “Let’s have faith that right makes might; and in that faith let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.” - Abraham Lincoln Many are called, but few are chosen. The journey of student leaders is not and will never be easy – it requires a great deal of passion, discipline, and commitment.

Lead. Serve. Inspire. This should be the three-word code of a student leader.

EDITORIAL:

Drastic change, drastic moves If we want extensive improvement in our educational system, we need to be ready to make daring moves, and shifting our academic calendar is just the first, yet, necessary step. On May 10, our university officials led by NVSU President Andres Z. Taguiam announced that the start of classes will be moved from June to August. Such a move has messed up schedules of almost everything –school activities, On-theJob trainings, and board exams, among others. CHED Commissioner Patricia B. Licuanan stressed that the academic calendar shift is not advisable as HEIs’ calendar has to be harmonized with the basic education calendar. She also acknowledge, however, that the calendar shift is within the law as higher education institutions (HEIs) have the prerogative to adjust their calendars and start their classes as late as the last day of August. Sure, harmonization is an issue; but it is an issue that can be sorted out. Top universities in the country, including the University of the Philippines (UP), and the University of Santo Tomas (UST), and the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) have already shifted their calendars a few years ago. Apart from NVSU, several other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the region have followed suit. Almost inevitably, other public and private academic institutions including those offering basic education (elementary and high school) will have to take the leap. Like the shift to K+12 Curriculum, the advantages of the shift may take time to surface, but it will surely result in global competitiveness as Filipino students will have more academic opportunities such as scholarship grants, research grants, and student exchange programs, among others, not only in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, but also all over the world. We need to understand, however, that shifting the calendar will just be an initial step. We have more hurdles to surpass. For one, we also need to focus on improving the quality of education by systemically assessing the issue. The dwindling quality of education is not a result of a single factor, instead, it is a result of the interplay of various factors. The poverty that directly affects the diaspora of good teachers and professors; the corruption in the government that affects the availability of educational resources, especially in remote areas in the country; and the Filipino culture and values that hinder the development of critical thinking among Filipino students. All these and more should be considered as we try to craft educational policies. The challenges that go with the academic calendar shift will be eventually be resolved. After these changes have been addressed, we will be a step closer towards a better quality of education and global competitiveness. NVSU’s journey towards becoming at par with universities worldwide may still be long and arduous; nevertheless, nothing is unattainable. We just need to keep pursuing excellence with courage and conviction.VC

A leader should LEAD with honor. Leaders face challenges that may push them to the edge. Aside from the physical and mental demands of leading the student community, criticisms are almost inevitable. Good thing there are rigorous leadership and skills development trainings which are geared at helping student leaders. These, plus the right virtues, leaders could surely handle any pressure or stress.

As they perform tasks, leaders should maintain their virtues, especially, their integrity. Along the way, they may encounter disapprovals, but knowing that they are doing the right thing would keep them on track. Instead of aiming for perfection, student leaders should pursue excellence, because perfection is merely a standard set by an individual according to his/her own preference and definition. In their quest for excellence, student leaders should lead their subordinates toward the attainment of the organization’s goals, while maintaining harmonious relationships among them.

A leader should SERVE with passion. Student leaders should consider serving their fellow students as their most fulfilling and most important duty; it must be done with passion. Their duties, functions, and responsibilities should be performed on a day-today basis. They need to remember that they are meant to serve and not to be served. The student community should be put above self. Student leaders should ensure that every student’s rights and welfare are safeguarded. At the same time, they should

promote the vision of their university. In case of conflicts, prudent decision-making is vital. There may be times when students’ concerns have to be compromised for the common good, especially if they hamper the university’s goals.

A leader should INSPIRE to make a difference. Student leaders are usually given the privilege to speak in front of students and university administrators. As such, they need to have communication skills that would allow them to be able to genuinely communicate to people, conveying factual and understandable information that are accessible to everyone. They should make their purpose and vision apparent and should hear out the students’ concerns, putting them in mind and at heart. With effective communication skills, they could inspire the student community to take part in making a difference. Every student leader should be a living testimony of the virtues he/she uphold. Seeing that student leaders put their heart in what they do could make an impact. In attempting to influence others, there is nothing more effective than exemplifying integrity and passion.

Being a good leader can never be achieved overnight. It requires individuals to go through the process of harnessing leadership skills and social awareness, among others, and to pursue a vision for the student community. As their term ends, they should leave behind a legacy that values the selfless virtue of putting others first before oneself. I am Jeremy Valenzuela Dasalla, your NVSU NCSSC Chairperson. I have faith and confidence that by joining hands together; we will shine as ONE NVSU. To leading with honor, serving with passion, and inspiring to make a difference, I commit!VC

Editorial Board SY 2016-2017

Letter to the Editor

Dear Shadow, This is to confirm that we have received the letter that you left on our door. Thank you for your confidence. We, at Varsity Courier, are more than willing to address your concern. However, we would like to clarify something for us to better address your concern. Perhaps you would want to elaborate on what exactly do you mean by, “kasabay naming nag-aaral yung teacher namin.” We will be waiting for your next letter. You could just leave it on our door like you did before, or you may send it on our email (nvsuvarsitycourier@gmail.com), or message us on our official facebook page, whichever is convenient for you. Truly yours, Editor

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of the VARSITY COURIER maybe reproduced in any form without the consent of the publication. The VARSITY COURIER reserves the right to edit and reject articles for the publication. The opinions expressed by the contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the staff and the moderator.

Volume IX Number 4

Opinion

BAWAL ANG JUDGMENTAL : Hindi ka Judge Printed Reality

Billy Joe S. Peralta|Online Editor Iba’t ibang tao. Iba’t ibang kwento. Tayo ay nakatira sa isang mundong masasabi kong puno ng mga taong mapanghusga. Hindi ko naman nilalahat ngunit aminin natin, minsan tayo rin ay nagiging mapanghusga. Bawat aspeto na lang na nakikita natin ay meron at meron tayong masasabi – sa pisikal na kaanyuan, sa paraan ng pananalita, sa pangkat etnikong kinabibilangan, sa brand ng mga gamit at maging sa mga taong nakakasalamuha ng iba; para tayong palakang kokak ng kokak! Minsan naitatanong ko sa sarili ko, “Ano nga ba ang problema?”

dalas na napupuna ang pagkakaiba natin sa paraan ng pananalita. Aminin na natin, natatawa tayo minsan lalo na sa English classes. Agad nating iniisip na hindi siguro sila naturuan ng mabuting pronunciation noong high school o elementary. Subalit dapat nating malaman na ang pananalita at kaalaman ng isang tao sa kanyang ikalawang wika (second language, gaya ng English) ay naaapektuhan

“Nasa kolehiyo na tayo. Dumaan na tayo sa

PWD’s (Persons with Disabilities). Sila yung mga taong madalas na pinipintasan – may mga bagay daw silang hindi kayang gawin. Dahil dito, sila ay ating minamaliit o minsan ay kinaaawaan. Ngunit ang totoo, maraming PWDs ang kapupulutan natin ng inspirasyon sapagka’t sa kabila ng kanilang kapansanan, patuloy silang lumalaban sa buhay. Sila yung mga taong mas angkop tawaging persons with special abilities.

Marahil ay pamilyar sa atin si Nicholas James “Nick” Vujicic, isang Australian Christian evangelist at isang motivational speaker. Isinilang siyang may phocomelia, isang kundisyon na kung saan ang isang tao ay ipinanganak na kulang (o wala) ang mga paa at kamay. Ngunit sa kabila ng kanyang sitwasyon, nagagawa parin niya ang mga bagay na nagagawa ng isang normal na tao. Sabi nga niya sa kanyang librong Life Without Limits, “We may have absolutely no control over what happens to us, but we can control how we respond. If we choose the right attitude, we can rise above whatever challenges we face.” Cultural diversity. Ito madalas ang dahilan ng pagkakatalo. Sa loob na lamang ng unibesidad natin na binubuo ng mga taong nabibilang sa iba’t ibang pangkat-etniko, ma-

maraming taon

ng GMRC at Values Education, ”

ng tinatawag na first language interference dahil nasanay na tayo sa tunog at gramatika ng ating mother tongue.

Samantala, isa ring problema natin ang stereotyping; halimbawa, ang mga kapatid nating Ibanag ay madalas sabihang walang pagkukusa at ang mga kapatid nating Gaddang naman daw ay mapangahas. Habang ang mga Ilocano naman daw ay kuripot. (Hindi ba pwedeng frugal lang? Nagtitipid?) Pero bakit nga ba natin nilalahat? At bakit tayo naniniwala agad nang hindi nangangalap ng basehan.

Nasa kolehiyo na tayo. Dumaan na tayo sa maraming taon ng GMRC at Values Education. At marahil ay tapos na rin natin ang Soc Sci 4 (Society and Culture with Population Education). Dapat ay naitanim na sa utak natin ang cultural relativism (Kalkal na ng module, nasa 3rd set ‘yon). Bawat kultura ay

naiiba; kung kaya dapat nating isabuhay ang itinuro sa atin na “Respect begets respect.” (Ehem! May retention kunwari sa subject).

Excessive Materialism. Bagaman naglipana ngayon ang iba’t ibang fashion trends, magkakaiba pa rin ang istilo ng bawat tao. Mula sa uri ng sapatos, brand ng damit, tatak ng pantalon, style ng bag, at modelo ng cellphone, magkakaiba tayo ng gusto. Kapag wala ka sa uso, masasabihan kang “manang,” “baduy,” o “jologs.” At ang mga outdated manamit ay pagpipiyestahan na naman ng mga tao – arawaraw ay aabangan ang kanilang #OOTD.

Ang mga taong mahilig sa checkered ay madalas asaring “table cloth”; ang mga mahilig sa kulay itim ay kinukutyang nagluluksa; ang mga mahilig sa varsity jacket ay binabansagang barangay tanod; at ang mga mahilig naman sa makukulay na damit ay tinatawag na “taong rainbow.”

Pero bakit nga big deal sa atin ang pagiging fashionable? Bakit tayo biglang nagiging fashion stylists at nanghuhusga ng tao from head to toe? Sobrang halaga ba ng mga materyal na bagay at pisikal na kaanyuhan at ang mga ito ang itinuturing nating basehan ng pagkatao ng isang indibidwal? Gender Stereotyping. Bawat kilos, bawat galaw, ay ating binabantayan at kung sa persepsyon natin hindi ito naaayon sa nakasanayan ay siguradong may masasabi tayo. Dahil nga mayroon na tayong pre-conceived notion ng kung ano ang “tama” at “mali,” madalas tayong nanghuhusga ng isang tao.

Halimbawa na lamang, ang ideya natin ng “dalagang Filipina” ay isang babaeng mahinhin at konserbatibo. Kung kaya kapag nakakita tayo ng mga kababaihang magaslaw at nakasuot ng maikling damit (hal. shorts at sleeveless), sasabihan natin sila ng maarte, malandi, o kung anu pa mang negatibong label. Matipuno, matapang, at seryoso – iyan na-

REVISITING Professionalism Tight-Lipped Erudite

Marimel M. Puguon|Devcom Editor

It’s important to be professional if you want to have a successful career....”, Alison Green, Workplace and Management Advised Columnist and Consultant.

Accountability: Professionals hold themselves accountable for their thoughts, words, and actions especially when they have made a mistake. This personal accountability is closely tied to honesty and integrity, and it is a vital element in professionalism.

ant but it makes a significant impact especially in maintaining harmonious relationship with people around us.

Be pleasant to people even if we do not like them: We cannot choose who we work with. At times, we will have to work with people who are difficult to be with. Professionalism means not letting them get under our skin and, instead, remaining cordial and easy to work with.

Professionalism may be defined variously. Self-Regulation and Emotional IntelliFor some, being professional might mean gence: Professionals act gracefully under dressing smartly at work, or doing a good pressure. Genuine professionals show rejob. For others, being professional means having advanced degrees or other certifications, framed and hung on the office wall. Professionalism encompasses all of these definitions. “The self-awareness of being But, it also covers much more. Foremost, professionals are deemed to have “specialized knowledge.” They have a deep personal commitment to develop and improve their skills that are founded on their degrees and certifications.

professional entails confidence-

knowing who we are and where we fit in the world, and owning your

Be open to criticisms: Realize that getting feedback on your work, even critical feedback, is part of the job. We should take it personally. Criticisms are supposed to help us evaluate our performance and identify areas needing improvement.

The self-awareness of being professional entails strengths and weaknesses.” confidence- knowing who Nevertheless, not all areas or we are and where we fit professions demand extensive in the world, and owning knowledge and not all proyour strengths and weakfessionals have top degrees nesses. Having such an awareness can help in their field. What matters, though, is that spect for people around them no matter you buttress the things we do not do so well. these professionals have worked in a seri- what their role or situation. They exhibit a Caring and self-awareness, combined with ous, thoughtful, and sustained way to master high degree of emotional intelligence (EI) good communication skills, lead to prudence the specialized knowledge needed to suc- (also emotional quotient or EQ) by consider- and the ability to be candid without giving ceed in their fields. They keep this knowl- ing the emotions and needs of others. They offense. edge up-to-date, so that they can continue to do not let a bad day impact how they interact with colleagues or clients. They are able to The professionals of today should have perdeliver the best work possible. give clients and coworkers what they need, formance grounded in truth. They should There are other key elements of profession- because they know how to listen actively and also reveal the attitudes appropriate in their alism that an individual should master: observe what is happening. job. As students we learn in school how to be Honesty and Integrity: Professionals ex- While we are still students (and technically, professional in their future careers. We are hibit the qualities of honesty and integrity. not professionals yet), we can also act pro- often taught about of professionalism. Both present and future professionals must be of They keep their word and they can be trust- fessionally by following these guidelines: good qualities, especially, as a person. Haved because of this. They never compromise their values and will do the right thing even Be Polite: Be kind and polite and use good ing these virtues will not only contribute to when it means taking a harder road. More manners to everyone we come into contact our success in our chosen fields, but also in with, no matter what their role is and how our contentment with life, in general. VC than these, true professionals are humble. we are feeling. This might sound unimport-

June-August 2016

man ang tingin natin sa kalalakihang Pilipino. Kaya tuwing makakakita tayo ng lalaking galawgaw, maingay, o malamya, agad nating naiisip na sila ay beki o di kaya’y paminta.

Sa maraming dahilan at maraming paraan, nanghuhusga tayo ng kapwa – intensiyonal man o hindi. Subalit aanhin pa natin ang napakagandang pisikal na kaanyuan kung ang utak at puso naman natin ay pangit ang nilalaman. Hindi ba mas mainam kahit hindi maganda ang pisikal na kaanyuan, basta sa utak at puso ay bawing bawi naman? Hindi ba mas mainam na mayroon tayong angking

talino upang maging maunlad ang buhay at may malambot na puso para sa mga tao sa ating paligid? At higit sa lahat, hindi ba mas mainam na tayo ay may respeto -- hindi lamang sa ating sarili kundi maging sa mga taong nakapaligid sa atin?

Respect begets respect, totoo yan. Kaya kung isa tayo sa mga echoserang palaka na kokak ng kokak, isip-isip din at tingin-tingin sa salamin! Gaya nga ng sabi nila, “Dont judge a book by its cover because in the first place you’re not a judge.” Peace! VC

Shifting Stance

Alger M. Cerojales|Online Editor

etika ng social media Sa paglawig ng paggamit ng internet, isinilang ang social media. Ito ay isang paraan ng pakikipagkomu-nikasyon kung saan malayang naibabahagi ng isang indibidwal ang impormasyon, ideya, mensahe, at iba pa sa mga taong kabilang sa kanyang network. Sa henerasyon ngayon, ang kabataang itinuturing na pag-asa ng bayan ang nangunguna at kadalasang suki ng social media. Ayon sa Pew Research Center, 81% ng mga kabataan ang gumagamit ng social media at ang dalawa sa pinakaginagamit nila ang Facebook (94%) at Twitter (24%).

tal, sa lamay, sa libing, sa lahat na lang yata ng lugar, basta may pagkakataon. Hindi naman bawal mag-selfie, siguraduhin lang sana natin na naayon ito sa lugar at pagkakataon. Limitahan ang bagay (na ipino-post). Karaniwan na nating nababasa ang iba’t ibang klaseng status updates na nakakairita. Nakakairita dahil sa maraming rason – maaring dahil sa dalas ng pagpo-post, sa nilalaman ng post, o dahil mismo sa nagpopost.

Bagaman nakatutuwa namang makabasa ng mga pangyayari sa buhay ng mga taong Sa paglipas ng panahon, naging bahagi malapit sa atin (o kakilala natin), kung na ng libangan at pangaraw-araw na bu- lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay natin ay ipihay ng mga kabataan ang social media. At nopost natin at sobrang suki na tayo ng sa ngayon, maliban sa ito’y ginagamit sa news feed ng mga tao, nakakainis naman pakikipagpalitan ng personal na mensa- talaga ito. Idagdag pa na ang ibang mga inilalagay natin he, ang modernong ay masyado ng pamamaraang ito personal para ay epektibong naibahagi sa pubkapagpapalaga“Bago tayo mag-post liko – naniningil nap ng impormang utang, nangsyon ukol sa mga ng mga negatibong aaway ng bagong isyung nangyayari girlfriend ng sa loob at labas ng bansa. Maliban bagay sa Facebook... ex-boyfriend, o umiiyak dahil pa rito, kadalasan broken-hearted ding ginagamit bago tayo mag(pero nakuha na ang social mepang mag-selfdia sa personal na share ng mga links ie). Para sa mga pakikipag-ugnayan ganitong bagay, at pakikipagkalakalan. Isang click sa Twitter, mag-isip nariyan naman ang private meslang, maari ka nang saging (PM) makahanap ng kaimuna ng mabuti.” feature o mas bigan o kasintahan, maganda siguat maari ka na ring rong kompronmagtinda at mamili tahin na lang natin ‘yung tao ng harapan.. ng iba’t ibang kagamitan at serbisyo. Bagaman maraming magandang naidudulot ang social media, ang sobrang pagkahilig dito ay maari ring magbunga ng hindi maganda. Kung maraming oras na ang ginugugol sa paggamit ng FB, Twitter, Insta-gram at iba pa, makakain nito ang oras na dapat sana ay nag-aaral ng mga leksyon at gumagawa ng mga proyekto ang mga estudyante. Kaya gaya ng iba pang bagay, dapat magtakda ng mga limitasyon dito.

Limitahan ang oras. Dahil sa free data ng Facebook, idagdag pa ng free wi-fi connection sa ating unibersidad, maari na tayong mag-log in sa ating mga smartphone o laptop nang madalas. Minsan, maging sa loob ng klase, nag-i-scan tayo ng news feed kahit halos nabasa naman na natin ang laman nito. Dahil dito, hindi na tayo nakakapagpokus sa diskusyon sa klase, at maari nating hindi matandaan hindi lamang ang leksyon, kundi ang mahahahalagang anunsiyo ng ating mga guro (Gaya ng walang klase at holidays? Haha. –mod).

Limitahan ang lugar. Marami sa atin ngayon ang gumagamit ng gadgets bago matulog. Madalas nga ay katabi pa nating matulog ang mga ito. Ayon sa pag-aaral, ang paggamit ng gadgets sa higaan ay nakakaapekto sa oras ng pagtulog. Dahil sa blue-and-white light na nagmumula sa mga ito, hindi nakakapaglabas ng melatonin, isang hormone na responsable upang tayo ay dalawin ng antok sa gabi at maging regular ang ating sleep pattern.

Dapat din nating limitahan ang paggamit ng social media sa mga pampublikong lugar, lalo na kung tayo ay nagmamaneho, naglalakad, o tumatawid. Maari tayong mapahamak kung hindi tayo alerto, maari tayong manakawan, masagasaan, o makasagasa. Selfie dito, selfie doon. Minsan, wala na tayong pinipiling lugar – sa daan, sa ospi-

Isa pa sigurong dapat nating iwasan ay yung panlilimos ng likes, comments, at shares. May mga pagkakataon sigurong pwede itong palampasin. Pero para sabihing iu-unfriend natin ang isang taong hindi maglilike sa status o profile picture natin, ibang usapan na iyon. Hindi naman natin ikayayaman ang likes, at hindi rin naman ito nakakain.

Madalas na nating marinig ang catchphrase na “Think before you click.” At ito mismo ang dapat nating gawin. Bago tayo mag-post ng mga negatibong bagay sa Facebook, bago tayo magupload ng mga litra-tong masyadong revealing sa Instagram, bago tayo mag-share ng mga links sa Twitter, MAG-ISIP MUNANG MABUTI. Huwag dapat nating hayaang ma-addict tayo sa paggamit ng social media. Dapat nating isaisip na ang bawat status update, bawat profile picture, bawat comment, bawat like, bawat ginagawa natin ay maaring makasama o makabuti. Kaya dapat nating paganahin hindi lang ang emosyon, kundi maging ang puso at isip sa ating mga ginagawa. Sa kabila ng lahat, naniniwala pa rin akong tayong mga kabataan ang siyang pag-asa ng bayan. Mag-aral tayo ng mabuti, gawin ang nakaatas na trabaho ng maayos, at higit sa lahat, maging mapanuri sa paggamit ng social media. Mas magandang hindi hamak ang makihalubilo sa taong kaharap mo at sa taong totoo. Dapat tayong mabuhay sa realidad; bumangon tayo mula sa pagkakaratay natin sa mun-dong puno ng thumbs-up sign, pagpapasikat, pagmamakaawa at pagpapanggap. I-enjoy natin ang buhay na mayroon tayo at pahalagahan ang mga taong nakapaligid sa atin.VC

Devcomm

PNP OPLAN-DOUBLE BARREL PROJECT TOKHANG:

KONTRA ILIGAL NA DROGA Nap Gerald G. Tolentino Kasagsagan pa lamang ng kampanya para sa eleksyon sa pagkapangulo, nagbigay na ng babala si President Rodrigo Roa Duterte patungkol sa isyu ng droga sa bansa. Pag-upo pa lamang niya bilang bagong pangulo, agad niyang ipinatupad ang mga batas laban sa droga at iba pang uri ng kriminalidad sa bansa. Isa sa pinakamatunog na programa niya ang PNP Oplan - Double Barrel Project TokHang o mas kilala bilang OPLAN TOKHANG na unang ipinatupad sa Davao City, kung saan dating naging alkalde si Pangulong Duterte sa loob ng ilang taon. Dahil sa programang ito, ayon sa user-contributed survey site na Numbeo.com, naging ika-apat ang Davao sa “safest city” sa buong mundo. At ngayon, ang programa ay ipinatutupad na sa buong bansa sa pangunguna ni bagong PNP Chief General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

Ang Oplan Tokhang ay hango sa salitang bisaya na “Tok-tok Hangyo.” Sa anti -drug operation na ito, ang mga pulis ay kumakatok sa pintuan ng mga pinaghihinalaang gumagamit, nagbebenta, at nagtutulak ng droga at hinihimok nila ang mga ito na sumuko ng maayos sa mga awtoridad. Sa programa ring ito, binibigyan sila ng pagkakataong magbagong-buhay.

Ang programang Oplan Tokhang ay alinsunod sa Batas Republika bilang 9165 (RA 9165) ng Pilipinas na mas kilala sa tawag na “Batas na Pinalawak sa mga Mapanganib na Droga ng 2002” (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). Layunin ng RA 9165 na pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mamama-

yan, lalung-lalo na ang mga kabataan, laban sa pinsalang dulot ng droga. Sa ilalim ng batas na ito, maparurusahan ang mga taong nagbebenta at gumagamit ng ipinagbabawal o ilegal na droga at mga kauri nito.

Sa panayam ng Rappler kay PNP Chief Dela Rosa, Hunyo 29, ipinaliwanag niya na target ng Oplan Tokhang ang mga high value personalities at mga street level personalities. Sa pinakahuling datos ng Pambansang Pulisya ng Pilipinas (PNP) noong Agosto 31, nasa 627,358 tao na ang sumusuko sa ilalim ng proyekto. Samantala, sa ulat ni Ben Moses Ebreo ng Philippine Information Agency (PIA), nasa 500 katao na gumagamit at nagtutulak ng droga ang lumahok at kusang sumuko sa Mass Surrender at Oath Taking sa probinsya ng Nueva Vizcaya sa ilalim pa rin ng programang Oplan Tokhang na kilala sa probinsya bilang “Operation Tok-tok Patang.” Ayon kay Police Supt. Leumar Abungan, Police Provincial Director, nasa 200 drug pushers at users lamang ang nasa kanilang listahan subalit higit pa sa bilang na ito ang sumuko at lumahok.

Ayon rin sa kanya, nagmula ang mga sumuko sa mga bayan ng Bambang, Bayombong, Solano, Santa Fe, Aritao, Dupax Del Sur, Dupax Del Norte, Bagabag, Villaverde at Diadi. Dagdag ni Police Supt. Abungan, nasa 71 mula sa 275 barangay ang apektado ng iligal na paggamit at pagbebenta ng droga. Sa ulat ng PIA nitong Hulyo 18, nasa 1,246

na ang bilang ng mga sumuko dahil sa iligal na droga, at patuloy pang nadadagdagan ang mga ito dahil patuloy pa ang pagdating ng mga feelers at mga aktwal na sumusuko mula sa iba’t ibang barangay sa probinsya. Ayon kay Abugan, tumaas ang bilang ng mga boluntaryong sumuko dahil sa isa umanong tulak na napatay sa bayan ng Bambang sa isang operasyon ng mga pulis.

Sadyang, mahigpit ang pamumuno ng ating presidente, lalung – lalo na sa kampanya laban sa iligal na droga sa bansa. Subalit, sa patuloy na pag-uusig ng mga awtoridad sa laban sa droga’y mas lalo namng tumataas at nadadagdagan ang bilang ng mga nakikitil ang buhay. Sa pinakabagong tala ng PNP noong Setyembre 11, nasa 3,000 drug offenders na ang namamatay kung saan, 1,466 dito ay napatay sa operasyon ng mga pulis mula nang ito ay unang ipinatupad sa bansa (Hunyo 30). Samantala, nasa 1,490 naman ang pinangangambahang napatay ng mga pinaghihinalaang vigilanteng grupo sa bansa na maituturing ng pulisya na death under investigation.

Sa kabilang dako, ipinahayag ni Supt. Dionardo Carlos, tagapagsalita ng PNP, na umabot na sa 17,387 ang naisasagawang opersyon ng pulisya na naging dahilan ng pagkasawi ng nasa 1,466 drug personalities at pagkadakip ang 16,025 drug suspects. Sa kabila nito, hindi pa rin maiaalis sa atin ang mangamba sa patuloy na pagdami ng bilang ng mga nahuhuli, napapatay, at sumusu-

kong tao na may kaugnayan sa droga. Nakaaalarma na sa bawat araw, ay may naiuulat na namatay o napatay sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa. Drug user/ pusher man o hindi, nakakapanlumong isipin, ang di-makataong pagpaslang sa mga tao; ang kaanilang katawan ay natatagpuan na lamang sa kung saang lugar.

Marami na ang namatay at nadadamay. Marami na ang naulila at nawalan ng mga minamahal sa buhay. Ang usapin patungkol sa droga’y sadyang mahirap talakayin. Baga- m a n lubha ang pagnanais nating ito ay sugpuin, kinakailangan nga bang dumanak ang dugo? VC

Sources: http://filipinocorner.blogspot.com/2010/03/repablic-act-9165 http://www.rappler.com/nation/138049-dela-rosa-pnp-plan-drugs http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/145009-dapat-gawin-drug-list-karapatan http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/491468748006/nueva-vizcaya-drug-pushers-users-now-at-1-246 http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/491468747346/over-500-drug-users-pushers-join-mass-surrender-in-nueva-vizcaya http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/09/11/1622597/drug-deaths-near-3000

sa likod ng makulay na PERYA PERYA Judy Antonette P. Natividad

Palipat-lipat. Paroo’t parito. Pasilangan. Pakanluran. Pahilaga’t papuntang katimugan. Kung saan may piyesta, kasiyahan at selebrasyon. Umaalis pero bumabalik. Tumitingin ng magandang pumwesto, kung saan mas makikita at dudumugin ng tao. Sa gitna man ng tirik na araw, sa pagbuhos man ng malakas na ulan, sa pagdating man ng ulan o matinding unos, sila’y di natitinag. Ang kanilang pansamantalang tahana’y itinatayo upang makisaya sa kung anu pamang pagdiriwang ang mayroon.

Madalas sabihing bahagi na ng kulturang Pinoy ang fiesta. Sabi nga sa kampanya ng Department of Tourism (DOT), “we have one (fiesta) every day of the year.” Ito marahil ang nag-udyok sa akin upang alamin ang buhay sa likod ng perya.

Sa aking pagtatanung-tanong, nakilala ko si Rosalie Langca, o mas kilala sa perya bilang “Saling.” Si Lola Saling ay magpipitumpu’t isang taon na sa darating na a-dose ng Disyembre. Laki siyang Naic, Cavite ngunit siya ay ipinanganak sa Dumaguete. Kung anuman ang dahilan, bigo akong alamin sapagkat tumatanggi siyang ungkatin ang kanyang nakaraan. Nakilala ko rin si Fernando Punta o si Lolo Pedring, ang asawa ni Lola Saling na ngayon ay walumpu’t apat na taon na. Nagkakilala sila noong 1966 sa Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Si Lolo Pedring ay isang batang perya. Hindi niya naranasang mag-aral sapagkat kinailangan niyang tumulong sa kanyang ina. Tatlumpu’t apat na taon na si Lolo Pedring noong makilala niya ang dalawampu’t isang taong si Lola Saling. Graduate na ng kursong education si Lola Saling at kasalukuyang nagrereview para sa pangalawang pagkuha nya ng LET o Licensure Examination for Teachers. Nahulog daw ang loob ng dalawa sa isa’t isa at doon na nagsimula ang kanilang love story.

Samantala, nagdesisyon si Lola na sumama sa pagpeperya ni lolo matapos mabigong ipasa ang LET sa apat na beses niyang pagsubok. Taong 1970 noong ikasal ang dalawa sa Cavite at nagsama sa Rizal. Sila ay nabiyayaan ng dalawang anak na ngayon ay pawang may mga trabaho na -- ang isa ay professional teacher at ang isa naman ay bumbero sa Cavite. Ngayon ay mag-aapatnapu’t anim na taon na silang magkasamang nagpeperya. “Pwede na kaming tumigil dahil nakapagtapos na ang aming nga anak ngunit hindi namin maiwan ang perya. Ito ang negosyong bumuhay sa amin sa loob ng mahabang panahon,” pahayag ni Lola.

Nang siya ay tanungin ko tungkol sa kanyang mga pamilya, tila walang anumang ikinuwento niya ang mga mahal sa buhay na ‘di niya kapiling. “Sanayan lamang iyan iha, namatay ang magulang namin na hindi man lang namin nakita.” saad ni Lola.

“Ipinanganak ko ang mga anak ko sa perya mismo. Noong nag-aaral na sila’y iniwan ko sa mga kamag-anak sa Cavite upang makapagtapos sila at

kumita naman kami,” dagdag naman ni Lolo.

Madalas daw silang abutan ng Pasko at kung anumang selebrasyon sa ibang lugar. Kwento pa nila, swerte na daw kung makauwi silang magasawa ng dalawang beses sa isang taon. “May naipon na kaming kaunti para sa pagpanaw namin. Ayaw na naming manahin ito ng mga anak namin sapagkat mahirap [ang buhay]. Maraming taon na ang lumipas na hindi namin nakakasama ang mga anak namin, padala na lamang ng pera ng pantuition,” paliwanag ni Lola Saling.

Nang aking tanungin kung ano ang malimit nilang maging problema sa perya, sagot ni Lolo, naranasan daw nilang mawalan ng paninda at manakawan ng pera. Subalit, tuloy pa rin sila sa paghahanap-buhay dahil naniniwala silang nakatutulong ang pagsasakripisyo nila. At dahil nga sa pagpeperya ay nakapag-aral ang kanilang mga anak.

Tugon pa ni Lolo Pedring, “Nakatutuwa na nakarating na kami sa kung saan-saan, saan man dalhin ng panahon pati makakilala ng iba’t ibang uri ng tao.” Gaya ng hindi nila pag-iwan sa isa’t isa -- sa hirap at ginhawa -- hindi raw nila iiwan ang perya.

Piso-piso. Taya dito, taya roon. Tayaan ang mga numerong maibigan mo, kung saan titigil ang malikot na liwanag sa mga maliliit na bombilya. At sa paghinto nito, meron ka ng instant tasa, tupperware, sitsirya, at kung anu-ano pang naka-display sa kwadradong pinalilibutan ng mga samu’t saring pagkain at bombilya. Dito ko nakilala ang magkakapatid na Pitung, Aris, Ryan, at Insong. Sila ang mga tagapangasiwa sa pinagkakaabalahan ng karamihan sa tuwing fiesta, ang running light. Ang magkakapatid na galing pang Siquijor ay napadpad sa Maynila upang makipagsapalaran. Sa perya nila nahahanap ang kanilang kapalaran.

Sa labing apat na magkakapatid, sila ang unang apat na lalaki. Ang nanay nila ay naglalabada habang ang ama nila’y mangingisda. Dahil sa hirap ng buhay, napilitan daw silang tumigil sa pag-aaral at tumulong na lamang sa paghahanapbuhay.

Si Pitong, 39 taong gulang, ay ikalawang baitang lamang ang natapos. Siya ang unang nagsakripisyo, na sinundan ni Insong, 38 taong gulang, na pinanganak na putol ang kanang binti at braso. Si Insong ay pinaglihi umano sa manikang walang paa at kamay ayon sa kwento niya. Ang kambal na sina Ryan at Aris naman ay mag-tatatlumpu’t pitong taon na at hindi rin nakaranas mag-aral. Sa loob ng humigit-kumulang sampung taon nila sa pagpeperya, hindi pa raw sila nakakauwi ng Siquijor. Sayang daw kasi ang pamasahe at kita. Kung kaya’t kagaya nila Lola Saling at Lolo Pedring, ipinapadala na lamang ang perang pang tuition fee ng mga kapatid. Sila sila na lamang daw ang nagbabatian at nagse-celebrate sa kung anong okasyon ang dumarating.

Tinanong ko si Kuya Insong kung kuntento na ba sila sa buhay-perya, at ako’y namangha sa sinagot niya, ‘’Kaya kami nagsakripisyong lumayo para kumita at mapag-aral ang aming mga kapatid. Sila na lamang ang pag-asa namin. Sa kanila namin iipunin ang bawat patak ng pawis at piraso ng perang aming kinikita. Hindi para sa amin kundi para sa kanila, sa kinabukasan nila.”

Hindi pagmamay-ari ng magkakapatid ang running light. Nangangamuhan lamang sila. [Ayon sa kanila, sumasapat naman ang kita.] Bale walo sila sa pwestong iyon; silang magkakapatid ang tumatao habang ang apat ay tumutulong lamang sa paglipat-lipat ng pwesto. Mahirap raw ang malayo sa pamilya lalo na ngayong papalapit na ang Pasko. Ngunit sa kabila ng mga pagsasakripisyo nila, isang bagay lamang ang gusto nila-magkaroon sana ng bunga ang mga sakripisyo nila. Napakalawak ng Pilipinas. Nagkalat ang iba’t-ibang klase ng perya na nagbibigay-sigla sa mga selebrasyon natin. Mahirap at malungkot ang buhayperya, taliwas sa sakripisyong hatid nito sa atin. Kinakailangan nilang malayo sa tunay na pamilya upang magsilbing pansamantala nating pamilya. Nakatutuwang isipin na sa kabila ng hirap at problema, may mga matatag na taong tumatayo sa sarili nilang paa…nakapagbibigay saya at aliw sa ibang tao kahit sila mismo ay nalulungkot. Tayo ay kanilang pinangingiti kahit sila mismo ay kailangan ding ngumiti upang pansamantala ay maibsan ang pait ng pangungulila.VC

Volume IX Number 4

reviews Movie Review:

Captain America:

Civil War Laymar P. Umhao

Many superhero movies have been released and each of those released movies has its own incomparable story, style and identity. Have you ever asked yourself, what would happen if your favorite leading superhero will fight against other leading superheroes? Who would emerge the best? Your questions are about to be answered with the release of Captain America: Civil War. In this blockbuster gem released by Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), you will surely witness the best of the best superheroes. This is a film we’ve all been waiting for. This film serves as a sequel to both Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron. It can be said with confidence that the two movies together with this new movie come together to create the greatest superhero trilogy of all time. Captain America (also Steve Rogers) played by Chris Evans and Iron Man (also Tony

Stork) played by Robert Downey Jr. leads the powerhouse cast of the movie. The two heroes lead the two opposing groups who feel differently about the Sokovia Accords, a resolution drafted by the United Nations to put the superheroes under the supervision and direction of the United Nations itself. The resolution was conceived following the Avengers’ mission in Nigeria where Captain America leading Black Widow, Scarlet Witch,

Vision and War Machine pursued Crossbones who has been making a run on various strongholds with no regard for human life. While Avengers emerged victorious in their mission, it came at a cost with innocent lives lost due to a mistake by Scarlet Witch and her advanced, enhanced powers. Because of this, Captain America and the rest of the heroes were called into the office of the Secretary of the State, General Thaddeus Ross. Not everyone agreed to the Sokovia Accords, and amidst polite arguments and disagreements, the United Nations conference led by King T’Chaka (John Kani) and T’Chala of Wakanda was attacked by terrorists. The attack was blamed to Winter Soldier who was in custody that time; a mysterious man, Zemo helped him to escape. The discussion turned into a rift between two factions of superheroes as Captain America defends his best friend, Winter

Soldier; while Iron Man, feeling guilty, accepted that they need oversight. Falcon, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye and Ant-Man went with Captain America while War Machine, Vision and Black Widow opted to side with Iron Man. Spiderman also popped up and sided with Iron Man. Then there were two groups who were in pursuit of Winter Soldier, one trying to prove his innocence while other wants him to

answer for his crimes over the decades. As Ross ordered Captain America and his team to be arrested, Iron Man stepped in promising to bring them in within 36 hours. And, the Civil War began.

The first battle between the superheroes, which happened at Berlin Airport, is one of the best action sequences Marvel studios has ever created. In fact, I feel that this is even one of the best action movies in history. Fight scenes deliver exactly what fans have always wanted out of a comic book movie of this scale. The conflict between Captain America and Iron Man – is an emotional battle that will tear at the heartstrings of every fan like they’re watching their own parents go through a messy divorce. The fight scenes were remarkable, especially the one where Scarlet Witch used her powers to allow Captain America to super jump into a high-rise building as well as the one where Hawkeye fired Ant-Man on an arrow inside Iron Man’s armor. Other superheroes also executed some wonderful brawling: Black Widow versus Vision, Falcon versus War Machine, and Winter Soldier versus Black Panther.

The film was not just about singular impressive performances, instead, it was an opportunity to see how these heroes both relate to each other and act when they are at odds. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo and Writers Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus did a great job! There’s no better example of the former in the film than the newly introduced superhero, Black Panther, who is every bit regal, intelligent, bold and passionate as the hero on the page. And while they don’t have as much screen time as some of the other Avengers characters, there is no body in their right mind who will walk away from the blockbuster not loving the absolutely brilliant return of Ant-Man and the long awaited arrival of Spider-Man:

now young and spunky being cast by Tom Holland.

The new movie is equally thrilling, fun, engaging, emotional, smart and thoughtprovoking, and really has everything you wanted to see from a summer entertainment. While some movie reviews have compared Captain America: Civil War to other superhero movies, at the end of the day, it is a Marvel movie that is both new and familiar. Surely, it is challenging to put a handful of

Chris Evans Robert Downey Jr. Scarlett Johansson Sebastian Stan Mackie Barnes Jeremy Renner Elizabeth Olsen Paul Bettany Don Cheadle Paul Rudd Chadwick Boseman Tom Holland Frank Grillo William Hurt Daniel Bruhl

Captain America/Steve Rogers Iron Man/Tony Stark Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff Winter Soldier/James Buchanan “Bucky” Anthony Falcon/Sam Wilson Hawkeye/Clint Barton Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff The Vision War Machine/Lieutenant James “Rhodney” Rhodes Ant-Man/Scott Lang Black Panther/T’Challa Spider-Man/Peter Parker Crossbones/Brock Rumlow Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross Zemo

A A visual visual and and gastronomic gastronomic treat treat Jevelyn L. Justo and Alger M. Cerojales

Blessed with a cool climate and gifted with rich cultural diversity, Baguio is a place where history is preserved and the scenery is just amazing. On the average, Baguio is at least eight degrees cooler than any place in the lowlands. Not surprisingly, Baguio is dubbed the “Summer Capital” of the country. It is one of the favored destination of both domestic and international tourists, of people both young and old. After six hours of travel from Nueva Vizcaya for the National Seminar-Workshop on Campus Journalism of the Language Educators Congress (LEC), we decided to have a side trip during our free time. With our moderator and fellow VC members we sampled the dishes of Good Taste Restaurant

taurant leans heavily towards Chinese Cuisine but Western pastries are also available. Recognized as the Best Friendly and a local favorite resto in Baguio, Good taste boasts at low prices and high quality food. Good Taste Restaurant and Café is located at Cariño Street, Baguio City and at Rajah Matanda St. that both branch operates 24 hours, seven days a week.

and explored the famous Ben Cab Museum.

Good Taste: a place to eat good food For most of us, it was our first time at Good Taste Restaurant. And we were amused to see that the three-storey establishment has elevators. We arrived at the restaurant at lunch and the first and second floors are already full. Good thing, the dining area extends up to the third floor!. The dining crew of Good Taste was very accommodating, and they seemed to be used to hiring so many customers. The place never seemed to never get empty, which attests to the high quality of food and service that they offer. We were a group of seven famished and travelworn individuals occupying a big table. It took a while before we had our food served that by the time we got a hold of the tasteful dishes, no one wanted to talk we were all concentrating on the food before us. We had a feast of fresh and flavorful dishes. We ordered Chop Suey, Lumpiang Shanghai, Fried Chicken, and Fried Rice which are their bestsellers. Good Taste Res-

Ben Cab Museum: a glimpse at the past and future With tummies full, we rented a cab to bring us at Ben Cab Museum, a four-level building that houses the art collection of National Artist Benedicto Cabrera or better known as Ben Cab who is widely hailed as a master of contemporary arts. Found in the museum are Cabrera’s paintings, his collections of indigenous Cordillera art and the works of other Filipino masters and contemporary artists.

The different areas of the museum are the BenCab Gallery, Cordillera Gallery, Erotica Gallery, Sepia Gallery, Philippine Contemporary Art Gallery 1, Philippine Contemporary Art Gallery 2, Maestro Gallery, Print Gallery, Patio Salvador, Bulul Installation, Grafitti Wall and Larawan Hall. More than that is Ben Cab’s collection of rice gods or in vernacular, the bululs and other indigenous arts & crafts of the northern Philippine highlands giving us a preview of the rich culture and traditions of the Cordillera region.

Ben Cab Museum connotes the perfect marriage of art and nature. Aside from the museum itself where artworks are present, it has a garden with a duck pond, an organic farm with an aviary of local and imported fowl, plus a mini¬-forest. While inside the museum the aroma of coffee and Italian dishes will lure youat the resto Café Sabel, which

June-August 2016

overlooks the forest and duck pond. Offers fresh and natural food in an ambiance that will refresh your palates and feed your soul. Ingredients like vegetables and herbs, are sourced fresh daily from BenCab’s organic farm. The cafe’s signature coffee blend, BenCab’s Brew, is also sourced from coffee trees on the farm. Inside the museum is a shop for the tourists to buy art books, paper products such as postcards, and notepads, art and crafts such as wood carvings and textiles as well as other souvenir items.

Indeed, the experience was amazing. We were Astonished and awed with the artworks and collections of one of the renowned Filipino artists. The visual treat had been both wonderful and inspiring. The BenCab Museum is on Asin Road, in an area known as Km. 6, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet, which is six kilometers from the center of Baguio City. The museum opens daily except Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Treat and Retreat

Good Taste Restaurant and Ben Cab Museum are two of the must - visit attractions whenever you travel in Baguio. Fit for foodies and artists who are looking for new experiences and inspiration. Suited for broken souls that want to renew and reflect. Filipinos are fond of exploring and enjoying especially food and Good Taste Restaurant is the right place to go.

Adventurous and art lover? Visit BenCab Museum, enjoy the visual stimulation and connect nature. So what are you waiting for? Grab your bags and make memories at the Summer Capital of the Philippines. So what are you waiting for? Come on join us for another memory to be made in the Summer Capital of the Philippines! After a six hours (from Manila) or four hours (from Nueva Vizcaya via Kayapa) of winding roads, Baguio will not disappoint. VC

Photos by Alger M. Cerojales Links:

Some of you might be busy basking in the sun this summer, but this movie is worth squeezing in your summer to-do-list. Don’t forget to invite your family and friends – young ones or young once, alike!VC

MOVIE CAST

Good Taste and Ben Cab: Scenic, Nippy, Tasty. Baguio is all these... and more!

superheroes in one movie, but I must say, it was handled quite impressively. It was a comic book story that came into reality, executed satisfactorily.

http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2012/03/cafe-sabel-bencab-museum.html http://www.bencabmuseum.org http://www.manilatimes.net/dot-reports-increase-in-baguio-tourist-arrivals/35487/

feature

The MAN of FIRSTs. The first president who hails from the Land of Promise- Mindanao. The first Filipino lawyer-president who did not top the bar exam. The first septuagenarian (a person between 70 and 79 years of age) president in history and the first to have the biggest leap from a local to a national position. The 16th president of the Philippines, His Excellency President Rodrigo “Digong” Roa Duterte has served the Durian Capital of the Philippines, Davao City for almost three decades. A son, a father, a leader, and a lawyer, he is often called The Punisher.

Duterte the First RJ F. Leal

The Dutertes as a political clan Born in Maasin City, Southern Leyte on March 28, 1945, Dutrete’s family moved to Davao in 1951. He is the child of leaders of Davao who served as provincial governor, of the province Vicente G. Duterte who is also a civic leader and Soledad “Soleng” Roa-Duterte, a school teacher. He has a brother and a younger sister, Benjamin “Bong” and Jocelyn Duterte, respectively. His father passed away in 1968 and his mother in 2012. He married Elizabeth Abellana Zimmerman, an air-hostess of German-American descent in 1973. They were blessed with three children, Paolo (current Davao City Vice Mayor), Sara (current Davao City Mayor), and Sebastian. In 2000, is marriage with Zimmerman was annulled. While in most sources his status is “Single”, he lives with his commonlaw wife, Cieleto “Honeylet” Avanceña, a nurse with whom he has a daughter named Veronica, 11-years old. He was blessed with eight grandchildren in all, half of whom are Muslims and half are Christians.

Duterte’s roller coaster Academic Career

Digong finished his elementary education at Sta. Ana Elementary School in Davao City. During his high school years, he was expelled twice (he was kicked out of Ateneo de Davao), he finally graduated in high school at Holy Cross of Digos. He completed his degree in Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, in 1968 from the Lyceum of the Philippines University in Manila and obtained his Bachelor of Laws from San Beda College, Manila. Duterte’s activism was on full display throughout his college life. He usually stands up for what he thinks is right. [For instance, he shot a fellow student for making racist and lowly remarks. For this, he was not allowed to attend his graduation ceremony. Since his victim did not suffer fatal wounds, he was allowed to continue and complete his law degree. After passing the bar examination in 1972, he started his Law career as a Special Counsel at the City Prosecution Office, Davao City in 1977. Swiftly climbing the ladder of success, he became the second Assistant City Prosecutor within a span of just six years in 1983.

Duterte’s Claim to Fame As he served his city, he was able to render his service to the Davaoeños and get various awards. Davao City was awarded the “National Literacy Hall of Fame Award” for qualifying for the “Outstanding Local Government Unit Highly Urbanized City” category thrice. Rated as the “Fourth Safest City in the World” according to the Numbeo.com a survey in 2015. He was nominated for the “World Mayor” award in April 2014, a recognition given every two years by The City Mayors Foundation to outstanding leaders who served their communities well. He, however, politely refused the nod, saying “I did it not for my own glory, but because that was what the people expected me to do.” It was not the first time that he declined an award. In the past, he refused to accept awards for Davao City, including the one given by the American Cancer Society and the 2010 Anti-Smoking Award in Singapore.

Duterte’s service for the Davaoeños and the Filipinos

In1986, he assumed the position of officer-in-charge Vice Mayor, and in 1988, he ran for the post of mayoralty post and won. According to him, he never dreamed of becoming a mayor “I never thought I’d be a mayor. Never in my wildest dreams”. He served as the mayor for 10 long years and had since advocated the interests of the Lumad and Muslim communities. After his term as a mayor, he vyed for the House of Representatives and came out victorious as the Congressman of Davao City’s first district in 1998. He returned to Davao City and ran again as mayor in 2001 and got re-elected in 2004-2007 and 2007-2010. It is no mean feat that he reigned supreme as mayor of Davao City for seven terms, (on 22 long years). After serving his fellow Davaoeños, he filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for precidency, through his representative Attorney Salvador Medialdea in Manila shortly after withdrawing his COC for Davao City mayoralty reelection. He was replaced by her daughter Sara in the mayoralty position. After his oath taking on June 30, he finally assumed office as the President of Philippines for a term of six years and was proclaimed the first Mindanaoan president of the country. All of these backgrounds tell us something about the life of our new leader. He is the leader who stands firm with his fight against drugs, despite of the extra judicial killings and human rights violation cases hurled at him by the human rights advocates and even the international medias. With these information, I hope we got to know better the oldest president in our history.VC

Sources: http://www.filipiknow.net/rodrigo-duterte/, http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/137583-rodrigo-duterte-philippine-president-profile, https://successstory. com/people/rodrigo-roa-dutertei, http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/ a Numbeo is the world’s largest database of user-contributed data about cities and countries worldwide. Numbeo provides current and timely information on world living conditions including cost of living, housing indicators, health care, traffic, crime and pollutions.

NEW NEW ACADEMIC ACADEMIC

Academic Building Matagal-tagal na ring problema ang kakulangan ng silid-aralan sa ating unibersidad, ayon kay Sir Arnel Almendra, ang in-charge sa pagsasaayos ng mga klase natin. Patuloy na lumolobo ang populasyon ng mga estudyante, at nadaragdagan ang mga kursong inooffer sa unibersidad. Dahil dito, nagkaroon ng Room X, Room Y, at Room Z (at minsan, Room W pa) at madalas napipilitang magklase sa bagong Administrative Building at kung saan pang makeshift classrooms ang mga estudyante. Mabuti na lamang at malapit nang matapos ang tatlong palapag na gusaling pang-akademiko na nagkakahalaga ng 22 milyong piso sa likod ng gusali ng Kolehiyo ng Agham at Sining (CAS). Sinimulan itong ipatayo noong Disyembre 28, 2015 ng Bayani R. Gajes (BRG) Construction. Ang bawat palapag nito ay binubuo ng anim na silid-aralan, faculty office, comfort room.

Covered Walk Tag-ulan na naman. Kalbaryo na naman ng mga tamad magdala ng payong. Mabuti na lamang at tapus na tapos na ang proyektong covered walk na nagkakahalaga ng tatlong milyong piso. Ngayon, hamak na mas maginhawa na ang pagpapalipat-lipat ng mga estudyante mula sa isang gusali patungo sa isa, matindi man ang sikat ng araw o malakas ang buhos ng ulan. Mula sa gym hanggang College of Business and Economics, maari nang rumampa nang hindi nawawalan ng poise! Mula naman sa main gate hanggang administration building o hanggang sa College of Engineering, maari nang maglakad nang hindi naaarawan. Medyo crowded nga lang minsan dahil sa dagsaan ang tao kapag umuulan, idagdag pa ang mga tambay at mga mababagal maglakad. Gayunpaman, sana matuto tayong matuwa at magpasalamat. Sa pangangalap ng VC, pawang positibo ang reaksyon ng mga estudyante sa nasabing proyekto.

FACILITIES RJ F. Leal, Ma. Cristina F. Obra , and Judy Antonette P.

Bagong academic calendar. Bagong mga guro at opisyal. Bagong bukas na Senior High School offerings. Ilan lamang ang mga ito sa mga bagong pangyayari sa ating unibersidad. Ngunit napansin niyo ba ang iba’t ibang inprastraktura at pasilidad na parang kabuteng umusbong sa loob ng ating unibersidad. Halina’t magmasid at matuwa!

Bagong Food Court Bago ito sumailalim sa renovation, marami ang reklamo ng mga estudyante sa dating food court. Una na dito ang hindi organisadong ayos ng mga stall. Idagdag pa ang kakulangan ng maayos na drainage at mga mesa at upuan.

Engineering Laboratory building Upang mapalawak pa ang kaalaman at maging komportable ang mga estudyante sa kanilang pagaaral, ipinatayo ang Engineering Laboratory malapit sa College of Business and Economics. Ang unang palapag ng gusali ay may apat na silid at dalawang silid-imbakan na kasalukuyan nang nagagamit. Ang bawat silid ay may lababo na magagamit ng mga estudyante sa kanilang mga eksperimento.

Isa sa mga pinakaimportanteng kagamitan sa lab ang Universal Testing Machine na sumusukat sa tibay ng iba’t ibang materyales na ginagamit sa mga gusali at iba pang istruktura. Sa kasalukuyan, nakaplano na rin ang pagpapatayo ng ikalawang palapag ng gusali na kasama sa kabuuang pondo na humigit-kumulang 12 milyong piso.

Sa ngayon, kasalukuyang kinukumpuni ang food court, at mukhang mas lumiit ang espasyo nito kumpara sa dati, ngunit kasabay nito ang mga magagandang epekto nito sa atin? Para mga tindera, mas magiging ligtas ang kanilang paninda at mas mapapanatili nilang malinis ang kanilang inihahandang pagkain. Para naman sa ating mga estudyante, mas magiging komportable ang ating pagkain at mababawasan ang ating pangamba sa kalinisan ng pagkaing inihahain sa atin. Kwento ng isa sa mga nakapanayam kong tindera, mas mahal na daw ang singil nila ngayon kaysa dati mas masikip na ang espasyo. Subali’t dagdag proteksyon daw ito dahil mas ligtas na ang kanilang mga paninda mula sa mga nagnananakaw.

Generator Set Kabi-kabila ang brown out, minsan dahil sa kakulangan ng supply ng kuryente tuwing tag-init, o minsan dahil naman sa mga linya nasisira ng bagyo tuwing tag-ulan. Anupaman ang dahilan, lubhang nakakaapekto sa gawain ng unibersidad ang kawalan ng kuryente. Kaya naman, malaking katulungan ang pagkakaroon ng generator set upang maging mas produktibo ang mga mangagawa ng unibersidad kahit sa panahong walang kuryente. Ang dalawang generator set na nakasilid sa generator house malapit sa Graduate School (GS) Building at sa harap ng College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Building ay nakapagbigay ng sapat ng enerhiya para sa pangaraw-araw na gawain sa unibersidad, lalo na tuwing may mga malakihang programa.

Ang renta daw sa mga stall ay direktang binabayaran sa kahera ng unibersidad at iba pa rito ang binabayaran sa kuryente. Sa kabila nito, malaki pa rin naman daw ang kita at talagang nakatutulong.

Ilan lamang ang mga ito sa mga bagong imprastraktura sa unibersidad na lubhang nakatutulong sa atin. Gamitin natin ito nang may kalakip na pagpapahalaga at pag-iingat. VC

Volume IX Number 4

feature

Top 10 Judy Antonette P. Natividad

May mga taong hindi raw nasasaktan pero nangingilid na ang luha.

5. Papel – Madalas kang makipag-agawan dahil sa papel. Minsan nagmamakaawa ka pa, mabigyan lang ng papel. Pero pagkatapos mong gamitin, paglaruan, punitin at sulatan, itatapon mo na lang kung saan? Dahil ba wala nang pakinabang sa’yo?

May mga taong hindi raw apektado pero deep-inside durog na durog pala.

6. Types of Examination

May mga taong tapang-tapangan pero ang totoo suicidal na pala.

a.) Multiple Choice – Ang dami mo na ngang pagpipilian, ‘yung mali pa ang napili mo. Matuto ka kasing makiramdam, para ‘di ka magkamali sa final decision mo. May instinct-instinct ka pang nalalaman, animal instinct naman pala ang meron sa’yo.

May mga taong hindi raw bitter pero halos mamatay na pala sa ngitngit at selos.

Bakit nga ba nauso ang #hugot? Sigurado ako sa klase niyo, may at least isang taong #HugotQueen o #HugotKing -- halos lahat na lang ay hinuhugutan niya lalo na kapag may pinagdadaanan sa buhay.

b.) Matching Type – Hindi mo dapat ipilit ang hindi magkaparis. Dahil kapag ipinilit mo, magkakamali ka lang. At pag nagkataon, iiyak ka lang kapag bumagsak ka.

Madalas nakatutuwa, nakakatawa, kasi nga napaka-creative at witty ng mga hugot nila. Marahil sa iba mababaw pero para sa iba, kasiyahan ang humugot. Sa iba walang kwenta, pero para sa iba, dito nila ibinubuhos ang lahat ng kaeklavuhan at ka-echosan (lalo sa mga sawi at iniwan) para makaiwas sa depresyon at kalungkutan.

c.) TRUE Or FALSE – Dalawa lang ang pagpipilian mo, kaya ‘di ka na dapat magkamali pa. Kilatisin mong mabuti ang bawat item para sigurado ka sa desisyon mo.

Kung isa ka man sa mga may pinagdaraanan, huwag mahiyang ilabas ang nararamdaman, #hugot na!

d.) Essay – Depende sa pagpapaliwanagan: merong mga taong dapat kapag nagpaliwanag ka, ipaliwanag mo ng buo at malinaw. Pero may mga tao ring depende lang sa haba ng paliwanag mo, para paniwalaan ka.

1. Ball pen - Iniwan ko lang sandali pagbalik ko biglang wala na. Nawa-

7. Softdrinks – Bakit nga ba hinahanap mo ‘yung

la. Nagloko. Naubos. Bakit nga ba ganun? Biglang nawawala, ninanakaw? O baka inaagaw? Minsan, ang sabi hihiramin lang. Ang ending, hindi na ibinabalik. Magloloko kasi nahulog, nahulog sa iba. Nauubos ang tinta, baka pasensya o marahil nagsawa na. Ball pen na panulat sa love story nilang dalawa. Hawak mo na pero sa isang iglap biglang hawak na ng iba. Kahit naman alagaan mo kung talagang tuso yung nanguha, maiiwan kang nganga.

iba, hindi nila pwedeng angkinin.

malamig? Kapag nanlalamig na, hindi mo na dapat hinahanap. Kahit pa masarap ang malamig, magkaka-UTI ka lang (Umibig Tapos Iniwan). Kung alam mo nang makasasama sa’yo, iwasan mo na.

8. Enrolment - Buti pa yung tuition marunong magma-

hal. Mabuti pa ang cashier, pinipilahan. Mabuti pa yung proseso ng enrolment, nagtatagal. Mabuti pa ang College mo, binabalik-balikan. At mabuti pa yung encoder, nakakatiis. Sana #EnrolmentGoals na lang para di na tayo umasa sa l*ntek na #RelationshipGoals na yan!

2. School ID - Marerealize mo na lang na mahalaga siya kapag kailangan mo na. Sa dami ng iyong iniisip, minsan nalilimutan mo siya. Tsaka mo lang maiisip na kailangan mo kapag, hinanap na ng iba (ng guard sa gate madalas). At kapag nahulog mo naman at napulot na ng iba, shempre kukunin mo kasi nga sa iyo ‘yun. Sana nga ang boyfriend parang ID, pwedeng palagyan ng pangalan, para mahulog mo man at mapulot ng

9. Kalsada - Parang butas ng ilong. Parang mga mata, tainga, paa’t kamay. Dapat dalawa lang. Walang sobra. Kasi kapag sumobra, pangit nang tignan. Kapag may sumisingit sa daang dapat pandalawahan lang, magkakagulo ang traffic. Nakakairita. Sa kalsadang pandalawahan, hindi angkop ang singitan, sa kahit na anong dahilan, sa kahit na anong paraan.

3. Eraser – Ang eraser parang pasensya. Kapag lagi kang nagkakamali at lagi mong gagamitin ang eraser, siyempre mauubos ito. Kahit gaano pa kalaki ang eraser, kung lagi kang nagkakamali, mauubos at mauubos ito. Kaya dapat sa’yo siguraduhin mo lahat ng hakbang mo para huwag kang magkamali sa desisyon mo, at para hindi maubos ang eraser ng mga tao sa’yo.

10. Sapatos - Kung hindi kasi para sa isa’t-isa, huwag nang ipagpilitan. Kung hindi babagay, huwag ng makip-

agsapalaran. At kung hindi kasya, wag mo ng isiksik. Para ka lang nagwawalis habang nakabukas ang electric fan -- nagpapagod ka lang. Para ka lang nag-aabang ng bulalakaw sa gitna ng ulan. At para ka lang naggahanap ng pizza sa Mcdo.

4. Cellphone – Kapag may mas bago, mas maganda at mas uso, iniiwan mo na at ipinagpapalit ang luma mo? Kapag bago, lagi mong hawak at hindi mo mabitawan. Pero kapag nagamit mo na at naluma na, hahanap ka na naman ng bago. Wala kang konsepto ng “kuntento.” Kaya minsan mas okay pa ‘yung mga no choice, kasi siguradong aalagaan ang kanilang cellphone kahit luma man o bago.

Huwag ganun, gumising ka sa kalokohan mo! Kapag nasaktan ka, iniwan, pinaglaruan, humugot ka lang. Pero pagkatapos mong humugot, balik na uli sa pag-aaral. Tandaan mo, ang boyfriend napapalitan. Pero ang transcript, forever yan.VC

marks the new era of Online Gaming Julius Barcena

It’s on the news! Kids and adults, alike, are running around town catching adorable monsters. Has the new Pokémon frenzy hit your neighborhood yet? Pokémon GO is the newest app craze that simplified the process of catching Pokémon so the app brings your 90’s memories to life and gives a new thrill for mobile gaming. The game is so fun that you would want to catch ‘em all! Released on July 2016 for iOS and Android devices. Pokémon Go is a free-to-play location-based augmented reality mobile game. It was developed by Niantic Inc, an American software development company based in San Francisco, California that is best known for developing augmented reality mobile games. The game’s augmented-reality feature makes it more interesting as it gives a live direct view of your vicinity. John Hanke, CEO of Niantic Labs raised $25 million from his investors including Google, Nintendo, and the Pokémon Company from December 2015 to February 2016 growing a team of 40+ to launch Pokémon Go.

Pokémon or Pocket Monsters are fictional creatures being caught and trained by a Trainer in movies and in games. The franchise revealed Generation 1 Pokémons in Pokémon Go including the most famous Pikachu .The trending virtual game might be sweeping the globe as the hottest new gaming craze but little did we know that it all started as Google’s Google Maps April Fool’s joke. Two years ago, Google involved integrating Pokémon Challenge into its extensively used Google Maps feature. The goal was to find the world’s best Pokémaster, a title for elite pokemon trainers. John Hanke never imagined that this game would be a real success, so successful that it was able to add $9 billion dollars of profit to Nintendo.

It took 20 years for Hanke to build the hottest game today. Using the meeting points created by Ingress players, Hanke was able to identify Pokéstops and Pokemon Gyms. Pokéstops are places such as historical markers and monuments in a vicinity where gamers can collect items such as eggs and pokeballs while Pokemon gyms are places where gamers can train their strongest pokemon . Unlike in Gameboy version games where you have to weaken a Pokemon before you can catch, in Pokemon Go, you just have to throw a Pokeball to catch a Pokemon with high combat powers (CP). By con-

June-August 2016

necting your smartphones to your Global Positioning System (GPS). You can make your character move in kilometers or more by just walking. You can catch your starters from the famous first generation Pokemon Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur and Pikachu.

Pretty easy, right? Personally, I find this game fun. By walking through parks and roads, you might even encounter rare pokemons like Dragonite, Charizard and Chansey. Walking in kilometers would also help you hatch a certain egg. As such, the game could be healthy as it encourages walking. The game can be fun and addictive but if you’re rooted on a town which lacks Poke-gyms and Pokestops, it is easy to lose interest. “Pokéstops are submitted by users, so obviously they’re based on places people go. We had essentially two and a half years of people going to all the places where they thought they should able to play Ingress, so it’s some pretty remote places. There are portals in America and the North Pole, and most points in between,” Hanke explained about Pokéstops.

Niantic Labs’ Pokémon video game series has used real-world locations such as the Hokkaido and Kanto regions of Japan, New York, and Paris as inspiration for the fantasy settings in which its games take place. Pokémon GO, on the other hand, uses the real world as the game setting! The game also includes cool features such as character customization, use of GPS and Google Maps, Photo Fun Camera Feature (to capture photos of your encountered Pokemon) and Team Rivalry includes Pokemon Teams Instinct, Valor and Mystic.

Being the new hit of online gaming, Pokemon Go players have already posted their achievements and efforts online. New York City-based trainer Nick Johnson, for instance, already caught all 145 available Pokemons in Pokemon Go. The adult trainer went on a bit crazy capturing all 142 available Pokemon in his rooted city. He then travelled to other regions to catch Mr. Mime and Farfetched and caught his last Pokemon, Kangaskhan in Sydney, Australia complet-

ing all 145 Pokemon excluding unavailable Generation 1 legendaries Mew, Mewtwo, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres .

The game’s exploding popularity has brought people to different places, different accidents, and even stumbled at a dead body. According to Hideki Yasuda, an analyst at Ace Research Institute in Tokyo, this game is the probably the first smartphone game to bring forth a social phenomenon on a global scale. Nintendo has proven that they are still relevant and that they can still produce games that would appeal to gamers across the globe.

It was also a clever move by Google collaborating with Nintendo, the game is now a runway hit for the 90’s kids in 69 different countries including Asian Countries; Philippines, Japan and Taiwan, USA, Canada and European countries.

While it may be enjoyable and healthy to go catching Pokemons, Philippine National Police (PNP) advised players to avoid playing while driving and to stay away from dark places while playing to prevent accidents and robbery. Also, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) posted reminders in their official F a c e b o o k account for all Pokemon Go users in the Philippines to be responsible in crossing the streets and be alert all the time. It’s you who is supposed to catch the Pokemons; you should not be caught unaware and unprepared by evildoers, nor should you be caught violating traffic rules and regulations. Links: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/pokemon-go-started-life-as-agoogle-maps-april-fools-joke-niantic-a7132606.html http://nextshark.com/john-hanke-niantic-pokemon-go-roger-hamilton/ http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-video-games/pokemon-go/

Ang Nakaraan:

May Tama na si Elmo

Si Elmo.

Isang karakter na muling nagbabalik mula sa malikot na isipang walang magawa. Isang kathang isip na karakter na sumasalamin sa mga isyu sa lipunan, noon, bukas, at magpakailanman. Mula sa pagiging miyembro ng kemeyer, grumadweyt siya na Cum Laude, naging presidente, at boyfriend ng sikat na artista. (Daming achievements noh! Buti pa siya, eh ikaw kaya? ) Sa panibagong yugto ng kanyang buhay, matutunghayan natin ang mga pagsubok na kahaharapin ng ating si Elmo, bunga ng kanyang mga kalokohan. Katatapos lang ng eleksyon at himala ngang nanalo si Elmo matapos itong tumakbo bilang mayor ng kanilang bayan. Katulad ng maraming kandidato marami ring ipinangakong pagbabago si Elmo, (Pangako? Lahat na lang ipinangako tapos in the end maiiwan kang nganga #HUGOT) maging mga proyekto kuno na makakapagpapaginhawa sa buhay ng mga mamamayan. Umapaw ang pagkain at inumin, at nagmistulang fiesta ang araw ng kanyang naging panunumpa sa katungkulan. Tuwang-tuwang ang mga tao. Ttila bayani kung ituring ng mga tao si Elmo. Para sa kanila, siya ang kanilang pag-asa.

Muntik nang magka-lovelife si Elmo sa katauhan ng kanyang idolo sa TV pero sa kasamaang-palad ito’y napigilan dahil siya’y nagising sa kanyang panaginip. Naissip nalang niya, Lovelife na nga, naging bato pa. Kaya ngayon, ang lovelife niya parang Coke…#Zero (Ikaw ba? Mahirap magka-GF ng artista. #Sourgraping

Totoo sa kanyang sinabi, tinulungan nga ni Don Mando Rogas si Elmo. Binihisan, pinag-aral, itinuring na parang anak, at inihanda para maging isang opisyal ng pamahalaan na mangangalaga sa kapakanan ng kanyang mga negosyo. (Insert Illegal business here ) Sa laki ng utang na loob at sa kagustuhan na ring magkaroon ng maraming pera upang makapaglakbay sa buong mundo ay hindi nagdalawan-isip si Elmo na sundin ang gusto ng kanyang Tito Mando. Sa ganitong paraan, maipapamukha niya kay Bebang na nagkamali ito sa kanyang desisyong iwan siya at ipagpalit sa iba. (Iniwan tapos ipinagpalit? Masakit noh? Sinong nakarelate?)

End of flashback

sagot ni Elmo.

Napakalaking responsibilidad ang nakaatang sa balikat ni Elmo bilang mayor ng kanilang bayan na Pusong Iniwan Sinaktan Pinaasa at Kinalimutan ngunit katulad ng mga nagdaang karakter na kanyang ginampanan, napabayaan na naman ni Elmo ang kanyang tungkulin. (Para malaman kung ano ang nangyari kay Elmo sa kanyang nakaraan, maaring kumuha ng back issues ng Varsity Courier sa 2nd Flr. ng GS Building.) ;)

“Magbabayad ka!” Galit na sambit ng babae kay Elmo saka biglang naglaho.

Lingid sa kaalaman ng mga mamamayan ng Pusong Iniwan Sinaktan Pinaasa at Kinalimutan, may maitim na balak si Elmo sa kanilang bayan. (Balak? Ikaw ba yan? Maitim? Gaano kaitim? Haha)

Muli, nangako si Elmo na gagawin ang makakaya. Subalit ang kanyang isipan ay naglalaro sa maraming pera na maari niyang makuha sa isang malaking proyektong ipapatupad sa kanilang bayan.

Sa Iniwan Street, nagbalat-kayo ang mayor ng bayan dahil may katatagpuin siyang mahalagang tao.

Pera ang naging dahilan kaya naluklok sa posisyon si Elmo at pera din ang kanyang habol sa kanyang kinalalagyan. (Hindi kaila sa atin ang katotohanang laganap ang ganito sa ating lipunan. Kurakot dito, kurakot diyan. Kaya ang mga mamamayan, nganga sa kahirapan. #PoliticalWill)

“Wag ka nang mag-alala Tito, nagawa ko na ang gusto mo. Bahala na ang mga tulak natin. Tantya ko naman ay bago matapos ang linggong ito ay maipauubos na nila lahat ng mga epektos.” Sagot naman ni Elmo.

“Batid ko ang gusto mong mangyari sa bayan ko! Hindi kita mapapayagang lapastanganin ang bayang inaalagaan ko!” Wika ng babae kay Elmo sa harap ng maraming tao.

That’s the story behind Elmo and Mamang mataba.

“Umaayon ang lahat sa aking plano. ahaha.” Aniya sa sarili nang mapag-isa sa kanyang magarang opisina.

“Naikalat na ba ng mga epektos Elmo?” Tanong ng isang mamang may malaking tiyan at may hawak na tabako habang nakaupo sa loob ng isang magarang limousine.

Lumapit sa kanya, ang babaeng tila diyosa sa kagandahan at umaapoy sa galit.

“Baliw ka ba? Sayang ang ganda mo pa naman. Hindi ko alam ang mga sinasabi mo. ahaha” Tawang-tawang

Unti-unting lumaganap ang kriminalidad sa kanilang bayan. Dumami ang nakawan, patayan at mga krimeng may kinalaman sa ipinagbabawal na gamot. (MyGhad! I Hate Drugs!) Nababahala na ang taumbayan kaya’t kanila itong idinulog sa tanggapan ng mahal nilang mayor na si Elmo.

Tuwang-tuwa rin si Elmo sa mga nangyayari sa kanyang buhay.

araw, lumabas sa opisina si Elmo upang magtungo sa palengke para makinig (kunwari!) sa mga hinaing ng mga mamamayang kanyang nasasakupan.

Sal a

Kinilabutan man ay ipinagwalang-bahala ni Elmo ang banta ng magandang babae. Lingid sa kaalaman ni Elmo, isang diwata pala ang magandang babae, si Avah. Siya ang diwatang nananahan at nangangalaga sa Pusong Iniwan Sinaktan Pinaasa at Kinalimutan. Isang diwatang naranasang maiwan, mabigo at madurog ang puso ng pinung-pino sa pag-ibig. Dahil dito, nangako nangako siyang hindi na muling iibig pa. (Naiwan, nabigo, at nadurog? Naranasan mo na ba? Masakit diba? Wag kang mag-alala, nasa tabi-tabi lang si KARMA ) Lumipas pa ang mga araw at patuloy pa rin si Elmo sa pagpapamudmod ng epektos sa kanilang bayan upang magkamal ng salapi. Lagi siyang abala sa pagiging mayor ng bayan at sa pagiging protektor ng mamang nakasakay sa limousine. “Pera, napakarami ko nang pera mula kay tito at mula sa mga proyekto sa bayang ito. Malalakbay ko na ang buong mundo, Las Vegas, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, London, Macau, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong at marami pang iba,’’ wika ni Elmo sa sarili habang hinihimas ang milyones sa kanyang kaha de yero na gabi-gabi niyang binibisita bago matulog.

mantaisang

Isang gabi, lumitaw ang diwata sa kanyang panaginip at nagwikang malapit na ang kanyang katapusan. Nagising si Elmo na naliligo sa sarili niyang pawis. “Nakakatakot, anu bang gusto niyang mangyari?” Nangingilabot na sambit ni Elmo.

“Magaling Elmo! Magaling! Hindi talaga ako nagkamali sayo,” tuwang-tuwang sabi ng mama.

Tatayo sana si Elmo para uminom ng tubig ngunit muling lumitaw ang diwata sa kanyang harapan.

Marami sigurong nagtataka kung sino si mamang mataba and here it goes. Flashback: Pagewang-gewang na naglalakad sa gitna ng kalsada si Elmo, taong tinubuan ng eyebag sa mukha, malungkot, tulala, at walang patutunguhan. Iniwan at ipinagpalit siya ni Bebang sa iba, sa mas mayaman, mas gwapo, at mas matalino. Sa kadahilanang wala siya sa sarili (in short, bangag) ay derederetso siyang tumawid ng kalsada, ni hindi napansin ang limousine na parating.

mga

“Hindi ako makakapayag na masira ang bayang ito nang dahil sa mga kagaya mong walang puso at kaluluwa. Wala kang awa, pati kabataang dapat ay nasa paaralan nalululong sa masamang bisyo nang dahil sa kagagawan mo. Magbabayad ka ng mahal sa ginawa mo.” Galit na galit na wika ng diwatang si Avah. (Aisus! Mga kabataang naliligaw ng landas. Tamaan Sapul Brad, kesa umilag ka, magbago ka nalang. )

“Wag! Maawa ka. Huwag mo akong parusahan. Huwag!” Umiiyak na sambit ni Elmo.

“Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!” Sigaw ni Elmo na wari’y naitulos na sakanyang kinatatayuan dala ng gulat.

“Huli na para magsisi ka Elmo. Sa ngayon ay kailangan mo nang tikman ang iyong kaparusahan,” galit na sabi ni Avah.

“Okay ka lang ba?” Tanong ng mamang mataba. “Okay? Paano akong magiging okay? Wala na siya, wala na ang pinakamamahal ko,” Naghihinagpis na sagot ni Elmo.

“Waaaagggggggggggggg!” Sigaw ni Elmo.

“Halika, sa akin ka na muna tumuloy. Mag-uusap tayo at tutulungan kita,” wika ng mama kay Elmo.

Poof! At si Elmo ay naging dahon na five-fingers. (Ang maka-gets? alam na!)VC

Krayola Billy Joe S. Peralta and Jevelyn L. Justo

Samu’t saring kulay Isang berdeng kahon Isang nakaputing taga-usisa

Yuko

Tingala

Emaree B. Valenzuela

Asul Dilaw Pula Ang aking kinamulatan Kumpletong kulay ng kamusmusan

Ako’y balisa Para sa iba ito’y walang halaga Inisip kong ito’y may katapusan Ngunit mali yata ang aking akala

Ako’y napaisip Nagtaka at nagtanong: Paano ang iba na PULA lang ang tanging naabutan?” Katarungan lang ba ang salat O pati katotohanan Nais ko sanang ang iba ay matauhan Sa pagpapahiwatig na tila walang hanggan

I l abas ang Katas

Ang nais lang naman Ng tulad kong mahal ang bayad, Bulsa’y bawasan, maibuhos ang biyaya’t Maging laman ng kanilang kaban At maipamahagi sa batang salat sa kalamnan.

Hayan na si puti! Sigaw ng mga krayola Dali-daling pumuslit si dilaw Deretsong pumasok si berde Ni walang problema si lila Rumampa pa ng konti si rosas Tapos si pula, ni hindi man lang nasita

Minsan ako’y nangarap Na makamit ang lahat ngunit ako’y kinalabit, Sinapak at tinadyakan Ng aking hubad na katauhan

At si abo, kumindat lang ng konti, ayos na.

Magkaroon sana ng sapatos na walang kasamang alabok at isang barong na walang tastas at kusot

Madalas kukunin ang I.D.

Kailan kaya mawawakasan At mapupuna ng ilan ang aking kabalintunaan Kung ako’y pinanganak Para tumingala lamang.

Ito ang kwento natin ngayon

Ngunit kawawa itong si asul Hindi makapasok sa school Minsan pauuwiin Para ilagay sa kahon. Ano nga bang problema Nitong nakaputing taga-usisa Hindi naman tayo naiiba kumpara sa kanila. Ngunit sa ati’y mainit ang kanyang mga mata.

Volume IX Number 4

–

sports

A Filipina athlete lifted some weight from our country’s shoulders, and finally, ended the Philippines’ 20 years of yearning for an Olympic medal. Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipina athlete from Mindanao brought home honor and pride to the country as she earned a silver medal at the Rio Olympics 2016 held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 7. It was a historic moment not only for Philippine sports but for the country as a whole as Hidilyn also becomes the first Filipina Olympic medalist. Prior to Hidilyn’s feat, the Philippines has already won nine medals in the Olympics since it first participated in 1924, but all these were courtesy of male athletes. Hidilyn is a twenty-five-year-old native of Zamboanga City Born on February 20, 1991, she is the daughter of Eduardo and Emelita Diaz. Her training at weightlifting started informally when she was just 11 years old. Drawing water from a community water pump, she had to walk hundreds of meters carrying big buckets of water for household use. Soon, she became curious about weightlifting as she watched her cousin Allen Jayfrus Diaz lift weights at a gym. He taught her the basics using pieces of Ipil wood. The moment Hidilyn lifted the first Ipil branch, she knew that weightlifting is the sport for her. Diaz comes from a family of weightlifters; four generations of their family have pursued weightlifting. At the tender age of 13, she was discovered at the Mindanao Friendship Games. Even from such an early age, she already showed great potential and remarkable strength. Standing at 4’11 and weighing in at 53 kg, Hidilyn was able to snatch 1.66 times her weight and clean and jerk over double her bodyweight. That’s a feat. She is the first female Philippine Olympic medal winner who bagged the silver medal with a total lift of 200 kilos. She has a best lift of 88 kilos in the snatch and 112 kilos in the snatch and jerk. Diaz failed in her fiwwrst attempt at 88 kilos in the snatch and then in her last at 91 kilos. In the clean and jerk, she opened up with a good lift at 111 and then the 112 and failed in her last attempt at 117 kilos. By that time, she was already assured of the bronze. Due to the grave tactical error made by China’s representative Li Yajun, instead of bronze; Diaz did move up from bronze to silver. That’s all I wanted - a bronze medal. But God gave me the silver medal.” She revealed who became the first female athlete from the Philippines to win a medal, of any color, in the Summer Games. Since she is an Airwoman 1st class (A1C) who was assigned at the Philippine Air Force Personnel Management Center(PAFPMC) and on detached service with the Philippine Sports Commission and now promoted as A2C at the 710th Special Operations Wing.

bring home as many medals as possible. “I have tried so hard,” Diaz said. “I have stumbled many times. I wanted to quit, but now all of my sacrifices have paid off.” For the first time in 20 years in the Olympics, the Philippine flag was raised again during an awarding ceremony, for which an entire nation will forever be proud and grateful. At first, she hinted Rio being her last Olympics before this landmark win, Hidilyn happily announced upon her arrival in the Philippines, however, that she will train to represent the country in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. And this time, she will aim for gold. A milestone has been made. Pride, honor and inspiration is what we get from a woman who really did the best that she could. Described by people who know her as shy, driven and strong woman who just loves her country so much, what more can we get? We didn’t get empty handed from this year’s Olympic Games. The big question is will it take us another 20 years to have an Olympic medal? Do we have to wait for decades just to have another Hidilyn Diaz?VC

Filipina weightlifter ends 20 year medal drought Jevelyn Justo

Rewards She received showers of blessings from the government. In accordance with the Republic Act 10699 or National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Law, a five million pesos’ check was handed to her. Additional incentive from President Rodrigo Duterte was two million pesos because of the joy and distinct honor she brought home. Another half million pesos from Zamboanga City government was given to her. Senators and the member of the House of Representatives also gave her part of their income as an additional incentive for her. Hidilyn revealed that she would like to buy the lot beside their home with the P5 million cash incentive she received and turn the property into a gym. “I want to build a gym for the children. I also want them to dream. I also want them to be Olympians, to be medalists,” she said. Diaz who does not have plans of retiring from weightlifting anytime soon said that grassroots sports training is what she wants to ask from President Duterte. No one knows that someday Hidilyn will be called as “Default Savior of Philippine Sports.” Prior to her Rio stint, she participated as a wildcard entry in the 2008 Olympics, and finishes just above last place before making another run in the 2012 Olympics as the Philippine flag bearer.

Challenges Faced

Unknown to many, it was on the year 2014 when her life

2016 Summer Olympics ends, PH ranks 69th Lindon Karl Z. Montano

has changed. Losing her trusted coach, an injury, and a tough break-up led to a string of subpar performances for the Filipino athlete. She missed the Asian Games and the World Weightlifting Championships that year. “She lost focus after she was not able to compete and her allowance from the Philippine Sports Commission was considerably reduced. Hidilyn simply wanted to go to the US to work as a fitness instructor,” Her coach Alfosito Aldanete pointed out, explaining that from a monthly allowance of P40,000, it was reduced to just P9,600. He said that he convinced Diaz to stay on, “You’ve trained for 14 years. Now you’ll only be training for 14 months and you’ll get a medal.” Aldanete said that he promised to set Diaz free after Rio. “It’s good she decided to stay in the sport,” he added.

Plans after Rio

After the Rio Olympics that she planned to leave the Air Force and accept a scholarship at Lindenwood University in Missouri, USA. Diaz was excited as she shared her plans of going back to college, realizing sports would not be there always. Choosing Exercise Science as her course, she aims to get, she hopes to become a coach and bring about change to the Philippine sports landscape and make life a little easier for athletes of the future. The dream, she mused, is to see all athletes able to compete internationally and

The 2016 Olympics ended on a wet and windy night with a colorful closing ceremony on Sunday, August 21 (Monday, August 22 in the Philippines) at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Thousands of people gathered to enjoy the showcase of rich Brazilian culture and wonderful fireworks display. Despite the widespread apprehensions that the city was unprepared and the lingering fear of the spread of Zika virus, Brazilians came to view the games as a triumph.

Based on the final medal table, the Philippines landed 69th place with the silver medal secured by female weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. USA (United States of America) ranked first with a 46 gold, 37 silver, and 38 bronze medals or a total of 121 medals; Great Britain with 67 medals (27 golds) and China with 70 medals (26 golds) took the second and third places, respectively.

four gold medals and one silver; and gymnast Simone Biles with four gold medals and one bronze. All the top three athletes are from the US.

“These were marvelous Olympic Games in the marvelous city,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said as he officially declared the games closed after the 16-day event that featured over 10,000 athletes from 206 nations and a refugee team.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Prime Minister appeared dressed as Nintendo video game character Super Mario, as Japan flung its arms wide open and readily accepted the baton to host the 2020 Summer Olympics at the city of Tokyo. VC Sources: http://www.rappler.com/sports/specials/olympics/143805-rio-olympics-ends-closing-ceremony http://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/37150572 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/22/sports/olympics/closing-ceremony-rio-games.html?_r=0

COMIC STRIP COMICS TRIP

Among the Rio Olympics’ top three athletes were swim legend Michael Phelps with five gold medals and one silver; swimmer Katie Ledecky with

Sources: http://www.philstar.com/health-and-family/2016/08/16/1613743/incredible-strength-hidilyn-diaz http://www.rappler.com/sports/specials/olympics/142335-hidilyn-diaz-blessed-silver http://www.rappler.com/sports/specials/olympics/142345-ph-weightlifting-legends-hidilyn-diaz http://www.rappler.com/sports/specials/olympics/142282-hidilyn-diaz-olympic-weightlifting-women53kg-silver-medal http://www.rappler.com/sports/specials/olympics/141439-hidilyn-diaz-rio-weightlifter http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/11/16/watch-triumphant-hidilyn-returns-home http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/08/16/praise-pours-in-for-hidilyn-after-olympic-triumph http://sports.inquirer.net/219132/hidilyn-diaz-i-almost-quit-weightlifting-before-rio-olympics http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/805527/welcome-for-hidilyn-diaz-bigger-than-beauty-queens

June-August 2016

sports

Gilas kisses

Olympic

Journey goodbye Billy Joe S. 6Peralta Gilas Pilipinas failed to enlist in the Olympics after suffering heart-breaking losses during the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) – Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in the jam-packed Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines last July 5-6. That they lost to China during the FIBA ASIA was Gilas’ most painful and crucial loss. Because they ended second during the tourney, they were required to compete with more basketball powerhouses in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, instead of earning a direct slot in the Olympics. During the qualifying round, Gilas, the underdogs, went head-to-head with two basketball giants: France Les Bleus and New Zealand Tall Blacks. Gilas VS Les Bleus

The Philippine team failed to score their first win against France Les Bleus, the 5th seed in the FIBA World ranking.

While France Les Bleus’ composure and experience secured them the win, Gilas’ “puso” gave them a good fight.

the game, but it proved inadequate to bag their first win. The game ended the game, 84-93 with Les Bleus making Gilas’ chances of going to Rio narrower.

Leading Les Bleus with 27 points was Nando de Colo, the reigning Euroleague MVP, who outplayed Gilas Pilipinas frontrunner, Andray Blatche. Matching Blatche’s output was NBA Star Tony Parker with 21 points.

“The bigger the stakes, the bigger the hurt when you fail. Of course, the bigger the joy when you succeed,” Tab Baldwin, head coach of Gilas Pilipinas, said.

Gilas had a hot start in the first quarter with an eightpoint lead which made the crowd go wild, 30-22. But, despite the rally that Gilas had, Les Bleus still managed to make a comeback in the next quarters.

Gilas VS Kiwis

Geared with the will to get the golden ticket to Rio, Gilas Pilipinas, 28th in the FIBA World Ranking, battled it out on their last game against the 23rd seed team, New Zealand Tall Blacks (Kiwis).

Les Bleus turned things around in the second quarter ending it with a slim 43-45 edge. France continued their momentum with a 66-77 lead heading in the last quarter of the game. But Terrence Romeo and Jayson Castro of Gilas, showed the French team the Filipino fighting spirit as they tried to close the gap in the last quarter, 81-85. Gilas even had two more quarter points in the latter part of

The Kiwis, who proved to be more eager to win, dominated the game which ended 89-80 and totally closed the door towards Gilas Pilipinas’ Olympic dream. Andray Blatche tallied his highest FIBA qualifier output with 30 big points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one

block. In addition, Jayson William and June Mar Fajardo also scored in double figures, 13 and 11 points, respectively. Despite these efforts, Gilas fell short to bag the game.

Tai Jack Webster with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists led the team to victory. Trailing behind Tai was his older brother Corey Webster who scored 23 points. Other key players were Isaac Fotu with 17 points and Thomas Abercrombie with 13. Gilas believed that the Tall Blacks’ familiarity of the coaching system of Coach Tab Baldwin who is a KiwiAmerican citizen. According to Marc Pingris, a Gilas veteran, the Kiwis were able to study their gameplay.

The Philippine team ended the tourney with a 0-2 record, marking the 11th consecutive time that they failed to earn a chance in the Olympic Games.VC

Buhay atleta: may forever o wala ?

Exegisis

Melchor O. Agpawa|Sports Editor Tulad ng maraming bagay, ang isports ay nagsisimula sa maliit bago lumalaki. Una, maku-curious ka, kakahiligan mo ito, mangangarap ka, magsusumikap, saka magwawagi. Ang tanong saan nga ba ito magwawakas? Mananatili kaya habambuhay ang nakamit na tagumpay?

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Isang kwento ng babaeng atleta ang aking nabasa sa isang pahayagan. Sa murang edad na onse tumutulong siyang mag-igib ng tubig para sa pagluluto at paliligo ng kanilang pamilya. Siya ay nagbubuhat ng tiglimang galong tubig sa magkabilang kamay at maglalakad ng layong tatlo hanggang apat na raang metro. Isang araw, na-curious siya nang makita ang kanyang mga pinsan na nagbubuhat ng weights. Nang oras ding iyon, ang nagbukas ang pintuan ng isports para sa kanya. Nagkainteres, sumubok niya, nangarap, nadapa, bumangon, nagsikap, at ngayon nga ay pinarangalan siya bilang ang kauna-unahang Pinay na na nag-uwi ng silver medal sa Olympics. Tama, si Hidilyn Diaz nga ang batang babae sa kwento, ang 53-kilogram weight lifter na nagbigay-karangalan sa bansa sa taong ito. Masarap pakinggan ang mga kwento ng tagumpay, di ba? Napakagandang motibasyon at inspirasyon ng mga ito para sa mga naghahangad dingmagtagumoay. Ngunit ano sa tingin ninyo ang mangyayari pagkatapos? Bagama’t hindi ko sinasabing walang magandang patutunguhan ang mga atleta, ayon mismo kay Hidilyn sa panayamng The Philippine Star, “…athlete’s life is not forever”.

Katulad din sa kung paano nagsimula si Hidilyn, dito sa ating unibersidad naglalabasan ang mga may potensyal at talagang mahuhusay na mga atleta tuwing sasapit ang Intramural. Maaring pagdating ng panahon isa sa kanila ang magiging pambato ng Pilipinas sa susunod pang mga Olympic Games at magiging kauna-unahang Pinoy o Pinay na mag-uuwi ng gintong medalya. Ngunit hindi naman lahat ay maaring makalahok sa Olympics; possible pa ngang wala ni isa sa henereayong ito. (Hin-

di naman ako negative thinker, kino-consider ko lang ang mga posibilidad).

Malamang hindi rin kaila sa inyo na minsan napapabayaan ng ilang mga atleta sa unibersidad ang kanilang academics. Kahit sabihin pa nating naipapasa naman nila ang lahat ng kanilang mga asignatura, malang madami silang mga na-miss na mga lesson sa klase. apaano na lamang sa board exam o iba pang mga klase ng eksaminasyon? Sasapat kaya ang kaalaman nila upang pumasa? Kahit sabihin din nating sobrang husay nila sa isports at kadalasan ay “hakot awards” sila tuwing may Sport Festival o intrams, kung napapabayaan naman nila ang kanilang pag aaral. Paglabas nila ng unibersidad maituloy kaya nila ang career sa isports? Kapag nagkataon, mahihirapan pa sila sa paghahanap ng trabaho kung napabayaan nila ang kanilang mga marka.

Siguro ang iba diyan sasabihin na “Bakit si Manny Paquiao hindi nga nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral? Naging matagumpay man siya sa larangan ng isports. Maliban sa milyonaryo na siya ngayon, isa na rin siyang senador.” Mayroon naman talagang mga atletang yumayaman dahil sa isports, pero kadalasan naman ay mga taga-ibang bansa (Tama ba o tama?). Kung mayroon man dito sa Pinas, mabiilang lamang sila mula sa higit isang milyong mga atleta. Saan kaya napupunta ang mga iba? Ano kayang mga trabaho nila? Maayos din kaya ang kalagayan nila? Bagaman mayroon ding insentibo para sa mga atleta, sa sobrang mahal ng mga bilihin ngayon, saan kaya makakarating ang allowance na ito? At kaya ba nitong buhayin ang pamilya mo? Ewan ko na lang. Idagdag pa ang ga scams ngayon. Naglipana ang mga manloloko.

At Speaking of manloloko mayroon ulit akong kwento. Sobrang kasikatan noon ang natamo ng isang atleta na gaya ni Hidilyn ay nagwagi din ng silver medal, ngunit pinagkaitan naman ng tadhana. Bukod sa P750 libong

natanggap niya noon, tatanggap pa dapat siya ng P2.5 milyong piso. Dalawampung taon na ang nakalipas hindi parin niya ito nakukuha dahil nagkawalaan umano ang mga papeles.

Ang atletang tinutukoy ko ay si Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco. Malamang di siya kilala ng mga gaya kong millenial. Para po sa kaalaman nating lahat, siya ay isang boksingerong Pilipino na taumpay na nakapag-uwi nag-uwi ng silver medal para sa Pilipinas, mula sa Atlanta Olympics taong 1996. Naging sobrang matunog ang pangalan ni Onyok lao pa at maraming naniniwal na siya ang karapat-dapat na nagkakamit ng gintong medalya at hindi si Petrov Bojilov ng Bulgaria. (Naku! Magsearch na kayo mamaya history yan.) Sa kabila ng sobrang kasikatan niya noon, pero napaglipasan pa rin ito ng panahon. Katulad ng perang natatamo sa isports, ang kasikatan rin ay nawawala sa paglipas ng panahon.

Kung may sisikat man at magiging matagumpay ulit ngayon sa larangan ng isports, hindi natin masisigurong habambuhay ang kanilang tagumpay maaaring tulad ni Onyok (sa Ang Probinsyano na lang sikat, haha.) Maaring bukas, makalawa o sa mga susunod na taon makakalimutan din sila dahil hindi naman habambuhay ang karera ng isang atleta. Sa paglipas ng panahon, tatanda sila,hihina, babagal at kukupas ang dating husay. Darating din ang araw na may isisilang na mas malakas, mas mabilis o mas mahusay.

Lubhang mahalaga ang isports – pambasag ng stress, pambuo ng self-confidence, panlinang ng diskarte at pag-uugali, at pampalusog ng katawan. Subalit sa artikulong ito, nawa’y mabuksan ang ating kaisipan na sa isports ay walang forever. Ang kasikatan ay nawawalan ng bisa sa paglipas ng panahon ngunit ang diploma, matataas na marka at napag-aralan ay mananatili kahit pa lumipas ang matagal na panahon. Sana ay matuto tayong balansehin ang isports at pag-aaral. Dahil forever na mahalaga ang edukasyon.VC