VOL. XXIX
NO. 1
SPECIAL ISSUE
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AUGUST 25, 2022
ANG MAMATAY NANG DAHIL SAYO. Newborn Stallions sing the National Anthem during the Opening and General Orientation Program in the university covered court, August 25, 2022. Photo by Lujean Guieb
MMSU CONDUCTS WEEK-LONG ON CAMPUS CELEBRATION RYAND ANGELO UGALDE & EDMAR DELOS
fter two years of hiatus, the Mariano Marcos State University A conducts Freshies Orientation Week
BACK TO NORMAL: MMSU HOLDS F2F FRESHMAN OPENING AND ORIENTATION PROGRAM DANA MERYLL GAPAS
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total of 4,451 freshmen students from the different colleges of the Mariano Marcos State University attended the face-to-face opening and orientation program after two years of online learning at the MMSU covered court, Batac City, on Thursday, August 25, 2022. Rationale and welcome remarks were warmly delivered by Dr. Jan Rich A. Guira, Director of the Office for Student Affairs and Services. “Here in this pres-
tigious university, we promise to give you the best that we can give.” Guira reiterated. He also encouraged the freshies to continue to achieve with the university. On the other hand, Patricia Louise Agrida, a firstyear student of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, expressed her excitement towards face-to-
face classes and her academic journey in MMSU. “I feel so happy and ready to start my college life, especially now that we get to experience a normal learning set-up.” Agrida shared. MMSU looks forward to a fruitful and successful academic year with the new stallions.
from August 25 until August 31, 2022. Attended by more than 4400 first-year students, Opening Program and General Orientation were conducted on the first day ranging topics from university quality policy statement, presentation of vision, mission, as well as university officials, academic policies and student affairs activities. MMSU President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco also gave their messages and well-wishes. Students will also attend College and Department Orientation tomorrow and Online Information Services via MMSU Virtual Learning Environment (MVLE), August 2729. Mental Wellness Day will also take place on August 30. Meanwhile, the University Student Council (USC) will hold three events during the first-ever Org Day on August 31. These events include Freshies Walk, Battle of the Bands, and Students Gallop. As the university opens its doors from in-person classes, the University ensures all students, parent, and guardians that all health and safety protocols are being observed at all times. The start of Opening Program and General Orientation program was originally scheduled on August 24 but was rescheduled today due to Tropical Storm “Florita”.
AGRUPIS TO FRESHMEN: ‘KEEP AN OPEN MIND AND WARM IN HEART’ IAN PAUL VILLANUEVA
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WORDS OF WELCOME. President Agrupis shares encouring message to the newly enrolled MMSU students during the Opening Program of SY 2022-2021. August 25, 2022. Photo by Lujean Guieb
o keep an open mind and a warm heart is university President Dr. Shirley Agrupis’ challenge for the nearly 4500 first-year students, transferees, and shiftees who attended the Opening and Orientation Program at the MMSU Covered Court on Thursday, August 25. More than two years after the halting of in-person classes and the shift to virtual learning, the administration’s plan to bring back face-to-face classes in all levels and programs is now in full swing.
“I feel your eagerness to start the first-ever face-to- face classes after two years,” Agrupis told the crowd of firstyears. The president’s speech did not go without a mention of the university’s seven-point agenda, ACHIEVE. “Across these 7 letters are roadmaps that are dedicated to guide you to become a virtuous human capital.” A little less than 15000 enrolled students were expected to show up today for the first day of classes. Among which, according to Agrupis, 4451 are first-year students. Apart from her words of encouragement, the president also reminded the students to still follow minimum health protocols, even as the province of Ilocos
Norte is still classified under COVID-19 Alert Level 1. The president ended her speech by encouraging the students to strengthen their resolve amid the challenges of today’s world. “I know that you came from different levels, different family environments, different situations but I assure you that it’s not about the situations that you are in... I hope that these 4451 students that we are welcoming today will be the same number of graduates after 4 years.” In the past academic years, the orientation and opening programs were conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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OPINION
which is why they ended up smartshaming their classmates by calling them bida-bida.
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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MMSU COLLEGE STUDENTS
edmar delos santos’
frustrated writer STOP SMART-SHAMING STUDENTS
‘We should not ostracize or judge them for doing their best to get high grades or to prove something to themselves’
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hen I was in high school, I used to be one of the students who criticized and made fun of students who were doing their best in class and exceeding the expectations of our teachers. Some students even tag them as 'pabibo'. Bida-bida and pabibo are Filipino slang words which refer to someone who wants to show off, pretend to be intelligent, or act like they are the center of everything. As students, we often associate these terms to our classmates who we think are overly competitive and desire to be in the spotlight every time. Also, these slang terms are linked to those who perform well and are the brightest students in the class. When I grow up, I realized that there was nothing wrong with being pabibo in school. I believe we should not ostracize or judge them for doing their best to get high grades or to prove something to themselves. We should not invalidate their efforts as they are just doing their part as a student. Although, there are students
who annoy us – people who appear to be just showing off in order to brag that they are smart, especially those who pretend that they know everything. However, whether the student is pseudo-intellectual or intelligent and responsible, we should stop discriminating or smart-shaming them as this could affect their mental health, especially their selfesteem.
Why it is a sign of smart-shaming It has been a part of the culture of Filipinos to mock someone capable enough to speak and stand up. In the political arena alone, it can already show us how people prefer someone who does not know our laws and the government instead of someone smart, experienced, and capable. Some also tend to smartshame them for expressing their sentiments on social issues. Similarly, in the context of school, some students are insecure about those smarter than them,
Consequently, some ended up avoiding participating in class to avoid hearing criticisms and smartshaming from their classmates or even their teachers. It could greatly affect their performance in school if students continue to invalidate them. That is why we should avoid criticizing and embarrassing them just because we are insecure about their performance.
RELEVANCE GROWTH
We should encourage everyone to do their best in class as this could help everyone to perform better, but we should also know to limit ourselves and give chance to others to shine and be heard as well.
It could be a type of smartshaming and a sign of crabmentality as sometimes students do not want to see their classmates shine and pull them down instead if they are in the spotlight.
Stop smart-shaming our classmates as it could lower their self-esteem and could affect their performance in class. After all, they are not doing anything wrong to you.
Maybe some of us do not want someone better than us as we think that we are superior. Maybe others are annoyed by their classmates for being active in the class, which is why they hate and give them a leer.
For those who are mocked for being smart and having good leadership skills, there is nothing wrong with being pabibo if you do not treat others as inferior. But, sometimes you should also learn to empty your cup as not every time you know everything. You should not also look down on average students and help them with their studies instead.
We should not feel insecure as they are also students like us who are hungry for learning, molding their leadership and communications skills, or are being pressured by their parents to improve their performance in school. Instead of looking down on them, why not reach out to them about how they can help you improve your performance or ask how to become confident in class? In this way, you can ask them for advice that can also help you in school. Although, bright students should not also dominate class discussions, such as recitations, as others should also be given the chance to speak and be heard. Teachers need to recognize everyone in the class so that students will avoid being insecure about their classmates.
I wish I could bring back the time so I can avoid and stop criticizing people who have good leadership and management of responsibilities when I was in high school. A lot of students like me just want to learn, be recognized, and mold their skills, so we should stop smart-shaming them by calling them pabibo or pabida. I apologize to those people I secretly judged when I was younger. I hope that you are still chasing your dreams and continue learning so you can use that to help others. Lastly, you should not be discouraged when you hear criticisms from other people.
EDITORIAL BOARD
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE STUDENTS
EXCELLENCE
When our classmates are praised or recognized for their effort, we should celebrate with them. A support system is fundamental in the classroom. In this way, you can have a healthy environment. Sometimes if everyone is overly competitive in school, it tends to end up creating toxic relationships.
Crab-mentality
SIRMATA NEIL BRYANT BALIAO VISUALS EDITOR / LAYOUT ARTIST EDMAR DELOS SANTOS NEWS WRITER / CORRESPONDENT DANA MERYLL GAPAS NEWS WRITER
Clap for their success
LUJEAN GUIEB PHOTOGRAPHER MARC LOUIE PASION SPORTS WRITER IAN PAUL VILLANUEVA NEWS WRITER
ANTHONY JOSEPH DUYAO GRAPHIC ARTIST RYAND UGALDE NEWS WRITER CASMIR REMYELL CADIENTE PHOTOGRAPHER BRYAN ELI SADORRA ADVISER FOR PRINT
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FEATURE 3
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MMSU COLLEGE STUDENTS
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MMSU MARCH
MMSU HYMN
Dear Mariano Marcos State University We now sing of thy real glory We adore thee and love thee truly Where’er we shall chance to roam Thy sons and daughters will ever love thee Are to thee loyal and true Always Alma Mater dear, Where’er we go, we’ll think of thee.
MMSU dear Alma Mater beloved To you we promise our never ending love; Though fate may bring us To other lands afar, Our hearts and thoughts will always be With you wherever we are.
Thou hast been always longing For the welfare of thy children And to them, thou hast devoted Thy attention and best care We soon shall be repaying For the cares and kindness true We will ever Alma Mater Give the best in us for thee.
MISSION To develop virtuous human capital and sustainable innovations in a knowledge-driven global economy
VISION A premier Philippine university by 2028
Hold high the green and gold Waving with pride and hope; Inspiring us to rise To reach the greatest heights. With your kind guiding hand, We know we’ll never fail To reap success and give the best For you and our Fatherland. To reap success and give the best For you and our Fatherland, MMSU...
STATEMENT OF THE 7-POINT AGENDA A - ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE C CREATIVE, RELEVANT AND INNOVATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMS H - HIGH IMPACT AND TRANSFORMATIVE EXTENSION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS I IMPROVED REVENUE GENERATION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT E - EXPANDED EXTERNAL LINKAGES AND PARTNERSHIPS V - VIBRANT AND ENGAGING, CULTURALLY-FOCUSED UNIVERSITY CAMPUS E - EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT