San Jose City College Times, Vol 93, Issue 1, Dec. 13, 2022

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FALL 2022 EDITION

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The Voice of San Jose City College Since 1956

Volume 93 Issue 1

Produced and Edited by Students

Festivities kick off Filipino American History Month Participants enjoyed food, live music and more

BY ELIZABETH OLIVER AND JASON TORRES IRAHETA TIMES STAFF

For Filipino American History Month (FAHM), students and faculty gathered on Oct. 6 in the GE quad. FAHM is celebrating its 50th year of Filipino studies in the United States and 30 years since the month was recognized by the federal government.

“I’m really excited about all of our different celebrations, and Filipino History Month is just one of them. They’re educational programs, but also they help the work that we do to foster a sense of belonging.” said SJCC President Rowena Tomaneng.

Tomaneng is the first Filipino woman to serve as president in the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District since 2020.

“They make me feel good and appreciated,” said Jodi Carr, who has recently began supporting SJCC events and who worked a digital photo booth and drew caricatures at this event. While Carr is new to helping the school, they are no stranger to the campus as a

former Jaguar and regularly take art and science classes.

Carr said she was “ignorant” of Filipino heritage, she also mentioned that when coming to events such as these you get to talk to people and hear their stories of origin and how they came to America, whether that’s if they were originally from the Philippines or have family such as grandparents from the islands; people such as Mar Abat.

“I want to get back to my roots” said Abat.

Once Abat immigrated to the U.S. when she was just seven years old Abat felt as if she was pushed away from being a Filipino. Moving at such a young age she felt as if she wasn’t able to bring a lot of their culture with them. Now that she is older she wants to embrace their culture and give back to their ancestors for everything that they’ve done just so she could be here today.

“I’m all about community, I be-

lieve that’s where it should start,” said Abat.

Abat and Philip Quijano, a local musician who played at the event, were both very excited about the community and its recent growth.

“I love how we’re shifting our perspective to celebrating these cultures instead of, you know, just keeping them out of the limelight like how we used to, we’re being celebrated and encouraged to be ourselves instead of hiding it.” said Quijano.

The festivities had a plethora of activities during the event having a spread of cultural food, zodiac sign guessing/ merch table, and live music.

“I mean, I wish the folks that are reading the paper could smell [the food], the music, the sights, it’s a lot,” said Wendy Ho. “It’s time to celebrate dates and honor the rich tapestry that we have.”

“I was extremely stoked to perform for the Filipino American History Month, because what else

PHOTO BY JASON TORRES IRAHETA / TIMES STAFF

Caricature artist begins to draw a member of the Filipino American History Month kickoff event. People line up besides them to get their caricature next, on Oct 6.

can I say? except it’s my culture, and I love how it’s being celebrated, how the people are and how it’s become a part of our American culture.” said Quijano. “I’m just here to create great music for my community, for my fans, for my friends and family,” said Quijano.

Filipino Heritage is not just a day but an entire month. Allowing LEAD Filipino and other neighboring organizations to set up multiple events.

Abat is in LEAD Filipino, a small non-profit organization based in San Jose holding the title/responsibilities of a project coordinator.

Cafeteria has reopened New tables were added outdoors on campus

BY MADISON WILBER

TIMES STAFF

PHOTO BY MADISON WILBER / TIMES STAFF

Ryan Mun, 23, and Ethan Mun, 21, sit in the SJCC cafeteria to eat their lunch on Oct. 6. The cafeteria reopened on Sept.

19 for all students and faculty. Students have an opportunity to sit inside the shared cafeteria space or outside at any of the new or existing outdoor tables.

Hot meals are available again on campus, in the Student Center, for the first time since 2020.

The cafeteria staff said that they are taking proper safety measures to ensure food handling, health code and COVID-19 guidelines are being met.

“Everything is cooked as is, we always have to wear our masks, we always have to make sure everything is tied up and [to wear] gloves.” said Thai Tran, a 43-year-old cafeteria worker.

For the past two years, KJ’s Cafe, MeFit Vendings and the bookstore were the only places students could buy food on campus. Additionally, the cafeteria offers hot and fresh meals with

meal assistance programs that work with a vendor, Fresh and Natural, to help students who cannot afford meals.

The school does offer free groceries in the Jaguar Market.

Vice President of Administrative Services Christopher Hawken, a strong advocate for the cafeteria’s reopening, said the school does not have any COVID-19 mandates anymore but still offers resources to students worried about the disease.

The school offers masks, sanitizer and encourages social distancing to all students and faculty.

“We’ve put a lot more outside tables on campus,” Hawken said. “We hope by doing that it gives them not only the option but

maybe an incentive to go outside to eat.”

The cafeteria has been open since Sept. 19. Students, such as Political Science major Francis Seludo, 20, have already begun to express their own opinions and recognition towards the cafeteria reopening.

“I appreciate the support of the college and VP Hawken for the work they’ve done throughout the semesters to keep services like the cafeteria from continuing to serve our students,” Seludo said.

The hours of operation for the cafeteria are Monday to Thursday from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM. For more information on meal assistance, go to San Jose City College / Care.

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Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022

BRIEFS 2

Safe Commute?

Students report mixed experiences

BY ALEXANDRA FRANK TIMES STAFF

PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA FRANK / TIMES STAFF

A homeless person’s belongings; something SJCC students have to encounter when commuting to and from campus.

San Jose City College students not only have to deal with the pressure of doing well scholastically, they also encounter homeless people on their commutes to and from college, with mixed results.

SJCC student Uyennhi Nguyen said that she had an encounter with a homeless man that was disturbing. “He pulled his

pants down so you could see his ‘thing’.”

At other times, a homeless person has gone so far as to touch Nguyen, but she still rates her level of comfort on her commute at a six out of 10 despite this. Nguyen is likely not the only commuter who has had such a troubling experience and these encounters may make SJCC students question their safety on their commutes to and from college.

“There’s the police department…which is near the entrance

on the left side,” Student Center Consultant Cruz Munoz said. The police may not be able to escort students on their commutes, but they are able, at times, to protect them on campus.

Not everyone takes such a dim view of the homeless, nor have they all had bad experiences when they see them.

“They sat across from me and we had a nice conversation,” Jaya Eti stated, adding that even the bus driver and at least one other passenger joined the conversation.

Competition dance team planned

Students report mixed experiences

BY CHRISTINE JOSEY TIMES STAFF

New conversations with campus administration have shown that there might be a SJCC choreography company on the horizon.

Dean of Kinesiology and Athletics Lamel D. Harris states that he is, “… open to exploring expansion of any team and athletic opportunity here at San Jose City including a competition dance team provided all the necessary planning and needs for sustainability are fulfilled” ASG President Leif Benson commented that he would, “…

support a competitive dance team at San Jose City College if students are interested,” despite the decided lack of one until now.

Carol Abohatab, dance instructor at SJCC, suggested that the first steps to make this a reality would be having a written curriculum approved, expressing that she, “…hopes to be able to offer a dance team class by Fall 2023 or Spring 2024.”

There is no set timeline for when the dance team will be official, further updates to come.

The Times welcomes comments and opinions that do not exceed 200 words. Letters can be dropped off at or sent to: - The Times mailbox at Reprographics - The newsroom in the Technology Center - citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu

PHOTO BY CHRISTINE JOSEY / TIMES STAFF

Students from the Ballerina Dance Team practice in the Arts Building.

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Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022

CAMPUS LIFE 3

SJCC football shuts it down on home turf

Gavilan leaves field with 18 seconds left in fourth quarter

BY ELIZABETH OLIVER TIMES STAFF

The Jags, coming off their seventh game and recent loss against Merced, set the tone on Oct. 22, coming out strong against the Gavilan College Rams, taking the win with an ending score of 4420.

“Regardless of last week’s results, we’re going to every week starting from scratch and going back to the basics, and we work the basics every week, and then we gear up for next Saturday’s game,” said Jaguars Head Coach Jim Wrinkle. The Jags had an overall record of 3-3 and the Rams an overall of 1-5, giving the assumption that the Jags would take the win easily.

However, the Jags never assume.

“We never underestimate anybody,’’ said Sophomore Defensive Linemen, Aaron Jordon G. Cezar. “We just played to our level and just played as hard as we could with them.”

While the offense did their job successfully, the defense put a substantial amount of pressure on the Rams quarterback every chance they had, forcing multiple interceptions and sacks.

“Early on it was a little bit scary. We had to make some coverage adjustments and things like that,” Wrinkle said. And that they did.

PHOTO BY MELISSA LONGORIA / CONTRIBUTOR

Tackle made by the Jags Linebacker #37 Clifton Goodwin against Offensive Rams Player, on Oct. 22.

“More interceptions, we needed more sacks,” Wrinkle joked.

“My goals for the game? Get as many stops as I can and sacks,” Cezar said. Having his first sack of the season, Cezar mentioned how it felt great and that’s all he strives for playing football.

“Unreal, crazy, there’s a lot

on my mind,” Linebacker Santino Johnston said after the game.

The defense’s intensity slowly broke down the Rams quarterback, opening an opportunity for Johnston to catch an interception, leading to enthusiastic praise from his teammates.

Johnston and the rest of his

International Student Club brings Jaguars together

Multicultural meet-and-greet

BY FADIA ZEID

PHOTO BY FADIA ZEID / TIMES STAFF

Students try a variety of cultural foods at the International Student Club event on Oct. 19.

TIMES STAFF

Over a dozen students and faculty mingled over homemade dishes and drinks from a variety

of cultural backgrounds during the Fall Member Welcome mixer, on Oct.19.

The International Student Club event, hosted by the Student-

Worldwide Association, aimed to bring people together by shar-

teammates are taking their season game-by-game, working to get better every chance they get.

“We’re just on the come up, you know. We’re slowly rising and slowly coming together, and once we do, we’re going to be even more dangerous,” Johnston said. ing laughs over various games and learning about an array of foreign customs.

The program celebrated bringing students and faculty from across campus together to celebrate diversity and to foster meaningful connections.

It welcomed new members to the club and introduced them to fellow students at SJCC. Shana Siddik, a student club member, helped to create the agenda for the event, which included Jenga and Mancala among others, and offered prizes for the winners.

Thunn Thistar Swe Sin, club president, said that this will be a monthly gathering and that they are excited to be part of a club that works to bring students and faculty of different traditions together.

Making a move for disabled students Easy solution for a difficult problem

BY JOHN TILLMAN TIMES STAFF

ILLUSTRATION BY JUMMA ALLAM / CONTRIBUTOR

A shuttle for disabled students to move easily around campus is one proposed solution as SJCC speaks on improving student experiences.

Getting across campus to go to class is something most hardly ever have to think about. For disabled students, it can be a daily predicament. The discomfort from the struggle to get to places on-campus that a disabled student goes through can exclude these classmates from a fulfilling college experience. A shuttle for disabled students to move easily around campus is one potential step to ensure that they have equitable access to a well-rounded education experience at SJCC. Alleviating an issue like this

is never without hurdles. Martha Cazeres, program assistant at the Student Accessibility Services office, said, “It would not be easy. A proposal must be made on how an effective shuttle program would function to the SJCC administration.”

Edina Rutland, director of Student Accessibility Services, declined requests for comment.

Blake Balajadia, director of the Student Development and Activities office, said, “It would be a very good idea to have a shuttle for disabled students, as well as temporary [sic] disabled students.”

It’s been 32 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act

was signed. While there have been significant strides to accommodate students with disabilities, implementations of the law at places including college campuses often do not meet the needs of disabled students, who comprise nearly 20-percent of the undergraduate population, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Karina Garcia, 45, is a disabled criminal sociology major.

When asked about her average day on-campus, Garcia said, “When I don’t have my car, I must walk, and it takes me a little bit longer because of my disability.“ “By the end of the day, I’m crying because the pain is unbearable,“ Garcia said.

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4 Opinion

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022

‘SMILE’ movie review – truly psychological horror

“Smile” thrills, spooks and discomforts in an intense but thoughtful exploration of unseen damage

BY JEREMY HOANG

PHOTO BY SOSIE BACON IN “SMILE” (2022) / PARAMOUNT PICTURES

TIMES STAFF

After watching the trailer for “Smile,” I went in expecting two hours of trashy fun. The promotional materials not-so subtly suggest a final product closer to the typical big budget shock film and not a movie with deep pathos, subtle filmmaking and a lot to say about some universal experiences.

Thematically, “Smile” does not ever play coy. This is a film about trauma, anxiety, grief, depression and our unhealthy coping strategies. This motif notably takes

root in the main villain as an irony, who always forces its victims into the titular grin in an inversion of expectation to the meaning of happy faces before using their bodies for acts of unspeakably grievous self-harm; Acts whose primary witness is always next in line to be targeted, reflecting the often virulent spread of trauma.

Sosie Bacon really blossoms on the screen as Rose, a therapist at a psychiatric ward, evading all potential melodrama and beautifully

navigating the portrayal of a highly successful woman falling apart in the face of events more affecting than she would ever admit.

Kyle Gallner, Kal Penn and Carl Renken also do a good job in their supportive roles as old flame, concerned colleague and unhinged but sympathetically written patient respectively. There are a few minor characters comical in their pettiness, but they fade into the background as the true story unfolds.

The goodness doesn’t stop at the performances though. It also extends into the often oblique, underappreciated craft of film-

making. Tilted and even upside-down camera perspectives and uncomfortable close-ups all are utilized to great effect in order to disorient the audience. The sound design is best described as ominous and full of jumpscares matched with extremely effective hard cuts. Another thing of note is the use of lighting, practical effects and CGI. The former two are used in clever capacities to really ratchet up the tension, whereas the latter is the necessary climax and catharsis to long periods of quiet dread, usually in the form of some truly nightmare worthy body horror. Some of that specta-

cle is admittedly campy, but you can tell that those elements are intentionally made that way to steer the film away from sinking into total pretentiousness as similarly themed films often do.

There is much ink to be spilled about the ending. The use of fakeouts borders on gratuitous. Both the traditional hero’s triumph and the classic “bad” ending, one where the protagonist gives into their worst desires are dangled but never followed through upon. The viewer is instead denied any closure, quietly reminding the viewer that moments spent with a “Smile” are never to be taken for granted.

SJCC needs improvement Resources such as Canvas and the SJCC website should be renovated

BY ANGEL CARRISOSA TIMES STAFF

Students and teachers both share their inconveniences with Canvas and the San Jose City College website.

The main issues from the school website is how cluttered the home page is as well as it being difficult to find what you are looking for at times.

The area in which Canvas lacks is accessing the website at a reliable time. There have been instances where the site has crashed due to the amount of students using it during a given time.

This is an important issue to address since there is plenty of valuable information that has the potential to be used, but if the systems in place are not adequate, then it will not be useful.

Over the years, San Jose City College has had positive changes as well as negative, in this case outdated infrastrures like the school website are a representation of a bad thing.

ILLUSTRATION BY ELIZABTH OLIVER / TIMES STAFF

San Jose City College students are reporting that they face frustration with the school’s website.

It is crucial to understand that Canvas has been a great help especially during the pandemic with it being easy for students to submit homework and for teachers to assign homework without needing to hand out actual papers.

This does not mean that the school as a whole is bad in any way but it would not hurt to rejuvenate certain aspects of

the school website.

Not only would this be a positive, but it would create a pleasant experience for most students. Whether you are a new student who is trying to find information about your schedule, or a returning student who knows how the system works, the last thing you want is to be confused when accessing and utilizing these tools.

During the initial weeks of this 2022 fall semester, I have been hearing other people’s stories and experiences with these resources.

Jea Hernadez, 18, undecided major has some recurring issues regarding the school website such as difficulty trying to find the login of the website and things like self service.

Some ways this can be adjust-

ed is by having clear concise steps detailing how to get to the self service portal so students do not have to deal with complicated interfaces.

Apart from students, I wanted to hear the perspective from a teacher’s point of view.

When referring to the interface on the San Jose City College website Sanhita Datta, Biology teacher, said there was too much movement and too much dancing around.

Furthermore reinforcing the idea that there are too many options that clutter the homepage of the school’s website.

There needs to be more that is done to help find a creative but simple way to highlight the most important information on the website, without having to add too many complicated dropdown menus.

With that being said it is imperative that the school website and Canvas should be improved.

Not only would it bring positive experiences for current students including myself, but also new students, and faculty who are excited to come to this school. Having the ability to use the school website and Canvas should not be a daunting task to interact with, but something that is there whenever you need it.

Applying to the school should be simple and not complicated.

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