tradesman THE AKLAN
FOUNDED 1960
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT MAGAZINE OF THE AKLAN STATE UNIVERSITY-COLLEGE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
EDITOR’S AS TOUGH AS OLD BOOTS Before I hit the bull’s eye here, let me take the liberty to express my gratitude to the most important person who essentially inspired us to exert Herculean efforts in realizing our publications this semester. And the person I am referring to is no other than YOU. Yes! It’s you, the one getting hold of this paper. So, on behalf of the whole editorial team of The Aklan Tradesman, thank you very much! Our first semester issue which was released last December 2014 was truly a big deal on my part. It left an imprint in my mind, unforgettable and painful. Due to the occurrence of miscommunication and loss of emotional control, I got engaged in a conflict that resulted to a heated argument with someone who was my superior. Good thing, the hitch was settled immediately. I truly have learned from that encounter with the value of humility and have eventually moved on. On the other side of the coin, our issue last semester got our editorial team feeling a greater sense of pride and fulfillment. Garnering a massive acceptance and praises gave us a feeling beyond comparison. Additionally, our readers went reactive by reaching us through our social media accounts be it in Facebook or Twitter. Your positive responses drove us to go beyond and further. Taking a glimpse of our latest issue, we bring to you stories and features that are of social relevance and that reflect the very essence of RESILIENCY. This semester’s theme lets us realize that there’s more to life than merely breaking down in tears after failing for there’s always the possibility of rising up. The concept of resiliency mirrors the attitudes that we exhibit after we fell down the ground in pursuit of living a renewed life in the light of hope.
In this issue, we also let you explore the domain and grandeur of the whole town of Madalag in just a matter of minutes. Have yourself entertained by the sections and contents of this paper without having to compromise the significance of learning. More to the aforementioned, our publications now come with more presentable and better layouts that are products of our team’s innovative juices as we keep ourselves paced of the modern trends. Since this is my page and my last time to render my service as a campus journalist, I would like to grab this rare chance to specially mention and thank those people whom I owe a million thanks to as I take all the ups and downs of being an EIC. To Mr. Lurry Lauriano, Mr. Efren Narral, Mr. Herwin Antonino, Mrs. Rosario Molina, my beloved parents, Mr. Diolito Lauriano and Mrs. Thelma Lauriano and to the whole of my family, from the very core of my heart, my sincerest thanks. Sueong ASU-CIT! Hala Bira!
JOLLY E. LAURIANO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
A trying experience may get us all blown away. Yet, no matter how tragic it may appear, a resilient soul can persist to venture for a new path and once again walk toward the realm of fullness.
NOVEMBER 2014-MARCH 2015
4 HUMAN INTEREST 5 TUNAY NA BUHAY 6 ESSAY 6 ALUMNI
Heart-to-Heart Level
Fear Me Not
Ang Nawalang Korona
Off on Off-track The Man Who Changed Them
10 HEALTH 11 PAGBUTLAK 12 BEAUTY 14 SOCIETY 15 WELLNESS 16 WRITERS’ BLOCK 36 REFLECTION
Beyond the Tip of a Pen
Save Your Neck From a High-tech Pain
Mga Sentimiyento Nanday Manong ag Manang
Seeing the More Amazing You
Begging: Lies and Dramas Uncovered
6 Science-based Ways to be Happier
When Life Leads You Off-track, How Do You Find Your Way Back?
ENVIRONMENT
Which is Eco-friendly: Paper or Plastic?
CAMPUS FEATURE The Story of a Great Wanderer
TOURISM
Madalag: Your Next Travel Getaway
CAMPUS FEATURE
Living Life With High Hopes
POP CULTURE The latest trends of 2015 CULTURE & TRADITION Aklan: A Province of Festivals
HOTSPOTS
THE AKLAN
Techno-pubs for the Hardworking Studes
REVIEWS
Book, Music, Movie and Web
DIRECTOR’S CORNER
Looking Back: Quo Vadis, ASU-CIT?
ACCORDING to Ralph W. Emerson, “There is a guidance for each of us, and by lowly listening we shall hear the right word.” If you are a Bible believer, recall the life of Elijah (1 Kings 19:10) who cried, “…I, ever I only, am left…” Reading the whole story of Elijah can be reflected to us. It is a very human story and true to life. To be alone and to feel the desolation of spirit is an acute, spiritual experience. Human as we are, whatever our status is, we encounter hours of loneliness linked to our personality as well as to our character. In times like this, one feel the dread mood of being discouraged that had eaten into his seal. As you looked around, there is no crowd to support you, thus, seemed that the enemy had won a victory. As human being, existing in these kinds of technologies and advancements, we come to a point of physical exhaustion and mental weariness. It is then that spiritual loneliness begins to assert itself. We seem to be heavily laden and start to imagine that we alone is responsible to do this work. Thus, a discouraged person looks within and finds no help in himself. He feels very much alone, the loneliness of frustration and futility. A dispirited man is an easy prey to loss of heart. But, don’t give up, God brings again hope and courage in the knowledge of His infinite presence and an unseen host. There will be times in our existence when loneliness will overtake us that we have to speak out against evil and
4
THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
HEART TO
BY NILDA B. GARCIA
vested interests. According to Acts 4:19-20, “whether it be right in the sight of God… For we cannot but speak…” The evils of gambling and immoral issues and social media, drinking indulgences, immorality and the likes are ever with us. There are other problems in our complex age – driving speeds and killings on highways, religious monopolies, labor difficulties, and other issues which are matters of conscience and call out for humanism. All of us, face fierce temptation in our own hearts and find the struggle of a lonely “Gethsemane” without any other knowing, but the only Begotten Son of God.
dependent generation, an environment where almost everything is just a click away. We must admit with a straight face, that young and old alike, is being fascinated with advancement in technology. The upgrading of electronic system if not manage through God’s wisdom, will result to the upgrading of inappropriate behaviors and conduct. As humans, “Guard your heart.” Meditate on Ephesians 6:13-17 and 2 Chronicles 7:14. Let’s all be humble and submit ourselves to God, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Remember, it takes both God’s power and surrendering effort to
To everyone, our spiritual growth should be given the first priority, live by the Bible standards, and set goals that will give our life direction and purpose. We should not be caught unaware, likewise take for granted that we are governed by a technology-
produce a loving “obra maestra” of God.
“
”
Mrs. Nilda B. Garcia is an alumna of Aklan State College of Agriculture Batch 1976 and is presently a Teacher III and Guidance Counselor Designate at Regional Science High School for Region VI.
FEAR ME NOT BY JEMUEL B. GARCIA III
PNEUMONOULTRAMICROSC OPICSILICOVOLCANOKONIO SIS succeeded electrophotomicrographically as the longest word in the English language recognized by the National Puzzlers' League at the opening session of the organization's 103rd semiannual meeting held at the Hotel New Yorker. The puzzlers explained that the forty-five letter word is the name of a special form of silicosis caused by ultramicroscopic particles of siliceous volcanic dust. If you found reading the word pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis “fearful,” then you might just have the case of having the fear of long words also known hippopotomonstrosesquipedali ophobia or sesquipedalophobia, which ironically, is a long word also. Here is an uncommon “list of fears” or phobias that you might find interesting, or by any means, useful. But if you have phobophobia, I advise that you don’t continue reading the next sentences. By the way, phobophobia is the fear of phobias or the fear of fear. A person with phobophobia is mortified of developing a phobia. SOURCE: (http://members.aol.com/gulfhigh2/ words11.html Retrieved December 2014)
Dystychiphobia Fear of accidents
Isolophobia Fear of being alone or in solitude
ZOOphobia Fear of animals
Myrmecophobia Fear of ants
Bacteriophobia Fear of bacteria
Ablutophobia Fear of bathing or taking a bath
Caligynephobia Fear of beautiful women
Ornithophobia Fear of birds
HEMATOPHOBIA Fear of blood
Coimetrophobia Fear of cemeteries
Alektorophobia Fear of chickens
Chronomentrophobia Fear of clocks
Nephophobia Fear of clouds
Porphyrophobia Fear of anything purple (color)
VOLUME 54, NO 2
5
ANG NAWALANG
KORONA NI ANN D. MANGILAYA
6
THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
ANG PAGBANGON mula sa pagkadapa ay madali lamang. Pero ang pagbangon mula sa pagkadapa na maraming tao ang nakatanaw na tila ba nangungutya, naninipa at namimintas ay sadyang napakahirap. "Congratulations graduates!" masayang bati ng emcee sa aming pagtatapos sa sekundarya. Galak na galak ang bawat tao sa paligid at isa na roon ang aking ina. Masayang-masaya ako dahil nakikita kong maligaya siya ngayong nakapagtapos na ako ng hayskul. "Yes! Ma! Makakapagkolehiyo na ako at makakatulong itong scholarship na iginawad sa akin para hindi na kayo mahirapan.” wika ko habang hawak ang diploma at envelope na naglalaman ng scholarship certificate. Ilang araw matapos ang graduation ay excited na akong magcollege. Ngunit nawala ang ngiti ko ng may sabihin ang aking ama. “Tumigil ka nalang muna ng isang taon sa pag-aaral. Wala tayong sapat na pera pang kolehiyo anak." aniya na bakas rin ang lungkot na animo'y sumasalungat sa kanyang itinuring. "Hindi papa! Ayoko! Gagawa ako ng paraan!” mariin kong sabi kahit hindi alam kung ano ang aking gagawing paraan. Gayon na lamang ang determinasyon ko sa pagkamit ng edukasyon. Nag-apply ako ng iba pang mga scholarship at sa awa ng Diyos ay naipasa ko ito. Tuwang-tuwa ako. Subalit naisip ko, paano ang
admission at enrollment fee ko? Tamang tama at may summer job noon sa bayan kaya nagtrabaho ako sa munisipyo ng halos isang buwan bilang taga-linis. Masayang masaya ako dahil pagdating ng enrollment ay may naipangdown ako at naipambili ng gamit. Katas ng aking pagod. Dalawang buwan na matapos magsimula ang regular na klase sa kolehiyo. Halos kilala ko na rin lahat ang aking mga kaklase. Masayang masaya ako at determinado sa pag-aaral nang isang ‘di inaasahang masalimuot na pangyayari ang naghatid sa akin ng lungkot, pagkalugmok at pagdurusa. "Annie! Yung buhok mo oh, andaming hibla ang nalagas sa likod mo.” wika ng isa kong kaklase. "Ha? Ah, wala yan. Natural lang naman yan." sabay pagpag sa hibla na nalagas. Pag-uwi ko sa bahay, suklay agad ang aking hinawakan. Napansin ko ngang napakaraming hibla ang nalalagas sa bawat pagsuklay ko ng aking buhok... mga limampu, ay hindi! Mga isang daan at limampu...ay hindi! Doble o triple pa ang bilang. Ako'y nagtaka kaya't nagtanong ako sa aking ina. "Ma, tingnan mo oh, bawat pagsuklay ko ay napakaraming buhok ang nalalagas". "Ahhmmm... Wala lang yan. Ayan kasi papalitpalit ka ng shampoo.” pagbabalewala ni mama.
Hanggang isang araw, umiiyak na akong pumunta kay mama. "Ma, tingnan mo, malaking parte na ng ulo ko ang walang buhok. Halos ga limang piso na ang laki nito oh.” Noon ay hindi ko matanto kung bakit parang balewala pa rin sa kanya. Binilhan naman nila ako ng hair growing shampoo pero walang nangyari. Isang araw ay dumating na ang pinakakinatatakutan kong mangyari. Nalagas lahat ang aking buhok. Ang isang bagay na napakahalaga lalo na para sa isang babae. Korona ito kung maituturing at ito ay naglaho sa akin. Oo. Nakalbo ako dahil umano sa pagod, stress at fungal infection. Kasabay ng paglagas nito, unti-unti ring naglaho ang gana kong magpatuloy sa buhay at maging ang interes ko sa pag-aaral. Araw-araw akong umiiyak at lumalaban sa mga mapangutyang mga mata. Ayokong may lumalapit sa akin. Madalas ay nasa kwarto lang ako kapag nasa bahay at nasa silid-aklatan naman kapag nasa paaralan. Doon kasi halos walang tao kung saan walang makakapansin sa akin. "Ma, ayoko na mag-aral.” sambit ko nang naluluha. "Bakit niyo ba ako pinabayaan? Bakit hindi niyo ako pinagamot agad? Ba't hinayaan nyo pang tuluyan akong makalbo bago niyo ipagamot? Ha mama?", pasumbat kong sabi sa aking ina na nais na rin kumawala ang mga luha sa mata. "Sana sa akin na lang nangyari yan. Kung pwedeng ako na lang ang Nagdurusa imbes ikaw... Ako nalang sana..." singit ng mahal kong ama na halata ang pagod sa
pagtatrabaho. “Gusto ko mang ipagamot ka kaagad anak subalit kapos talaga tayo sa pera. Hindi naman kita pinabayaan. Halos mangutang na rin ako para may ipambili ng iyong gamot. Isa pa ay huwag kang tumigil sa pagaaral. Sayang anak. Sayang ang iyong pinaghirapan at ang pagkakataon." nanginginig na sabi ng aking ina.
Pagkatapos ng aming maikling pag-uusap ay napagisip-isip ko na tama sila. Sayang ang lahat ng pinaghirapan ko. Sa tulong ng aking kapamilya, naipagamot. Binilhan ako ng isang bonet pantakip sa aking ulo na aakalain mong may kanser. Sa tulong din ng aking mga kaibigan, kaklase at pati guro ay nagkaroon ulit ako ng lakas na lumaban at bumangon.
Ako ay nagmatigas pa rin. Malapit na matapos ang unang semestre ng aking unang taon sa kolehiyo. Isang linggo na akong hindi pumapasok. Dumating ang oras na tinanong ko ang Diyos. "Papa God, bakit po ito nangyari sa akin. Hindi mo ba ako mahal? Naging masama ba ako sa iyong paningin para parusahan ng ganito?", puno ng hinagpis kong turing nang biglang may narinig akong isang pamilyar na boses. Binuksan ko ang pinto at dumungaw ang mukha ng isa kong kaklase, kaibigan. "Pumasok ka na. Malapit na matapos ang 1st sem. Sige ka, magkakasingko ka at madudumihan ang iyong transcript of record." aniya. "Talaga? Hayaan mo. Nahihiya ako pumasok eh." sagot ko. "Di ka naman namin pababayaan. Sa katunayan, inilalagay ka parin namin sa attendance kahit hindi ka na pumapasok." sabi niya.
Napagtanto kong marami akong sinayang na panahonat luha. Hindi ko nakita na sa kabila ng mga taong pilit akong inilugmok ay may mga tao din palang handa akong tulungan sa aking pagbangon. Heto na ako ngayon. Malapit nang magtapos sa kursong Bachelor of Secondary Education at sa awa ng Diyos ay ibinalik sa akin ang aking korona. Malago na ang aking buhok. Nawala na rin ang lahat ng galit sa aking puso. Napalitan ito ng pag-asa at pagmamahal sa mga taong laging nariyan para sa akin. Salamat sa mga taong naging parte ng isang napakasalimuot na kwento ng aking buhay. Marami ang naituro sa akin ng pagsubok na iyon. Higit sa lahat, salamat sa Diyos na Siyang aking kinapitan, kinausap at kasama sa panahon na pakiramdam ko'y walang makakaunawa sa akin.
“
”
VOLUME 54, NO 2
7
Off on Off-Track BY AIMEE JANE D. URETA
In life, it is normal for us to face trials and difficulties. Trials just come and go. The only thing that differs is the way we perceive things, the way we see the bad and good side of its effect, and the way we mold ourselves as we see the trials bid its goodbye while leaving its effect in our lives but how about when life leads you off track? How will you find your way back? – Simple. Surrender everything in God’s hand. Life without trials is meaningless. If we are being unchallenged by life’s difficulties will turn out as an unpurified being, although we can’t easily overcome trials, scarcity, poverty or famine, we must remember that trials are made literally to try us, to test our strength and faith. Thus, we must remember that golds which are put on fire, hit by the steal, hammered to be perfect, and so are we. Sometimes, God
allows challenges and difficulties for us to learn how to rise up again, for us to know how to stand up and for us to understand that life without God got easily broken. Sometimes, God lets us weep in darkness. He sometimes lets us feel the pain for us to search for the light He always gives for us, to appreciate how good it feels to spend life with Him. Whenever life leads you offtrack, cry to God. He will always listen to your prayers. His mercies are new every morning and every day, He will always give new hope. Mark in your mind that God will never leave nor forsake you. He will always have His best plans. Do things through Christ, His Son, who gives you strength. For with God, everything is possible.. He will armed you that. He will make your way perfect. Submit to God and finish the race we called: Life.
The Man Who Changed Them BY ALLYN T. ARTATES
I came across with a short film about a young man in Thailand. Every day he goes with the same routine. Before he went to work, he put a dying plant under the wasted water from a house pipe. He then ate breakfast at a small restaurant and ordered a piece of chicken in which he always shared with a stray dog. He helps an old woman cross the street every morning and even gives an elder a bunch of bananas by leaving it at her doorstep. He gives a young beggar girl money for her education. But what would he get in the end? Surely it will not make him famous, or even rich. Several weeks passed, when he is preparing to give the litter beggar his money, he noticed that she’s not there. And a girl in her school uniform called. And he looked at her with a big smile on his face. And that my friend, is what we call happiness and satisfaction.
8
THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
Happiness for helping someone get on their feet and start to live with a bright future. And if you’re thinking what happens to the rest: The dying plant live and blooms a beautiful white flower, the stray dog stays with him and became his friend, the elder thank him for his generosity, and the old woman always wait for him to help her cross the street and she treats him like her own child. So now, what did he get? Emotions—happiness, satisfaction, gratitude and contentment. With his simple ways he made them thank God that they wake up every morning looking at a bright new day. On top of all, he was able to help others rise up from life’s ever daunting depression. If everyone would be like him, then, the world might be a better place to live.
The Aklan Tradesman Publication supports the worldwide campaign to end climate change. Actual photo after the devastation of Super-typhoon Yolanda. Campaign slogan courtesy of World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
IT WAS way back in 2005 since I first had the chance to take a glimpse along the pages of The Aklan Tradesman magazine. It had me stunned when I was reading one literary article that was penned by my cousin who at that time happened to be a consistent dean’s lister and Executive Secretary of the Supreme Student Council. I was even brought to a height of astonishment when I got aware that the publication’s Editor-in-Chief was a native of Madalag, Aklan, my beloved hometown. I was a fifth grader then and our locality was, if truth be told, distant from the zone of modernization, I went crazy wondering how in the world that their names and write ups were embedded in a magazine. I must admit, I was deeply inspired and halfway excited while reading the articles written by them. Through
turns in pursuit of this dream. I even went nearly to a point of turning back, of giving up the seat while bearing in mind that I should set my study as the point of central tendency. Taking into consideration that I am now a graduating teacher education student, there are times when I dwell in the shadow of doubt if I can ever fulfill the tasks expected from me. Moreover, I am completely aware that I will be more salient in the eyes of the critics who are usually fond of giving destructive words. Much to our innocence, these people are also a pro in tailoring gossips. More to the drawbacks that I mentioned, the normal course of my lifestyle will also be altered. It implies more busy times and more stressors. In general, it speaks out for total complexity. Nonetheless, the negative stuffs above, no matter how obvious and aggressive, are not reasons enough
BY JOLLY E. LAURIANO exploring the pages, I got to know that Mr. EIC was awarded Most Promising Editorial Writer in a certain regional journalism competition; one thing that aroused my desire to make friends with paper and pen. Though the friendship that I stated was way figurative, it was kind of reliable outlet which I clung on when life dampened my zeal to breathe and live. Since then, I started to harbor a genuine interest in writing. The fire in me to pour down my thoughts on paper began with just a handful of ember. In a gradual manner, that slight chunk of burning fragment turned out to be a raging flame, a flame, which up to now persists to blaze, even intense, fiery and passionate. Now that I am on my advantage ground, getting hold of my biggest dream in college, being The Aklan Tradesman’s EIC, I can’t help but feel a strong mix of emotions which are predominantly nostalgic. I have been through a lot of twists and
10 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
to keep me from pushing limits. I always find ways because I have the will in me. I just think blissfully the portrait of my beloved family; their support and inspiring words which are beyond comparison. I just think of my classmates from BSEd 4A and 4B who are likewise my buddies; their encouragement and motivationnot to mention the moments where I go mindless laughing to the extent that my stomach aches because of the funny child-like things that we do. I just think of our ever indefatigable and loving Creator; His endless and unparalleled concern for my welfare has been so evident. Though at times, I fail to thank Him for a blessing received, He still graces my life and gives me more than what I
deserve. The real battleground In the life of a student writer some how exists beyond the tip of a pen. There’ is more to writing than just battling with papers and ink. You should acquaint your own self about the tenet of time management so you can finely juggle with your academic life and extra-curricular activities. Once a writer, you must hold yourself liable of the every detail of your article. You must have adequate understanding of a particular topic before writing about it. Write not because you want to place your name in a limelight. Write because you love doing such a thing or you find fulfillment through it. Write because you want to uncover the long concealed truth or to voice out the least entertained societal concern. A writer by action is someone who is fervent to trigger the wave for a better change with the aid of his/her write ups. How about the critics? Oh well, mind them not and just let them go. Having to realize that there are critics in existence can make us become aware of life’s amazing irony. They are there to destruct the foundation of courage; in contrary, they are to help us achieve enough maturity for our holistic growth. To give you something to reflect with, let me leave you this famous maxim that surely inspired every writer, neophyte or professional. “Write to express not to impress.” This is equivalent to living without feeling the pressure to please everyone. When sunset arrives, it’s always you who will gauge the worth of your deeds for a day. If you know with conviction that you did nothing to break the Law of Nature and the Divine Law, plus you are happy with what you have done, then so be it.
Jolly E. Lauriano has been a member of The Aklan Tradesman Publication for three years.
BY JOLLY E. LAURIANO
Save Your Neck From A High-tech Pain
Are you a gadget junky? Or do you have an extremely busy routine that you often come to a point of answering a phone call, encoding data in your laptop and doing something else at a synchronized time? Though this may sound exaggerated. As the analogy goes, “Technology is comparable to a double-bladed knife.” It offers heap of opportunities, but it may degrade quality of life in contrary. Aside from repetitive strain injury, using your gadgets may also get you suffering from “cellphone neck,” a newly coined syndrome caused by cradling the wee gadget between your head and hunched shoulder while you use your hands to do something else – driving, for instance. Whether you simply play Clash of Clans in your tablet or
working with an important document in your laptop, you should take note of these suggestions from the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
batteries, cables and drivers out of the carrying case. Use a docking station, external keyboard and pointing device whenever possible.
When using your cellphone… Use a headset to free up your hands and to keep your neck in a neutral position. Simply doing this can reduce upper-back, neck and shoulder discomfort by up to 41 percent. Alternate ears for each call. Store commonly used numbers in your phone’s memory.
When text messaging… Maintain good alignment in your head, neck and arms. Limit each “texting” about to less than 15 minutes. Do exercise to strengthen the muscles you use to text message, and stretch after. Remember, the latest gadget that you get hold in your hands may elevate your social status but it may otherwise lead your way to the grave. So put everything to use responsibly and properly.
When using alaptop… Use key commands and shortcuts whenever possible. Use an external keyboard when typing for extended periods. Take breaks and change your posture frequently. Leave such things as
Source: Reader’s Digest Canada, June 2009 Issue
VOLUME 54, NO 2 11
Mga sentimiyento nanday manong ag manang GINTIPON NANDAY HERWIN I. ANTONINO, LEA I. IGAT AG JOLLY E. LAURIANO
AP-AT NGA DAG-ON nga pag-puno it nagakasari-sari nga panimuot, pagduha-duha kung makatapos pa, pag udyak-udyak sa katam-is it kada segundo ag pagpakoeba sa mabug-at nga gakanabo bilang isaea nga ka “College Student”. Sa tiyempo nga maga kipo eon du libro it atong pagtungkad ag pag-usoy it minatuod nga pagtinueon-an, pabay-an ninyo kami nga tawan it kahigayunan nga paambiton du mga sentimiyento it mga graduates Batch 2015 halin sa nagakasari-sari nga kurso iya sa ASUCIT. Sa mga ulihing tubo makaron sa ASU-CIT, kapin pa ro gabasa makaron kabay nga indi gid kamo paggauyon nga mag eskuyla kapin pa nga sa college eon kamo. Pilang eondu eang gid agud maabot niyo man nga makasaka sa entablado, suksok du inyong toga nga may hugot nga pagpasaeamat sa Ginuo kadungan sa paghambae “graduate eon ako!”
“
Ku una, nakuebaan gid-a ako sa college. I assumed that it is a serious matter to deal with. Buko’t kapareho sa high school nga pwede pa maghigya-higya. Kinahangaean mo gid nga ubrahon du tanan para sa ing sarili ag kapin gid para sa imong ginikanan agud makatapos ka ag makausoy it manami nga pangitan-an. Para sa mga manghod naton iya sa ASU-CIT, magtinguha gid kamu ag maghugod sa pagtoun. Indi ninyo paguyangon du mga sakripisyo it inyong ginikanan. Jan Albert A. Macahilas, BSIT
12 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
“
Asus kasadya-sadya! Sa ap-at nga dagon nga iya ako, owa gid ako’t habatian o kun may una man hay sus kaisot-isot nga bagay manlang kun imong intindihon du mga negative feedbacks nga nawinakae kontra kimo. Mahambae ko nga satisfied ako sa kung ano ang habu-oe ag haagyan o hatao it atong pinalanggang ASU-CIT. Advice ko sa mga habilin iya? Just be yourself. Don’t pretend as if you know everything. Batuna du mga negative feedbacks kimo because duyon du magiging daean agud di ka eon magkasaea it uman.
“
”
Roneth Joy T. Cahilig, BSEd
As a graduate of ASU-CIT, I am thankful in a sense nga nakatapos eon ako sa kurso nga akong ginahandom. Though at times, nakakaisip ako nga magpundo sa pagtoun dahil sa sobrang kalisod, proud ako makaron dahil natapos ag natiisan ko gid man. I am quite thankful to our dear God, my parents, guardians and friends. Sa mga students in the lower years, just think positive. Go lang ng go! Don’t lose hope dahil totoo ang himala, maniwala ka lang. Good luck and God bless!
”
Mady E. Nandres, BS Info. Tech.
“ “
Everyone deserves to get educated because it is a right and not a privilege. In this regard, I chose ASU-CIT as my training ground in fulfilling and achieving my goals in life. Along my way, I experienced lots of hard times and sleepless nights because of my course, BSIT – Architectural Drafting. Though I know for a fact that college education is no easy, I never forgot to have fun and enjoy every moment. I am quite thankful to my beloved parents and also to my Alma Mater, the ASU-CIT. To those who are yet to finish their respective college course, just enjoy, make your way forward and never step back.
Chlem Jun D. Ileto, BSIT
Ap-at nga dag-on nga nagtaliwan, apat nga dag-on nga pagkalisod ag ap-at nga dag-on nga pagtuon sa institusyon nga akong pagahalinan nga owa’t iba kundi ro ASU-CIT. Mahambae ko gid nga ako hay nagkasadya man. Sa kursong BSHRT nga akong gintun-an hay abo gid ro akong hasayran ag hapueotan. Indi mawaea ro kalisod pero abo man ro mga bagay nga mahambae ko nga sulit gid! As in enjoy! Kaya sa mga gatinguha it tuon iya hay ayaw man gid ninyo pagisubsob do inyong kaugalingon sa pagtuon eang. Mag-enjoy man kamo pero sa tama man nga lugar, bukon man it masyadong sobra. Dapat gid naton nga eaktan it kahugod do atong pagtuon. Good luck and God bless ASU-CIT community! Kathleen T. Paanod, BSHRT
”
“
”
Unang dag-on mo paeang, imong mabatyagan pagsueod it dayang unibersidad hay pagkakueba dahil owa ka kasayod kun ano ing ubrahon, kun siin ka maagto ag kun sin-o ing istoryahon. Sa pagdaeagan it mga inadlaw, gabag-o man do imong mabatyagan. May unang masadyahan ka dahil sa ing mga kaklase nga puro kalokohan do nasayran. Mastress ka dahil sa mga ueobrahon nga owa ka kasayod kun ano ing unahon ag kun siin ka maumpisa. Masubuan dahil sa kamatuoran nga matapos eot-a du tanan. Tapos eon ing pagiging estudyante. Gakanya-kanya eon kamu it ayos it inyong pangabuhi. Kaya, kung ako kinyo, mga pinalangga ko nga estudyante, hasta may oras pa kamo, ubraha ninyo ro tanan agud mapanami inyong kabuhi iya sa ASU-CIT.
”
Maria Regiel I. Tolentino, BSEd
VOLUME 54, NO 2 13
Seeing the More Amazing You BY RAFAEL JERICHO E. MAGALIT
YOU ARE AMAZING. The only thing that’s holding you back in being happy and confident is you. If I tell you that physical appearance doesn’t matter then I will be lying. Let's face it, if you like how you look, you feel good and if you feel good about yourself then you are confident. Just be reminded that beauty is only skin deep and that a beautiful heart will always be in style. Flabbergasting tip numero uno: EATHEALTHY Yeah, yeah I know what I’m telling you is a bit cliché, it almost seems like that I’m a nag but really. Guys, seriously though , let’s start this year healthy. I mean let’s face it those extra holiday pounds you gained? They are not going away on their own and if you still want those favorite pair of jeans of yours to fit then you know what to do. I suggest eat raw fruits and veggies 3 times a week if you can, substitute oatmeal for breakfast at least twice a week and trust me when I say that brown is the new color of health. Brown rice and brown bread contain more fiber that helps cleanse our insides and it has less starch. Less starch means less sugar production and less sugar production means less fat storage . Glamorous tipnumero dos: EXERCISE OMG, I know right? I cringed at the very sight of the word too. This is a very hard topic for me to discuss because I myself am not a very active person. But I try my hardest to move and sweat as hard as I can.
14 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
All I can suggest is to exercise 2 to 3 times a week. Keep your heart and your blood pumping by jogging for 30 minutes at the least. Everyone is different and have unique body types so go on your own pace and find a workout regimen that you’re comfortable with. Fabulous tip numero tres: SKIN This is a very delicate topic because not everybody has the same skin type and some may have allergic reactions and I am not a dermatologist. But this is some of the things I do to combat my epidermal dilemmas. So okay first of all I have oily skin. I combat this with a mild and deep cleaning foaming facial wash. It’s nice because the baking powder in the facial wash deeply cleanses out your pores so there’s less oil production and the pore is relieved by plugged up sebum. Always remember to never use harsh facial washes that can irritate your skin. Look for hypoallergenic brands so that it’s safe to use. Secondly. I have acne scars. Yes, I know these pesky scars have been plaguing our faces since we hit puberty. But don’t fear! Even the peskiest scar can be erased. Ok. So I used this new product. It’s nice because it’s a gel, it’s very refreshing and it doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky or stiff afterwards. It has B vitamins that combat the dark spots on our skin. And since it’s a gel it’s recommended for oily skin because it won’t cause future breakouts. Thirdly. That red zit. Yeah we hate that red
spot, the first thing we’d want to do is to squeeze it right? Wrong. Squeezing it the wrong way can cause unsightly scars. So use a spot corrector. Spot correctors act on pimples quickly to dry them out. The acne gel I’m using has tea tree extracts that has natural anti-bacterial qualities. That’s all for now my lovelies. I hope my tips helped you.
Begging: BY JOHN BREX B. BRIONES
THE SIGHT of begging children is a part of the landscape of almost all of the large cities and public places in the Philippines. Beggars are more in number in most of the penurious areas in our country. We get to see them in public gatherings, where they are mostly seen begging for food, money and others. Though it is quite disturbing to see men, women, and children doing their daily rituals of begging, instead of living a productive life, working or studying, they don’t even seem to think of a solution to at least earn money to provide for themselves or for their family. The Turning Point I can still remember being approached by a woman, carrying her child inside the Kalibo’s Wet Market, asking for alms. I refused to give and asked why not find a job, she blankly replied, “Wala trabaho Badjao.” (I don’t work, I am a Badjao.)” Such is a harsh belief that they accepted as part of their reality. Another example, at least, a newer form of begging is what most of us calls ‘The Envelope Givers’. In reality, most of them are known to belong to a group of syndicates that collect money to buy drugs, gamble and do bad stuff or use the kids to get more alms. The Law: Presidential Decree No.1563 and UNICEF Despite their contrivance against the law, many beggars would do their activities in public places, some even just a stone-throw away from the police station without the fear of being arrested. “To control and eradicate mendicancy and to provide penalties” as directly quoted from PD No. 1563, issued by then President Ferdinand Marcos in June 11, 1978. The law applies to mendicants of all ages, including infants or children who are
eight years old and younger, found begging and the parents of the exploited infants and/or children. This was, however, not strictly implemented by the authorities. The main purpose of creating the law is not to corrode the dignity of the beggar but to stop mendicancy, prevent exploitation of children and to provide rehabilitative services to apply for those who are already exploited or in immediate danger of exploitation, for as the law directly states, “Mendicancy breeds crimes, creates traffic hazards, endanger health and exposes mendicants to indignities and degradations.” The UNICEF consider child mendicancy as a form of child labor, and an estimate of a 150 million children aged 5-14 years old in deve loping countries were involved in child labor, 1.5 million of these are on the Philip pines. Bottom Line: The Roots And Its Prevention It is hard to pin point the real source of mendicancy, some says it is poverty, some says it is the lack of social opportunity. Needless to say, the problem arises to great extent, endangering both the beggar and the begged. It can lead to drug addiction, prostitution, exploitation, and even physical harassment. Given that drug addiction being the most prominent, the Department of Social Welfare and Development reported an annual growth on street children using some common house hold substances, such as solvents, rugby (a toluene-based glue) and cough syrups, and some even go to the extent of using harmful drugs. Street children choose to sell their young bodies for prostitution by being pressured to provide for their
families, used by foreign sex tourists and pedophiles, as well as local people. According to 1996 statistics of the Philippine Resource Network, 60,000 of the 1.5 million street children in the Philippines were prostituted. This leads to a bigger problem of contracting STDs, HIV and even AIDS. An approximated 18% street children contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The solution for this is hard to formulate. Most of our countrymen don’t know that a law that prohibits them in giving alms to beggars does exist. Next is civic welfare. A lot of plans had been made and many resources had been poured down but still, no improvement had been visible. A mandate could also be built obliging parents to motivate their children to go to schools and not to beg on streets. Of course, it also means that all municipal officials should penalize those who do not follow and once the probation had been made, it should be properly implemented. That is, civic actions should be made, not only by the officials or policemen, but also by the laypeople. This is not to criticize the act of helping or begging itself, but to properly inform everyone that an existing law is mandating us to that prohibits these actions. There are a lot of facets that a help could be provided, one is through donation to NGOs that aid relief operations and rescue street children. Another is through providing job opportunity or scholarship for the mendicants, in that way the very roots of begging, which is poverty will be solved. As Israelmore Ayivor, a wellknown African author and inspirational speaker, said it, “True compassion does not sit on the laps of renovation; it dives with an approach to reconstruction. Don't throw a coin at a beggar. Rather, destroy his source of poverty.”
VOLUME 54, NO 2 15
6
Science-based ways
ARE YOU feeling sorrowstricken? Or simply has a mild boredom that deprives you from going to a height of enthusiasm? When is the last time that you feel exquisite happiness? In this demanding world, happiness has always been one of the immaterial things that everyone desires. A gist of
BY JOLLY E. LAURIANO
happiness can initiate fire for someone to take action and be productive. Among the many emotional needs of humanity, being happy turns out to be the most essential one. This goodfeeling impacts the whole system of the individual and eventually, leads his/her way to the threshold of success.
The journey in rising up needs happiness. So, if you run out of ways on how to feel happier, fret no more because we’ve got your back to lift you from that depressive dungeon of emotional downfall. Take these 6 science-based ways which are deemed effective in grasping true happiness:
Have you been thinking that exercise is something you don't have time for? Think again. Try to check out the 7-minute workout mentioned in The New York Times. That's a workout any of us can fit into our schedules. Exercise has a profound effect on our well-being
and is an effective strategy for overcoming depression. You don't have to be depressed to benefit from exercise, though. Exercise can help you relax, increase your brain power, and improve your body image. Exercise was explored in depth before, and looked at what it does to our brains, such as releasing proteins and endorphins that make us feel happier.
Staying in touch with friends and family is one of the top five regrets of the dying. If you want more evidence that time with friends is beneficial for you, research proves it can make you happier right now, too. Social time is highly valuable when it comes to improving our
16 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
happiness, even for introverts. Several studies have found that time spent with friends and family makes a big difference to how happy we feel. Harvard happiness expert Daniel Gilbert explains that we are happy when we have family, we are happy when we have friends and almost all the other things we think make us happy are actually just ways of getting more family and friends.
One of the most counterintuitive pieces of advices is that to make yourself feel happier, you should help others. In fact, 100 hours a year or two hours a week is the
Smiling can make us feel better, but it's more effective when we back it up with positive thoughts. Of course it's important to practice "real smiles" where you use your eye sockets. You've
Meditation is often touted as an important habit for improving focus, clarity , and attention span, as well as helping to keep
This is a seemingly simple strategy but could make a huge difference to your outlook. There are lots of ways to practice gratitude, from keeping a journal of things you're grateful for, sharing three good things that happen each day with a friend or
optimal time we should dedicate to helping others in order to enrich our lives. So spending money on other people makes us happier than buying stuff for ourselves. But what about spending our time on other people?
seen fake smiles that don't reach the person's eyes. Try it. Smile with just your mouth. Then smile naturally; your eyes narrow. There's a huge difference in a fake smile and genuine smile. According to PsyBlog, smiling can improve our attention and help us perform better on cognitive tasks.
you calm. It turns out to be also useful for improving your happiness. Meditation literally clears your mind and calms you down. It's been often proven to be the single most effective way to live a happier life.
your partner, and going out of your way to show gratitude when others help you. In an experiment where participants took note of things they were grateful for each day, their moods were improved just from this simple practice. The Journal of Happiness studies published a study that used letters of gratitude to test how being grateful can affect our levels of happiness. .
SOURCE: http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/10-scientifically-proven-ways-tobe-incredibly-happy-wed.html#ixzz33z6UOGGU Retrieved January 2015
VOLUME 54, NO 2 17
WHICH IS ECO-FRIENDLY:
Paper OR PLASTIC Mother Earth’s newest puzzle
CLIMATE CHANGE and Global Warming are two of the greatest CLIMATE CHANGE and problems thrown upon us. of We Global Warming are two are now on a world near the greatest problems thrownto destruction all because man’s upon us. We are nowofon a discontentment. Credit should world near to destruction all also be given toofthe continuous because man’s search of man for ways lessen discontentment. Credit and slow down the effects should also be given to theof these harmful dilemmas. The continuous search of man for comparison of which between ways lessen and slow down plastic bag orofpaper bag is more the effects these harmful dilemmas. The comparison of which between plastic bag or paper bag is more environmentally friendly is still argued. Sometimes, we may find ourselves standing for several minuites while buying our goods just to think of which bag to use. We are practical thinkers may consider this thought: it is more practical to use plastic because of durability and reliance in case untoward accidents may happen. However, our minds which are stuffed with negativities about plastics may pull us to pick paper bags over plastic bags. But have you ever asked yourself if your decision does really help the environment? Well, let us give some facts to ponder in choosing which bag is better the next time you encounter the same scenario.
18 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
BY JANZ M. SAMPATON environmentally friendly is still argued. Sometimes, we may find ourselves standing for several minutes while buying our goods just to think of which bag to use. We • Production are practical of paperthinkers bags causes may consider this thought: it is more 70% air pollution and emits 80& practical to use plastic because greenhouse gases of durability and reliance in case untoward accidents may • It consumes more fuel to recycle happen. However, our minds
which are stuffed with negativities about plastics may pull us to pick paper bags over plastic bags. But have you ever asked yourself if your decision does really help the environment? Well, paper let us • According to studies, bagsgive some facts to ponder do not really degrade faster than in choosing which bag is better the plastic bags! next time you encounter the same scenario.
paper bags than to make a new one.
• Paper bags generate 80% more solid waste. • Paper bags consume three time the amount of water to make plastic bags
• Plastic bag is “Litter.” It has the highest figures of waste materials. • Plastic bags are always eaten by animals which mistakenly regarded it as food, which also result to its death.
• Plastic takes less energy than recycling paper.
• Plastic degrades in a long period of time.
The stated ideas could be seen that paper and plastic bags both have pros and cons. In fact, these materials are both highly recyclable. But why do plastic bags get that horrifying reputation? The primary reason is that plastic bag is surrounded with misconception and biased justifications regarding its recyclability, efficiency, and the processes that govern it. Tracing back to history, plastic bags are really invented as an alternative for paper bags in the late 1970s to save trees from being cut for the said purpose. Plastic bags are wastes of natural gas extraction and an environmental solution to the burn off of this gas during the refining process. Moreover, plastic reusability is cyclical (new plastics are made and eventually worn out,) but can be re-pulped and remolded infinitely. On the other hand, papers can easily be destructed; therefore, it cannot be recycled anymore. Recycling papers in minimal sizes to be used in grocery stores are also not advisable because of durability issues. It easily breaks which results more damage to your goods and also brings inconvenience to you. These broken bags are thereafter found as waste on streets which consumes greater amount of time to degrade than papers in composts. Actually, a survey says that if all the shoppers using plastic bags last year had used paper bags instead, they would have increased the amount of solid waste by over
100 million tons and taken up 7 times more space in landfills. A thousand plastic bags sums up to 15 pounds and occupies 979 cubic inches of landfills and a thousand paper bags weigh 140 pounds with a density of 7,188 pounds. Objectively speaking, it could be inferred that neither paper nor plastic has it in the bag. It still depends on how the shoppers use their creativity in reusing those bags. That is, if they are really pulled by their green conscience and be advocates of nature. At the end of the day, it is not the waste that is the problem, but the people who act like waste. So the next time you face the cashier, what would it be? Paper or Plastic?
SAVING MAMA NATURE BY JEMUEL B. GARCIA III Carbon footprint – not literally that footprint you leave when you walk but somewhat the same. Carbon footprint, as the name suggests, is the amount of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, emitted by something. We know for a fact that greenhouse gases is one of the major cause of global warming and climate change. So, as a student, how can you help in saving the environment? Here’s some simple ways that will make you reduce your carbon footprint:
Yes, turn off your phone, tab and laptop if your not using it. Not only will you conserve energy, you’ll also lengthen the life span of your gadget’s battery and in return cost you les in maintenance and even your electric bill.
Most of you will agree that when you’re buying a soft drink from the cafeteria, you will choose to have it placed in a plastic bag rather than carrying the bottle. But here’s one thing most of you may not know, the acid on the cola you’re drinking burns the layers of the plastic container ending up to a synthetic cola mixture. So instead of drinking it on a plastic, drink it on the bottle.
With the aim to conserve natural resources and reduce the carbon footprint, you can read this and other publications of The Aklan Tradesman by scanning the QR code on the left or by visiting us online at: issuu.com/theaklantradesman
And lastly, please don’t leave your garbage (and even other’s garbage) unattended. Those pieces of candy wrappers, cups, and even torn paper don’t have feet for them to walk up to the garbage can. So before it turns into a pile of flesh-eating monster, better pick it up and put it on the trash can. These are just some of the many simple ways you can do to help and lessen the suffering of our Mama Nature. Go green! (the good way)
VOLUME 54, NO 2 19
THE GREAT
OF A
WANDERER BY JANZ M. SAMPATON
“A MAN of multiple talents and intelligences. A singer, dancer, male contortionist, linguist, and mathematician who had indeed innovated and brought himself to various phases of things not one could simultaneously achieve.” This was the prior description that was given to me when I first received this assignment to write a feature article for Engr. Joven C. Cablas, an instructor who is not only known for his knowledge but also for his experiences which honed him to what he is now. As I was entering the faculty room for my scheduled interview with him, I was very nervous, though it is a mere fact that I have faced interviews with many people. The only difference is none of them have gone to the same level of what this man has achieved. In fact, I was really shocked when he sent me copies of his radio interviews and a sixteen page document list of his attainments which was the very reason why it took a long time for me to start. With that, I am honored to narrate to you, the story of ASU-CIT’s greatest wanderer.
Younger Years in Discovery During his younger years, Sir Joven started out as a singer who performed and joined several contests. Back then, he discovered his talent in balancing when he copied his brother while balancing a piece of stick on his palm. He was then called “The
20 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
Great Imitator” by his siblings. Later on, he recurved to a new passion and became a contortionist in circus acts as he was also the drummer of the family combo of the musically inclined Cablas family. When he was in high school, Sir Joven engaged in dancing, and he was then known as the only male majorette who could easily do manipulative handling in dual baton twirling. With a fusion of two ideals, he dreamed of either being a circus man or ballerino someday, so he planned to enroll in a ballet school.
WhyEngineer? With his talents at hand and the clear vision of what he wants, many people ask him “Why did you choose to be an engineer?” As his parents knew his plans, they did not allow him to do such a thing. According to them, the life of being a dancer depends on his youth and there is no security of tenure in such craft. So he decided to enroll and took up Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the Western Institute of Technology in Iloilo City. He entered college as a scholar of the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Science and Technology though he actually admitted that he was not a very good student. Despite the prohibitions, Sir Cablas continued his passion of being a circus man
and joined several acts with both local and international co-acrobats. This even gave him what he considered as the greatest anecdote of his life. “I was really startled when I knew that my fellow contortionists entered the school premises in full attire and properties. They were asking each and every student regarding my whereabouts. I was totally unaware of that until the Scholarship’s Head of the college summoned me as I was scolded and asked “What exactly do you want with your life? Do you still want to study? Or you want to be in circus for life? In my mind I answered: In circus of course! But I didn’t say a single word out of respect.”
TheRoot of anEducator After his studies, Sir Joven became a Junior Engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and Department of Agrarian Reform as a Junior Statistician. Thereafter, he had his first spot in teaching as a Mathematics instructor in the University of the Philippines Visayas in 1991. He pursued both teaching and studying and he gained his diploma in Physical Education in the same school, which was then preceded by his Bachelor of Arts in Teaching Mathematics at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He achieved his craft of being a teacher in different schools such as: Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas, Western Visayas College of Science and Technology where he also became an International Brevet Judge for Gymnastics, West Visayas State University Laboratory High School, Dominican College of Iloilo, West Negros University, and Dominican International School even though he did not yet have any teaching license. His International Sojourn “The thought of having an international career appeared just as a spur of the moment. I only tested my own extent.” This was what Engr. Cablas said
upon remembering his first international voyage as a Mathematics Teacher at the Dominican International School in Taipei, Taiwan in 2002. He was chosen among the hundreds of applicants who tried their luck. He piled up his numerous qualifications in his folder. Ironically, they missed out the fact that he did not have any license among those qualifications. So he flew to Taipei and practiced his profession as a teacher for a year before he finally decided to go back to the Philippines to obtain his license in Professional Teaching. As he went back to the Philippines, he was offered with placements as Mathematics and Physical Education Instructor at the University of Saint La Salle which he readily accepted. He then took up his fourth course of Bachelor of Education (Supplemental) simultaneously in the same university where he became a Licensed Professional Teacher in just a year after, when he was an instructor in the Ateneo de Iloilo last 2005. He spent two years of teaching in the university for two years and marked himself for another international teaching opportunity. Upon receiving his license, Sir Joven departed again to be a Mathematics Teacher at the Saudi Aramco School in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he stayed for more than one year and was awarded as the most talented faculty member of the school.
Back to thePhilippines For the third time, Sir Cablas went back to the country as an instructor for Mathematics at John B. Lacson Maritime School in 2009 and became a Substitute Teacher at the University of the Philippines in 2010. Now, Engr. Joven Camarista Cablas hails as an Instructor I at the Aklan State University-College of Industrial Technology. An instructor and an intelligent traveler who studied the relation of Mathematics and Language. A true talentadong pinoy who is a pride and a trophy of the whole ASU-CIT Community.
VOLUME 54, NO 2 21
“Liktinon unravels an impressive backdrop of what Mother Nature can offer. .” Photo Courtesy of Gerald Inocencio, AKO 22 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
Where your heart and soul can commune with Mother Nature’s great spectacle! BY JOLLY E. LAURIANO
MOST PEOPLE love to experience a cool escape from the noise of the busy streets and discomforts caused by their daily rituals, be it in school or in the workplace. An atmosphere where perfect relaxation is present and a place that radiates pleasing aura of calmness without giving their enjoyment a compromise is what these people are looking for. With these attributes having mentioned, the scenic town of Madalag can be placed on top of the list where they can take a shot of adventure to the next level and dispel the monotony of their everyday life.
VOLUME 54, NO 2 23
Madalag is a fourth class municipality in the province of Aklan and was formerly a part of Libacao. On the year 1948, it was constituted as a separate and independent town with twenty-five barangays. The town is mainly an agricultural land, approximately 33 kilometers from the capital of Aklan, Kalibo. Among the seventeen municipalities in the province, it is endowed with the biggest land area wherein the majority of its domain is primarily occupied by activities related to agriculture. Madalagnons have lived up to the culture of farming and home industries as their major source of livelihood. Additionally, this municipality houses majestic spots and most of them are situated far beyond the town’s metropolis, a connotation of a total adventure.
Though the town has been making big leaps toward modernization, it never dares to discard its historical roots. Madalagnons proudly stereotype themselves as “Mga Apo ni Aewag” as a gesture of paying tribute to “Datu Aewag”, the town’s ever socially responsible ruler during the Pre-Spanish colonial period. Furthermore, they claim to have possessed the 3M’s which are “maabi-abihon”, “mapainubuson” and “mabinuligon” as these characteristics are exemplified in all their conducts especially when dealing with visitors.
For those spiritual solace,
seeking for the parish
church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is more than ready to embrace you with a touch of comfort. It was built way back the colonization of Spaniards in our country thus giving its artistry a Spanish accent. The church’s “retablo” (structure
24 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
that hosts the tabernacle), features an arch creatively embedded with white stones. The church is sited in an elevated area of the town proper wherein one can take a glimpse on the panoramic view of the town plaza. As s testament to their firm spiritual foundation, Madalagnons celebrate their religious fiesta every 12th of December.
In this setting, one can have a peek of an exquisite view. With its wonderful landscape, it will simply have you realize that your emotional discomfort is slowly ebbing down. At the heart of the plaza, the Madalag Town Hall is located adjacent to the municipal auditorium that hosts the big social gatherings and events of the town.
Sweet and absolutely mindblowing! These adjectives could fittingly give description to the Lanzones fruit found in this town. It gives a delectation that truly appears to one’s sense of taste. Once its flesh gets into your taste buds, you will experience a concoction of slight sourness with a dominance of distinct sweetness. In the spectrum of economy, Lanzones production does contribute a lot especially on the peak of its season. The municipality also produces rambutan, marang and pineapple which are equally pleasing to the taste and contributive to the town’s economic progress.
The municipality takes great pride as it serves as the house to the breathtaking grandeur of Liktinon. It is located in Brgy. Ma. Cristina that is several ten kilometers from the town proper. The place is called so as it is derived from the vernacular term “liktin” or “liksi” meaning to jump or
leap. While an hour or two of hiking is a requisite to reach the place, one has to take a series of small and big jumps from one stone to another and the course continues in order to get there. Liktinon unravels an impressive backdrop of what Mother Nature can offer. It has crystal clear water that seems to bathe your soul and ease off all your angst with its coolness. Its gigantic white rocks that seem to boast the treasures of the place create a picture-perfect scene. When having an escapade here, don’t miss to bring your camera or else you might just bite your elbow in great dismay.
Next in line is the incredibly exciting Timbaban River. The river has its starting point in Brgy. Ma. Cristina with its end point meeting the vastness of Aklan River. For those who like to go carefree and adventurous, this is the best choice. It can cater rafting and boating activities while giving you the chance to measure the clusters of huge boulders on its riverside.
When talking about local cuisine, Madalag has also its name. Madalagnons lay claims on their town as the land of distinctive and palatable “Tinu-om.” With this, the local government and its people resolved to celebrate “Tinu-om Festival” as a venue to exhibit various “Tinu-om” foods in a quite enjoyable manner.
The abovementioned spots are just part of the great big parcel of what the town of Madalag can tender to its visitors. Some other potential tourist hubs under its comfort are yet waiting to take a break in the competitive context of tourism. The province of Aklan is recognized to be a pioneer and forerunner in promoting the tourism industry in the Philippines. It has been a major contributor in maintaining our country’s economic standing. In more ways than one, the municipality of Madalag with its guiding principle and battle cry “Madalagnon ako! Banwa ko, amligan ko.”, has been doing and will continue doing its part for the same cause. If you are basically yearning for the warmth and embrace of nature or simply has this thirst for exquisite relaxation, Madalag has surely got your back to give you fun and make your day fare beyond the ordinary.
PHOTOS: (Previous page, top to bottom) Timbaban River, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church, Falls in Barangay Panipiason, Tinu-om: a Madalag cuisine, Lanzones: a tropical fruit, hanging bridge, another view of the vast Timbaban River, and a picturesque view of white rock formations in Barangay Liktinon; (Left) The breath-taking natural beauty and ambiance of the Panipiason Falls.
Panipiason Falls
VOLUME 54, NO 2 25
High
BY ALLYN T. ARTATES AND ANN D. MANGILAYA
Everyone has his/her goal to reach, like solving a math problem. If you cannot find the answer on your first solution, you must never stop trying other equation, formula and approach just to find the perfect and right answer. For our lovable friend, colleague, instructor, Research and Development Services Chairperson, and Supreme Student Council Adviser, Miss Realm R. Alis, she definitely knows the right solution to her math problem. Miss Realm R. Alis with her jeans and comfortable shirt, siting in the Research and Development Services Office with her laptop open, was a graduate of MSc in Food Technology major in Postharvest and Food Preservation Engineering with distinction, Cum Laude at the Catholic University of Leuven and Ghent University, Belgium. She graduated BSc in Food Technology at the University of the Philippines Visayas in 2004. In 2006-2012, she was a Science Research Assistant, and in 2012 to present she was an instructor at the Aklan State University-Kalibo. But before our bubbly instructor ended up in Aklan State University-College of Industrial Technology, she first worked as a Science Research Assistant at the Research and Development Services Unit,
26 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
Aklan State University-Banga. How she ended up working in ASU-Kalibo… “I started working in ASU-Banga in 2006 as a Science Research Assistant in Research and Development Services Office. In 2010, I received a scholarship for my masters and I study-leave for two years. When I came back in 2012, I feel that I wanted a new environment and a more challenging work. So, I applied for the food tech instructor and transfer in here in Kalibo. And since I’m from Kalibo, it was much easier to travel to my place of work.” Her goals in life… “I have so many goals. Number one, I want to start my PhD by 2016 and go back here after. Number 2, I want to be a millionaire. I want to establish scholarship for students. If you have a lot money, you can do charitable institutions. And lastly, I want to build a library.” In her key mentors and inspirations… “My thesis supervisor in UP, Prof. Marilou J. Ang Lopez and my RDs Director in ASU-Banga, Dr. Elsa Abayon. They were both kind and strong women. They have lot of accomplishments. I want to be like them in the future. Like Ma’am Elsa, she is the only university professor here in ASU, the highest rank that a teacher can reach in a state university.”
In her life changing experiences… “When I receive my scholarship for my masters, the VLIR (De Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad) Scholarship from the Belgian Government. That led me to study for two years in Belgium for my Master of Science in Food Technology. It was nice living in Belgium. I got my first experience with snow. I was a bit afraid, considering they were Dutch but they can understand English, so there’s no problem. And there was more excitement than fear.” In her biggest project and turning point in life… “Probably when I graduated master’s degree as Cum Laude. Actually I couldn’t believe that I was chosen for the scholarship, considering the process of applying was through documents. They have this so-called online screening. You need to fill up a form and based on your answers they will screen you. Then, they will give you a password and user account for your full application, and you will send scanned copy of your diplomas, recommendation letters, and other documents that they required. Since I am the only one in Aklan and probably the first in Western Visayas, at first, I couldn’t believe. But when they sent me a ticket and documents for visa application, then was when I truly believe I’m going to Belgium. When I was there, I balanced my life. I study but at the same time I travel in
different places, explore new things, and went to parties with my friends. At the end of my two years stay, I was proud that I was able to enjoy my stay, finished my study and graduated as Cum Laude.” Sources of support while in Belgium… “My family and friends that I met there. There was a time while I’m doing skype with my family, I couldn’t say that I’m sad or have any problems in school. I don’t want them to worry about me, so I must stay happy. I have friends there, my best friend Karin from Peru. I also have other friends like Ladi from the Philippines, from Vietnam, from Peru, from Africa, from Ethiopia, from Zimbabwe, and from Uganda.” Her lessons and message for the students… “Never give up and to keep trying to reach your goal. For example like me, I saw an opportunity through the internet to study abroad, I tried even if I feel that it was hard to achieve. So just try, you don’t know may be the Lord will surprise you, and you will get something you didn’t expect. It is also important to enjoy your life, do not be so serious. And you shouldn’t be afraid of new experiences. Be a solo traveler and since you are alone, you can only rely to yourself so never be afraid to ask questions.” What’s next for her… “I am hoping to be promoted for a higher rank and I will go for my PhD.”
PHOTOS: (Previous page) Ms. Alis in Alba Iulia in Romania; (Top, left to right) In Germany and Belgium; (Right, top to bottom) Ms. Realm in Leuven, Belgium, in Hanau, Germany, in Frankfurt City Center, and experiencing snow in Netherlands.
VOLUME 54, NO 2 27
BY ALLYN T. ARTATES
POPULAR CULTURE (or pop culture) is the entirety of perspectives, attitudes, memes, images, and other phenomena that are within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the late 20th and early 21st century. That is according to Wikepedia. So let’s take a run down to what’s still on top on pop culture.
ideas,
PHOTO: www.dailymail.co.uk
PHOTOBOMB
Ever heard of it? If not, then you probably did not know the term if you accidentally or purposely put yourself in front of the photograph. Certainly, there is always a friend of yours that would love to sabotage your super awesome photo just to annoy you. Photobombing is absolutely scene-stealing moment and we’re all hands down for Jennifer Lawrence as she photobomb Taylor Swift while being interviewed by Ryan Seacrest at the Golden Globes. And believe it or not, in 2014, "photobomb" was named Word of the Year by Collins English Dictionary.
SELFIE
Selfie is a revolutionary word in the art of photography. It has changed how we take pictures forever. It went famous that even the Pope joins this craze and has a number of selfies taken. Even Ellen took the concept to the Oscars and take a selfie with her fellow celebrities and it became trending worldwide. There are even songs made just for selfies, from Chainsmoker “Selfie” to Davey Langit “The Selfie Song.” And as 2014 ended, the selfie fever stills continues especially if you have a new phone with a front cam. PHOTO: www.huffingtonpost.com
FROZEN
It’s been more than a year since Frozen hit the cinemas and up till now, anywhere we look, there will always be images of our lovable Norse princesses. They bombarded stores with dolls, bags, pillows, and there are even Frozen inspired bras. People even passionately sing a long whenever we heard “Let it Go” and some people surely still have it in their playlist ready to be played whenever we feel like it. With a “Frozen” sequel in the works, a lot of people will definitely root for it. So, we cannot just say let it go, can’t hold it back anymore, because we’re still griping to it anyways.
PHOTO: www.amazon.co.uk
NORMCORE
Being runner-up for neologism of the year by the Oxford University Press in 2014, normcore is 2014’s biggest trend in “in” fashion. Normcore is the combination of normal and hardcore. It involved wearing the blandest clothing possible, from beige pants to white T-shirts, and somehow creating a chic outfit out of it. PHOTO:www.thinkonlinemag.com.
BAE
From Pharell William’s song “Come get it Bae” to thousands of posts and articles, the bae word is totally one of the high points of pop culture. Whether you think "bae" is usually used to describe someone who comes "before anyone else," or rather “poop” in Danish, the word certainly is insanely popular in 2014. It’s been used to describe anything, from one’s significant other to any one’s favorite food. But that’s not it, there is even bae-haters. Whether you love it or not, we’ve all used it at some point or another.
PHOTO:blogs.rediff.com
1989
Taylor Swift “1989” is the top selling album of 2014 and it’s her third consecutive album to sell one million copies only in its first week. Be honest—your totally hook up with Out of the Woods, Shake It Off, Welcome to New York, Blank Spaces and a whole lot more of T Swift’s song in this album. Probably, you can’t still shake it off in your head for a few months. And not by coincidence, 1989 is the year Taylor was born. PHOTO: www.creativedisc.com
BOOTY
Remember Miley Cyrus twerking? A lot of songs was definitely made that seemed to care about butts after its revolutionary performance at MTV’s Video Music Awards. Booty-anthems like Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass,” Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda” and Iggy Azalea and Jennifer Lopez’s suitably named “Booty” hit the charts and way to create a YouTube sensation for singing about butts. And that’s not the end, booty clapping from The Tool Song by Hardnox is making its way to the wide crowd as the next harlem shake or wiggle.
VOLUME 54, NO 2 29
AKLAN
EVERYTHING starts out as nothing at first, hard to believe that something so large and grand in demeanor could have started out so small. That a civilization like ours were once only a mere groups of tribes bickering against one another over patches of land. That was ages before the first colonist ships drifted to our shores, bringing with them their weapons and religion with a sole purpose to maim or convert our ancestors for their own purpose. Despite the prevalence of Christianity, our beliefs have
BY WILFRED G. BRIONES
changed little over the years. Some old festivities in our province are still celebrated today; such as the renowned Ati-atihan festival of Kalibo. Originally, the festival was to celebrate the treaty between the Ati and Malayan Tribes who settled on the island, the Ati who lived at the mountain regions and the Malay people in the flatlands or close to the water. The festivity begins on the dry season, at which time the Ati come down from the mountains to trade and celebrate with the Malayan Tribes. When the Spaniards settled
in the region and converted the Malays to their Christian religion, they asked the Malays to celebrate this festivity to coincide with the Feast of the “Santo Nino� which is usually held during the third week of January. While many of us are not aware, there are other known festivals celebrated in our province that serve as testament of enduring culture that we, the Akeanon have. Here are some:
BARIW FESTIVAL Bariw Festival sets as a venue to showcase the skills of every Nabasnon in weaving bags, mats and hats made of bariw leaves which are the prospering livelihood in the municipality. It is highlighted by the dance performance of locals and ingenuity to the beat of the drums celebrated every May 14 of the year.
KALIUGYON FESTIVAL Kaliugyon Festival, from the word kali for kalipayan or happiness and ugyon meaning unity. This festival is celebrated in Libacao every December 30 to January 1. Costumed in indigenous outfits bringing people together on the streets for merry-making and to drive evil spirits in the coming new year.
BUGNA FESTIVAL The Bugna festival exhibits the different locally produce products and eco-tourism destinations of Tangalan like the marine sanctuary and coral garden, Afga Point, Campo Verde, Jawili Falls, Bughawi beach every May 16th.
30 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
Techno-pubs for the Hardworking Studes BY JOHN BREX B. BRIONES
Gregorio Elijay Castillo Memorial E-library
Toting Net Cafe
IMAGINE THIS; you’re sitting for almost two hours, yet the internet connection’s still crawling as if it passes its information from end to end of our province via trisikad. You are on your last temper thread, downloading a required video presentation you made for tomorrow’s submission, and then the server announced on its wall that certain untimely error occurred. You are now sweating, for the only ventilation that the shop provides is through its open door. The printer’s in the background, screeching on its scarce ink. The scent of perspiration’s in the air, making you more wishful to be somewhere else other than there. “But the project! I just can’t...” yeah we hear you. So if you’re not that so financially capable of purchasing your own PC (or have one, yet have no internet connection) then this list is specially made for you. We had searched the whole metro Kalibo and even interviewed some students to finally create a list of our best performing computer shops in the context of student friendliness, internet connection, service quality and of course, affordability. (Take note that the list is in no particular order).
Gregorio ElijayCastillo Memorial E-library
Terabytes Internet Zone
Your first impression to this place is that it may cost you too much, but this E-library stands as an institution that offers free computer rentals and services for the indigent and hardworking students of Aklan. Built from the dream of the late Dr. Gregorio E. Castillo, who envisions a globally and technologically competitive Aklanon youth, the institution caters students from different colleges and high schools in the province. “It really serves as a big burden buster for us students especially in the financial aspect. It is also wellventilated, being air-conditioned and spacious. The assistants are friendly and are always willing to give a helping
hand”, noted by Mary Joy Cawaling, a BSEd 3A Student.
NetCity Known as one of the one best place for gamers (DOTA anyone?). Net City located near the CAP building, is also known for their convenience and customer-friendly ambiance. The shop is also famous for its fast internet connection and pocket friendly computer rental price. According to Andrea Flores, our resident photojournalist, “What I like about their service is that they are always updating their software and applications. It means a lot especially to those studes who want to always be on trend, like on editing photos, videos and the like.”
TotingNetCafe “Yes, I am a daily customer of Toting Net. I like their classy atmosphere and fast paced internet connection. The shop also has a hustlefree service, almost a one-stop shop to be considered. Toting was also famed for their high-quality printing services.” Said Freah Joy P. Buňog, a third year architectural student, she also added; “they have this quaint yet cozy restaurant, which was also a great place to hang-out with foodie friends.” Toting Net Café is located at Toting Reyes Street, in front of the DPWH field office.
TerabytesInternetzone Why go too far? Popularly known to students who need a fast, near and affordable solution to their projects and research assignments requiring an internet resource. It also offers cheap photo copying price. “They are reliable especially with the on-the-rush student. Though sometimes there is a sort of dilemma in their internet connection, yet we should not forget those times where their service had saved us from many deadlines.” said Dan Febrel V. Reyes, a BSHRMT 1E student.
Net City
VOLUME 54, NO 2 31
BY RAFHAEL JERICHO E. MAGALIT
Daughter of Smoke and Bones
Fifty Shades of Grey
Raw
BY LAINI TAYLOR
BY EL JAMES
BY BELLE AURORA
This is the story of Karou, a seemingly ordinary girl with ultramarine blue hair, pale skin and a very impressive array of tattoos on her body. She lives in Prague and goes to a very distinguished art school. She was raised by chimaera, a half human half beast race that lives in another world but has many magical portals through ours. The chimaera that raised her was a half man half bull half lion chimaera that grants wishes Yes. Wishes. You can buy wishes actually. You can buy them in his shop. They’re quite cheap, you only have to pay him in TEETH. You pay him in teeth. Why teeth? That’s what Karou wants to know, too. Actually Karou wants to know a lot of secrets. Firstly, she wants to know what is she and why doesn’t she have any parents; secondly what are the teeth for? Can Karou find out all the answers to her questions? There’s only one way to find out.
The story revolves around Mr. Christian Grey, a smart, rich, and well-educated man who owns the Grey Holdings. But like any other handsome and rich bachelor, there is always a mysterious past. That’s when Ms. Anastasia Steele, a regular brown-haired girl, comes fumbling down his office. But surprisingly, Christian takes an interest in her. He finds her innocence and adoration for Classical English literature quite appealing and she finds his mysterious and intellectual ways tempting but she resists her attraction. Her resistance was Christian’s queue to pursue her, yet his past makes him stop at his tracks. The roller coaster ride of feelings begin and they both find themselves attracted with one another. Will Ana get through Christian and maker their relationship work? Or will the two of them break each other’s heart?
Alexa has a stalker, she knows this, she doesn’t mind she kinds of likes it. She sees him always close to her, across the street, from her parking lot, from where she goes to work, from her window. He’s always there just watching. Always in a grey hoodie. What’s wrong with Alexa? Why isn’t she notifying the police and what’s worse why is she having slight… feelings for her stalker? Is this some sick morbid death wish she has or is she falling in love with him? A romantic connection with the two of them ensues but as most romantic novels go, the guy always has a troubled past and a bad childhood, Twitch has both. Lex is ready to know what Twitch has hidden in his past? Or will she run away and forget Twitch forever? Raw is sadly, just a stand alone novel. But rumors have it that there’s a sequel in the making. (Fingers crossed).
32 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
BY JOLLY E. LAURIANO
BY MEGHAN TRAINOR This is a sort of motivational song to behold. Meghan Trainor, out of her innate singing aptitude, incorporates in this song the concept of optimism and genuine musicality that is audibly relaxing and can simply start fire for your good feeling. “All About That Bass”, if taken seriously, has this element that can enhance your self-esteem and confidence no matter how salient your flaws are.
BY LADY GAGA FT. TONY BENNET Originally a song of Frank Sinatra, “Cheek to Cheek” is a revival song by Lady Gaga with the celebrated singer Tony Bennet. A touch of classical music is vividly embedded in this song that might get you pressing the next button of your music player. Unlike other stereotypical songs that can effortlessly capture public admiration, “Cheek to Cheek” bears a unique aura that may get you hooked the second or third time you listen to it. This is one of Gaga’s fairly decent productions so far.
BY THE VAMPS FT. SHAWN MENDES A song in an effort to depict a socially relevant love story in a novel yet relatable manner. The male persona in this song is at the height of desperation begging the apple of his eyes, Cecilia, to get back in his embrace. With your discriminating auditory perception, “Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart)” might just appear like a typical One Direction’s song.
(
)
BY MAROON 5
Maroon 5, an American pop rock band and one of the boy bands that is currently basking at the height of fame, has got another new offering for their massive fans with their latest album, “V” (pronounced as “five”). Recorded in Conway Studios, Los Angeles through Interscope Records, the album’s singles had been hitting top spots in US Billboard Hot 100 and dominated the chart topping hits in several countries. Satisfy your ears and soul through taking an awesome relish of songs ranging from pop rock, electropop and pop genres.
VOLUME 54, NO 2 33
BY JEMUEL B. GARCIA III
THE MAZE RUNNER You are brought to a place you’ve never been before and then you’ll then find yourself in a situation where you must escape the labyrinth of life and death. You are left with two choices: either you stay in the middle of the maze or put your life at risk to find your way out. Set in the middle of experimental forest of moving walls, the story follows the exciting journey of sixteen-yearold Thomas (Dylen O’Brien) together with the other boys and the only girl in the Glade as they search for their way out the maze and fighting alien-like creatures traversing the labyrinth. Directed by Wes Ball, this American science fiction dystopian action thriller film will surely make you catch your breath and leave you hanging (like any other trilogies, with the question, “What’s Phase 2?” Don’t worry, a sequel, entitled The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials is set to be released on September 2015.
34 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
The hunger games: mockingjay Part 1 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Part 1) revolves on the districts’ rebellion against the Capitol flamed by the controversy of the recently held Hunger Games. With the fall of District 12 began the construction of District 13 that survived The Dark Days by living underground as led by President Alma Coin. Katniss, after being brought to 13, agrees to become the 'Mockingjay' to recruit more rebels from the districts. With the aim to free the imprisoned victors and to save Peeta from the brainwashing activity of the Capitol, Katniss began the revolution. Through the help of the other districts, Katniss is on her way to change the system. Here’s a spoiler: In the epilogue, Katniss and Peeta remain together, Peeta's love having won out against the venom. The pair had two children, a boy and a girl.
insurgent Insurgent, the second installation in the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth is set to be in cinemas this year. The trilogy consists of Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant. It is a young-adult dystopian novel set in the socalled Divergent Universe that features a post-apocalyptic version of Chicago. Society defines its citizens by their social and personalityrelated affiliation with five different factions, which removes the threat of anyone exercising independent will and re-threatening the population's safety. Beatrice Prior, who later changed her name to Tris, an Abnegation-born and Dauntless transfer, must figure out her life as a Divergent. If the Dauntless leaders find her out she will be killed. She must learn to conceal her ability and not let it show.
Source: www.imdb.com
BY JOLLY E. LAURIANO
Your Click to Learning Internet surfing is just one of the fabulous trends that attract people’s attention from all walks of life. To tell the least, it gets their world and clock stopping. It offers an exquisite concoction of both fun and thrills that is continually getting many of us way too hooked with its bits and pieces.
www.thebiginternetmusuem.com
For all we know, there’s more to the online world than the benefit of social networking, fun and entertainment. Take a short break, have your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts logged out for a while and check these out:
THE BIG INTERNET MUSEUM (www.thebiginternetmuseum.com)
Learn about the history and development of all that is World Wide Web-relevant, as this online museum exhibits the history behind the Internet to a culturally significant websites, applications and trends.
GROLIER (www.Grolier.com)
A scholastic site which offers nonfictional content targeted for Grades 3 and up. Users can choose elementary, middle and high school interfaces for over 120,000 articles, over 340,000 editor vetted web links, and over 1,100 world newspapers in 73 languages representing 195 countries. This site is for free.
KHANAACADEMY (www.khanacademy.org)
Watch, practice and learn almost anything—for free! This site has videos covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, history, and more.
Earthrangers (www.earthrangers.org)
This site offers multidisciplinary lessons/resources that provide connections to the
natural world beyond a science and technology scope. Lessons offer curricular benefits in health and physical education, language, mathematics, and the arts.
www.khanacademy.org
ABCya (www.abcya.com)
This site offers free educational computer games and activities for elementary students. Grade level lessons incorporate areas such as math and language arts while introducing basic computer skills. Got it? Instead of killing your time posting nonsensical stuffs on the web, why not give it a reasonable spending? Try going beyond the comforts of mere entertainment and trek the way to a more meaningful experience through browsing the aforementioned sites. As the sun comes to set, you will realize that it all boils down to a single concept – learning. Broaden the horizon of your online world tour. So, go search on and don’t forget to have fun! References: www.homeschool.com Mabuhay Magazine, April 2014 Issue
www.abcya.com
www.earthrangers.org
www.Grolier.com
VOLUME 54, NO 2 35
when LIFE Leads you
Off track How do you find
Your way Back?
Lots of riddles make up the whole picture of my life. Misleading and feigning. It gets me tucked in a tunnel oftentimes. It had once devoured all my might and stole my consciousness. Bitterness aside, never did I let those riddles get under my skin. I always cling to my faith and to the people around me, determined and passionate. As for me, the first tenet toward going back on track is to have the willingness to get lost once again without saying never. Jolly E. Lauriano, BSEd 4A Editor-in-Chief
Life is uncertain, that is for sure. But God's plans are certain. So whenever you find yourself in a situation where life may have played with you and gave you an overdose of lemons, just trust Him and you'll soon find your way back to the road (and a tutorial on how to turn lemons into lemon juice, *winks eye). Other people will say that life is one heck of a roller coaster ride and some may say it’s like a wheel that is full of ups and downs. But no matter what your interpretation about life is, one thing’s for sure – that it’s a gift from our Creator that we should cherish. Jemuel B. Garcia III, BSA 2 Associate Editor and Layout Artist
I pray to God and have faith. Then I reorganize my life, get rid negative vibes and believe that everything will be okay. Allyn T. Artates, BSCE 3 News Editor
I’ll just keep on venturing forward. Because life is not merely a single straight road to me, but a series of interconnected crossroads that only you can decide which path to take on your journey thru life. Wilfred G. Briones, BSIT 1C Feature Editor
I believe that life never leads you off track, it just gives you different paths to choose from, each with its own unique conquests, own mysteries and own magic. Rafael Jericho E. Magalit, BSA 4 Literary Editor
Life is a journey. In this journey, there comes a point where we feel like we are stuck or lost in the middle of a maze wherein we don’t know on what direction we will be heading. It is more terrifying when we are alone in that place, having no one to guide us, to accompany us. But when this happens, just surrender everything to God. Let Him take control and never doubt His plans. Let His words be your guide and for sure, you will find the right track. And even you alone can pass through the horrible moments in your journey. Ann D. Mangilaya, BSEd 4A Senior Staff Writer Life is never perfect. Though, everything that happens to us are inevitably the results of our own actions. As for me, it is never hard to get back on track if one has a strong hold on himself. We should always see ourselves into what we want to be, and be focused on driving to the peak of success. We are beings of free will to make our own decisions and it is good to always choose what is best for us – and it is good to always choose what is best for us. The determination to achieve whatever aspirations we have is the only key. We just have to remember. Janz M. Sampaton, BS Info. Tech. 1B Junior Staff Writer Life is one of the most precious gifts that God has given to us, but life as well is full of trickery that might lead us off-track. Since that God is the one who gave us LIFE, He, will also be our remedy in finding our way back. When we ask for His guidance, I’m sure that He'll be there to direct our paths in order for us to lead the right track that we are supposed to be leading. Clarissa Lorenz I. Alfonso, BSEd 2A Junior Staff Writer
The selfless love of my mom, Blesilda and my deceased father, Rex; The sacrifices that I had made just to be where I am today; my best friends: Frey, Jen, Namey, and Levi; and all this positivity and love in the world. These are my reminders to always strive beyond limitations and adversities of life.
According to a song, “I’ve seen dreams that move a mountain, hope that never ends even when the sky is falling. I’ve seen miracles just happen, silent prayers can answer, and broken hearts become brand new. That’s what faith can do.” Having faith in God is my only way when life leads me off-track.
John Brex B. Briones, BSCE 1B Junior Staff Writer
Denmark B. Francisco, BSEd 4A Cartoonist
I just pray to God whenever I get lost on the track. I know that prayers can move mountains. With Divine Providence, I will be able to find my way back in the right track and continue my journey to the future our God has set ahead of me. He will be the lamp upon my feet and the light upon my path. Crisa Mae G. Dala, BSEd 2B Junior Staff Writer
When life leads me off-track, I think on how to overcome the trials that brings me down. Pag di ko na kaya, iiyak ako. Iiyak ng iiyak hanggang mawala yung bigat sa dibdib ko. I sometimes even come to a point na umiiyak ako habang nananalangin kay Ama. Doon ko isusumbong lahat ng suliranin ko sa buhay. Doon ako patuloy na humihingi ng lakas at patnubay galing sa kanya. Kahinaan man ang pag iyak, doon ko napapatunayang ako'y malakas. This is because I am able to see how my Almighty Father carry me to find my way back and finish the race despite of the wounds I have on my knees. I am able to see the truth that God had never left nor forsaken me. And He always hear my call everytime I am weak. Aimee Jane D. Ureta, BSEd 2A Junior Staff Writer
Life has roots and stems. In order for the nutrients to reach its destination, to nourish and give to the plant, there will be obstacles. In life, the nutrients refer to our determination to go and lead the right track but if ever both the stem and roots are gone, our determination to achieve something helps us to find our way back home. Julie Ann Joy R. Jarquio, BSEd 1B Junior Staff Writer
By correcting the wrong things I made in the past and let the light of God lead my way back where I am supposed to be. Jellie F. Dionela, BSCE 1B Junior Staff Writer
When your life leads you off-track, get back to it by trusting the Lord Almighty. Ask for His spiritual support and guidance. For you to lighten up your life, you must have perseverance and more intellectual and positive outlook in problems that may come. Joestine Clyde V. Tolores, BSIT 1A Cartoonist I can’t imagine myself being lost in darkness and caught off-guard. But whenever this happens, I will take it seriously with a rational judgment. And the next time around, I must make sure that I am wiser than ever. Julius R. Antonino, BSIT 1 Cartoonist Life as they say is uncertain. It may bring us to a point where we find ourselves lost. And I, personally had experienced this but never did I resort to giving up. I tried to find my way back in the light of hope. John Carl S. Esbieto, BSEd 3B Cartoonist For me, life is one hell of a ride. If you got off course then why go back, right? You are supposed to keep on moving forward. Make new tracks, better ones. No matter how much you struggle against the current to go back, the current will still flow the way it should. Fight it and you’ll get yourself drowned. Swim with it, and you might make it out alive. Japheth M. Rioja, BSIT 1C Cartoonist
I find my way back on track by praying and asking for guidance from the Lord because I trust in Him. I always remember the verse in the Bible that says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) Andrea D. Flores, BSA 1 Photojournalist
VOLUME 54, NO 2 37
PRO-PRESSURE-NAL (cont.) GUHIT NI: DENMARK B. FRANCISCO, BSEd 3A comics
40 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
VOLUME 54, NO 2 41
42 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
VOLUME 54, NO 2 43
Ctrl+c, Ctrl+v (cont.) ILLUSTRATION BY: JOHN CARL S. ESBIETO, BSEd 3B
44 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
VOLUME 54, NO 2 45
LOOKING BACK: Quo Vadis, ASU-CIT? BEFORE THE former Roxas Memorial College of Arts and Trades (RMCAT) was integrated to the then Aklan State College of Agriculture on October 31, 1999, it has long been in existence as a trade school offering technical undergraduate courses and secondary education curriculum. Thousands of students have shaped their career in the portals of this institution and made remarkable strides in their chosen fields of specialization. But much has changed since then. Curriculum and Quality Assurance. Today, almost all curricular programs in ASU Kalibo Campus are accredited by the Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP). Of the seven degree programs offered in this campus, 66.67% are Level II Reaccredited, and 14.29% has Level I Accredited status. By July this year, the BS Engineering program will be submitted for Level II accreditation while the Master of Arts in Education, major in Industrial Arts and Home Economics will apply for Candidate status. To comply with the statutory and regulatory requirements of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), ASU Kalibo Campus has submitted all its programs to the regular monitoring by the CHED Regional Office and are currently complying with the recommendations for issuance of the Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC). Absence of COPC, particularly in programs with board examinations as engineering, architecture and teacher education, will not qualify graduates to take the licensure
46 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
examinations. Starting this academic year 2015-2016, a new curricular program will be introduced in the ASU Kalibo Campus. The Bachelor of Technical Teacher Education (BTTE) that aims to train teachers for Grades 11 and 12 was approved by the ASU Board of Regents to be offered with three specializations: Food Technology, Electrical Technology, and Electronics Technology. In fact, this is the first degree program in Aklan, and probably in Western Visayas to be granted by the Commission on be granted by the Commission on Higher Education with Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC No. 01, Series 2015). Licensure Examinations Performance. Architecture, civil engineering and teacher education graduates continue to surpass the national passing percentage in licensure examinations given by the Professional Regulation Commission in 2014. The Civil Engineering graduates had registered a 50.0% institutional passing percentage as against the 43.41% national passing percentage during the May 2014 examinations, and 72.73% passing mark as against the 49.48% national passing percentage. The Architecture graduates had 100% as against the 54.99% national passing percentage in the January 2014 examinations, 85.71% as against the 61.0% national passing percentage in the September 2014 examinations, and 66.67% as against the 60.71% national passing percentage in the January 2015 examinations.
For two consecutive examinations, Architecture graduates registered 100% passing percentage for its first takers that made ASU’s Architecture record as No. 1 in Region 6 and No. 8 in the whole country. On the other hand, teacher education graduates had sustained the above national average passing rate. For the first time in the history of ASU-CIT, graduates of the BS Industrial Technology took the
took the Licensure Examination for Electronics Technicians in April 2015 and proved their competency for a 100% passing percentage as against the national passing percentage of 71.88%. Before April 2015 ended, a graduate of BS Industrial Technology specialized in Electrical Technology passed the Registered Master Electrician Licensure Examination giving ASUCIT a 100% passing percentage against the national passing percentage of 41.92%. These record will be then a challenge for the next batch of BSIT-Electronics and Electrical Technology Graduates. Student Achievements. ASU-CIT students bested their counterparts from different HEIs in the country through a display of wits and skills in varied competitions as they went home with numerous awards and recognitions. ASU-CIT students took the first, second and third places during the Provincial Statistics Quiz Bowl participated in by all HEIs in Aklan last November 2014, sponsored by the Philippine Statistics Office. This feat qualified them to represent the province in the regional competitions. Five (5) selected BS Architecture students showed impressive performances during the International CITEM Convention held at the SMX, Manila last September 2014. They displayed their business and marketing skills through oral interpretation and public relations rubbing elbows with world-renowned inventors and designers, and other students from Manila-based private universities. At the recently concluded Regional SCUAA Cultural and Academic Competitions held in WVSU, Iloilo City, ASU contestants dominated the On-the-Spot Painting, Charcoal Rendering, and IT Quiz Bowl contests, thus, emerging as the 2nd Runner-up in Academic Contests and 3rd
Runner-up Overall among the 11 SUCs in Western Visayas. During the National SCUAA held in Isabela, Cagayan, Pol Jan Roldan won silver in Chess (Men), with Professor Hildegardo Resico as Coach while the ASU Volleyball (Women) under the coaching regimen of Prof. Richard Dionisio dumped Region I and gave Region IX and NCR a tough stand before bowing down. These athletes, together with swimmers and lawn tennis players proved to be athletes to beat that won them top places during the regional athletic competitions held in Victorias City, Negros Occidental. Further, the Editor-in-Chief of The Aklan Tradesman, Jolly E. Lauriano won First Place in Editorial Writing during the 2014 College Press Conference sponsored by the Philippine Information Agency under the Office of the Press Secretary in Iloilo City last November 2014. Eventually, he also was selected by the Philippine Information Agency Region 6 as among the IWAG Awardees for 2015. This is a back-to-back record for The Aklan Tradesman as last year’s EIC Jorlyn Jade T. Diangson also won the same award. Not to be outdone, the project proposal of ASU Kalibo student representatives was selected to win the Advocacy Drive Contest sponsored by the United Student Councils of Iloilo (USCI) and iLead Trainings during the 1st Western Visayas Student Leaders Summit held in Iloilo City last October 2014.
Faculty. While many of the pioneer teachers have retired, some have transferred to the Department of Education and a few have passed out their time in service, new batches of aggressive and idealistic instructors came in. Almost all of those in active service have been promoted; what with the five cycles of the National Budget Circular (NBC) 461 in effect. Thus,
one sits as a full-fledged professor, a number are ranked in the associate professor bracket, a greater number as assistant professor, and majority in higher instructor positions. Recently, three instructors have earned their doctorate degrees. Professors Diosale Manares and Junmar Negrida completed their Doctor of
Education, Major in Leadership and Educational Management degrees from the University of the Visayas while Professor Harley Arboleda finished his Doctor of Industrial Technology degree from the Western Visayas State College of Science and Technology. Likewise, seven other professors are enrolled in either Doctor of Home Management, Doctor of Home Economics, Doctor in Public Administration, and Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science, and Educational Management. Moreover, a number of instructors and non-teaching personnel are enrolled in master’s programs in various fields, as architecture, engineering, public administration and industrial technology. With the full implementation of the K to 12 (Kindergarten to Grade 12) by the government starting school year 2016-2017, enrollment to first year college and four years thereafter will be naught. To avert working vacuum among the faculty members during these period, instructors will be given options to complete or further their graduate degrees because it is expected that by year 2017, all instructors in the tertiary education institutions are qualified graduate degree holders, with appropriate licenses and/or equivalent eligibilities. Some others who may not have courses to handle shall be required to conduct institutional researches or write books and other instructional references.
VOLUME 54, NO 2 47
Meanwhile, two faculty members were accredited assessors after passing the National Certificate Assessment for Assessors last October 2014, aside from ten others who successfully passed the National Competency (NC) skills test for different fields of specialization conducted by the TESDA. Also, this author was appointed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through CHED Special Order No. 67, Series 2014, to be among its 85 National Assessors for its quality assurance program, Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA) that look into the program outcomes, processes, and services of higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country. Research. Sterling performances in research were accomplished by ASU-CIT faculty researchers during CY 2014. During the University Research In-House Review, several studies were presented and recognized by regional panelists as commendable, like: • Best Paper/Presenter* (Nonmetric multidimensional scaling visualization of human fibroblast expressions of gene analysis) Researcher/s: *JA Salido*, et al. • Best Paper/Presenter (Identification of candidate biological function group of yeast cell cycle using gene expression data) Researcher/s: JA Salido • Best Paper (Empowering adults from A to Z: S1) K’s angels escapades with adult learners at Brgy. Mangan; S2) The Brgy. Pook extra-ordinary learning team journey; S3) The Grapes of Donken learning team’s quest with adult learners at Brgy. Estancia) Researcher/s: MJ
48 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
Guarin, et al. Among the many researchers accepted by reputable research agencies and institutions, and presented by the faculty researchers, this stood out: • 1st Runner-up, Regional (Identification of candidate biological function group of yeast cell cycle using gene expression data) Researcher/s: JA Salido Aside from these research presentations, a number of the faculty members have presented papers in international and national research forums and conferences. For student researchers, the Technology Department has institutionalized the holding of the Innovation Week Celebration every February where innovative outputs of the Industrial Technology students from electronics, automotive, mechanical, electrical, information technology, civil technology, architectural drafting, food technology and garments and apparel are displayed and compete for honors and awards. The information technology students also showcase their technical expertise in database and programming through a research project forum. These outputs come as computer applications and programs that display the inventiveness of the computer whiz students. Linkages and Extension. ASU-CIT has continuously maintained a good working relationship with its partner agencies for its practicum, internship, on-the-job training and practice teaching requirements of graduating students. Faculty members had also conducted extension activities to adopted barangays, as Barangay Mobo for Architecture and Engineering, and Barangay Pook for HRMT and Teacher Education.
Further, the Civil Engineering and Architecture faculty and senior students inked a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Red Cross in November 2014 to extend technical expertise to carpenters in the housing project financed by the Embassy of Spain in all the barangays of Balete and Madalag towns. Furthermore, ASU-CIT has a BOR-approved memorandum of agreement with Village Motors Trading for the seminar-workshop on motorcycle troubleshooting and repair. This was co-sponsored by Kawasaki and Honda motorcycle industries. The College has also an ongoing partnership with the Philippine Mechanization for its Multipurpose Dryer. Physical Facilities. The ASU Kalibo campus will soon have its separate 10-classroom Architecture and Engineering building worth 16 million, complemented with laboratory equipment worth 3 million from the GAA and CHED funds. This is a distinct infrastructure from the repairs that will be done within the year on the HRT building roofing, library facade, technology building walls, doors and windows, and the totally damaged multipurpose building worth 2.88 million. Aside from these physical plant developments, repair on the roofing of the automotive building, and other priority facilities will also be done with budget taken from the 2015 appropriation for repairs and maintenance of buildings. With these tangible developments, ASU in Kalibo will continue working to realize the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) monicker, Center of Innovative Technologies (C.I.T.). As long as all the members of this academic community brace their hands in harmony and good will, it will not take long that this dream becomes reality.
PAGPASAEAMAT Never in history that a remarkable success was brought into reality without working in collaboration and harmony. In this respect, we, the Editorial Staff of The Aklan Tradesman, proudly consider the success of our triple publications a remarkable one. As we were delving further in our quest, we met people who spared their golden time with us. They helped us find ways and means from collecting the essential data up to completing all our write ups even if it meant going beyond their comfort zones. Hence, they merit due acknowledgment and appreciation. They were as follows: Dr. Ersyl T. Biray, Campus Director of ASU-CIT; Hon. Alfonso A. Gubatina, Municipal Mayor of Madalag; Mr. Francisco
PHOTO CREDITS
Intela, Tourism Officer of Madalag; Mr. Peter R. Arboleda and Mrs. Cherry Mae R. Teodosio, our Advisers; Mrs. Aphrile L. De Angel and Mrs. Leunamatileme G. Tosoc, our Content Critics; Ms. Realm R. Alis and Engr. Joven C. Cablas; Mr. Herwin I. Antonino; Mrs. Nilda B. Garcia; Ms. Lorence Patrocenio; Ma’am Julie, Nang Che, Nang Jome, Nang Jo, Nong Bors, Nong Toto and Nong Jimmy of Makinaugalingon Printer and Bookbinder; ASU-CIT Administration; Office of the Supreme Student Council; our student contributors; whole ASUCIT community; our beloved family; our supportive classmates and friends; our devoted readers and to all who inspired and stood with us, our heartfelt gratitude!
Hon. Mayor Alfonso A. Gubatina Mr. Francisco Intela Facebook Page of LGU Madalag Mr. Joejit N. Naldoza Akira Akesha Paul Sanj Aklan Kamera Organization Andrea D. Flores John Brex B. Briones Jemuel B. Garcia III Engr. Joven C. Cablas Ms. Real R. Alis Ms. Ma. Lourdes I. Nacar Mr. Herwin I. Antonino Joseph Angan San Jose Photography www.kamustamagazine.ph www.imdb.com Google images
COVER Cover model: Ms. Lorence Patrocenio HMD: Jeff Silvestre
To God be the highest glory!
The Aklan Tradesman Publication EDITORIAL BOARD A.Y. 2014-2015
Editor-in-Chief JOLLY E. LAURIANO Associate Editor and Layout Artist JEMUEL B. GARCIA III News Editor ALLYN T. ARTATES Feature Editor WILFRED G. BRIONES Literary Editor RAFAEL JERICHO E. MAGALIT Senior Staff Writer ANN D. MANGILAYA Junior Staff Writers JANZ M. SAMPATON CLARISSA LORENZ I. ALFONSO JOHN BREX B. BRIONES CRISA MAE G. DALA AIMEE JANE D. URETA JULIE ANN JOY R. JARQUIO JELLIE F. DIONELA
Photojournalists SYRA ARIANNA A. ROMAQUIN ANDREA D. FLORES Cartoonists DENMARK B. FRANCISCO JAPHETH M. RIOJA JULIUS R. ANTONIO JOHN CARL S. ESBIETO JOESTINE CLYDE V. TOLORES Adviser Mr. PETER R. ARBOLEDA; Co-Adviser, Mrs. CHERRY MAE R. TEODOSIO English Critic Mrs. APHRILE L. De ANGEL Filipino Critic Mrs. LEUNAMATILEME G. TOSOC Consultant Dr. ERSYL T. BIRAY
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No content may be copied or reproduced in any form without written permission from the editor. We welcome your suggestions and contributions. Please send your manuscripts to the Editor-in-Chief, the Aklan Tradesman, ASU-CIT, Kalibo, Aklan. The Editorial Board reserves the right to accept, reject, and revise all articles submitted and then after the articles shall become the property of the Aklan Tradesman subject applicable to laws and copyright and intellectual property.
48 THE AKLAN TRADESMAN
NOVEMBER 2014-MARCH 2015 VOL. 54, NO. 2
“
Though the chance to survive is on its last drop and the hope to breath is near to dissolve, a resilient spirit still catches a glimpse of light: gleaming and brilliant.
�