TONIMARI AGUIRRE
FOR BETTER OR WORSE. The current Maynilad project along Alabang - Zapote road adds to the many woes of daily commuters.
Tuition hike, new enrollment process welcome school year
by Maria Danise Ranchelle Ravago
A
TUITION FEE and a new process for enrollment welcome Bedans as they start a new academic year.
Rector-President Dom Clement Ma. H. Roque, OSB and CAS Dean Thelma Geraldine Baricaua held a board meeting last February 18 in which former SEC officers and some parent representatives discussed about the 15 percent tuition increase. It was explained that 70 percent of the total increase will be allotted for the faculty members and the remaining 30 percent for the improvement of the school’s facilities and operations. The school has to offer high compensation and probably add more benefits for the professors in order to “attract better faculty” according Baricaua. She also said that if there would be no salary increase, professors might prefer teaching in public schools where
there are more benefits. The prices of primary goods have been constantly increasing for the past years but SBCA’s tuition fee remained unaffected. Improvement of the school’s facilities and concerns of the students will consume a portion of the increase. Further development of the computer laboratories, installation of rubberized floor in the gym, covering of the football field with artificial turf and expansion of the library in the School of Law are some of those improvements. Students should also look forward to the school’s response to their concerns about more student lounges and more parking spaces.
Most of the Bedan community admitted that they were not formally informed about the 15 percent tuition increase. But for those who knew, they expressed different reactions. “I don’t have anything against the 15 percent tuition fee increase sa San Beda. The school should just be transparent para alam natin kung saan napupunta yung ibinabayad natin. And they should make sure na worth it yung pag i-increase nila,” said Justine Marra Marcial, an International Studies sophomore. Neil Reyes, an Information Technology junior said “Kahit wala pang 15 percent increase, napakalaki na ng tuition fee dito sa San Beda. Kung ikukumpara mo sa ibang schools, malaki ang matitipid mo kapag sa iba
Transparency urged over increase
CAS Vice Dean Vasquez retires
TUITION HIKE / 7
by Julisa Ayson
VICE DEAN OF Academic Affairs Jose Vasquez Jr. has retired from his 10 years of service in SBCA—College of Arts and Science (CAS). Vasquez started to be part-time faculty, then a full-time faculty back in 2000. Dean Anita Obispo assigned Vasquez to be the assistant department chair of the Entrepreneurship course under Jean Ariola, former department chair of Business Management and currently prefect of student formation. When Fr. Aloysius Maranan, OSB became CAS dean in 2002, Vasquez was assigned to be department chair of Business Management (BM) up to 2005. He was able to offer a new course in the BM department, BSBM major in Financial Management. Legal Management and Accountancy were also under him. “I was able to introduce the Legal Management course with the assistance of my coordinator Cristine SBCA hires AGF security agency corp
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NEWS
Catris, and I was able to update the curriculum,” he said. In 2006, Vasquez was appointed vice dean of academic affairs. Aside from being vice dean of the CAS, he has also been teaching in the BM department. “Normally business subjects like business plan, I used to teach production and operations, financial management, almost all business subjects,” he added. Atty. John Jacome, vice dean of student affairs thanked Vasquez for the services he has rendered to San Beda for “he has been a part of the CAS for more than 10 years, so he has done a lot, especially in the academic programs on the department, at the same time he is so compassionate and gives second chances to the students.” Vasquez explained that he would continue with his family business in the province. “I’m going to
Personality Sketch: Arnee the Perfectionist President
9 FEATURES
manage it because for the last 10 years, I was not able to supervise it directly, and right now I’m already starting to do some consultation.” Vasquez’s best experience in SBCA was the community life. The administrators were supportive along with the good relationship with the administrators, faculty and students. “We have close ties because there is an administrator’s council meeting that we conduct every year,” he said. He considers Bedans as “warm and friendly.” “I have not experienced any problems with the students here since I started teaching for the last 10 years.” Rector-President Dom Clement Ma. Roque OSB and CAS Dean Thelma Geraldine Baricaua are yet to appoint the next vice dean of academic affairs.
SBCA gets 75 % in May CPA board exam by Marco Angelo Cabrera
BOTH SAN BEDA College Alabang and Mendiola have much to be proud of with the recent release of the May 2011 Certified Public Accountant (CPA) board examination announced by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on May 24. SBC Alabang produced three out of four board passers for an overall passing rate of 75 percent, including one from the first-takers and two from the repeaters. Stephanie Anne M. Nuñez, Recelyn S. Regaña and Arnaud Vil A. Yatco are the latest CPA board exam passers from SBCA. Meanwhile, SBC Mendiola produced 21 out of 31 for an overall passing rate of 67.74 percent, which includes 14 from the first-takers, seven from the repeaters, and five conditional. Seodel Hearty Tabaldo Pilapil from SBC Mendiola lead the pack of new Bedan CPA’s who placed third in the top ten
CPA BOARD EXAM / 3
BA dep’t offers new major
by Christine Easter Halaba
DUBBED AS THE “SUNRISE” profession, Human Resource Development Management (HRDM) was opened by SBCA-CAS this school year under the Business Administration department. Students under the new BSBA major will be involved in personnel management or being in charge with administrative processes, ensuring policies, systems and procedures, and having consistency in terms of handling and managing people. Business Administration Department Chair Prof. Caryl Jimenez said one of the reasons for the opening of Human Resource Development Management program was because they saw a need and demand for good human resource managers not only here in the Philippines but also in foreign countries. She added it is growing as an in-demand NEW MAJOR / 3
150
th
Antarctica’s greatest meltdown
10 SCI-TECH
National Hero Jose P. Rizal celebrates his 150th birthday on June 19, 2011
NUMB3RS
NEWS
The Bedan Herald
Volume 17 No. 1 April - May 2011
LAWRENZ MATTHE GUEVARA
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CMS graduate Lorenz Roi Morales (left) delivers his Address of Thanks as valedictorian of batch 2011 graduates of SBCA.
Dream big and be the change, 2011 graduates told by Justine Marie Bandoja
“SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ARE motivated by a dream beyond them,” guest speaker Dr. Cecilio Pedro, quoting from John Maxwell, reminded a total of 247 graduates during the 13th Commencement Exercises last March 31 at SBCA St. Benedict Chapel. Pedro entitled his speech: “Redefining the Youth” and started with an inspirational quotation from national hero Jose Rizal: “Nobody can say how he shall die, but everybody must decide how and for what he shall live.” Pedro expressed optimism for the youth because he believes that it is in their dreams that change can be done. “I want you to be a dream. I want you to be the change,” he said. The guest speaker also quoted American businessman JC Penney on how one could be successful: “Unless you are willing to drench yourself in your work
beyond the capacity of the average man, you are just cut out of the positions at the top.” Pedro, one of the recognized Ten Outstanding Young Men in the field of Entrepreneurship and chief executive officer and president of Lamoiyan Corporation, shared his success and failures in his career which served as lessons to the graduating Bedans. “The person who goes the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare,” Pedro said. CMS senior leads Batch 2011 Lorenz Roi Morales, a BA Communication and Media Studies graduate, led batch 2011 as valedictorian. He was a Cum Laude, a consistent Dean’s Lister and Dean’s Honor Roll awardee and recipient of St. Maur Award for Area Excellence, St. Gregory the Great Leadership and St.
Bede Club Leadership awards. Andrea Lourdes Panganiban (BA Psychology graduate) and Irene Joy Abainza (BA Communication and Media Studies) were also Cum Laude, and consistent Dean’s Listers and Dean’s Annual Roll awardees. Morales, editor-in-chief of The Bedan Herald Volume 16, emphasized in his Address of Thanks the very essence of Benedictine principles in his success. “Let us continue to work and pray,” Morales said. He owes his success most especially to his parents for their hard work to send all of their children to school. In an interview, Dean Thelma Geraldine Baricaua mentioned that Morales “will go far” and that she is very proud of him for the achievements he has brought to the school and to the official college publication. “It is in Morales’ term in The Bedan Herald [as
CAS Dean facilitates Leadership Training Seminar
by Christine Easter Halaba
For the first time, no less than CAS Dean Thelma Geraldine Baricaua facilitated the annual Leadership Training Seminar held April 4-5 at the Caliraya Resort Club. Baricaua expressed her interest to be part of the leadership development of Bedans by offering her services as facilitator when former Student Executive Council (SEC) President Marlon Aaron Pizarro inquired her for prospective speakers for the said event. The dean said she has always wanted to be involved in leadership training seminars since she had spent time training executives in the corporate world before, and that she needs to ensure that the preparation of Bedans is
at par with the demands of the industry. One of the organizers, SEC External Vice President (EVP) Kenneth Albert Yrastorza, said it never crossed their minds that Baricaua would be available to facilitate the seminar since she was preoccupied with preparations for the PAASCU visit last year. However, he said she found time during the summer, thus she became facilitator of the recent Leadership Training Seminar. Themed “Honing the Leaders of Tomorrow”, the seminar was participated by the Council of Student Leaders (CSL) from different cocurricular organizations of the CAS, The Bedan Herald and the SEC. Several administrators were also present at the
two-day event. Baricaua: “I want you to be exemplary leaders” The first day of the Student Leadership Training Seminar was divided into four parts. During the first part of Day 1, Baricaua gave a talk regarding Leadership Development Program in which she pointed out that students “should raise the bar of excellence.” Baricaua then proceeded to discuss the Wheel of Learning Model which was divided into (1) Doing or experiencing; (2) Reflecting or examining; (3) Connecting or making
agency of San Beda College Mendiola, for this Academic Year 2011-2012, replacing Jantro Security Agency headed by officer-in-charge Marieto Estrilla. A total of 29 guards are currently employed at SBCA campus including 25 male guards and four female guards. The officer-in-charge for AGF security agency is Nicanor Dayawao, Jr. According to Arlyn Gatmaitan, director of general administrative services division, the reason of replacement of the Jantro Security Agency was based on an “efficiency evaluation” for the one year they served SBCA. Gatmaitan told The Bedan Herald in an interview that they
evaluated more than 20 agencies with a certain criteria set by the school. “AGF was recommended to us by (SBC) Mendiola. So we’re hoping that the efficiency that they are showing in San Beda Mendiola will be the same,” she added. In terms of security, Mendiola is stricter since most of the Benedictine monks reside there. AGF Security Agency Corp’s headquarters is located at West Crame, San Juan City. SBCA, however, can hire another security agency anytime they need to change. Jantro Security Agency’s term will end at June 4, the same date AGF’s turnover will take place. (With reports from Maricar Maiztegui)
SBCA hires AGF security agency corp
LEADERSHIP TRAINING / 6
by Julisa Ayson
LAWRENZ MATTHE GUEVARA
THE SBCA ADMINISTRATION hired AGF Security Agency Corp, the same security
AGF Security Agency Corp is also the security agency of San Beda Mendiola.
Editor-in-Chief] that the publication successfully met my standards,” Baricaua said. 19 graduates received the Montserrat Loyalty Award. Ezraline De Castro, a BA Communication and Media Studies graduate, led the Pledge of Loyalty. “The graduation was wellorganized and I was very happy for we have more than 200 graduates this academic year, including summer graduates and Octoberians,” dean shared. She also mentioned the integrity of what guest speaker Pedro discussed about Philippines being competitive globally because according to the latter, “Ang Pinoy ay world class. We are the best of the best.” (With reports from Hannah Joyce Santos)
Changes in SBCA to alleviate traffic by Hannah Joyce Santos THE GENERAL SERVICES departments made changes with some road structures and has been reinforcing traffic rules to help solve the problem of heavy traffic inside the SBCA campus. William Gonzales, general services supervisor, said that the roads near St. Maur Hall and Christ the King Hallwere widened last year so these can be a two-way street. The slow stream of traffic usually happens during 8:30 to 9:30 in the morning, and around 3:30 to 5:30 in the afternoon, according to Gonzales. The construction for a pedestrian lane located near the grade school playground is now ongoing in order to minimize traffic and for safety measures. Gonzales also said that security guards do not tolerate double-parking despite of the parking crisis, in order to maintain the roads wide enough for fire and rescue trucks to enter whenever there is an emergency. An estimated 25 percent of the nearly 1,600 CAS students bring their vehicles to the parking lot in front of the CAS Building as well as to the open and underground parking lots near the school gym that are not enough to accommodate them. “Sad to say we don’t have enough spaces,”Gonzales said.
NEWS
The Bedan Herald
Volume 17 No. 1 April - May 2011
LAS-PIÑAS
MUNTINLUPA A NEWER VERSION of the Anti-BAA Ordinance 01-2011 has been submitted by the officials of Barangay Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa City to counter the previous anti-condom ordinance which seeks to penalize the sale and purchase without a prescription of “anticonceptional substance or devices” like condoms and pills. Instead of imposing a total ban of selling condoms as suggested in the previous version released January 3, the new ordinance says that purchase of contraceptives is legal to citizens who will “meet the age bracket.” Also, the new ordinance have scrapped some provisions such as prohibiting sex education to minors and the use of barangay funds for the purchase and distribution of contraceptives. The officials felt confident that the ordinance will be passed even though anti-Reproductive Health bill advocates have already staged rallies against the said regulation.
eight kilometers of primary lines along Alabang-Zapote Road to Daang Hari Road in Las Pinas city expected to be due by the first quarter of 2011. Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines customers’ base wise. It is a concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of Greater Manila Area, which is composed of cities in Luzon.
TONIMARI AGUIRRE
by Giovan Lorenz Arellano
The Maynilad Water Service’s weeks of digging and installing main water pipes along major roads have caused serious inconvenience for motorists and commuters in the city. Since its launch last September, the P800 million projects have been able to lay the groundwork for major roads and other roads inside residential subdivisions in Las Pinas. Reports said that Maynilad have already completed its operations in BF Paranaque while the plan is to lay
Pipe laying on going in Las Piñas along Alabang - Zapote road.
SEC hosts ‘Teacher’s Tribute’ with a twist by Marco Angelo Cabrera THE STUDENT EXECUTIVE Council (SEC) hosted the annual Teacher’s Tribute March 31 at the Multipurpose Room with a twist by giving new titles to professors as per decision of student poll. After the welcoming remarks, emcees Beatrice Tee and Kenneth Albert Yrastorza, former SEC internal vice president and current external vice president respectively, mentioned that the SEC did a ballot box voting system at the Office of Student Affairs in which students voted their professors for particular awards. The first award was handed to Prof. Ma. Teresita Ingles of the International Studies department for being the “Most Fashionista.” Prof. Marcial Balgos of the Business Administration department received the “Never Late” award while Engr. Dexter Umil of the Math and Science department won the “Tropang Teacher” award. There was also another unique award, “Quizzes Overload,” for the professor who gives too many quizzes
Ardanette Francine Pantajo, the goal of the tribute was “to tell the professors how much the students appreciate their hard work,” and for a chance “to recognize some of the most well-loved professors in the college, which was determined by student poll.” The event was held immediately after the 13th Commencement Exercises of the College at St. Benedict Chapel. In attendance were Dean Thelma Geraldine Baricaua, former vice dean of academics Jose Vasquez, vice dean of student affairs Atty. John Jacome, and the rest of the College faculty. “We feel it was a success since we fulfilled our goals,” Pantajo said. “But next year, we’re planning on improving the activity by holding it at the same time as World Teacher’s Day. We hope more, if not all, professors can attend, and greater student participation so that students can be given the opportunity to thank their favorite professors.” (With reports from Julisa Ayson)
BOARD EXAM / from p 1
for the students. Prof. Gilbert Ilustre Yap of the Religious Studies and Philosophy department was the recipient of this award. The most prestigious award, “Best Female Teacher of the Year,” was given to Prof. Maria Adrianna Quioyo, prefect of student activities. “I believe the students I’ve handled in the past voted for me because I believe I’m able to balance being an authority and at the same time being approachable. And I believe I’m able to understand where students are coming from. I get a good response from them because they know whatever I’m doing in the classroom is for them,” Quioyo said. On the other hand, Prof. Toribio Cayanan of the Accountancy department won the “Best Male Teacher of the Year” award. “I thank not only those who made me receive the award, but equally to those who did not. The award is just a manifestation of my desire to give my best to the students,” Cayanan said. According to SEC President
board passers with a percentage score of 91.86. “We are glad that the passing rate of our school [San Beda] is always high, and we are proud of the honor our fellow Bedans give to our Alma Mater,” said Klarenz Mari Morales (IVBSA), President of the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – SBC Alabang. Marvin Agamon Baldevia, a graduate from Saint Paul’s Business School in Palo, Leyte topped this
year’s list of board with a score of 92.14 percent. According to the PRC, of the 5,259 who took the exam, a total of 2,130 passed—a national passing rate of 40.5 percent. The CPA board exam was conducted by the Board of Accountancy in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi on early May. The results were released in one day after the last day of
examination. The oath taking ceremony of the successful examinees in the board exam as well as the previous ones who have not yet taken their oath will be held before the Board of Accountancy on Friday, July 8 at 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
NEW MAJOR/ from p 1
course in the future. Another reason for the availability of HRDM was because CAS Dean Thelma Geraldine Baricaua was also involved in human resource and personnel development. Baricaua dubbed HRDM as a “sunrise occupation” or profession, saying, “it is different in the sense that the orientation here will be developing people managers.” People managers, according to Baricaua, will ensure that the “right people” who have the “right attitude, right habits and right values”
are present. When asked how many were they expecting to enroll under the new course, both Baricaua and Jimenez thought they could start with one section. The former insisted that she wanted to ensure that the first graduates will be well-formed since HRDM is a complex course in which students needs to develop a whole array of skills, including organizational and training and development skills. When asked how she will handle the biggest department in CAS with additional enrollees under HRDM
on its way, Jimenez explained it was all about “time management” and being organized. “I believe I can handle it and I’ve proven din all [these] years that I can handle a very big department.” “She [Jimenez] has already demonstrated competency and I think she has the heart for students,” Baricaua said of the department chair’s capability in handling the new batch of students. Master of Business Administration (MBA) major in Human Resource is also open at the SBC Graduate School of Business with an extension program in SBCA.
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Three professors leave CAS by Marco Angelo Cabrera ON MARCH 31, three full-time faculty members of the College of Arts and Sciences resigned from their teaching positions in the College. Professors Mari Karen Gabinete and Marietta Candelario, both from the Languages and Humanities Program, and Professor Franco Quodala of the Psychology Department resigned from SBCA and will no longer be teaching this academic year 2011-2012. When asked by The Bedan Herald to give any information regarding the professors’ departure from SBCA, the Human Resources Management Office refused comment due to “confidentiality” reasons. With reports from Hannah Joyce Santos)
Molo, 31, dies of heart attack
by Adrian Val Lopez CAMPUS SECURITY GUARD Jerry Molo, 31, was proclaimed dead-on-arrival April 10 at Alabang Medical Center after suffering a heart attack while on duty. Prince Basco, assistant detachment commander of Jantro Security Agency, SBCA’s previous security service provider, recalled that when he made the radio-monitoring of the security guards on-duty at around 3:45 in the morning, it was only Molo, then based at Gate 6 (Christ the King Hall), who did not respond. Accordingly, Basco commanded over the radio the security guard based at St. Maur Hall (beside Christ the King Hall) to look after the unresponsive guard, whom he thought was just in a deep sleep. But after a few minutes Molo called him over the radio and said, “Sir, punta kayo dito.” “’Yung boses niya sa akin, iba. Kaya nagmadali ako, nag-motor ako papunta sa Gate 6. Pagdating ko, nakayuko lang siya. Akala ng kasama namin may tinitignan lang siya sa ilalim. But by that time ‘yun na pala ‘yun,” Basco told The Bedan Herald. He was immediately rushed to Alabang Medical Center, but to no avail. “Mabait siya. Maraming students and employees ang nakakakilala sa kanya. Maliban dun, sa aming magkakasama ‘di siya nagbabago ng ugali. Laging nakangiti, laging palabiro, laging nakikipag-usap sa kasamahan. Saka anytime, kahit offduty, papasok siya kapag kinakailangan,” Basco said. Molo lived in Brgy. Soro-Soro, Biñan, Laguna and is survived by his wife and two children.
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OPINION
The Bedan Herald
Volume 17 No. 1 April - May 2011
Araw ng Paghatol
SA PANAHON NGAYON, samu’t saring mga prediskyon ang naririnig natin tungkol sa katapusan ng mundo. Madalas itong naipapahayag sa telebisyon, sa radyo, sa dyaryo at maging sa internet; mga haka-haka na magkakaroon ng lindol, buhawi, tsunami, pagsabog ng bulkan at pagulan ng apoy sa sinasabi nilang pagdating ng rapture. Isa sa mga kontrobersyal na manghuhula ng katapusan ng mundo ay si Harold Camping. Si Camping ay hindi isang pastor o teologo, kundi isang inhinyero. Ang pagkakaiba ni Camping sa ibang mga manghuhula ay ang paggamit niya ng matematika upang matukoy ang eksaktong araw at oras ng paggunaw ng mundo. Mayo 21, 2011—ang araw ng katapusan ayon kay Camping. Ngunit lumipas ang nakatakdang araw at walang supernatural na sakuna ang naganap. Hindi ito ang unang beses na pumalya si Camping sa kanyang prediksyon. Noong 1994, hinulaan rin ni Camping ang paggunaw ng mundo sa pagitan ng 15-17 ng Setyempre ng taong iyon. Subalit hindi rin natupad ang kanyang unang prediksyon kung kaya’t matinding batikos ang naranasan ni Camping at ng kanyang mga taga-sunod. Nakatatakot man ito para sa karamihan, salungat ito sa mga sinabi ni Hesu Kristo sa Bibliya. Ayon sa Ebanghelyo ni Mateo 24:36: “Ngunit walang nakakaalam ng araw at oras ng pagsapit niyon, kahit ang mga anghel sa langit [o maging ang Anak man]. Ang Ama lamang ang nakakaalam nito.” Ang araw ng katapusan ay payak na petsa lamang. Kung uunawain natin nang mabuti, walang makatitiyak kung kailan talaga mangyayari ito kundi ang Diyos lamang. Maaaring hindi mangyayari lahat ng mga lindol, tsunami, baha, buhawi, pagsabog ng bulkan at iba pa sa iisang araw lamang. Maaaring ang mga ito ay nagbabadya unti-unti sa pag-usad
ng panahon, hanggang sa masasabi natin na sa mga masalimuot na sakunang ito, huli na ang lahat dahil “gunaw” na ang mundo. Tunay nga na lahat tayo’y may mga sariling pananaw tungkol sa maselang isyu na ito, ngunit kalian pa ba tayo matututo? Hihintayin pa ba natin ang araw ng rapture para baguhin ang ating mga asal at salitang taliwas sa mata ng Diyos at ng lipunan? Mayroon ding mga nakakatakot na mga salaysay ni Angelica Zambrano mula sa Ecuador. Si Zambrano ay isang 18 anyos na batang may napaka-kontrobersyal na karanasan. Ayon sa pahayag ni Zambrano at ng kanyang pamilya, nakaranas siya ng isang outof-body experience kung saan ang kanyang kaluluwa ay dinala ng Diyos sa langit at impyerno upang makita ang mga nakakakilabot na mga rebelasyon—sa kanyang mga nakita sa impyerno ay sila Michael Jackson, Selena, at pati na rin ang Santo Papa si John Paul II na kamakailan lamang ay dineklara na ng Simbahang Katoliko bilang “Blessed”. Kung pati ang Santo Papa ay hindi naligtas sa mga apoy ng impyerno, sino pa kaya ang maaaring maligtas? Mahirap paniwalaan ang mga salaysay ni Zambrano, ngunit hindi maiiwasan ang matinding takot na bumabalot sa mga
The Bedan Herald
Noblesse Oblige Volume 17 No. 1
Maverhick Ace Nacional, Editor-in-Chief Adrian Val Lopez, Associate Editor Sabrina Jila Santos, Managing Editor Marco Angelo Cabrera, News Editor Anne Lora Santos, Features & Cultures Editor Giovanni Miguel Alfonso, Sports Editor Edmond Allen Hernandez, Creatives Editor Julisa Ayson, Office Manager March Anetonette Ortuoste, Business Manager Christine Easter Halaba, Human Resource Manager Giovan Lorenz Arellano, Circulations Manager Ralph Emerson Escoto,Junior Layout Artist Christian Anthony San Jose, Tonimari Aguirre, Junior Artist
Justine Marie Bandoja, Maria Danise Ranchelle Ravago, Junior Writers
Sison Rodriguez Jr., Hannah Joyce Santos, Research Staff
Ceasar Jan Entila,
Lawrenz Matthew Guevara, Maricar Maiztegui, Photojournalists
Publications Office Room 83L St. Bede Hall, San Beda College Alabang Don Manolo Blvd., Alabang Hills Vill., Muntinlupa City 1770 Tel. #: (632) 809 - 1781 Ext. 211
Website: thebedanherald.com E-mail: thebedanherald@gmail.com Member: College Editors Guild of the Philippines
nakarinig nitong kakila-kilabot na mensahe. Kung sakali mang gumuho ang mundo bukas, kamakalawa, sa isang araw, sa isang buwan, sa isang taon, sa isang dekada, o sa isang sandali sa mundo, handa ka na ba? Nagawa mo na ba ang misyon mo? Nakagawa ka na ba ng
mabuti sa kapwa? Napatawad mo na ba ang mga nagkasala sa iyo? Maaaring hindi ang pagsungit ng apoy, hangin, tubig o lupa ang magiging sanhi ng katapusan ng mundo—kundi ang mga makasariling gawi ng tao. Handa ka na ba sa araw ng paghatol, Bedista?
One Time, Big Time
S
UPLADO, MATARAY, MAANGAS, nerd, adik, loser at higit sa lahat, matalino. ‘Yan ang mga unang salitang pumapasok sa isip ng isang estudyante sa unang linggo ng kanyang pagpasok sa eskwelahan. Ano ba ang mga ‘to? Marahil matatawag mo itong mga First Impressions. Ano ba ang first impression? Ito ay mga unang segundo kung saan mahihinuha kung sino at anong klaseng kang tao—sa paraan ng iyong pananamit, sa iyong pananalita, sa iyong itsura, sa iyong tindig at sa iyong “dating.” Naalala ko noong nagpapakilala na kami sa classroom sa unang lingo ng klase—lalo na noong nalaman nila na ako ay isang Beda High, o nagtapos ng high school sa San Beda College Alabang. Ang unang reaksyong naririnig ko sa kanila ay “mayabang ‘to.” Mayabang na ba akong maituturing kung kilala ko na ang ibang mga propesor sa San Beda? Kung alam ko na ang mga “shortcuts” o pasikutsikot sa eskwelahan? Kung kasabay kong nagtapos ang mga mayayamang estudyante sa Beda High? Marami talagang makukuhang “feedbacks” o reaksyon sa mga taong nakapaligid sa’yo. Ngunit sa aking pananaw, mali ang first impression na ‘mayabang’ ang Beda High sa payak na kadahilanang iba’t iba naman ang uri ng tao. Ang first impression ay ‘di lang para sa nagpapaka-bibo na estudyante para mapuna ng kanyang propesor sa unang araw ng klase. O sa isang lalaking nagpapapogi at nagpapa-pansin sa kanyang magandang kaklase. Ito ay di lang rin para sa isang bully na inuunahan ng sindak ang mga estudyanteng kayang
aapihin o aalilain. ‘Di lamang sa mga propesor na tinatakot ang mga estudyante kung sila ba ay mambabagsak o hindi. At higit sa lahat, ang first impression ay ‘di lamang para sa mga taong sa una akala mo mapagkakatiwalaan mo, pero pagtalikod mo pala ay kung anu-ano ang sinasabi at ginagawa kontra sa’yo—ang mga plastik ‘plastik.’ Sa dinami-rami mong makikilalang bago ngayon, hindi mo rin maiiwasang makakita o makakilala ng mga taong plastik. Ewan ko, madami pa ring plastik kahit anong patupad sa Muntinlupa nq bawal na ang plastik lalo na sa eskwelahang ‘to —at hindi lang mga estudyante ang plastik. Ang first impression ay dapat pangalagaan, dapat ito paghandaan. First impressions can be a loss or an advantage or in other words can also make or break you. Halimbawa na lang sa pag-apply sa trabaho, kung sa pagpasok mo pa lang ng opisina eh ‘di na kanais-nais ang itsura mo at ‘pag kinausap ka eh nauutal-utal ka pa, sa tingin mo ba may tatanggapin ka pa ng kumpanya kung saan ka naga-apply? Sa mga mahahalagang unang segundong ito ay dapat mong maipakita kung sino ka talaga. Taong hindi basta-basta, lalo na kung ikaw ay isang Bedista. May halaga ka. Hindi ka dapat baliwalain. Hindi ka lang isang pasikat. Hindi ka lang isang taong mayabang, kundi, isang taong may yabang. Sabi nga nila, “you’ll never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
OPINION
The Bedan Herald
Volume 17 No. 1 April - May 2011
5
Pro-quality life
M
UCH HAS BEEN said and written about the controversial tug-of-war over the passage of Reproductive Health bill that is now pending in Congress. Several debates and discussions mushroomed on Facebook, Twitter and rest of blogosphere with the divided net users typing popular hashtags alongside their advocacies (#proRH or #antiRH). But indubitably, the most compelling of all debates—as hot as the scorching summer heat—is that between the Church and the government. And it has gone from vigorous to ridiculous. President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III supports the RH bill, which, for one, promotes without bias both natural and artificial family planning methods, despite being in hot waters with the Catholic Church, which prefers only the former and says that the latter kills life. In light with the President’s affirmation, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has recently pulled out dialogue with Malacañang on the issue saying that it is “useless,” for P-Noy, himself a Catholic, has long been “fixed” on this RH bill issue. But oh, it seems otherwise to me. *** I am not a legal, a medical nor a Bible expert, but I’m bound to follow what my conscience tells me on this matter: I support the RH bill, for I sincerely believe it is pro-choice, pro-poor, pro-equality, pro-health and, most of all, pro-quality life. It is pre-choice, of course, because the bill guarantees couples, especially the poor, the right to choose a family planning program which they believe would best manage their desired birthspacing plan. As it is written in Section 2 of the consolidated Reproductive
Health Bill, it promotes “universal access to medically-safe, legal, affordable, effective and quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices, supplies and relevant information and education thereon even as it prioritizes the needs of women and children, among other underprivileged sectors.” Couples have the freedom to go for rhythm method or for contraceptives—both of which the State invokes democracy and no bias. It is pro-poor in a way that the bill will help alleviate poverty in the country. RH bill advocates do not impose RH bill as the only solution—it’s one of the solutions in relieving poverty, among education, fighting corruption, good governance, etc. And with the RH law, poor families are given the opportunity to procure contraceptives which they couldn’t afford before and also equal education through greater access to reproductive health information and services. The RH bill, however, does not encourage couples to stop producing life. We are not overpopulated; and yes, what the State needs is proper utilization of our country’s best asset—human resources. It is pro-health because the bill will surely prevent the spread of STD and HIV, and will prevent women to resort to the painful and lethal process of abortion through preventing unwanted pregnancies. Moreover, the RH bill does not legalize or promote abortion in its provisions, contrary to the Church’s claim that it is surreptitiously “pro-abortion” and “anti-life.” Just a thought: Contraceptives prevent the union of the ovum and sperm cell, so what is there to abort? And please, let us be realistic—let us
protect and improve the lives of real born children. Lastly, it is pro-quality life. Well, this is my favorite point here in my support of the RH bill. Since couples, especially the underprivileged, are guaranteed the right to choose when it is proper for them to have baby/babies, the RH bill promotes responsible parenthood, not bahala na si Batman parenthood. It promotes the notion that you produce babies out of love, responsibility and optimism that someday you will raise them adequately in a good environment and with proper education; not letting them grow on the grim sidewalks, the mishmash of leftover foods long feasted upon by flies in trash cans, and the evil lure of vices. Informed choices and a sense of responsibility will drastically help couples, especially poor ones, tend to their own limits. *** To end, I am aware that RH bill has its own imperfections. There are several provisions that must be changed in accordance with common grounds from both sides. Just like what congresswoman Janette Garin, one of the RH bill authors, revealed on GMA NewsTV’s Grand Debate: that they have already deleted Section 21 of the bill (Employer’s Responsibilities) because they respect the “freedom of conscience” of companies, families and of individuals. Call it consideration. If the RH bill becomes a law, it shall be amended (if ever it will be) based on the common good and substantial discussions, not on mere disgraceful rhetoric and ignorant assumptions.
E10N. I attended the class every Mondays straight. No absences, no late. My classmates may not believe this, but I actually did. I FINISHED AN 8 A.M. SUBJECT FOR ONE SEMESTER WITH NO ABSENCES AND EVEN LATE. And that is the end of my problem. Not! I wish it was the end. After the school year ended, that was the time I noticed that there had been a mistake with my grade in EN102—it was not 3.00, not 5, but a sharp FA – meaning “Failure due to Absences.” Now, I went straight up to my department chair and asked help for this matter. She asked me to file a change of grades, and I did. After I was done with the necessary papers, I was told that she would just let the Vice Dean sign it and forward it to the registrar’s office. In that moment, I thought that my problem was solved. My dad told me to check it every once in a while if it had already been changed, but I didn’t listen. Last March, as I was preparing my requirements for my OJT, I requested
for the copy of my transcript and I was surprised with what I saw. There stated in the first row of my grades, “subject, E10N, grade, FA.” Again, I went straight to my department chair and said my concerns. My papers are now two years old in Ms. Candy’s file cabinet, and I don’t know what happened why the process didn’t push through. Now, my department chair is using her every charm to the people involved just to change my grades. Now, whose fault is this? Is it my 8 a.m. professor’s fault for not including me in her official list? Is it my department chair’s fault for not making sure that my papers are processed? Or is it my own fault for not listening to my dad and didn’t check if my grade had changed from time to time? Maybe the three of us have done some mistakes but it is I who should be blamed the most. I, who stepped out of the process because my work was already done. I, who lacked concern. I, who am apathetic.
Apathy
I
F YOU WANT to be successful in life, don’t be apathetic especially when it concerns YOU. In my freshmen year, first semester, I was a probation student and was encouraged to take up the E10N subject. Maybe some of you who didn’t give their best on the English part of the entrance exam can relate to me. Anyway, there came first week of class. My friend and I both have this subject which had a conflict with our PE101N schedule. My subject in E10N starts from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. while my PE101N starts from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Mondays. So we decided to attend PE101N for the first two meetings before we came up with the very right thing we should’ve done even before classes started—to go to our guidance councilors and confess our problems. They kindly helped us and forwarded us to the right person to handle this matter, my department chair. She, being the expert with this matter, suddenly solved this problem and transferred us to 8 a.m. class of
A
Uso
NO NGA BA ang uso sa atin ngayon? Matapos ang kaliwa’t kanang batuhan ng opinion tungkol sa Reproductive Health Bill o RH Bill, matapos nating makisigaw at makigalit kay Arroyo, matapos nating maniwala sa mga haka-haka na katapusan na ng mundo, matapos nating sisihin ang halos lahat ng maupo sa gobyerno, ano na? Ano nga ba ang napala natin maliban sa wala kundi sa isa pang wala, ‘di ba? Kasi minsan, nakikiuso lang naman tayo. Nakiki “In” kunwari galit pero pag tinanong mo naman ng “Pabor po ba kayo sa RH Bill?” sasagutin ka nila ng “Oo.” Pero kapag binatuhan mo sila pabalik ng, “eh alam mo ba yung RH Bill?” tatawanan ka nalang nila. ‘Di ba? Totoo iyan. Lalo na nung panahong hindi pa gaano matunog sa media ang tungkol dito.
Bakit ganoon? Hindi kaya dahil mahilig lang tayo makiusyoso sa mga bagay na hindi naman talaga tayo interesado. Lalo na sa mga “IN?” ‘Yan ang problema sa atin. Sa uso lang tayo nakikialam. Pero pagkatapos ng ilang linggo, tila nagkaamnesia na tayo at nalimutan na lang ang isang issue. Lalung-lalo na ang mga issue na kamakailan lang ay may kumalat na balitang katapusan na raw ng mundo. Lubos itong naging usap-usapan sa Internet. Tatanungin kita, sumagi ba sa isip mo yung katagang “Paano kung totoo ‘yun? Ano ang huling gagawin ko? Saan ako pupunta?” nang marinig mo yung balitang iyon? Malamang, oo. At aaminin ko na sumagi rin iyan sa isip ko. Bakit? Dahil ba nakalimbag ito sa bibliya? Hindi. Dahil ba nakakaramdam na tayo ng sunod-sunod at malalaking trahedya? Siguro. O hindi kaya dahil ito ay usap-usapan ng marami at nadala tayo nito? Bakit ganoon? Hindi kaya masyado tayong mabilis maniwala sa mga haka-haka? Kaya siguro mahirap tayong biruing mga Pilipino. Bakit minsan, mas alam pa natin ang isang bagay tungkol sa isang tao kaysa sa sarili nitong mga kadugo? Ika nga ng National Geographic Channel, “Live Curious.” Pero hindi naman ‘yung tipong lahat maski ang personal na buhay na ng ibang tao ay pinakikialaaman na natin.
Bakit ganoon? Hindi kaya ganoon na ka-boring ang buhay natin at pati ang buhay ng iba ay pinakikialaman natin? Lahat tayo ay masyado nang nakikiuso. Halos lahat na tayo ay may cellphone. Mapasaang sulok o mapaanong uri man ng tao sa lipunan. Maging sila lolo at lola. Halos lahat ay marunong na gumamit ng kompyuter. Mag-Internet. At higit sa lahat, magFacebook at Twitter. Masasabi ba nating maunlad na tayo dahil dito? Siguro oo, dahil kahit sino ay nakakayanang bumili ng mga ito. Siguro hindi, dahil kahit na may cellphone at Facebook account na ang iba sa atin ay namamalimos pa rin sila at gumagawa ng kung anong hindi mabulastugan. Ano nga ba ang uso sa atin ngayon? Sa dinami-rami ng mga pinagsasabi ko sa itaas, marahil ay naguluhan ka at marahil ay nagtataka rin kayo kung bakit nasa Filipino ang aking opinyon gayung hindi pa naman buwan ng wika. Siguro dahil para sa akin, ang uso ngayon ay pagiging wala sa uso.
To all Bedans: Want to air your opinion? Got a bone to pick-up with our editors? Or do you want your Bedan Pride to be magnified? Here’s your chance to do it. Send your piece to thebedanherald@gmail.com. Most interesting piece(s) will be published in the next issue of The Bedan Herald’s “Red Pulse” section.
6
OPINION
The Bedan Herald
Volume 17 No. 1 April - May 2011
Singapore Sling The best beauty tip ever
N
EVIANT [DEE-VEE-UH NT] – adjective. describes a person who deviates or departs markedly from the accepted norm. I remember my lesson in Sociology about deviant behavior back in my freshman year in college. My professor said that those who deviate from the norms of society are often branded as hooligans or troublemakers. I was taught to never deviate from the mores and folkways because doing so would only bring about chaos and unrest to society. Though I aced that subject, I never really subscribed to the idea of being mediocre at all. The past has often taught us the rewards of doing something extraordinary out of the ordinary. People like Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, Martin Luther King, Jr. (to name just a few), did extraordinary things outside the accepted norms of their time. Lincoln was deviant for making the emancipation proclamation, effectively declaring all slaves free. Earhart was deviant for doing the seemingly impossible feat of becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. King was deviant for ending racial segregation and discrimination through civil disobedience and other nonviolent means. For their deviation, they are forever etched in history. Hitting closer to home, I’ll share my personal experience of deviation. Last March, I along with seven other Bedans, joined the 20th Harvard World Model United Nations. It is the most prestigious UN simulation of its kind. The conference we attended in Singapore drew 2,255 delegates from 65 countries and 266 colleges and universities worldwide. But guess what, of those 2255 delegates; only eight were Filipinos. That’s right; we were the only delegation from the Philippines in that particular conference. I wonder why that blue school in Katipunan, that green school in Taft and that gold school in España didn’t bother to send any delegates to such a prestigious conference. Those schools could not
possibly say they cannot afford to send any delegates. If San Beda (whose tuition fee is much less than those prestigious universities) is able to send delegates, how much more for the Katipunan, Taft, and España-based schools? Perhaps they’ll say that Harvard World Model UN isn’t such a big deal after all, that it would just be a waste of time and money. Before anyone will agree to that preposterous assumption, I would like to point out that Ivy League schools such as Columbia University, Princeton University, Oxford University, and Yale University were all part of that said conference. Even top Asian schools like Tokyo University of Japan and Zhejiang University of China didn’t let this grand opportunity pass them by. If these countries are able to send delegates from their best schools, why can’t the Philippines? It only adds insult to injury to know that the founder of the Harvard World Model UN is actually a Filipino who expected more Filipino delegates since this year’s conference was held in relatively-near Singapore. Thankfully, San Beda College Alabang answered the clarion call by once again joining the World Model UN. During the five-day conference, I must admit we were a little intimidated by our western brothers and sisters. Aside from being a standard six feet tall, they also had strong personalities to complement their huge frames. And even in the committees, there was still some sort of unconscious racial segregation going on. We usually found ourselves in the company of our South East Asian brothers, particularly the Malaysians and Indonesians. Being with them was nice and all, but we weren’t contented mingling with just our ASEAN neighbors; and we certainly didn’t want to be belittled by our western counterparts. Since we were the only Philippine delegation, it gave us all the reason to stand out. We avoided being wallflowers throughout the entire conference by sitting beside different delegates every committee session, talking to many different people as we could, engaging
in stimulating debates and co-authoring draft resolutions in our respective committees. Although we didn’t win the coveted Best Delegation Award, being the only Philippine delegation to proudly represent our country and having personally met our kababayan World Model UN founder, was reward enough for us. I learned a lot from my trip to Singapore and I believe my fellow Bedan delegates feel the same way. Experiencing the Singaporean culture, participating in active debates, making substantive draft resolutions, partying with fellow students from around the world, drinking the uniquely Singaporean Tiger Beer and Singapore Sling, tasting the flavors of Singaporean cuisine, and many other life-changing experiences not only made me a better Bedan, but more importantly a better Filipino with a global perspective. All this was possible because I dared to be different — I dared to be deviant. Here in San Beda, I address this to all freshmen and transferees who have just enrolled this school year: Were you forced by your parents to study here in San Beda? Did you find its close proximity to your homes convenient? Did you have no other school to go to? Or did you actually choose to study here by your own volition? Despite the reputation of the college here, don’t ever feel ashamed. Be proud of the fact you are a Bedan, regardless of the circumstances of how you became one. Now, I dare you to be deviant, not in the sense of being rebellious in this institution, but to stand out from the apathy many of those who came before you had. Participate in class, study well, join an org, socialize with other Bedans, wear shirts that magnify your Bedan pride, support our Red Lions in the NCAA, and most of all carry the distinct Benedictine tradition of Ora et Labora— Prayer and Work. Once you do these things, I can assure you that your stay here in San Beda will be more meaningful than you can ever imagine.
sense of the experience; and (4) Deciding or planning future action. Afterwards, student leaders were tasked to examine their respective organizations events last school year. On the second part, the students participated in the “Amazing Race” in which participants were divided into three teams: pink, yellow and green. The teams faced eight challenges wherein Green team emerged as champions, followed by Pink team and Yellow team. A game called “Broken Squares” started the third part. The participants were divided into five members. Each member was given an envelope that
contained pieces of illustration boards that could be formed into a square. The pieces for a perfect square were distributed to the different envelopes each member possessed, thus they needed one another’s pieces to form their respective squares. However, no verbal or non-verbal communication was allowed. They were forbidden to ask for pieces but allowed to pass it around. The aim of the game was to emphasize that the greatest barrier in a workplace is lack of communication. Baricaua said that symbolically, those pieces were information. “You can’t keep informations to yourself,” she said, adding that other people might not be able to do their jobs because of “lack of information”. During the last part of Day 1, Baricaua discussed “Exemplary Leadership Skills.” She also elaborated on the five practices of motivational/ exemplary leaders. “There are no great organizations … there are only organizations with great people,” said a quote from a slide presentation. In the end, she challenged the student leaders with a question by Elaine Fortier: “We must ask ourselves this, how do I go to wok/school today and do something that will move the enterprise/institution and myself
another step in the right direction?”
LEADERSHIP TRAINING / from p 2
LAWRENZ MATTHE GUEVARA
OT ALL HUMAN beings are given with a supermodel look, a slim and sexy body, a sweet face and a flawless looking skin. Well some are blessed with it; most are not. That is the reason why a lot of people engage in cosmetic surgeries—because of their endless insecurities. But personally I am not against it. I just want to say that the true essence of beauty is not superficialit comes from within. I was inspired to write this opinion when I read a story in “Our Daily Bread,” a book which contains real-life stories that inspires readers by providing biblical wisdom. The story is about a distinguished bible scholar of the 19th century named J.B Lightfoot; one of his devoted students described him as “startlingly ugly: a stout little man with a grotesque figure and a squint.” But the same student said that Lightfoot was “the best man I ever encounter, and I say this deliberately after the experience of many years. In a day or two… his face appeared the most beautiful and lovable thing imaginable.” A man, who was described “ugly,” outshined the flesh with a pure heart; an inner beauty that shines through him that blinded his student’s eyes. Ideally, the best example of a man with the purest heart who ever lived on earth would be Jesus. And we are blessed because we always hear on Sunday masses that we are created in His image and likeness. Add to that, according to Psalms 34:5, it says that those who look unto the Lord become “radiant.” I realized that the best beauty tip is not just putting the most expensive make-up or anti-aging cream on, and doing all those beauty regimens alone. Walking to the path where Jesus leads us and enjoying life for His glory—that’s only when our faces start to reflect true beauty. We shall not just focus on beautifying what is seen on the outside because, whether we like it or not, it grows old. Instead, let’s try improving what is not seen on the inside for this does not change; it forever glows. I guarantee this is the only beauty tip that will never fade and is bound to stay. Well as for the results? It will make you and me youthful-looking day after day; take it from the words of an anonymous author: “Nothing can dim the beauty that shines from within.” No one is perfect, even Angelina Jolie. Who is? But this is an advice we all can benefit from and can change our perspectives as to what is BEAUTIFUL. So don’t just be a pretty face in the crowd, instead standout and be radiantly beautiful!
D
The Caliraya Leadership Training Seminar participants together with CAS school officials.
OSA thrusts, directions Vice Dean for Student Affairs Atty. John Jacome discussed the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Thrusts and Directions on the second day. Jacome started his discussion by pointing the Three Key Areas of Higher Education such as Teaching, Reseach and Student Affairs. “It is important to discover who you are and be true to your potentials,” Jacome said. According to him, everyone should listen to their conscience and not be afraid to become who he/she really wanted to be. Jacome also discussed the needs they have to address based on OSA’s reflections. This included the need to enhance student leadership and management skills particularly in envisioning, the conduct of activities and assessment of output, the development of skills of administrators, organization moderators, homeroom advisers and staff involved in student activities and the intelligent appreciation of art and culture, both traditional and contemporary. He ended his discussion with parting words: “You should be proud! Bedan is a brand name with a centuryold tradition of excellence.”
OPINION
The Bedan Herald
Volume 17 No. 1 April - May 2011
7
Living our Bedan Identity
H
ERALD THE BEDANS coming! Our Alma Mater Hymn very well illustrates the true Bedan mindset and identity. We are Bedans, undaunted men and women, ever courageous, magnanimous, dynamic and willing to answer the clarion call for San Beda, country and God! Speaking of our Bedan identity connotes two fold aspects: individual and collective. Fragments of the Bedan identity include a sense of uniqueness from others and the development of the distinct personality where the individual has some sort of comprehension about himself or herself as a discrete, separate entity. Bedan identity also implies collective identity. With this strong sense of affiliation and belonging to a group, a Bedan is willing to dedicate his or her life, loyalty and service to the community. This essay highlights five predominant Bedan characteristics which will at once define our identity as well as show the common principles, values and tradition we all share and cherish. Bedan values First, we, Bedans, are valuesoriented. We stress on the total formation of the person. We are educated in the complete and integral sense, that is, to be formed fully in the intellectual, moral, spiritual and physical aspects. Benedictine education focuses on Christian values with emphasis on the Benedictine ideals of prayer (ora), work (labora) and community. Our solid training of both mind and heart molds us to become men and women of virtue and character. Our stress on value education and total formation of the individual helps us to actively espouse various concerns for helping the poor and the less fortunate, defending human rights and promoting social awareness and concern for justice, liberty and social transformation. Many may have come from privileged families but this is never a hindrance to seeing different realities from different angles. We were never taught to be elitists. We Bedans are proud of our ability to adjust to different social classes without losing the perspective of an educated human – one of the best attributes that distinguish us from the rest. Bedan community Second, Bedans live as a closeknit community. We become one family.
TUITION HIKE / from p1
ka nag-aral. Nagrereklamo na yung mga magulang namin dahil hindi alam kung saan kukuha ng pang-bayad. “Actually, hindi siya okay talaga at sana nasabi nila sa atin kaagad para nalinawan yung mga students. Sa akin okay lang pero dun sa ibang classmates and friends ko na hindi ganoon ka welloff, hindi okay kasi kaya nga daw dito sila nag-aral kasi hindi laging nagtataas yung tuition fee. Sana nagbigay din sila ng formal announcement na magkakaroon ng increase kasi hindi lahat na-inform, and 15 percent is too much,” said Elvin Choy, a Legal Management junior. A parent of an International Studies junior said that it is okay to increase the fee as long as it will be used for the school’s improvement and for the benefit of the students. It has been three years since the school had an increase of five percent in the tuition fee. Baricaua said that it had long been considered but was always postponed because of some factors such as the parent’s load in paying tuition.
by Atty. John R. Jacome There is much respect for the individual, for the importance of each person. Our Bedan institution thrives on the concept of brotherhood and the fellowship among the students is exemplary. Camaraderie is one of the things that identify the Bedan brand of culture. Even outside the school setting, Bedans treat each other as if they are long-lost friends regardless of batch or age. We form one family, sharing the same kind of values, the same kind of vision, and the same identity. Bedans maintain the kind of community spirit which they highly value. The unification of the three campuses (Mendiola, Alabang and Taytay). We also have strong alumni associations. One Bedan commented: “Unlike other academic institutions where students, upon graduation, do not want to have anything to do with the school anymore, for us Bedans, San Beda is not just a school we attend to get a diploma. We enjoy the process, learning, experiences, and the enthusiasm in coming to school, no matter what. We love the school when we were there. We love it even more after having left it.”
Bedan pride Third, we uphold the Bedan pride. A “pride” is a group of lions and the title “Bedan Pride” signifies the Bedan community. We always say: “Once a Bedan, always a Bedan.” Bedans, are proud of our school and our identity. Our habits and demeanor suggest that we want people to know that we are from San Beda. We are proud of wearing our identification card (ID) whether inside or outside the campus. We love buying and wearing Bedan t-shirts, jackets, ID laces and school paraphernalia especially those with printed slogans such as “Proud to be a Bedan,” “Behold I am a Bedan,” or “Real Men wear Red.” Bedans are proud but not conceited persons. We are considered by others as elite, not elitists. Despite the aura of pride that we carry, Bedans have always been viewed as warm and humble. We are proud because in San Beda we excel not only in academics but also in social awareness and reforms, human rights, community service, sports and nation building. Bedan culture Fourth, Bedans have developed a culture and identity that is uniquely our own. We take pride in showing how wide and unique our culture is.
She said “parents might opt not to come here because of the pay.” The 15 percent increase in the tuition fee took effect last May 19, during the first day of enrollment in the CAS. New enrollment procedure There is a new process of enrollment for this academic year. Some parts of the new procedure are still the same with last year’s, but what makes it different is the freedom of students to fix their own schedule. Bedans will simply encode their chosen schedule in the PRISM, a program which shows the entire student’s record. Then they willget the printed output and proceed with the rest of the procedure, which is similar to the previous one. PRISM enables students to see all the subjects they took up already and those they are yet to take. It also shows all the student’s grades, from their very first semester in SBCA up to present. The Bedan Herald asked some students their opinion regarding the
Faithfulness to these revered traditions tells a lot about the very essence of being a Bedan. As early as our freshmen years, we are oriented and enmeshed with the Bedan ways. A freshman once commented on his first dose of Bedan culture: ... It was June 1997. San Beda was holding its annual pep rally before the start of college basketball season. The Indian Yell, my school’s most favored cheer, suddenly played. It was one among some original college cheers that still uses a full brass band and drums for greater effect. It was inspired by the music from old western flicks during battle scenes between the American Indians and cowboys. It is my school’s war chant, very effective in swelling school pride and intimidating rivals during collegiate games. We had a school mascot, the Indian Tribal Chief, to lead the cheers. A pep rally like this demonstrates our rich Bedan culture and tradition. Likewise, the Freshmen Integration is one of the first unique experiences a Bedan undergoes. The Integration process is the Bedan way of welcoming our new brothers and sisters to make them feel that they truly belong to the community. It also aims to instill the institution’s values and teachings to the students. In January, the annual Sto. Niño festival reveals the Bedan’s rich reservoir of religious fervor. We join the whole country in the celebration of the many festivals honoring Señor Sto. Niño with the hope of His guidance in our daily life. A great part of our tradition is our Bedan religious practices. In the spirit of Ora et Labora, we celebrate community masses, attend liturgical services, recite the rosary, meditate and pray through lectio divina. When the bell rings for classes, the opening and closing prayers are led by either the professor or the assigned prayer leader. At 12 O’clock noon, every Bedan should pause and recite the Angelus. Every Bedan knows this incantation after every prayer: “Our Lady of Monserrat [Pray for us], Our holy father St. Benedict [Pray for us], Venerable St. Bede [Pray for us], That in all things [God may be glorified].” Bedan leadership Fifth, Bedans are trained to be leaders. We combine Benedictine values with the knowledge and skills needed to prepare us for success in the world beyond the academe. Our values-centered education is designed new enrollment procedure. An Information Technology junior, who requested not to be named said “mas okay siyempre yung ngayon [new process], kasi ikaw na makakapili ng schedule and time mo for your subjects, unlike dati na mostly [department] head ang nasusunod.” Contrary to what was said by the IT student, a financial management senior finds the new enrolment procedure more hectic than the previous process. “Yung dati kasi hindi ko na kailangan bumalik sa adding and dropping [of subjects]. Para lang i-enroll yung sarili ko sa class ng ibang course. Natatapos ko yung enrollment sa iisang araw lang, unlike ngayon, kailangan pa pumunta ulit sa school para mag-add ng subjects” said the FM student, who also requested anonymity.
to prepare us for a lifetime as active, informed, and responsible leaders in the world community. From its inception up to the present, San Beda has become a fertile ground for nurturing the early stirrings of a desire to make a difference in the life of the nation. It has witnessed among its graduates fidelity to the ideal of service to society. The Benedictine Rule on Leadership focuses on collegiality, team work, community and organization, creativity and innovation, stability, discipline, ethics and empowerment. We, Bedans, serve as catalysts for personal development and transformation by encouraging others to engage their values, sense of purpose and intrinsic motivation to be part of something that contributes positively to society. San Beda College counts among its notable alumni the late Senator and hero Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., the late statesman and former senator Raul Roco, former speaker Ramon V. Mitra, human rights advocate and former senator Rene V. Saguisag, Senator Pia Cayetano, San Miguel Corporation chairman Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr., corporate magnate and PLDT Chairman Dr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, Supreme Court Associate Justices Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura and Jose Catral Mendoza, and Department of Justice Secretary, Atty. Leila De Lima.
Conclusion The Red Lion, our school moniker, represents the iconic identity of the Bedan everywhere: brave, passionate, and determined individuals. “Bring out the challenges, we’ll win them all” says every Bedan. True to our identity as Lions, the King of the Jungle, we emerge with dauntless courage, valor and magnanimity in victory. We are a people who have experienced in one way or another that our Bedan identity—our values, community life, pride, culture and leadership—are all tied up to Jesus Christ. Our identity and true essence as Bedans is well-echoed in our missionvision as an institution: Catholic Christian in principle, Benedictine in orientation, and Filipino in character. May San Beda’s rich tradition of work and prayer lead every Bedan to continuous service and excellence. Atty. John R. Jacome is the Vice Dean of student affairs in San Beda College Alabang – College of Arts and Sciences and is an alumnus of San Beda College Alabang – School of Law.
Prof. Rexel Agapay facilitates the faster enrollment inside the computer laboratory.
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FEATURES The
by Hannah Joyce
The Bedan Herald
Volume 17 No. 1 April - May 2011
Student Executive Council A.Y. 2011 - 2012
THE CAS STUDENTS have already chosen their new set of student leaders who will face a battle with new challenges this academic year.
Now, let us get to know more of the new Student Executive Council as they gear up to implement their plans for the academic year ahead.
FEATURES
The Bedan Herald
Volume 17 No. 1 April - May 2011
Milk
for the
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Cubs
by Sabrina Jila Santos “MAKE THE MOST of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson This quote can be your key to survive not only in your college life but also in the real world. You’ll have to make the most of your talents and abilities for you to become a better person. But before anything else, I would first like to greet you a very warm welcome! You freshies may be encountering this word from the administrators, professors, and your upperclassmen who are all excited with your arrival here in the jungle that is San Beda College Alabang. Because as you may not know, the first semester of the school year is always about the freshmen; integration, acquaintance party but before I spoil to you guys the exciting activities ahead for you, let me give you these little yet helpful tips you need to to survive in this circus college life. BE FRIENDLY. Introduce yourself to people around you in the first week of class because chances are, you will work with them in the future. And being friendly should not be limited inside the classroom but to all the people you meet every day. Who knows? Maybe that person sitting beside you in the freshmen orientation will be your
thesis partner. BE CONFIDENT. No one will know about your talents or how great of a person you can be if you are just sitting in the corner of your classroom, drawing a cartoon character in the last page of your notebook while waiting for the bell to ring. First weeks in college are critical, for people will remember you as what you are in the first meeting. As the saying goes, “First impressions last.” So go out of your comfort zones and showcase your talents. BE INVOLVED. Learning is not limited in the four walls of your classroom. SBCA encourages their students to join school organizations. That is the reason why the school conducts a Club Week every year. This enables the freshmen to decide on which org they want to join in. Besides, there is this quality of learning you can acquire when you join such orgs that you will not see in textbooks. BEFRIEND THE LIONS. Know the administration and be kind to our ate and kuya guards, for they can give little information and even favors that can be a great help during your stay here. Also, it is also helpful to befriend professors because they can give you mature advices that your classmates/
friends can’t provide. BEWARE. SBCA has what we call a Student Handbook. Yes, it exists. Master the rules and regulation of the school, so you will not end up being kicked out at the end of the school year. Just by following the proper dress code like no slippers, shorts, and sleeveless, I assure you smooth sailing activities and wash days without the guards and school disciplinarians bothering you about your clothes. Lastly, BE UPDATED. Adjust your timepieces to “Beda time;” there are wall clocks along the corridors. Also, listen to every public announcement of the Student Executive Council (SEC) and
read the school’s bulletin boards. But if it’s too old school for you to read bulletin boards, then you can add the official Facebook page of the school, of your course, and of the student publication, The Bedan Herald, which give updates from time to time. There, you’ve got everything you need to start up your everyday life here in the breeding ground of leaders and champions that is SBCA. Always remember to aim higher, do everything to the best of your ability, and maintain the right attitude. For in that case, you will not regret anything about your stay here in San Beda College Alabang.
Give and take Arnee believes that through the student council she is able to use her God-given skills of leadership, vision, and passion to help the college on a grander scale. She says that her greatest strength and distinctive trait as a leader is that she is able to put herself in other people’s shoes by being understanding and considerate. Learning to Deal with stress, work well with a team and acquire planning and implementing skills are just some of the plus sides of being an SEC president, Arnee says.
work in a bank for a year or two, and then save up money so she can enroll herself in post graduate school. A few paragraphs will not be enough to sum up her individuality because she is a very complex person. But perhaps in one way or another, we can be inspired how she performs as an outstanding student and as a hardworking SEC President.
Arnee the Perfectionist President
Personality Sketch: by Maria Danise Ranchelle Ravago
WHAT DO WE know about the person we voted as our new SEC President? We see her as a very serious and busy person who is always working hard, may it be for her academics or for the student council. In an interview with The Bedan Herald, she gives us a glimpse of her true personality.
Personality check Ardanette Francine Pantajo or “Arnee” as everyone calls her is a focused person who has high standards and a keen eye for details. People close to her says that she is a “perfectionist” who spends a lot of time working, because she sees to it that every bit of detail is in its place. Some say that she tends to come off as “mataray.” She admits she is most of the time serious about things. Arnee is a “certified bookworm”—reads while in transit, while eating and before going to sleep. For Arnee, reading is indeed her way to feed the mind. She is someone you will find in the fiction section of a library or bookstore. Like most people who are fond of the Hogwarts School of Wizardry, she used to be a Harry Potter fan. Currently, she collects Nicholas Spark’s books, saying, “I love how all his novels can make me cry in an instant.” Dear John and Message in a Bottle are her favorite among Spark’s novels. For a very busy person, she balances her time very well. When she is in class she is all about studying, when she is at the SEC Office she is all about work. She described herself as “the typical boring, nerdy classmate inside the classroom.”
As a person who is “trusting” by nature, Arnee lives by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote: “Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly, and they will show themselves great.”
Education and achievements Catholic teachings must really be vibrant from her for she attended primary and secondary education at St. Mary’s Academy of Caloocan City and St. Francis of Assisi College System-Bacoor campus. Before transferring to SBCA, Arnee had taken up AB Political Science in the Ateneo de Manila University and, assiduous as she may be, had worked at HSBC Data Processing in Alabang for a year and a half. In SBCA, she is a consistent Dean’s Lister since the first semester of 2009. When asked about her previous awards and achievements, she only said that she does not think about those anymore because it all happened far in the past and stressed that “what’s more important is the path she is paving now.” Though totally filled with humility, Arnee mentioned the Abbot Rojo Leadership Award given to her during the recent Lion’s Roar Awards as her most important achievement so far. Triumph does not always begin with a smooth sailing; mistakes and failures help mold a person. Arnee said “the biggest mistake of my life was not focusing and taking my studies seriously the first time around, because I thought being smart was enough to get me through college. But it wasn’t. I wasted so much time and opportunities because I lacked focus and determination back then,” But things are otherwise at present.
Family time and recreation Before she leaves the school, she makes sure that all her schoolwork and office work are finished, because when she gets home it’s strictly personal and family time for our Miss President. She sees to it that most of her free time are spent doing family activities or having alone time. So what exactly does this busy gal take as a breather? When she’s tired she goes into her quiet place which she calls her “happy bubble.” In it she reads her favorite book while eating chocolates. But when she’s really stressed or having a bad mood, she cleans up and rearranges her room—doing this gives her “zen.” She also alternates on playing Cityville on Facebook, cooking, and watching television. After graduation Arnee plans to
The Bedan Herald
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Volume 17 No. 1 April - May 2011
Antarctica’s greatest meltdown by Anne Lora Santos WHAT WILL BE the next Atlantis 40 years from now? Up to this day the truth behind Ancient tales about the existence of the so-called “lost island” or Atlantis is not yet proven. With the rapid warming of the world, well, it is not impossible that this tale might come true. Antarctica as a whole is the coldest continent on earth. It contains over ninety percent of the world’s ice, seventy percent of the world’s water, and approximately nine percent of the world’s land surface. In some of its places the ice is over 4,000 meters deep. Antarctica’s precipitation is so small that it is categorized as a desert region or a polar desert. Antarctica contains many buried, or sub-glacial, freshwater lakes, rivers and seas that are sealed for already millions of years. Recently, a warning forecast was released by experts stating that the entire Arctic ice cap will disappear from the face of the earth in 2050. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), Antarctica’s white land continues to get smaller since 1980. It measures 15.7 million square kilometers, and just in
2007, it decreased to 3 million square kilometers. As ice continues to melt faster, sea level continues to rise and gives low lying areas less time to prepare to vanish from the map of the world. Antarctica is facing its worst nightmare since 50 years ago; the Polar Regions have warmed far faster than the rest of the planet, affecting terrains and marine ecosystem. Antarctica needs lawn mowers We plant trees to help fight global warming, but is it a good sign if Antarctica’s getting greener? We all know that it is impossible for plants to grow on a frozen continent, but in Antarctica’s case as the snow continues to melt, many areas in it becomes greener. In fact mosses already dominated two percent of Antarctica that can support plants’ life, giving two species of native flowering plant a chance to blossom: Antarctic pearlwort and Antarctic hairgrass. As global temperatures increased and Antarctic summers become longer and warmer, Antarctic Hairgrass become increasingly
widespread. Based on a study, hairgrass is able to take advantage of the nitrogen produced when soil warms up and decomposes.
Crabs invades Antarctic Waters Antarctica’s marine life has been a great attraction all over the globe. It has the most popular “polar animals” which can only survive in its peninsula, enduring its cold climate. Some of these are the penguins, wild sea lions, different species of fishes and whales. Some of them had already starred Hollywood films such as Ice Age and Happy Feet, but due to climate change these films might just be mere remembrances of these star polar animals’ existence. Recently, male and female North Atlantic spider crabs have been found in the waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. Scientists doubt if these species travel such distance by their own accord. They suspect that these might have been brought by tourists unconsciously or might have hitch into planes or ships. Despite Antarctica’s harsh weather, non-native species are adapting in its freezing environment—a huge sign
WHERE IS THE WORLD’S LARGEST kilometers) in area. It is followed by a non-polar desert, North Africa's Sahara DESERT? The world's largest desert is actually the continent of Antarctica. Classified as a polar desert, it is the world's driest place measuring over 5.5 million square miles (14,245,000 square
Desert with more than 3.5 million square miles (9 million square kilometers), slightly smaller than the 4th largest country, United States of America. The Sahara desert stretches from Mauritania to Egypt and Sudan.
Sleek and modernized
Reasons of unwanted changes There are two factors authorities suspect as to the cause of colonization of foreign species in Antarctica’s habitats: climate change and the increasing number of people traveling every year. Environmentalists are calling for action to prevent foreign species from taking hold in Antarctica and destroying its unique ecosystem. The unsettled question is what will happen 40 years from now? What will happen to Antarctica if the world warms faster than ever? What can prevent the ice glaciers from melting and where will all the Antarctica’s water go? Lastly, what will be its effect to the world, to the Philippines and to us human beings? Day by day the world’s condition gets worse. Let’s not wait for the next 40 years to see if Antarctica will be the next Atlantis. Instead, as stewards of the earth, each one of us must do our part in saving our dying planet, however big or small it counts. “Prevention is better than cure,” as what the famous quotation says. Reference: http://news. discover y. com/earth/ antarctica
photo from google.com
new SBCA website launched
by Justine Marie Bandoja “We are RED and we are proud of it,” speaks of the Bedan pride as SBCA launched the new virtual face of the institution’s official website. The Information Technology Center was the team behind the new appearance and features of the SBCA website, which was launched May 20. With its sleek and modernized design, most students prefer the new interface of the school’s website for it shows “formality” and “decency” towards the Bedan image. “It is exhaustive and comprehensive in detail, which is good, because it provides clear information on the admission procedure of SBCA and clearly depicts our roots and history,” shares SEC President Ardanette Pantajo. The new SBCA website is basically red in color. Content Management-based is the new platform of the new SBCA virtual face, which allows different contents to be accommodated (text-based and audiovisual contents). It has seven major tabs namely: SBCA Home, which is the home page of the website. It carries a slideshow of photos of the school’s amenities, a website headline, and a login box; Discover SBCA, which provides information about the school’s history, educational philosophy, mission, vision, board of trustees, and administrators; Study Programs, which shows the educational curriculum of SBCA; Admissions, presents comprehensible
that Antarctica’s native animals might be invaded and go extinct.
and exact information on its procedures and also about the new Integrated Basic Education Department (IBED) of SBCA divided into three: Primary School (Nursery to Grade 6), Middle School (Grade 3 to Grade 6) and High School; Careers, will soon provide information on job opportunities and hiring process in SBCA; Other Links, the tab that shares other website linkages of SBCA (e.g. Inquirer.net); and lastly, Contact Us, provides direct contact to thevschool’s offices and officials, trunk lines, and e-mail messaging. Aside from the Other Links tab, the new website also provides direct connection to Windows Live, Google, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. The two latter links are direct connections to SBCA’s profile on Facebook and Twitter, respectively. “The reason of change of the SBCA website is the change in platform because the needs of the community can
no longer be accommodated by the old platform of the website,” said ITC manager, Engr. Adrian Carlos. Although the new website provides comprehensive and precise information about the school and admission of students, most Bedans feel there should be more additional features like posting of grades, calendar of activities and
other student-friendly portals, much like what other universities provide. The website is still undergoing some changes and further development. “Students’ feedbacks will be of great help in developing the website, for now, bear with us,” Carlos said. http;//sanbeda-alabang.edu.ph
Plaza
The Bedan Herald
Volume 17 No. 1 April - May 2011
ang mga kwento ni
RAWR! Sa mga kapwa-Bedista, kaibigan, kakulitan, ka-FB at ka-tweet, isang naguumapaw na PAX sa inyong lahat! Ako si Chobenito ng Plaza ‘Sang Bedista, ang kyut na kyut na leon na magbibigay sa inyo ng mga kwento at kasagutan sa mga bagay-bagay patungkol sa ating mahal na San Beda College Alabang. Sayang dahil hindi ko na kasama ang aking kuya na si Benito—nagmartsa na siya noong March huhuhu— pero di nangangahulugang hihina na ang aking matalas na paningin (shing-shing!) at malakas na pang-amoy (snif-snif!) sa mga bagay-bagay. Bagong school year, bagong haircut ka rin ‘no? Haha! Maraming talagang bago tuwing pasukan—mula ballpens hanggang pintura ng flooring ng gym—pero higit sa lahat ng bago dito sa CAS, pinakaimportante ang mga Freshmen. Dahil mahalaga kayo sa’min, mga ka-Bedistang freshmen, narito ang alpabeto ng ilang mga bagay na dapat ninyong malaman sa inyong buhay kolehiyo dito sa San Beda College Alabang. A – stands for Alabang Town Center o ATC. Wow, gala agad?! Haha! Malapit lang ang ATC sa SBCA at tiyak marami kang pagpipilian dun, mula kainan hanggang damitan. Pero unahin muna ang aral bago ang gala ah? B – Becky. Sa nagugutom na sikmura, si Becky ang kasagutan. Makikita ang kanyang istand sa tabi ng gym. Maghanda—he sells the “smallest” and “largest” cup of iced tea in the world, at … P35,000 pesosesoses ang halaga ng hotdog sandwich na binebenta niya. Shing-shing—Changes! C – ang CAS o ang College of Arts and Sciences. Tinatawag din itong St. Bede Hall at syempre, dito kayo nagaaral ngayon! D – Dom ang tawag sa ating Rector-President na si Dom Clement Ma. H. Roque, OSB. “Brother” ang ibig sabihin ng Dom kaya mali na kung babatiin mo si Rector ng “Hello, Father Dom!” Paulitulit?! E – enrolment, enrollment. Double L man o hindi, dapat tayong mag-aral nang mabuti para masuklian by Giovanni Miguel Alfonso
PASUKAN NA NAMAN ngunit sariwangsariwa pa sa aking mga alaala ang mga makabuluhan at magagandang karanasan ko noong 2010. Mayroong masasaya—halimbawa na lang kung katulad mo ako na mas madalas pang ma-libre ng kaibigan ng pamasahe kaysa sa ako ang nagbabayad ng sariling pamasahe. Mayroon din namang malululungkot tulad na lang kapag di- inaasahan na ‘yung kasama mo ang biglang nagpa-libre ng pamasahe sa’yo at sakto lang ang pera
‘SANG BEDISTA
Chobenito
ang pinambayad ng ating mga masisipag na magulang sa araw ng enrolment. F – F.A. o Failure Due To Absences. Masalimuot na makita ito ng isang estudyante sa kanyang class card kaya ugaliing pumasok palagi ng maaga sa mga klase. Babala, matinik ang mga professors sa attendance. (Dendendenden!) G – G.A. o General Assembly. Simula ngayon, masanay na makatanggap ng mga anunsyo sa text o Facebook na “We will have a GA on blah blah blah at room blah blah blah.” Pumunta at makibahagi. H – makakasali ka sa Dean’s Honor Roll kung ikaw ay two-time Dean’s Lister at may Cumulative Grade Point Average o CGPA na 1.50 pataas. (1.00 ang pinakamataas dito sa Beda samantalang 5.00 naman ang pinakamababa o bagsak). I – stands for Integration—ang isa sa pinakamasayang kaganapan sa buhay ng isang Bedan freshman. Dito ay lubos ninyong matutunan ang kultura ng Bedan Community at maraming fun activities ang nakalatag para sa inyo. And I bet … you’ll learn it the hard way! J – sa Room 82J makikita ang ITC o Information Technology Center ng CAS. Ilan sa kanilang mga serbisyo ay ang paggawa ng bagong ID sakaling mawalan. Pwede rin kayong kumuha ng sarili ninyong Wi-Fi account para makaaccess ng internet sa college building. K – Kuya Ricky! Siya ang alamat (naks!) at popular na opisyal sa IMC o Instructional Media Center (2nd floor ng CAS). Mabait at baybs na baybs ng mga estudyante si Kuya “Reke.” Sa IMC maaring tayong humiram ng LCD projector, CD player, speakers, microphone at iba pa. Magpa-reserve ng maaga para hindi maunahan.
L – ang Lion’s Roar Awards ay ang prestihyosong award-giving event ng CAS na nagaganap ilang linggo bago magtapos ang school year. M – ang St. Maur Hall ang pinakabago at pinaka-modernong building sa SBCA. Meron itong apat na palapag. Nakapaloob dito ang kapita-pitagang School of Law, ang Rector’s Office, ang Fr. Roberto de Jesus Auditorium at iba pa. N – ang SBCA ang host ng NCAASouth o National Collegiate Athletic Association-South tournament ngayong taon. O – OSB ang tawag sa isang estudyante na lumagpas sa dapat na apat o limang taong pamamalagi niya sa CAS. Siya ay isang OverStaying Bedan. PS: Nabibilang din ang mga kleriko ng San Beda sa Order of St. Benedict (OSB). P – show your Bedan pride sa Pep Rally na nagaganap tuwing Agosto. Bigyang suporta ang mga Alabang Red Lions na sasabak sa sports tournaments tulad ng NCAA-South. ¡Ánimo San Beda! Q – ang CAS Prefect of Student Activities na si Ms. Adrianna Quioyo ay popular sa palayaw na Ms. Q o Ms. Mot. R – sa Rosendo Herrera Hall (sa may Complex Building) nagaganap ang ilang mahahalagang events tulad ng mga seminars, dance concerts, school plays, patimpalak at iba pa. S – stands for Student Executive Council. They are the high-ranking student leaders who organize collegewide activities and reinforce the rules and regulations of the CAS. Wow English?! T – for The Bedan Herald, ang official student publication ng SBCACAS. Basahin ito parati para laging update sa latest Beda happenings. I-add ang fan page nito sa Facebook at i-add ang @thebedanherald sa Twitter. U – magsuot parati ng complete uniform (kasama ang ID) para hindi masita ni Kuya o Ate Guard.
V – the SBCA campus is inside Alabang Hills Village. When you go out the school through the IC gate, nasa village ka pa rin. Oh ‘di ba? Village inside out. Call it serenity and security. W – Whoopee! Ito ang caterer sa CAS caf. Yes, you call cafeteria “caf.” Mapapa-warrior mode ka sa variety ng masasarap na pagkaing hinahain nila araw-araw. Best-seller ang burritos at siomai rice. X – buwan-buwan ay iba’t ibang mga eXhibits ang ipinamamalas sa SBCA Museum. Visit them every once in a while to learn more about our rich Bedan culture. Y – stands for Yellow Pad Paper. Bumili ng sariling yellow pad para ‘di malagay sa alanganin. Question of the year—Meron kang yellow pad? Z – ang Alabang-Zapote road ay sikat dahil palagi itong traffic. Agree? Simula ngayon ay malaki na ang parte ng Alabang-Zapote road sa inyong buhay Bedan. Kaya pumasok parati ahead of time ah? Ilan lang ito sa mga dapat ninyong malaman tungkol sa college life sa San Beda College Alabang. Ako, si Chobenito, ay bumabati sa inyong mga freshmen ng isang mainit-init na WELCOME! Rrraaaawrrr! Kung meron man kayonggustongibahaginakwento, katanungan o argumentosa akin at saatingmgakapwaBedista, i-wall post lamangitosaaking FB (Chobenito), i-mention sa tweet @chobenito, o i-email sachobenito.tbh@gmail.com. Maramingsalamatpo! PAX!
Bago ang lahat mo, kaya tuloy maglalakad ka pa pauwi. Siyempre pa't hindi naman maiiwasan na ilan sa mga ito ay bigla na lang mangyayari sa ating buhay na hindi kailanman inasahan o hinangad. Tulad ng karamihan, mayroon din akong mga kwento na patungkol sa mga hindi malilimutang karanasan na gusto ko sana ay maibabahagi sa inyo. Isa na rito ang pagkakasali ko sa pinaka-malupit na organisasyon sa San Beda College Alabang. Hindi kailanman sumagi sa isip
ENTERTAINMENT
Illustration by: Tonimari Aguirre
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ko na magiging miyembro ako ng The Bedan Herald bagama’t inaamin ko na hinahangaan ko ang galing ng kanilang mga nagawa at ginagawa. Simula pa noong freshman pa lang ako ay lagi ko ng binabasa ang dyaryo nila kasama na rin ang special issues, komiks at magasin at iba. Minsan naitanong ko sa aking sarili: Paano kung isa ako sa kanila? Ano nga ba ang maibabahagi ko kung isa akong Herald? Ngunit ang lahat ng mga tanong ko ay nanatiling walang kasagutan. Da-
hil wala rin naman akong pormal na karanasan sa pagsusulat sa dyaryo katulad ng karamihan, nagduda ako kung matatanggap ako sa TBH. Hanggang sa dumating ang pagkakataon. Pauwi na sana ako nuong inaya ako ng kaklase ko na si Tim Aguirre na samahan siyang mag-apply sa Herald. Naalala ko na matagal na niya kinekwento sa akin ang balak niyang pagsali sa naturang organisasyon kaya't sinamahan ko na lang rin siya. Pagdating namin sa publication office o pub, binigyan kaming dalawa ni Tim ng application form at agad itong sinagutan. Pagkalipas ay iniskedyul kami ng panayam. Totoo nga ang mga sinasabi nila na sa interview ay nakakakaba. Pero paglipas ng isang linggo ay nabawi ang lahat ng kaba nung sinabi sa akin na, “Okay, tanggap ka na!” Mas naging makulay ang buhay ko sa kolehiyo ng sumali ako sa TBH. Lingid sa kaalaman ng marami, ang TBH ang pinaka-busy at dedicated na organisasyon sa SBCA. Bilang miyembro ng student publication, marami akong natutunan na mga bagay na hindi matutunan sa loob ng silid- aralan—ang mas malalim na halaga ng samahan, maging responsible, matutong magsulat at maging isang tunay na Bedista.
The Bedan Herald The Bedan Herald
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ADRIAN VAL LOPEZ
Volume 17 No. 1 April - May 2011
MICAA Cheerdance Competition Awarding: (From L — R) SBCA,Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa and Lyceum of Alabang.
BDLR wins bronze in MICAA cheerdance competition despite ‘lack of members’
by March Anetonette Ortuoste SBCA’S OFFICIAL PEP squad Bataleon de Leon Rojo managed to win third place in the Muntinlupa Inter- Collegiate Athletic Association (MICAA) Cheerdance Competition held April 1 at the SBCA- CAS gym despite being “short in numbers.” Dawn Ivy Ghail Macandili, new Bataleon captain, said that though the squad had to do last-minute recruitments to fill their lack, they just took it as a “challenge” and that it was their “dedication and passion” that made them push through for the competition. “I am very proud as Bataleon’s incoming captain to have accomplished this much,” said Macandili. “Nakakagulat at nakaka-fulfill at the same time kasi
kaunti lang ‘yung oras namin for practice, not to mention ‘yung mga naging problema noong preparation days. Pero we all considered it as a challenge. Without struggles, there’s no progress, ‘di ba?” BDLR’s routines and executions were coached by Bedan alumni Lyndon Aaron Villanueva and Chyrille Sazon. As for the results, Lyceum of Alabang Sharks won the championship while Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa Marshalls and Informatics Alabang won second and fourth places, respectively. Lyceum’s squad captain Jobert Zaragoza told The Bedan Herald that
the Sharks had their share of “struggles” during their preparations. “It was full of pressure [training] due to the sudden adjustments in the schedule of the competition, but we are happy that all of our efforts are fruitful.” MICAA member schools, STI College of Alabang and International Electronics and Technical Institute (IETI), did not compete in the said event due to unverified reasons. The board of judges was composed of Edwin Servidad, a physical education professor from Philippine National University, and Jeff Habada and Paterno Surigao, both from the University of Perpetual Help-Rizal.
Bicycle Revolution gathers 15,000 cyclists
AN ESTIMATED 15,000 cyclist from all over the metro gathered at the Tiendesitas Complex in Pasig City for the annual Bicycle Revolution 2011: 13th Tour of the Fireflies held April 17. “Tour of the Fireflies” (TOF) is the Firefly Brigade's campaign to promote bicycles as a means of environment-friendly transportation. They are a group that advocates clean air in the Philippines with the slogan “promoting the bicycle for clean air and sustainable communities. Since its formation in 1999, the Firefly Brigade has been pushing for the installment of bike lanes in public roads. Simultaneous events were held in cities like Baguio, Bacolod, Batangas, Cebu, General Santos and Palawan making this year's Tour of the Fireflies the biggest to date. Compared to last
year’s “TOF: I Vote To Bike,” the Bicycle Revolution 2011 took a longer route with its 42- kilometer that extended from Pasig to San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasay and Quezon City. Among the participants for this year’s cycling event were SBCACAS professors Rommel Miles Corro and Harvey Altamarino, the candidates for Ms. Earth Philippines were also present. Several hopeful cyclists dressed themselves with nature-inspired outfits to win the award for best costume. “Iba kasi ‘yung dating lalo na sa mga bikers, kaya nga nagsama ako ng mga kabarkada ko para makita nila na ganoon kadami ‘yung mga sumasali sa ganitong event,” said Altamarino as he was also expecting the number of participants would reach above 10, 000.
CEASAR JAN ENTILA
by Ceasar Jan Entila
Cyclists Rule the streets for a cause
Red Lions sweep MICAA basketball tourney by March Anetonette Ortuoste
ALABANG RED LIONS were crowned back-to-back champions of both Men’s and Women’s division of the Muntinlupa Inter- Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament during the first MICAA cheerdance competition held April 1 at the SBCA gym. The Red Lions hoops team, most especially the Men’s division, finished strong in the season with their win against last season’s overall champions Lyceum of Alabang. “Our brotherhood leads us in our championship plus our own skills, determination, desire, and prayers,” said team captain Paulo Layugan. “We just play hard, give our 110 percent in every game, and play with heart,” he added. Lyceum of Alabang has the height, strength, and speed. Even we are small we have the intelligence and
the heart to win. We don’t have any play we just know what to do.”
Hot Cold Shooting
S
INCE LATE APRIL, I planned to play sports just to have something to be busy with this summer. I thought it was a very good idea not only because of the good things one can get from it, such as physical fitness and perhaps a way to meet new people who shares the same passion. I needed to have as much as fun and relax time as I can before school starts—which will surely be stressful. One typical afternoon, I invited my childhood friends for a game. We went to the village next to ours and played against the locals there. I must admit, besides my excitement on finally having the chance to play a real basketball game in ages, I never had actual preparations. I played as the point guard. But although I had a couple of good assists, I just made one shot out of nine attempts. I must say it was a struggle for me to keep up with the pace as my opponents were all quick running up and down the court but I still tried to be efficient by scoring for my team. Unfortunately, the ball hardly found its way through the rim all over the game. It was one miss after another and to add insult to injury, I was already on my last breath so I asked another teammate for substitution. I guess what I am trying to say is that, if you are passionate about something, you must work hard to be good, if not perfect, with your passion. You must stay focused and remember that practice is vital. I’m a big fan of the sport. I started playing ball way before I learned to tie my shoelaces and I always thought I was very good; but after that horrible shooting performance, I see myself probably sitting out a whole game if this keeps on going. Of course we lost, but that loss made me “re-realize” the importance of hard work. I think that this should be a reminder to everyone and this applies most especially in sports. It doesn’t matter what the scoreboard says or how long your losing streak is, as long as you continue working hard, you’ll be fine. You don’t say that Novak Djokovic, or the Los Angeles Lakers, or Manny Pacquiao became successful because it was their destiny. You have to give credit to the dedication and focus before they were able to perfect their craft. After all, “champions are not made overnight.”