8 FEATURES
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Personality Sketch: Percy Togonon and WinWyn Marquez
FEATURES
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Rizal: 150 years of Valor
SCI-TECH
NUMB3RS
1,837
The total number of students in the CAS
LAWRENZ MATTHEW GUEVARA
A WiFi that works
CAS Freshmen participate in the “Pass the Giant Ball” game during the Freshmen Orientation Program.
CAS enrollment reaches 1800 mark by March Anetonette Ortuoste and Justine Marie Bandoja
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HE FIRST SEMESTER of AY 2011-2012 saw a surge in number, with an increase in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) population. said Baricaua. According to Vice Dean of Academic Affairs Jose Vasquez, the increase in enrollment was anticipated despite the tuition increase of the
CAS ENROLLMENT MARK / 3
CEASAR JAN ENTILA
Regardless of the tuition increase this academic year, enrollment in CAS saw a rise in number, registering 1,837 enrollees (according to the CAS Records Section in the Registrar’s Office) compared to the total population of 1,590 in first semester last academic year. Also, the number of freshmen doubled this school year, 646, compared to last academic year’s 302 students. For the upper levels, there are 462 enrollees in the second year, 366 in the third year level, and 363 in the fourth year. According to Dean Thelma Geraldine Baricaua, she was very excited about the student population increase especially with the number of enrolled freshmen this year. “San Beda is very much blessed with this much number of students,”
College. He said that the primary factor to this increase is that SBCA has already established its brand name and its quality education in the south of Metro Manila. “It was really bound to happen,” said Vasquez. Comparing the tuition increase
Bedans participate in the Mass of Holy Spirit.
Vice Dean Vasquez extends term by Julisa Ayson VICE DEAN OF Academic Affairs Jose Vasquez, Jr. has agreed to extend his term at the College of Arts and Sciences, allaying his earlier announcement to retire last May 31. The 60-year-old vice dean got a recommendation from CAS Dean Thelma Geraldine Baricaua and from RectorPresident, Dom Clement Ma. Roque, OSB. Vasquez will continue some of
the strategic plans and programs of the CAS recommended and approved by the Rector-President that already started especially those discussed during the last administrator’s summer conference. “There were several candidates that dean and Rector-President were also considering, and I think the reason why they considered my extension over hiring a new vice dean was because of the needs to implement immediately the plans we had already started,” Vasquez
explained.
Future plans for CAS These plans include adding more degree programs in CAS such as Bachelor of Science in Multimedia and Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering—needing the approval of the board of trustees, full execution of the Quality Management System
thebedanherald.com
VICE DEAN EXTENDS / 3
Rector criticizes preemptive media
announcements
by Sabrina Jila Santos
“I WAS REALLY surprised I did not know how it happened, I was thinking that if this could happen again, anybody can just call the station and say I’m the president,” Rector-President Dom Clement Ma. Roque jested, relating to the untraceable source who called the TV networks and announced that the Saturday classes in SBCA last June 25 were suspended. Roque contacted the RectorPresident of SBC Mendiola, Fr. Aloysius Maranan, OSB, and asked if he made an announcement to ABS-CBN. Maranan told him he did not make such an announcement with any TV networks although he announced suspension of classes at SBC Mendiola. “It was ABS-CBN who preempted without the confirmation of the school. They should not make presumptions just because they heard it from this and from that,” Roque said. He also suggests that ABS-CBN must have a code or password with the head of every institution that will serve as authentication in times of need for announcements. Student Executive Council President Ardanette Francine Pantajo said she texted CAS Dean Thelma Geraldine Baricaua at around 11 p.m. of Friday (June 24) about the latter’s decision whether or not classes would be suspended the next day. After 30 minutes, she saw on TV5’s TeleRadyo program that SBC Mendiola and Alabang were included in the list of schools that had suspended Saturday classes. Pantajo checked the ABS-CBN news website to RECTOR CRITCIZES / 2
2
NEWS
The Bedan Herald Volume 17 No. 2 June 2011
by Justine Marie Bandoja “WE ARE THE kings of the jungle,” stated one of the audio-visual presentations as SBCA-CAS welcomed the new breed of Red Lions during the Freshmen Orientation Program held June 6-7 at the Fr. Roberto De Jesus Auditorium in St. Maur Hall. The two-day event was organized by the Student Executive Council (SEC) headed by President Ardanette Francine Pantajo.
College life in SBCA On the second day, the Red Lion Pep (formerly known as Bataleon De Leon Rojo) performed traditional chants and yells as they encouraged Bedan spirit among the freshmen during their intermission number. Afterwards, the new students headed on a campus tour guided by their
CEASAR JAN ENTILA
Freshmen on Benedictine orientation On the first day of the orientation, the freshmen was introduced to the Benedictine values, SBCA’s Mission and Vision as well as the basic rules and regulations in the College. CAS Vice Dean of Student Affairs Atty. John Jacome had a talk entitled “Our Benedictine Values and Formation” in which he said we as Bedans are Lion’s P.R.I.D.E. By “P.R.I.D.E.” he meant Prayer, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, and Effort (Work), which are all associated to our Benedictine principle “Ora et Labora” or Prayer and Work. Norms of
conduct, sanctions (both major and minor offenses), and specific directives like grooming and appearance were discussed by Prefect of Student Formation Prof. Jean Ariola in her talk “Student Formation, Conduct and Discipline.” The SEC also explained “Why SBCA is the best choice in the South,” citing advantage points such as (1) convenience of location, (2) affordability of tuition, (3) more room for growth, (4) Catholic and holistic formation, and (5) conducive learning environment. After that, the freshmen were grouped according to their respective courses and went to assigned places to be oriented by their own department head and co-curricular organization officers. Fun games such as Pass the Giant Ball, Wheel of Fame, and Diversity Bingo also sprinkled the first day of the FOP which the freshmen actively participated in. The Bedanz Dance Troupe also performed in an intermission number.
SEC EVP Kenneth Albert Yrastorza attends to the active freshmen who participated in the games.
ERRATA The Bedan Herald would like to clarify the following errata published on its Volume 17 No. 1 April-May 2011 issue. •
“CAS Vice Dean Vasquez retires” on front page -When Vice Dean Jose Vasquez Jr. served as the assistant department chair of the Entrepreneurship program, the business department chair was Prof. Eunice Areola and not Prof. Jean Ariola. • “Dream big and be the change, 2011 graduates told” on page 2 -It was Ezraline Jane Castro who led the pledge of loyalty during the 2011 commencement exercises, and not Ezraline De Castro. • “SEC hosts ‘Teacher’s Tribute’ with a twist” on page 3 -Samantha Del Carmen, SEC secretary was one of the emcees for the said event, and not Beatrice Tee.
RECTOR CRITICIZES / from p1 confirm and again saw SBC Alabang in the list of schools that had suspended classes. She then decided to disseminate the information using social networking site Facebook. “At the same time, I also texted Dean Geraldine Baricaua advising her that we saw the news,” said Pantajo. The following day (Saturday), at around 7 a.m. Baricaua forwarded a text brigade to student leaders, faculty, and service personnel quoting the text of Rector-President saying “I didn’t make an announcement to suspend the classes,” adding that he gave the deans of the College and the School of Law the decision to whether suspend classes or not. Baricaua decided to have regular classes, contrary to the information given by TV5 and ABSCBN. “Dean [Baricaua] first decided to suspend classes because there has already been an announcement but she said that the weather is improving so she declared that there will be classes,” said Roque.
The freshmen on their campus tour. respective Council of Student Leaders (CSL). Back in the auditorium, the freshmen were oriented on the basic know-hows in the CAS shared by SEC P.R.O. Anna Beatris Rillo and 2nd Year Level Representative John Kendrick Peña. Officials in the Instructional Media Center, Guidance and Testing Center, Science Laboratory, Library and SBCA Museum also gave a talk to explain the services they offer. Moreover, different academic and non-academic student organizations in the College were discussed by Prefect of Student Affairs Prof. Adrianna Quioyo with the help of the AVPs prepared by the CSL. The Order of the Scarlet Thespians, the official theater group of the CAS, performed a short skit and a song number. CAS Dean Thelma Geraldine Baricaua was present during the event to recognize and welcome the freshmen with a short speech. “I am very happy that San Beda is very blessed to have these much number of freshmen. Angels brought you here,” said Baricaua. To cap the two-day FOP event, the SEC officers awarded those freshmen who won in different games and special contests they prepared. Loraine Belviz (BAP) and Federico Abad (BSBA-MM) were named “Early Birds,” while Gerard Anthony Bonaobra and Christine Del Rosario (both BACMS), Savipra Gorospe (BAP) and Jelene Guzman (BSIT) were all crowned “Mr. and Ms. Fashionista.” Gorospe also won as “Mr. Spirit.” “The orientation was fun and sobrang informative. At saka
Nevertheless, the decision resulted to few students and faculty members going to school which made Baricaua withdraw her first announcement and suspend the Saturday classes at nearly lunchtime. “Medyo magulo nung Saturday kasi naka-post na sa TV na walang pasok tapos biglang may pasok pala. Hassle pumasok tapos wala rin palang klase pagdating sa school. Maganda sana kung malinaw ang notice at hindi last minute para iwas abala,” said Albert Pereña, a senior BS Accounting student.
Standard in suspension of class In compliance with Commission on Higher Education’s (CHEd) standards in suspension of classes, the tertiary level will be automatically suspended if Storm Signal No. 3 is hoisted over the area in which the school is located. Beyond that, the discretion is up to the head of the institution. “For example, I have to assess the situation by, let’s say, listening to the radio and television. If the announcement
CEASAR JAN ENTILA
CAS welcomes new breed of Red Lions
nakakapagod din,” said a psychology freshman. For one CMS student, who asked not to be named, “the event was exciting for I have never attended an orientation like this before but it was kind of boring kasi puro talks.” According to Pantajo, the Freshmen Orientation Program was a “success” because it was the first time in years that the SEC had a very large number of attendees, and there were more freshmen who were participative in the program compared to last year. For this semester, there are 646 freshmen enrollees as of June 21 based from the CAS Records Section in the Registrar’s Office. Parents as partners of SBCA In line with the Freshmen Orientation Program, the SEC also held the Parents’ Orientation Program last June 11 at the Multipurpose Room. Pantajo said that “the SEC recognizes the parents as valuable partners of the College towards the growth of the freshmen.” They (SEC) also believe that through this orientation the parents would be able to help their children in making the right decisions as they go on their college life. There were about 200 participants during POP and according to Baricaua, this was the largest gathering of parents she has ever seen during her eight years of stay in SBCA-CAS. Prof. Rommel Miles Corro, Quioyo, Ariola and Dean Baricaua were the speakers of the said event. (With reports from Julisa Ayson and Maria Danise Ranchelle Ravago)
there said that there will be continuous rain and there will be flooding, I think it’s logical to suspend classes,” Roque explained. He added that according to news, Tropical Storm “Falcon” was then going out of the country and there were no announcements from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Association (Pagasa) that there would be a continuous pouring of rain caused by the southwest monsoon. The local city government also has the decision to announce whether or not to suspend classes in schools in their area. Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro told Roque that there is no flooding in the vicinity of Muntinlupa City so he did not announce any suspension of classes. He also added that floods were somehow alleviated due to the city ordinance on the banning of plastic. (With reports from Adrian Val Lopez and Julisa Ayson.)
The Bedan Herald Volume 17 No. 2 June 2011
Jacome pushes for class advisory program by Giovanni Miguel Alfonso Vice Dean of Student Affairs Atty. John Jacome discussed a new system which he believes can support and improve the student academic organizations in the CAS during the 2011 Leadership Conference held May 30 at Fr. Bellarmine Hall. According to Jacome, the Class Advisory Program (CAP) suggests that faculty members should take an active role in the development of the students. It is an adapted concept from San Beda College Mendiola. In the said program, each student organization will have a professor as an adviser appointed by the head of the department from which he or she belongs.
Jacome stressed that the duties of the advisers are limited to “guiding the students in their process of team building” and should not deal with any activities that concerns academics to avoid any conflict. But he said that there are still things to consider in the approval of this program because it may not be applicable to some departments. Such is the case of the Communication and Media Studies department in which Prof. Shirley Padua is both the chair and the only full-time professor. Advisers can be dismissed by cases of negligence and extortion. Under the CAP, a class president, vice-president and a treasurer will have to be elected for every block section of
the different departments of the CAS. The elected class president is automatically a level representative of his/her cocurricular organization. Meeting of all officers will be held at least once a month. As of presstime, election for class officers have already been held in the 70 block sections in the CAS. Jacome is optimistic that said program will not only train Bedans to become leaders but will also promote the “Bedan Identity” and will make the College “more active with more avenues for learning.” “I hope it [CAP] will help them think, create, innovate and formulate activities that are in consonance with the mission and vision of our school,” said Jacome.
“Angels brought you here,” said Baricaua, expressing how happy she is with the unexpected number of enrollees. The population increase in the CAS community was apparent as the St. Benedict Chapel was filled with the large number of freshmen during its first Mass of the Holy Spirit for academic year 2011-2012 on June 15. The Student Executive Council hosted the mass celebrated by Fr. Dunstan Ma. B. Candol, OSB, head of the Benedictine and Catholic Formation Office. The mass was held in honor of the Holy Spirit and as welcome to
the new breed of Red Lions. Candol reminded Bedans about the gospel of Ash Wednesday, that Bedans should possess natural goodness and values of humility and simplicity. “The values you learn will shape your life to be a better person,” said Dunstan in his Homily. Before the mass ended, he encouraged Bedans, especially the freshmen, to start the academic year right and to put their best foot forward.
CAS ENROLLMENT MARK / from p1 of the College to the price hike of commodities like fuel price, public transportation fare, toll fee, dormitory rent expense, “It is still cheaper to send your children here (SBCA),” said Vasquez. Most of the freshmen students interviewed by The Bedan Herald said that the main reasons why they chose to enroll in SBCA were the “convenience and conduciveness” of the school’s location and the degree programs it offers. Chapel filled to capacity
BISA runs year-long project to honor Rizal by Maria Danise Ranchelle Ravago THE BEDAN INTERNATIONAL Studies Association (BISA) conducted a wreathlaying ceremony on June 22 at Plaza ‘Sang Bedista (in front of St. Bede Hall) to commemorate our national hero’s 150th birthday. The ceremony intended to “relive” an important part of our history. The organization wanted to make Bedans aware of the life of our national hero. It also served as an opening for BISA’s year-long project, with Rizal as their theme. BISA president Adrian Santoalla said the event was a “success” despite some difficulties. He said they had New computers acquired FORTY NEW COMPUTER units were acquired late June by the CAS to keep pace in current technology trends. These units are to be assembled at Room 82E. According to Engr. Adrian Carlos, Information Technology Center manager, it has been a routine to upgrade one computer facility every semester. And contrary to popular belief, this acquisition is not totally geared for the next visit of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities because computer laboratories “will continue to be upgraded regardless if PAASCU is here,” Carlos said. Old computers will then be used for “non-critical operations.” With reports from Giovanni Miguel Alfonso
problems with the schedule, the venue and the materials due to lack of time because it had only been two weeks since classes started. The year-long project of BISA will continue on November 22 in which they will put up a walk-in museum featuring the life of our national hero with the theme “Dambana ng Kagitingan.” On December 15, the organization will have a forum entitled “Jose Rizal: Buhay ng Isang Bayani.” Santoalla said they would try to invite a speaker from Rizal’s bloodline to give students a better grasp of his heroic life. The last part of BISA’s project is “Tagis-Isip 2012,” a quiz bee about history which will be held on January 20 next year.
by Ralph Emerson Escoto SMOKING BAN SANCTIONS in Metro Manila will take effect July 1. The reported smoke ban by the MMDA last May 30 was implemented without sanctions but with verbal warnings to inform smokers on certain areas in Metro Manila about this ban. This time, civilians that will be caught smoking in schools, bus terminals, hospitals, recreational places and other public areas will be apprehended by this ban. In compliance with the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 and Clean Air Act of 1999, MMDA will charge P500 on firsttime violators or will do a mandatory eight-hour community service.
NEWS
3
VICE DEAN EXTENDS / from p1 (QMS), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification— that would help the College to be assured of getting into the second level in the PAASCU accreditation. “In BS Multimedia and BS Management Engineering, minimal investment will be needed,” Vasquez said. Other programs include the revision of the existing CAS Student Handbook and the adding of System Application Program (SAP) subject for the Business Administration and Information Technology courses. Moreover, the adding of “abacus online” is set for the International Studies students to be “equipped with some skills” and be “better workers or managers in the future.” Vasquez felt “humbled” and “honored” that they still considered him regardless of the fact that he should be retiring and handling his family business. “It is really the trust not for anything, not for the title, but if somebody gave you their trust it is something that you cannot refuse. I would also like to be here for the Kick Off Ceremony for the Ruby Anniversary of SBCA. I think those are the things that motivate me to accept the offer,” he added. After retirement, Vasquez plans to expand their family business currently managed by his cousins-in-law.
Number of faculty members increases
by March Anetonette Ortuoste
THE CAS HIRED new faculty members for the academic year 2011-2012, with 24 faculty members employed as part of the CAS department as of presstime. According to the Human Resource Management Office, the faculty hiring was requested by the CAS due to the increase number of enrollees in the College. Below is the list of each department’s new professors: DEPARTMENT Languages Information Technology
PROFESSOR PART TIME/ FULL TIME Arlene Faron Part time (Returnee) Maureen Gines Part time (New) Maria Susette Palao Full time (New)
Business Management & Entrepreneurship
Januario Aliwalas Ernesto Dimaculangan Ma. Elena Garcia Marcelina Imperial Allen San Luis
Part time (New) Part time (New) Part time (New) Part time (New) Part time (New)
Religious Studies and Philosophy
Diosdado Almine Jhulie Ann Beniahan Ryan Sicat
Part time (New) Part time (New) Part time (New)
International Studies
Amb. Fortunato Oblena Part time (New) Atty. Jose Arturo Tugade Part time (New)
Science
Cynthia Manlulu Clarissa Romulo
Psychology
Physical Education Accountancy and Legal Management
Communication and Media Studies
Ma. Theresa Matriano
Full time (Returnee)
Ma. Theresa Masilungan Part time (New)
John Paul Domingo Reynaldo Lucero
Part time (New) Part time (New)
Mary Grace Baldelomar Atty. Carlo Cariño Rogelio Ormillon Cherry Mae Ugot
Part time (New) Part time (New) Part time (New) Part time (New)
John Paul Carandan
Part time (Returnee)
Part time (New) Part time (New)
According to the HRMO, hiring of new professors has been extended and the total number of new faculty members have yet to be verified. With reports from Justine Marie Bandoja
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OPINION
The Bedan Herald Volume 17 No. 2 June 2011
Sporadic Spratlys spat
T
HE ISLANDS LOCATED at the South China Sea (now known in our country as the West Philippine Sea) have been in much contention for many decades now. These islands, collectively known as Spratly Islands, are being claimed in whole or in part by five other countries, including the Philippines and China. The Philippines owns a part of these islands which is named Kalayaan Island. The Spratlys Islands are a highly contested group of islands because of their rich fishing grounds and potential mineral and oil deposits. Recent events have now escalated this debacle even further. The intimidation China is imposing towards the other stakeholders in the Spratly Islands, specifically the Philippines, is increasing and becoming more imperious. When China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said “China is a big country and other countries are small countries, and that’s just a fact,” at the 17th ASEAN Regional Forum on July 2010, that might have probably been a statement they will come to regret. Although it is true that China is a big country literally and economically speaking, it is unethical for them (China) to make such statements for it might be construed as a form of intimidation towards its smaller and weaker Asian neighbors, such as the Philippines. In geopolitics, the expansiveness of a country does not always translate to a source of strength, nor does the smallness of a country necessarily consign to a state of inferiority. As a big country, China needs smaller countries like Singapore to serve as a benchmark for their country’s ambitions for greater power. On the other side of the spectrum, the United States has made it clear that they “do not take sides on sovereignty issues,” as said by Kurt Campbell, assis-
tant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific Affairs. But realistically speaking, the US will not risk its economic relations with China for the Philippines. It would be an economically unwise move for the United States if ever they did that. Ever since China had opened its doors to capitalist America, it has always proven to be an asset, even if China still considers itself to be communist. The Philippines is also an asset to the United States—an expendable asset at that. The joint military exercises the US and the Philippines will undergo at Spratlys also do not translate to their favor on our side in this territorial dispute. Perhaps it is only in the ASEAN wherein the Philippines can, to a certain extent, rely on others concerning this crucial matter. The other countries contesting for the Spratly Islands are Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. These three nations are all part of the ASEAN and therefore, they can ally themselves against the bullying tactics of the powerful China. As the saying goes, “there is strength in numbers.” The Philippines does not have the military capability to detect such incursions from foreign entities, and even if they did, they are still not able to sufficiently
The Bedan Herald
Noblesse Oblige Volume 17 No. 2
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 Julisa Ayson, Office Manager March Anetonette Ortuoste, Business Manager Christine Easter Halaba, Human Resource Manager Giovan Lorenz Arellano, Circulation Manager Sushmita Cristel Abantao, Ralph Emerson Escoto, Junior Layout Artists Tonimari Aguirre, Christian Anthony San Jose, Alicia Karen Alcantara, Junior Artists
Justine Marie Bandoja, Maria Danise Ranchelle Ravago, Sison Rodriguez Jr., Hannah Joyce Santos, Junior Writers Angela Victoria Escobal, Janessa Villamera, Research Staff
Marionne Louise Cinco, Ceasar Jan Entila, Lawrenz Matthew Guevara, 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
defend and retaliate from such military offenses. What the Philippines should do is exercise diplomacy in reaching to a consensus with its territorial neighbors in order to achieve peace, no matter how fleeting it may be. It is in this regard where Filipinos can expect to reach a stalemate with powerful coun-
tries, if not a total territorial victory. It is in these times that the Philippines should follow the example of its national hero Jose Rizal, who used the power of the pen and not violence to free the country from Spanish colonization, and moreimportantly, to defend what is truly ours.
Afterlove
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HIS TIME, JUST this time, I won’t talk about the pressing issues of our generation. Nor will I talk about the monotonous diversions of everyday life. I will talk about something simple – simple yet essential. This time, I will talk about love. What is love? According to the definition in the dictionary, love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. Love can also be defined as a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion and affection. Every human has the right to love and be loved. Love can make us do many things, great and otherwise. It can be an inspiration or a cause of depression. Love often brings us out of our comfort zone and because of this, we do things we never thought we had the courage to do. Take for example marriage; some people do it out of impulse while others carefully plan their course of union. For those who enter marriage out of impulse, more often than not, they are also the ones who impulsively want to get out of it as soon as problems arise—without thinking that these trials are just opportunities in disguise which will later on strengthen their marital relationship. Love is not that simple. Some kinds of love are not reciprocal. Some give more effort than others while others don’t recognize the tireless efforts they give to them, and sometimes love can get volatile. Some people would love too much to the point of already hurting the ones they love. Take for example bickering couples. Usually, their bickering is just petty but sometimes their words can already pierce their
hearts or worse, they can even hurt each other physically. That is when love loses all its meaning; the essence of love is lost because of all the pain. Couples, married or not, break-off to these predicaments. For married couples, breaking-off is not as simple as society would like it to be. A few months ago, the country of Malta had recently legalized divorce as an option for separation. This now leaves the Philippines as the only country in the world that prohibits divorce. What does this mean for us as a nation and as a people? Does this leave the Philippines as the last bastion of true love and morality? Or are we so far behind from the realities of marriage and love that we stubbornly refuse to change, while the rest of the world has gotten the message? Personally, I am not an expert in the legal implications of loving to the point of hurting nor do I have an undying stand towards the recently-discussed Divorce Bill. But as a man who has experienced love and heartaches, I still believe that no matter how complicated love can be, love (in its purest and most honest form) will always prevail. Love may not always go according to our visions or plans, but in one way or another, we will continue on loving as though we have never been hurt before. As long as I believe in this, the people I love in this life will understand, and if I’m lucky, they will love me as much as I love them. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never ends.” - Corinthians 13:7-8
OPINION
The Bedan Herald Volume 17 No. 2 June 2011
5
Unhappy beginnings
“
YOUR STORY MAY not have such a happy beginning, but that doesn’t make you who you are. It is the rest of your story, who you choose to be…So who are you Panda?” asked the Soothsayer, the aged goat character in “Kung Fu Panda 2” whom Po (protagonist) mistook as a male because of her long beard. Hearing these inspirational words from the lovely, witty Soothsayer (who’s also an advisor/nanny to the antagonist peacock, Lord Shen) in the scene wherein she rescued the injured Po gave me a sudden flashback of the times when I was still a fresh high school grad. As I saw my past unfold before my eyes, I realized that I was like Po who also had experienced an unhappy beginning. Not because I hadn’t grown up in the care of my biological parents, but because I didn’t have such a happy beginning as far as my college life is concerned. Summer after I marched from high school, I was feeling really awesome. I felt empowered, excited and confident of the things I learned from my high school teachers. But at the same time, college life was still a blurry sight in the horizon for me because first, I didn’t have a firm decision yet on where school to enroll in; and second, I wasn’t able to pass the course choices in the two universities I looked forward to go to: UP and UST. For the pure love of atoms, matter, energy and laboratory work I had picked BS Chemical Engineering and BS Chemistry as my first and second choices in UP. It came to me that if and when I become a chemical engineer/chemist someday, I would be able to formulate pharmaceutical/dermatological products that would be beneficial to many. I remembered also acing my Chemistry subject back in high school that all the more inspired me to pursue advanced study of matter. But sad to say, I wasn’t good enough to pass UPCAT. I thought I had another alas in the España-based university in my pursuit of that chemical dream. BS Chemical Engineering was also my first choice in UST, and then BS Accountancy for the
second. I considered taking up the latter because we have a tailoring business and would want to professionally manage its balance sheets and income statements. But unfortunately again, I didn’t pass those two courses, and instead was included in the “Academic Placement List.” Being in that list means an applicant didn’t pass the courses he/she applied for, but still has a chance to be admitted to UST with the degree programs included in the evaluation paper given him/her. Chemistry was already a shattered dream then. And since there was BS Commerce and Business Administration available for me (among Applied Physics, Math, Music, Education and others), I decided to take it up … with a plan to do well throughout the academic year so I could shift easily to Accountancy. One school year being a Thomasian, I became a dean’s lister for both semesters and was even one of the students who aced our accounting subject. Well, I did my best. But I guess my best wasn’t good enough. When I went to the AMV-College of Accountancy in UST (Commerce has a separate college), I was almost in tears to see an announcement saying shifters and transferees would no longer be accepted for the next school year. I inquired the AMV-COA office about it; it’s to accommodate the rising population of accountancy students, with freshmen as top priority. Hell, my heartfelt letter of intent was put to waste. I could have continued my Commerce studies, but since I really had this new dream of becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), I decided to transfer to another school (despite leaving my friends in UST who have really been close to me). There came San Beda College Alabang (SBCA), the school my parents recommended for me. I originally applied for BS Accountancy in SBCA. But after learning the result of my entrance test, I had this feeling that this course, for goodness’ sake, is not really meant for me. Again, I wasn’t able to get my desired course, this
time due to limited slots. Accountancy and Information Technology courses then were not available anymore—slots were already full (perhaps taking SBCA’s second to the last entrance test was a factor). Haay, bad things really come in threes. But one thing I realized by then was that I had kept on thinking afar that I turned unmindful of the things just with me at the moment. And since I could take up other courses in SBCA, I decided to take up the course that’s close to my personality and innermost yearnings— BA Communication and Media Studies. From then on, my life has been chockfull of surprises. Little did I know that I have passion for writing, that I have nice PR skills, that I am a live entertainer, that I have good artistry to edit pictures and videos, that I love journalism. All I must do is to maximize them. Now, I’m glad of what I’ve done so far in my three years as a Bedan. I’m proud to be an active member of the CMS family and an editor for the CAS’ official student paper, The Bedan Herald. Everything happens for a reason. I may not be that intelligent enough to pass major college entrance exams in the country or reach the quota set for my then-desired courses, but that doesn’t make me less of a person. Because in my own right, I can be an asset to where I am right now and hence, make my existence matter. *** Dragon warrior Po used his newfound “inner peace” to achieve a kung fu technique that eventually defeated Lord Shen, who in the end could not still let go of his awful past. Quote from Panda to Shen: You got to let go of the stuff from past–because it just doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is what you choose to be now. Finally, back in the Valley of Peace, Po (who chose not to be just a big fat panda, but the bigfat panda) hugged foster fathergoose Mr. Ping and proudly, lovingly and gratefully declared himself as the latter’s son.
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whenever we see a mistake on their part and publish it here on the school paper. I believe it is this sort of mentality that hinders our young but vibrant community from reaching greater heights. When will this sort of mentality end? Must it come to a point when the administration is totally against the studentry and vice-versa? Fortunately, the bickering between the admin and the students is negligible and I can honestly say that for the most part, the student leaders and school officials are working hand-in-hand towards an even better CAS. With that said, I would like to make one thing perfectly clear: The Bedan Herald is not one big public relations paper no matter how much others want it to be. Without hesitation, we will report anything newsworthy that Bedans should know about. Whether it’s good news such as PAASCU Accreditation and CPA passing rates, or bad news like professors leaving and student leaders resigning; we won’t sugar-coat things for the sake of projecting a perfect but false image just to please other people. As the News Editor of the publication and as a Bedan who is actually concerned about our school, it troubles me deeply whenever I encounter unfortunate news which pulls down our institution several notches from its hard-earned reputation as the best school in the Metro South. Despite this quandary, I always set aside my personal prejudices and what others may say because for the love of the
truth, we will always fulfill our noble obligation of delivering news to the Bedan community, imperfect as it may be sometimes. To a certain degree, I am thankful to the critics of our publication because at least I know that they’re actually reading our issues and not just using it to make paper airplanes and other such nonsense. No loss on our part even if apathetic Bedans toy around with our paper. After all, it’s their parent’s hard-earned money that fuels our publication. Going back to the critics of The Bedan Herald, I welcome most of your criticisms, especially if they’re constructive in nature. I know that we can never please everyone, and we don’t intend to. Our intention is applying the highest standards of campus journalism to serve as a herald of truth for the Bedan community. Perhaps the critics might even want to air their opinions as well. That is why there is the Red Pulse section for others to share their relevant thoughts to the rest of the Bedan community. This is a school paper that is operated by Bedans for Bedans and nothing will ever change that. The Bedan Herald has survived several name changes, underground publications, apathetic students, manipulative professors, incompetent school officials, and even the test of time. As long as Bedans like us continue to write what is right and right what is wrong, The Bedan Herald will always thrive.
Writing wrongs and righting wrongs
EING PART OF the official student publication is difficult. There are very few perks that come with being a student journalist. And in fact, the responsibilities often outweigh the privileges. We don’t receive special treatment from professors who still expect us to perform academicallywell as any other Bedan should. In conjunction, we have a certain grade point average to maintain in order to be retained in the publication. Aside from this, we also have article deadlines to meet every issue which only adds to the pressure of being a student. Not to mention the petty bickering that is always present in any organization. It also doesn’t help to have people who often criticize our publication for the simplest mistakes that come with every newsletter we release. And yet, one may wonder why students like us still do the things we do in spite of the responsibilities and demands. I admit our school paper isn’t perfect. But despite its imperfection, we painstakingly do our best to come up with substantial reading material every issue. We don’t take our mistakes lightly and as much as possible, we release errata for the oversights. But in retrospect, The Bedan Herald has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1995 when it was still known as The Benedictine Clarion. Oftentimes, the rationale of the critics of our publication is that they are only lambasting us the same way
A Heart’s Desire
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T THIS TIME, are you pursuing what your heart desires? If not, is there something that’s stopping you from doing it now? Life is too short for us to delay pursuing our dreams because of heavy responsibilities, tight commitments and bothering problems. A person should not be hindered from pursuing his/her dream because I believe in this one short life, the only thing we should must do is to find happiness, which can only and truly be achieved when you follow your heart’s desires. Let’s start with the course you are taking up now. Does it cover the field you would happily work for in the future? If not, then why would you want to waste four years for something you are not happy with? Is it because you’re just being practical and want to find a high-paying job with this course or because your parents say so? Let me share you this story of my cousin. She was an executive secretary to a governor and she was being paid big time. Despite that, however, she tried to resign twice; but they office wouldn’t let her because of her proven and tested abilities and skills. What she did was she skipped work for several days. When she gave a resignation letter again, they had finally let her go. Now why would she do that? I asked her that question and was surprised with her answer, “Kasi sa tingin ko, kung ibibigay ko buong buhay ko para sa trabaho na ’to dahil lang mataas ang sweldo, hindi ko makukuha mga pangarap ko.” After that I didn’t question her decision any further because her answer was much more than I expected. Now, she is currently in advertising industry which she has always loved. Now how about me? Am I pursuing what my heart desires? Let me share with you this incident one Thursday afternoon. A friend of mine asked me a random question amidst our class, “Hindi ka ba napapagod? Pagkauwi mo sa bahay magsusulat ka pa para sa [The Bedan Herald].” I answered “Siyempre, pero iba kasi kapag gusto mo ‘yung ginagawa mo.” Our previous subjects may be tiring because of the demanding tasks that require a lot of energy and time. I am also not the greatest leader, the greatest writer, the greatest student, nor the greatest time manager; and now, having a demanding position in this organization, it’s all the more tiring for me. Nevertheless, I will not be tired of doing this job, and I will not give it up because I know at the end of the day, after this paper has been released, and now that you are reading this opinion, I will be in the publications office, looking at my opinion article from time to time, with my heart smiling with happiness.
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...pero iba kasi kapag gusto mo ‘yung ginagawa mo...
Now going back to my question earlier, are you pursuing what your heart desires? Are you taking up the course that will lead you to a job of happiness? If not, you can always shift next semester. In fact, I admire the transferees and shifters out there whose reason is they don’t like their previous course. For even though they have lost a year or more of their lives with the course they don’t like, at least they have the guts to not waste their whole lives for something their hearts do not desire.
To all Bedans: Want to air your opinion? 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.
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OPINION Kick-Off Fest marks Ruby Anniversary
by Shirley Padua
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N PREPARATION FOR The celebration of San Beda College Alabang’s Ruby Anniversary in Academic Year 2012-2013, the school will launch its kick-off activities on July 11 with the theme “One Community, A Shared Destiny: Moving Ahead at Forty.” The kick-off day will start with a Eucharistic Celebration at the St. Benedict Chapel. The Mass will be followed by a ceremonial planting of the Ruby Tree at the Forest Park. Soon after, the unveiling ceremony of the Ruby Logo will be done at the Main Entrance, to be participated in by school administrators, faculty, staff, students from Primary Grade School to School of Law, alumni and guests. The raising of Ruby Flags and a message by the RectorPresident Dom Clement Ma. H. Roque, OSB, will signal the start of the year-long celebration. Activities per department will cap the kick-off day. These include the exhibits at the Museum on the historical landmarks of SBCA and the School of Law (SOL) exhibit entitled “Landscapes and Divinity.” In addition, the SOL will also hold a discussion on the true state of the Philippines. The history of the College of Arts and Sciences and a variety show will earmark the festivities. Theology booths, different academic and talent contests, and fun games will showcase the Integrated Basic Education (IBED) Department’s skills. For those interested in sports, exhibition games will be at the Sports Complex. The Ruby Anniversary Committee headed by the College Registrar Magdalena S. Regullano is now organizing activities for 2012 involving the whole community on this much awaited celebration. San Beda College Alabang, then known as Benedictine Abbey School, opened its doors to 78 preschool boys and girls on July 10, 1972. Some of the notable San Beda Alabang graduates are Senator Pia Cayetano, former Congresswoman Krisel Lagman, Governor of Palawan Abraham Mitra, entertainment celebrities Ryan Agoncillo, Rico Blanco, Jon Santos, and director Lino Cayetano.
The Bedan Herald Volume 17 No. 2 June 2011
In the Name of Love
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OVE, LOVE, LOVE—what will you do in the name of love? Love is a single word with tons of meanings. All of us experience the feeling of being loved; you may say no, I haven’t. But that is impossible, love comes from Him above that showers upon us every day; however, love may also come from our family, friends or special someone. The feeling of being loved is unexplainable and immeasurable. No words can define it or convey its thought. As Blaise Pascal said, “The heart has its reasons which reason knows not.” Now the question is, how much are you willing to give for love’s sake? I’ll give you a typical love story scenario—this will take us to the story I want to share. Two completely different individuals, bump into each other, eyes meet. Poof! Magic, love begins. In the first few months it’s as if you’re in cloud nine, sweet and oh-so-romantic. Love is in the air, and just after six months, love blows away. In a snap or a blink of an eye, everything changes. The feeling you thought was meant for a lifetime turned good only for short time. The mindset you have as worthwhile was only for pastime. What if the person whom you’re truly, madly and deeply in love with turned away, what will you do? In some cases, people completely change, some become violent; some too nice and pleasing at first and suddenly transforms into this perfect angel that is too boring; some obsessed with you that turn into a horrifying psycho who’s ready anytime to commit suicide for you. These kinds of situations happen but what is one trait they all have in common? Obviously, they are all IN-LOVE. I was greatly influenced to write this opinion while one time I was searching videos in YouTube just to be entertained. As I was about to click the next video I would watch, I was disturbed
to see a video with a face of Jocelyn Wildenstein—a woman popular for her numerous and extremely bad cosmetic surgeries. Her face though is not new to me because way back in 2nd year college my classmates reported about her in our Christian Morality subject under Prof. Osias. The report is about the morality of getting a surgery—in the said report, Jocelyn topped the countdown of the worst celebrities who have undergone cosmetic surgeries. The pictures I saw years ago was really shocking and devastating; I was a bit judgmental for saying these words, “Iyan ang mga nangyayari sa mga taong hindi nakokontento sa kung anong itsura meron sila at walang magawa sa dami ng kanilang pera.” Her face, I must say, shocked me a lot, but the story behind it might shock you a hundred times. I am not exaggerating but this is true. Jocelyn Wildenstein: the Swiss beauty that turned into a Cat lady. Jocelyn grew in a middle class family in Switzerland; she is a skilled hunter and a pilot. There, she met the love of her life, billionaire art collector Alec Wildenstein. Married life turned difficult. When her husband’s eyes began to wander after years of marriage, Jocelyn grew jealous and believed that drastic cosmetic measures were needed. Getting old and insecure about the way she looked, Jocelyn visited a renowned plastic surgeon. She wanted to revitalize her appearance in order to recapture her husband’s attention. The first few surgeries were successful, but this happy state did not last long. She learned that her husband wanted to sleep with another woman; and not knowing what to do, desperate Jocelyn formulated a plan, a plan of no turning back. Jocelyn realized that Alec loved his jungle estate, and the cats inhabited in it. Armed with this information, she
returned to her plastic surgeon with an unusual request: She wanted to be transformed into one of the giant cats that Alec loved. Though surprised at this unusual request, the surgeon did his best to comply. The first time Alec saw his new wife, it was said that he screamed at the sudden transformation of the creature that confronted him, and immediately filed divorce papers. He even said these words to the media, “She seems to think that you fix a face the same way you fix a house.” If you’d ask how much Jocelyn paid for all her cosmetic surgeries, well, she just spent a staggering $4,000,000. Jocelyn’s love for her husband is insane and unbelievable. From beauty into a beast—that is how she is described in some articles I’ve read. This is a lesson to be learned for all of us: Jocelyn underwent a lot of surgeries just to be loved again by her husband, but what happened? Husband Alec screamed to death and wanted to run. He despised her. Do you know how Jocelyn felt? Perhaps she has a lot of pains, not just that caused by the wounds she had after the surgeries, but more terribly the pain of losing a lover and the criticisms she gets from people everyday who does not know a thing. Now, I ask you, how far can your love go? Do not think of ways on how you can get loved more, instead think of ways on how you’ll grow as a better person. In the first place he/she loved you for who you are in the beginning. Take it from Bruno Mars’ lyrics that says, “When I see your face there’s not a thing I want to change because you’re amazing just the way you are.” Love yourself and do not change into someone you are not, because at any angle you look at, there is only one you. Again, this I ask you, what can you do in the Name of Love?
San Beda Advocacy
by Eufracio Ocampo
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EAR BEDANS, First of all, let me thank you for your support for our school. A lionhearted Bedan! That same passion will now be tested in a tempest, involving the school’s name, within the Pride. The time has come, that we Bedans become proactive in eliciting respect for our alma mater’s name. A 110 year-old educational institution, named after the revered English saint, St. Bede, being called “beda”, is not in good taste. It reflects the cavalier attitude that some of us have, vis-a-vis our school name. The situation has worsened. Before it was Studio 23 who used “beda” in the halftime score flashed in the first round of the San Beda-Letran game. This was repeated in the pre-game analysis in the second round game vs. the same school. A sportswriter for Manila Bulletin has also used it in her report about our championship. We are now reaping the whirlwind for allowing (by default) some of our alumni and students to blatantly corrupt the name of our school. Do we have to wait till we are better known for our bastardized name, than “San Beda”? We should not allow a scenario similar to what happened to San Sebastian College, now known as “Baste”—how pitiful!
Let’s look at some focal points: The name “San Beda” refers to our 110-year-old school and/or to St. Bede, the English saint, after whom our school was named. Hence, the standard honor and respect should be given, as a matter of protocol. The terms “Bedan” and “Bedista” refer to us alumni, students, and other lay people who are connected with the school; thus, no need for the honor title, “San” (Probably, when we reach 110 years old or when we are canonized as saints, whichever comes first, then, we can add the “San”). Regarding the Indian Yell cheer, the “beda” there does not refer to the school per se, but used as sound bytes for musical rhyme and audio impact. Furthermore, the cheer is a musical composition, (a literary work), thus, it is covered by “poetic license.” Unless, you are reciting an ode or singing a ballad to your partner in your daily conversation, it is difficult to claim that you also have poetic license to use “beda.” Traditions are formed and handed down through generations. All true Bedans have the responsibility to safeguard these traditions, since these define our lineage, heritage, even our collective identity. Let us not lose what
we have built through the years, on the pretext of convenience, being “cool”, or “in.” Let us all be torch and tradition bearers. One reason why evil succeeds in this world is because enough good men do nothing! Our advocacy needs conscious effort and vigilance by all sectors of the Bedan community. And the time for it begins now! Basketball trophies are won and lost, but can be won again. Respect for the name of our school, San Beda cannot be treated like a casual ballgame. Once it is lost, it is lost forever! Let’s rally all red-blooded Bedans with this Clarion Call. We will not lose this fight by default. Champions we are, and champions we will stay! “When we encounter trials and hardships, We shall give you honor and fame. For nothing but these, show our loyalty clear To our alma mater’s name.” Eufracio “Ofrace” Ocampo is an alumnus of San Beda College Elementary (’67) and High School (’71) in Mendiola, Manila
OPINION
The Bedan Herald Volume 17 No. 2 June 2011
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Anna and Shania
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OOK AT *ANNA passing through the hallways. Look at her smile as she waves at her friends, speaking enthusiastically at her professors. She seems happy and content with her life. She seems like any other average student from an average-earning family. Except that she’s not. Anna is a Legal Management student in San Beda College Alabang. After an extensive economic problem that forced companies to retrench its manpower, her parents are forced to retire last 2009. With Anna’s parents’ retirement money as their family’s only source of income, she might not be able to sustain her studies until graduation. Due to this, Anna applies for a scholarship grant that covers her full tuition payment. Look at *Shania passing through the hallways. Look at her confident smile at her friends. Look at her talking to a professor who happens to be one of her mother’s closest friends; Shania’s mom and her professor goes way back in college. She seems happy and content with her life. She seems like any other high class student from a well-off family. A rich student with good grades and, possibly, a BMW she drives around the student parking lot—that she is. Shania is a senior Communication and Media Studies student in San Beda College Alabang. Throughout the whole extensive economic problem that several companies suffered from, her parents remained intact with their connections in the school. They even helped support several employees who were affected by the retrenchment to get back to their feet. But Shania wants to please her parents—prove her independence or sense of responsibility perhaps—so that maintaining her grades and being a consistent Dean’s lister isn’t enough anymore. Due to this, Shania applies for a scholarship grant that will cover her full tuition payment. Both Anna and Shania are faces of Bedan students applying for a scholarship grant. One is poor and one is rich. But the question is, who should be accepted? It may seem absurd that one has to question which of the two scholarship applications will be granted. To some, it is obvious that with Anna’s economic status, she is the one deserving of a scholarship grant. But believe it or not, not only the Annas receive scholarship grants in this school. The truth is there are also Shanias—well-off students
RED LION PEP / from p12 “As long as it’s a team decision, as long as there’s no other people involved in deciding to change the name other than the Bataleon members then I won’t go against it,” said Palma, who is also a former Editor-inChief of this publication. “Sa Bataleon naman kasi we practice democracy, we vote on things and no matter what, we stick to our decisions. Huwag lang sana nila kakalimutan ang traditions namin and the things we stand for passion, honor, and respect,” Palma added.
whose education can be supported by their parents—who apply for a scholarship grant and get accepted. From a definition in Wikipedia, scholarship “is an award of financial aid for a student to further education.” It means that scholarship grants are financial aids awarded to students to help pay their education’s expenses whether it is for buying books, requirements, or paying their tuition. But it does not necessarily imply that scholarship grants are only given to those who are poor or financially disabled. In the Student Handbook and the school website, there are different scholarship grants that are being offered to the students, thus the different kinds of scholars in SBCA. One is the Entrance Scholar. He or she is an enrollee who is either valedictorian (100 percent discount) or salutatorian (50 percent discount) during their senior year in high school. Another is the Academic Scholar who automatically avails the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Scholarship Grant once he/ she ranks first (100 percent discount) or second (75 percent discount) in his/her whole year level. Varsities are called Service Scholars and given the St. Lorenzo Ruiz Scholarship Grant. Also, the seven incoming freshmen who obtain the highest score in all the subarea in the college admission test are to be given the St. Scholastica Scholarship Grant (50 percent discount). The St. Benedict Scholarship Grant is a four-year scholarship grant given to those students who come from lowincome families but has above-average academic capabilities. The Robert Coyiuto Sr. Scholarship Grant is given to those academically capable students that come from low-income families. The BEDE Scholarship is granted to permanent employees’ children. Lastly, the Student Assistants are assisted by the Work-Study Program which aims to help financially disabled students by giving them a part-time employment at school in exchange of free or discounted tuition. All in all, there are eight available scholarship grants that SBCA is offering. But among the eight, the WorkStudy Program is the most controversial due to the fact that several well-off students seem to acquire this kind of financial aid that the school is offering. In all honesty, I think these kinds of scholarship applications should be reviewed. It is repulsive to think that some of my friends are looking for parttime jobs outside of the campus because
Palma started the BDLR with two other heads of the squad as a revival of a Pep squad. The three thought of establishing a co-ed pep squad and band that could start the promotion of the Bedan Identity, pride and honor. Palma did not go against the decision of the squad’s present captain and the whole team, leaving them words that they should never abandon the tradition of the early BDLR and they should take care of each other. Macandili hopes that the new name will remain in the long run.
according to the Admissions, Scholarship & Placement Office (ASPO) there are not enough slots, students from highincome families are actually receiving the kind of financial assistance that they do not need. I am not blabbering about this issue just because I can see Anna’s personification in some of my friends and neither am I discriminating anyone especially those well-off students. It is kind of obvious why anyone should not agree that Shania’s application will be accepted instead of Anna’s. As stated above, scholarships are awards of financial aids. And these financial aids are not given to those who have enough money in the bank not only to pay for a child’s tuition but, probably, even enroll a dozen more students. Those who are poor and cannot support their education are the ones worthy of the said financial aids. Between Anna and Shania, who are both studying very well and are therefore at equal footing, Anna needs the financial aid more than Shania does. Say, both Anna and Shania obtains average grades, I just cannot understand why the school would want to help Shania instead of Anna when it is very clear that the latter is far more deserving of the scholarship grant in terms of economic status. And when it comes down to it, isn’t it that the economic status is the real basis of whether you will be admitted into the Work-Study Program? So why should the school favor Shania’s application over Anna’s? Is it because of connections? Is it because of the loopholes when it comes to investigating whether an applicant is really poor or not? Is it because more and more Bedan students are looking outside the campus for a part-time job instead of applying for a scholarship grant inside the school? I don’t know. I don’t have the statistics. I don’t know how the Scholarship committee operates. But I know that there are Annas who are losing hope of ever getting that financial aid that will help them get through college. All I know is that there are Shanias roaming around comfortably with extra money on their pockets. I don’t even know how long that has been going on. All I know is that it is unfair. Unfair to those who really deserves the scholarship grant and unfair to those well-of students who is actually stealing slots from deserving students consciously or unconsciously. I am not asking for trouble when I wrote this. I am asking for justice.
So to those Student Assistants from high-income families, I hope I convinced you to be the bigger person and give up your desires in way of other financially unfortunate Bedans’ needs. I don’t know why you applied for financial aid – may it be to prove your worth, to get extra money, or to make your parents proud. No matter what it is, it is not a need greater than not being able to finish your studies because of lack of financial support. Think about the Annas in SBCA. You might not be aware but they may be your seatmate right now. Helping them is the most honest and brave thing you can do right now. And to the Scholarship Committee, I hope that my scholarship would not be taken away from me because I pointed out this mistake. And yes, this is a mistake, for scholarship grants should not be misplaced and given to the unworthy, a.k.a. those with impressive economic standing. Someone more powerful than you put you in that position because he/she believes that you are capable of choosing the right recipients of the different scholarship grants. We trust your judgments to be unbiased of friendships, familial ties, and any other relationship outside your work, and hope that this serves as an eye-opener to the happenings around your department that some of you may not even be aware of. And to the Annas out there, keep persevering and study hard and, by God’s will, your efforts will pay off. Maybe if I lose my scholarship after this, one of you might replace me and take my slot. I am kidding. But just know that if the worst of the worsts happen, I am very happy to fulfill my noble obligation. But before you judge me, remember that I never accused anyone, used any foul words or based my argument from irrational and unstable facts. Personal experiences do count as references. Before you judge me, strip away all unbiased thoughts and think. If Anna and Shania are struggling to keep their GPAs on an average; if both of them are motivated to apply for a scholarship, Anna is poor and Shania is rich, all the while both thinks their motives about applying are correct. If you are sitting in that powerful chair, one that can strip or gift one the privilege to study, what would you do? Would you also choose Shania over Anna? Because if you do, then YOU ARE stripping someone of the privilege to education. Then judge me. *not their actual names.
NCAA - SOUTH / from p12 the Red Lions in Mendiola in several exhibition matches to pick up momentum as they head to the different leagues this year. Although they have already trained for weeks way back in summer, Rose Ann Moreno said that the women’s volleyball team is still working to reach the level of confidence that is needed to win. “We are training very hard and we are really looking forward to this season,” said the third year varsity player. The women’s volleyball team
remained its entire roster from the previous year with Nicole Paulene Dela Cruz now on her third term as team captain. In the Men’s division, Gabriel Domingo is still the squad’s captain. SBCA will also host the first outdoor volleyball tournament in this year’s NCAA-South Season. The tournament will be a regular sporting event after it ended its three-year demo last season.
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FEATURES
The Bedan Herald Volume 17 No. 2 June 2011
Personality Sketch:
Percy Togonon and WinWyn Marquez by March Anetonette Ortusote and Hannah Joyce Santos
T
P Percy Togonon and his way to stardom
photos courtesy of PERCY TOG
ONON
“Entering showbizness never crossed my mind, but I thought that it just might be the one I’ve been looking for,” he nodded eagerly with a smile. Everything was so normal until there came a sudden twist in his life. Percy Marie Constantine Togonon, commonly called as “Percy” by his friends, first never had any plan of going into show business. Percy was just like any other regular teenager. But it was in his first
year as a BS Marketing Management student at SBCA when he was offered a deal to enter the world of showbiz. Sitting around the lobby of Resort’s World Manila, he was approached by Lito Napolitano, director of “Mutya ng Pilipinas,” who offered him such an opportunity to get his first steps in showbiz. “He helped me get into the business, got me a contract with VIVA entertainment and he said he would make me into something,” Percy recalled the director’s words to him. He hesitated at first because he thought that it might only be a distraction in his studies. But with his interest in showbiz and his family’s encouragement, Percy eventually accepted the offer, and Napolitano became one of his managers. Percy first showed up in the “75 Years of P&G” TV ad, followed by a small role in Mara Clara wherein he portrayed the cheater on the elections. He also appeared in “Sabel” as a bully and also in a “Your Song” episode with Kim Chui and Jake Cuenca wherein he played the role of Jake’s Friend. One of Percy’s latest projects is portraying the role of Mac, one of the bullies in “Bagets” aired every Sunday 4:30 p.m. at TV5. Percy often breathes life to the role of a bad guy, mainly because of his looks and his aura. But in real life, he is a cheerful and friendly man who always has simple jokes to say. With that sudden shift of environment, Percy decided to go with the flow and shifted to the course related to his career: BA Communication and Media Studies. “I made up my mind to shift since it is related to my work and
www.google.com
HEY ARE BEDANS we see walking in the corridors or we stand beside with in cafeteria lane, but they are also talented Bedans we see portraying different roles in local TV shows. May it be for the role of a bully or a prima donna, these two rising stars of showbiz do every job with passion, dedication and more importantly, value for Benedictine principle of “Ora et Labora” or Prayer and Work. They make SBCA proud and they prove how versatile and talented Bedans are.
it could help me enhance my abilities in acting and speaking fluently,” Percy shared. While beginning to make a name in show business, Percy still remains a good-natured and wellmannered man he is known. He is still a sports enthusiast especially in soccer and basketball, and still loves to play guitar and piano.
W WINWYN MARQUEZ: The Promising Young Actress
Aside from being a daughter of celebrity parents, Teresita Ssen Marquez or “Winwyn” is also known to be a good friend, a persevering athlete, a great dancer, a hardworking student and now, one of today’s promising young actresses of our generation. WinWyn started as a guest performer in GMA network’s Sunday noontime show, “Party Pilipinas.” She was asked to perform a dance number and eventually became a main-stay there. She said that it was her choice to enter the industry and not of her wellknown parents, Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno. One of WinWyn’s major stints in local TV today is being part of GMA-
7’s afternoon drama series “Blusang Itim.” She is playing the role of Cleo, the main antagonist of the story. She said portraying the role isn’t that easy because it’s her first time to act. One unforgettable experience in “Blusang Itim” for WinWyn was when she had a violent scene with Jackie Lou Blanco wherein she pushed the well-known actress and delivered harsh lines. “Acting with a veteran [actress] was really nerve-wracking,” she said. Being the daughter of two-well known celebrities, WinWyn can’t avoid to be compared to her parents. When asked regarding her thoughts about that matter, she said that it makes her “more motivated” in making her acting skills a lot better and in fact she’s trying to make her own name through her role in “Blusang Itim,” since her parents never played the role of a villain. Education is WinWyn’s main priority. She sees to it that her showbiz life is not a hindrance to her studies. Whenever there’s a conflict between her schedule in school and tapings, she always chooses her studies. According to her, it is not easy to do everything at the same time, but “If you really love what you’re doing, you can surpass any challenge and gaano pa kahirap yan, kahit student ka pa, kahit daughter ka, kahit na sa showbiz ka, at the same time, kaya mong i-manage lahat.” WinWyn believes that if you aspire to be an actor or an actress, as much as possible, you must finish your studies first. Because there is no permanent job in show business—the spotlight cannot be focused on you forever.
GREAT DAY FORECAST EVER FELT BEING lonely, down, depressed, sluggish and/or sleepy during rainy season? Or ever felt being bouncy and blissful during summertime? Don’t worry guys, these don’t mean that you are lazy for school, and just wanted to have summer all your life. It just happened that our mood can be affected by different weather conditions like temperature, sunlight, air pressure and precipitation commonly called as mood-weather link. According to series of studies, people usually experience negative moods such as being tired, upset,
by Sabrina Jila Santos irritable, sleepy and lax when it is rainy. On the other hand, people are more prone to being in high spirits when the weather is warm, especially on outdoors because of vitamin D from sunlight. Such moods are being active, attentive and happy. However, as the saying goes “too much of anything is bad.” Thus, too much exposure to sunlight is bad. Not only that heat makes you feel irritable and upset, the humidity can also make you more vulnerable to have negative moods, such as sleepiness that lowers your mind concentration.
In addition, a research team at Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany said in a study published in their Emotions journal on October 2008 that weather conditions all have an effect only on negative moods but none on the positive moods. Now that most studies prove that weather does affect our mood, another study was said that if serious, it may lead to SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is described by depression which occurs only every winter or fall. This depression is also associated with too much eating, sleeping and weight
gain which is also more prone to women than to men. So you girls might want avoid the attitude of sleeping after eating especially when it is cold. Though there are a lot of studies describing those different temperatures are associated with human’s mood states, what’s important is that you know yourself enough to control your mood when you know that certain elements are already affecting it. So go out in a sunny day, don’t eat and sleep especially when the weather is cold. And lastly, practice moderation, for “too much of anything is bad.”
FEATURES
The Bedan Herald Volume 17 No. 2 June 2011
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by Sison Rodriguez Jr.
IN COMMEMORATION OF the 150th birth anniversary of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, various activities were held on June 19 at his hometown, Calamba City, Laguna. Themed “Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan,” the celebration was graced by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III along with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), local officials and more than a hundred relatives of Rizal.
Rizal E-tablet launched The celebration started with a flag ceremony at the Rizal ancestral home compound. A f t e r wa rd s , Aquino led the
“Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.” -Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (June 19, 1861 December 30, 1896)
wreath-laying ceremony at the foot of Rizal’s bronze sculpture. Prior to the inauguration, the president accepted five commemorative items for the sesquicentennial of Jose Rizal—a certificate of restoration of the “Noli Me Tangere” by German ambassador to the Philippines ChristianLudwig Weber-Lortsch; a book on the Lineage, Life and Labors of Jose Rizal by Tulay Foundation chairman Manuel Chua; a Rizal at 150 Commemorative Medal from Central Bank Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr.; a Rizal at 150 Commemorative Stamp from Postmaster General Antonio De Guzman; and an “Rizal E-Tablet” from Laguna Governor Joseph Ejercito. In an interview with The Bedan Herald, 2nd District Board Member Neil Andrew Nocon said that the “Rizal E-Tablet,” a 7-inch touchscreen device, is a tool to enhance education (especially in public schools) that will replace use of textbooks. It was launched by Governor Ejercito as a contribution to Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary celebration and to make the national hero an icon for the modern youth. The E-Tablet contains the biography of Rizal that can be added with other books or stories created by our national hero. 1,500 units of tablet computer devices will be distributed initially to the students of Laguna College in July. Symbolic float Parade and Side Rally Literature is one of Rizal’s expertises. He wrote various literary pieces that have concealed meaning which readers have to discern deeply. In line of the commemoration, floats depicting Rizal’s symbolic literary pieces, short stories and biography paraded in and around Calamba City. T h e
parade was opened by Civillian or the Philippine National Police band along with Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Navy (PN), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) and PNPA brass band. Parade participants wore their Filipino costumes as they walked from Barangay Parian to Calamba City Plaza. The floats seemed to be the colorful pages of Rizal’s mind and life. Several groups and activists held a protest against Aquino administration during the commemoration rights of Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary. GABRIELA-Southern Tagalog or Anakpawis believes that the country needs “social change.” Their small sheet of blue paper speaks loudly about their main grumbles: Social injustices, weekly oil price increase and underpaid employees. They also voiced out the “Labor Export Policy” or producing numerous Overseas Filipino Workers as an obstruction to “create and offer employment in our country.” Long live the awakening “Mamamatay akong di man nakita ang maningning na pagbubukangliwayway sa aking Inang bayan! Kayong makakikita, batiin ninyo siya—at huwag kakalimutan ang mga nalugmok sa dilim ng gabi,” stated by Elias, character from Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere. There’s no doubt that Filipinos already found the sunrise, the sunrise that represented brand new opportunities, opened up another chance for change and awakened those who thrive during the day. Indeed, in every challenge, Filipinos must think of Filipinos’ sake. And as we walk through our lives, straight path should follow. The Rizal 150th birth anniversary inspires every Filipino to strive hard for the love and honor of our country.
SISON RODRIGUEZ JR.
22 Languages, 15 administrations Statues are built to honor a historical event or life of an influential person. Also, several statues are projected as an open art, exhibited in public areas for the edification of passers-by. This year, on Rizal’s 150th birthday, a 22-foot tall bronze Rizal statue with 15 steps base was inaugurated and unveiled by President Aquino himself. The 22-foot Rizal statue represents the 22 languages that Rizal mastered. On the other hand, the 15 steps to reach the foot of the statue signify Aquino as the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines. Sculptor Jonas Roces designed and executed the new monument of Rizal. The original plan was to build a 16foot tall monument. However, Calamba Mayor Joaquin Chipeco heard about the 18-foot tall Rizal’s sculpture in Nueva Ecija, making him decide to amplify the height into 22 feet. This made the new monument the tallest statue of Rizal in the world that is located in a newly obtained 6.9-hectare government property in front of Calamba City Hall Complex (on Real-Bacnotan Road in Barangay Real).
The Bedan Herald
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Volume 17 No. 2 June 2011
Crimes triggered by
by Anne Lora Santos
RECENTLY, THE NEWS is bombarded with cases regarding crimes connected with social networking sites particularly Facebook. Cases such as stealing, stabbing, rape, pornography and murder are some of those reported by victims who met their assailants through the said popular social networking site. Facebook and all sorts of social media have no difference from an open book; both are ready to educate everyone (about current status, personal information, etc.). The only thing missing is a banner saying, “NO PRIVACY HERE.” In a survey shown, one out of four users of social networking sites unwittingly leave themselves open to crime by revealing personal details. There are over 85 social networking sites that are used by people all over the world. Truly, cyberspace is for connecting people—meeting a long lost buddy or simply making new ones—but it is also considered as a playground of shameless criminals who would deceive people in many ways unimaginable.
s e t i s g n i k r o w social net
or status, right? But this serves as a good initial sign for internet-predators to get the work done. According to an insurance company in the U.S., these careless messages give a serious risk to the security of people’s home and its contents. In America, cases like these happen; they may seem unusual in the Philippines but we never know when these situations might occur. Ricky Rivero, an ABS-CBN director and member of “That’s Entertainment,” was stabbed close to death by a friend he met through Facebook five months before the said incident. Another is a woman who was robbed inside her apartment and killed. These are some of the cases reported in the news these past few days. But cyber danger can emerge from physical to emotional. In Missouri, a teenage girl named Megan commited suicide because she was a victim of a prank that involved her classmate’s mother, who heard that Megan was spreading gossips about her daughter. In revenge, she set up a fake MySpace account and disguised to be a guy who sends nasty and hurtful messages to her like she is “fat” and “slut.” Aside from that, child pornography, murder, hijacking, hackings, scams, sex assaults, cyber bullying and black mailing are some cases reported worldwide.
Is your profile a perfect invite for crime? Based on a survey, 71 percent of Facebook and Twitter users post their holidays, weekend getaways and even their every day plans online. A good example would be, “Just left home with my family ready to go to Palawan for a vacation getaway!” What is wrong with this message? Seems like a normal tweet
Assailant has eyes for teenagers Since most of the users of the social networking sites are the youth, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is alarmed by the widespread of criminals
using social media to harm people, especially teenagers. The PNP cautioned parents to keep an eye for their children. According to a statement issued by the PNP, there is a growing incidence of sex crimes in the country facilitated by the popularity of Facebook and other social networking sites. These internet predators or “abusive maniacs” target teenager through the use of social media. These deceitful men get a young girl’s trust by using sugarcoated words; and when a girl falls into the trap, crime begins.
Tips in saving lives from jeopardy It is not bad to make new friends, but it is much better if we secure ourselves at the same time. Here are some preventive measures one must do to stray criminals: 1. Set your data settings to PRIVATE. 2. PROTECT your picture albums; people might just use your photos in some illegal doings. Adjust your privacy settings or put watermark on your photos. 3. AVOID chatting with people you don’t know. But if you can’t help it, just take a stranger’s words with a grain of salt. 4. Be discreet with what you write
in your personal information. 5. When you already feel comfortable with your “newfound friend,” never forget to INVESTIGATE and find more details about that person. 6. Lastly, if you set a date to meet, NEVER go out alone, bring a companion.
No one, but us Social networking sites have no exact way of protecting our accounts and us. It should start from us to protect ourselves, to be discreet, because the criminals are just lurking around cyberspace. We should always remember that crimes begin in social networking sites once the victim gives his/her “TRUST.” Social Networking sites are a part of our lives, we may not experience threat or danger now but no one knows what is bound to happen. Criminals, virtual or actual, wear an angelic face and a perfect personality; you just have to be extra careful. Enjoy social networking sites equipped with this information. I believe this will serve as enlightenment for us all.
DID YOU KNOW THAT PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARE KNOWN AS HAPPY PEOPLE? IT IS NOT because of their booming business economy, their smooth-sailing lifestyle, nor their rich culture; but because of their weather condition. Having said that humans are
by Marco Angelo Cabrera
that sunlight boosts your levels of serotonin (a chemical produced naturally in your brain that affects the way a person feels) by providing it with vitamin D.
A WiFi that works
MANY BEDANS IN the CAS may not know it yet, but if one were to check their Certificate of Registration form, there is a substantial amount of P550 in the miscellaneous fees allocated for the Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) usage in St. Bede Hall. That’s right, for P550 a semester, Bedans enrolled in the CAS are entitled to unlimited use of the WiFi in and around the college building.
MAVERHICK ACE NACIONAL
happier, livelier and more attentive when in warm places, thus, the 72-degrees Fahrenheit temperature of Southern California is best for humans. Especially when outdoors, research has proven
Early development The improved WiFi system in the CAS was started five academic years ago in 2006-2007 as a thesis project by a group of Information Technology students about “Mobile Classroom Implementation for SBCA.” This concept was then implemented by the Information Technology Center (ITC) as part of SBCA’s preparation for the PAASCU Accreditation and also as a nod
to the changing times. Last academic year, 2010-2011, the CAS started charging the students a WiFi fee as a means of maintaining and enhancing the wireless service. Aside from the fee, Bedans were also given a username and password for the personal accounts they paid for. The username is basically the student’s ID number while the password is provided for by the ITC where they can go to claim their passwords.
Salient features SBCA is compliant to the 802.11b/g which is a WiFi connectivity standard. The wonderful thing about the WiFi system in SBCA is that all that is required of Bedans to connect to the Internet is their username and password using any WiFi-capable gadget; which is unlike WiFi systems in other schools wherein students have to register their specific WiFi-capable device in order to go online. In these other schools, the registration is usually limited to one WiFi-capable device per student and worse, they are only limited to several hour’s worth of online connectivity every semester.
The WiFi system in SBCA also has the basic features such as a good fire-wall system, content-blocking on pornography and obscene websites, and a relatively strong coverage in and around the CAS.
Several hotspots The WiFi service in the CAS has several hotspots located in and around St. Bede Hall. Each floor has designated access points in order to accommodate all incoming connections from the student’s networking devices such as laptops, cellphones, and other electronic devices. There are also hotspots located at the gazebos fronting the CAS parking lot and at the college cafeteria. Contrary to popular belief, the WiFi fee for the CAS has not increased. The P550 in this academic year’s WiFi fee is just a combination of the Communication fee of P550 and WiFi fee of P350 from last year. “Internet is not just for entertainment purposes. There is more of it, especially learning.” said Engr. Adrian Carlos of the ITC. Indeed, WiFi is an indispensable tool for students, and Bedans are no exception.
Plaza
The Bedan Herald
ang mga kwento ni
Rawr! Heto na muli ang inyong paboritong ka-kwentuhan, ka-balitaan at ka-chika-han, ang kyut na kyut na si Chobenito ng Plaza ‘Sang Bedista! Kumusta naman ang unang buwan n’yo for this academic year, mga ka-Bedista? Masaya ba? Sa mga freshmen, magkakakilala na ba kayo ng mga blockmates niyo? Marami na ba kayong natutunan sa inyong mga professors? Samu’t saring mga issues
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‘SANG BEDISTA
Volume 17 No. 2 June 2011
ang naganap noong June na nagpadagdag kulay sa ating buhayestudyante. Bukod sa traffic sa AlabangZapote Road, matindi ang naranasan ng ilan sa atin noong kasagsagan ng bagyong Falcon. Hindi n a m a n nakataas ang Signal #3 sa M e t r o Manila, pero binaha ang ilang mga siyudad. Ondoy-much? Buti hindi. Dahil hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin handa ang ‘Pinas para sa isang bagyong kasing-tindi ni Ondoy. Pasalamat na lang tayo at bawal na ang plastic dito sa Muntinlupa; nabawasan na ng isa ang mga sanhi ng pagbaha. Kaya Mayor Aldrin, saludo kami sa’yo! Ngunit noong June 24 Biyernes, napakalakas ng ulan at hangin. Inaasahan mong may magte-text sa’yo
Chobenito
sa awa ng Diyos na suspended na ang klase sa CAS, ngunit hindi—tuloy pa rin ang klase. Kaya naman ang masipag na si Chobenito ay pumasok pa rin sa klasrum. Actually, hindi na nga kami nagklase eh, kasi mismong ‘yung professor namin ang wala. Stranded? Tss. Ang mga estudyante, hindi rin ba stranded? Tapos dumating itong announcement ng 12:30 p.m. ng same day, suspended na ang klase. Bakit kaya kailangan pang hintayin na magpulong sa school ang mga estudyante (kasama ang kanilang mga basang payong at medyas) bago mag-announce ng suspension of classes? Tapos iiwanang gulat at dismayado ang mga students na hindi makauwi agad dahil sobrang lakas pa rin ng ulan? Sana lang po ay hindi na maulit ang pangyayaring ito. Sana next time ay aga-agahan ng CAS ang pag-announce ng suspended classes, para hindi na aksaya sa pamasahe, sa uniporme, sa oras, sa effort, at iba pa. Maibang isyu naman tayo— tungkol sa fashion. Yes, ang fashion natin tuwing wash days. Nakalagay sa Student Handbook ang rules ng school about civilian clothes. I must say, mas matindi na ang mga guards ngayon sa pag-enforce ng proper uniform at civilian clothes. Hindi nila pinapapasok ang mga students na di sumusunod sa patakaran (minsan nga ramdam ko na parang alien ako sa sarili kong school e). Kaya maging aware na may “No Entry”
policy on inappropriate uniforms, tulad ng cycling pants, short shorts, haltertops, micro miniskirts, sandos sleeveless shirts, tube, plunging neckline blouses, pants with holes, sandals and slippers. So tuwing wash days, pwede ang below-the-knees shorts sa boys, tama ba? Saka hinanaing ng isang friend ko, bakit kailangang naka-heels ang girls eh ang haba-haba ng nilalakad ng mga estudyante from main gate to college building? Wala rin namang elevators, ‘di ba? Nauubusan tuloy si ate nurse ng band-aids sa clinic. Pahabol, bawal ang leggings sa babae pero pwede ang jeggings, ‘di ba? Pakilinawan naman please ang patakaran. *** Sa aking ikinuwento sa inyo last issue, mali pala ako sa letrang D. Ang sabi ko ay “brother” ang ibig sabihin ng “Dom.” Hindi pala. Ang tamang ibig sabihin nun ay “lord.” Salamat rin po pala sa aking mga followers sa Twitter! Dumarami na po kayo at sana ay makapag-kwentuhan naman tayo tungkol sa inyong buhay dito sa San Beda College Alabang. Rawr!
his execution, which have been read in Spanish before the opening.
SBAM curator Joseph Renta believes that Rizal’s ideas and values are relevant to the present time and that through this exhibit viewers would be able to recall our national hero’s legacy. “Rizal’s ideas and works apply not just for Filipinos but to everybody as well,” he said. “As Filipinos ourselves, we are very proud that he [Rizal] came from us and we must be reminded that we can also become like him,” he added. Rizal’s life is truly an inspiration to us, he may be born several decades ago but that doesn’t mean that it is impossible for us to be like him. We can be our own heroes, take it from his words, “Ang Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.” A joint presentation of the SBAM and the Office of the Rector, the exhibit will run until July 31 located in the museum in St. Benedict Hall.
Kung meron man kayong gustong ibahagi na kwento, katanungan o argumentosa akin at sa ating mga kapwa Bedista, i-wall post lamang ito sa aking FB (Chobenito), i-mention sa tweet @ chobenito, o i-email sa chobenito.tbh@gmail.com. Maramingsalamatpo! PAX!
LoloJose Jose at 150 Lolo at 150
SBAM presents: FOR SOME, DR. Jose Rizal is merely a national hero, but what others don’t know is that he is a visionary, who fought the war only with a very powerful weapon – pen. We learned about his life especially during our history classes. For a society called Rizalistas, he is a god. Others know him as a doctor, a poet and an author who brought Ibarra and Maria Clara to life. A century and a half after his death, we can simply relate to him like he is our grandfather who will tirelessly tell stories and experiences to us and impart values and morals he learned from his life’s experiences. Last June 17, San Beda Alabang Museum (SBAM) premiered the opening of the exhibit “Lolo Jose at 150” two days ahead his birthday anniversary. As a humble tribute to Rizal for all of his heroism, the exhibit celebrates the life and teachings of “Pepe” which he could
have been telling himself even to the present generation. The exhibit features replicas of facsimiles of Rizal’s literary and art works, some of which were requested from the National Historical Commission (NHC) and from the National Archives. A little family background of Pepe is shown in the gallery, with pictures of his parents and siblings including Paciano. Rizal’s earliest art works like the sketch of “Gahinlalaki, which is a translation of Hans Christian Andersen’s story, and his comics called “Ang Pagong at ang Matsing” are also available for viewing. The exhibit also displays replicas of his two most well-known novels Noli Me Tangere (1886) and El Filibusterismo (1891), his Juvenile Diary: Memorias de un Estudiante and the Mi Ultimo Adios (The Last Farewell), the poem he had written on the eve of
ENTERTAINMENT
Illustration by: Christian Anthony San Jose
TONIMARI AGUIRRE
by Giovanni Miguel Alfonso
The Bedan Herald The Bedan Herald
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Volume 17 No. 2 June 2011
Stepping up to the plate
CEASAR JAN ENTILA
C
BDLR changes name to Red Lion Pep by March Anetonette Ortuoste AFTER MUCH CONSIDERATION, San Beda College Alabang’s official pep squad has finally reached a decision to change its identity–bringing back its old name. Red Lion Pep Squad (RLP), the original name of the PEP since its foundation have now replaced the 7-year old name BDLR last June 17. The remaining shall give the squad a chance to redeem themselves and pave the way for improvements to erase the reputation of the squad that lacks members and other problems. RLP promises better performances this year.
The whole team thought of the idea of renaming the squad over the summer and most recently before the freshmen orientation. Dance coach and SBCA alumnus Lyndon Aaron Villanueva supported the decision by giving the name Red Lion PEP, the founding name of the squad before it later became the Bataleon de Leon Rojo. “Red Lion PEP is much simple and direct, just the sound of it imposes a pep squad image that fits for our fresh start,” Macandili said. According to the team’s co-captian Anna Gizelle Caoile, “changing BDLR’s name to RLP stands for the next level of school spirit that
the squad gained through all efforts and determination.” The squad however pointed out that the change has no connection in the preparations with the upcoming National Collegiate Athletic Association-South. A suggestion to name the squad to Alabang Red Lions was also been brought up but Macandili have finally made the decision to rename the squad to Red Lion PEP after being given the go signal from the Red Lion PEP founder Ian John Palma, a BACMS alumnus. RED LION PEP / 7
Spikers gears up for NCAASouth by Giovanni Miguel Alfonso
THE RED LIONS volleyball team is now locked and loaded for yet another battle for gold in the upcoming 13th season of NCAA-South scheduled to take place this August. The varsity squad is determined to end their championship drought and is hoping to protect home court as SBCA will serve as host for the said sports fest. “Our training is completely different compared to last year,” said Jonas Christian Viray. “There was a lot of improvements and we just got more prepared.” Viray, who once played with a sprained foot during the outdoor volleyball tourney last year, also shared that the team is backed up by a handful of reserves that they think, can help them be more successful this year. “The team is looking very sharp and [we] became much closer and united,” added third year netter Justin Domingo. The volleyball team has participated in sports events over the summer as part of their preparations. In fact, they also have played with and against NCAA-SOUTH / 7
ONSIDER IT AS a hypothetical question, if you were promoted to a position higher than what you are in right now, what will your reaction be? Will you think of it as a gift rather than a token of appreciation for all of your hard work? Will you accept it immediately or will you re-evaluate your ability and worth that is required for that particular job? I had that kind of reaction myself. The first time I learned I was going to be the Sports Editor, questions popped up in my mind. I didn’t quite understand why but it took several days before it got full circle into me, and so I thought, “really”? This is already The Bedan Herald’s second issue but I’m still in the ‘transition’ stage of being an editor and believe me it’s not a walk in the park. An editor’s job is to supervise and make sure that all the publications’ works are, if not perfect, virtually free from any technical errors. You are to write multiple articles, do research, find and interview people and then finally edit them a hundred times. Not to mention the deadlines and the criticisms you have to take in every release of the publication. So why did I become an editor if it can do me nothing but stress? I will tell the answer in the later part. I am probably the least popular editor in this volume but it’s perfectly fine with me. I became more driven to perform well and make a name for myself. Although I admit that I don’t have the full expertise about all the sports there are, I’m pretty confident that I can get the job done. I worked hard for this opportunity because I know I can contribute more to the publication not because of the title itself, but for the chance to do things I’m not quite sure I have previously thought about doing. I suppose they (the former bosses of this publication) saw the potential in me. I’m very much pleased to what I’ve been given so far but I am aware that it will not always be about the good times. In reality, being appointed to a position, may it be as the class muse or as the school president, only shows that you are deserving of it because you are trustworthy. You have proven already that you can handle the responsibilities assigned to you before and so it’s just fitting that you are to be given a lift one step higher on the ladder of success. To end, I just want to share a little of my realization that one has not been promoted or been put in-charge because he is good, but simply because he can be better and accomplish greater things. You are being given the opportunity to do something good with it and the only thing left to do is to what is expected from you. In the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln, “you cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”