The Collegiate Headlight Tabloid 2017 | Vol 41 | No. 5

1

SUBJECT OPENING

NO MORE

THE COLLEGIATE

HEADLIGHT VOLUME 41 | NUMBER 5 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017

“P

Yano in Lab

uli-puli lang mo og gamit sa equipment kay kulang ang gamit sa stockroom.”

PAGE 3

Org Student Service: Tangibility Check

N

ow, as the second semester is about to end, what services these organizations can still offer to the studentry?

PAGE 4

S

No-Show Porno

uch sites were blocked because of their sensual videos exposing children’s involvement in sexual intercourse.

PAGE 6

THE COLLEGIATE HEADLIGHT

2 EDITORIAL

Unpleasant Surprise U

nder the Scholastic Delinquency provisions of the revised student handbook of 2016, a student will be dismissed from a college or academic unit if he or she fails 50 up to 75% of the total number of units enrolled.

The colleges, may they have the same specifics on the retention policy or not, proper information should have been disseminated first rather than an abrupt policy execution.

The retention policy would serve a good purpose only if the colleges and students do their part.

Its provisions should be maintained suitable and effective to ensure that undergraduate students are making satisfactory progress towards a degree, certificate, or other approved program of study.

However, students saw drawbacks in the implementation and information dissemination of the University’s retention policy earlier this semester.

A number of engineering majors felt dismayed and shocked at the surprise execution of the policy.

One of the faculty members from the College of Engineering said that the policy has always been existing but was not properly implemented.

The ones who were most affected were irregular students.

They could no longer catch up to the target graduation date they desire.

There is a need of consistency in putting the said policy into effect.

Every aspect of it should be done as to the due process stipulated in the handbook.

The memorandum on ‘No Subject Opening’ pushed them to either shift to another course or transfer to another school.

A student from the College of Arts and Sciences also experienced the same fate but with a different circumstance. He was unable to enroll this semester for exceeding the maximum number of units of dropped subjects. He was already being monitored back then by the college but it was too late for him to

know that he could no longer stay in the University.

The studentry deserves to be well-informed about the retention policy since it is implemented to set quality standards in education.

As stated in the same student handbook, “Students have the right to be informed of the Rules and Regulations of the University.”

To date, the latest edition of the handbook is not yet distributed to students in print.

Also, students are expected to abide such stringent policy rest assured it does not cross the line of their rights.

The retention policy is not just there to increase the probability of graduates who would pass and top licensure examinations. More than that, it is a policy that should not affect, in one way or another, a student’s positive attitude towards learning.

Official Student Publication of the University of Southeastern Philippines – Obrero

Editorial Board and Staff Academic Year 2016-2017 Editor-in-Chief: Managing Editors:

News Editor: Feature Editor: Literary Editors: Layout Editor:

Paul Christian Y. Eyas Maryan R. Te Maria Cristina Kasandra T. Galagala Alren John D. Dabon Patrick M. Ariate Robert Roy Immanuel S. Bat-og Cherry Mae O. Suan John D. Valle

Technical/Financial Adviser:

Prof. Angelo E. Jadraque

Circulation Manager:

Jay Ann D. Alcoriza Senior Staff Writer:

Marcy Mae V. Santillan Senior Photojournalist:

Rhona Mae J. Rodriguez

Staff Writers:

Ferlyn J. Cabalida Prince Jay D. Esdrelon Sean Arcent A. Marapao Gloyd Mesibas Cartoonist:

Kimberly F. Sumodlayon

Photojournalists:

Early Rose A. Javines Claudette Pammela B. Onita Layout Artist:

Kent Charles Cutamora Writers Pool:

Rasheena D. Amanon Abner John P. Jayme

Member:

College Editors Guild of the Philippines | School Press Advisers Movement, Inc. | USeP - Campus Press Guild

THE COLLEGIATE HEADLIGHT

FEATURE 3

Subject Opening NO MORE

by Ferlyn J. Cabalida and Sean Arcent A. Marapao

W

ith the goal to produce world class and quality graduates and to develop student competence and responsibilities, the College of Engineering (CE), under the new administration, firmly implemented the memorandum of “No Subject Opening”.

In an engineering course having a 5-year curriculum, the more subjects delayed, the longer it takes a student to graduate on time. According to the latest revised student handbook, seven years and one semester is the maximum residency allowed for students to finish a degree program.

Despite the negative responses toward the issue, there are students who understood and accepted the policy. Jimmy Vale, a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student viewed the memorandum as a motivation to excel academically.

This memo prohibits undergraduate students to open special classes on subjects they failed during the first semester. Students are advised instead to wait on the proper semester, which the subjects are offered regularly.

Carolaine Ang, a second-year Electronics and Communication Engineering student gave her opinion saying, “In a way, okay man siya na policy kay mas strict and taas ang standard sa school but since na implement siya na wala mi kabalo, murag pinakalit lang ba. Maayo unta if sa sugod pa lang, giignan na mi daan.”

“We’re really aiming not just to pass but to be part of the top in the class. Dili lang aim ang mu-graduate, dapat makapasar jud. Kini timailhan sa performance sa USeP, ang mga students,” Vale said.

Ang also added that there were cases where some teachers do not attend class sessions regularly. This situation leaves students to study on their own. Unaware of the teachers’ way of giving activities, quizzes, or examinations, students tend to fail subjects they enrolled.

On the other hand, CE Dean Dr. Angel V. De Vera, explained that the “No Subject Opening” memorandum had been implemented long before his term, but the former administration was not able to properly materialize the policy.

De Vera hopes, by means of taking this in effect, students will pass the subjects they enrolled on proper time and that their academic performances will improve as well. He said, “There are some nga mag dota-dota ug mag malling lang, imbes magtinarong og study. Ang uban nagsalig kay tungod ma retake pa nila ang nabagsakan nga subjects dayon.”

Yano in Lyb

by Prince Jay D. Esdrelon

“P

uli-puli lang mo og gamit sa equipment kay kulang ang gamit sa stockroom.”

While the University is envisioning to produce worldclass graduates, laboratories become barriers in the teaching-learning process. The ideal facilities are those wellventilated and can provide the students in the class with a complete set of apparatuses.

One can foretell the incapability of the institution’s laboratories to provide complete and modern equipment needed for a given task or in a particular experiment of the students. The laboratories in the university are meant to accommodate a maximum of 40 students per room per class and are not conducive when it exceeds that number.

“Learning process of the students is seriously compromised beyond their carrying capacity,” said Dr. Hilario Wong, Jr., Associate Dean of College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). He added that he is not exactly satisfied with the current set-up and it is good that the administrators are planning for preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment, which is long overdue.

Every student is vulnerable to harm, especially in inappropriate setting. Yet, students who are taking laboratory subjects such as Chemistry and Biology are forced to take it either in a classroom or in the field.

“Kulang-kulang ang equipment, ang uban guba-guba, ang sulod kay igang, baho, guba ang mga bangko, pero kinahanglan gyud mag-adjust kay diri man ta nagskwela.

Mao man jud ni ang kinabuhi sa USePian,” [The equipment is incomplete, others are damaged, inside is humid and stinky, and the chairs are damaged, but we have to adjust because we’re studying here. This is the life of a USePian] said Sheila Mae Dolera, a second year student of College of Engineering.

Interestingly, the university supposedly has budget allocation for the maintenance of the laboratories in different colleges of the university. Even though, most of the equipment are still functioning, they are badly need at least annual cleaning and maintenance to prolong their lifespan.

THE COLLEGIATE HEADLIGHT

“Many laboratory equipment need cleaning and calibration. Many microscopes, for example, have defective high power objective. Many prepared slides are broken and are left not replaced. On my part as a teacher, I borrow the slides for my class so that I can personally check their proper use by the students. As an Associate Dean, I help supervise the operation of the laboratories making every effort (although with much difficulty in the absence of a permanent laboratory manager) to ensure that the laboratory rules are implemented and followed,” Dr. Wong said.

There are even situations when students need to be resourceful. For instance, when the required apparatuses in the manual do not coincide to the availability of apparatuses in the stockroom, the teacher decides to skip or change the experiment.

Dr. Wong recently had a talk with Architect Ericson Europa, Physical Development Division Director of the University. Ar. Europa informed him that he was just waiting for Ma’am Lourdes Generalao’s signature, before starting the construction of the CAS science laboratory building.

There is a sufficiency of equipment but there must be maintaining, checking, and upgrading. The university needs to look into not only laboratory equipment but also the laboratory facilities. The current effort of the administration to allocate budget for preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment is a targeted measure to address the predicament.

Dr. Wong further added that he was hoping for realization of the implementation of the ‘preventive maintenance’ scheme.

With the goal to produce competent graduates, USeP is steadfast in the renovations of facilities to nurture students with rigorous knowledge. Behind the feat that the university has, are the stifled realities of every laboratory.

Aside from that, the college is lacking of faculty members to hold and supervise special classes, De Vera added.

However, the university student handbook states that undergraduates are allowed to open subjects they failed even those which are no longer part of the regular offering of a particular semester. This is possible through the initiative of students to file a request for special class, recommendation from the College Dean, and approval by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Bittersweet CALENDAR SHIFT

by Jay Ann D. Alcoriza and Marcy Mae V. Santillan

“C

hange for the worse,” is not something you tell someone.Yet it is possible that there would be bad effects of a sudden change. In USeP, change matters a lot since it is in the university’s vision that the institution shall be “responsive and adaptive to fast-changing environments.” Also, it responds to the need of the university to be inline with global universities for exchange students and others. It is in the students’ nature to be resilient to changes, but are the USePians flexible enough to cope with the change of the academic calendar?

not have the same calendar with the schools we were assigned to. At first, it was tiring to deal with but as time passed by, I became used to the changes that are happening because of the said calendar shift,” Clarifel Calacat, a second year BSEd Mathematics student said.

Classes were moved to August 16, 2016 when the USeP Board of Regents approved the calendar shift and issued an administrative order of compliance to all USeP campuses. The sudden change of the academic calendar resulted to both good and bad effects especially to the students.

However, for other students, the calendar shift is an advantage.

According to Dizza Marie E. Lusarito, a BS Math student, it is favorable for her because she can have a vacation together with her friends from UP since they have the same schedule.

In an interview, a USePian who asked to remain anonymous stated, “It is better if the start of classes were not moved to August because we have a difficult time adjusting to a new schedule. Numerous holidays and school activities also affect the classes that enable us to extend the school days.”

“As an Education student, [calendar shift] affected us especially on our Field Studies. We are cramming to finish our Field Studies (FS) during the 2nd semester because we do

“From three down to two examinations per semester, it is more difficult to recover the grades whenever you fail one exam,” Lymar Kaye R. Gamutin, a second year BS Biology student said.

“It is an advantage in a sense that during the On-the-job trainings (OJT) we have few competitors unlike last year, we have simultaneous OJT schedule with other schools which falls on the months of April and May.” Lovely Grace Pinara, a third year BS CT student stated.

Adaptation is much expected from students and tother residents of USeP community. Whether they like it or not, students have no choice but to disregard their criticisms on the effects of the new academic calendar. They have to continue their lives as how they

4 FEATURE

Patients’ Patience

Enrollment Blues and Rants

by Marcy Mae V. Santillan

U

SePians during enrollment are either patient or patients; they patiently wait for their turn to get enrolled or they little by little become patients who are so sick of the process which leads to an action of asking medication. The medication they can only get when they voice out their pain or by complaining. Through their complaints, the administration will know which part of the process needs improvement and so, they will work on it and offer better service on the next enrollment.

The university enrollment process is not new to USePians aside from the fact that it was moved to January due to the academic calendar shift. It started last January 7 for graduate studies and January 9 for undergraduate programs. Last January 13, 2017, the administration released an advisory of waiving penalty for late enrollment due to technical issues in the enrollment system.

The lines of students for bookkeeper, scholarship, and cashier reached the CT building from the university’s social hall where

the enrollment and payment processes took place. Complaints like time-consuming lines, prioritization, interposing of students in lines of classmates or friends, and many others arose during the enrollment days.

“They give priority numbers yet it makes no sense since they serve first those students who brought a parent with them,” Floremae O. Aquino, a third year BSEd English student who experienced this unfair service when she lined up in the bookkeeper, said in an interview.

Also, some students did not follow the scheduled enrollment date for their year level because of circumstances like unposted grades.

It resulted to a heavy traffic on enrollment since numerous students return on the following day because they were not able to enroll before the cut-off time. “Students must follow the scheduled enrollment date for each year level,” said another USePian who asked to remain anonymous.

STUDENT SAFETY DEFICIE N

by Robert Roy Immanuel S. Bat-og

“I

s it safe here?” is a question begging to be answered in the university campus. With guard posts stationed at each of the campus’ entrances, it goes to show that there are indeed measures in place against external threats, but what about those inside the campus itself?

As a university, USeP prides itself in having high standards in service quality. Yet, it seems that student safety is where the bar drops somewhat low.

Safety inside the campus is a student’s right. In fact, it is stipulated within the 2016 edition of the student handbook that students have “the right to receive reasonable protection inside the school premises”, yet even at first glance, this is not true for many places inside the campus where hazards stick out like a sore thumb.

Exposed wiring, wet floors, broken chairs, and other dangers litter the campus buildings like a plague. Even now, these hazards can be spotted in many areas in the university, particularly where students regularly spend their time, such as classrooms.

“To be honest, it is dangerous to have wires outside of outlets, leading some people to be afraid of plugging in electronics,” said Jeson Guibone, 4th year Mining Engineering student.

“Some students are even afraid of looselysecured electric fans might fall on their heads while in class,” he added.

A prime example of this is the College of Engineering (CE) building. Several rooms have already been renovated including several labs and the faculty office, yet the classrooms continue to suffer from safety hazards, may cause harm to the students that regularly occupy them.

Even recently, CE implemented a measure on chair arrangement, fastening them together in columns to maintain their arrangement. This measure, in turn, ended up being a tripping

hazard, with several students unwittingly bumping their legs on the long lines of metal fusing the chairs together.

C

“ A s to a hazardan instructor

students, you are entitled free environment,” said from the college.

Y

S t u d e n t safety is also a responsibility; one that has not been carried out properly.

Despite the administration’s drive to renovate existing infrastructure, these problems continue to go unnoticed or, in some cases, solved by poor control measures such as taping live wires or even simply placing a label that basically says “Danger!”.

Considering how simple the solutions to these problems are, it is somewhat alarming that they continue to exist. It does not take much to replace an outlet cover or remove live wires when it is the students that are at risk.

It sets a dangerous precedent to be complacent about the presence of these safety risks, yet this is what has already happened.

Students go about their day without realizing the dangers present in their environment, accepting their presence as a given due to how long they have been there in the first place.

One could argue that there had been no major safety incidents recently in the campus, but as the adage goes “Prevention is better than cure.” It is idiotic to wait for an incident to happen before acting about it. It should not take a student getting hurt to remove a live wire or change window glass.

It is said that the school is a student’s second home. Yet, if the university were a hypothetical household, the children would be quickly moved to foster care. In the end, this begs another question; “Is this the way things are supposed to be?”

“We gave priority numbers to the students but some of them leave the line and then returned after several hours. In this case, we did not accommodate them since it is unjust for those who patiently waited. So, they had to fall in line again or return the next day when they reached the cut off time,” said Scholarship Assistant Ms. Melani B. Fanuncio. She was assigned in the scholarship renewal during the enrollment. “Only senior citizens, PWD, and pregnant women must be prioritized,” she added.

In an interview with the OSS Director Ms. Tamsi Jasmin Gervacio, she stated that one of the factors that gave difficulties to students is the slow transmission of information, which has something to do with the system in the USeP portal. They observed that the students have to return to their college and to the university social hall repeatedly. It is because students were not allowed to enroll due to uncleared accountabilities reflected on the portal, although some students were actually cleared.

She suggested that students who experienced these instances may go to the Office of Student Services (OSS) so that they can voice out their concerns.

There are 7,428 students enrolled in this campus for this semester according to the data from the registrar’s office. All of these students experienced the test of patience during the enrollment period. Some of them felt relief after successfully enrolling. On the other hand, some complained.

Complaints may not sound good like feeling fever but these are calls for medication or for betterment of things, which needs improvement.

Through this, there will be possibilities of not experiencing the same enrolment struggles again and the administration will surely provide better services.

ORG STUDENT SERVICE:

Tangibility Check

by Maria Cristina Kasandra T. Galagala and Ferlyn J. Cabalida USeP Palaro, acquaintance parties, and other related events in the university, conducted by student organizations, aim to extend studentservice and promote students’ rights. The Obrero Campus Student Council (OCSC) and Campus Club Organization (CCO), as two of the vital organizations existing in the university, have been active in holding these types of activity since the beginning of the first semester. Now, as the second semester is about to end, what services these organizations can still offer to the studentry?

For the second semester, OCSC plans to conduct a year-end student forum and developmental programs for LGBT and Women’s Month, establish field lights and #USeP scenery, and improve the election process by purchasing automated machines for the incoming election.

“Despite sa mga panghitabo, mga drastic changes nga naa sa university… as much as we could, gi-try jud namo nga ma-hatag kung unsa ‘tong ginahulat sa mga estudyante,” OCSC President, Ariel Aranjuez, said in an interview.

Aranjuez added that he and his fellow officers are trying their best to materialize the platforms they assured the students way back campaign period. These platforms are mainly concerned on the academic excellence and social relevance.

According to Aranjuez, OCSC accomplished 75-percent of their platforms. Some of these platforms include the dialog between Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao and the OCSC President Aranjuez, confirming that Dr. Generalao was open for possibilities about the tuition rollback. USeP is also acquiring the pattern to adopt Magna Carta. Lastly, the allotment of bigger budget for top performing graduates in the university was already approved.

In line with financial transparency, OCSC admitted the loss of around PHP 19,000 fund collection during the enrollment of the second semester. For clarification of the issue, OCSC has already submitted an incident report declaring the fund loss. The current update of the report is still ongoing.

However, with the unfinished platforms left for them, OCSC will continue to pursue their purpose in serving the studentry throughout the remaining months of this semester.

Under the OCSC is the CCO that manages the entirety of student organizations inside the university. According to CCO President, Mr. Jay Tolon, the organizations are doing well in their tasks.

On the first semester, the CCO conducted several meetings and highlighted action plans with organization heads regarding the new process of renewal of documents and recognition of organizations. Two of their main events were the CCO First General Assembly and the Organization Fiesta 2016 with several activities participated by students.

Their plans for the second semester focus on general assemblies to follow-up their Second and Third General Assembly, and Awards Night.

Students, on the other hand, stated their perspectives toward how these organizations manage different events and offer student-service.

Liza*, a third year student from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), shared her experiences regarding the organizations’ performance on particular events. Like her, some students think that most of the organizations are only active on selected events. “Sa intrams, kato ra mga time nako nakita nga nag effort sila,” Liza* explained.

As for Phoebe Bautista, a third year TLE student from the College of Education (CEd), stated that the USeP Palaro is just a proof of the organizations’ hard work and resiliency. She added that the student body improves at their own best. Students expect more student-centered projects or activities to be conducted before the semester ends.

Nevertheless, students are looking forward for quality services and a clean government. Students want not only to know the plans, but instead, to experience more tangible and beneficial projects within the term of the organizations. *Not his or her true name.

THE COLLEGIATE HEADLIGHT

FEATURE 5

Free Education: Limited Edition

by Cherry Mae O. Suan

As the news broke out about free tuition for

State Universities and Colleges (SUC’s) starting the first semester in AY 2017-2018, it has gained positive responses from the masses.

“This is a victory for the youth movement which has long fought for the right to education.

This is great news for the nation’s youth and their families, especially the poor and marginalized,” Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago said.

This is not the first time that the government proposed to cover the tuition of the undergraduates in SUC’s. It had already been deliberated in the year 2015 wherein the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said that the free-tuition policy would only cause massive departure of students from private higher education institutions (HEIs) to SUCs. Private HEIs during the time has been dealing with a crisis because of the impact of K-12 transition.

As announced by Senator Loren Legarda, the government has allocated an additional P8.3 billion to CHED under the proposed national budget of 2017. Originally, the budget was meant for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the development projects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). During the Senate deliberations, the said amount was intended to be spent in covering the

tuition of the undergraduates, the first time duly implemented under the new administration.

Just recently, Senate Bill 1304 or the Free Higher Education for All Act which aims to provide full tuition subsidy for students in SUCs was approved.

The implementing rules and regulations of the policy will include the condition of entitlement of free-tuition. The ones who can avail are the undergraduate students currently enrolled in SUCs or those who will still enroll as long as they have not attained any bachelor’s degree in any HEI and have completed the requirements for school admission. History of any dishonorable discharge from any HEI other than financial related matters will also be excluded.

With this as the first step towards achieving the first year of free education, will there be enough budget to sustain the next couple of years?

Kapayapaan: Sa Tom Jones na Panahon MATATAMO PA BA?

by Alren John D. Dabon

nina Rasheena D. Amanon, Abner John P. Jayme, at Gloyd Mesibas

“I

have done all that I could, but I have had enough…I tried everything…I walked the extra mile, released their leaders so they could go to Oslo to talk. Now, they want 400-plus prisoners who fought the government. I’ll just order the Philippine contingent (to the peace talks) to fold up their tents and come home,” pahayag ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte tungkol sa nakanselang “peace talks” pagkatapos niyang dalawin ang libingan ng kanyang mga magulang.

“Tusong sinamantala ng Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) ang tigil putukan ng CPP-NPA para sakupin ang ‘di bababa sa 500 ka baryo sa mga teritoryo ng demokratikong gobyernong bayan. Sukdulang tuwirang salakayin nila ang unit ng NPA sa Makilala, North Cotabato noong Enero 21 kahit na tinapos namin ang unilateral na deklarasyon ng tigil putukan,” tugon ni Ka Oris, Spokesperson ng NDFP-Mindanao Chapter.

Agosto 2016, nang pinapunta sa Oslo Norway ang labing-isang pinuno mula sa Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA), at National Democratic Front-Philippines (NDFP) upang pag-usapan at pagkasunduan ang hinahangad na kapayapaan sa Pilipinas.

Dagdag ni Ka Oris patuloy pa ring susuportahan ng CPP-NPA ang negosasyong pangkayapaan ng GRP-NDFP. Maibabalik lamang ang negosasyon kapag may makatwirang dahilan upang maibalik ulit ito.

Dahil sa inilunsad pa ang usapang pangkapayapaan, ipinatupad ang pansamantalang tigil putukan. Inasahang naging sinsero at interesado ang NPA kaugnay dito.

Ngunit, sa naganap na ingkwentro sa pagitan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at NPA kung saan nasawi ang isang kasamahan sa puwersang militar at sugatan ang apat na rebelde, ikinadismaya ito ni Duterte, dahi nilabag ng kumunistang grupo ang nasabing kasunduan.

Agad namang winakasan ng administrasyon ang unilateral ceasefire at idineklara ang all-out war kontra sa CPP-NPA. Ang Communist Party naman ay nagpasyang tapusin ang unilateral na deklarasyon at tuluyang maiwalang bisa ang tigil putukan.

THE COLLEGIATE HEADLIGHT

Sa nauna nang desisyon ng pangulo, magpapatuloy ang giyera laban sa militar at ng mga rebelde sa iilang lugar na pinupugaran ng mga ito. Muli na namang dadanak ang dugo ng kapwa kristiyano at muslim na pawang mga pilipino, kabilang na riyan ang mga inosenting sibilyan na naninirahan doon. Ang kapayapaang pinapanday pa lamang ay nasira sa hindi pagkakasundo ng magkatungali, at ang matagal ng inaasam na katahimikan at kaayusan ay muli na naman papangarapin, pangarap na walang kasiguraduhan kung kailan o may pag-asa pa bang matamo ito ng mga Pilipino.

Impormasyon mula sa: www.cnnphilippines.com

U

nsa imong mapalit sa singkwenta pesos?

Adunay usa nga musingit ug ingon, “Huwat.

Wala pa ko kabalo kung asa mukaon. Uhmm, bisag asa?”

Ang usa maka-ingon “Combo meal dira sa Franzdiz. Katong duha kaputahe nga karne ug gulay ug duha ka-rice. Tapos Coke sakto, okay kaayo! Naa pa koy kambyo singko, oh di ba?”

Maka-ingon pud ang usa, “Eh, kulang pa for me yan eh. There’s like 10 pesos na kulang for me to buy Hotta Rice na may pork steak. I should make busog to myself. Bibili pa ako ng 22oz na Gulp. 50 pesos is not enough.”

Dili malikayan sa usa ka tao na gutomon tungod sa kahago sa eskwelahan ug sa kakapoy magsige og paminaw sa istorya sa magtutudlo.

Pagkutoy sa tiyan sa usa ka USePian, pag oras na sa pagpaniudto, dira na mag-hunahuna kung unsa ang kaonon. Ang USeP kay gipalibutan og nagkalain-laing mga tindahan. Naa tanan gikan sa palitanan og ginanggang hangtod sa sosyal na pagkaon sa fast-food chains.

Ang problema sa usa ka-USePian o magbarkada, “Asa man ta mangaon?” Kining pangutanaha maoy hinungdan sa away kay grabeng debate ang mahitabo. Labaw pa sa nagsulbad og problema sa Calculus. Ang lalis, di mabangbang.

Mao kini ang usahay nga madungog sa mga yano: “Bay, mao ra baya ni akong budget. Dira ra ta sa chicken skin oh para barato ra. Lami pa gyud.”

“Bes, I should make dali. Kaya doon lang tayo sa 7/11. My prof is early worm baya.”

“Babe, dira ra ta sa isawan. Sa atong relasyon, bahalag isaw basta walay mosawsaw.”

“Ah! Di nata mangaon oy. Water treatment lang sa ta ron. Tuo man ka ana.”

“Sorry, part. Naglung-ag man gud ko sa boarding house. Mamalit ra kog sud-an.”

Pipila lang kini sa mga istoryang madunggan dapit sa gate 2.

Si Camille Sybel Adtoon, usa ka estudyante nga nagtarong og eskwela sa College of Engineering, niingon na makagasto siya ug saisinta pesos sa pagpamalit ug hotdog, coke, ug ice cream. Miingon pud siya nga kung sa karenderya siya mokaon, di molapas iyang magasto og singkwenta pesos. “Sa karenderya, although rare lang mag-change og menu, kay murag mas makaingon ka na dili ka magsakit dayon kay ang food sa 7/11, naay mas daghan preservatives and all,” ingon pa niya. “Pero bugnaw lang jud sa 7/11.” Ang giingon ni Camille nagpamatuod nga naay bentaha ug naa puy lugi ang matag-usa ka establisyimento.

Para sa matag indibidwal, nagkalahi-lahi ilahang gusto. Kung gusto ang usa ka tao nga bugnaw ug komportable ang ilahang kan-anan ug mas dali ang serbisyo, mokaon sila sa 7/11. Kung ang usa ka tao gusto og himsog nga pagkaon nga walay halo nga mga preserbatibo og kung gusto nila makapili sila ug lamiang putahe, dira sila sa mga karenderya. Naa puy mga tao na mokaon lang sa ilahang matagbalay para makatigom. Sa katapusan, dili makabuot ang usa ka-tao sa unsay gusto sa laing tao. Hinaot na wala nay tao nga moingon, “Bisag asa”.

6 FEATURE

Walking Along the Fine Lines

by Jay Ann D. Alcoriza

H

aste makes waste.

Jaywalkers have conquered the roads, looking for easy ways to cross not minding the rules they broke. This has been the trend until Ordinance No. 778 or the Anti-Jaywalking Law was enforced in Davao City last December.

The white lines on the road are not just ornaments on the hot asphalt but are made for pedestrians crossing roads so that they can be seen by vehicles as they cross. In an article written by Charlie Denison, in Boston, people tend to jaywalk because pedestrian lanes are partly inconvenient for it takes a long walk before reaching their destination. In a nutshell, jaywalking is a lot faster than looking for the nearest pedestrian lane or overpasses.

People are also possessed by the jaywalking syndrome. They tend to wait for someone to cross the street first and see if they follow the rules or not.

An incident happened in 2014 where a pedestrian was caught on a CCTV getting hit by a car while jaywalking. Atty. Robby Consunji, a columnist said that in this instances the blame is not only on the defendant especially if he drives on due care but also on the jaywalker victim.

In the early 1990’s, the city government of Cagayan de Oro City conducted the “Operation Hapsay Dalan” which aims to clear the roads and highways from vendors and jaywalkers to avoid traffic congestion and road accidents. Last December, the Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) brought back the Anti-Jaywalking ordinance where more than 200 pedestrians was caught on the first day.

In an interview of a student who asked to remain anonymous, she was caught jaywalking along San Pedro street. She was just approached by the traffic enforcer as soon as she crosses the street. After she was caught, they were brought to holding areas and were given lectures.

In psychology, when you give the hardest task to a lazy man, he will find a way to make it easier. Jaywalking maybe faster but it all adds up to laziness. Pedestrian lanes are made to cross the street safely and are meant to be walked on amidst the traffic. Even without the existence of the ordinance, people should discipline themselves to follow the rules without hesitation.

But in the long run, the safer way, the better.

It is much safer to use the pedestrian lanes to avoid accidents on the road and after all, haste makes waste.

NO-SHOW PORNO

by Alren John D. Dabon

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his website has been ordered blocked under authority of the Philippine government pursuant to Republic Act 9775 or the anti-child pornography law.”

Keying in pornographic sites such as Xvideos, Pornhub, and Redtube in some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) results in redirection to a certain page which states that the site has been blocked by the government. [Such sites were blocked because of their sensual videos exposing children’s involvement in sexual intercourse.]

Computers and other devices faced abused refresh buttons and irritated site visitors since the blocking took effect last January 14, 2017.

As part of the National Telecommunication Commission’s (NTC) advocacy against child pornography, NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios confirmed the directive given to internet service providers to remove access from porn sites according to an article of CNN Philippines.

Venze, a USePian who requested to remain incognito, gave a positive reaction to the ban of pornography. “Para sa akoa, okay ra kayo ang porn ban bisag gatan-aw ko og porn.

Dili man siya makatabang sa atoang country. Mas maka palala nuon siya sa atoang country. Daghan man gud tao maka-commit ug rape because of porn. Tungod sa na adik sila mao ng gusto nila buhaton in actual. So, mas maayo jud kung wala nay porn sites,” he said in an interview.

Venze’s reaction to the issue suggests that porn influences viewers in a bad way. However, in an article “Does Pornography Cause Rape” by an American therapist and author Dr. Marty Klein, different countries like USA, Germany, Denmark, and more recorded a decrease in rape cases as porn availability rose up.

On the other hand, Alias Jawad and Dwight, who are both USeP students, shared their sentiments and sided with the opposing side of the ban saying that the cut of availability of porn sites will result in sexual desperation leading to rape. Jawad and Dwight’s colleague, Tim, shared the same view, saying “Dili man kita tanan naga tan-aw ug porn but looking sa pornhub’s statistics sa users, mostly mga Filipino.

Kung tanggalon ang porn, it’s like gitanggal pud ang porn industry which is dapat dili nila buhaton.” Tim also added that the government cannot even block Filipino porn sites and questioned why block known porn sites. “Pataka pud sila og impose na child pornography and stuff, kabalo ba jud sila sa sulod sa Pornhub, Xvideos, and etc.?”

The blanket ban on these sites does not assure complete removal of access. Technology and people have a way of going around prohibitions and achieve their desired wants.

Furthermore, the ban compromises freedom, resulting in a major uproar from the sites’ Filipino visitors and the cut on their sexual needs.

People have rooted for education to be effective in educating youth in terms of using illegal drugs, committing crimes, and explaining how things should work. The need for sex education rises as the ban might not pull through its purpose. As some still have access to these kind of sites, sex education strikes the problem in its roots resulting in the discipline of the people.

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FEATURE 7

Challenge, Change, Cohesion IYF World Camp 2017

by Paul Christian Y. Eyas

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he International Youth Fellowship (IYF) conducted its biggest event at the USePObrero last February 8-12 – the World Camp 2017 with the theme, “The Ship of Change.”

The World Culture Camp or simply World Camp is an event “where youths learn the IYF mind that will enable them to overcome the barriers of language and culture in order to communicate with one another and come together.”

During the event, different activities took place. There were cultural performances, musical, and dance numbers from Rio Montaña, Gracias Preparatory School and Righteous Stars. Mind lectures, Scavenger Hunt, Academy and Culture, and Christmas Cantata Play were also attented by the students.

“Gusto kong magtanim sa inyo ng tuwa, kaligayahan at pag-asa,” IYF founder Ock Soo Park said during the opening ceremony. He also emphasized the IYF Mind Education, being the main driving force of all the IYF activities.

“Malaking pasalamat ko sa IYF sa kanilang nabahaging panayam na nakakabagbagdamdamin, hindi lang sa akin, pati na rin sa lahat,” said Ronnel Pancito, 1st year Civil Engineering student.

On the other hand, IYF Media Relations Coordinator Cho Sung Hyuk said in an interview that the event’s aim is to raise global awareness and educate students on proper mindset as future leaders of the world.

Ma’am Lourdes C. Generalao with all support to the event also conveyed her opening message, “You are so blessed to witness the IYF…” She was the one who invited the IYF to conduct the event in USeP because she, herself experienced the World Camp and she also wanted the USePians to experience the event.

Chiero A. Ugpo, 1st year Civil Engineering student also attested that the performances were fun yet the mind lecture made her bored.

Through the initiative of IYF, a global youth organization based on Christianity which trains the youth on becoming a leader with broad minds, and wholesome values, the occasion happened.

Over 3,500 participants attended and most of that came were from USeP, Korea, China, Thailand, and the youth from different city barangays.

Meanwhile, for volunteer Czequinna Dainty, 2nd year Geology student said, “Being in IYF is not just an amazing but also a worthwhile experience.

I never thought that an org would make such an impact in my life.” She also added that IYF helped her to see the brighter side of life by inspiring her to share herself and her heart to others for the common good.

It was like USeP had met the world when IYF brought its World Camp to campus. Indeed the event had been a place for recreation and learning and with high hopes, the people who attended had been affected by the event’s purpose.

FILMMAKERS IN THE MAKING

by Gloyd Mesibas

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hat exactly is a filmmaker?

A typical person in a university would probably answer “someone who creates films or movies” or “someone that directs the making of movies.” However, more than that, they translate otherworldly imagination to a series of motion pictures with different angles and dimensions that create effects to the audience.

There are some USePians within the campus who were motivated to create short films, pushing them to compete in the national level after garnering awards during the last USeP intramurals.

Joshua Ymmanuel Getigan a 2nd-year BSEd Biological Science major who directed the award-winning film “I Lived”, believes that being a good filmmaker is being a good storyteller.

The film was inspired from the song “I Lived” by One Republic and was originally composed to

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raise awareness for cystic fibrosis.

“The goal of a film is to impart story with audio and visuals. If you cannot impart a story, you cannot make a film. You cannot also be a good storyteller without a good team that can help you to create a story,” Getigan said.

Back in his high school days, he wrote dozens of short stories and novels, yet no one appreciated them. However, even then, he had his experience on filming having won 12 major awards once in a short film competition held at his school. Later, he realized that a combination of his writing hobby and filmmaking would hook the hearts of the viewers. His short film “I Lived” won 3rd place in the last intramurals.

Another filming aspirant is Ann Key Langga, a 3rd-year BS Entrepreneurship student, who was awarded Best Director for her short film “Ya Pasa Comigo” said that in making film, it

requires a big effort particularly if it is not your field.

“You have to sacrifice your time, money, and sleep. But if you really want to do it, it is worth a try. Just manage your time wisely and maximize whatever resources that are available.

Try to do it with a team that you are comfortable with or with someone who has the same passion like you,” Langga added.

One more person who was behind an inspiring short film “LASO” is Donna Claire Malacad, 4th-year evening student of AB Literature.

As for her, “I love writing especially poems and short stories and it is not mainly because the idea of how it majestically transforms a single letter into words and a bunch of words into one beautiful story.”

Malacad is the writer of short film

“LASO” which placed second during the last intramurals. She shared that if she were to write her life as a USePian, she would have her title “Chasing Colors” for it tells a story of a girl who eventually achieves her goal as a student and as an individual.

These people are needed in the film industry especially these days that the Filipino Cinema lacks great filmmakers and cinematographers.

It is a proof that USePians have more to call as intelligent and skillful students in the university.

They are living proofs that despite the oasis of struggle between their lives and academics, there are those who have hidden skills that are yet to be showcased.

8 LARAWANG BUHAY

LARAWANG BUHAY Kuha nina: Early Rose A. Javines, Claudette Pammela B. Onita, at Rhona Mae J. Rodriguez

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LARAWANG BUHAY 9

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10 NEWS

Athletes bag 8 SCUAA olympic medals

by Sean Arcent A. Marapao

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ight athletes from the university prevailed in the National Olympics of the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) as they bagged four golds, two silvers, and two bronzes representing Davao Region.

The event was held at Batangas State University, with the theme, “PASUC @ 49: Paving the Path Towards Internationalization of State Universities and Colleges Through Sports.

Pavel Jervis Bacayo won a gold medal in Karateka. Kleinn Mataverde, Rofil Pendon, and PJ Cantones topped in Arnis. Roxette Ortiz in Karatedo and Adelfa Sagne in Arnis took silver medals.

Arnis player Catherine Lei Segura and the team of Elwin Centillas, Gil Molina, and Joey Montero received bronze medals in lawn tennis.

Jose Alther Rivera, the University’s Sports Director, emphasized in his interview with Sun Star Davao that there is a great potential among athletes from SUCs to excel in sports competitions especially in individual events. However, less financial support hinders the athletes’ success.

Rivera sought help from corporate sponsors to improve the University’s sports program with their goal of collecting more SCUAA medals. ”

Photo by SunStar Davao

Univ eyes ISO quality management cert

by Prince Jay D. Esdrelon

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o bring the university at par with other international organizations, University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) is applying for International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001:2008 which focuses on quality management.

“It is a certification conducted by International Organization for Standardization where the University’s processes should adhere to the standards set forth by the Quality Management System (QMS); where a set of interrelated or interacting elements that the organization use to direct and control how quality policies are implemented and objectives are achieved,” Mr. Aristeo Salapa said, the Vice President for Planning, Quality Assurance and Resource Management (PQuARM).

ISO Audit has two stages, and the university is now ready for second stage based on the

results of Stage 1 Audit conducted last December 13 and 14 by the AJA Registrars, the certifying body of USeP. In an interview with Mr. Salapa, he indicated that one of the reason for applying in the said certification is due to the mandate by the SUC Leveling of CHED. Moreover, it is a requirement for the endowment of Performance-Based Bonus (PBB).

The university conducted several activities in preparation for the certification. First was the Top Management Team Planning last August 30, 2016. Next were orientation, preparation of documents to be placed in the system for certification, approval of the ISO 9001:2008 system, the creation of ISO Team, and orientation to faculty, staff and students held on September and October.

Business majors notch wins in AGUI-PO

by Prince Jay D. Esdrelon and Gloyd Mesibas

According to Mr. Salapa, there were challenges encountered in the preparation.

Selection of the ISO Core Team, deciding on what processes shall be included, uniformity, and consistency of procedures, tracking of records, and important data were some of the challenges faced.

Students, as the major stakeholders of the university are expected to be cooperative. The university is expecting them to be familiar with the USeP’s Mission, Vision, Goals, core values, and be considerate with the various constructions and renovations done within the campus.

“We expect students to observe proper decorum, not just for themselves but also to the things they see within the school premises.

And lastly, we would like to value the dignity of the university by maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness in the campus,” Salapa said. He further

added that these were projects that address the implementation of a better quality of service to the customers, especially students.

Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) is already ISO 9001:2008 Certified.

Aside from USeP, Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) and Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) also works for the said certification.

With this certification, the university aims to assess the adherence of the processes to the Quality Management System (QMS). If effectively certified, USeP is ensuring that the forefront services provide eminent service in providing the needs of its stakeholders.

Headlight hosts Kapehang USePian

by Rasheena D. Amanon

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o awaken students regarding certain sociopolitical issues, The Collegiate Headlight, the official student publication of University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP)- Obrero, conducted The Kapehang USePian 2017 last February 17 with the theme, “Kapeng Barako: Mainit, Matapang, at Totoo.”

Reymond L. Pepito, Digital and Marketing Consultant of Tagum Investment Promotion, discussed the proper usage of Social Media and emphasized the need to fact-check before sharing

articles. “[Before sharing] you should google first,” he said.

Meanwhile, MAKABAYAN Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Spokesperson Wilfredo A. Villocino talked about Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (S.O.G.I.E). He explained the rights of LGBT in the community, as well as the need for ending discrimination.

The Kapehang USePian is an event hosted annually by the Collegiate Headlight.

Photo by Mica Nayre Raganas

B

usiness majors notched first place in Radio Ad Competition and second place in Sales Pitch during the ninth AGUI-PO Awards last February 25, 2017 held at the Ritz Hotel, Garden Oasis, Davao City.

Jonathan Caasi, Angelu Diaz, and Cydell Vender were the participants in Radio ad., while, Adonis Alladin, and Rom Sayon competed in Sales Pitch.

Agui-Po is an avenue to acknowledge those outstanding students, teachers, and organizations in the field of Business and Marketing and it gears towards creating a union of modern business and marketing to sustain the demands of the community.

The 3rd year Ateneo de Davao University marketing students hosted the event.

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NEWS 11

CE math wizards place 4th in nat’l tilt

by Sean Arcent A. Marapao

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ollege of Engineering (CE) students from the University of Southeastern Philippines-Obrero (USeP) placed fourth among 25 schools on the 18th National Math Wizard Competition held at Far Eastern University (FEU) last February 18.

Cris John C. Villanueva, the team captain, shared his experiences, “Seeing those prestigious universities na naa didto, ma feel jud namo, nako nga lisud kaayo. Kanang feeling nimo nga gamay kaayo ka tas imong kalaban is higante. Pero wala jud namo to gipairal. Laban lang jud. Ug wala namo gikalimtan nga mag enjoy lang”.

Villanueva, along with Luijie Gargar, Alleza Mae Guatno, Renen Faith Gloria, and Dave Quitoriano represented the university as well as the whole Region XI, having won second place on the 12th Regional student conference last September at Mindanao State University (MSU) under the supervision of their coach, Engr.

Stallone Esguerra.

Photo by Renen Faith V. Gloria

IC studes win Minda IT olympiad

by Abner John P. Jayme

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he University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) Information Technology (IT) students dominated the 7th Mindanao IT Olympiad as they bagged two gold, two silver, and one bronze medals at the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) – Fr. Selga Campus, Davao City last February 16-17, 2017.

Rijn Amarillo and Mary Ellise Gonzales of USeP Team B received the gold and silver medals in IT Quiz Bowl, respectively.

John Valle and Kent Charles Cutamora of USeP Team B took the gold medal in Infographics, followed by Emmanuel Dagohoy and Elena Marie Buaya of USeP Tagum getting the silver medal.

Meanwhile, Rojec John Pecarana, Leo Malaya and Ivan Kent Mozo, Yong Burlaza, and Diane Pantastico got their top places in Programming and Infomercial Contest.

Bernali Jesreel Lentejas, Ray Neal Badalo, and Mina Bernal gained the silver medal in Game App Conceptualization.

On the other hand, Annie Marrise Insong and Khalil Stefano Remolo of USeP Team A and Van

Photo by Rezylia G. Ybañez

ABS champs in Biolympics

by Prince Jay D. Esdrelon

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ith a total of 1,180 points, USeP’s Association of Biology Students (ABS) champed the 2017 Alliance of Davao Biology Majors’ (ADBM) Biolympics held last January 29, February 5, February 12 at University of the Philippines- Mindanao, Rizal Memorial College, and Davao Doctors College, respectively.

ABS topped in Chess men and women, Track and Field women, Acoustic Band, MTV Spoof, Vocal Solo, Battle of the bands, and Dance Sport and placed second in Game Ka Na Bio, Photo Essay, Extemporaneous, Basketball men, Volleyball women, Table Tennis mixed, Badminton mixed, Contemporary Dance, and Modern Dance.

Paul Dave Panzo emerged 2nd runner-up in Biogay, while Lymar Laye Gamutin ranked 2nd runner-up and Geo Gabriel Bastida as 4th runnerup in the Mr. and Ms. ADBM. Next to USeP were UP Mindanao garnering 1,115 points, and Ateneo de Davao University with 1,025 points.

“It’s been couple of years since the last time USeP have been declared as champion. I think we won because we have burning desires to prove that even in our diversity we act as one.” ABS President Geo Gabriel Bastida said.

Photo by IC Local Council

CEd seizes grand slam in UFED fest

by Ferlyn J. Cabalida

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SeP- College of Education (CEd) students, after their back-to-back victory for the past two consecutive years, once again emerged as overall champion during the 2017 United Future Educators of Davao (UFED) festival held last January 28-29 and February 4-5 at Brokenshire College.

In over 12 schools participating UFED related activities, education students of Davao City gather to unite annually, with this year’s theme: “Empowering future educators by promoting oneness in the midst of diversity.”

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Earning a total of 6,515 points, USePCEd took top places in the majority of events under sports, board games, highlights, literary, musicale, and other special categories.

According to Romelle Hilamon, CEd Governor, the triumph was through the team’s collaborative efforts. In addition, she is looking forward to train and motivate the next student leaders in maintaining the spirit of joining the festival.

Photo by CEd Local Council

12 OPINION

BERSIKULO And the Hypocrite Says

by Paul Christian Y. Eyas

t is ironic how people talk about their beliefs but cannot even stand by it.”

The words just came out of my mouth. I said these words after hearing issues on paragons who do bad things, godly quotes from pagans, and war freak individuals who want to discuss peace. They are people who cannot walk their talk. There is a term for this – hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy, per definition, is a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess. It could be a persons’ beliefs contradicted by their actions or vice-versa.

I believe hypocrisy comes in different ways and it resides within each person. From giving advices to a friend but not even applying it to oneself, promoting ideas but is close-minded, and preaching morals or laws that are always being violated by oneself. These are just few of the many faces of hypocrisy.

Then how does one become a hypocrite?

Simple. When they cannot stand to what they

say, they do not live on a maxim they believe in. So, is this bad or good? For me, what we lose for being a hypocrite is more than what we have left in ourselves – our soul. My answer may be subjective, yet take this as an account into creating another definition for the subject.

I happened to read an online article, “The Hard Core Truth: Are You a Hypocrite?”, by Lonnie Lee Best. It was stated there, “The degree of hypocrisy one possesses is equal to the absolute value of the difference between their beliefs and actions. Of course, it is not possible to actually measure these variables, but this formula does represent the relationship of these variables.”

Moreover, Best also theorized that people have a natural tendency to keep their hypocrisy at zero. That is why they have a desire to keep their beliefs and actions equal.

I felt enlightened. The article had so much say about hypocrisy. I created my own meaning of hypocrisy.

‘‘

Now I will throw this question, “How could people believe you when you do not even act on what you believe in?”

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I think the notion of humans to lie to protect their self-image or self-interest is what hypocrisy is – when the person’s integrity is at stake. For example, being an irony to what I speak, and to what I do. The ones who are listening to what you say doubt you and lose respect for you because you yourself do not follow your own principles in life.

Now I will throw this question, “How could people believe you when you do not even act on what you believe in?”

A point comes when people turn out to be hypocritical sometimes. This is normal because we are just humans anyway. I, too, experienced that. Right now, this is what I learned from Best and as the end of the article left stated, “It is best not to be hypocritical, but I would rather be an honest hypocrite than a person who tries to make truth conform around his or her own desires and imperfections. In other words, I would rather be an honest hypocrite than lie about my imperfections.

That is the hard core truth.”

And yes, this is just written by another hypocrite.

TELL-ALL-YOUR-UHM Love did hit me once more #AValentinesDaySpecial

by Maryan R. Te former colleague posted on Facebook. “As a modern-day hero and a millennial, how do you define love?” Oh, it’s Love Month, how do I define it?

I must be blessed to receive the kind of love that is freely given by my family and friends.

Undeniably, Jesus first gave it to me at the cross and He’s continually giving it up until this very moment. More often than not, I consider myself wealthy enough because I have the people who serve as wonderful living proofs of an abstract thing that is now familiar to my senses.

Until one day, love hit me once more. It hit me not on the typical night when you look at the sky and gaze at those marvelous stars. It was not the type where you suddenly feel butterflies in your stomach and you just cannot sleep. It is not on the day where you meet a stranger and you suddenly fall in love at first sight. It was not the head-overheels type of love at all. It was somehow disguised as stress, pressure, and hopelessness.

Love did hit me at the most unexpected time and when I had nothing to lose but love itself.

It was when I got my teaching load as Preservice Teacher (PST) at a nearby public high

school. Honestly, I chose to be assigned there thinking it was more accessible from my boarding house. Yes, I might have not had the right reason but due to my hectic schedule, I considered distance and time to be my first priorities. Little did I know that I would be assigned to the four sections which were located some meters away from the main campus. To give way to the senior high department, those four sections occupied the abandoned elementary rooms. It was very disgusting at first. The classrooms were

‘‘

Love did hit me at the most unexpected time and when I had nothing to lose but love itself.

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dilapidated, there was not enough chairs, and some were already wrecked. Even the blackboards were in poor condition. Actually, the environment was fine for me though it was not really conducive for learning.

As they say, you cannot just love someone without accepting his/her flaws. Loving someone is all about embracing the possibilities that that person would not be as perfect as you have imagined him/her to be.

My first week was sort of a mess. Even though I thought I have mastered the learning competency for the day, everything seemed difficult.

When I thought of giving up, giving up in the sense of not empathizing with my students and just continue my job without even accepting them fully, I started to care for their struggles. I became one of them. They, too, are not comfortable with their classroom setting yet they are still very willing to go to school every day.

I came to ask myself, “Do I really see myself teaching? “ I could not even get their attention and some of them appeared to be perpetually distracted. I understood that these students have undergone several domestic problems and some did not have enough ‘baon’ for the day. I squeezed all the patience and understanding that I had. Still, I could not figure out how to put things into their proper places. How did I get myself into this situation? Yes, I might have the passion yet it was not enough. Surely there would be times when the candle suddenly run out of reasons to rekindle itself. But it was also in those desperate moments that I found the courage to never give up and never lose hope on my students.

It was at their most unlovable state that I have seen the need to love them even more. They are not in need of an intelligent teacher alone.

They are in dire need of a person who can give them the kind of love that will make them feel wanted, accepted, and understood.

Someone said that we give the love we think we deserve. But for that time, I never thought that I had the ability to give away that kind of love. So, love did hit me once more, and when it did, I had found its best definition at its poorest state.

It was then that I realized that the issue was more than just poor classroom management. It was about ACCEPTANCE.

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OPINION 13

IN MEDIAS RES Death Penalty: Band-Aid Solution

by Maria Cristina Kasandra T. Galagala

was a kid back then when I saw a movie scene where a woman was killed by hanging. I did not know what was happening in the story but I felt a strong pity deep inside me when I saw her family weeping for her death. Frightened and curious, I immediately ran to my father and asked him why the policemen hang the woman in the movie.

He answered me and said that the woman was accused of a crime that she did not commit.

Dumbfounded by my father’s answer, I asked him once more, “Why were the policemen the ones who hung her? Policemen are meant to preserve and protect lives right, are not they?” My father answered, “It is never really good to kill a person, but that is how it is especially if you are living in a foreign country.” He also added that we should be thankful that the death penalty is not allowed in our country.

The only thing that I fully understood from my father’s statement was it is never good to kill people. Though it was all vague for me, I nodded and never asked about it again, but the words ‘death penalty’ tinkled in my ears.

Years later, I saw the same movie that I watched years ago. I found out that the title of

the movie was, The Flor Contemplacion Story, starring Nora Aunor. She was executed by being accused of killing her fellow maid and the child she took care of. The lack of evidence and insufficient support from the Philippine government caused her to be sentenced to death penalty.

Before the year 2016 ended, the death penalty issue was raised after its abolishment during former President Gloria Arroyo’s term.

Filipinos, especially the religious groups, were tormented by the news that the House of Representatives (HOR) approved House Bill no.

1 – The Capital Punishment or “Death Penalty.”

Though there were still revisions on the crimes punishable by the bill, murder, human trafficking, and car theft are some of the heinous crimes that are punishable by death penalty.

The news put me into a somber mood.

Though the session was still ongoing, I could not help but be bothered by the possibility that the bill would become a law and wonder why the lawmakers brought back the bill again.

I believe death penalty is a “band-aid” solution for a rotting wound. It is like applying a mild treatment to a wound instead of administering

the cure to heal it. This is not the solution, for the rapid growth of criminality in the country cannot be resolved by implementing this bill.

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The government must not generate half-baked solutions to national problems just to prove that they are doing something to resolve issues in the society.

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Up to this moment, poverty is one of the leading issues in the society and also one of the vital reasons why people these days tend to commit crimes. The people remain poor because the leaders of the country failed to revamp the mismanaged system.

There is no seamless society either it is the government or judicial system, but there are more things to consider and to bring forth to cease criminality.

The government must not generate halfbaked solutions to national problems just to prove that they are doing something to resolve issues in the society. Instead, they should implement laws that would help increase the economic status of the Philippines such as giving attention to the economic status and strategies they are using in governing the country rather than implementing laws that could worsen the country’s state.

In the end it is not just the country that will be affected by the reckless decision of the government; it is the people and the country.

PRAGMATISM TO THE BONE The Fault in Ourselves “P

ain demands to be felt”

Familiar, isn’t it? It takes you to a memory where you looked at the screen and not realizing that tears were falling down your cheeks. It takes you to a state where you wished life was just like the movies and that life was as sweet as a song.

Humans, by nature, feel emotions – be it stable or unstable. They surge through us in what we see, hear, feel, taste, and smell and the world is full of things to get happy, sad, angry, or disgust about. Poems, songs, and movies are just three of the things that you perceive and feel something.

You can never deny the fact that you have not seen a single movie, heard a song, or read a poem where you felt something about it.

I, for one, have witnessed the emotional effects of such things. I have laughed watching funny movies and cried reading melancholic poems. I also wished that my life would be like that, making the mistake of expecting the things around me to become the things I saw in movies and read in poems.

After such experiences, I came to an epiphany where I think of some movies, poems, and songs as the blindfold of society.

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“Pangit ba ako? Kapalit-palit ba ako?”

Again, familiar right? It is not that I have a grudge on having a beauty say that in a movie but the thing is, when people hear that, they get an idea into their heads that a person cannot leave you for the simple reason that you are ugly, when the reality is not favoring that ideation.

Unfortunately, we have to accept the fact that there are people who are less than appealing on the aesthetic sense.

These movie quotes just put dogmatic logic into those people. The dogmas then drip distortion of the world’s clear surface.

In the visual aspect, a common plot of a Philippine telenovela is when a rich couple’s baby is switched with the poor couple’s baby. For maximum drama, the switch happens in times of calamities like vehicular accidents. Because some Filipinos do not like to live the life they are living, they enjoy watching this type of telenovela that their current state is different.

Who would not like to be Henry Sy’s “abiological” child or the president’s little sister?

Or maybe one would prefer they are a Tan by blood? We then cheer when the protagonist

(usually the poor family) wins against the antagonist (usually the rich family) and wallow in despair when the protagonist falls under the antagonist’s evil plans.

There is then where our sympathy go. We drench ourselves in a world of fantasy ignoring the things happening around us. We sit on defective chairs, looking at a drama franchise portrayed by actors earning thousands on a cathode ray tube television, unmindful of the electrical bill beside it.

We listen to the comforting and jolly songs and sing with our radios while ignoring the cries of our hungry siblings and the shouts of our parents telling us to earn for food.

Maybe we have let our senses go blind and that the reality is now a thing of the past. It is time to untie the blindfold. Reality demands to be felt too.

‘‘

Reality demands to be felt too.

‘‘

by Alren John D. Dabon

14 OPINION

TRICK OR TRUTH Family First

by Patrick M. Ariate

y pamily…

Janina San Miguel, when asked what role her family did with her as candidate to Binibining Pilipinas, replied ‘my family’s role for me is so important.’ Her answer came out to be funny, but I just could not understate how sincere she was at the time.

Our families come in different sizes, colors, and shapes. We love to see them happy. How we wish our families are founded on love, unity, and peace each day. Sadly, there are broken families.

There are those who say that they do not have one anymore. However, a family may not just be seen as having parents and children. Some people consider their friends family.

Things beyond our control came about in our respective families. Several of these instances are deemed confidential and sensitive. There are cases that we cannot accept they are happening.

We even buried some past experiences six feet below the ground. We opt not to talk about them because they make us cry inside.

Despite the unfortunate events, we hope to build our own families someday. We believe that they are an essential part in our journey towards reaping the fruits of success.

It was a mundane night with my colleagues in the publication. We were having our dinner at a typical eatery someplace in Obrero. Upon chewing my food, a scene on the primetime bida’s A Love to Last struck both my mind and heart.

Actress Iza Calzado was delivering her words of thanks to the guests of the party for the continuing growth and success of her family’s company. She spoke of the importance of a strong family in someone’s success. For her, we can achieve all we want in life. But after all, we would still go back to the things that really matter – just like the family which value could never be replaced by any possession in this world.

I could not agree more with Iza’s line in the teleserye. I had been reminded that my world does not just revolve around the things I am busy with as a student and a campus journalist. I had

realized that I have a role to play as a son to my parents and a brother to my sister.

Our families mean the world to us. We run to them when we are sick. They know well our strengths and weaknesses. They are always there in our ups and downs. I would say that our pursuits and achievements would mean nothing if we do not have our families with us. As the line goes, ‘No success can compensate for failure in the home.’

The family, as the basic unit of the society, is hoped to be united amid life’s greatest challenges. Thus, it is a challenge to all parents and children to help one another build strong families. Whatever our beliefs and principles may be, we must establish the kind of family that would become our rock as we stand the test of time.

Now, we might not forget how funny it was, but I salute Janina when she said ‘my family is the most important persons in my life.’

‘‘

Despite the unfortunate events, we hope to build our own families someday.

We believe that they are an essential part in our journey towards reaping the fruits of success.

‘‘

M

DIVIDED BY ZERO Define “Introvert”

by Robert Roy Immanuel S. Bat-og

t is not easy being an introvert – from not being able to speak out your thoughts, to not being able to have fun with friends who enjoy very different things than you do. It is isolating, and more often upsetting, but sometimes it is not really all that bad.

People often stereotype introverts as silent, mysterious-weirdo types — individuals who never leave the indoors whenever there is no need and who, the moment they get home, bundle up in bed, dead to the world beyond their room.

Well, they are not wrong, but they are not exactly correct as well.

Being an introvert myself, I have had my share of friends telling me to get out more or asking whether or not I liked to be around people.

Some even scolded me for doing “introvert stuff” while I am out with them. Well, one cannot help but turn to music or books, especially when you start to feel that you are not adding anything to the conversation.

In the first place, introversion is not about not wanting to get out or interact. In fact, most

introverts do regularly interact with other people and have no qualms about doing so. It is their capacity for social stimulation that is the issue.

Introverts find it incredibly draining to interact with others even if it is just a single person, what more if they find themselves in a crowd? It usually takes time for them to “recharge”, so to speak, staying in and avoiding further interaction for the rest of the day, or week, or month.

Likewise, it is no oddity that introverts rarely speak at length, sometimes not at all. Getting the point across in just a few words means less conversation and therefore, less interaction. When introverts do not talk, it either means that they would like to keep their opinions to themselves or have nothing to add to the conversation. The next time you find yourself in a one-sided conversation with an introvert, do not be offended! They are actually good listeners.

When it comes to feelings, introverts are not vocal, but they are expressive. They are not the type to walk up to someone to tell them how they feel. Mostly, they express their emotions through actions. Flowers, notes, treats; seemingly mundane gestures that actually mean interest in

‘‘

...introverts are not really what general opinion portray them to be. They are indeed, however, silent mysterious-weirdo types, just not the way most people think.

‘‘

I

an introvert. Sometimes still, they choose to keep it to themselves and express instead through writing and art.

In a sense, introverts possess far more behavioral oddities (see: weirdo) than their outgoing counterparts, being that they concern mainly with themselves and not how others see them. It is not uncommon that they dabble in hobbies such as collection, bird-watching, and of course, reading.

All in all, introverts are not really what general opinion portray them to be. They are indeed, however, silent mysterious-weirdo types, just not the way most people think. They are people, too. They do not “thrive in loneliness”, as others may call it. They interact socially like other people.

We have all had that moment where we feel too tired to interact. Introverts are like that, except a little bit more extreme. So yes, they are not always in the most secluded corner of a room but they will gravitate towards it the moment they feel tired of all the interaction. Sometimes, it really just gets old after a while.

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OPINION 15

SENTIDO KUMON Hindi Pwede ang Pwede na

by Cherry Mae 0. Suan

indi pwede ang pwede na. ‘Yan ang natutunan ko sa lahat ng mga nasayang na mga pagkakataong sana ay may mas nagawa pa akong tama sa mga panahong sana may iba pa akong ginawa.

Hindi na bago sa atin ang mga litanyang “Bahala na si Batman” o di naman kaya’y “basta may maipasa lang”. Malamang sa ilang taon mo na pag-aaral ay madalas pa sa minsan ang pagsambit mo sa mga katagang ito sa mga bagay na ipinapagawa sa iyo lalong-lalo na sa kolehiyo.

isang estudyante sa kolehiyo? Iisipin mo pa lang, nariyan na ang “nakakapagod”, “hindi possible”, “nakakasira ng bait sa sobrang dami”, at malamang ang salitang “hindi ko kaya”. Mga katagang nagpapahiwatig ng pagsuko bago pa ang pagsisimula.

Sa kolehiyo, kung saan kailangan mong makipag-patintero sa kaliwa’t kanang mga proyekto, pagsusulit, at kaya’y mga presentasyon na minsan ay magkasabay pang magaganap.

Maiisipan mong hatiin ang iyong sarili ng ilang beses upang magawa lamang ang mga ito.

Sa apat na taon kong pananatili sa unibersidad, masasabi kong hindi ko alam kung paano ko nakayanan ang lahat at nanatiling may ulirat sa kabila ng samu’t saring problema kada semestre. Ang alam ko lang, natuto akong makisabay sa agos, walang oposisyon at tanging tuluyang nagpatangay, kahit na masasabi ko ring hindi iyon ang kabuuan ng aking potensyal at ang kaya ko pang gawin. Kabi-kabila ang pagsisisi habang inaalala ang mga pagkakataong sana ay mas ginalingan ko pa, nagsikap pa ako, at nagaral pa ako nang mabuti.

Ngunit naisip mo rin bang ibigay ang lahat ng ikaw sa lahat ng mga bagay na ito? Ang ibigay ang isandaang porsyento mo para makamit mo ang kung anong inaasahan mula sa iyo bilang

Parang maihahalintulad mo ito sa isang laro, kung saan ang mahalaga ay hindi lamang ang iyong pagkapanalo o pagkabigo ngunit kung paano ka lumaban hanggang sa huli. Naranasan ko

‘‘

Huwag kang pakampante sa sapat na, dapat sobra.

‘‘

H

na ang pagtitig sa aking mga marka ng makailang ulit, pilit na ikinukumpara ang iba’t ibang letra at numero. Masasabi ko na lang na mas maganda sana kung iisang uri lamang ang aking marka – iyong hindi mataba at walang buntot, syempre yung hindi matingkad na kulay pula.

Kaya’t ikaw na mas matagal pang mananatili, na mas marami pang bigas na kakainin at tulog na isasakripisyo, ibigay mo na ang lahat kahit minsan sabihin pa nating hindi iyon sapat. Huwag kang magtira para sa iyong sarili, o ipagkatiwala kay Batman, o kung sino mang superhero dahil ang buhay mo ay iyo at ang pagkakataon ay hindi nagtatagal at lumilisan.

Huwag kang pakampante sa sapat na, dapat sobra. Alalahanin mong hangarin ang mataas na marka dahil kung sakali mang hindi mo magawa, doon ka mapapadpad sa ikalawang mataas.

Hindi iyong pasado lang na minsang nauuwi sa disgrasya kung saan talo mo pa ang rebonded na buhok– bagsak na bagsak.

Tandaan, hindi pwede ang pwede na.

NULL AND VOID Flaws: The National Humor

by John D. Valle

h, I’m sorry. Have I offended you? I was just joking.”

Everything seems to be a big deal in the Philippines. Oppose another person’s opinion and you will be judged; expose the truth and you will be criticized; be different from the most and you will be hated. These are the undeniable facts you should be closed to perfect to keep yourself away from the offensive criticisms and judgements of a fellow Filipino. You will be made fun of if otherwise.

If you get joked at, do not get offended because it will ‘purely’ be not on purpose.

Filipino humor comes in different types.

From puns, sarcasms, to jokes – all are flawpointing. These end up being personal and offensive instead of being funny.

A research conducted by Education First Proficiency Index (EF EPI) shows that the Philippines has a high proficiency rating of 60.33, ranking 3rd out 19 countries in Asia. This proves that a big portion of the Philippine population uses the English language fluently. Many Filipinos are able to point out errors in grammar, spelling, and pronunciation. If someone commits mistakes in language, surely, a lot will make it a laughing stock.

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Maxine Medina, Ms. Philippines, with her Top 6 finish in Miss Universe, was drowned from the offensive scrutiny and mockery by her fellow Filipinos. Her image was dragged down. Some lost hope and expected that she would not make it to the Top 3 or win the crown because of her incompetence in speaking the English language.

In psychology, the Superiority Theory explains why people snicker when someone does something wrong or when they think a person’s physical appearance or gender is different. When a person appears stupid and commits a mistake in an obvious situation, other people will feel superior and they will laugh at them.

Colonial mentality has a huge influence on Filipino beauty standards. Have yourself a pointy nose and fair skin and everyone will love you. If you are fat, short, and dark skinned, no one will bat an eye on you. Filipinos will not hate you if you do not pass their standards. Instead, they will be laughing hard, gasping for air.

We cannot deny that many of us have not done it. We are guilty of this hypocrisy. Due to this kind of mentality, children have a low self-esteem.

At an early age, they are already discouraged, afraid to talk, and anxious to experience new things. They are afraid of committing mistakes because they think people would make a joke at them.

Apart from laughing because of intellectual and physical flaws of others, the ‘flamboyant gay’ and the ‘masculine lesbian’ jokes may not be new to your ears anymore. It is because Philippines is a country wherein many still do not accept the LGBT community.

“It’s sad, knowing that I have my unique and extravagant name but they tend to call me bayot,” said Jomark, a former USePian who experienced discrimination for being gay. “At the end of the day, you will not be able to please everyone,” he added.

Jokes are meant to be funny but more often than not, they are unintentionally offensive.

Society should remember the ‘true purpose’ of jokes and it is to make people burst out of laughter. Filipinos should pay more attention to what they say and be sensitive to their audience as well. Tell jests not to discourage or hurt people but to spread happiness. Ease their feeling of emptiness inside them and give them a sense of satisfaction.

‘‘

Jokes are meant to be funny but more often than not, most are unintentionally being offensive.

‘‘

“O

16 ART-IKULO

BUHAY PAG-IBIG HULA SCOPE Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Kung inaakala mong mag-iinit ang relasyon niyo ng iyong nobya/nobyo pwes, mag handa ka na ng jacket, coffee, at blanket dahil sasabayan ng weather ang treatment niya sa iyo. #LetItGo

Cancer(June 21 – July 22) Ngayong Love Month, steady ka muna. Kagaya nang nagdaan, wala ka pa ring date sa buwan na ito.

Pero ayos lang yan. Bagsak ka man sa pag-ibig, pasado ka naman sa midterm mo. #GG #GoodGrades

Libra (September 23 – October 22) I’m sorry to tell you pero single ka pa rin this year. Better luck next year! #2018 #HurryUpPlease

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan19) Getting stronger ang relationship niyo ng jowa mo ngayon. Kasing mighty ng mighty bond ang samahan niyo at walang makakapigil sa pagmamahalan niyo. Kahit bagyo pa ang humarang. #Eksaherada #MayForever

Ihanda ang iyong sarili sa pagpasok ng relasyon dahil ngayong Valentine’s, magtatapat sa iyo ang long time crush mo – crush ka rin pala niya. #LoveLoveLove

Leo (July 23 – August 22) Magiging super attached ka sa iyong ‘someone’ ngayon, kaso mapapansin niya ang sudden change sa iyo lalong-lalo na ang pagiging bipolar mo. Mabuti na tigilan mo na ang pagiging moody dahil baka marealize niya na hindi ikaw ang ‘the one’ at maghahanap siya ng ‘another one’. #SadLife

Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Maraming opportunities ang darating para sa iyo sa buwan na ito, pero walang love opportunity.

Aral ka muna. #AcadsIsLife

Virgo(August 23 – September 22) Tigilan mo na ang pag-iilusyong may gusto siya sa iyo. Friends lang talaga kayo kaya sweet siya sa iyo. #MayForever #FriendsForever

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Simulan mo nang mag-reflect sa mga taong nakakasalubong mo sa araw-araw.

Magkakagusto ka sa isang random person na nakikita mo everyday pero di mo naman pinapansin. Pwedeng yung EBP classmate mo, yung nasa kabilang section ng class niyo, o yung janitor.

Tigilan mo na ang paghahabol sa kanya.

Alam mo naman siguro ang cliché na kasabihan: sardinas lang ang nakikisiksik sa lata at aso lang ang humahabol. Hindi ka naman siguro sardinas o aso, di ba? #OneSidedTape

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb18) Kailangan mo na talagang tanggapin na wala na siya. Mag-let go ka na, te!

Ikaw na lang itong hindi makalimot samantalang siya hindi na makaalala. #Amnesia101

Pisces

(Feb 19 – March 20)

Mahalin mo ang iyong mga kaibigan at pamilya. Sila na lang talaga ang tunay na nagmamahal at magmamahal sa iyo. #OhMyGod #MyPamily #IsTheMostImportantPersonsInMyLife

GYM: THROUGH THE YEARS by: Early Rose A. Javines

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PASSIVITY kills FREEDOM!

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PRIZES AWAIT FOR OUTSTANDING literary works and art pieces.

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