The Crusader Publication AY Ender 2017

What’s inside: Death Penalty Tuition Fee Increase Campus Election Issues

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Publishers Subscribing Students of Xavier University Editorial Board Kevin Paul P. Mabul Editor in Chief Lorenzo A. Botavara Associate Editor Keith Obed J. Ruiz Design Editor Jericho B. Montellano Managing Editor Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas News Editor Harmony Kristel D. Balino Local Features Editor Nikki Gay Louise P. Amores Sports Editor Marc Anthony B. Reyes Graphic Design and Layout Editor Evan B. Aranas Photography Editor Lynette L. Tuvilla Freehand Editor Finance Officers Jigo L. Racaza Auditor Anna Jamela S. Balindong Senior Finance Manager Tisha C. Abejo Junior Finance Manager Managers Merryane Rose S. Bacud Human Resource Manager Jinky M. Mejica Office Manager Mary Therese P. Mole Circulation Manager Jigo L. Racaza Video Productions Manager Jo Marie Claire B. Balase Online Accounts Manager Senior Computer Systems Manager Staff Writers Maria Franchesca Louise P. Fajemolin Jett Joseph C. Gumaling (Trainee) Nur Mohammad G. Lucman (Trainee) Ar-Raffi C. Macaumbos (Trainee) Tatiana L. Maligro Justin John Nagac (Trainee) Winona Roselle Serra (Trainee) Staff Artists Jean E. Abarquez (Trainee) Shaira E. Abshire (Trainee) John Niccolo A. Aquino Jamerah Marie M. Balindong Aleina C. Buenavista (Trainee) Kurt Anthony B. Chan (Trainee) Rigel Kent T. Flores Jayvee C. Lequigan (Trainee) Nicolo Nathan O. Macoy (Trainee) Jinky M. Mejica Ryan James P. Pascual Khristine Marjorie L. Quiblat Gene Gerard G. Verona Louise Coleen T. Vitor (Trainee) Rizalyka Joanne M. Waminal Moderator Mrs. Ann Catherine Ticao-Acenas For contributions, please address your articles and/or comments to: TheCrusader Publication Office, Rm. 302, Student Center Bldg, Xavier University 9000, Cagayan de Oro City Circulation: 6,100 copies www.thecrusaderpublication.com www.twitter.com/thecrusaderpub www.facebook.com/thecrusaderpublication www.youtube.com/thecrusadertv Email your comments & suggestions to thecrusaderpub@gmail.com

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Editorial Column Recount: Looking Back at Botar Atenista 2017 At What Cost?

Leadership in Review: XU-SHSG Speak Up for Safer Streets Cover Story: The Price to Pay Zoom Out Plea of the Few Comics Hohongihong

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he move to push for the reinstatement of the death penalty has been a controversial one. Discussions regarding the removal of all but one crime listed within the original proposal, President Rodrigo Duterte’s unabating war on drugs, and the country’s ailing justice system have polarized millions of Filipinos whose one unified clamor is for a safer and more peaceful society. How much are we all willing to pay for this utopia which we dream of ?C Words by Franchesca P. Fajemolin & Tatiana L. Maligro Photo by Jigo L. Racaza The official student publication of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Vol. 43 No. 6 April 2017

EDITORIAL

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Double-edged sword

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Illustration by Rigel T. Flores

s an initiative to counter fake news sites on social media, a petition to ban Mocha Uson on Facebook and Twitter went viral. While Mocha Uson and “viral” on Facebook seem to go hand in hand by now, especially with her posts on various issues faced by the Philippines, this situation in particular raised an important question, and one that demanded all seriousness for a first: what about her freedom of speech?

Although one can argue that many of Mocha Uson’s social media posts only help propagate the popularity of fake news sites, isn’t the ban a form of censorship against her right to free speech? Even though it is noble in its cause - reducing the number of misinformed individuals who buy into her posts without much in the way of fact-checking - it doesn’t change the very fact that the petition silences a voice.

And this voice, despite being riddled with wrongness or inciting hateful behavior to her large following, is not an exemption of one’s right to free speech.

This brings us to our next question: where does that leave us then if misinformation can hide behind the basic excuse of “freedom of speech”? What can be done?

Perhaps the biggest hurdle in reducing the spread of misinformation, at its very core, is media illiteracy and irresponsible readership. These are problems that simply cannot be solved by limiting who gets to speak and who does not.

With the internet providing numerous avenues for news and knowledge, many people are bound to get on the wrong side of things. It’s also undeniable that information that is in line with one’s personal beliefs is much easier to digest and comprehend than those that are otherwise. Thus, to stop misinformation, the first step is not necessarily to cut down hydra’s head but to drive a spear through its heart – its very core, which in this case is to educate readers by encouraging them to value facts and research instead of appeals to emotion. Cutting the head won’t change anything; more will take its place until its very foundation dies down.

Freedom of speech is a double-edged sword: it can save but it can also ruin. The spread of misinformation and fake news sites may be a product of the mishandling of freedom of speech, but this same freedom, with facts in hand, can be used to fight and push them back. Sharing credible news reports and even the very act of double-checking the legitimacy of the site, little gestures they may be, already contribute in promoting the objective reality.

Misinformation is the downside to freedom of speech, but we learn to fight back with the undeniable and the factual. After all, weak arguments can be toppled with the sheer weight of the truth.C

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OPINION

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Slipstream

By Kevin Paul P. Mabul kevinmabul@thecrusaderpublication.com

here are probably more important and pressing matters to discuss right now, so forgive me for choosing to dedicate half a page off this magazine to talk a bit about my hair. I promise, though, that this is not about me complaining over the repetitious “Do you play in a band?,” “You look like a hermit,” and “It’s Jesus!” – comments for which my usual responses are, in the same order: “No.” “Interesting lifestyle they have…” and “Behold!”

But amusing as these remarks are, I will have to bid them farewell at some point after graduation in the name of greater employability, along with the years I put into growing the wavy locks of black that hang from my scalp.

This is not the first time that I am going to have to do this for the above pursuits, nor am I alone in fighting this battle against established societal norms.

What is with long hair in the modern, predominantly Western-influenced world? Why must it be a feature that is considered normal only for women? What does hair length have to do with gender and sexual preference from a human biological standpoint? Are all these really relevant in any modern working space?

It’s not just us with “gender-incorrect” hair lengths who are expected to shut up and put up with it if we don’t want to limit our career choices. Ever wanted to have a

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Cinematic

By Keith Obed Ruiz obedruiz@thecrusaderpublication.com

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Cutting Things Short tattoo? Blood donation opportunities aside, chances are, you have been told to keep it discrete or have them in places that can be easily concealed.

It is understood that organizations have a certain image to uphold, and that some roles require more “professional” appearances than others. In fact, in one of the pronouncements of the Philippine Supreme Court, the highest tribunal ruled in favor of a five-star hotel in the dismissal of its protesting employees who shaved their heads clean in clear violation of their company’s grooming standards. But what are ideal images and professional appearances? Are they not reflections of what our collective consciousness considers to be good where the standards may be, to some extent, arbitrary?

To some of us, it’s not a particularly big deal that we have to concede from wearing the statements we choose to wear, but it’s not a non-issue either. Until we, as people, can learn to look past appearances as some criterion in prejudging behavior, skills, and personal principles, then we will keep having made-up, arbitrarily chosen rules that prevent each person from maximizing their potential for self-expression.

Maybe someday, since some companies have already paved part of the way.C

Reel or Not Real?

ttributing the low audience turnout of the recent Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) to the lack of mainstay blockbuster hits in its lineup, Sen. Vicente Sotto III — whose brother stars in the all too familiar “Enteng Kabisote” movie series — filed a Senate resolution calling for a separate festival for indie films. He claims that December moviegoers “are still looking for the kind of films screened in the previous MMFFs” and questioned the quality of independent films, saying, “Hindi high-end equipment ang gamit. Hindi top quality ang video.”

Before anything else, I would first like to disagree with Sotto. One may have an arsenal of top-of-the-line equipment, but if they are not used artistically, one’s film still won’t be of “quality”.

This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival was a lot different from its previous iterations as its roster was composed mostly of independently-produced (“indie”) films. Joy Belmonte, vice-chairman of the 2016 Selection Committee states, “Ang number one criteria namin ay ang artistic excellence, quality, and technical excellence as well.” This shift in how films were selected merged indie and a few mainstream movies, but did come with the unintended effect of hurting the festival’s audience turnout and revenue.

Economics of the festival aside, asking to take indie films out of the MMFF – whose sole criterion for

eligibility is if they are of Filipino origin – is without a doubt prejudicial. Where was it written that Philippine film festivals should be exclusive to mainstream movies in the first place? Cinema is an avenue for all narratives.

Film festivals are not limited to mainstream movies or movies with high profits; they are limited to films, period.

How many films have we completely disregarded just because they were indie? How many opportunities to experience complex storylines, powerful imagery, and often unique premises did viewers miss out on due to the misconception that quality only comes from established studios and popular names?

Being a videographer has taught me that quality does not necessarily mean having the latest equipment nor having a big budget. Quality relies on the film’s script, acting, cinematography, and production design.

At its core, quality is found in a filmmaker’s ability to make you live out the story through a single viewing experience, and making the most out of the limited resources you have at the same time.

The word “indie” describes how a movie was produced, and should mean nothing else beyond that.

When the final cut comes, it’s the film itself – what viewers see and feel – that matters.

Indie or mainstream, it doesn’t matter: film is film.C Vol. 43 No. 6 April 2017

OPINION

Agricultural Communication

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Red

By Jericho B. Montellano jerichomontellano@thecrusaderpublication.com

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Gravitas

By Jo Marie Claire B. Balase clairebalase@thecrusaderpublication.com

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fellowmen, community, and country.

I get why it’s far from a degree most people would associate with the college. Consider this, though: amidst urbanization, the Philippines is still primarily an agricultural country. However, it has been shown through studies before that the manpower needed to sustain agriculture is dwindling in number. Back in 2012, data from the Department of Agriculture revealed that the average age of our 11 million farmers is 57 years old. Most of them are aged, with many of their children showing disinterest in farming as they would rather go to the cities or migrate abroad, ironically, to search for greener pastures.

As communicators, among others, we put our farmers’ stories under the limelight. In effect, we illuminate much of the Philippines’ development issues related to the neglect of agriculture: malnutrition, food insecurity, and eventually health and poverty.

Perhaps communication is an art, but not all practitioners of art are necessarily pragmatic communicators. It’s one thing to have something to say and another to express it. But it’s another thing as well to express relevant issues which you have been immersed in through a four-year course.

True, DevCom is not just for agriculture as it addresses the larger fulfillment of the human potential.

But even until now, in my country, it is in agriculture where DevCom graduates are needed the most.C

No minimum age required

was not prepared to meet a child as problematic and as thin as this one boy from my preschool teaching internship. Untidy and inattentive, he would often seek attention during class discussion. One time, he even tried to stab me with a pencil. I feared for myself in that instant but felt more concern for him upon realizing he acts the way he does because he probably lacked attention. I wondered about his parents, or if he had any to begin with.

He did, as I learned from my Cooperating Teacher who was also his former instructor. She shared, however, that this problematic child’s parents force him and his brother to attend class to comply with the required monthly attendance of 85% in exchange for cash grants from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s). But it seems whatever cash grants they do receive are not used for the boy’s welfare; he still attends class not wearing the proper school uniform, and without pencil, notebook, and paper with him. He rarely even eats lunch or snacks.

The decade-old program provides conditional cash grants to the poorer families. An eligible and compliant beneficiary receives Php 600-2,800 per

family, depending on the number of children. According to the program’s terms and conditions, parents must attend family development sessions, bring their children to health centers, send them to school, and maintain an attendance in order to get the monthly stipends.

It is disturbing to know that there are parents who use their children as a means to avail of the benefits of this program rather than the other way around. Based on what I see (and smell), the boy’s behavior and appearance scream terrible parenting. To think the family receives financial aid by virtue of the existence of their children, there seems to be little investment in their education.

There are hundreds of similar cases, especially in public schools, where teachers recite the alphabet and sing nursery rhymes with these products of exploitation and poverty. It is heartbreaking to know that children experience privation that they don’t deserve. As a future teacher, it pains me to see situations like these. If I had the resources, I would gladly extend some help, even if it means reaching into my own pocket. If these scenarios are allowed to proliferate, chances are, these children will repeat the same mistakes their parents did. After all, children do what they see their parents do.C www.thecrusaderpublication.com

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Photo by Jinky B. Mejica

t was my last period of the week when a guest speaker from a certain organization within the city graced our Friday night with an alternative class - a seminar that was part of XU’s Social Development week celebration. As with any other intimate, classroom-sized discussion, the event began with everyone introducing themselves.

Five of my classmates and I introduced ourselves as Development Communication (DevCom) students.

Immediately after, the guest speaker remarked that ‘DevCom is not Agriculture.’

What? You mean to tell me that my entire college experience was a lie?

For the rest of you who don’t know, XU’s DevCom Department is under Ateneo’s one and only College of Agriculture. Surprise, surprise.

The debate on where to put the department in the University was an interesting one. During the 1980s, DevCom offered two programs: one under the College of Agriculture and another in the College of Arts and Sciences. In the early 90s, after comprehensive discourse, the program was merged under Agriculture as development was deemed to be needed in that sector.

By definition, Development Communication is the art and science of human communication— through multimedia—to aid social development. It’s an educational process that aims to elevate social consciousness and personal responsibility towards one’s

By Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas & Winona Roselle Serra

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ue to a nationwide transport strike against the phasing out of jeepneys older than 15 years, the XU-Central Student Government Electoral Commission (ELECOM) released a resolution on February 27 to extend the elections by one day.

Originally scheduled on February 23, 24, and 27, the University-wide Automated Campus Elections was conducted across select precincts in the campus. As the last day of the elections coincided with the transport strike, ELECOM stated in Resolution No. 002-1617 that the extension was done to provide students an opportunity to participate in the elections, especially to those who may have been affected.

This later prompted the Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy-XU (USAD-XU), along with co-petitioner Alyansang Atenista (AA), to file against the ELECOM’s decision to extend the elections to the Supreme Constitutional Court. While

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there is no interest to replace the elected officials of Botar Atenista 2017, the petition clarifies that it is “necessary because its non-pursuance may set dangerous precedent for unchecked and unlimited power of the Electoral Commission over the elections.”

Though the extension stirred much controversy, other complaints regarding the elections cropped up.

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Standalone Meanwhile, Independent CSG presidential candidate Aristeo Raphael “Paeng” Marbella III shares that he didn’t face as many major setbacks to his campaign. Compared to AA, Marbella’s campaign did not showcase any political party banners.

While Alyansang Atenista had problems regarding the approval of their varied campaign paraphernalia, Marbella explains that his were approved within a day. If there were delays, this could be attributed to the Chief Commissioner’s unavailability due to his On the Job Training (OJT). “It can just be construed as red tape because of the amount of time that was taken away from the process [and] because of the lack of presence ni Kuya Ronne (ELECOM Chief Commissioner) in the University.”

However, Marbella agrees with the now elected CSG President Ian Abadies that the scheduling of the elections was inconvenient for all candidates, and even voters. While the number of days set for the campaign period was enough, Marbella says that there were problems in scheduling that posed numerous challenges to the candidates. For one, the first day of the campaign period occurred on the very same day as the orientation of the candidates for the elections. According to Marbella, no prior announcement regarding the schedule of the campaign period was made until the orientation, which coincidentally was scheduled on the same day as the start of the campaign.

Marbella sees this as a result of communication lapses between the Commission and the candidates. According to him, the candidates began inquiring about the campaign period as early as the filing of candidacy, but “were really left unanswered.”

“Again […] ten days is enough. It’s just we cannot plan properly and efficiently if there is no prior date set for when mi maka-campaign,” he continues.

Moreover, he shares that there were inconsistencies in the details of the boot camp in which all candidates were required to attend. Shifting from a two-day event that required

candidates to stay overnight, it instead pushed through without the overnight stay. “There really has to be an orientation of the political parties in terms of the schedules for everything sa political party during election time. […] It really needs the consent of the political parties involved because ELECOM, of course, has the jurisdiction in all decisions but in the end, it caters to the needs of the political party.”

The last say Due to time constraints, the ELECOM could not pinpoint the exact number of students present during the last day of elections. As a substitute, they decided to extend the elections based on the weight of the extension’s pros and cons. “Walay explicit nga nakawrite sa Omnibus Code nga dili mi pwede mag-extend. Wala pud nakawrite nga pwede mi mag-extend,” clarifies ELECOM Chief Commissioner Ronne Joshua Ambulo.

In response to the candidates’ allegations, Ambulo details that firstly, “Ang campaign dates kay na set na gyud na siya 10 school days before ang election week.” He adds that if the ELECOM were to move the campaign period to at least the day after the Political Orientation, the entire schedule, which included the days allotted for the Miting de Avance and the Election Week, would be affected. The final dates were announced during the Orientation and according to Ambulo, the ELECOM did not receive questions regarding the set dates beforehand.

Ambulo recognizes that the 2011 Omnibus Election Code of XU-CSG, a set of rules that govern the elections, contains loopholes and suggests that the succeeding ELECOM shouldrevise it. “Kung unsa akong standards this year, di na siya ubsan, rather, i-improve nalang to siya,” he recommends. *** As most of the problems surrounding the elections seem to touch on miscommunication, efforts should be made to help the running candidates become more accessible to the students. Though plans to remedy the situation for next year may involve an improvement in communication methods and techniques, it is also just as important to make the ELECOM have a more significant presence in the University. With the ELECOM active not just during the election season but throughout the school year, this can prompt political maturity and education among the students early on. Moreover, it has the possibility to help political parties and the ELECOM advance their ideals for the University.C

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Technicalities AA CSG presidential candidate Ian Ceazar Abadies found the election dates too close to the scheduled semi-final examinations and moratorium week, therefore making them less strategic and less convenient for students to vote.

He shares that he would have preferred a more democratic process, such as asking for suggestions and arriving at a consensus, in selecting the dates.

He further expresses that this would have resulted to a higher turnout.

While the dates were one issue, Abadies claims that AA also had the added difficulty of promoting their candidates during the campaign period. As part of the campaign guidelines, both printed campaign paraphernalia and profile pictures needed to be approved by the ELECOM before being made public. “Dugay pa gyud ang response so malangan gyud,” he adds.

The guidelines, which were too technical for Abadies’ liking, required other campaign materials to have a maximum size of 6” x 6”. In line with this, ELECOM would not approve of AA’s 9” x 4” nametags despite being equal in area as the mandated 6” x 6”.

Abadies also expresses that the reason the political parties were not in favor of the extensions was that there was no concrete cause. Despite the transport strike, there were no factual and quantifiable data to prove that there were fewer students present.

However, it cannot be avoided that students question the

extension of the voting period. Some students who felt that their candidates of choice were winning may have gotten the impression that the reason behind the extension was to give the opposing candidates the chance to garner more votes. Others may have felt that the ELECOM was pushing the limits in striving for their 50% voter turnout goal.

By Kevin Paul P. Mabul and Jett Joseph Gumaling

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avier University has seen an annual increase in tuition and matriculation fees for the past few years. Academic Years (AY) 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 saw a 5 percent hike, 2015-2016 a 6 percent hike, and 2016-2017 a 5 percent hike. Come next AY, parents and working students are going to have to find ways to be able to shell out more cash, as the University is in its final stages of implementing increases in overall educational costs from 4.5 to 5 percent.

It is not just students, but every member of the University who is bound to be affected in one way or another.

Level up According to University Treasurer Lennie K. Ong, the two main driving forces for the increase in tuition fee are from both inflation and marketdriven competition between state colleges and universities. She adds that inflation has averaged at around 3 percent for the first two months of 2017. With pressure to increase even more, this will ultimately impact the University’s operating expenses.

However, operational expenses cover not just the price of goods, but those of services as well.

Ong explains that employees - teaching and nonteaching staff, security personnel, custodians etc.will have to be paid more since their salaries are also affected by inflation.

Compounding to this is the tight competition from state colleges and universities within the

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region that are able to provide higher salaries for their staff. “When the public school system increased salaries of teachers significantly, there is no other way for private education to go but to try to match, to a certain degree, that level,” Ong states. This statement refers to the University’s measures to provide more incentives for teachers to stay instead of moving to public schools.

Furthermore, Ong emphasizes that in accordance to the mandate set by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 3, Series of 2012, 78 percent (8 more than what is required, given the non-profit nature of the University) of proceeds from the increase will be channeled to teaching and non-teaching staff, excluding administrators who are principal stakeholders of the University.

In addition to tuition, the remaining 22 percent of the tuition fee increase will go to matriculation expenses and laboratory and other fees, which have risen as well. One notable change, however, is that of the University’s revised insurance policy. Each student will pay 175 pesos for their insurance instead of the current 50 pesos. Although it is more than triple the original price, it will now cover their siblings (maximum of two) below 21 years of age and parents below 65 years old.

The Office of the Treasurer has estimated the tuition fees for two programs, already adjusted according to next year’s increase, as examples.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

juniors will pay around 40,491.00 pesos in the first semester compared to the current rate of Php 38,658.00. Medicine, one of the University’s most expensive programs, will jump from Php 80,013 to 83,251 for the first semester of its third year.

Parents-teachers dissociation Parents-Teachers Confederated (PTC) of the Xavier University Senior High School President Atty. Elmer Dela Rosa empathizes with the parents extremely affected by the increase.

Atty. Dela Rosa demonstrates how some of the parents’ efforts to save up and set up contingency plans for their children are now suffering the bane of economic inflation. Not only does an economic inflation devalue money laid out for future undertakings, it also affects those who don’t even have the financial capacity to establish such plans.

Even the efforts of the government to help students financially—an example of which is the voucher program, of which some students of the University are benefactors— are rendered ineffective as the provided financial assistance equals or even falls short of the tuition fee increase (TFI). “Do you know [that] even in our private [schools] there are students who cannot afford to pay for lunch?” reveals Atty. Dela Rosa.

He also narrates the possibility of parents opting to transfer their children to the inherently cheaper government-subsidized schools in the coming years.

Vol. 43 No. 6 April 2017

Misconceptions Another frequently asked question regarding the University’s financial situation is its capability to continually improve and add to its infrastructure, despite its cost-cutting efforts.

Ong explains that each student pays a Facilities and Improvement Fee whose accumulation the University spends for nothing but its intended purpose. Despite having a reduced population

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size, and thus reduced collections, the University is able to work on its infrastructure because of prior donations made to the school. These donations are restricted for use only for their prescribed infrastructure development, and will return ownership to the donor when used any other way.

Similarly, it has also been explained that the Treasurer cannot simply redirect funds intended for one purpose to another. Ong expresses, “What’s to prevent me from doing that? If you are known to be diverting funds from one bucket to another, how soon will you lose your credibility with your students, [or] your parents, and even the government agencies that are looking at your books? [...] That’s a major offense.”

On XU’s cost-cutting and tuition fee increase case, Ong says that accumulated and non-renewable funds (i.e those that the University obtained through donations) cannot be used to cover for operating expenses, especially salaries and wages. “Fiscally, it’s irresponsible to be using nonrecurring funds for recurring expenses,” she adds.

*** As the University increases its efforts to provide a transparent veil to its constituents through organized forums and consultations, there still remains a number of unconvinced individuals, skeptical of the University’s decision to increase its tuition fee for next AY. While this may cause parents to exert supplementary amount of physical and fiscal efforts to cover the rising fees, the University can’t brush off the greater responsibility that lies in their part: to provide the students their right to quality academic formation, no matter the cost.C

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Design by Jericho B. Montellano Design by Aleina C. Buenavista

Atty. Dela Rosa divulges how while some parents have agreed to the terms of the imminent increase, they are simultaneously calling for a substantial upgrade in what the University will offer next AY. He also expresses his expectations of the University’s increased support and backing of other students’ interests such as sports.

Considering the fees, he implies an increase in the support system for University athletes and an upgrade in facilities and services to cater to the increase of demand in the quality of education, especially in light of the recent K+12 curriculum transition.

Meanwhile, Veneranda Larroza, Assistant Dean of the College of Agriculture, sees no problem with the TFI issue. However, Mrs. Larroza pointed out that the increase should be a ‘win-win’ situation for both the students and the University, and added that the increase must be “not too high for the parents to pay and also not [too low] for the University to suffer.”

mad G. Lucman

By Tatiana L. Maligro with contributions from Nur Moham

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espite beginning its operations in the middle of the academic year, the Senior High School Student Government (SHSG) has been working at full capacity to provide the services and activities that SHS students now enjoy. However, are the pioneering leaders’ numerous paperworks and meetings with the administration enough to solve the ongoing SHS identity crisis?

Finding Liabilities Students pay Php 100 in Student Government Fees, and an additional Php 100 for the Student Activity Fee every year. SHSG uses the former for their operating expenses. These include office supplies, and snacks during meetings, among others.

Meanwhile, activities such as reading of honors, intramurals, and others get their funding from student activity fees.

However, due to a mix-up between both budgets prior to their term, SHSG President Angelika Gultia admits that they cannot release liquidation reports for the funds’ usage yet. For example, the funding for a few activities conducted on Wednesdays were deducted from the student government fund instead of the student activity fund. “Ang struggle karon kay not all of the funds or expenses we had were from Student Government funds. Naay uban ana [deducted] sa student activity funds,” she explains.

Power in Papers Behind the immense paperwork and meetings with the administration are the minds of Senior High’s First Directorate spearheaded by SHSG Vice President Matt Anderson Ondap. The Directorate is composed of the four strand directors and their associates, as well as the Technical Vocational and Livelihood (TechVoc) track’s representative.

For their first semester in office, the directorate passed three resolutions to the administration.

These include the moving of the 7:10AM morning assembly to 7:30AM, as well as the halting of sanctions for the haircut policy. Another resolution 8

passed dictates that there should be no PE classes on Wednesday in order for students to attend student activities.

As of now, the Directorate is proposing the SHS version of the college’s Magna Carta for Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) to the administration. This document protects students’ basic rights, as well as to remind them of their responsibilities as students.

Meanwhile, Ondap shares that they had to undergo numerous consultations to formulate a Magna Carta fairly patterned off the tertiary level’s version of the document. “Although we patterned our Magna Carta from the college, it was more on incorporating and localizing it to the Senior High context,” Ondap explains.

The Magna Carta provides six important proposals that, once approved by the administrators, would be effective next year. These articles include the no lockdown policy, the right to refuse makeup classes held beyond class hours, and twenty days to one-month period of completion for Performance Tasks (PTs). The Directorate will also be proposing thirty-minute consultations with teachers after examinations, the dissemination of course outlines before formal discussions begin, and other resolutions once they meet the administrators again.

Thirty-minute consultations, as well as a set date for card distributions, and the dissemination of course outlines with the teacher’s available consultation times before the start of formal discussions will be discussed in the next session.

Future Plans Gultia’s pioneering administration has initiated the planning of activities for next AY. The administration will begin their strategic budgeting and planning for next year’s activities later this month. In addition to producing a budget plan, Gultia is hoping to have a “Strand Fund” which will be distributed to the strand directors for their individual strand activities.

Hoping to establish a better medium of

information dissemination, as well as a venue of self-expression, Gultia and Ondap are pushing for the establishment of an official SHS publication. “This is student-led.

Wala ju’y touch ang administration in the editorial (and other contents). […] This is our own way of expressing ourselves, our medium of self-expression as students,” Ondap says.

Gultia’s administration also plans to conduct an open legislative congress with the first directorate, and all class presidents or interested class members next year. This event would serve as a venue for the formulation and evaluation of proposed resolutions.

“There is power in legislation. […] So really, we would like to [bank] on that with the students. We would like to ignite,” Ondap says.

Ondap also assures that the SHSG office will be open to the student body next AY. Some services such as free printing will be offered. Additionally, students may also drop suggestions and comments in the suggestion box inside the SHSG office. *** Despite all these accomplishments in one semester, one cannot say that the SHSG has fully solved the SHS identity crisis yet. Hoping to continue negotiations with the administration on unjust policies and brainstorming of activities, the SHSG assures they are working their hardest to finally put this crisis to sleep. “It may be hard. We enter a lot of processes […] but we will try to fight. We will continue to fight for the welfare of the students,” Ondap assures.C Vol. 43 No. 6 April 2017

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We ride them everyday Public utility jeepneys (PUJ’s) and motorelas are the primary public transportation options in the city. They are also a notoriously common venue for snatching and harassment - especially towards women.

Mai Santillan, an XU alumna, took to Facebook to narrate her unpleasant experience aboard a jeepney from Calaanan. A middle-aged man seated beside her made physical advances.

He started off elbowing her chest area, making it seem a result of the lack of space within the vehicle. But when she maneuvered forward and then sideways in avoidance, the man inched closer and wrapped his arm around her waist instead.

Commenting on the ordeal, Mai says, “On a scale of one to ten, I’d say it (how safe she feels in the city now) a three.” She continues, “I get bothered by the idea nga we women have to learn selfdefense to defend ourselves from harm. But is safety in our hometown too much to ask?”

Blessy Tan, a student of another university in the city, was riding a motorela along the length of Pabayo St. when the woman seated in front of her was victimized by a pair of holduppers. One grabbed her from behind through the window, held a knife to her throat, and told her to give away her phone while the other blocked the entrance of the vehicle. Appalled by what she had witnessed, she took to Facebook to warn other Source: Sunstar Cagayan de Oro: “Oro ranks 5th in most number of index crime in PH” Fromhttp:// www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/localnews/2016/04/04/oro-ranks-5th-most-number-indexcrime-ph-466057 Follow us: @sunstaronline on Twitter | SunStar Philippines on Facebook Crusader

The

people of the modus on a street frequented by commuters.

Ironically, these cases of harassment and theft happened in March, supposedly National Women’s Month.

Taxi chemical modus Hours after reading a post describing chloroform being used in taxis for crimes, Abigail James experienced something similar. Riding a taxi stationed in front of XU, she noticed a peculiar smell in the vehicle along with other alarming indicators: the air conditioning was on full blast despite it being a cool night, and the driver taking out a face towel without showing any indication of having the colds, nor was he sweating since the air conditioner was overwhelmingly strong.

These things coincided with the warning signs mentioned in the original Facebook post.

Remembering them, she abruptly told the driver to pull over and immediately stepped down.

James received no updates after reporting the taxi to police and being contacted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). In fact, her uncle told her he had even spotted the same taxi cruising freely in the Nazareth area a few days after the incident.

This is where social media comes in.

Aside from filing police reports, many victims have leaned towards Facebook to narrate their experiences and increase awareness among the people their posts reach; statuses of this kind usually go viral. By doing both, two things can be achieved in the same order: capture and prevention. There is no guarantee that Facebook posts are devoid of exaggeration, but frequency alone of such stories popping up on news feeds raises eyebrows.

CdeO-based website ACADEO (About Cagayan de Oro) has also taken notice of the volume of crime-related posts on Facebook and has sounded the call for safer streets. They recently released an editorial entitled “Make CDO Streets Safe Again” on their Facebook page,. They asked residents to comment their experiences with crime. Already over a hundred people have responded sharing their different run-ins of all sorts. *** There is a general aura of danger pervading our city once perceived by some as considerably safe. We can hope the authorities tighten their grasp on the situation and restore the peace. We can actively take part in reducing crime by reporting, reading, sharing, and looking out for one another.

The next viral post you read might just save your life.C

By: Lorenzo A. Botavara www.thecrusaderpublication.com

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Design by Ryan James P. Pascual

conomists foresee a glistening future for the City of Golden Friendship, which is working its way to becoming a metro area. But not every upward trajectory spells fortune for Cagayan de Oro. In a city of a steadily growing 700,000, crime is inevitable.

Despite the local police reporting that criminality in the city has dropped in the past two years, CdeO still ranks 5th in crime index among chartered cities according to PNP (Philippine National Police) statistics. This coincides with various online testimonies and photos from ordinary citizens and commuters who have fallen victim to crime - stories that have both disturbed us and made us ask: how safe is the city today?

Tonight?

One of the more alarming issues lately has been commuter safety.

COVER STORY

THE PRICE T

By Harmony Kristel D. Balino, Maria Franchesca Louise P. Fajemolin, & Tatiana L. Maligro

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n a crescent formation, University students and members of the faculty assembled at the Student Entrepreneurship Center (SEC) Mall entrance on March 8 in clear opposition of the Death Penalty Bill. Within a split second, onlookers would recognize XU’s stand on the matter: No to death penalty.

This firm stand was flaunted through explicit posters of protests accompanied with loud cries of objection. Clad in all-black, University President Fr. Roberto Yap, SJ, participated in the protests, holding a placard in which these words were painted: “Patya ang sala, dili ang makasasala.”

The bill Having reached a consensus during the final reading at the House of Representatives, House Bill (HB) 4727 or the Death Penalty Bill will still have to go through three more readings at the senate by May or June. If passed, the bill will then proceed to Malacañang for final approval.

The Death Penalty Bill has been revised after the House Majority’s discussion. For quicker approval, the bill will only cover seven drugrelated offenses instead of including the crimes listed on HB 01 that was submitted on July 30, 2016 – crimes such as plunder, rape and treason.

“It became easier when we limited it to just one crime,” bill sponsor and Justice Committee Chairman Rey Umali says.

If reinstated, capital punishment may be executed through hanging, firing squad, or lethal injection between 12-18 months after the court’s final decision.

Vox populi The XU administration, especially some of its key people, were heavily criticized online shortly

after the University decorated its gates with statements supporting its stand. One common criticism was how XU’s statement supposedly represented the view of every Kagay-anon, XU student, and employee without prior consultation.

In response to this, Yap says that as a renowned Catholic and Jesuit institution, XU must reflect the values it inherently upholds. However, he highlights that the stand of the University does not necessarily determine the views of its students and of the public in general.

Amidst negative reviews online, Political Science professor Roderico “Jun” Dumaug, Jr. deems it good for XU to present its position on social issues. He expresses how the University should be a venue of clashing ideas as these discourses may breed possible solutions. “It (XU’s stand) allowed people to think and debate freely, and that is so essential in making our democracy functional,” Dumaug explains. According to him, online flaming is dangerous because it silences people who try to think critically. “If you will continue to allow these things (flaming), then you’re killing democracy,” he adds.

The Opposition Unsurprisingly, Yap is against the reinstatement of the death penalty as he is devoted to upholding the teachings of the Catholic faith. He stands against the passing of the bill as he believes that legitimizing the use of violence is not the only solution to the problem.

“Is violence the right way to deal with drugs? […]

The solution is not to kill drug addicts [and] drug pushers, but really to help them rehabilitate,” he opines. Referring to research done on other countries practicing death penalty as basis of his judgement, he says, “There are many studies from

different countries that have shown that the death penalty does not deter crime. It doesn’t work […]

Why do we keep ignoring that evidence?”

On the other hand, Dumaug agrees with the reinstatement of Death Penalty – given the inclusion of plunder and human trafficking as heinous crimes. But when asked on HB 4727, he expresses disagreement with its implementation under the condition presented by the bill which encompasses only drug-related crimes. “If you are going to ask me, what do you mean by a heinous crime? We have to look into the nature of the crime as it is affecting the society.” Dumaug expresses, firmly believing that plunder and human trafficking are larger hurdles for society than drug-related crimes. “What we need is a government that will really impose the law and punish people because penal laws are there to give justice to the victims and (sic) at the same time, retribution to the part of the victim,” Dumaug adds.

A similar war In a report by Amnesty International, a non-government organization focused on human rights, some countries are still practicing capital punishment as of 2015. Some of the top executioners include China, Pakistan, and the USA. Thirty three of these countries, according to advocacy group Harm Reduction International, execute those with drug-related offences (though, with no indication whether executions are solely for illegal drugs).

However, a study conducted by Professor Jeffrey Fagan of Columbia University Law School concluded that the integration of death penalty did not help ease crime rates in the countries it is practiced. The study looks into the crime indexes

TO PAY Past Verdicts Re-imposing death penalty is constitutional. The 1987 Philippine Constitution in Article III, Section 19 allows the congress to appeal for it, but only to counter the prevalence of heinous acts.

Proponents of HB 01 opined that illegal drugs have influenced both users and non-users to commit the most atrocious of crimes, thus vouching for the urgent reinstatement of the death penalty against the mentioned offenses.

For 40 years, capital punishment was implemented in the country until Corazon Aquino signed the 1987 Constitution.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos then restored the death penalty during his term, and was again halted during Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s presidency. Now, Duterte has voiced his affirmation of the penalty, and claimed it solely as retribution for criminals. *** The reinstatement of Death Penalty intends to reduce crime to the new lows, if not, expunge it. Still, it is not a deterrent to crime – proven by a nonexistent record in history that reflects an entirely crimeless period of time brought about by this penalty since deviance will always be a part of society. People with the intent to commit crime will continue to do so. Meanwhile, the stand of those against killing these deviants remains hopeful, albeit backed up by studies on rehabilitation programs. The solution to lives ruined and lost is not more lives lost.C

Photo by Jigo L. Racaza

of countries after introducing death penalty to their justice systems.

“Executions serve only to satisfy the urge for vengeance. Any retributive value is short-lived, lasting only until the next crime.”

One country to note that fought a similar war is Colombia. In the early 1990s, former Colombian president Cesar Gaviria led the country’s war against the infamous narco-terrorist Pablo Escobar and other drug cartels. Years later, Gaviria wrote an opinion piece urging acting President Rodrigo Duterte to stop using violence against drug users. “Throwing more soldiers and police at the drug users is not just a waste of money but also can actually make the problem worse […]. Trust me, I learned the hard way,” he wrote.

M

By Nikki Gay Louise P. Amores & Merryane Rose S. Bacud

Design by Evan B. Aranas

ost students see graduation as an opening up of job opportunities after toiling day and night with school work for years. For the following people, however, graduation is a lot more than that. It means proving, against odds many graduates are lucky enough to not have to go through, that nothing is impossible with a little dash of perseverance.

Security guard (Cebu City) Despite being on guard duty from 7PM to 7AM, 38 year old Erwin Valmoria Macua graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (BeEd) on March 25 at St. Therese’ College. From 7:30AM to 4PM, he attended classes before going on duty.

Visually impaired student (Zamboanga City) Abdulaziz Dapilin, a native of Lamitan City in Basilan, was born with Marfan Syndrome – a rare disorder in the body’s connective tissue which caused blindness on his right eye, and semi-blindness on the left. Dapilin graduated Cum Laude this year with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education major in Special Education at Western Mindanao State University.

Habal-habal driver City) Joyce Dublin, a 30-year-old habal-habal driver, graduated Magna

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(Cebu

Cum Laude on March 26 with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education major in Mathematics at Cebu Technological University-Daanbantayan Campus.

Ex-convict (Quezon City) Ex-convict Victorio Principe was imprisoned in November 2013 for being a courier for a drug group. After his release on June 2015, he enrolled himself in high school through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program. With an average of 99 percent in the ALS program equivalency exam, he placed fourth among all Quezon City passers in 2015.

Fisherman’s daughter (Romblon City) Iah Bantang Seraspi, a fisherman’s daughter, graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree i n Secondary Education major in Biological Science in 2015 at Romblon State University.

Seraspi also placed second in the 2015 Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (BLEPT) with an average rating of 90 percent.

PMA-Maid (Cebu City) After being a housemaid for five years, 25-year-old Meriam Libongcogon reaped the seeds of her hard work as she graduated as second lieutenant from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

Married couple both in their 50s(Cagayan de Oro City) Tricycle driver Adam Lavictoria, 51 years old, and wife Rebecca, 55 years old,

were among the 11 graduates of Bugo National High School (BNHS) Open High School Program for out-ofschool youth and over-age individuals in 2015. Both were also Award of Distinction recipients.

Shoe repairman’s son (Cebu City) Jireh Bautista graduated Summa Cum Laude this year with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Cebu Institute of TechnologyUniversity. The 21-year-old graduate has been reaping academic awards since his elementary years.

Leukemia patient (Cagayan de Oro City) Maria Julpha Villa had her own commencement exercises (a surprise from her friends) on May 25 at a hospital.

She finished her education at Rizal Technological University (RTU) in Mandaluyong with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. Villa was diagnosed with stage 4 acute myelogenous leukemia (cancer of the blood) in February and was brought to CDO for hospitalization.C Sources: “Campus security guard finishes school, cum laude” by Rona Joyce Fernandez (www.sunstar.com.ph) “Good vibes: Visually impaired student graduating with honors” by Jewel Reyes (www.news.abs-cbn.com) “‘Habal-habal’ driver to graduate magna cum laude in Math education”

by Jaworski Alipon (www.news.abs-cbn.com) “A victor’s story: 20-year-old ex-convict graduates with flying colors” by Alixandra Vila (www.philstar. com) “Leukemia patient graduates inside hospital” by Joey Taguba Yecyec (www.news.abs-cbn.com) “Cebu maid ditches broom for PMA, to graduate Sunday” by Micaella Llao (www.news.abs-cbn.com) “Inspiring: Married Couple both in their 50s graduate high school together” by KC Canlas (www.wheninmanila,com) “Son of shoe repair man graduates summa cum laude” by Annie Perez (www.news.abs-cbn.com) “Fishersman’s daughter in Romblon places 2nd in teacher’s licensure exam”

by Paul Jaysent Fos (www.gmanetworkcom)

Vol. 43 No. 6 April 2017

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The plea With the purpose of finishing their Islamic development in mind, XU’s Muslim community requested for the implementation of Muslim Related Studies 55 (MRS 55). They claim that the regular version, RS 55 (Social teachings of the Church), negatively affects their grades since the subject presupposes that the students have at least a basic knowledge of the tenets of Christianity, which Muslims normally do not have. The RS Department currently offers alternative versions of RS 15, 20, and 35 for Muslims, but not for RS 55.

MRS instructor Ustadj Jalani Pa m l i a n proposed three syllabi for MRS 55 and suggested aligning

the subject with Ateneo de Zamboanga’s own MRS 55. Backed by the petition of the Muslim student community, Pamlian has been applying for the subject for nearly four years, but his proposals were rejected each time. TheCrusader Publication reached out to the RS Department for clarifications and a statement on this decision, but were not given the opportunity to conduct an interview.

“Sana magkaroon ng MRS 55 para ma-continue namin ang pag aaral ng Islamic studies o para may support yung first three na MRS, yung MRS 15, 20 at 35, kasi kung hindi namin ma continue sa 55, so we will just switch to the RS 55, for the Muslims it is just a new thing to learn so we have to sustain in learning Islam and then especially Muslims here in Cagayan (de Oro)” says Siraj Muslim Organization President, Khalid Basher. He also adds that the problem with some of the Muslim youth today is their lack of education in the Islamic faith, explaining that this would be disadvantageous for them if they switch from MRS 35 to RS 55 without having a proper background on Christian studies first.

What is given The subject has been met with mixed sentiments from the XU Muslim community.

“At first, the thought of taking RS 55 was daunting. The course subject ‘Christian Morality With Teachings of the Church’ was intimidating because I knew I didn’t know anything about it. [But] when I finally took it up, the lessons revolved around human rights or issues about society. It didn’t really talk about something quite religious, and if it did, it was something universal that any religion can relate to,” expresses senior English Major Sittie Razhan Mangurun.

While it is not forbidden for a Muslim to

study a non-Islamic religion, Khalid Basher opines that it is preferable for anyone to know his/her religion first. “It would be a disadvantage to know a new faith for a Muslim who doesn’t have that suitable knowledge in Islam. The tendency is that he will get to the point of doubting himself and his faith,” he explains.

On the other hand, RS Department Chair Belinda Calibo sent a course syllabus explaining why all students should take the course regardless of religion, which emphasizes that RS 55 encourages students to engage in interreligious dialogue. *** There is speculation from the Muslim community as to why the University did not approve MRS 55: one, that there may be too few students for the University to justify hiring new instructors especially during the financial drought, or two, that they want Muslims – among others of non-Christian backgrounds - to be exposed to the tenets of Christianity.

However, many Muslims question these possible reasons. If the small number of students is the reason, most departments offer elective courses yearly with as few as ten students.

Furthermore, if XU is not willing to hire new instructors, there are those willing to teach without pay, such as XU alumnus who is fondly known as “Kaka Joel,” without whom, there would be no Muslim prayer room. If it’s a matter of exposure to Christianity, the First Year Formation Program (FFP now SHFP) has shown everyone a glimpse of the Christian world.

XU has already allowed three MRS subjects for the path to Islamic formation, so why not pave the last part of the road?C

By Ar-Raffi C. Macaumbos & Justin John Nagac

Crusader

The

www.thecrusaderpublication.com

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Design by Ryan James P. Pascual

espite being a Jesuit-run Catholic school, Xavier University’s doors have always been open to students of other religions. It is an institution that aims to form its students spiritually, physically, and mentally - regardless of orientation - and caters to their religious needs and demands, which are opportunities that not many universities offer.

A decade ago saw the fulfillment of one these needs and demands: Muslims were granted their own prayer room and provided a set of Religious Studies (RS) classes tailored to their religion. Although thankful as they are for the accommodation of their faith and practices, some Muslim students still feel that their spiritual formation in the University falls one subject short of being complete.

LAMPOON

Dear Ate Charot, Itago nalang ko sa pangalang Danny.

Yes, Danny nalang ko taman Danny nalang ko kutob. Dili nako mugukod sa tawng kusog mu-aheeeerm...ambot oy wala nako kabalo sa lyrics. Bitaw Ate naa koy problema sa akong bebe ghurl.

Nangaliwa ang panghak! I thought she was the right one, walhon man diay. Bantog ra kay kung chatan nakos messenger pirme lang LIKE ang reply.

Wanmelyon words na ako na send pero wala jud epek, likezoned jud. Naa pajud time na nakita nako siya with ekals with matching agbay2x, kusi2x, litik2x and the likes. My heart is itching!

Unsaeern? Kapalit-palit ba ako? Gwapo ba ako? Huhuhu. Ate, anong say mo?

Sige Ate diri nalang ko kay magprito sa kog alugbati.

Dear Danny, Yes, bati kag nawong. Pero ayaw kabalaka, mao na ang trending karon.

Hmmm...i-check daw, uyab jud mo sa imong bebe gurl? Unsay inyong label?

Check the label mommy, check the label mommy. Dapat jud nimo ma-"discern" ang mga bagay2x kay lisod na magassume, magsakit lang atong pus-on.

Jusmiyo! Bitaw dong oy, para dili kaayo ka masakitan, ipatokhang nalang sya.

Jowkens! Murag Barney and the Beast inyong story dodong. Pero sige lang, mugwapo ra lage ka hereafter. Hahaha.

Jowkens again. Basta, dasal lang talaga.

Ayaw sad kalimot kaligo kay basin nanimaho nakag bangag, bangag sa imburnal ba! Sige dong, diri nalang sad ko taman kay mamaligya pakog Ebon.

Mwuah!

To join: photocopy this Kurisword with your answers and submit your entry to TheCrusader Publication office at StC 302 with your name and contact number. Lucky participants will receive limited edition collectables.

Congratulations sa atong winner nga anak saamong silingan, yes silingan ta Mile Dawn G. Picut! Cherleng! Bitaw oy, nakadaog ka sa among pa rapols pa burger ka naman jeeeen! Just claim your prize sa STC 302 The Crusader Publication office!

Kitakits selengen! Ipaglaban mwuah!

14

Vol. 43 No. 6 April 2017

LAMPOON

Students’ Opinions CDO ordinance mandates Integrated in SHSFP restaurants to display hipster quotes By: Marco S. Purin Grading System

By Kaye Pap

Photo by Shaira E. Abshire

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pathetic Senior High School (ASHS) students will now have to start Googling facts and figures on current social issues, as the Senior High Students Should Follow Principles (SHSFP) - one of the courses that teaches values and principles of the school - is now integrating the students’ opinions in the subject’s grading system.

According to SHSFP Directress Sage G. Buot, students’ opinions on issues such as the reinstating of death penalty will comprise 60% of the student’s grade. “We are pushing for students to really make a stand on the issues happening around them,” she said. Buot also adds that the new grading system would be a good way of evaluating whether we are forcing the “University’s values down their throats well enough.”

This new system, however, has sparked rage among students. “Dili ko gahanan sa idea because I don’t give a dame about what’s happening around me,” says Still Undecided In Life Decisions (SULID) student Gene Naba. “Lisod na kaayo ang recitations,” complains Rage Off Obscure Things (ROOT) student Pat A. Ka. He also shares his experience of receiving a failing midterm mark after admitting he supported death penalty during one of the recitations. “I thought okay ra katong sige siya’g (teacher) rebut sa akong arguments. Pero sign diay to to stop believing in my opinion, and start following the courses’ principle” he says.

Though the new grading system colloquially termed “Tard Grading” by students - has been credited for being highly effective in remedying apathy within the campus, but not all SHSFP teachers have switched to Tard Grading.

“Maygani conspiracy theorist among teacher. He doesn’t believe everything the University makes him teach,” shares Humming Sciences (HUMS) student Gahn Sta. After brawls between students with opposing opinions have broken out around campus since its implementation, the Assistant Principal for Academics is currently reviewing the Tard Grading system.C

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fter a year-long feasibility study, the City Council of Cagayan de Oro has announced through their Facebook page that a new ordinance affecting the food and beverage industry will be put into effect as early as May this year.

Ordinance number 31227-2017, dubbed the “Customer Experience Modernization Ordinance of 2017,” aims to improve every aspect of CDO’s food and beverage industry by requiring all its businesses to hang inspirational typographic food quotes.

The ordinance was spearheaded by Nico Gatas, a 2nd District Representative who is also a self-confessed “massive fan of milk tea.” Last year, Gatas observed that the best-performing shops around the city had typographic quotes littering their walls for customers to ponder on.

He has since then fought to prove this assertion and pushed for the legislation of the ordinance we have today.

“I also wanted to bring this marketing and branding marvel to good restaurants who have been steadily losing their consumer base and desperately need them,” Gatas said. He then explained that business owners have nothing to lose with this new ordinance as the issuing and renewal of business permits see the addition of only one extra step and a nominal fee.

Before the signing of license plates by the city mayor, business owners will first have to go

through the Federal Association of Millennials (FAM) office - located next to the room with steel shutters within the City Hall - to get their quotes checked and approved. Gatas emphasizes this step and asks applicants looking to get their permits to take note of the following guidelines: 1. The typography must be artistically tasteful: An expert in the hipster doctrine will evaluate the design’s symmetry, balance, color, and most importantly, choice of fonts, among others.

2. The quotes must be unique: No two restaurants can have the exact same insightful text, even if they serve two completely different target markets. While the typography is being evaluated, a member of FAM will be sifting through their database of quotes to check if the insightful text being applied for does not yet exist.

3. The quotes must be reevaluated upon renewal of permits: This is to encourage business owners to keep up with the rapid pace at which artistic standards change. During this step, business owners may choose to keep their insightful text, with only the design aspect needing reevaluation.

As of press time, the new ordinance has received mostly positive responses on the city’s official Facebook, Snapchat, Musical.ly, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.C

Vol. 3 No. 2 April 2017

LAMPOON

XU launches ‘Adopt a Cat for a Cause’ project

By Avada Kedavra

I

t’s hard not to notice the small paws and the soft purrs of cats strutting everywhere within the campus especially during lunch breaks. They are mostly found sashaying around the Magis and Engineering Satellite Canteen in search of food. However, numerous incidents of cats pestering students have caught the public’s attention. Perceiving this as a problem, 50 students signed a petition for the Center for Strategic Governance (CSG) to do something about this, branding the dilemma as a ‘cat-tastrophe’.

Filed on March 8, the complaint was brought up to the University Board for further discussion of the issue. “At first, they [the board] ignored the issue but nangusog jud ang CSG because, at some

point, this really is disturbing and has been going on for too long,” outgoing CSG President Id Lasiya says.

Before coming to a decision, the CSG conducted a week-long-survey to further assess the cat situation. With 187 student responses, the University Board and the CSG joined forces to launch the ‘Adopt a Cat for a Cause’ project on summer. The project is a way of clearing the university of cats and serving as an adjunctive fund raising activity for the XU Night Classes’ school materials.

The CSG will feed, bathe, groom, and house the cats in kennels before presenting them to prospective adoptees. The cat display will take

place in front of the Magis Complex on April 17 with an adoption fee of 150 pesos each.

According to Lasiya, the adoption fee will cover the necessary expenses for the cats and the kennel.

“So far, there have been three reservations, all from senior high school students,” Lasiya adds.

Nang Canor, a third year Civil Engineering student, thinks that the adoption project is a brilliant way of solving the issue. “Wala na jod mga iring nga mu-lukso sa ako everytime mag-lunch ko.

Effective pod ni siya para dili na baho and hugaw ang SS (Social Science) building.”

For inquiries and adoptions, visit the CSG Office located on the seventh floor of the StC Building.C

SLMIS to have Stories starting AY 2017-18

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s part of the improvements to the Student Lifecycle Management and Information System (SLMIS), XU has announced that students will be able to use the new ‘Stories’ feature of the system by Academic Year 2017-2018. Originally an online portal where students can manage their school activities such as schedules, grades, and pending payments, SLMIS aims to play a much bigger role in student life through the incorporation of the Stories feature in the system.

Aptly called “Stories”, this feature will showcase the daily moments of XU students that one follows in SLMIS. These moments will only be available for viewing for only 24 hours before they would disappear into the void that is the deepweb. According to the Computing and Information Services Office (CISO) Director Harley N. Davidson, the addition of the feature to the system is an effort for the students to be more active on SLMIS, rather than on social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. It is also an innovative effort to keep pace with the technological advancements of the digital age.

“Active kaayo mo permi anang Facebook, Instagram, gikan anang My Day ug Instagram Stories. Sino mag

Cruchever

The

Design by Ryan James P. Pascual

By Der Athamus a-adjust? Edi kami nalang,” she said.

In order to follow a student on SLMIS, one only has to search for the student’s User ID or name in the system. Upon approval, one can then start viewing that student’s stories on SLMIS. CISO hopes that with the incorporation of the Stories feature on SLMIS, students will help each other be “men and women for others” by posting notes, updates on whether a teacher is present for the lecture, answers to assignments, and even grades because all of these are accessible in one place. “Pwede mo mag post na dayon kung mag absent ba ang teacher, labaw na pag late ka, kay makita naman nimo sa SLMIS stories sa imong classmate.

Dako kaayo siya og matabang. Ayaw lang gyud i-post inyong mga night-out didto. Please lang,” she urged.

As of press time, the feature is still in open beta. So far, most of the complaints tackle on the lackluster name of the system compared to other social media apps. “Chada man gyud sa Snapchat kay muingon ka, ‘Hi, Snapchat!’ nice kaayo paminawon.

Pero kung muingon ka, ‘Hi, SLMIS!’ basta mag update ka kay murag boring man,” complained Ab Management (ABM) student Fact Bhoy.

Currently, CISO is also testing out special Stories filters exclusive to faculty.C

www.thecrusaderpublication.com

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LAMPOON

CDO textile store to sponsor demonstration materials for XU

By Mocha Cam Pera

Photo by Gene Gerard G. Verona

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Design by Ryan James P. Pascual

lack banners depicting the words ‘MARCOS IS NOT A HERO’ and ‘NO TO DEATH PENALTY’ fluttered as they hung on the façade of Xavier University. The statements voiced out the institution’s stands on recent pressing issues. As much as the University would like to amplify its positions in the societal issues through black banners, the money to purchase black cloth was cut short as the costcutting had been greatly felt due to the K-12 transition.

On February 25 during the 31st anniversary of EDSA People Power revolution, one of Cagayan de Oro’s biggest textile stores—Anzon-Yow Shee and the Pang Laysyo Development (PD) office of Xavier University with the special participation of its Kagod-Kanunay Bes (KKB) arm signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) letting the textile store sponsor 100 meters of ‘Gina Earth’ cloth annually to help the university lessen its

expenses and allot the money for bigger costs..

Anzon-Yow Shee General Manager Alyssa Shane Sheee-Zhu shares that it is the way for their family to give back to the University by supporting its advocacies and taking its side on the most controversial issues arising in the country.

“Maliit na bagay ra gyod nang black cloth… we do believe that we can still help for the betterment of our country even by donating our products to those institutions fighting for the rights of our kababayan who are in the laylayan,” Shee-Zhu remarks.

Shee-Zhu also points out that donating a large piece of cloth will not affect the income of their textile business because aside from the purpose of fulfilling their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), it is also an investment on their part.“Dili gyod mi ma-alkansi ani kay even if we give a large amount [of black cloth] kay nag sabot man mi nga butngan jud ang ubos og ‘sponsored

by’ to help our sales increase,” she stresses out..

The PD cluster very much appreciated the sponsorship. KKB Chairperson Belinda Joyz ‘Et-Et’ Matobato said that the sponsorship is like striking two birds with one stone. Aside from strengthening the University’s partnerships from the private sector, it would also able them to allot an ample amount for other expenses like snacks for those who paint the banners.

“Bongga jud ni para sa atong tanan hilabi na sa mga Momshie out there nga kagod mu pintal og mu rally gawas sa SEC Mall. Ma menusan najud ang gasto ni Father Bobshie sa mga materials so makapa chebars najud ta og noak si oakz,” Matobato expresses.

Anzon-Yow Shee will start providing cloth as soon as there will be another [new] striking issue that would come up and ignite the XU community.C

‘Miracles’ attract more pilgrims to StC Ramps than XU Chapel

By Arannisthedragonslayer_1997

R

eports of bells and thunderous voices from the sky caused over six thousand devotees to flock to the Student Center (StC) Ramps for this semester’s finals week pilgrimage, surpassing the roughly 5,500 head count of the XU Chapel.

For the past 0.05 millennia, the two pilgrimage sites within Xavier have served as quiet places of spiritual reconnection, contemplation, and QPI computations, and are frequented twice a year spanning the entire finals week of each semester by throngs of student-devotees seeking academic salvation. Some non-Catholics even participate in the meditations.

However, rumors of time stopping at the Ramps at high noon, followed by bells and voices reciting the Angelus, have skewed the number of devotees in its favor. “It’s when the bells start ringing that everything comes to a halt,” says graduating student and former agnostic Sud Valenzuela. “We can’t move our feet until the thunderous voices from above finish their prayer, I get chills every time.” Valenzuela has also been participating in the Ramp’s legendary six-storey Walk of Atonement for the past seven years of his college education.

The miracles are also met with skepticism 4

from a small, albeit growing minority, saying the booming voices come from a network of highend speakers strategically installed to evoke a sense of awe. “Powerful sound systems such as ‘Dawbe? Digital Surround©’ are available in the market. The rumors are actually nothing more than clever advertising,” says Professional Mythbuster Carl Marks. He also claims to have

not been “paralyzed” upon hearing the sounds.

“Everyone stopped and I just walked right past them, thinking this was some sort of flash mob or something,” he continues. “Maybe it was because I was listening to music on earphones.”

As of press time, the reports are being investigated on by the Batikan.C

Vol. 3 No. 2 April 2017

LAMPOON

XU Community: No to pineapple on pizza!

By Big Fluffy Belly

pizza chain. Those declining to do so will have their business permits revoked.

Much to the dismay of the University, the rally was faced with much uproar online and from those who witnessed the signs posted outside the University, including students who were in favor of the bill. “Ngano gina-generalize man nila nga dili raman sila ang XU Community? Naa may ganahan ug pinya sa pizza dani nga komunidad,” expressed Mocha Coffee, an 8th year student of Bachelor of Science in Bias Engineering.

In XU’s defense, University President Father Belly Jap SML articulated that allowing pineapple on pizza is a grave abuse to the cultural and culinary essence of the dish. “Pizza is meant to be a savory dish. Allowing a sweet topping on it abolishes the purpose of why it existed in the first place,” he explained.

San Thelmo’s Pizza, the only pizza chain with a branch in the Magis Canteen, also protested its refusal to follow the Bill by selling a limited edition all-black pizza available only for that day.C

Estudyante Maestros to eventually replace faculty body

By Frooze Trey Ted

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s part of its cost cutting and quality control measures, the University will no longer employ teachers in the Academic Year 2017-2018. To make up for the lack of instructors, the University will be hiring Estyudante Maestros (EMs) instead.

This move is also due in part to numerous complaints arising from instructors who don’t understand the demands of being a student.

Students can opt to enroll for the job, which grants them the authority and responsibilities a normal instructor would have in the classroom, as well as a few benefits.

Becoming an EM also gives accepted studentapplicants the opportunity to be men and women Cruchever

The

for others. On the other side of the bargain, regular students will hopefully absorb information more efficiently; students and their EMs can empathize with each other and communicate on a deeper level.

EMs will be paid the same amount as the instructors they are to replace and will be considered part-time employees in the University. They will also receive added benefits such as being excused from accomplishing any form of academic requirement, having the option to take delayed examinations free of charge, having an unlimited number of absences for all of their classes, and access to free PowerPaint presentations from Googul for their classroom discussions.

“We want to give our students an opportunity to share their copy-pasted reports with the class,” says Organisasyon ng mga Estyudante Maestros (OEM) chairperson Mr. Huse Lez. EMs who choose not to discuss their presentations with the class may opt to give activities and tests that would highlight “self-teaching”—a teaching technique that the University believes will help students incorporate magis and cura personalis in their daily lifestyle.

Similar to the current system, students are also required to evaluate their Maestros on iLearn. EMs will be rated based on their level of relatability, attractiveness, and humor.C

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Design by Ryan James P. Pascual

X

avier University has finally released its official stand on the long-standing ‘pineapple-on-pizza controversy’ through a noise-barrage at the Student Entrepreneurship Center (SEC) Mall Entrance on March 7. Attended by students, food bloggers, representatives from various pizza chains, and members of XU’s faculty and staff, the noise barrage was held in support for a better “cultural and culinary understanding” on the infamous pizza topping.

Those who were present in the rally brought with them black placards bearing the words. ‘No to pineapple on pizza!’ painted in white, and megaphones to express their stand against House Bill 47.27— a Bill mandating all pizza chains in the country to include a minimum of one piece of pineapple per pizza slice, regardless of flavor.

The bill was proposed to support the agriculture sector of the country, of which the pineapple industry is a major constituent. The congress also plans to mandate other fruits on pizza, such as coconuts and the endemic lanzones, in future bills.

On the morning of March 7, the bill reached the third and final session of hearings at the House of Representatives in Manila, where it garnered a landslide win with 217 votes in favor of the passing of the bill. Meanwhile, 54 voted against the bill, while 1 abstained, stating that he cannot eat pizza anyway due to pressing health concerns.

The approval of the Bill will result in the menu-wide augmentation of pineapples in every

LAMPOON

Uni Library bans sleep and PDA from premises

By Ara Rama

O

Photo by Evan B. Aranas

n February 29, University head Prince Sepal issued Memorandum Order 143-44 to combat the misappropriation of the library facilities as both a dating venue and air-conditioned sleeping quarters.

The memorandum was announced right after Sepal observed that an unusual number of students – most of them in their uniforms - were flocking to the field. He marched up to the biggest group to inquire of their activity (which seemed obvious to him to be of non-athletic nature) and found out that they were studying there because the library was already full.

“I was upset and disappointed to witness that the library was full of sleeping kids and dating couples showing explicit display of affection” he fumed. Right then, Sepal stormed to his office and made the memorandum official. “We have the clinic for them to sleep and malls outside [the campus] for them to date in!” he added.

Meriam Webstar, a junior Medical Technology student spoke up in agreement with the decree.

“I agree with it kay ga skwela and tuon mi og tarung tapos dili pajud mi makapwesto [sa library] kay naa’y ga date-date ug mga gapantulog ra” she remarks.

Jack and Rose, fifth year Physics majors who frequent the library as their dating venue, argue that they really are just studying for their next exam, and that their intertwined fingers and handrubbing through each other’s thumbs were only a small part of the story. “Grabe, kahit ito taken out of context din. Akala ko ang pangulo lang ng Pilipinas

ang sinisiraan ng mga nagmamalinis na dilawan diyan,” Jack adds.

From now on, students are only allowed a “sleeping break” in the library.

This break should last no longer than one hour and is valid only when an open book is visible on the student in question’s desk.

Couples are allowed to enter the library, given that they do not exhibit PDA. Offending couples will be fined Php 1,000, but will be given a Php 300 gift certificate for a random coffee or tea shop where, Sepal says, “physical romantic gesture rules are a bit more relaxed.”

As of press time, four couples have been fined and sent to Tea Lawi . Consequently, a number of patrons who actually value their library fee worth Php 1,500 expressed their gratitude for Sepal’s quick action.C

Community Service hours enable XU employee layoff

By Cory Anne Q. Nohay

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ith the number of students penalized and bound to do Community Service (CS) at an all-time high, XU has accidentally come across one potent solution to its worsening financial status: saving on costs by utilizing essentially free manpower. By the start of the next academic year, students will begin replacing Physical Plant Office (PPO) workers, Magis Canteen servers, and XU office clerks.

According to Human Resource Manager Hugh Mann, this solution was realized when the Prefect of Students Office requested for more vacancies the students could serve at. He further

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remarked that this had caused redundancy in the workforce. “If we have students obligated to do the job, ngano magsweldo pa ta’g uban tao?”

Mann explains, “Maypag pulihan sila aning mga gahi’g ulo na ga CS.” Rumors have been circulating that 75 percent of the Senior High School (SHS) population rendered CS a week before their finals. “Talagang I’ll be late to pasok school! How can you asa me to gising before seven sa umaga?” rants SHS student Connie Elitus.

“Tapos there were some na mas makasasala but mas konti yung CS kaysa sa’kin!,” she continues whining.

Another problem posed was the fact that there was

a shortage of offices to accommodate the load of students hoping to clear their sanction.

The last statement justifies XU’s decision to fire a total of 205 workers. University treasurer Mae Mancaday estimates that ten million pesos will be saved from this move alone. Mancaday assures that the money saved will not go to waste as it will fund the free shuttle service XU plans to provide during extreme weather conditions.

Considering that Estudyante Maestro will pilot next academic year, XU is foreseen to be the first student-run University in this plane of existence within a few years.C

Vol. 3 No. 2 April 2017

Design by Ryan James P. Pascual

LAMPOON

Editor’s Note

Teacher’s Pet Cora Contrabida

most trusted news source in the Region, I suggest that if you are a weary, uninformed traveller of print and online media, do yourself a favour with a short background check on satire.

One of my friends on Facebook recently posted, “Some of our teachers are so bad that we, students, are basically teaching ourselves.”

In her next post, she shared something so toxic to society my vision literally blurred out until I scrolled down, but I barely made out the words “NOCHA” and “CLOG.” I wonder what page that was... could it be a dummy account related to the eccentric MOCHA USON BLOG? This lampoon is very similar to the latter.

Like her blog, the contents within the following pages are fake. But unlike her blog, the fakeness and exaggerated facts serve a noble purpose – to make society take notice of certain things and to ask them to do something about them instead.

To a new age of mainstream media in satirical form!C

Photo by Nico Aquino

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t’s that time of the year again where The Cruchever releases the most dependable, sought-after lampoon magazine in Region 1x101 Though with multitudinous fake news circling social and print media, we come across approximately four times a day, I am not so sure anymore how many people reading this are able to pick out what is legit from the fake (insert three sad faces and two broken heart emojis).

But I am hoping that you, dear reader, could. We are from one of the most prestigious universities in the region, after all, and people expect exactly that of us when they cite “Ateneans man unta. Mga bright man unta, dapat mindful mo always.” Damn right you are, Mr. Keyboard Warrior! By virtue of our blue forms we are true-blue Ateneans, trained to be criticalthinking social justice (and not just keyboard) warriors, archers, mages, and druids – that’s how we define “class” in XU. Before you flip through the pages of the

Cora Contrabida, Editor-in-Chief, TheCruchever

New Engineering women’s CRs to feature lounge area Illustration by Rizalyka Joanne M. Waminal

By Avada Kedavra

T

he sound of hammers and drills from perpetually ongoing renovation work of the girls’ comfort rooms in the Engineering building has become quite a nuisance to many students in the area. To the population who frequent the building, however, this is the least of their concerns. For many months since the beginning of the renovation, males and females have been sharing the second and fourth floor CRs, leading to innumerable cases of awkward situations.

“One time, I was taking a leak but pag-gawas nako sa cubicle kay naa’y lalaki nga gapangihi pod. That was very awkward bai,” Miss Wa, a sophomore Chemical Engineering student, shares. The long overdue completion of the project was questioned by both faculty members and students, especially since the previous renovations to the mens’ CRs were finished relatively quickly.

According to Head Engineer Mang Juan, the original plan for the project was a simple revamp similar to that of the male CR. However, due to a large injection of donated funds from a local women’s group, the committee decided to Cruchever

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include a lounge area adjacent to every girls’ CR in the building. “The addition of the lounges is to occupy and maximize the free space in front of each girl’s CR,” he says.

The new girl’s lounge will incorporate small sofas, a pool table, a hammock, chair pillows, a thin carpet, and a viewing deck overlooking the beautiful Mortola Street. These lounges will also

serve as an area where ladies can relax or study.

“Basically, it will be a smaller version of a living room,” Juan adds. Aside from that, the bathrooms will be revamped with improved aesthetic and functions.

Unsurprisingly, the project doesn’t have a definite time of completion.C

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