TheCrusader Election Broadsheet 2016 by The Crusader Publication

Tagalog: ‘Naming CSG as a puppet is not correct’ By Alexa Kim K. Bacong and Mary Antoinette M. Magallanes

e understand that there are concerns that dili ma-address sa students because of administrative matters bitaw so I think that naming CSG as a puppet is not correct,” remarks Central Student Government (CSG) president Jrold Tagalog. Issues that the current administration has not been doing its job properly continue to perturb the CSG. This problem has led some students to think that other units in the University have stepped in to carry out what CSG has failed to. As such, XU Buklod Ambassador turned vicepresidentiable Jean Marlo Sepe has given deep insight towards the issue. “The thing is there are many activities that OSA, sila na ang gabuhat, which is supposedly, pwede man unta buhaton sa CSG. For example, kanang sa mga filing of cases, OSA is actually encouraging students to file cases in OSA but to be honest, it’s actually

the CSG’s job to collect these complaints. Things like that ba,” said Sepe, adding that they need to set their boundaries. “They are supposed to fix that difference.” With the confusion of where the students should get what, the issue of the widening gap between the students and CSG has also been said to be growing. “Ganito yan eh… anything the students need, nga ma-give, they can find it sa ilang co-curricular [organization], extracurricular [organization] and own [college] councils. So CSG has to find another way nga dili mahatag sa tulo ka organizations,” Sepe vents out saying that what CSG has done did not breach into the territory of the students. He also mentions that branding the students as apathetic is quite the broad and wrong term as well. “That’s not the problem. It is about how CSG is not doing anything about it. They already know nga the students

are apathetic, so what are they supposed to do? They are supposed to reach out,” he adds. Xavier International Students’ Association (XISA) President Rajesh Pandey is following this line of perspective. “They (CSG) should avoid the politics or bureaucracy or whatever they have there (because) for me, CSG is supposed to be grounded to the earth, the students should be the top priority. I mean, in a democratic basis what happens is, the people actually rules the government not the government ruling the people.” Not the admin’s dog

Tagalog has mentioned that CSG has been very keen in matters when it comes to making plans with OSA - SACDEV. He has also emphasized that the relationship between the two has been handled well, giving both parties an avenue of growth.

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Turnstile breakdown causes inconvenience at SEC Mall gate By Raizah L. Bagul & Kevin Paul P. Mabul

adio Frequency Identification (RFID) gates, located at the Student Entrepreneurship Center (SEC) Mall entrance has experienced a long-term breakdown which led to considerably long lines that inconvenience the XU community. According to the Physical Plant Office (PPO) Director Ramil L. Pajo, the malfunctioning of flap type turnstiles situated at the SEC Mall entrance was caused by problems with its power supply and worn components of the circuitry. What complicated the problem is the

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fact that reliable repairs come only in the form of replacing the entire circuit board. Pajo attributed the internal damages to the recurring brownouts last October 2015. Because of the multiple daily brownouts lasting as much as two hours, the turnstile’s Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) were drained, requiring it to reinitiate the entire startup procedure which contributed to the wear on its internals. The office also received reports from the University security of misuse among students, citing incidents where students

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tailgate to avoid swiping their own ID, deliberately and non-deliberately hitting the flaps, and applying excessive force on the RFID module despite it not needing physical contact in scanning IDs, thus contributing to the damage of the turnstiles. The situation has already been addressed and the PPO is currently awaiting the arrival of parts from the Malaysia-based service provider. However, there have been delays due to the congestion in Manila and the process of screening foreign parts by the Bureau of Customs – as was the case with

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Admin aims for 20% less costs, urges collective micro-efforts By Nikki Gay Louise P. Amores & Lorenzo A. Botavara

niversity President Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ broke the news of the current financial crisis of the University through a published memorandum dated back October 7 of last year. In the wake of this, various initiatives were taken to increase enrollment and reduce costs. Cost-cutting without jeopardizing quality challenged the different clusters as they were commissioned to devise plans on its implementation. Following the call of Yap, various recommendations were then collected and grouped according to target areas. The Office of the President released a memorandum on January 18 further detailing the cost-cutting initiatives and their accompanying recommendations which were divided into four target areas: Facilities and Utilities, Materials and Supplies, Academics and Research, and Human Resources. The memorandum enumerated various recommendations on the aforementioned target areas. Recommendations on facilities and utilities emphasized the regulation of electronic facilities in offices. Electricity consumption is one aspect that needs immediate action, being the most consumed and easily wasted resource. Regulating operations of office facilities and University resources mandated during non-working days/hours is

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CANDIDATE

Rippling MAGIS By Alexa Kim K. Bacong

unning under the banner of Alyansang Atenista (AA), third year Business Administration student Princess Cassion is the political party’s Central Student Government (CSG) Presidential bet for this year’s campus elections. Being the optimistic and extroverted student leader, Cassion has found her way through student politics by her active participation in the Youth Campus Leadership Community (YCLC) back in high school. In college, she started her first year as a block representative, second year as part of the sophomore core group and eventually, a third year representative in her college council. Apart from the usual council volunteerism, she takes another route by being part of the The Xavier Stage (TXS). A rare take on her journey in TXS, Cassion has fostered leadership development skills, as well as conducting programs and designing modules. Rippling actions, rippling MAGIS

Princess Cassion

“I am a stone willing to be thrown into the water and then ripple,” she beams. Cassion breaks the barriers of the usual platform genre by gearing her run through the Ignatian value Magis. Her platform, MAGIS, means

Maximize collaboration with respective student councils and organization, Amplify government transparency, Gear towards efficient student representation and services, Intensify student empowerment, and Strengthen community involvement and social works. “What I want is [a] CSG where people can go to, not only where elite people can go to,” she states. Cassion looks forward to the CSG turned into an avenue where students can come and go with comfort. “CSG should be there. As much as possible 24/7,” she adds. Cassion has found the uncontested trend of the presidential elections supposedly be worth the call to those who feel the urge to take part in student politics. “I believe that if I want to change the world, we should start with one single act and an aim on a leap of faith,” she exemplifies. “I want to bring back the glory days where people are so open and vocal in politics and in making a stand. Sa una ga-rally man to, naa petitions [sic]. Students now are becoming apathetic,” she adds. The best of friends

In this year’s elections, Cassion faces none other than current CSG VicePresident Edison Lacea. Not only is Lacea her competitor, but also her best friend, Feasibility Study (FS) group mate, college council mate and block mate. When asked if their political rivalry might affect their strong bond, Cassion mentions that she and Lacea have sworn over a pact of

friendship. “I admire his work... If ever Ed wins I will support him, if I win I know he would support me,” she fills in. “He has his own beliefs and principles and I have mine. There are people counting on me and I am so thankful to those who really believe nga I would want to do something more,” she adds. Her prospectus

“Taking in the protocols of our constitution, I want to choose the best people and strengthen them for the respective [CSG] departments,” she marks. AA’s frontrunner is bound to account the budget CSG receives from the administration transparently. Other things to look forward to, should she win, would be the One Big Movement and monthly Talent Expo. “I believe CSG could do more. Why not tap the untapped talents? Inform those not informed?” Cassion also envisions a Magna Carta Drive in which the campus community will be thoroughly informed about their rights as a bona fide Atenean during the pre-semestral orientation. She also clearly highlights women empowerment and would like to abolish the idea that women are weak and vulnerable. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Cassion knows that she is strong enough to handle the pressure. “I can do it. They (students) are all looking up to you and these people have been through a lot and you need to be someone strong enough to pull them back up,” she concludes. C

Thirst for Change By Nikki Gay Louise P. Amores

believe that I can do it. I can do more for [CSG’s] Legislative branch and I can communicate to the students. I’m not equipped only with intelligence but [I] also [have] the heart,” expresses 18-yearold Chemistry student Caryl Mae Dorothy Dablio. Backed with her experiences as first year representative for the School of Education, Internal P.R.O. for Teacher’s Guild council and vice president for Xavier Kristohanong Kabataan (XKRISKA), Dablio has set her eyes on the Central Student Government (CSG)’s vice presidential seat under the banner of Alyansang Atenista. Equipped with proficiency

Having attended several trainings, Dablio believes that being able to connect with the students is what makes her a capable leader. Her attendance in leadership seminars and experiences in handling people prepped her into the devoted leader that she is now. Dablio acquainted herself with CSG during her secondary years, when she attended CSG’s Kagay-anon Youth Leadership Academy (KAYLA) wherein high school student leaders from various schools were introduced to the different sectors and functions of CSG. “I think that was my most memorable experience nga ni-

Caryl Dablio

tatak jud sa ako. From that, nagka-interest jud ko og ayo sa CSG.” Driven by her great passion for teaching, she joined XKRISKA as an apostolate, teaching children of garbage collectors through the Island Philippines Foundation. She also took part in the We Tutor initiative of the School of Education that provides quality education to students in Ecoville. She is also a formator for the Supplementary Training to Reinforce Education of Academically-gifted but Marginalized Students (STREAMS) - Pathways to Higher Education. Having MAGIS

Dablio wants to eradicate the growing apathy among students. “I think one of the greatest problems in XU is the students’ apathy. They’re not really interested into leadership because they don’t feel [like] being empowered.” She cannot stress enough how students have become indifferent. Apathy caused by the absence of student empowerment is one problem she deems worthy of attention and would like to address through the MAGIS platform. MAGIS stands for MAGnifying legislative agenda, Intensification of organizational empowerment and students’ right advancement and Strengthening of government transparency. Dablio also notes how different sectors like student assistants (SAs), athletes, LGBT, and scholars among others are

poorly represented. Thus, she wants to stimulate students’ participation through making stands and voicing out opinions and concerns regarding diverse issues. Awareness and Transparency

She’s also fixed on increasing student awareness on the role of legislation, including its resolutions and bills. Due to lousy information dissemination, students are currently clueless, a reality which hugely disappoints Dablio. She’s planning to improve student awareness through creative presentation. “Students are not aware of the different resolutions nga na-pasa because wala’y proper dissemination of information,” she shares. According to her, posting on bulletin boards is not enough; making videos is a more efficient way to circulate information among students. “Mas creative, mas interesting [ang information]. Daghan kaayo pamaagi [to creatively disseminate information]. It’s just that, student leaders limit themselves. More effort pa dapat ta.” She believes that empowerment kills apathy and it drives students to exercise their rights and responsibilities. “To become a good XU student, you should know your responsibilities and rights. I hope students could find the essence of voting and can exercise MAGIS or simply be MAGIS,” she muses. C

February 2015 | Vol. 42 No. 5

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CANDIDATE

Young, yearning, and ready By Merryane Rose S. Bacud

ore than possessing the guts of a fighter, Edison Lacea is an experienced leader with a clear vision towards leadership. The junior Business Administration student has always strived to become an effective student leader since his elementary years. He has spent most of his college years engaged in politics, serving other people and prioritizing their well-being. For the incumbent Central Student Government (CSG) Vice President, this brings a huge sense of fulfillment, knowing that his skills and talents are being used for the greater good. To continue his passion for service, Lacea grabs the opportunity to run for CSG President under Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy - Xavier University (USADXU), a relatively new political party. A glimpse from the past

As CSG Vice President, Lacea was inaugurated as the convener of the 22nd Directorate where he took charge of creating laws and resolutions which would benefit the student body. Around 20 resolutions were passed during his term, addressing concerns of the administration, faculty, and minor sectors. Lacea admits to having a few disagreements with current CSG President Jrold Tagalog regarding their points-of-view, but he also says that they are able to work together harmoniously.

When asked to rate the performance of the current administration, one being the lowest and ten the highest, Lacea gives a seven. “Seven, because of course, no administration is perfect. I’m not going to say I’m perfect. Seven, because maybe we could have been more responsive to the needs of the students. We could have done more improvements, more engagements, and partnerships with the student body,” he humbly shares. Three thrusts

Lacea is running with a unified vision having three primary thrusts. First, Lacea yearns for a CSG which is accountable to all. For him, students should be aware of what is going on in their student government by making minutes of meetings public, improving checks and balances system, and creating a performance evaluation board for the officers. Second, is a CSG which is student-centered, service-oriented, and focused. He believes that a student government must focus on students first, providing better services and must be centered on their current needs and priorities. Lastly, he envisions a CSG with greater purpose. Lacea believes that a student government must not only focus on the student body but the entire society as well.

Call to participate

Lacea believes that student participation is one of the greatest problems in the student body. They (USAD-XU) also believe in providing the students the avenue to meaningful participation in the student government. He believes that by choosing USAD-XU, a greater progress awaits. “We could only make little alone, we’ve been doing that for many years, we could only do so much with you, but we can do so much more together,” said Lacea. For the young leader, great things will only happen when students are actively participating in the student government. “Student government is not about announcing whether there is no class; it’s not about making awesome [General Assemblies]. But it’s about responding to the needs of the students. Student representation — and that’s what we hope to strengthen in USAD.” With all these in mind, Lacea, despite his tender age, is more than ready to turn his visions into reality.C

Edison Lacea

Stronger the second time By Raizah L. Bagul

ost people would give up after failing for the first time, but Jean Sepe is not most people. The third year BS Mathematics student, despite his loss in last year’s election, is running for Central Student Government (CSG) Vice President under the Guided Ateneans for Better Advocacy and Yield (GABAY) party for the second time around. The bold leader has a wide range of credentials: Buklod Atenista ambassador, CSG Ateneo Task Force Chair, and third year representative to name a few - but will he be able to successfully woo the student body this school year? Moving forward

“I believe that the CSG is in a critical phase. […] If it cannot fix its relationship with the students, it will definitely fail,” shares Sepe. In order to combat the loss of connection with the student body and in line with his vision of moving CSG “forward”, Sepe promotes USWAG which advocates the following: Uplifting student representation, Sustaining the CSG framework, Widening student

services, Adapting constitution change, and Guarding student’s right. As for student representation, he believes that there is great importance in students being frontliners in voicing out their concerns to the administration. For him, the right to have a resounding say in the campus shouldn’t be given only to a few parties but the entire student body as well. Sepe also calls for a constitutional change. This advocacy separates him from his contender. “[The] CSG needs to have a new constitution […] it is no longer working,” he opines. According to him, the student council presidents being automatically made into legislators instead of solely working on their duties as council presidents creates a conflict of interest between the two positions. This, he says, is an example of how the present constitution is “archaic.” Under the last part of his platform, which is the guarding of students’ rights, Sepe is lobbying for an official CSG website which can be accomplished through a transparency bill. Through this, a member of the XU community could

easily access legal CSG documents. The roadblock

The rising apathy of the students towards the CSG is the major issue that Sepe plans to address in the upcoming elections and thus combat by lobbying for a more inclusive CSG. According to him, apathy birthed the tendency for students to engage less in activities, and fewer students running for positions in the CSG. He admits that the students are “no longer seeing CSG [as] relevant,” and that this perception must be fixed. Sepe’s platform embodies his pure effort to transform the CSG into a more approachable form of government that could form a kindred relationship between the government and the student body. “The students need to feel that naa diay silay mabarugan, naa sila’y ma lean on,” shares Sepe. C

Jean Sepe

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EDITORIAL

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Publishers Subscribing students of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan

Illustration by Christian Loui S. Gamolo

Editors Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera Editor in Chief Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe A. Lozarita Associate Editor Keith Obed J. Ruiz Design Editor Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas Managing Editor Andrew Rey L. del Fierro News Editor Mary Antoniette M. Magallanes Campus Features Editor Rezza Mae B. Tolinero Local Features Editor Kevin Paul P. Mabul External Features Editor Lorenzo A. Botavara Sports Editor Jericho B. Montellano Graphic Design and Layout Editor Jigo L. Racaza Photography Editor Rico M. Magallona Freehand Editor Finance Officers Jigo L. Racaza Auditor Maria Gladys B. Labis Senior Finance Manager Anna Jamela Soraida S. Balindong Junior Finance Manager

Colored frequencies

cross the entire electromagnetic spectrum, our eyes are only able to detect certain wavelengths of light. But when a science-defying phenomenon such as a national election approaches, physical laws go haywire and our radio waves are suddenly colored by the implicit, but obvious biases of certain radio stations. Partisan stations constantly throw darts at each other’s pet politician on air while revering theirs. On one station you hear something that goes a little like, “At this very moment, our esteemed Pedro (AKA the-guy-we-want-to-win-this-May) is toiling for the advancement of our beloved city in his humble office,” then switch to another station to hear a disgruntled, frustrated man at the height of his tirade on the very same Pedro being paid homage to next door. Disregarding the political nature of this tainting, the whole fiasco makes for an entertaining earful. We silently laugh out of both amusement and annoyance as we marvel at the absurdity of the anchor’s statements emanating from taxi speakers or from Tatay’s pocket radio – statements we now rarely hear because hardly anyone in our age group or younger listens to radio anymore. Timewise, loyal listeners of talk radio ended with our generation. Perhaps these broadcasters feel a sense of liberty to do this so explicitly because of the waning audience; they might think that no one will probably talk about them anyway since there are too few to notice. This, however, is no excuse to abandon ethics as members of the media. Both sides of the picture must be presented objectively to enable the people to choose for themselves, not swayed by manipulated truths. Broadcasters are not named that way to cast broad nets into schools of fish and drag the catch onto the boat. Rather, they are to free the fish from aquariums of ignorance and cast them into a sea of information, free to settle and thrive wherever they choose, out of informed choices. This is not the case in many localities, particularly here in Cagayan de Oro. In fact, there are radio stations whose names are immediately linked with that of its “man” or “woman”, as if out of wedlock. “Ay, _____ Radio? Kang Pedro mana nga istasyon.” In this aspect, therefore, our local broadcast media is no better than the mainstream giants. On the other hand, it is also the responsibility the viewing and listening masses to ensure the authenticity of the information that they are being presented with. One way would be to know that videos that go viral are not necessarily true, that contrary to a number of photos circulating around social media, the Marcos administration was a dark period in Philippine history, that some posts starting with “Psychology Fact” aren’t actually psychology facts. Familiarizing the platforms and track records local and national candidates is another. It would be effective to not exclusively listen on one station but to switch to others once in a while. In this way, you could expose yourself to everyone else’s bias and sway where you will. That way, you have had effectively applied the principle of double negatives and balanced yourself out. Finally, to all the lovely partisan stations out there which we dare not name, your only bias should be towards the truth. C

OPINION

Night’s Watch By Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcareya

Managers Lynette L. Tuvilla Human Resource Manager Marlon R. Boro Office Manager Mark D. Rodriguez Circulation Manager Evan B. Aranas Video Productions Manager Jo Marie Claire B. Balase Online Accounts Manager Senior Computer Systems Manager Ker Ruben A. Ramos Junior Computer Systems Manager Staff Writers Nikki Gay Louise P. Amores (Trainee), Alexa Kim K. Bacong (Trainee), Meryane S. Bacud (Trainee), Harmony Kristel D. Balino (Trainee), Raizah L. Bagul (Trainee), Mary Therese P. Mole (Trainee), Charissa D.C. Santiago Staff Artists Maria Kristina G. Abing (Trainee), John Niccolo A. Aquino, Ben Clark B. Balase, Paul Clinton B. Balase, Erah M. Balindong (Trainee), Marlon R. Boro, Christian Loui S. Gamolo, Dave Allyster R. Gultiano (Trainee), June Benedict C. Laplana (Trainee), Jinky M. Mejica (Trainee), Jaymar Patana, Khristine Marjorie L. Quiblat (Trainee), Marc Anthony B. Reyes (Trainee), Mark D. Rodriguez, Jan Michael A. Sy, Lynette L. Tuvilla, Rizalyka Joanne M. Waminal (Trainee) Moderator Ms. 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: 5, 000 copies

Vol. 42 No. 5 | February 2016 Layout by Rico M. Magallona

Talk shows and personality politics

t is election season again. Campaign posters line the already congested overhead electrical line, catchy novelty songs become political jingles, and of course, ambitiously organized debates dominate the headlines and air times. The recently organized PiliPinas Debate has transpired here in Cagayan de Oro. It was attended by the top five presidentiables for the upcoming national elections. However, it failed to achieve its real purpose: to distinguish one candidate from the other. A debate is a platform where opposing arguments are contended. It was the perfect avenue for the presidential candidates to show how much better (or worse) they are from their opponents, and yet, what seemed to happen was that they were either agreeing with each other or just pointing out how

impressive their individual platforms were. Yes, issues such as poverty, corruption, and criminality are some of problems that our country is facing. All of the candidates seem to agree on this. Yet, they haven’t really showed how their solutions to these problems differ from that of their contenders. One thing to blame for the lack of backand-forth banter is the line of questioning carried by the moderators. The debate format too, was a problem. The candidates did not have enough chances to dissect their opponents. Once an exchange of rebuttals and counter rebuttals were made, the moderators moved on to the next question, giving no chance for continuity and deepening of standpoints. Chances to rebut were not even utilized to refute opposing

candidates. Instead, they were used to make individual statements. In the end, the event resembled more of a campaign rally or a talk show than an actual debate. Then again, was holding a debate useful to the presidential elections at all? Will a debate change the opinion of a voter? In a country where sports icons, movie stars, and politician family members win top government posts, can a debate really change how people see our political candidates? Even Joseph Estrada won the 1998 presidential elections without joining debates at all. Unless our elections would deviate from the so-called “personality politics”, then no amount of debates and forums would change how voters choose their public officials.C

February 2015 | Vol. 42 No. 5

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NEWS

BulateGo! advances in UNILAB national competition finals By Alexa Kim K. Bacong

Last year’s campus-wide elections yield highest voter turnout in 5 years By Xian Louis Patrick R. Arcayera

POLLS. Xu students equip their votes for the coming elections. [P. BALASE]

BulateGo! advances in UNILAB national competition finals.

n November 24, Team BulateGo!, composed of Kristohanang Katiligban sa Pagpakabana – Social Inovolvement Office (KKP – SIO) student volunteers, advanced in the regional finals of Unilab Foundation Inc.’s Ideas Positive Run 6. The run is a nationwide youth competition and social marketing clinic that promotes health in communities through innovative solutions. Eventually, the group made it to the Top 15 slate bringing them to the upcoming Ideas Positive Boot Camp, the much-awaited national compendium that took place on February 14 to 17 at the UNILAB Bayanihan Center and at Legend Villas, Mandaluyong City. “This is the first time XU has joined

this event,” shared BulateGo! member Gimar Reyes. Together with Reyes, Fransisco Bade III, Monde Dal, Ana Cabrera and Jechr Bug-os, along with mentor Jim Akut, has represented both Northern Mindanao and XU by uplifting the health status of their home community. The team’s project, entitled “Ascarias Alis, Sugpuin ng Mabilis: Planting Seeds of Hope”, has been set to eradicate the 164 cases of ascariasis among the children in Zayas, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. “The high incidence of this roundworm infection was attributed to the proximity of the community to a landfill, and poor sanitary practices of the place,” Reyes explained. Reyes also elaborated on the team’s plan

[PHOTO COURTESY BY GIMAR REYES] to meet their goal through the introduction of an innovative mobile toilet facility, educational campaigns on the disease, community deworming, and propagation and use of medicinal plants against ascariasis. The boot camp will only serve as a kickstart. Qualifying into the national level would require the chosen fifteen teams to utilize up to Php100,000 seed money sponsored by the foundation. With this budget, each team shall share and realize their positive ideas to their chosen community for up to six months. The final presentation of ideas would be by August of this year. The top 3 teams with the best results will be hailed as winners.C

XU implements changes after PAASCU visit By Merryane Rose S. Bacud

ccreditors from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) visited XU from February 4 to 5 to conduct its second survey. The visit is a continuation of PAASCU’s first survey in December of the previous year, where the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), School of Education (SOE), and School of Business and Management (SBM) had varied results in the survey. In the 2015 visit, the accreditors deemed a problem in the three colleges in terms of curriculum and instruction; they needed to improve their teaching strategies. However, XU did not instantly fail the survey but was instead given recommendations to resolve the problems discussed after the first survey. According

to Academic Vice President Fr. Rene Tacastacas, the curriculum and instruction needed a lot of changes. After the recommendations, attempts to achieve improvements were instantly made. Such improvements included the changing of the scope and sequences, methods of teaching, as well as the methodology and assessment tools. The syllabi, an outline and summary of topics to be covered in an education or training course, were also upgraded. The University has been on full gears to address the concerns of the accreditors. “The faculties are being visited in the classrooms. You see visitors at the back, observing how the teachers are teaching, because classroom visitation [is] kind of taken for granted in the class, and PAASCU is looking for that,” said Tacastacas.

According to PAASCU policy, once a university fails to maintain its Level IV accreditation, an immediate demotion to Level II is enforced. Redeeming the lost two levels would not be easy, since before the failed university can regain the Level IV accreditation, it would have to pass through Level III first. PAASCU aims to maintain and uplift the quality of education in schools, colleges and universities. Currently, XU has garnered Level IV accreditations in two schools and one college: SOE, SBM and CAS. Meanwhile, the College of Engineering and College of Agriculture have maintained their Level II and III accreditations, respectively. After the visit, the College of Nursing was evaluated as Level II and the College of Computer Studies is moving towards Level I.C

he Central Student Government Electoral Commission (ELECOM) yielded 48.83% in voter turnout during the 2015 campus-wide elections – the highest in five years. From 32.02% in 2014, the turnout increased by 16.81%, a deviation from the decreasing trend since 2011. According to ELECOM Chief Commissioner Jesse Galarpe, the increase was attributed to the relocation of the polling precincts. Instead of using the University computer laboratories, ELECOM transferred the precincts to the much visible venues such as the Peace Park, Engineering Satellite Canteen, and the Library. Adding to the factor why the voter turnout increased was the increase of candidates running for the CSG presidential and vice presidential posts, with four candidates – coming from three political parties – vying for each seat. “[Students] had more choices for there were more candidates who ran. The improvement of the voter’s turnout also increased because of the student’s willingness to vote and the support from our colleges and University offices,” explains Galarpe. According to Section 1.b. of Article 1 in the Omnibus Election Code of Xavier University 2013, a candidate must get at least 25% votes from the total student population to win the CSG Presidential and Vice-Presidential seat and 15% for the College Council seats. However, a resolution in AY 2013-2014 challenged the section’s constitutionality. Right now, the same rule is being followed as there has been no move to amend the existing Election Code. If the number of votes does not reach the 25% and 15% quota, a failure of elections would be declared and a special elections will be conducted. Thus, the ELECOM has organized room-to-room campaigns to encourage students to exercise their right to suffrage. Teachers have also offered additional points to students who would vote in the upcoming elections. For now, ELECOM aims to maintain last year’s high turnout and hopefully yield more than 50% this year. Galarpe believes that one vote can have a very big impact in the coming campus elections and urges students to vote. “One vote can move things, one vote will bring them to a University that they want to see. One vote can count as their voice in our student government. One vote can make [a] ripple of change. We hope that in this year’s campus election, we [will] see more students who vote for change,” he exhorts.C

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FEATURE

SACDEV Policy: Student leaders should maintain 2.0 QPI by Charissa D. Santiago

hat does it take to become a student leader? When are leaders made? What determines their success and failure? What kind of situations would render them incapable of leading their respective organizations further? Many think that the elections period is the hardest time for any campaigning student leader. From creating political parties to preparing platforms and speaking in front of huge crowds, gaining a seat in the field of politics is no easy feat. But even after the results are out and the positions have been won, the insecurity of keeping the position still remains.

to pass a copy of their grades and Quality Point Index (QPI) from the past semester. This is then evaluated by the Review and Recognition Committee (RRC). Though kept confidential, there have been leaders in the past who were asked to step down from office for failing to meet this requirement. According to Jesse Galarpe, the Chief Commissioner of the Electoral Commission (ELECOM), applicants for top leadership positions in the Central Student Government (CSG) are also required to have a QPI of 2.0 from the last semester. This grade must also be maintained in order to keep their positions.

Leaders as models

Exceptions

Student Activities and Leadership Development Office (SACDEV) Director Richel Petalcurin explains that it is important that student leaders set a good example for other students in balancing both their academic and organizational life. They are called student leaders and not just leaders, because being a student is their primary occupation. “They came in XU to study. That’s a priority. They were students first before they became leaders,” says Petalcurin. The policy is only limited to the top officers of organizations. During the reregistration of leaders, they are required

There are special cases wherein leaders are still allowed to stay in position despite failing to meet the required QPI. These cases include situations in co-curricular organizations wherein a leader has a QPI only a few points below 2.0 and the organization he is heading has a limited number of members. Having the leader step down from his position would dramatically affect the well-being of the organization. During such cases, the leader is allowed to keep his position. However, he will be kept under the close eye of the coordinators and will be on probation.

A balancing act

Petalcurin mentions that it is important for leaders to prove that they can lead themselves before leading others. She hopes that there will be more success stories about leaders proving that they can successfully lead a group and at the same time maintain if not improve their academic standings. Paolo Araune, for example, was a BS Math student and student leader who graduated summa cum laude and class valedictorian of school year 2014-2015. *** Though one’s participation in organizational activities is highly encouraged for wholistic formation, it should not come with the compromise of one’s academics. Perhaps it should be considered that leaders are not made during elections. They are made while they are working. According to Petalcurin, the success of a leader is not defined by the number of projects he implements but by the number of leaders he makes. To add to this thought, before one can make future leaders, one must also prove that he can make a leader out of himself and be responsible in both the organizational and academic field. In the end, everything still boils down to character.C

Pacing downtown Divisoria By Harmony Kristel D. Balino and Alexa Kim K. Bacong

n Cagayan de Oro, the start of a new year has been met not only with booming firecrackers, but also with a boom in crime rates. Since a number of these took place in Divisoria, people whose daily routines revolve around the area are beginning to fear for their own safety. If people are afraid of being pinned against a wall, dragged across the street, or pointed with a knife, can they still confidently walk around Divisoria? Or is the lively place quickly becoming a breeding ground for guiltless criminals? What lurks in the dark

In the first two months of the year, three people, two of which were Xavier University (XU) students, found themselves in desperate situations at three separate points in Divisoria. It was past midnight on January 19 when Iniego Lacaran III, was stalked by a suspicious man who was a little over five feet. The stalker followed him for a few minutes, until he managed to slip inside a popular food chain, where he sought refuge from the branch manager and the security guard. A week later, on January 26, along Corrales-Hayes streets at 5:30 in the morning, XU Nursing student Nabila Dipatuan was pinned against a wall and was punched on the face multiple times by an attacker who demanded for her bag. She screamed for help and eventually, a security guard caught her attention that had sent her attacker running. The suspect was a middle-aged male in similar height to Lacaran’s alleged stalker, wearing a white baseball cap. Oral Roberts Gabinete, another XU Education student, came to help

Academic calendar unchanged for undergrads By Mary Therese P. Mole

till, June to March. For Xavier University the academic calendar shift won’t be happening for the undergraduates in the next academic year. The academic calendar remains unchanged amidst questions amongst students regarding the shift has buzzed up, as the transitions are already occurring in some schools, universities, and colleges. The University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila (ADMU), and University of Santo Tomas (UST) exemplarily, have already shifted their academic calendar in 2014. Why not?

According to Academic Vice President Fr. Rene Tacastacas, SJ, working out the academic change entails reconsideration of various factors. With K-12 tuning in next academic year, it would be a little complex and hard to manage especially when they are still starting from scratch. “It is the call of the University president and it is yet to be decided by the Board of Justice,” he shares. Furthermore, Tacastacas adds that they would not be discussing about this matter as of now. One of the factors that could also affect the shift would be the climate. If the academic calendar is to be moved to the hottest months of the year, it would mean setting up air-conditioned classrooms for around 10,000 students—a process not considered a priority by the University at the time being. The only exception

VIGILANCE. An RTA officer is on lookout for traffice violators. Dipatuan calm down. About two weeks after, Gabinete fell victim to vehicle theft. He was inside an internet cafe when he himself witnessed his motorcycle get stolen. The thief sped down to Cogon area via Hayes Street. He immediately reported the incident to the police stationl. In a few days, his motorcycle, though completely worn-out, was successfully retrieved. Luckily for them, they came out of their predicaments without serious physical harm. Mark Jun Dasoc, on the other hand, wasn’t as fortunate, as he was found dead along VelezFernandez Streets on the month of January. Multiple stab wounds put an end to the graduating Nursing student’s dreams. Beware and be aware

According to Police Officer 2 (PO2) Vincent Dalisay, policemen assigned in Police Station (PS) 1 cover the entire Divisoria area. The station is designated under Kiosko Kagawasan. Dalisay shares on one of their internal strategies, which POLICE EMERGENCY LINE 116 includes mingling with the public. POLICE STATION 1 “Dili lang men in uniform, naa pud DIVISORIA HOTLINE men in civilian. When you catch a NUMBERS criminal, act like a criminal,” he shares. Globe/TM: 0917-848-9327 Aside from internal unit strategies, disseminating information to the SMART/SUN: 0998-532-2558 locals has been a must. Distribution LANDLINE: 088-855-0255 of leaflets and surprise checkpoint

[M. RODRIGUEZ]

surveillances are frequently done by the patrollers. “Tsada ang coordination sa police ug sa amoa road traffic enforcers,” opines Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) Team Leader Sheree Keth Jatico. She also states that police assistance is not a big problem as they can immediately contact the station through their handheld radios. However, people roaming around the streets of Divisoria should be aware of the designated areas of the policemen on duty. PS 1 is limited until Corrales street only. Breaching XU beyond Cogon market, PS 2, stationed beside XU Gym, is held responsible. Nevertheless, all police are ready to respond when needed. “Kung naa’y problema mahitabo atubangan [sa] dalan (PS 1 Coverage), alang man tan-awon lang nato bisag [assigned for] Cogon mi. Aksyunan japun namo,” assures PO 2 Bebelito Casing Jr of PS 2. *** Amidst all the crime cases, Dalisay asks everyone to avoid prejudices that policemen aren’t being as attentive as they should be. With a meagre police-to-citizen ratio of 1 to 700, a full force police protection isn’t possible at the moment. Bottomline is: a perfectly safe Divisoria can’t be promised as of now.C Source::1. SunStar Cagayan de Oro. “Graduating Nursing Student Killed in Oro”. (http://wwww.sunstar.com.ph)

Though there would be no calendar shift for the undergrads next school year, the XU - Dr. Jose P Rizal School of Medicine (XU-JPRSM) is one step ahead on the transition. On December 18 of the previous year, the Board of Trustees approved the resolution of the School of Medicine, regarding the change of its academic calendar. Beginning AY 20172018, classes will start from August to May for Med students, with a transitional adjustment from “June- March” to “JulyApril” in AY 2016-2017. One third of the Medical schools in the country have already shifted their school calendars, with the University of the Philippines (UP) and Ateneo being the pioneers. One reason behind the revamp of the school calendar is to adjust to the changes made by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) concerning Licensure Exam dates for Physicians from August to September and from February to March. The shift will give the May XU Medical graduates an adequate time to review and take the board exam by September. Furthermore, the Association of Professional Medical Colleges has also revised the schedule of Internship Programs from “May-April” to “JulyJune”. *** The University is gradually taking the leap towards change starting from the School of Medicine. Though the transition is yet to happen for the undergraduates, they are slowly but surely taking little steps towards improvement. It may eventually happen for the undergrads but as of now, their school calendar will be an exemption to modification.C

February 2015 | Vol. 42 No. 5

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FEATURE

Right under our nose: The Zayas landfill situation By Nikki Gay Louise P. Amores & Kevin Paul P. Mabul

ince last year, numerous reports of foul odor coming from the Zayas landfill have sprung, and while it was expected that the city’s waste would be unpleasant to everyone’s noses, it was not, however, expected that the Zayas stench would penetrate Patag’s barangay proper.Solid Waste Management (SWM) coordinator of the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) Elvisa Mabelin explains that they have been levelling critical slopes to avoid landslides and prevent the build-up of highly toxic and explosive methane gas. Though heaps of garbage have been flattened to facilitate the gradual release of gases, CLENRO has had a shortage of soil to blanket the waste, leading to odor spreading further than usual. This has been addressed within three days with additional soil and deodorizer to at least combat the smell. While the situation in the residential areas within Zayas’ vicinity may stink, that is nothing compared to the uncovered truth behind one of the things just under our nose. Acting on it

According to Mabelin, the Zayas landfill has been operating for well over 30 years and has continued to do so despite the establishment of laws prohibiting the practice of open dumping. Section 37 of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act enacted on January 2001 requires every local government unit to convert open dumpsites into controlled dumpsites within three years upon the act’s effectivity, and that, after two more years, open dumpsites, controlled or not, shall no longer be allowed. Beyond the fiveyear transition period, a sanitary landfill should be in place instead, along with other supplementary components of the act. Throughout the course of the dumpsite’s decade-long overdue operations, the landfill has generated various health hazards not

STENCH. Scavenging the reek areas of Zayas, Landfill just to the territories and inhabitants nearby, but to Cagayan de Oro’s water bodies as well. “Wala ta kabalo ang gaka-notice lang sa tao diha kay ang baho, pero the leachate sa basura padulong na sa Iponan river,” says Mabelin, referring to the accumulated landfill liquid seeping through the soil and mixing with runoff water.

however, is experiencing a delay because of the budget slash by the city council despite various appeals to reconsider the ruling. “Nag-letter ang board urging the city council to reconsider the budget. This is beyond politics. Tanan ta ga-create ug basura. Tanan ta responsible pero wala. Wala jod response from the city council,” shares Mabelin.

Bumps along the road

Envisioning the future

In 2014, with Fr. Roberto Yap as SWM Chief of Board, a plan of action was drafted proposing the closure of the dumpsite, establishment of a sanitary landfill, formulation of the ten-year-plan and practice of barangay-based solid management to further address the underlying issue. Due to financial constraints, the components of the dumpsite rehabilitation were divided into three phases with the first phase successfully funded and implemented. The second phase,

Assuming all things go well, a sanitary landfill possibly in Pamalihi, Pagatpat will then be operational. The sanitary landfill is an engineered disposal facility with proper leachate and gas management, monitoring wells, vegetation and greening, and liner and drainage system. The ten-year plan also encompasses the relocation and rehabilitation of around 300 families currently residing within the dump site’s vicinity. This initiative includes

[J. MEJICA] programs that aim to provide them with other sources of livelihood. *** SWM, intended to resolve the unraveling of the overdue problem of the dumpsite, has already formulated a well-planned work program. Reducing waste output at source by segregating and reusing is a start, but why not take it a step further and push for a full implementation of the programs we’ve already started and spent on? Besides, would we want what we throw away to continue being hazards to our life and haunt us for years to come?C

Xavier Congress 2nd session eyes future improvements By Charissa D. Santiago and Raizah L. Bagul

ith the aim of giving the students a better appreciation of the legislative process, The Xavier Congress (TXC), a legislative platform for students to raise their concerns, commenced its second session on January 16 at the AVR 8. Organized by the Central Student Government (CSG) Office of the Vice President, in cooperation with the 22nd Directorate, the session presented 12 proposal resolutions, of which eight were approved and four others denied. More than making the students appreciate the lawmaking process, the Congress ultimately aims to encourage the students to be more involved in the improvement of their own welfare. Resolutions

Out of 12 proposed notions, two resolutions earned a unanimous decision from all 30 delegates present. The first was entitled the “Hotline Bling”, presented by the second committee, which addresses student welfare, services, and responsibilities. Moreover, the resolution proposed the creation of an official emergency number in

the University which would become relevant in cases of life and death situations that may occur inside the campus. On the other hand, the second resolution aimed for CSG transparency by relocating the CSG president’s 100th day report from the University Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the XU Gym. This would allow the report to reach a wider audience. The proposed resolution was under the fifth committee which addressed administrative concerns. However, according to Jayve Ritardo from the Board of Dais, the viability of the resolutions can be questionable at times. Since some resolutions can be idealistic, it may become difficult to implement them though they have already been approved. “Ideals are not bad because it makes the world brighter but reality makes the world better,” he shares. Ambitions at hand

Despite facing the end of the school year, TXC hopes for more improvements in the future batches. According to Edison Lacea, current CSG Vice President and

a member of the Congress, among the resolutions they would like to propose are the gradual amendment of the constitution, the replacement of college council presidents with senators in the Directorate, and the creation of an Office of the Ombudsman. The idea of amending the constitution was brought up around three years ago; it was able to reach the court. After being passed by vote, the decision did not reach fifty percent, thereby denying the approval of the resolution. However, Lacea believes that there is still hope for the amendment of the constitution in the future. He thinks that this should not be done in one big blow, as he believes in the little changes spanned across a time. As for replacing college council presidents in the Directorate with senators, Lacea believes that this is an idea that should be thoroughly studied, as it may possibly bring forth a lot of improvements. The college council presidents must prioritize their position in the college council first and manage the day-to-day operations of the council. With the presence of senators, council presidents are granted more time to

focus on their respective colleges. Another advantage of this is that the Directorate can meet more often and therefore suggest more resolutions. Lastly, the positive side of the picture includes the probability of having more outspoken students in the position. Finally, the creation of an Office of the Ombudsman shall also be suggested to the upcoming batch. This is to hold the student leaders accountable for their actions. This office, should it ever come to fruition, shall be in charge of keeping leaders in check and making sure that everyone is doing their part. *** Several changes and improvements were initiated and brought about by TXC. Despite all the improvements, however, there is always room for more. The Congress has given each student the opportunity to voice out their problems and personally suggest ways to address them. The present batch leaves the next not only with a bunch of suggestions and great hope for change, but with a momentous legacy as well.C

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inconvenience at SEC Mall gate from page 1 the similar delay in shipments on December of last year. The PPO has already circumvented the expected cargo lag by purchasing most commonly worn parts in advance. “Katong una wala man gud mi ga stock, thinking nga naa dayon. So with experience we have [had throughout the] operations, nag stock na gyud mi. So mao na nga ang response times sa uban dali ra gyud,” Pajo explains. He also stated that the circuit board and power supply issues are more serious and are not covered by the advanced purchase of parts considered consumable. Compared to the turnstiles in the SEC Mall gate, those found in the main gate are sturdier and easier to fix since they have a more mechanical nature compared to the flap type that had more electronics involved. The motor of the latter has to undergo a certain process for the synchronization of the flaps, something that the ordinary turnstiles don’t go through. However, Pajo recognizes the benefit of the flap type’s RFID gate as they are quieter and smoother under operation.C

BOTTLENECK. Three SEC Mall turnstiles out of order, leaving only one functional.

Naming CSG as a puppet...

from page 1

“We should agree to disagree,” he insists. On the other hand, CSG Vice President Edison Lacea likens CSG to a camera wearing the wrong lens. “When people say CSG is dying, I think mainly because that people see CSG as an events organizing body when it shouldn’t be,” he opines. The presidentiable also adds that CSG has existed for student representation, services, and other auxiliary means. However, Lacea highly emphasizes that the services that the student government used to give has now become part of the responsibility of the SACDEV office – this statement affirming that CSG has been doing just the same thing and has not distinguished themselves autonomous through other means. Collaboration rather than competition

As SACDEV head, Richel Petalcurin has the mandate to serve in both tables; one of which is to be the CSG Moderator. However, she clears out the misconception of CSG being a puppet government of SACDEV. “Being the moderator, they are enjoying their autonomy. I would like

also to point out that I cannot tell them nga do this and do that in a sense that ako nalang magbuot sa ilahang project. I do not really hamper their autonomy to decide; it is their right to organize their projects,” Petalcurin explains, adding that as head and moderator, she can only provide CSG the wisdom in pursuing their projects and make sure that their programs adhere to the University policies. “Naa silay autonomy sa ilang events, sila bali ang brainchild and I provide mentoring.” Setting out the boundaries between the two organizing entities, Petalcurin explains that SACDEV’s programs, such as the Ateneo School of Upcoming Leaders (ASUL) or Atenista Ako Movement (AAM), will always stay while CSG’s projects are entirely anchored on the leaders’ discretion and priority. “Wala mi labot ana kung dili nila priority… that is the difference between the programs and student government.” As the moderator, she has strived to converse with both the Executive and Legislative heads, clarifying that SACDEV’s affiliation with CSG is

more of collaboration rather than a competition of efforts. “Kami kay provide [og] discipline and formation program to the larger studentry. I don’t think there is an overlapping [of duties]; there is a different design. Lahi man gud ang call… partnership lang gyud siya,” she adds. “CSG is protected by its constitution. I could only say things but I cannot choke them.” *** The whole studentry lives under the watch of two influential governing bodies: CSG and OSA. Two organizations with both similar and distinct responsibilities; two organizations separated only with a thin, reedy line – the narrow line that could spell the difference in how both entities work and how they would affect the University lives of the whole student body. While these two organizations do not clearly mark the line that separates their boundaries, and while CSG does not move farther from the outskirts of OSA, the studentry might have to, every now and then, face the confusion it may cause.C

[N. AQUINO]

Admin aims for 20% less costs from page 1 one way of conserving electricity. Air conditioning units should only be turned on in accordance with the suggested times and instead of utilizing multiple units, one unit should suffice for practicality sake. The memorandum also recommended sharing of facilities and equipment among users. In the second target area, maximizing the utility of materials and supplies can be done by downsizing the number of requisitions and hard copies of documents to a maximum of two. Centralizing purchases for bigger discounts by canvassing, uploading files and other documents instead of printing hard copies, reusing paper for drafts, and practicing other cost-effective options were also suggested. Moreover, documentation of events by third-party services has been limited to graduations, convocations, and other University-wide official events. The memorandum also specified a printer to personnel ratio of 1:3. Finally, newspaper subscriptions have been limited to the library. Cutting down out-of-town and overnight activities along with professional development forums by 20 percent was directed to Academics and Research. Local venues should also be considered when organizing seminars to save travel money. Externally-funded research should, if possible, render the University liable for a maximum of only 30% of the project cost. The Human Resources section, the fourth and final target area, prohibited student assistants’ (SA) overtime. Cleaning of offices was also reduced to thrice per week, staff meetings and other activities were limited, redundant positions among units/offices should be removed, and unit heads should report employees absent without prior notice within three days. Following the release of the memorandum, the University mandated the different cluster heads to report on their achieved monthly savings, putting their compliance under stern surveillance.C

February 2015 | Vol. 42 No. 5

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NEWS

Panaghugpong commemorates its eighth year By Harmony Kristel D. Balino & Therese P. Mole

U celebrated the 8th year of Panaghugpong: Xavier Arts Festival in the entire month of February under the initiative of Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA). Panaghugpong 8 is the celebration of the convergence of the seven arts: Drama, Music, Dance, Literature, Visual Arts, Architecture and Allied Arts, and Film. The individual exhibition of the seven arts was set to play out entirely every week this month until February 29. The University-wide month-long celebration goes way back 2008 under the National Arts Month led by Philippine International Arts Festival. In June that year, the Xavier Arts Festival was renamed Panaghugpong which is the Cebuano term for convergence, as the seven arts come to one in recognition. The celebration was made annually since then, “...we followed the mandate of the country; [that] February is the Arts month”, explained XCCA Director Hobart Savior. This year’s celebration is packed with events and activities such as The Xavier Stage’s Pinatay si Mayor! which encompasses election-related aspects, Xavier Philharmonia’s love-themed concert Hearts Full of Love, XU Soundtable’s Rhythms of Love, the empowering VDay Monologues, and Chant with us! Forum, among others. A deviation from previous Panaghugpongs is the newly established triennial Lambago Art Awards. This awards ceremony was launched to recognize artists and art advocates who have greatly contributed to the local culture and arts scene. Categories include: dance, music, literature, visual arts, film, theater, architecture, cultural

CONVERGENCE. Diverse forms of art fuse in one annual event. activities, art criticism, and museums. Savior emphasized that Panaghugpong 8 is an avenue for appreciation; it is a commitment to continuously make art available. It also serves as a venue for students to be immersed in art. “I think the universities have the responsibility to instill art to the students,” he stated, noting that it is the duty of educational institutions to incorporate art in the academe.

For eight years, Panaghugpong has always flourished with the diverse arts it covers. Its success is always on the peak which satisfies its audiences as it grows more familiar to many. For the years that are yet to come, Savior plans on innovating Panaghugpong to be more inclusive, interactive, and open to the public. On the importance of art, Savior explained, “I have to emphasize that humanity’s hope practically would survive

[J. PATANA] whether it is a question of globalization, question of identity, of industrialization or technology or making people’s lives so fast, I think that the last hope here is the aspirations, hopes, and expressions of the people that actually remind us that we are humans. And all of these are captured by art and by the artists who made them.”C

LAMPOON

Cora Contrabida: Classified Files A

PAASCU is going to visit, so everyone, please be on your best behavior.” Insert about three cringes here. Of course, it was PAASCU visitation season! The smell of fresh paint in most parts of the school should have given it away. The sleuth in me was disappointed that I didn’t see it sooner. I’m going to catch these culprits, I swore to myself. I sacrificed my candidacy for this; you bet I’m going to make it worth it. And so I marched to the Quality Maintenance Office for some adamant preaching regarding our right to information and transparency because you just know an article on TheCrusader about the PAASCU visitation is going to keep those copies flying off our magazine racks. Think of the exposure, the possible thousand more likes on my Cora Contrabida page, the billboard invitations…er, I mean, think of the kind of education that we should have been getting all this time but only seems to appear during PAASCU season. However, no matter how hard I pried, no one seemed to know about the results of the previous PAASCU visitation. You would expect that because it’s their second visit, they would have recommendations to follow but no, everyone was just as confused as I was. Not even anyone from the Academic Chancellor’s office knew what to say about the PAASCU visit. When I asked the college deans for information, they just stared at me like those famous protagonists in amnesia films. Their faces were painted with “PAASCU visit? What visit? What

PAASCU?” From there on, I coined the term Forgotten PAASCU 2015. Forget the existence of an elevator attendant in the Student Center building just because those PAASCU evaluators were visiting. Forget about the sudden appearance of earnest teachers who offered skillful teaching, as if all the past months were hibernation periods in preparation for the coming of the PAASCU evaluators. Forget that PAASCU visitation seems to be the only thing that can give us the education that we are here for. No, let’s not focus on how nobody seems to know the results of the last visitation, or even the specifics of the process that comes with it. Amidst rumors of demotion in our accreditation, nobody seems to know what the real score is. There’s only one thing to explain this: the PAASCU evaluators used that spray from Men in Black that makes you forget. That’s a thing now, you know: a neuralyzer. I end this report with the conclusion that PAASCU evaluators are good spies, who actually help students get a glimpse of high quality education. After the visit, they leaves us with an administration that forgets what high quality education stands for. The solution here, it seems to be, is for me, with my ever-brilliant mind, to create a device to counter the neuralyzer’s effects. Well, time to work! Hand me those energy-spitting, and silver-colored Men in Black devices, please.C

Illustration by Rizalyka Joanne M. Waminal

fter months of intense research and numerous rejections by offices under the guise that “the results are still not available” (which is, by the way, one motivating factor that pushes my quest for revenge, er… justice), I have finally uncovered the big PAASCU fiasco. Sitting through those boring group reports with equally boring teachers who pretended to care has not been easy. Imagine all the hours I could have spent grooming my campaign for my second presidency … but no! I had to endure those classes where self-teaching seemed to be the teachers’ favorite go-to method. All these sacrifices I have selflessly done just to uncover the whole shebang with this PAASCU visit. Yes, you may thank me later. Actually, it has been quite a while since I’ve had this gut feeling that something fishy was going on. For the first time in this semester, my teacher actually went in front of the class to teach! I was also taken aback by powerpoint presentations which popped out of nowhere and pre-class outlines which included “prayer” at the beginning and end. Before, I thought school meant students with their hastily prepared reports and cartolinas with cheesy designs and horrible typography. Who knew teachers are actually capable of using effective teaching materials and practices? I was at the point of believing that I was actually receiving the Ateneo education I deserve, when I finally heard the magic sentence which comes after the surprise visual-aid bombardment: “The

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Publication holds lively debate between CSG contenders By Alexa Kim K. Bacong

he Crusader Publication organized a debate-themed Meet the Press attended by candidates of Botar Atenista 2016. Held at the Magis Walkway on February 20, the four-hour debate led the participants into tackling relevant on-campus issues which were specifically centered on the lapses of the current Central Student Government (CSG) of which President Jrold Tagalog, Vice-President Edison Lacea, and Chief Justice Joeces Cual are held responsible. The forum was flocked by concerned students and members coming from the three XU political parties (Alyansang Atenista, Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy – Xavier University (USAD-XU) and Guided Ateneans for Better Advocacy and Yield (GABAY). The debate was supposed to start with the battle between the vice presidentiables namely Jean Marlo Sepe (GABAY) and Caryl Dablio (AA); however, due to health issues, Dablio was not able to attend the forum. Regardless, Sepe still participated and took his stand. After Sepe, the friends-slash-foes Princess Cassion (AA) and Edison Lacea (USAD) answered questions that tackled on pressing campus issues such as the delay in submitting the strategy plan and the

MEET THE PRESS. USAD, AA, GABAY show the student body what they’ve got. situation of having the SACDEV head as CSG’s moderator. Following the aforementioned categories, an open forum was held where questions from the audience were entertained. Though the CSG directly affects the students, XU alumni and faculty members also threw inquiries. The event was successfully graced by the panel of moderators: Sports Editor Lorenzo Botavara, News Editor Andrew

Rey del Fierro, Managing Editor Samantha Isabelle Bagayas, Associate Editor Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe Lozarita and Editor-inChief Xian Louis Patrick Arcayera. The event was themed “A War on Two Fronts” because one political party has a full slate while the two others only had one candidate; one has a lone presidentiable while the other has a single vice presidential candidate. Thus, one party is fighting on two fronts. It had its reference from World War

[J. RACAZA] II when Germany was attacked on both sides by the Allies on the west and the Soviets to the east. With an audience turnout of at least a hundred, Meet the Press has remarkably made a change this year and, hopefully, has left a shift in perspective for the students in choosing the officers of next CSG.C

XCCA recognizes local arts through awards event By Merryane Rose Bacud

he Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) organized its first Lambago Art Awards on February 20 at the Lucas Hall Grounds to recognize exemplary local artists and writers whose works have brought national and international appreciation not only to themselves but also to Cagayan de Oro City. These awards were given to artists who have been actively and excellently demonstrating their skills and expertise for the past three years in the field of Dance, Music, Visual Arts, Theater, Literature, Film, Art Criticism, Architecture, Cultural Activities, and Museums. Local writers and art aficionados in CdeO partook in the awarding ceremony. They were also awed by the presentations from stellar performers coming from in and out of the University. XCCA Director Hobart Savior, together with University President Fr. Roberto C. Yap and honored guest Mayor Oscar Moreno, graced the awarding ceremony. Listed below are the categories and the respective awardees: • Dance (7) – Xavier University Cultural Dance Troupe, Liceo de Cagayan Folkloric Dance Troupe, Capitol University Dance Troupe, Next Moves, Kagay-an Performing Arts, XTATIC, and Jasmine San Juan-Llenas • Music (11) – Anna Dela Fuente, Rudolf Golez, Michael Auxilio, Dave Alba, Art Ramos, Xavier University Glee Club, Xavier Philharmonia, Capitol University Glee Club, Rap Batikos, Friends and Music, and Alex Dagalea • Literature (11) – Raul Granada Moldez, Anthony Daposala, Lina Sagaral Reyes, Rogelio Fantonial Garcia Jr., Arlene Jaguit Yandug, Maria Elena Lastimosa Paulma, Ferdinand Tanael Cantular, Tyron Keith Maru Varias Sabal, Nagkahiusang Mambabalak sa Cagayan de Oro (NAGMAC), Bathalad Mindanao, and Antonio Enriquez (Posthumous) • Visual Arts (17) - Pennessencio Estarte, Louie Talents, Jericho Valjusto

BEAMING. A night of recognition for the local artists and their creations.

• • • •

Vamenta, Michelle Hollanes Lua, Errol Balcos, Michael Bacol, Nicolas Aca Jr., Chris Gomez, Evans Yonson, Froilan Gallardo, Ryan Carreon, Junnie Dwight Dalmacion, Artsada, Biswal Mindanao, Circulo De Arte, Dire Husi, and Cagayan De Oro Arts Guild Film (3) - Joe Bacus, Cloyd Winstanley, and Jasmine Mendez Limas Theater (5) - Ametta Taguchi, Denise Aguilar, Maia Nery Fortich Poblete, Dulaang Atenista, and The Xavier Stage Art Critic and Writer (1) - Mozart Pastrano Architecture (1) - United Architects of

the Philippines -CDO Chapter Cultural Activities (2) - Cagayan De Oro Tourism Culture and Arts Committee and Liceo Culture And Arts Office • Museum (4) - Dr. Erlinda M. Burton, Dr. Antonio J. Roa Montalvan Ii, Museum Of Three Cultures, And La Castilla It was also during the event when TheCrusader Publication, in partnership with the XCCA, successfully launched this year’s Veritas which was aptly themed “There”. Veritas is an annually-released, literary and art folio that compiles essays, short stories, poems, photos, and digital and traditional artworks from XU students, •

[J. RACAZA]

faculty members, staff, and alumni. Meanwhile, Taguchi, a recipient of the Lambago Art Award for Theater, wishes all the best for the event. “May the Lambago Art Awards continue its mission of encouraging artists because art too can cause the world to stop, listen, and change even just a little bit,” she shared. The Lambago Art Awards was authored by Savior and was actualized with the support of their event partners English 91.1 (Practicum Class) and The Crusader Publication.C

February 2015 | Vol. 42 No. 5

www.thecrusaderpublication.com

FEATURE

LIHUK 2016 initiates education for voters, politics By Rezza Mae B. Tolinero

egister, select, vote – these are the simple moves that the Filipinos have to do in order to elect national and local leaders who could fully address the needs of the people. However, for the Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana - Social Involvement Office (KKP-SIO), it should be more than that, thus the tremendous support on the Lambigit Igsoon para sa Hiniusang pag-Uswag sa atong Katilingban (LIHUK 2016). Taking a leap

Introduced in May 2015, LIHUK is a non-partisan loose network composed of various sectors in the society intended to provide not only voters education but also political education to select communities in the city. According to Social Advocacy Program Officer Jim Akut II, the program is coined as “LIHUK 2016” (“lihuk” which means “move” in Cebuano) since it encourages people to move for a cleaner and fairer elections. “We move people so that the people will be moved to also move other people,” says Akut. Under this advocacy, KKP-SIO, together with the youth sector, religious organizations, and select government agencies, facilitates the “Kwentuhang Bayan.” This activity, which is also known as “Katilingbanong Paghisgut-hisgut”, provides an avenue to the community members in addressing their concerns through a participatory approach. Its primary purpose is to put the concerns of the community at the center. Discussion and action planning will come from the community members themselves based on the three modules that will be given to them: introspection about themselves, them as a community member, and them as a voter. “We go to the grassroots and educate them (community members) regarding the elections and basically to empower them that they can do something for the betterment of the country,” Akut adds. Aside from being conducted in the communities, Kwentuhang Bayan is also held

INSTIGATING. LIHUK 2016 seeks for change. in the University, training more able trainers to facilitate more Kwentuhang Bayan sessions. Joining the synchronization

“We need the energy of the youth, we need the idealism of the youth, we need the vibrancy of the youth,” states Akut as he encourages the students, especially those in XU, to take part in LIHUK’s endeavor. Furthermore, he emphasizes that being involved in political education does not necessarily require one to be in politics since it gives more weight on being able to communicate one’s passion and desire for social change. According to KKP-SIO student

volunteer Gimar Reyes, the students “can be proactively involved in the entire electoral process most especially in engaging to the margins in our society through voters education as facilitators.” During the Kwentuhang Bayan, student volunteers assist in drawing out the problems and concerns of the select community and develop issue-based political agenda that will heighten awareness within the community members. With that, Reyes invites students to commit to a life of service by participating as facilitators of the program and thereby respond to Pope Francis’ call to go to the peripheries.

[B. BALASE] However, Akut emphasizes that LIHUK 2016 is not the only way for the students to be part of the desired change of the country. According to him, the students themselves must strive to become responsible voters first. “It is important that we start young to be politically engaged, we start young to do research, and we start young to be empowered.” As of press time, KKP-SIO is open for students who are interested to volunteer in Kwentuhang Bayan. The initiative is intended not to campaign for any political party but to campaign for empowered voters.C

XU prepares for senior high placement in main campus By Samantha Isabelle H. Bagayas & Nitzschia Cassiopiea Beroe A. Lozarita

or the next two years, college and senior high students of the University will have to be used to meeting and greeting each other, as both levels shall be housed in the main campus at the beginning of AY 2016 – 2017. According to Vice President for Basic Education Dr. Dulce Dawang, the senior high school students will be accommodated in the main campus due to the lack of freshmen next year. “We have a lot of classrooms that will be vacant. So in lieu of the first year, we will be accommodating senior high [students],” she explains. Another reason is for the University to gauge the number of enrollees in senior high before building a campus in Pueblo that would adequately suit the influx of students. According to Director of the Office of Student Affairs Ivanell Subrabas, the senior high school is projecting 2,100 enrollees next academic year, which is equivalent to roughly 40 sections. Although they are still finalizing the details of the arrangement, Subrabas says the grade 11 students will have a separate

uniform from the college students and will have their classes in assigned buildings from 7:30 am to 4 pm. These classrooms will be available for use by the college students after the designated time. However, a detailed list of the classrooms to be used by the senior high students has not been released yet. The organizational structure of the senior high school is also being confirmed at the moment, although the University is considering having separate directors for academic and spiritual formation. Because subjects commonly taken by freshmen students will not be offered anymore, some teachers from the tertiary level will be teaching senior high students. “So that would mean mixed loading for tertiary [level] faculty members. Some of them will have teaching load for tertiary and teaching load also for senior high,” Subrabas explains. The University has also considered and planned for subjects like National Service Training Program (NSTP) and Firstyear Formation Program (FFP). “NSTP

cannot be moved because that’s under a Republic Act. Pero ang FFP, because that’s an institutional requirement, it’s up to us. So we decided to move it down to senior high school,” Dawang expounds. The senior high school, as a mark of Jesuit education, will also have formation incorporated into their curriculum. “So we will not just be developing the academic aspect, but also the formation of the students.” Aside from faculty, the senior high school will also share other University resources and facilities such as the clinic, library, canteen, church, and sports facilities. Subrabas says that there is a possibility that some organizations in the tertiary level will be open for admission to senior high school students. Although XU will form a separate Central Student Government (CSG) for the senior high school, creating separate organizations that will cater only to senior high school students is not plausible yet because of the demands of the transition years. “It would be very demanding on our part, in terms of time, if we pursue having

specific clubs or organizations for senior high.[…] But we still have to plan out as to the details of the coordination mechanism and also identify what are these particular orgs which can be shared with senior high students, given that for example, our cocurrs have specific members [who] are only those enrolled in a particular course and all,” shares Subrabas. Subrabas also says that the University is looking into including the senior high students in tertiary level events such as general assemblies, organizational trips, and intramurals. However, he underscores that while the senior high school will share facilities and resources with the University, the two are separate entities. The senior high school is different from college because it will have a different set of academic policies, code of discipline, student government, and uniform. There are guidelines that are unique to them because the set-up is similar to junior high school, where the students stay in one classroom the whole day and the teachers visit for their classes.C

KURISCOPE ni Marl Boro

Ania na mga higala horoscope nga para lang sa inyuha. Ayaw la’g katingala kung medyo naigo ka kay kaning imong gipangbasa binuang ra. Hala, ato nang pagasugdan kay dungay na ‘tang nalangan. Tantananaaan!

Down 3 Team advanced in regional finals of Unilab Foundation Inc.’s Ideas Positive Run 6. 6 AA Candidate 8 XCCA Director 10 Police Officer 2 12 U in UPS 14 A in GABAY 15 D in USAD 18 Usad Candidate 19 C in YCLC

rd!

w ris

Across 1 E in CLENRO 2 K in XKRISTKA 4 A in PAASCU 5 F in RFID 7 GABAY Candidate 9 ELECOM chief commissioner 11 Art award 13 SWM Coordinator 15 AA Candidate 16 C in XCCA 17 Summa Cum Laude 2014-2015

Aquarius (Bitter ni sya)

Kalit kang saputon karon manenay ka ang imong bet giilog sa barkada ‘mong kekay. Lucky Day: Daydreaming Lucky Drink/Food: Proven w/ gravy

Aries (Cute. Lami kusion)

Pisces (Toothful kaayo ni sya)

Cancer (Blooming ni sya karon)

Taurus (Feeling gwapa/gwapo)

Capricorn (Bright nga bata. Bright og mata)

Muabot ra gyud imong gikahadlukan. Magsakay kas’ taksi ‘nya pitaka nalimtan. Lucky Day: Wait daminute Lucky Drink/Food: Boobies aw boopies

Gemini (Buotan kung matulog) Matingala ka nga dali nahurot ang kwarta nga gihatag ni erpat. Dayon imong ma-realize nga grabe ra kayka ka katkat. Lucky Day: Sama sa naandan Lucky Drink/Food: Puso lang sa kay malas

Leo (Taga-uli Leo(2x) Taga-uli(5x) Leo) To Join: Photocopy this Kurisword with your answers and submit your entry to Crusader Publication office at StC 302 with your name and contact number. Lucky participants will receive limited edition collectables. Congratulations! sa mga winners sa last na Kurisword ug salamat sa ato mga sponsors(kunuhay) para sa mga prizes. The winners will receive a rice cooker with factory defect! Pero joke lang to bes! Just claim your reward at TheCrusader Publication office, StC 302 ug salamat sa mga nag-apil.. And Ang mga nidaog sa Kurisword aniagi aky si ten-tenenen-tenen! Jasmin Grace L. Jamelano “Tintiririntireeee! Booom Peyns! Congrats! Paburger na!

Ayaw sa palabi’g apply og make-up susama sa gitudlo sa imong mentor. Kay basin ma-shock ang uban imong nawng mura na’g reflector. Lucky Day: Dayscohan Lucky Drink/Food: Coca-cola lang sana

Gamay na lang nga kagod amigo. Hala pangopya’g ayo para mu-gradweyt sa Marso. Lucky Day: Daydpool Lucky Drink/Food: Siomai dapit ila nanay

Dunggon na ni Lord imo mga wishes. Pero bad news, dili sa maapil imong final defense sa tisis. Lucky Day: Pangutan-a si Lord Lucky Drink/Food: Jampong kauban ni Jumong

The

Libra (Kauban ni Abra)

Magbulag mo sa imong uyab karon. Kay iyang piilon ‘tong imong bespren nga murag sa rabbit ang ngipon. Lucky Day: Whinesday Lucky Drink/Food: Kettle Corn parisa’g turon

OK ra nga mag-sleeveless ta dzai. Ayaw lang itaas ang kamot para walay ma-high. Lucky Day: Pagpuyo, wala kay lucky day Lucky Drink/Food: Sugba Paborito Undangi sa ang pag-status2x anang Pacquiao-LGBT nga issue. Kay dili na makatabang sa imong pag-eskwela sa eksyu. Lucky Day: Marty’s Tsitsaron Lucky Drink/Food: Sikwatea

Virgo (Hubag ni siya. Hubag og mata) Naa kay makaila sa Magis. Ayaw lang palabig cheka kay ma-realize nimo nga siya manyakis. Lucky Day: Lowness Lucky Drink/Food: Hambug-ger

Sagittarius (Sigeg pamukong sa rela)

Puhon, muadto mo sa Disneyland. Pero sa karon daginuton sa ang peryahan kay wala pay budget si amahan. Lucky Day: Daysneyland Lucky Drink/Food: Fountain Dew

Scorpio (Sige ni sya’g simba usahay)

Magkita mo ni kras didto sa library. Ayaw la’g sigeg pa-kyut kay wala sya ganahi. Lucky Day: Wala sa dong kay walay poreber Lucky Drink/Food: Kamunggay de sabaw