December Issue 6 - A.Y. 2013-2014

VOLUME XXXVII • ISSUE 6 • DECEMBER 2013 • 8 PAGES

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: Letranites end the evening with flickers of light.

PHOTO BY: NORMEE AGATEP

AGENTS OF CHANGE: Letranites aid the packing of relief ofr Typhoon Haiyan at the Red Cross, Manila | PHOTO BY: DANET SOLDEVILLA

Letranites mount ‘Yolanda’ fundraisers Ina Mae B. Peñafuerte

The Letran community continued to extend services, through a series of efforts to raise funds and gather donations to offer the victims of the Typhoon Yolanda in Visayas, especially to those in the most affected areas.

One of the first in the efforts was the launching of the Knight Cards—basketball cards that feature the Letran Knights and their personal information. At the day of the event, many cards were sold and signed by the

Knights themselves, and some buyers even purchased whole decks of cards at two thousand pesos per set.

Next is the benefit game between the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers and the Letran Knights titled “Dominicans Collide,” which featured alumni players Raymond Almazan and Jeric Teng.

Almazan expressed in an interview how glad he was to have been part of the benefit game: “Sobrang saya kasi ito lang ‘yung par-

aan talaga para makatulong kami sa kanila [victims]. We all know naman na napaka daming victims talaga, napaka daming casualties, so ‘yung game na ‘to [Dominicans Collide], para sa kanila talaga.”

Besides the selling of the basketball cards and the benefit game, athletes’ jerseys and apparels were also auctioned online.

Another project, LitroKnights, project was organized by faculty members from the Theology area. It

Letran hosts Catholic social media convention Diane Marie Reyes

The Catholic Social Media Summit version 2.0 (CSMSv2), held in Colegio de San Juan de Letran from November 23 to 24, echoed the call to bring Christ to the digital world and explore this means to share the “Good News,” especially to the youth.

“We got a very good [summit] last year… right now, this social media summit version two, [has] the theme of revolution. And we, as Catholics, are thinking of really revolutionizing not only our presence on the Internet but ourselves as Catholics,” said Sky Ortigas, officer-in- charge of online community and event organizer Youth Pinoy.

The event was copresented by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the Episcopal Commission on Youth (ECY). Around 400 young people, including re-

ligious sisters, priests, and seminarians, gathered in the Blessed Antonio Varona, O.P. Gymnasium, to hear speakers from different industries tackle the issues involving social media such as digital transmission of faith, strategies on promoting Catholic faith, and what it means to be an online missionary of God. Speakers also discussed the “hashtag revolution,” battling trolls, social media and peace, social entrepreneurship, value of clicktivism, social media modesty, YouTube revolution, journalism in 140 characters, defending Mary in social media, impact of the internet on minority languages, and making modern-day parables.

The Papal Nuncio to the Philippines also graced the event, together with the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Commu-

nications Msgr. Paul Tighe being the keynote speaker during the summit.

Tighe divided his keynote address into three messages: (1) to reach out to the people, (2) to listen to the people, and (3) to offer them Christ. @Pontifex explained Tighe, the man behind Pope Francis’s Twitter account, informed the participants of how then Pope Benedict XVI brought the church into social media. @Pontifex, according to Tighe means ‘bridge builder’ with the challenge, as Pope Francis said, “to engage in conversations through Social Media and to reach out to people who ask a lot on matters of Faith.”

The summit was ended with the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist that coincided with the feast of the Christ of the King and the closing of the Year of Faith.

is an activity where group of students from different Theology classes would provide a 1.5 L bottle, to be filled with donations of any amount. Donation bins were also spread around the Colegio for other offerings.

Not only students made sacrifices to help. Employees of the Colegio had a one-day salary donation, an optional activity for the non-teaching personnel wherein they offer one day off their salary to the Yolanda victims.

Office of the Registrar

Liaison Officer Josephine Gayanilo narrated how she once saw a message from a colleague in a social networking site. Soon after, she and Community Center for Development (CCD) Director Asst. Prof Manuel Zamora, had the idea of initiating the proposal.

“On that day, after ilang minuto lang, gawa na ‘yung letter. Pagka-pirma ko, umikot ako. Two days lang ako nag-ikot. ‘Yung one Letranites PAGE 2

OSA, PAMD: No actions against ‘Secret Files’ Ralphe Lawrenze Alarcon

SECRET FILES: Facebook has been an avenue of exchange of opinions, rants and praises. | PHOTO FROM LSF FB ACCOUNT

Despite the number of rants and inappropriate material posted on Facebook page Letran Secret Files (LSF), the heads of the Colegio’s Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and Public Affairs and Media Development (PAMD) have expressed no interest in taking steps to take down the said page from the World Wide Web. As of press time, LSF has around 6,000 likes

from Facebook users. The posts range from rants and confessions to posts that attack the school’s reputation, services, faculty, and the Colegio’s core values.

In spite of the page’s notoriety, PAMD Director Jhennie Caldito-Villar said: “Aside from our ‘Report Abuse’ complaint on Facebook, PAMD so far has not done any course of action on LSF. Because even if we managed to delete LSF OSA, PAMD PAGE 2

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NEWS

OSA, PAMD FROM PAGE 1

from Facebook, it’s simply also easy to create another one [Facebook page].”

“Be responsible of what we say. Letran is ours.

LSF only reflects what is within Letran. Be careful.

Matapang sila [page contributor and admins] dahil sa anonymity nila [and] the assumption that no one will come after them after their posts.”

Caldito-Villar also said that concerns about and against the Colegio should be done using the proper process and venue.

On the other hand, OSA Director Asst. Prof.

Louie Ignacio said that the office appreciates the courage of the students to air their grievances even if it is against the adminis-

Letranites

FROM PAGE 1 day palang, naka 50 [signatures] agad ako. Tapos nung second day, another na naman… Hanggang 73 [signatures ako],” said Gayanilo.

Approximately, 75 percent of the total employees of Letran signed the solicitation letter.

Aside from the different donations—both in kind and cash—members of the Letran Community also volunteered in the repacking of goods that will be brought to the provinces. Recently, the Philippine Red Cross went to the Colegio, and Letran volunteers participated in the sorting of donated clothes.

Lastly, November 19 and 21 served as non-aircon days for all students and employees. The cost saved from the two days would also be donated to the victims of the typhoon. According to Zamora, the savings from the non-aircon days amounted to about 120 thousand pesos.

There were a lot of complaints regarding the two days without air-conditioning. In contrast, Vice-President for Academic Affairs Fr. Juan Ponce, O.P. said: “This is

VOLUME NO. XXXVII • ISSUE 6

tration. He also noted that OSA would appreciate it more if the students raise their concerns in a proper forum.

“The OSA has done no offensive actions so far against LSF. If the students find it pleasurable to express themselves through LSF, then why would we stop them? The fact of the matter, however, is to know their limitations; that freedom of expression is not absolute,” Ignacio said.

He added: “As much as I would like to entertain and address their concerns, I cannot, because they are not in the proper forum, and how can we address things ‘written in the water?’ The posts’ authenticity and validity is what hinders us from taking action of their complaints.” nothing compared to those who don’t even have a house to put an aircon. So it’s very important we have to suffer a little.”

Most importantly, the Letranites’ effort to aid the super typhoon Yolanda victims showed the true meaning of the Arriba Spirit. “[It was] an opportunity for Letranities to live up the Arriba Spirit. Ngayon, pinatunayan talaga nila that the Arriba Spirit is alive. ’Yung pakonti-konti na binibigay nila sa LitroKnights, ‘yung mga effort nila sa pagbibigay ng donations, malaking-malaking tulong.

Biruin mo, nakalikom tayo ng ganoong kalaking halaga, ang liit lang ng Colegio natin. Dito ko masasabi na, lahat yata, lahat na siguro ng estudyante at lahat ng empleyado dito sa Letran ay talagang bumunot sila from their pockets to assist. And not only from their pockets, they also extended help,” Zamora said.

He also added that the all the efforts to help the victims had served as a venue for Letranites to live up the Arriba Spirit, for living up the Arriba Spirit is to “concretize our commitment to Patria.”

Funds gathered for Yolanda Victims

Non-aircon days Paskong Arriba fireworks Employee’s Christmas party Knights card One-day salaryof 72 employees Letran-UST benefit game FMR Corporation Auction Father’s Community Richard Yapco (Alumnus) Lingap Arriba Basic Education Faculty Club Theology Classes Suarez Family

- 125,000.00 - 75,000.00 - 125,000.00 - 259,593.50 - 57,262.95 - 206, 361.00 - 50,000.00 - 11,619.90 - 35,000.00 - 11,762.00 - 68,992.55 - 10, 750.00 - 111,952.45 - 1,000

Catholic devotees celebrate Marian procession Adorned carrozzas that carried more than a hundred images of Mary paraded around Intramuros on December 1 in celebration of the 34th annual Grand Marian Procession.

The Grand Marian Procession is a tradition that started in 1910 and was re-launched by the Manila Cathedral in 1980 with the Armed Forces of the Philippines replicating the full-force military participation in the processions of the old times.

Catholic devotees and other participants assembled at Plaza Roma at around four in the afternoon for the start of the procession, while Tuguegarao Archbishop Emeritus Diosdado Talamayan led the prayers.

The parade went through Gen. Luna St., Muralla St., and A. Soriano Ave. before returning to the plaza.

Some of the images present in the procession were

Ralph Ronald Baniqued

ODE TO MARY: Marian Devotees flock to Intramuros, Manila for the annual grand procession with Nuestra Senora de Aranzasu housed at Letran campus days before the procession kicks off. | PHOTO CREDIT: DAVY CHIOA FB ACCOUNT

the La Inmaculada Concepcion Madre Purisima, which is currently in the care of the Intramuros Administration; the Our Lady of the Rosary from Orani, Bataan, Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba from Pakil, the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Piat from Cagayan, and the Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion y Correa from the San Agustin Church among other images Mary.

Meanwhile, the original and episcopally crowned Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu

of San Mateo Rizal stayed at Colegio de San Juan de Letran–Manila. It was also the second time that Letran took care of the image three days before the actual procession.

After the procession, Myanmar Archbishop Charles Bo presided the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the San Agustin Church.

This year’s Grand Marian Procession was organized by the Confradia de la Inmaculada Concepcion Foundation and the Intramuros Administration.

Letranites hit LSC performance Ronald John Espartinez

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: LSC President still proves her worth in the last remaining months of her term. | PHOTO BY: NORMEE AGATEP

Letran students expressed their criticisms against the Letran Student Council (LSC) and President Ann Beatriz Aldaba’s performance in representing the student body this school year.

“Nasaan na yung mga plataporma nila? Hindi ko naman naramdaman,” complained a 3rd year Broadcasting student who refused to be named.

“Hindi ko masyadong naramdaman ang LSC ngayon, kasi ang konti ng activities nila so parang more on mga activities ng OSA [Office of Student Affairs] yun lang yung nakikita ko sa kanila.

Yung events nila parang events ng OSA na sila yung nag-production, wala akong maalalang sariling events nila,” the student added.

Meanwhile, Aldaba gave her reaction regarding the complaints of the students.

“We cannot please everybody,” Aldaba said. “Everyone has different stan-

dards, e. Siguro if they have concerns they can always [tell the LSC] and we’re very pleased to listen to them,” she added.

Aldaba said that the LSC is taking a step-by-step process regarding the issues and suggestions that concerns the students.

“We would evaluate first if it is really necessary or if we really have something to do with it,” she stated. “After evaluation with the council, that’s the time we will make action towards the issue. Of course, we can’t grant everyone’s request,” she finished.

She also added that being an LSC president is very challenging because she has to learn everything to serve the students better.

“Challenging [ang presidency] because I have to really learn everything. Simula sa paggawa ng mga papers up to critical decision making and administering events,” she said.

Aldaba said that her

strategy is to engage her constituents through constant communication and favorable relations.

“I always make sure that I can be friends with the students so that we can easily communicate. I said to myself that as much as possible, [I would want] to have a very good relationship with them,” she said.

Admittedly, Aldaba faces several tests during her term. “[There are] challenges like how I will cope up with everyone that I need to work with in providing activities that will satisfy the students. Also, to have a perfect event. And especially, on how I am going to prove to the student body and the administrators that I deserve this position,” she stated.

Despite the complaints she received from the students, she challenged the Letranites to be outspoken and forthright with the LSC. “May they raise all their concerns or suggestions because we’re going to be really pleased to listen to them and take actions about their concerns,” said the Information Technology senior.

The incumbent president also apologized to the administration for the mistakes the council committed and asked to still trust them.

“We still have a couple of months to serve you. We will do our best to bring out what the council has to offer,” she said.

NEWS

dECEMBER 2013 • 8 pages

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CHED, DepEd revisit academic calendar shift Ronald John Espartinez With the support of four of the biggest universities in the country, the issue of shifting of the current school calendar was once again opened in preparation for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Economic Community in 2015 and to align the Philippine academic calendar with the other major universities in other countries.

As the proposal gained popularity and support from different colleges and universities in the country, it had finally grabbed the attention of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to study and weigh the proposal of the “big four” of changing the start of school years from June to August or September.

The proposal will undergo an intensive study and consultations to determine its probable implications and impacts to the educational system of the Philippines, according to CHED Chairman Patricia Licuanan.

“We are forming a technical working group and asking them to study the implications and hold consultations on this proposal,” Licuanan said in a report in The Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI).

Licuanan added: “I don’t think it’s for all institutions, but just for a select few. There might be some kind of alternative for the rest, something in between a shift in the calendar. A quarterly term system, for example, will allow mobility of students a lot better while still allowing us to be part of the Asean 2015 system without changing the basic education system.”

On the other hand, the Department of Education (DepEd) does not support the proposal. Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs Tonisito Umali said they are conducting a separate study, yet they are not keen on adopting the proposal.

One of the reasons Umali cited for not considering the proposal was summer vacation.

In an article published in The Manila Bulletin, Umali said: “If you look at other countries, their school year begins in autumn, which comes in August or September. Their vacation starts around

June, which coincides with their summer. Here, the vacation period starts in April, which is also [during the] summer.”

He also added the lack of air-conditioners in most schools, the tradition of students spending the season bonding with their families, and the celebration of the Holy Week.

Meanwhile, Malacañang is open to discussing the issue, but has not yet taken an official position regarding the matter.

Malacañang ordered both the DepEd and CHED to conduct separate studies and consultations on the proposal.

The “big four” namely: University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and University of Santo Tomas are all planning to align their academic calendar to all the universities in the world to attract foreign students and give students the opportunity to pursue international studies and professions abroad.

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines also welcomed the idea and said that many of its members gave their support to the shifting of the school calendar.

“Many of our member schools support the idea, but they cannot take concrete measures yet because they are regulated

by CHED. Until CHED gives the go-signal for the shift, we cannot really [have concrete plans] for this,” CEAP Legal Counsel Joseph Noel Estrada said in an article released by the PDI. He also added that the shift will benefit not only the students to easily transfer in schools abroad but also to the universities.

“Because of the difference in the academic calendars, many of our member schools miss many opportunities for collaboration in research and student and faculty exchanges,” he added.

The Philippines is the only Asean member that follows a June to March academic calendar while other member countries like Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand follow the September to May academic calendar.

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OPINION

VOLUME NO. XXXVII • ISSUE 6

Editorial

Offered not given

During our stay in the Colegio, we are trained to give what is due to others. We are trained to help who are in need. We are educated to bestow what others are lacking. We are trained to fulfill our duty to others.

As of press time, the total damage that killer typhoon Yolanda left the Philippines with stands at P30.8 billion and an estimated death toll of 5,500 according to the National Risk Reduction Management Council. The council added that the damage in infrastructure and agriculture are P15.7 billion and P15.1 billion, respectively.

However, according to a report from media company ABS-CBN, to repair the total damage Yolanda left in the country, at least P571 billion is needed. The report is based on the National Economic Development Authority’s presentation for reconstruction to President Benigno S. Aquino III and international donors known as Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda.

With the growing number of donations around the globe for Yolanda’s victims, the Colegio initiated its own financial campaign which yielded P1,149,294.35. The efforts of the Letran community only prove that a little sacrifice or a helping hand has a massive effect on the casualties.

Being an apostle of the Hounds of the Lord, we are not obliged to extend our hands to others but still we are gradually being one. It is because inside and outside the Colegio’s classrooms, serving others is a true knight’s training.

Being selfless and involving one’s life to others is an ultimate attainment of a student during one’s stay in a college or university. The pursuit of charity of the Letranites among others is a clear statement that intellect is not really the deal in the ‘real world.’

The Colegio’s Rector and President Rev. Fr. Tamerlane R. Lana got it right when he said that the sacrifice the Letranites made for the victims is a call of love which is also the essence of a meaningful Christmas. These sacrifices are ‘presents’ which are meant to be offered, not given.

Ralphe Lawrenze Alarcon Editor-in-Chief Diane Marie Reyes Managing Editor Ina Mae Peñafuerte News Editor

Rosa Maria Baclao Features Editor

Ma. Teresita Distor Design Editor

Rea Antonette Gierran Sports Editor

Jan Joseph Mascot Famanila Photo Editor

Lianne Dominique Hidalgo, Marjorie Malabad, Adrian Masacupan, Kim Daniel Rubinos, Patrick Henry Taguibao, Kevin Louise Valdez, Anton Vincenz Tantoco Staff Ralph Ronald Baniqued, Mavelle Durian, Patricia Flores, Marita Karina Gerardino, Rio Jane Legaspi, Camille Ramos, Marilie Tubalinal, Rachelle Annewor Yumol Contributors Normee Claire Noelle Agatep, Silvestre Frando, Jr., Dwight Labilles, Danielle Nenette Soldevilla, Allen Tarroza Photographers Christelle Ann Cala Cartoonist

Carlo Miguel Alfonso Francia Adviser Published monthly, The LANCE has its editorial staff at 3F Student Center Building, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Intramuros, Manila.

For comments, suggestions, and contributions, email us at letran.thelance@gmail.com

I guess, that what we wear tells us who we are—so please do not sugarcoat the reactions of students whenever we are tasked to wear that shirt. If this is a rude Ralphe Lawrenze Alarcon and discourteous state@pinasaralphe ment, please count this one eic.thelance@gmail.com as feedback not as criticism.

Also, I don’t think seminars alone will mold students to be someone they want to be. Conferences, Recently, the Colegio gar- sacrifice for two non-aircon discussions, and sessions nered a number of rec- days, saved money for Li- can trigger Letranites to ognitions from the fields troknight (an innovative accomplish what they can of communication and coin case using used 1.5 do but it will not help us research, to Psychology, liter softdrink bottles) and practice what we can. Conboard examinations for celebrated a not-so-lavish sider exposure trips, traineducators, even in the C o l e g i o ings outside turfs of Accountancy and Week. Stuthe Colegio, “We are very Finance. Letran, again, is dents and grateful that Letran tie-up with making its name in the the institutions entire arena of competent uni– not just for c o m m u - has someone like versities and colleges in a particular nity made it you but please the country. program but through and Even in community consider this one also for eveeve r y t h i n g service, our institution ry program as feedback to does not fail to extend its went well. school We all deyour priorities and the resources. Take for examoffers. In the serve a tap ple the victims of the super efforts.” end, what typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) on the back. we learn inThe Lewhich, through the Dominitran community, especially side the classroom will not can priests, Letran was able students, did their part in guarantee us a good job; to help the victims in varitaking part in community skills and related experious ways. Camiguin Norte involvement for the past ences will also count. was able to have a public li- months. Give us what we This may sound as a brary and be heard in their deserve. Personally, I was criticism to all the efforts struggles with the illegal disappointed with how Coblack sand mining. Settlers legio Week went on. Thank of the administration. Evefrom Baseco were aided to you for the pioneering field ryone knows that a lot, if make money out of knowl- demonstration for saving not all, from your sector are hardworking, passionedge learned by the stu- that week. ate, and decisive. We are dents in their professional Add the wearing of courses. These are just the the ‘redefining excellence very grateful that Letran results of the efforts we shirt,’ which I don’t literally has someone like you but made from the portion of see the excellence in it, to please consider this one as this school year. my list of burden in the past feedback to your priorities We even managed to months. We are all aware, and efforts.

version 2.0 YOLO

OPINION

dECEMBER 2013 • 8 pages

blank verses Diane Marie Reyes @thedianereyes onewjeandia@gmail.com

“DUE-BERRIES” Once upon a time, our parents told us that the old generation has to be respected and be looked up to, because simply they are always right. However, one day, they failed to make me believe in this.

Last year’s collision between rival schools San Beda and Letran brought the entire blue and red nation together. National Collegiate Athletic Association 89th season basketball finals kicked off and we all flew to the MOA Arena to witness an action packed final game. Alongside this, the rivalry also formed haters, bashers or whatever you want to call them nowadays. These kinds of people are evidently from the two schools that have the same mission—to bring home the most coveted championship crown.

What caught my attention was not the lambasting by the other school, but by those from my own institu-

tion. There were instances when they raised their dirty fingers and pointed them to the referees and players.

Especially in the Facebook page “Taga Letran Manila Ka Kung…,” there are still numerous posts that harshly talk about the players and avid supporters of the other school. Admittedly, I, too, made fun and laughed at the said posts.

However, I’ve had enough when a picture of an alumnus holding a gun in answer to a post by a student of San Beda had appeared in my news feed. That’s when I realized; it should be over and should be stopped.

The alumni of the Colegio, those if I’m not mistaken had also commented about how three students hosted the Pistang Paskong Pinoy last year, those who said they are the men from old Letran, those whose footsteps we have to follow.

I vividly remember how some of them said that the

three minutes or less Ina mae PeÑafuerte @inapenafuerte inapenafuerte@gmail.com

The Fault in our Stars What comes to mind when people hear “NCAA?” They will most probably say basketball, and I can’t call that a guess.

In my four years in Letran, the basketball event in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has not only been the highlight of every season; the NCAA seemed to revolve around basketball.

If NCAA fans are not fond of reading newspapers, watching television or surfing the net, they pretty much won’t be informed of the other sporting events in the league.

Fans spend a lot of cash, wanting to witness the games live, especially the recently held Finals series between the San Beda Red Lions and the Letran Knights.

Most wanted a good view, and the Lower Box seats are the most affordable

and decent enough seats in the Mall of Asia Arena. A single Lower Box seat costs 300 pesos, and there were three games. Add them all up—most people must have spent at least 900—that doesn’t even include fare and food.

The end of the basketball season seemed to be a relief for some. At last, they can save some cash for other stuff.

Hey, what about the volleyball season? But before I go there, I must ask: why do people, oh, so love to watch the basketball games? Sure, school spirit, I get that. But wait. I hear the names of the hard court heartthrobs. ‘Oh, girls, why?’

I am not forcing anyone to be a fan of basketball, but some should at least try to appreciate the whole team more, rather than just one or a couple of players. Some members of the team need

gays who hosted the said event last year have brought shame and stained the reputation of our beloved alma mater and how they made the college look cheap and turned the ambiance into a comedy bar.

May I ask, did the posts in the page for the last month differ from that? I mean, if the hosts disgraced us, were those posts disparaging them any different?

Yes, these are the old men of Letran, we are soon to be like them, but is this the thing they would want their daughters and sons to know and imitate when they step out of the walled city?

Sadly, we have shown our students how to defend the school from its oppressors in an unnecessary manner.

Perhaps, we should think twice every time we click ‘Post’ on our Facebook accounts and that we should always remember that the members of that group are not just alumni but all who get their education in Colegio de San Juan de Letran. We call on our forefathers to act accordingly and not encourage occurrences like these.

You are the men we humbly raise our glasses to and we believe that you are a bunch of good guys but if you want us to continue to Due-Berries PAGE 7

the people’s support more than the others. They need motivation. Sure, in sports, skills, strength, talents and whatnot are their sword, but at least a pinch of everything they give into the games comes from the cheers.

Now, I don’t think I have to go to the discussion of abandoning the arena when all hope is lost. That’s so overrated. So, no… But does anyone there know about the Fr. Martin’s Cup? The Philippine Collegiate Championships League PCCL? The FilOil Tournament?

Yeah, those are basketball events, too.

I have gone to a bunch of these events in their past seasons, and every game was the same. Empty seats overwhelmed the few members of the audience. Support, eh?

Back to what I’m saying, the volleyball season had just started, but a few events had already finished and some people don’t even know it all happened. Chess, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Swimming, they’re all done.

I hear some athletes say to their friends: “Uy, nood naman kayo… Pero kapag si ano…” or “Panoorin n’yo naman kami, pag basketball, every game, lagi kayong nandon.”

I’m not sure of how

5

wordplay rea antonette gierran @reagierran antonette_gierran@yahoo.com

What’s in a Name Just last month, I attended a student congress where Atty. Christopher Lao was invited as a guest speaker. Mr. Lao, also known as the “I wasn’t informed guy,” became an Internet celebrity, when he was caught on tape attempting to drive his car through the flooded Mother Ignacia Street in Quezon City.

When he was interviewed by a reporter from GMA-7, Lao started ranting about having not been informed about the depth of the water, saying that people there were just waiting for somebody’s car to float to serve as a warning. This video had gone viral, earning him a lot of detractors saying that he should have known better by the looks of the area not to drive through it.

Since then, Facebook groups were created to make fun of Lao. This constant assault in social networking sites ultimately landed him on Twitter’s list of trending topics. The incident happened while he was still a student taking up Law at the University of the Philippines.

He lost all confidence in himself that he found it hard to concentrate on the bar exam. Fortunately, through prayers and a bit of medical assistance, he was able to pass.

In a speech he delivered in front of a jampacked crowd at the University of Santo Tomas, he said that for those who don’t have much, reputation is worth everything.

Coming from a humble family, Lao believes that a good status transcends all the material things in the world combined. It’s hard to keep it untainted but

they’re feeling, but I don’t want them to feel unimportant. Athletes are all the same, no matter what event they are participating in.

They all deserve the same support. They all deserve to be appreciated. They may not tell their fans one by one of how their cheers mean to them, but they mean a lot.

I hope for the rest of the season, at least some will be able to learn to raise their voices more for our unsung heroes. They may not all have

consistency is the key.

Lao’s value for reputation changed, however, when he started to see it as a hindrance for growth.

He said that too much value for reputation leads us to fear failure.

Back in high school, my status was the most important thing in my life.

I was the Editor-in-Chief of our school newspaper, a consistent academic awardee, a performer, a renowned student leader, and an esteemed public speaker. I was obsessed with fame and power, thinking that these constitute a ‘good’ reputation.

That’s why my world came crashing down when I failed to make it to the list of academic awardees during my senior year. Call me melodramatic but I wallowed in self-pity. I almost didn’t want to go to school for I felt my reputation was dirtied. This caused me to retreat and shy away from people.

Thank heavens for my friends who intervened. I was already at the brink of depression then. They told me they befriended me not because of my achievements but because of who am I as a person.

They made me realize that the most important thing in life is the relationship I have to those people who matter.

Now that I’m far from the reputation-obsessed girl that I used to be, I feel more liberated. I’m no longer driven by pressure, but by my own personal decisions.

Don’t get me wrong.

Reputation is important for it serves as your guide towards your actions. But it doesn’t deserve to be on the driver’s seat.

the gold their hands, but they will fight, are fighting, have fought with all their might to bring glory to the Colegio.

“Definitely, our stars will shine kung magtutulungan kami,” Franz Dysam once said.

And yes, at the end of the day, our stars did shine.

But the fault in our stars, one of the probable reasons why ours didn’t shine the brightest is that, some of us weren’t there, some of us did not stay

6

FEATURES

VOLUME NO. XXXVII • ISSUE 6

Coup de maître Contour, like a pro

John Christian Dinco, Contributor Photoshop can make you look like Aphrodite or Narcissus from the pores to toe in an instant; it is out of harm’s way to proclaim that you’re going to have a mindboggling number of likes on Facebook just for uploading your flawless splendor, dazzling, yes?

Or as they say in old Paris, coup de maitre which means masterstroke, nevertheless, the device which can bring your bogus beauty outside the four corners of the photograph isn’t invented yet. I know it’s sad, but you should not be. Science always has a solution, because getting pretty is now a piece of cake!

The secret now lies from your learning during Art Class way back primary school; remember how you used darker shades to push a region away and lighter ones to pull an area towards you? That is what we’re actually doing here—contouring!

Contouring creates the illusion of a sharper jaw line, pointier nose, and a slimmer face, things that you always do on your photos on Photoshop.

Don’t forget that when you do make-up, you’re like painting a picture and by putting a translucent foundation on your face you create a blank canvass. I suggest finishing your eye-make up and lips before doing the contour. Okay, so let me get this straight.

What you need: 1. Kabuki Brush 2. Bronzer (try E.L.F mineral glow, it has a very light feeling as if you’re wearing no make-up at all with touches of shimmer but not harsh glitters which is very good for contouring!)

Things to do:

1. Shake it off 2. It’s all about 3. MISSING CHEEKBONES

4. JAW DROPPING

5. NOSE-TALGIC

Sketch out the hairline and gradually begin by drawing an imaginary cursive letter E by outlining along the border down to your temple. Repeat on the other side.

Find where your cheekbones are and then sweep up the brush from your temple to the area just underneath the cheekbone. Don’t use contour above or on your cheekbones because it won’t hollow it out.

Finish the E by sweeping the brush just on and underneath the jawline and repeat on the other side. You can make your jaws more pronounced by shading your neck as well.

Pat your ring fingers on your bronzer, make sure both fingers have equal amount of make-up. Drag your palms near your jaw, reach the roots of your eyebrow and gradually draw a straight line down to the nostrils, make sure it is straight because you don’t want your nose to have a triangular shape, yes?

One more tip, if you have a larger nose, you can narrow it down by creating an illusion through your eyebrows. The root of your eyebrows will depend on the size of your desired nose; it is the rule of thumb: the wider the nose, the narrower the eyebrows should be and vice versa.

So shall we talk about Photoshop now? C’mon, let us not beat a dead horse. Trust me; you’re never going to use Photoshop ever again.

Gaming: Innovation and Or iginis Joshua O. Banguilan Evidently, with our smartphones, flatscreen TVs, hybrid computers, 16 gigabyte USBs, one terabyte hard disks, automations, and even in our household appliances, modernization has gotten the most out of us in both our wants and needs.

We are so absorbed with these “must-have” technologies that we barely take note of how they came to what they are now.

By the word “innovation,” these gadgets are revolutionized, meaning that they’ve been through constant changes for improvement. True to the fact as the saying goes: “Man is never contented, whenever man is not comfortable with ever-

E

After dabbing your moisturizer and your foundation all over your entire face, load your bronzer on your kabuki brush, shake off the brush to take away some of the color harshness.

present inconveniences in his innovations, he keeps on innovating.”

This innovation focused more on improving our way of living; agriculture, economy, politics and family. But when we’re talking about ‘entertainment,” we mean REAL, heart-pumping, tongue-out, finger-tiring, non-stop thrilling entertainment—gaming.

From black-and-white pixel display and beeping sounds, to redefined threedimensional graphics and surround sound; From a wired lunchbox-sized twobuttoned controllers, to hand-sized wireless remote controllers.

The earliest interactive electronic device was a

“Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device” in 1947. It had an analogue device that controlled a vector-drawn pointer on the screen to trigger a projectile against incoming targets drawn fixed on the screen.

Other examples include the OXO, which used a graphical display to play Tic-tac-toe, Tennis for Two uses an oscilloscope to display a certain view of a tennis court and Spacewar! which used digital equipment vector display to have two spaceships battle each other.

In 1971, Computer Space, was the first commercially sold, coin-operated video game and used a black-and-white television for its display - followed in 1972 by the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home console ever.

These were followed by two versions of Atari’s Pong; an arcade version in 1972 and a home version in 1975 that dramatically increased

video game popularity. The commercial success of Pong led numerous other companies to develop Pong clones and their own systems and spawning the video game industry.

As of gaming today, reliving the past doesn’t mean playing with the old techs.

Besides, who would still play “Pong” at a generation like this?

Gamers relive the past as a means of value; Gameboy Color is hardly found these days, so these outdated gadgets are nothing but happy memories in display.

Play Station: Sony’s first commercial success gave way to its successors, the Play Station 2, Play Station 3 and Play Station 4 while Nintendo’s notorious for its Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance, Game Cube, Nintendo DS & 3DS, and finally Wii. Microsoft, obviously an industry giant, didn’t want to be left behind and came up with Xbox.

Not only did the soft-

ware from graphics, sound quality, performance and hardware from CPU, controller, medium improve over the decades but the strength of influence gaming has on its players.

Technology has become so advanced that people claim that they learn more in playing rather than schooling; while many were influenced by some games’ excessive gore and violence.

To all the gamers: Would you like to play using your mind as a controller alone?

Obviously, you would, because rumours say that the “nerve gear” has been recently discovered.

Keeping faith:

FEATURES

dECEMBER 2013 • 8 pages

Trusting yourself and God

7

Keeping faith:

Patricia Flores These days, we tend to forget to keep has happened as long as you stay. in touch with our faith, with our God. “My grace is sufficient for you, for Studying has become our main con- my power is made perfect in weakness.” cern, even a simple prayer or a visit Therefore I will boast all the more gladly to the church has already been forgot- about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s ten. As a new year unfolds, let us not power may rest on me. That is why, for take Him for granted for without Him Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in we would have already fallen before insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in we could even stand on our own feet. difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am Though we may have drifted away he is strong. -2 Corinthians 12:9-10 still there waiting for us to come back.

In our weakest days, in our hardships Yes, the Lord hears the good man and troubles, we often blame the Lord for when he calls to Him for help, and saves all the misfortunes as if it is His fault why him out of all his troubles. The Lord is they happen, but let us not forget that He close to those whose heart is breaking; only allows it because he knows we can He rescues those who are humbly sorry stand up from it. We must not be ashamed for their sins. The good man does not es- of having troubles or almost falling into cape all trouble—he has them, too. But temptation because God understands the Lord helps him in each and every one. that we are all not perfect, we all have a -Psalms 34:17-19 weak part but all those can be overcome Whether we ask for it or not, God by keeping our faith and believing in our is always with us and always will be. In Creator, our Father. times of troubles never hesitate to pray Trust the Lord completely; don’t ever and ask for guidance and for help. Trust trust yourself. In everything you do, put Him to keep you out of trouble’s reach God first, and He will direct you and crown as long as you believe. Keeping the faith your efforts with success. -Proverbs 3:5-6 within may be hard especially when there We all have decisions to make, diffiare many temptations but let us remem- cult and easy choices to decide upon. In ber who picks us up when all is lost. Yes, those times, temptation comes closer to you go to Church and pray before and af- let us fall into darkness, to keep our path ter every class but do you really speak to away from God but do not let temptation Him within your heart? keep us away from our faith. Never let Remember: He will not hear it if you selfish decisions cloud our judgment, nevyourself don’t believe in your faith. Let er let sin take over our heart, always put go of your sinful ways and return to our God first. Always let Him, be the one to tell Father, for He will forgive everything that you the right path to walk upon.

Protagonist

&

Antagonist Our Two Sides

Everyone has their own enemies, foes, or people they misunderstood. But have you ever wondered if you’re still at the good side of the story? Or worst, your enemy has already turned the tables, and made the story against you. What’s the implication of this?

That we’re not always the protagonist or the antagonist, our role goes around and round as the story continuous to flow from mouth to mouth.

How does this happen? Well, let’s start from you, our protagonist.

You had a conflict with your friend, and it’s a total mess. You know that you’re at the right side, so you’re confident enough to share it with your other friends.

You told them the whole story, particularly, your point.

That’s the time that you’re the protagonist again, and your friend is the antagonist.

Similarly, you’re friend, our antagonist, believed that he too is at the right side, so he shared his version of the story to another party, in his head, he’s already the protagonist and you became the antagonist. Well, that’s true, and that may crush you in the view of others.

Next, your other friends shared it to others, and on the contrary, it seems that you also became the antagonist as your contender became the protagonist, as they narrate their version of your story. It’s inevitable, because people will always believe what they want to believe rather than what they hear.

Then, your contender’s other party misunderstood him, and when they shared their version, you became the protagonist, and your friend became the antagonist of course. It’s possible; these chances are more likely to n ila happen when you least expect it to. angu Preposterous isn’t it? But that’s the bitter truth. You B .

O a see how things go upside-down from the original? Today, Joshu you’re the good cop. But tomorrow, you’re the bad guy.

Now, for us Letranites; Now you’re a saint, soon you’re a demon. You’ll never whenever we get to buy at know what will happen next, so just focus on today. As his stall, Mang George or a verdict, you people should put more extra precautions not, we should always exon your actions, because a mistake can hack you for the ert even the littlest effort of rest of your life. appreciating their whole“To make mistakes is human, to stumble is commonhearted service—small iced place; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity.”—Wiltea or not. liam Arthur Ward A friend of mine asked me while having lunch, seeing me eat the same fried chicken we had weeks ago. I told him that I have no idea why I got used to loving this and I am happy with it.

“The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up,” M a r k Twain said, as if referring to Mang George himself. | Joana RodriSee posters for details guez

Shake up The Happiness!

For this issue, we decided to set the limelight on our legendary fried chicken god—the one and only Mang George!

George Gonzales was born on January 8 in the year “not-far-from-yours” in Arayat, Pampanga. The famous “Mang George” food stand started out as a simple fruit shake stand in Makati which Gonzales maintained with his sister. Later on, it branched out into a catering service that aimed to be in a school setting. Lo and behold, fate brought Mang George to Colegio de San Juan de Letran back in the 90s.

People face difficulties in life, but this makes us stronger every time. This is something Mang George feels strongly about.

“During Ondoy, my coworkers and I were stranded in the canteen with several students. We weren’t able to go home because of the weather so we stayed in here over night with the rest having us to cook food for them,” he said.

He even mentioned his

canteen’s willingness to be of assistance to the process of collecting and repacking relief goods for the victims of Yolanda.

Despite hard times, Mang George still has the heart to smile and do good things such as serving others and helping out anyone in every way he can and making everyone happy. For him, remembering you for your good deed is one of the best things in life.

His light-hearted personality and selflessness make it so hard for us to determine if he’d really had a hard time coping up with difficulties in his life. And this is why Mang George is a formidable icon for Christmas.

“In the spirit of Christmas, we should love one another, develop a strong kinship and share true love—because we are just one big family,” he happily shared his insight.

Muralla 2013-2014 THEME

Due-Berries

FROM PAGE 5 trust you, there are actions you have to be careful of.

Actually, we all have to be cautious about letting people know what’s running in our minds. If we thirst for respect, we must first dis-

play that we are reputable.

Everything we do reflects how Letran designs us even though we do not intend it to be that way.

To the old men of Letran, let us portray a righteous man, a humble knight that we all would want to look up to.

SKnights PORTS tame Tigers in

VOLUME XXXVII • ISSUE 6 • DECEMBER 2013 • 8 PAGES

charity match

Fresh from their loss at the hands of the San Beda Red Lions in the recently concluded National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Finals, the Letran Knights bounced back to defeat the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers, 80-79 in a charity game at the Blessed Antonio Varona Gymnasium on November 20.

Rookie Ford Ruaya led the Knights, posting 15 points and eight rebounds transcending NCAA Season 89’s Most Valuable Player Raymond Almazan who stayed at the bench for most parts of the game. Meanwhile, it was Kevin Buenaflor’s buzzer beating shot that propelled the NCAA maiden finisher to victory with 0.2 seconds left in the final canto.

Letran took control of

Rea Gierran the game early letting UST trail for three quarters.

Their biggest lead stood at 19 points, 58-39.

However, the Growling Tigers were unfazed with Letran’s fiery start as they slowly came back to life. The Tigers went on a humongous run to turn a 10-point deficit to a two point lead heading to the payoff period.

Paolo Pe’s charity shot for the España-based ballers with 14.5 seconds left in the clock made it almost impossible for the Knights to get back. Von Tambeling actually had a chance to give the Knights an assurance, but he muffed one of his two charities, 78-79 with 7.8 ticks remaining.

Eduardo Daquioag poured in 18 points and five caroms while Kevin Ferrer and Louie Vigil chipped in 17 and 16 points, respec-

tively, for UST while Letran’s forward Jamil Gabawan posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds while sweet-shooting Mark Cruz contributed 11 points.

Now playing for pay basketball, former King Tiger Jeric Teng was also a benchwarmer during the charity game. He and Almazan were scoreless, leaving other members who were left to continue their teams’ bids in their respective collegiate leagues to step up.

“Malaking tulong ito [charity match] sa mga victims; [Raymond and I] are just here to support the teams and the event,” Teng said.

UST Coach Pido Jarencio said that they are more than willing to support causes for those who were affected by typhoon Yolanda.

Almazan shows pro-league mettle Camille Ramos

After his remarkable final year with the Letran Knights, bagging the coveted title ‘Most Valuable Player’ (MVP) in the recently concluded season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), what is up with the six-foot-seven giant from Bataan?

During the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft held last November at Robinson’s Place, Manila, Raymond Almazan was drafted third overall by the Rain or Shine (RoS) Elasto Painters.

He was called after Ateneo’s Greg Slaughter, and also NCAA season 88 San Sebastian’s Ian Sangalang. The said slotmen were drafted to the Barangay Ginebra Kings and San Mig Coffee, respectively.

With his long stance and astounding defensive skills, District 1 Congressman from Pampanga and multi-titled coach Yeng Guiao of the Elasto Painters said that the former Knight will surely be of great help to the team.

In an interview with InterAKTV, Guiao said: “With what I saw during the few practices he [Almazan] attended with us and his performance in the NCAA, he started to convince me that he could make an immediate [play at the PBA] right away.”

However, Guiao was also vocal about some of the few aspects the NCAA Season 89 MVP should need to improve on.

“He has skills and mentality, but he does not have the body yet to mix it up with the heavy bigs,” he said.

Almazan made his PBA debut against the Meralco Bolts last November 22 in the PLDT myDSL–Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome, where the Elasto Painters nipped the Bolts with a fivepoint deficit, 94-89.

Almazan, on the other hand, was scoreless in his debut. The Bataan-bred baller admitted in Filipino: “I didn’t expect for it would be this difficult in the PBA. I’m still on the process of adjusting. Hopefully, my next game will be better than this one.”

Last December, however, Almazan scored a careerhigh 17 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks against San Mig Coffee Mixers, where the Elasto Painters won, 101-77, breaking his string of inconspicuous games in his young and budding PBA career.

In an interview, Almazan said: “May mga games lang talaga na struggle pero yung mindset ko talaga one of these days, maipapakita ko rin yung talent ko and lumabas lang ngayon.”

KNIGHTS SLAY TIGERS: Knight guard Mcjour Luib escapes Tiger’s fangs in a thrilling win for Yolanda victims | PHOTO BY: NORMEE AGATEP

“Open kami sa mga ganyang bagay. Makakatulong tayo sa mga kababayan natin. Especially doon sa mga [nasalanta] ng typhoon Yolanda.”

“We did it for a reason, for a cause. The students are role models of the school so we have to do this,” Knights head tactician Caloy Garcia said.

‘Imports’ pain Filipino college ballers, expert says Marilie Tubalinal

ROCK AND ROLL: Despite an early struggle with his new team, former Letran slotman continues to prove his worth in Asia’s first play basketball. | PHOTO BY: SIL FRANDO

Foreign student players, more popularly known as “imports”, have become a common sight at our college basketball leagues whether in the country’s oldest league National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or the highly-commercialized University Athletic Association of the Philippines – causing an outcry from fans and experts alike.

Earlier this year, famed sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielsz expressed his disapproval over the presence of numerous imports in college basketball leagues.

“These players come here not to study unlike in the US. Here, they come here to play basketball, obviously. They play and when they finish their career, they go home, so what does the Philippines get out of it?” Nathanielsz said in ANC’s Headstart, adding, “they’re [imports] getting paid, they’re getting all sorts of benefits which are not given to the locals, that’s unfair,” he said.

Admittedly these ‘imports’ gave the past basketball games a thrilling and a heart stopping match from their respective leagues Nathanielsz said in

one of his interviews for ABS-CBN news, imports are bad for the Philippine basketball because according to him, opportunities for the Filipinos are being closed because of the imports. Also, he added that Philippine basketball could not benefit from the import since they only come here to play and after their career go back to their homeland.

However, according to San Beda Lions coach Boyet Fernandez, foreign players – mostly Africans – heightened the standards of competition in the leagues.

“Siyempre, kung gusto talaga mag-champion, kailangan mag-invest din tayo. You have a choice naman if you want to get an import or no.” he said in Spin.ph This season, Ola Adeogun from the 4-peat champs San Beda Red Lions, Cedric Happi from the EAC Generals and Pirate’s Aziz Mbomiko played for the NCAA while UAAP teams with ‘imports’ include National University’s Emmanuel Mbe, Charles Mammie from University of the East, Ingrid Sewa from Adamson, University of Santo Tomas’ Karim Abdul and Far Eastern University’s Anthony Hangrove.