February Issue 9 - A.Y. 2014-2015

VOLUME XXXVIII - ISSUE 9 | FEBRUARY 2015 - 12 PAGES

7-0 for ‘Alyansa’

AKSYON Alyansa Letranista (AAL) displayed exceptional performance in the 2015 Letran Student Council (LSC) Elections as they won all of the seven coveted seats in the Executive Committee (Execom).

The elected LSC officers for SY 2015-2016 are as follows: for Execom — President Jose Diego Dela Cruz with 1,534 votes, Vice President Trina dela Paz has 1,499 votes, Secretary Alain Fusana has 1,426 votes, Deputy Secretary Frances Español with 1,491 votes, Treasurer Paolo Santiago with 1,455 votes, Auditor Johnwell Fortuno with 1,438

BY BETTINA BONILLO AND KIM DANIEL RUBINOS

votes, and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Louie Divinagracia garnering 1,593 votes.

For the senate — College of Business Administration and Accountancy: Accountancy, Jefferson Geronimo with 62 out of 107 votes; Accounting Technology, Darrenz Sandaga with 31 out of 31 votes; Economics, Reina Bianca Gawaran with 12 out of 14 votes; Entrepreneurship, Ezekiel Ayvan Lagres with 60 out of 102 votes; Financial Management, Maria Robelyn Ann De Roxas with 160 out of 326 votes; Food Technology, Jeza Koryn Bigtas with 38 out of 51 votes; Hu-

man Resource Development Management, Jessica Base with 23 out of 47 votes; Hotel and Restaurant Management, Ma. Isabella Cruz with 79 out of 103 votes; Marketing Management, Richmond Telebrico with 230 out of 315 votes; Nutrition and Dietetics, Robby Raven Navarro with 35 out of 39 votes; Operations Management, Mary Joy Gutierrez with 99 out of 166 votes; and Tourism Management, Aerol Jansen Adriano with 70 out of 131 votes.

College of Education: Education, Margaret Bueno with 15 out of 26 votes.

College of Engineering: En-

Letranite wows crowd in Miss Ubelt

BY JOSHUA BANGUILAN in Long Gown, Miss Block & White awards and placed third after champion Carmela Therese Ignacio of the University of Manila and first runner-up Katrina Marie Redshaw of Mapua Technological Institute; followed by third runner-up Patricia Jose from PolSci student Fel Banaybanay bags 2nd Lyceum of the runner-up at the Miss UBelt 2015. | PHOTO Philippines FROM INTERNET University and fourth runPOLITICAL SCIENCE student Fel Banaybanay finished as ner-up Joshiene Sagun from second runner-up at Isetann FEATI university during the Department Store’s Miss Uni- crowning of Miss Ubelt along versity Belt 2015 during its with Venus Raj as chief Judge.

According to Asst. Prof. Rancoronation last January 31.

Banaybanay won the Best dy Lero, Physical Education

area chair, Banaybanay was sent for a screen test, which she eventually qualified. He added that most of the spectators expect Letran to win.

Regarding the experience of Banaybanay, participating in pageants isn’t new to her, however, competitions in an intercollegiate scale is different for her. “One year narin akong sumasali sa iba’t-ibang pageants. First time kong narepresent yung Letran sa interschool kaya nakaka-proud din na ako yung napili [at] happy narin ako kasi todo support sakin yung mga[professor].”

A letter coming from the marketing group of Isetann Supermarket was addressed to Office of Student Affairs director Asst. Prof. Catherine Sanchez inviting Letran to participate. Since Banaybanay recently participated and won handily in in this

LETRANITE, PAGE 10

gineering, Blessie Rose Bondoc with 151 out of 217 votes; Digital Arts, Stephen Christian Schlobohm with 40 out of 78 votes; and Information Technology, Micah Mae Cuerpo with 108 out of 211 votes.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Advertising, Romeo Quilantang with 120 out of 130 votes; Broadcasting, Maria Agnes Bernadette Malvar with 36 out of 53 votes; Communication, Patrick Riel Reyes with 150 out of 261 votes; Journalism, Jovelyn Moya with 39 out of 63 votes; Legal Management, Meira Mir Macaspac with 72 out of 100 votes; Political Science,

Cyrille Kim Lalantacon with 30 out of 66 votes; and Psychology, Lara Jasm Amador with 151 out of 224 votes.

For this year, 2,855 out of 4,082 students or 70% of the student population casted their votes in the elections.

Disqualification case Results of the LSC elections brought about confusion after Letran Commission on Elections (Comelec) ruled out PRO-elect Divinagracia on February 18.

According to Comelec Chair Danielle Acosta, Divinagracia’s disqualification was

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Psychology students place 2nd in annual PAPJA quiz bee

BY FIDEL FERIA, News Trainee

Sumagaysay, Canaon, Bongar, and Bana takes home the silver during the 28th PAPJA Quizbee held at SMX. | PHOTO FROM INTERNET

FOUR OF LETRAN’s psychology majors placed second in the yearly 28th Psychological Association of the Philippines Junior Affiliates (PAPJA) Quiz Bee, held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on January 23.

According to Asst. Prof.

Efraem Janairo, area chairman of Psychology, the contestants, namely Ellen Grace Canaon, Karl Minriv Sumagaysay, Jarous Bana,

and Imaru Bongar, were selected via a rigorous process that comprised of noting professors’ past assessments and performances in previous semesters.

Canaon and Sumagaysay were also part of the faction to take home first place honors during last October’s Psychological Societies Association on Mental Health Quiz Bee in Quezon City.

PSYCHOLOGY, PAGE 10

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Comm students present CAzaar 2015

Jam-packed AdSpeak ’15 held

BY JOSHUA BANGUILAN

BY ALANIS CRUZ

Fourth year communication students put into practice their classroom learning in this year’s CAzaar. | PHOTO FROM INTERNET

NOW STRONGER than ever, the fourth year Communication students come back with CAzaar 2015.

This year, the students’ bazaar, which was located inside the Colegio’s grounds, was separated into two batches: the first batch, from the section of CA4A, opened their booths on February 5 to 7; and the second batch, from the CA4B, on February 12 to 14.

Booths like Pixel Craft, Project Fandom, Artsee Canbags, Socklolo, and Bars, were visited by students to see the handmade creation of the students, who established the bazaar to learn the fine art of selling,

producing, and consuming.

“It is the integration of all the things that the [Communication] students have learned from their Integrated Marketing Communication [IMC] course,” CA4A student, Lance Paolo Lim, stated, adding, “Lahat ng money na na-invest namin [CA] sa pagbebenta ng products namin, nanggaling sa sarili naming bulsa.”

Lim said that the main purpose of the bazaar is “to learn how to sell personally,” or as they call it, “sales talk”, as per the Communication students’ Integrated Marketing Communication course.

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Students from different colleges and universities attended this year’s AdSpeak where professionals shared their experiences in advertising industry. | PHOTO BY HONEY FRANCISCO

BLANK CANVAS ADVERTISING HOUSE, the Letran’s advertising-exclusive organization, spearheaded this year’s AdSpeak, a student convention on values advertising, on February 13 at the Student Center Auditorium.

This year’s theme is Values Power up! According to Vittorio Flojo, Blank Canvas’ president, the guest speakers in the event are one of the “top guns” in the advertising industry, namely Creative Director of BBDO Guerrero Jao Bautista; “Chairmom” and Chief Creative of DM9 JaymeSyfu Merlee Jayme; Chief Creative at Leo Burnet Group Manila Raul Panes; Founder and EIC of Adobo Magazine Angel Guerrero; and the young creatives

from IdeasXMachina.

Participants aside from Letran such as De La Salle University (DLSU), Jose Rizal University (JRU), University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, and Adamson University (AdU) not only stormed attendance in the event but also dominated several awards as presented in AdSpeak after the prejudging; such as Values Advertising Awards, Student’s Choice Awards, Online Choice Awards, and Branded Communication Awards.

The entries, Choose Life from UST; Home Uniform from DLSLipa; Angupo, ipo-ipo at Liempo and NO TO BULLYING from Letran; and #OOTD from JRU won in Best in Values Advertising for

print, campaign, radio, television, and digital, respectively.

While WIFI ZONE by Sulit, Anne Margarette from AdU; Natural Disasters: Safety Tips Series from (DLS-Lipa); The Caller from Letran; #OOTD from JRU; and NO TO BULLYING from Letran were chosen for Student’s Choice Awards.

On the other hand, Ulila, #Makikalikasan, Yaya., and Keri from AdU; and Project Pearls from Letran triumphed the Online Choice Awards.

While only one category goes for the Best Branded Communications award, which goes to Beat Bullying from Letran.

The program was hosted by Jom Serna, Lou Mapagdalita, and Eunice Pascua.

OOTB promotes media literacy

Students from Colegio de San Juan de Letran, University of Santo Tomas and Universidad de Manila participated in Out of the Box (OOTB) Media Literacy Workshops School Tour 2015 held February 28 at the St. Vincent de Ferrer Building Activity Hall.

In its first year, the event was organized by OOTB in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and in partnership with Knights Cable Television and Union of the Journalists of the PhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines.

OOTB is an organization that promotes media literacy in the country.

Letran is the first college that it visited for this school tour.

The speakers for the event were OOTB co-founder Marlon Nombrado, Cable News

Network Philippines producer Joseph Cataan, film critic and blogger Oggs Cruz and University of the Philippines journalism professor Danilo Arao.

Nombrado’s discussion primarily focused on advertising in the Philippine media by showing television commercials and interacting with the audience.

He further emphasized the importance of persuasion in advertising.

“It is not us who are buying products, but in reality, it is us who are the products,” he said.

On the other hand, Cataan tackled issues on freedom of expression, internet privacy and media corruption.

He mentioned the media’s tendency to sensationalize stories that are not necessarily news-worthy. Likewise, he urged the students to be more active in raising awareness

BY BETTINA BONILLO about social issues online.

“Be engagers; let’s make our social media accounts more relevant. As journalists, we must reflect our craft,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cruz talked about the roles of film critics in the media.

He said: “The very function of film criticism is to strip the notion of cinema as a product.”

He also presented how Marlon Nombrado shares his experience in the media industry film turns into a discourse by and places emphasis on the value of media literacy in the modern analysing comments of vari- world. | PHOTO FROM INTERNET ous movie critics about Erik Matti’s On the Job (2013) and is shaping the [public] opin- dia as a platform for freePatrick Cederberg and Wal- ion by providing only rel- dom of expression as social ter Woodman’s Noah (2013). evant information,” he said. media should function as Finally, Arao stressed the He added: “We have an agent of social change. importance of journalism in to question the contents “It’s only a waste of time understanding the press and of what we read or what if you let social media conthe media. For him, the chal- we listen to because that trol you, but if you use solenge for future journalists is is part of our freedom.” cial media as a freedom to critically analyse the media.

Like Cataan, he urged the of expression, you’re on “The vision of a journalist audience to use social me- the right track,” he said.

news

VOLUME XXXVIII - ISSUE 9 FEBRUARY 2015 - 12 PAGES

LLMS participates at National Legal Management Festival

LGBT seminar held

BY ALANIS CRUZ

BY MYKEE MONTEROLA

THE LETRAN Legal Management Society represented Letran in the 2015 National Legal Management Festival (NLMF) organized by the Alliance of Legal Management Associations of the Philippines (ALMAP) at San Beda College Manila on February 28.

The 2015 NLMF is a nationwide competition among Legal Management students organized by the joint efforts of ALMAP, Junior Bedan Law Circle, and San Beda Debate Society to showcase the excellence of Legal Management students from different schools.

For the first part, students participated in the inter-academic varsity competition: the LEXPEDITION which is composed of Business – Law Quiz Bee, Extemporaneous Speech, Essay Writing Competition, and British Parliament Debate.

The second part is the Legal Management Awards wherein diligent students were given recognition according to the category they belong; such as the Ten Outstanding Legal Management Students of the Philippines and the Most Outstanding Legal Management Project in the Fields of Law, Business and Nation Building.

Aristarchus Lamarck Luna takes home second place for the Extemporaneous category while Marlen Roxas, Jeremiah Mallari, Alyra Dionne Revilla, and Cassandra Meer received Leadership Awards.

Participating schools in the event were University of Sto. Tomas, San Beda College Manila, San Beda College Alabang, Bulacan State University, Cagayan State University, University of St. Louis - Tuguegarao, St. Paul University of Manila, Holy Angel University of Pampanga, University of the East Manila, Lyceum of the Philippines Batangas, Lyceum of the Philippines- Cavite, and Lyceum of the Philippines- Manila.

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COMM

He added, “In the future marami kasing endeavors.

Isa doon is how one becomes an entrepreneur with the proper skills and knowledge, para ma-convince ‘yung customer or ‘yung client na bumili ng product.”

When asked about how the preparation for the bazaar went, Lim said that they were throwing notions and brainstorming about what they should sell, giving each batch ideas of what to sell, and crafting their products for the students to buy, living up to what they have learned from IMC.

7-0

due to his violation of the Revised Election Code of 2015 Article VI Section 2 which states that “unsubstantiated claims, presented as truths, for or against a candidate and/or a party” is considered as an illegal act and a ground for disqualification.

Such ruling is a nonappealable offense.

Divinagracia’s campaign posters contained an error in his written credentials which stated that the inclusive years for his membership in an organization at his former school was the school year (SY) 2013 to 2014 in-

Speaker Ms. Diño elaborates on the different issues included when tackling the issue of the LGBT community. | PHOTO FROM STUDENT COUNCIL

FOR THE RECOGNITION and the demolition of the discrimination of the gender preferences in the Colegio, the Letran Student Council (LSC) organized a session entitled, “Straight to the Point: The LGBT on today’s Philippine Politics and Society”.

Students were asked to join and listen to the lecture about the promulgation of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community not just in the Colegio but also to other places in the country and

stead of 2012 to 2013.

Divinagracia, submitted his erratum on February 14, the last day for the campaign period.

According to Acosta, one of the bases for Divinagracia’s disqualification was the time period for submitting the erratum.

“Tinignan [sa kaso ni Louie] is iyong time element na bakit tinapos mo iyong campaign period na hindi mo kino-correct [iyong credentials],” she said, adding, “Ang ginawa niya is niclaim niya iyong credential na iyon for the whole campaign period at noong huli na, saka niya lang tinama.”

She explained that there was no sense in correcting the said error when the cam-

to share their insights and opinions as well. The Letran SC invited guest speaker was the head student of the University of the Philippines Diliman Student Council and also the first one to achieve the position to be a transgender, Ms. Gabriel ‘Heart’ Diño.

The speaker tackled about the difference between gender and sex, the factors of gender ideology, the sexual orientation of a particular person, and many more that involves gender activities. Diño also talked about the status of the LGBT community in the

paign period was already over.

For his part, Divinagracia said there was no provision in the Revised Election Code of 2015 regarding the time element of submitting an erratum. He further claimed that he was disqualified without prior notice.

“The Comelec failed to address most of our (AAL) concerns and complaints through black and white which they reiterated during the orientation,” he said.

Appeal Following his disqualification, Divinagracia appealed his case to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA).

“I would like to give justice [to] my fellow Letranites who voted in all honesty and

3

country as being accepted or discriminated by other people, the life of a person in the community and she mentioned some examples of prejudiced and marginalized LGBT peoples in the country.

“Can you think of any logical reason why they [discriminators] are prohibiting these people [LGBT] to acquire public spaces in its early establishment?” Diño stated, referring to the people who ban LGBTs to public places such as bars, and disco pubs.

She added an example: transgenders are often kicked out of girls’ restrooms and instead let them use the restrooms for people with disabilities. “Hindi naman porke isa kang LGBT ay tinatrato ka nang parang may disability.”

However, she remarked that there is a hope for the future for their community. She mentioned about the House Bill No. 110, which states about the act of prohibiting unjust treatment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. According to Diño, the bill was going on smoothly, as it was passed on the first hearing on the Congress.

She said that she was happy about the progress, and that her hope remains up for the sake of the LGBT community.

After the seminar, Anfernee Ruanto, the Letran SC president, encouraged students to participate in the Rainbow March, whereas they waved the Rainbow flag. Together with the Letran Band, a flock of students gathered outside the Colegio and, as a wakeup call, marched, symbolizing the pride, equality and acceptance of one’s gender.

integrity. This isn’t my fight alone. This is the fight of the Letran community towards our betterment,” he said.

Divinagracia garnered the highest number of votes of all Execom candidates.

In a letter, dated on March 31, addressed to Acting Rector and President Rev. Fr. Orlando Aceron, O.P., OSA director Catherine Sanchez stated that “OSA had instructed the Comelec to review the basis of disqualification for Mr. Divinagracia that had earlier prevented the latter to be proclaimed as the official winner.”

She added, “After careful review of the circumstances, the Comelec decided to rescind their last decision and to proclaim Divinigracia as the official winner.”

4 opinion Remember them

Last January 25, 2015, in a day that will forever be marred with infamy, 44 men gave their lives in a mission devised to save many others. A mission that ended in tragedy.

It wasn’t their to ask why.

It wasn’t their to question why.

It was their to do and for that they died.

We here at the LANCE gives a heartfelt cheer to the brave soldiers of the Fallen 44.

But as tragic as this even has been, a far more devastating after effect has been rippling through our media and our government. The cesation and the demonization of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. To the uninitiated, the Bangsamoro Basic Law is the administrations biggest attempt at ending the decades long civil war between the country and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (or MILF).

There is a point of contention among critics. Does passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law giving into the whims of backstabbing radicals? Not entirely, no.

See, the thing most critics seem to forget is that the Bangsamoro Basic Law isn’t there to serve the MILF, it’s there to serve the people under them. It’s there to serve the people under decades upon decades of crossfire. This law is about them.

Peace can only be achieved when everyone stops shooting and we cannot have peace when at every point and encounter our first reaction is a bloody retaliation.

There will be justice. Those culpable for the death of 44 brave soldiers will fall under the mighty weight of the truth. But for the meantime the only thing we can do, the one thing we have to do, is maintain the peace the brave 44 died for.

Because they deserve to be remembered not as the spark that inginited a bloody war but as the martyrs that died for a nation that has long forgotten what peace meant.

EDITORIAL BOARD 2014-2015

Ralph Ronald Baniqued News Editor

Kim Daniel Rubinos Editor-in-Chief Jerica Loise Orosco Managing Editor

Kevin Louise Valdez Angelica Pauline Sta. Ana Sports Editor Features Editor

Jan Joseph Mascot Famanila

Photo Section Officer-in-Charge

Alissandrine Margaret Blanquisco Design Editor Joshua Banguilan, Bettina Bonillo, Alanis Cruz, Alyssa Delfin, Ronald Espartinez, Risha Fernandez, Mykee Monterola, Eumarie Penafuerte, Kathrina Pineda, Iveth Solevilla, Bryle Suralta, Rachael Uycoque, Angelu Zafe

Contributors

Leslie Boado, Honey Francisco, Ryan Rona, Pauline Gonida Photographers Christelle Ann Cala Cartoonist

Norberto D. Bana III Adviser Published monthly, The LANCE has its editorial staff office at 3F Student Center Building, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Intramuros, Manila.

F O R C O M M E N T S, Q U E STI ONS, a n d LE TTE RS TO TH E E DIT OR Get in touch with us at fb.com/thelanceletran

@TheLANCELetran

letran.thelance@gmail.com

Politics

WHAT SPRINGS to my mind when I hear the word politics are depictions of corruption and dirty deeds.

Some of you may have heard the story of the big mess in the national volleyball team that caused confusion from fans and sports die-hards. As of press time, the issue has made little progress but hasn’t been fully resolved.

To summarize this turmoil, picture this: there is an organization that formed a national team. At first glance, that looked nice, well-planned, and very newsworthy as the country will now be back in the international volleyball scene.

But here comes another organization, which also formed a team of its own.

Now, we have two teams.

From there, things get a little complicated and seemingly out of hand.

What happened?

The problem is not the players, there are a lot of dedicated youngsters all over the country waiting to prove their worth; it is

not the coaches, as it is a milestone for a coach to head a national team, for that matter; it is not the budget (I hope), because I’m pretty sure our sports programs have appropriate funding, it just happens that most of the time it ends in the wrong pockets.

The real problem here is politics.

We have people in power that have seemingly endless greed and pride. If just all of the high ranking officials of our sports associations would eradicate selfishness among themselves and start fighting for what’s right and what’s really needed instead of engaging in pointless battles and standoffs for wrong and insignificant reasons, the country might just overcome its lump and poor showing in sports, particularly, volleyball.

It is just distressing that even the country’s sports programs have to deal with politics. It brings the wrong tune that transcends to these successive dismal outings in the internation-

al sports scene, including in the smaller Southeast Asian region, which is very much an embarrassment.

The bigger dilemma: it is impossible that something notable will pop up right away to fix all the mess because politics is linked with sports; and as things progress, it looks like that it will be this way for a long, long time.

Politics have also found its way here inside the Colegio. But I’m glad that the politics here have boundaries and do not make that big of a mess. And the students are not suffering from its filth. If politics could never be eradicated, that is the way it should be played.

I hope that politics can only be found and kept inside the corrupt walls of the government. That will be fine, knowing how ‘true’ politicians work.

On the other hand, politics can be a lot cleaner and, without a doubt, far simpler if people stop trying to state their seemingly endless greed. It shouldn’t be something where people are devouring each other, or backstabbing one another.

It should be about something more, a duty to the people that have put their trust. When you play dirty, remember who is going to suffer in the end.

We apologize for the errors in the previous issues and for the ones that this issue may also contain.

VOLUME XXXVIII - ISSUE 9 FEBRUARY 2015 - 12 PAGES

All for just one

44 lives, 44 families, 44 dreams, 44 futures, one weeping nation.

Questions are still unanswered about the real reason why the lives of our courageous and obedient force were risked in an unplanned action. Many Filipinos put the blame to our president, who also is the Commander-inChief of the AFP, and is one of the accountable people for this phenomena. Some would say that the Filipinos are just used of looking for someome to blame in every like instances, but this time, isn’t he the one really responsible for this failure?

There are a lot of perks for this terrorist’s head,who is one of USA’s most wanted.

Imagine bringing home fifty thousand dollars, plus being branded as a great soldier, and the honor that the government would give you.

Meanwhile, for the ones who gave the order of this battle are fifty thousand dollars, the honor, a total turn on and a perfect PR (especially to Allan Purisima who was suspended but still gave orders), and a very beautiful branding for killing the person whom the whole world tried to kill.

PNOY is the Commanderin-Chief of the AFP. Purisima is currently facing a graft case against himself. PNOY and Purisima are good friends. If a friend needs a 360-degree turn for PR, and you are the perfect person who could possibly help him, with a bonus increase of public trust for your administration, wouldn’t you “help” your friend?

These are just speculations.

Speculations that may be true.

PNOY also said that he wasn’t informed about the task. Is it really possible not to inform the highest post

The fault in our staffs

“You are a part of the organization and the organization is a part of you. “ One of the most anticipated by us, students, during our time in college is joining school organizations and different extra-curricular affiliations. You can’t just have ended college without being part of one, besides the fact that you are automatically a member of the organization of your program. Being a part of an organization is one way of honing your leadership skills, and talents, and often, it eventually encourages you to go to school more frequently.

Being a member of school organizations (chorale, school paper, etc.), I have witnessed the different scenes a group could have. Most of the time, it is fun and rewarding, but sometimes, it cannot be avoided that it could be a bit chaotic and stressful.

Occasionally, my friends would tease me, “O, late

nanaman ang LANCE”, wherein I always retort with reluctant smile and divert the topic to something brighter, well at least for me. Situation such as that is something that the past editorial boards and we have been facing. But just so you know, we are trying hard to do our task and responsibility to the students, because apparently, we are required to give you 10 issues and a literary folio before the school year ends. Though at times, it become a bit of a struggle because the tasks demand time and so much dedication to campus journalism.

It is very natural for students, especially the new ones, to tap waters and try different organizations. But the thing is, several are not totally committing themselves to a group, therefore creating slipups and commotion to the organization. There is always the tendency for one to

opinion in the house for such big mission?And if it is true that he wasn’t informed, will that be an adequate reason to believe that he has no contribution on this distress?

“Obey first before you complain,” that is the first in the golden rules of the military. So there must be someone to give the order before the cadets do their job.

We can say that we must accept the reality that the lives of these soldiers were really meant to end soon. But are these lives meant to end that way? Yes, the mission is accomplished. But the end does not always justify the means. Is one life worth the lives of the 44 courageous soldiers? Will the death of this terrorist even benefit our country, or even bring peace? Will killing him make the world a better place?

It may be true that the Filipinos always look for someone to blame in every flaw that happens, and often times, it is the president that we blame. But this time around, is it the only reason why most of us blame the President? Let us think again. take the group for granted and overlook the fact that as a part of the organization, you are needed by it.

Apparently, as what I observed, this is what’s happening in The LANCE. Quite frequently, the staffs of The LANCE have the tendency to lay low on the duties and responsibilities he/she have on the group (myself included). Though we always manage to rise from it and finish the job, some are left behind and chooses to linger on unproductivity. After that, there will always be a lot of “busy kasi ako”, “kaya niyo naman magisa”, and the overused “estudyante muna ako bago naging (insert position in group)” that will be thrown upon you. Still I always shrug off the alibi. If you have the time to make-gala, then there’s probably time to do the task; kung ayaw may dahilan, kung gusto palaging mayroong paraan.

If you have shortcomings to the group, you should compensate for it – because if not, you will bring the entire organization down (especially if you are a pretty big part of the group).

Being a part of official student publication of Letran, I am ashamed that we

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PEAK

JEFFERSON GERONIMO The recent encounter between Special Action Force (SAF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at the Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25, 2015 shakes the country. In the said clash, 44 of the SAF commandos have died, leaving the question, should we still continue the ongoing peace talks with the MILF? In my opinion, the said encounter is never a hindrance for us to push through the peace process between the MILF rather, it is rather a question of sincerity of both parties. The said encounter also exposes different loopholes in the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, whereas one of the prevailing issue is the question of who should have the police power over the region once it is implemented. I firmly stand that the “all-out war” is never an answer to the ongoing conflicts in Mindanao.

Several peace talks are ongoing between the government of the Philippines and the MILF for the welfare of both the parties. A framework was made titled “Bangsamoro Framework Agreement” which is signed by the Philippine Peace Panel and the MILF. This framework gives economic provision, allocation of resources, security and army and etc. Part of the Bangsamoro basic law is the creation of Bangsamoro Police, an entity provided by the MILF but is still under the jurisdiction of the Philippine National Police.

The main concern after the Mamasapano encounter is the question of Police power and authority during an emergency case like what had happened in the Mamasapano encounter. The MILF is claiming that the SAF must go through the proper protocol first before the action can be implemented. It is understandable that it is not applicable to the situation, given that the opera-

tion is too sensitive to be coordinated with the MILF. Because of this, questions began to arise. Why MILF and BIFF is seen together?

Why there’s a terrorist inside the MILF’s territory?

Why did the MILF continue to shoot SAF even though they know it was from the forces of the government?

It is inevitable that the Mamasapano incident had escalated the prevailing issues regarding the loopholes of the Bangsamoro basic law.

It also raised a concern over the sincerity of the other party (pertaining to MILF) to pursue the peace process with the government.

Given all the circumstances, weighing all the factors affecting the peace process, we must still pursue peace talks with the separatist groups regardless of any hindrance. It is safe to say that the peace process is “NOT” for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front itself, but rather we must remember that the end goal of the peace process is for the Bangsamoro people. An all-out war, can never address the decades of poverty, hunger and isolation that the Muslims have suffered. It is just and equal for the Bangsamoro people to give them the opportunity to cultivate their own natural resources for themselves. It will also be healthy for the majority if they will be able to be partly economically autonomous. In a nutshell, we should give our Bangsamoro brothers an opportunity to establish their own identity and to furnish a land for themselves without having them separated to the state. Mindanao can never be separated with the Philippines, an all-out war is never an answer, if we want long term solution for the conflict in Mindanao, an honest and sincere peace talks that would cater the needs of the Bangsamoro people is the answer.

Jefferson P. Geronimo is a junior Accountancy student. He is currently the Letran Student Council auditor.

The views and opinions written above do not reflect that of The LANCE’s.

We are inviting you, Letranites, to submit your articles about life and anything under the sun.

Send your articles to The LANCE office, third floor Student Center building or email them to letran.thelance@gmail.com

The Taste of Love, Other Things

Going solo or spending radical selection of new

Introducing the “Matin be entering the ice crea

What it is: cashew-buttercream ice cream base, passionfruit sorbet ribbons, wafer pieces and toasted macadamia nuts.

What it tastes like:

Sour, crunchy, sweet, a bit complex. ‘Matinong Boyfriend’ taste like an explosion of flavors that leaves you craving for more yet perplexingly confused (in a good way!). The flavors come from the odd combination of cashew-buttercream and passionfruit with the wafer pieces and macadamia nuts giving the ice cream a much needed crunch and texture. Does that sound like the makings of a ‘matinong boyfriend’? Maybe. But What we’re certain is that it is delicious.

What it is:

Ampalaya sorbet and candied ampalaya.

What it tastes like:

PAIN AND MISERY IN ICE CREAM FORM. Ahem. Unless you are an avid ampalaya fan, Unresolved Issues is bitterness solidified into a dessert that you will hate with a burning passion. With an over bearingly strong flavor, the bitter taste and lasting after taste will leave you longing for the quick respite of something sweeter, better, and more loving girlfriend. I mean- ice cream. Yes. Ice cream.

, Heartbreak, and

g your day with a love one on Valentine’s Day this weekend? Why not drop by Sebastian’s and check out their w flavors that might just make you fall in love again.

nong Boyfriend,” “Matinong Girlfriend,” “Closure” and “Unresolved Issues” these odd and enticing flavors will am shops selection this Friday, February 13 in celebration of Valentine weekend the day after.

What it is: potato chip ice cream with cheddar-sour cream potato chips coated in salted white chocolate.

What it tastes like:

What it is:

Matinong Girlfriend doesn’t taste at all girly.

The rugged potato chip and cheddary ice cream highlighted by salty white chocolate is a flavor fitting a Friday night; binge watching the ‘Game of Thrones’ than a night under the stars in a candle lit dinner. It’s a cacophony of explosive flavors that is less sweet and more scrumptious. So yeah. Matinong Girlfriend is the perfect dude ice cream.

Chrysanthemum ice cream with orange zest and vanilla.

What it tastes like:

‘Closure’ fittingly doesn’t have a strong flavor.

Calm would be the more suitable description for the taste. The chrysanthemum ice cream provides a steady if not unusual base with the orange zest and vanilla giving it a nice and much needed kick. While ‘Closure’ isn’t something you’d want night after night, it’s a flavor that is welcoming and hard to forget about. Like you ex.

PHOTOS FROM SEBASTIAN’S FACEBOOK PAGE

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CHE, MEH OR YEAH!

Clear blue skies

I suppose I should write something romantic here for February. Something that can pull heartstrings.

Something suitably corny but witty enough to ellicit some faint laughs. But comedy and romance has never been my strong suit nor I think will it ever be.

I excell in using the meandering words of a daydreaming child or I think I do. I think I’ve have probably spent more time looking past the throngs of people as I walk home than I have ever spent on talking to a single person. I’m okay with this. I’m fine with this.

But now with the day of hearts coming to-and-fro I can’t help but take focus on a decidedly cliché development.

Happy couples, looking happy, having a happy time, as the happily spend all their moments blissfuly happy together.

They’re happy. Now, I’m not necessarily the bastion of joy and hope but I’m no bitter fool. I love that people around me are happy. I’m glad that they have found, no

matter how relatively temporary, a small slice of happiness. But this recent string of clingy-gushy couples have resulted in little bit of introspection on my part. And I guess you can say that I have received an epiphany.

See, while it’s true that I’m at my happiest when I’m alone with a good book and some music, that I enjoy being on my own more than in the company of others, that I’a\m at my best when left to my own devices. I realize that even I, can get lonely too.

They said that love is like the weather. Sometimes it’s cloudy and uncertain. Sometimes it’s storming and thundering. Sometimes it passes by without notice. Sometimes it drowns everything out in an all-consuming delouge.

But what ever the case, it always comes and goes.

So what does it mean now when you look up and you see nothing but a clear blue sky?

Because that is what I see everyday and for the first time in a long time – the sight has never felt so painful.

If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late DRAKE

Upon first hearing it, the whole album sounded a lot like your next morning playlist – it’s cheery, catchy, and up to out-Mumford all the other indie folk groups with three-note plucks and claps.

Nevertheless, Imagine Dragons shines in its soulful falsettos and bass drum beats.

As a sophomore record, Smokes + Mirrors maintains their ‘good vibes’ coherence.

They preserved a bombastic

Vulnicura Björk

BY RISHA FERNANDEZ After the immense success of Nothing Was the Same, modern hip-hop’s King of Feels, Drizzy, delivers yet another passionpowered collection by pulling off a Beyoncé just before Valentine’s Day. And this time, it’s more intimate.

Simple and straightforward like its album art, this 17-track ‘mixtape’ is fresh and personal to the core.

Drake serializes the dark side sound of Coldplay-level comfort from start to finish, but don’t get fooled because sadder messages likes Shots can go past your radar for a while as Dan Reynolds keeps you distracted in electro music. Nevertheless, they take breaks to make way for edgy and oozing badassery such as Gold, I’m So Sorry, and Warriors, which was the 2014 League of Legends World Championship soundtrack.

RATING: Che. – Meh – Yeah!

If you want to take your heartbreak level at its most artistic state, it’s time you consider Icelandic singer Bjork’s newest treat. Björk has long been in the quirky art pop game, but this experimental and eccentric crescendo of orchestral strings and electronic beats is emotionally charged in its most raw state from start to finish; loaded with nine

of ‘the good life’ with his own experiences, painting his thoughts from the weird, computer-assisted singing in Legendary to Wednesday Night Interlude’s spacey synchs and new flow. IYRTITL meant true business too, being a full record that doesn’t forget to slam all his haters, especially Cash Money rival Tyga with the hookless 6 p.m. in New York.

RATING: Che – Meh – Yeah!

Smokes + Mirrors imagine dragons

incredibly long tracks (the shortest is three minutes), Vulnicura quickly kicks off an impending breakup with Stonemilker, until Black Lake painted her doomed relationship perfectly – long and winding. Mouth Mantra, on the other hand, depicts what it truly feels to have a broken heart – hurt and haunting.

RATING: Che – Meh – Yeah!

Courtship101: Back then or today’s?

BY TRISHA KAE ANDRADA

How do you find love?

For some who are not in a relationship (yet) and are still at the stage of nervous anxiety about spilling their guts and fearlessly confessing their love and affection, there are millions of ways to get your crushes notice you – either the old-fashioned way or the modernized ones.

Call it old school, but I

pine for the time when love letters and serenading were still a thing. A harana was all the reason girls fell in love.

Women were moved not because of looks and angst, but because of classic romanticism.

Imagine a boy holding a pen and letting his hand write whatever his mind and heart say. The lucky girl, meanwhile, would

receive letters containing sweet and sincere thoughts which can melt her heart and stir butterflies in her stomach.

How about serenading a girl? Strumming the guitar while singing the song he knows by heart? As what can only be seen in films today, the image of a guy bringing his gang to help him impress the girl he’s interested in. Wearing the patterned longsleeved polo, which looks tacky by today’s standard, the boy serenades the parents first, especially the mothers, to receive their sweet “yes” before the girls themselves.

On the contrary, people nowadays find courtship way too easy.

To get the girl’s attention and let her know the

boy’s gist, he gives his best shot and spills a pickup line - the cheesiest one and not the cheapest: “Pedicab ka ba? Pedicabang maging girlfriend?”

Well, not sure how effective it is.

Like what we know, social media makes it hassle-free for us to communicate.

Thus, courtship can be done through Facebook chat or even through texts.

Keep in touch?

Getting to know her? Need something to confess or tell to ones you miss? Letters are one fine “nope” these days and pens and papers are u n fo r t u n a te ly not helpful be-

cause in just few clicks, your mobile phone’s signal or Internet connection could do the trick for you.

Even the sorrowful part of the relationship, a.k.a. break-ups, happen via phones as well. Yes, that’s how easy our life is now.

With these differences, it’s obviously a piece of cake for a boy to court a girl and for a girl to flirt back at this time. Is it a good thing or not?

FEATURES

VOLUME XXXVIII - ISSUE 9 FEBRUARY 2015 - 12 PAGES Where do broken hearts go?

To the cinemas, apparently.

Proclaimed as the ultimate hugot movie of the year, Antoinette Jadaone’s “That Thing Called Tadhana” begins with a coincidental meeting in Rome between Mace (Angelica Panganiban), an incredibly devastated and broken-hearted Pinay with way too much baggage in her hands (literally and figuratively), and Anthony (JM de Guzman) – Mr. Overly Friendly Stranger who just so happens to be kind enough to lend a hand and ear. As Anthony gets dragged around

by Mace’s impulsive decisions to try and mend her broken heart, you can’t help but ask yourself: will they fall in love?

Everyone guesses this is “destiny” for them; and that by the end of this, they are bound to be lovers.

But

don’t let the cliché concept fool you! Tadhana isn’t about their moments together. It’s about how two people learn to move on, finally accept and release the baggage that’s dragging them down, and open their hearts once again.

Tadhana plays around with the familiarity that every broken hearted Pinoy/Pinay can ever experience. Step One: Watch One More Chance.

(Don’t kid yourself; of course you’ve watched this movie.)

S t e p Two: R i n s e a n d r e peat until you’ve memorized every line that sends a critical hit to your already wounded heart. And Step Three: Cry your heart out and be very bitter. Is that a love song?

Nope. Sorry. Hate it. Couple

being sweet? Move along.

The moviegoers may be laughing when Mace is breaking down into feats of hysteria, but they all have one thing in mind: “Been there, done that.” And so we laugh, because it’s true and because we’ve experienced that before.

W e laugh s o m e m o r e because it is portrayed so realistically and naturally, you can’t help not to.

The film is more memorable for its dialogues – definitely earning an approval for its “ultimate hugot” movie proclamation. As the movie progresses, you don’t feel like a viewer at all. If anything, you feel like Anthony. You

can’t help but listen to Mace’s woes and cries, you can’t help but to want to be there and help, and you can’t help but be carried away by all the emotion that you once felt.

T o t h o s e who’ve lost love and want nothing more but to move on and feel it again minus the heartache, this is the story for you.

The cleverly natural storyline and dialogues wouldn’t have worked as well as it should if it wasn’t for Angelica and JM’s chemistry and acting. There is no grand romantic scene, loud fights and confrontation, or big punch lines. There is just a fluid sequence of events that has the same vibe from the very start – very, very, very relatable.

Angelica is spot on in her

9

loud, overly dramatic, hugotand-mura-here-and-there character, and JM is the silent but charming shoulder to cry on that he should be.

And if they haven’t done as well as they have, the movie would have been a big bore.

Overall, Tadhana is one of the movies that prove a good story is all it takes to capture anyone’s heart – even if all it has are two characters with a whole lot of talking (and hugot, never forget the hugots). No overbearing drama, no forceful jokes; just a dash of wonderful story-telling, matched with clever directing and spoton acting. You have yourself a movie worth watching.

believe in ‘tadhana’ again by rachel ly uycoque

FIFTY (or more) SHADES OF MEDIOCRITY

BY KEVIN LOUISE VALDEZ

FIFTY SHADES the movie is not the harbringer of the end as people demonize it to be. Shallow, yes.

Dumb, also true. But for all its faults, I won’t say that it’s a terrible film.

One, the movie makes significant leaps and bounds in making its protagonist less grating and more realized.

Sam Taylor-Johnson’s

adaptation of the infamous book of E.L. James does an excellent job at trimming down a lot of dredge and fluff from the book while also being faithful enough to satiate fans.

The plot (or at least the one that looks like a plot) goes as follows brooding but dashingly handsome self-made billionaire Christian

Grey (Jamie Dornan) “courts” flighty, clumsy intellectual Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) into a rather strange and intimate relationship.

The film’s crowning glory of achievement comes from completely culling Anastasia’s inner monologue. There are no mentions of an “inner goddess” and no awkward innuendos, making Anastasia an almost likeable romantic lead.

Almost. Ms. Johnson’s portrayal of the character deserves major props as she fully transforms Anastasia from a dreary checklist of quirks into a realized character that just falls short of likable.

Dornan as Grey, on the other hand, is another story. Dornan’s Grey is a

one-beat character whose two likable traits are that he’s handsome and rich.

Not helping that the script can only offer Dornan very few moments where he’s anything but brooding and angry.

But the thing is, Fifty Shades started out rather promising. The lighthearted first half, while ultimately shallow, was a source of honest comedy, that if you walked out at that point in the film, you would have watched an infinitely better version of Fifty Shades of Grey than the actual movie.

There is nothing in the beginning to make anyone emotionally invest in the characters and by the time the drama pops up it’s too late to take it seriously.

10 news

Letran participates in the annual DOMNET Convention

BY EUMARIE PENAFUERTE

Participants of the DOMNET National Convention 2015 in Palawan. | PHOTO FROM SAMANTHA MARCELLANA

BEING ONE of the oldest Dominican Institutions in the country, the Colegio participated in the annual Dominican Network (DomNet) National Convention 2015 held at Holy Trinity University Sienatel, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on Feb 12 - 13.

Having the theme, “Dominic: Government, Spirituality, and Freedom”, the two day event was organized by the DomNet National Council of the Philippines and was filled with different activities and

THE

FROM PAGE 5

could not give students the output they deserve on time. And being your “student” publication, it may not hurt to practice a bit of transparency. However we would like for the students to know we will give our very best to give quality product for the rest

LETRANITE FROM PAGE 1

year’s Letran’s Ms. and Ms. PE Figure, a competition with participants outfitting school and physical education uniform as well as casual wear, it was a moment which later made her the choice for participating in the upcoming intercollegiate contest.

The Marketing Group of Isetann Supermarket origi-

PSYCHOLOGY FROM PAGE 1

“Siyempre, mae-enhance ‘yung kanilang n e t w o r k i n g ,” J a n a i r o said, referring to the students’ expanding social circles, adding, “Kailangan maging broad ang kanilang horizons.”

Furthermore, he said these types of competi-

profound words of wisdom coming from the preachers.

Different student delegates and administrators coming from all the Dominican schools from Luzon to Mindanao flew to Palawan to participate in the said convention, including the Letran Dominican Network Youth Group (LDYG) president Samantha Marcellana together with Rev. Fr. Orlando C. Aceron, O.P., the acting Rector and President of Letran who represented the Educational of the current semester.

And suggestion to those who are planning to join in an organization or any kind of group: try to love the task, the people, and the group itself and put your heart into every thing that you do in it; the reward is always beyond your expectations.

Okay?

Okay.

nally invited University Belt exclusive schools but eventually included most universities and colleges in Manila such as University of the Philippines, Adamson University, Arellano University, Far Eastern University, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Mapua, Lyceum of the Philippines University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

Prizes include P2,500 pesos and a gift certificate from Isetann and Beauty products from Block & White.

tions hone young adults’ abilities to create more opportunities for themselves as they tread closer to the plight of having to make a living in the “real world.”

The PAPJA holds annual conventions celebrating the achievements of psychologists both locally and internationally.

Leadership, Asst. Prof. Diane Francisco, who represented the Commission on Research, Asst. Prof. Louie Benedict Ignacio, dean of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), who represented Letran on Commission in Instruction and Asst. Prof. Manuel Zamora Jr., director of Center for Community Development.

The participants are divided into different commissions such as research, educational leadership, instruction, community service, and youth.

On the first day of the event, the Holy Eucharist presided

by Rev. Fr. Pedro D. Arigo, D.D., Apostolic Vicar of the Vicariate of Puerto Prinsesa Palawan followed by the Opening Remarks of Rev. Fr. Ernesto M. Arceo, O.P., President of DomNet and the Rector and President of Aquinas University of Legazpi. Dean Ignacio served as the emcee.

“We are not only going

SAN MIG FROM PAGE 12

while Chris Lutz had his second straight impressive outing with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists.

But in Game 3, Alaska took vengeance after trouncing the Beermen to secure a 2-1 advantage.

“Ang sarap sa feeling,” Calvin Abueva said via interview on GMA News, who led his team with 16 points and 15 rebounds. “Di katulad nung Game 2, parang iba ‘yung laro eh. Kung tutuusin lang, kung malinis

NEW

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system na gusto natin, pero ang pinakaimportante, maibalik natin yung tradition natin and kultura natin. Nandun naman yun ‘kina coach Caloy, nandun naman yun sa previous coaching staff, but we want to do more,” he emphasized.

He continued, “Especially sa tradition natin na

DISAPPOINTING FROM PAGE 1

Reyes for the men’s and Mikaela Lopez, Manuela Mariel Larioque, and Kathleen Barrinuevo for the women’s.

“Naging mahirap po para sa amin tapos na-injure pa po ang isang player namin (Bobby Gatdula, Knee), kaya nagamit po ako sa

to receive from the celebrations of the Holy Eucharist to begin and to end the convention, but we shall also benefit from a series of lectures, presentations, and workshops and the opportunity to strengthen ties and establish new ones,” according Arceo.

There were several talks by different priests and bishops; the first talk was concerning Spirituality and Freedom: Grounding of the Dominican School Governance by Rev. Fr. Dominic Izzo, O.P., Socius of the Master for the USA and Vicar of the Master of the Convent of Santa Sabina.

The second is about the prophetic role of education in the church by Bishop Pablo S. David, D.D. Director of Church Heritage and Commission Archdiocese of San Fernando.

The third was about the Philippine Dominican Schools, Colleges and Universities: Ceating Springs of hope

ang laro, mananalo kam.,” But San Miguel came back by taking Game 4 and Game 5 against the Aces. The Beermen proved to be elusive in offensive as they took Game 4, 88-70 and Game 5 with a score of 93-88 to finally take the series lead.

Fajardo rallied San Miguel with 19 points and 13 rebounds. The Beermen also sketched outstanding offensive games from Arwind Santos and Marcio Lassiter who equated 19 and 16 points, respectively.

Still hoping to win the crown, the Alaska Aces forced a do-or-die match kapag sinabing Letranista, palaban. Kasi yun talaga ang Letran, [pagdating] sa laro, tough at pisikal.”

Suiting up for the mother league Aside from the intense practice and conditioning set every day, the Muralla-based squad is also set to join few leagues and tournaments in preparation for the 91st season of the National game,” said Harold Reyes, the youngest player of the Knights’ squad, adding, “First time ko lang maglaro ng beach volleyball kaya hirap po ako mag-adjust.”

The tournament saw CSB capture their second straight crown with a 6-0 record in the competition.

[Men’s ‘to right? Pakidag-

through genuine dialogue by Rev. Fr. Edmund C Nantes, O.P. Superior, Ruma Santo Dominicus Indonesia. And The lastly was about the Catholic Education and Social Transformation by Rev. Fr. Gilmore Joy B. Pelino, Director, Social Action Center of Diocese of Marbel.

After all the talks the delegates had their workshop on how to improve and deepen the prophetic character of the Dominican Schools, Colleges and Universities in the light of the DomNet structure.

The second day was used for reporting of the commissions and private meeting and to visit the tourist destinations in Palawan.

DomNet convention is the yearly gathering of Dominican schools, colleges and universities as part of the Dominican tradition and making the students understand the importance and their role in the church and society.

as they successfully pinched Game 6, 87-76, to tie the best-of-7 series at three games apiece.

The battle finally reached the end after San Miguel Beermen escaped the wrath of Alaska Aces and finally brought the trophy home.

Arwind Santos notched 22 points for the Beermen, but he had a wicked 4 out of 14 from deep. Marcio Lassiter added 19 points, while June Mar Fajardo and Chris Lutz contributed nine and four points, respectively.

San Miguel’s bench struggled with just 14 points.

Collegiate Athletic Association.

This March, they are set to step up a notch by joining a bigger league, the PBA Developmental League (D-League) under the Manny Pacquiao Hotel franchise, using the team name, MP Hotel-Letran.

Come summer, our brave men will be gearing up for the Filoil Flying V Cup and the Fr. Martin’s Cup. dag din yun nag-champion sa women’s and Letran’s record. Thankyou] When Reyes was asked what he learned from the tourney. He said, “Mas parang lumakas na yung loob ko maglaro, mas tumaas na siguro yung laro ko kaysa sa dati. Iba po kasi yung pakiramdam kapag sa buhangin.”

VOLUME XXXVIII - ISSUE 9 FEBRUARY 2015 - 12 PAGES

The Seth in Santos

sports 11

BY ANGELICA STA. ANA

PHOTO BY HONEY FRANCISCO

DEATH-DEFYING stunts, towering pyramids, onpoint routine, and a Seth Santos can definitely be the perfect equation to a good show in any halftime stint.

Santos, a senior Advertising major, is the current team captain of the Lakas Arriba Cheerleading Team (LCT). Born as Seth Christopher Santos, this gent admitted that he was assertive in trying out for the team since the very start. He has seen a great interest in what they do. A coach also advised him to give Letran a shot, “sabi nung coach na yun, good choice daw ang Letran kasi matutulungan daw ako ng team.”

Lucky enough for Santos, the team was reformatting during that time and he was one of the few who were given a chance to be a member of the second batch of the new cheerleading team.

Team captain Seth has been a coach on high school cheerleading teams before, so teaching is not strange to him.

Regardless of how seasoned he is, LCT’s prime motivator still finds being a team captain as a tough job.

“Kailangan mo kasing maging model sa team,” Santos said, adding, “Dapat kaya ko silang i-persuade with what I do and how I talk to them.”

He articulates that to be a successful leader of the pack, one must be able to give quick remedies to even the smallest hitches of the team saying.

“I represent the team and so kailangan magawa ko lahat for them. It’s hard work and responsibility, pero I love what I do kaya masaya ako.”

with a lot of things. The Pasiglocal however thinks that the biggest gain of a cheerleader is personality development, given that they interact and mingle with a number of people.

“Matututo kang mag-adjust sa iba’t-ibang uri ng personality, perspective and beliefs. Sobrang madami kang matututunan hindi lang sa craft mo kung ‘di pati sa buhay,” he shared.

Another surprising perk is of course the popularity.

Seth agrees that a lot recognize him and are amazed at how he balances being an athlete and being a student.

Being a cheerleader also comes with a downside, the usual exhaustion, lack of sleep, and physical, mental, and emotional pain befalls.

Santos unfortunately gets all kinds of attentions too. “May mga haters ka na hindi mo alam kung bakit,” he shared.

Pluses and minuses Being a cheerleader comes

Success of an athlete “Ang akin lang, hindi laging skills ang puhunan.Kailangan malaki ang puso mo sa ginagawa mo,” Santos boldly said.

He also shared his own recipe to brew success. He combines a great amount of selflessness, hard work, compensations, and trust in God. And clearly, this has quite worked its magic for him.

With the upcoming National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 90 Cheerdance Competition this March 13 at the Mall of Asia Arena, LCT has been geared up as they do heavy labor since day one spearheaded by an undoubtedly capable team captain.

BY ANGELICA STA. ANA had 11 points and Jhoana Maraguinot added 10 points to complete the victory.

Meanwhile, Ara Galang led all Lady Spikers with a 20-point outing and volleyball superstar Mika Reyes only chipped in with eight.

La Salle strted off the game slow, letting Ateneo build a 15-7 lead before storming back. The Lady Spikers cut the lead to 2118 after executive hits from Ara Galang but Ateneo kept surging and won the first set.

The second set was no different as Ateneo contin-

ued and lead the set 14-9 halfway. Again, the Taftbased cagers kept storming back after a string of errors to come back in the game 17-14. The Lady Eagles tried to oppose the attack but Demecillo closed out the set with a kill to win the frame.

The next set featured a heated exchange between the two teams which reached a pivotal 22-all tie.

Then suddenly, two crucial errors from La Salle, throwing away two services and eventually allowing the Lady Eagles the 2-1 set lead.

Ateneo completes a 14-0 sweep agains arch rivals La Salle

Ateneo Lady Eagles complete a 14-0 sweep of the UAAP season 77 women’s volleyball elimination round after defeating arch rivals De La Salle Lady Spikers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena last February 18, 2015.

The Lady Eagles will enter the finals holding a thrice-to-beat advantage.

Ateneo won the contest 2520, 21-25, 25-23, 27-25.

Ateneo Team Captain Alyssa Valdez spearheaded the attack with a 29-point effort while Bea de Leon

Brewing relationship TRUST and communication is indeed the perfect equation.

Given the ample amount of love in any relationship, it takes quite few more components. It needs a good amount of effort to make it work. It is quite a tough job knowing that you are two very different individuals who both have different stands, views, way of thinking, and living, plus the most critical, egos.

So basically, one of the most important things I have learned in my current relationship is that you have to act maturely in dealing with everything. You cannot just merely let an argument pass and not talk about it.

It is usually those “little things” that pile up into bigger issues that destroy the rapport, as what my partner would always tell me.

Communication is really the key. Talk, talk, and talk.

Set aside your pride. You need to compensate for the things you have done and you have not done wrong.

You must always be willing to meet halfway; otherwise, no problem will be solved.

Proven and tested. I fairly realized that I am also not in a high school relationship anymore, wherein the one who apologizes first or who texts first, matters. The faster you fix a problem, the better.

Trust is very much vital as well. Of course, you would not want to be in a relationship with someone whom you do not have faith with. That is just simply rational to say so.

You have to put not 80 percent nor 99 percent, but a hundred percent of your The exchange continued on until the fourth set as both teams gave their best efforts.

Ateneo led 22-21 to build a cushion down the stretch, Desiree Cheng then set up Eli Soyud for a kill, but the Lady Eagles reached matchpoint with a crucial drop ball from setter Jia Morado, 24-22. La Salle continued to battle back, forcing a 25-25 deadlock. But, Maraguinot finished the match for Ateneo with two con-

trust to your partner. Giving him or her your full trust does not guarantee though, that your partner cannot commit any mistakes at all. I think it is just fair enough to give your partner a little room for mistakes. Besides, he or she is still a human after all.

However, there is a fine line between giving him or her another chance, and giving up. You need to realize that sometimes, enough is enough. Give him or her few chances, and if he or she ended just screwing that up, do yourself a favour and save yourself.

There is also certainly no reason to keep anything from each other. Keep no secrets. If there is someone in this world you should be trusting, it should be your partner knowing that you got a lifetime to spare.

And being open with each other do wonders, trust me.

A relationship should always be a give and take too. You cannot always receive the goods and not give back. You cannot just merely be the one favoured just because you are the “woman” in the relationship, or you are the “right one”. Compromise, and please take down the double standards, people.

I know I am no love expert. But I am basing everything that I have just written from barely taking notes within my 306 good and bad days of being with someone that makes me a better person every day. And luckily for me, it is working.

Tip: A little dash of cheesiness would not hurt sometimes, just to say so.

secutive hits to seal the win.

After the game, reigning MVP Alyssa Valdez talked to ABS-CBN news about the contest and said, “Finally, masasabi na namin na natapos namin ‘yung stage 2.”

She continued, “We’re really happy sa naging result.”

In an interview with GMA news, DLSU team captain Ara Galang commented on the loss. “Masakit sa Puso, pero kailangan magmove-on.”

SPORTS Disapponting outing in beach volleyball

BY BRYLE SURALTA

Kathleen Barrinuevo dives to save the ball during a match in beach volleyball tournament . | PHOTO FROM INTERNET

THE LETRAN Knights finished the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) season 90 beach volleyball tournament with a lackluster record.

Held at Olongapo City, it was a very disappointing outing for the tournament hosts as it finished

#Mayweather VsPacquiao now exists

BY ANGELICA STA. ANA

THE WAIT is finally over.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. broke the Internet world morning of February 21 as he announced on his Shots account that his long-awaited bout against Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is on.

“What the world has been waiting for has arrived.

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a done deal,” said Mayweather.

The two pound-for-pound greats finally agreed and signed on a 60-40 revenue split in favor of Mayweather.

The fight that is set to go down in all history books is set in the equally historic MGM Grand Garden Arena at Las Vegas, Nevada, and expected to be watched by millions of boxing and non-boxing fans all over the world.

Who are you putting your bet on?

the tourney with a 1-3 record. In a tournament that saw all ten of the NCAAmember schools compete, Letran was tied with San Sebastian-Recoletos for last place in the standings in the men’s division.

As for the Lady Knights, it was a tough showing as

well. They were tied with the College of St. Benilde (CSB), Mapua Institute of Technology, and San Beda College for ninth place in the elimination round.

The squad were composed of Bobby Gatdula, Rudy Gatdula, and Harold

DISAPPOINTING, PAGE 10

SAN MIG milks ALASKA

BY RONALD JOHN ESPARTINEZ

San Miguel Beermen pose as they celebrate their victory against Alaska Aces. | PHOTO FROM INTERNET

AFTER a long battle that ended in physical fights, it finally reached the surface and the deserving team was hailed the victor.

San Miguel Beermen successfully prevented the disaster brought by Alaska Aces after taking Game 7, 8078, and clinched the 2014 PBA Philippine Cup title.

In Game 1, Alaska Aces blocked the hole via overtime as they punched the San Miguel Beermen, 88-82, to start their finals campaign.

Alaska also made history after firing only 5 points during the opening

period, the all-time lowest output for an opening quarter in PBA Finals history according to PBA statistician Fidel Mangonon III. San Miguel Beermen, on the other hand, won Game 2 in a physical game overflowing with technical fouls, flagrant fouls, and other extra-curricular activities to distract the momentum set by the Alaska Aces during the first game.

Beermen successfully tied the series, 100-86, behind Arwind Santos who had 22 points and 4 rebounds,

SAN MIG, PAGE 10

VOLUME XXXVIII - ISSUE 9 | FEBRUARY 2015 - 12 PAGES

New system, same tradition

BY ANGELICA STA. ANA

THE NEW coaching staff of the Letran Knights, frontmanned by head coach Aldin Ayo, was clear and firm on the route the team is tracking, but, still bound by the same tradition.

The neophyte coach was feisty enough to make bold decisions concerning the Intramuros-based dribblers.

Introduction of earlier practice time Ayo is rigid on his house rules for his ballers. He grinds and stretches the muscles of the Knights even before the sun rises every day, 5:30 in the morning to be exact.

“Last year, organized na ‘tong team na ‘to. But we’re trying to organize more especially dun sa off-the-court aspect ng mga players: yung academics and yung pinakapriority natin, yung values.

Mas importante talaga yun.”

Letran hotshot and cocaptain Mark Cruz affirmed that Ayo is indeed steel-strong on his rules, “Maaga talaga ang practice, mahigpit [‘tsaka] medyo istrikto,” adding, “syempre goal niya na maging disiplinado kami sa sarili.”

Removal of players under six feet from the Team B of the Knights Team B of Letran plays a part in the development process of the Knights as well. Upon saying that, Ayo wanted to have a set of players whom he thinks has the potential to be of great help to the Knights in the future.

“Sa basketball talagang advantageous yung malalaki.

Sa sistema kasi natin ngayon, di tayo magre-rely dun sa mga individual players; we don’t rely on dribbling, or kung anong mga individual skills,” the KIA assistant coach said.

According to Ayo,

the Knights’ core focus right now is movement and admittedly, those movements require big men.

“Kaya mas priority natin yung malalaking players kasi nandun na yung height, [ yung] skill at knowledge na lang ang kailangan i-acquire, at yun yung role naming bilang coaches.”

Transition from an offensive to a defensive team The 5’5” Cruz stated the biggest differentiation from the strategy used by former coach Caloy Garcia and the current tactic being used by Ayo, “Coach Caloy is an offensiveminded coach, mas nagrerely siya sa individual skills, while si Coach Ayo naman is more on the defensive side naman siya ng basketball.”

“More on set plays, team plays. Mas gusto niya mag-execute ng magexecute,” Cruz added.

The Sorsogon councilor explained that all the five players on the hard court are involved in each offensive pattern. This time, Letran will not rely on one or two players only when it comes to the scoring end.

“All the players are given equal opportunities; lahat sila may catches, lahat sila makakahawak ng bola, lahat sila option,” Ayo said.

Instillation of a new system and an old tradition The new system and new team of the Knights seem to be working pretty smoothly.

However, underneath all the innovations is the same old Letran tradition which Ayo wants to recreate within his stint.

“Of course, we make sure na ma-establish natin yung

NEW, PAGE 10

Head coach Aldin Ayo starts off his stint with new policies. | PHOTO FROM INTERNET