January Issue 6 - A.Y. 2015-2016

VOLUME XXXIX - ISSUE 6 | JANUARY 2016 - 12 PAGES

100% passing rate for Educ Changes in enrollment system address scheds

BY BETTINA BONILLO

TWO changes in the collegiate department’s enrollment system were implemented this semester to address issues in arranging class schedules.

The said changes are the schedule of enrollment and the dean’s adjustment.

In the previous semesters, the enrollment period was scheduled by college programs. However, this semester, it was scheduled according to year level, beginning with seniors, followed by freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

In lieu of the student’s adjustment, the dean’s adjustment allows students to adjust their schedules only if they have conflicts in their pre-enrolled courses.

According to College of Liberal Arts and Sciences dean, Asst. Prof. Louie Benedict Ignacio, the new schedule of enrollment gives priority to seniors or graduating students, especially those who are taking back courses.

“As a form of assistance to them, they were scheduled first so that they can arrange their schedule, take all their back subjects without hurrying because of the fear that they might lose slots for the courses they take,” he said.

He added that the change was systematic because seniors taking elective courses would be able to choose classes that fit according to the schedule of their professional courses.

Yet conflicting schedules, dissolved classes and faculty availability make changes in schedules inevitable. The dean’s adjustment makes it possible to arrange classes that were affected by these changes.

“Anything that affects a student’s class that is not his or her fault is in dean’s adjustment. So once the class is dissolved, they need to

adjust, that’s dean’s adjustment. There’s a conflict in your schedule that we overlooked, that’s dean’s adjustment. There’s no teacher, so we need to merge classes,” Ignacio explained.

Mixed reaction The response gathered from the students regarding the enrollment system varied.

For senior Broadcasting student Axell Purificacion, the new system was more inconvenient compared to last semester, “Kasi ngayon, required pa magpa-pre-enrollment tapos enrollment.

So parang mas magulo ‘yong ngayon, para sa ’kin,” she said.

Previously, students can see their pre-enrolled courses only on the day of the enrollment itself. This makes the process of enlisting for additional courses easier because any necessary arrangements in the student’s schedule are done in a day.

This semester, pre-enrollment was held a week prior to enrollment.

Nonetheless, Purificacion credits the dean’s adjustment for settling her schedule, “’Yong mga hindi pu-puwedeng i-take, nagagawan ng paraan, nabibigyan pa rin ako ng slots kahit wala na.”

For Communication senior Ella Balingit, the dean’s adjustment also proved convenient for enlisting in back courses.

“No’ng nagpa-adjust ako, set na agad ‘yong schedule ko. Kasi ang dami ko ngang tinake ngayon na subject so parang hindi ko na kailangan pang humanap ng ibang slots,” she said.

However, Balingit expressed her concern over the long breaks in her schedule, “Sobrang haba ng break ko, ‘yon lang ‘yong iniinda ko kasi hindi na rin siya puwedeng iadjust kasi naka-set na nga.”

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CHANGES, PAGE 2

BY PAULA PATRICIA TAMAYO

WITH a 100 percent passing rate, a total of eight students from the College of Education (CoEd) successfully passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) administered last March and September.

The LET passers with a 100 percent passing rate and the largest group of graduates from CoEd are Aira Shayne Drequito, Julie Anne Garan, Laarni Amor Glodo, Sharmaine Javier, Mylene Masangya, Elissa Marie Oribello, Angelique Rafael, and Sanchez Daniel Villegas.

For many years, CoEd students have set a 100 percent passing rate in their annual LET. “For us, ayaw din namin na ma-break yung record at sa amin pa so gusto naming ma-pass talaga yung exam with 100 percent rate”, said Masangya.

These passers studied for months after their graduation and took up different classes from different review centers in preparation for the examination.

Their preparation started as early as their sophomore year. 100%, PAGE 3

Comm seniors score big at CMMA

BY RAFAEL OMEGA

Communication seniors with CLAS Dean Louie Ignacio and iCOMM director AP Norberto Bana III | PHOTO FROM DEAN LOUIE IGNACIO

IT was a night to be remembered for the whole Letran community, as students from the Institute of Communication (iCOMM) bagged four of the annual Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) last November 4 at the Star Theater in CCP. The competition had received more than 800 submissions, while entries from Letran namely:

“Makinig, Sumunod”, “Mikmik”, “Lupang Sinilangan”, and “Hataw sa Katahimikan”, were the four victors which made it on top in their respective categories, Best Public Service Radio Ad, Best Public Service Print Ad, Best Public Service TV Ad, and Best TV Production.

The CMMA is one of the most prestigious award giving bodies that iCOMM

aims to sweep every year.

It is also an avenue for most especially future media practitioners to kickstart their careers.

“Winning four awards is more than enough”, said Asst. Prof. Norberto Bana III, ICOMM director. He added that these works and the others are made to comply with the curriculum, which is ICOMM’s priority, and having been given this kind of response from award giving bodies “means that our faculty members and our students are doing the right thing.”

According to Camellia Pearl Alfaro, writer of “Hataw sa Katahimikan”, ”Para sa’kin, CMMA is not just an award-giving body. For me, it’s a good opportunity to inspire future filmmakers and me-

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Accountancy major bags 2nd in NCR Cup

BY JEDRICK PAZ

MARY JACQUELINE ABARDO, BS Accountancy major, brings glory to the institution as she won second place in the 14th NCR Cup 5 - Auditing Theory on November 7 at the KPMG Building in Makati City.

Abardo proved herself to be a model student once again after recently having been included in the ‘Top 10 Collegiate students’ last year, “Kakatapos lang namin ng sub-

@TheLANCELetran

ject na ‘yun that sem, so I think ‘yun yung ultimately nag-prepare sa’kin,” Abardo said when asked about her preperations, adding, “Sa accountancy kasi ‘di ba may maintaining grade, at sa scholarship meron din, so nag-aral ako for final exams. Magaling din yun professor ko, si Sir Kenji Asano.”

Asst. Prof. Ian Dancel, chairman of the Accountancy, Financial Manage-

ACCOUNTANCY, PAGE 2

@thelanceletran

Mary Jacqueline Abardo|PHOTO FROM PAMD

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NEWS

iCOMM bags four CMMA trophies

BY CELINE PALENZUELA AND CZARMAE BAJADO

Advertising students after the Young Gunns Seminar | PHOTO FROM KARL BELARMINO

BLANK CANVAS ADVERTISING HOUSE showcases the world’s best Ads of 2014 through the seminar called Young Gunns on January 11 at the Mabini Hall.

According to Marjorie Sumaway, President of the Blank Canvas Advertising House, Young Gunns is not just a compilation of rosters of best ads but also serves both as a “gift” and a challenge for the Advertising majors.

The main purpose of

the event is to highlight the award-winning ads to Advertising and Communication students in order to witness what has been up in the Advertising world. It also aims to inspire and challenge the advertising students in crafting one of the best advertisements in the near future.

“Its purpose is beyond just showcasing the world’s best ads but its utmost importance lies in the inspiration and motivation that it could give to

said that ACCOUNTANCY winDancel will increase

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ment, Accounting Technology program, also shared Abardo’s preparation for the competition, “Nanghiram sya ng books kay Sir Kenji with regards to the subject coverage ahead of time, nagreview na siya kasi nga inaanticipate na niya na sasali talaga siya so nag-review ahead of time, nanghiram ng materials bilang paghahanda sa pagsali sa NCR cup.”

Dancel also explained as to how Abardo was chosen to be the contestant for the NCR cup.

“Kami ang pumili, chairman with the approval of Asst. Dean Asano, kasi among our students si Ms. Abardo considered namin na pinakamagaling especially sa fourth year Accountancy students siya yung number one scholar natin.”

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Feasibility According to Ignacio, Letran tries as much as possible to make everything easier for the students.

In light of the enrollment, Letran attempted to be more efficient by cutting down pro-

this Letran’s exposure particularly in competitions.

“It will create an image for Letran that our school is really competitive and good in terms of competitions.”

In the previous NCR Cup – Theory of Accounts last July, a Letranite, Gerald Hernandez, placed third.

Abardo also shared her personal insights in this back-to-back recognition, “I think this says a lot about the BS Accountancy program ng Letran. Pero mahaba pa ang paglalakbay bago maging CPA.” The NCR Cup is an effort by the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants and Punongbayan & Araullo, in partnership with the Asia Pacific Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants. cesses, preparing a student advisement and updating students’ records.

“Although it’s not really perfect – there will be problems – but I think that the students may give considerations because there are a lot of you enrolling at the same time and the Colegio’s doing whatever it can to make the problem solved,” Ignacio said.

students. That much needed ‘push’ to always strive for more and be globally competitive, just like in the Colegio’s Vision,” Sumaway said.

Young Gunns was presented by Roger Pe from the Advertising Standards Council who has won gold in the Philippine Ad Congress, Creative Guild of the Philippines, and Araw Values Awards. He is also a silver winner of the 2008 London International Ad Awards and a bronze win-

ner in the 2007 and 2004 New York Ad Festival.

During the question and answer portion of the event, one of the students noticed that there were no Philippine Ads that made on the list, “Two years ago, we have a couple of ads that made it to Cannes, Clio, The One Show, and D&ad [award giving bodies]. Filipinos are generally not behind from the rest of the world,” said Pe. Young Gunns presented numerous advertisements from different products and companies such as Coca-Cola, HBO GO, Budlight, Volkswagen, Apple, Dela Funeral Insurance, and many more.

For Camille Enojada, a third year advertising student said that an advertisement is striking when her emotions were touched. “Pinakagusto kong ad ay ‘yung sa Apple, kasi ang ganda ng idea nila na kunwari laging busy ‘yung bata sa gadget niya. Pero ‘yung totoo pala kina-capture niya every happy moment,” she said.

Young Gunns was supposed to be held last Decem-

ber, but due to an uncontrollable situation for the first organizers, the event has been postponed. “We at Blank Canvas were ready for it, as well as our audience. However, the supposed to be first presenters of Young Gunns had a situation in their office and weren’t able to come to Letran at the agreed schedule to present the video reels. The whole organization took responsibility for it and we are deeply sorry for the inconvenience that it caused,” stated Sumaway.

On the brighter side, Sumaway believed that the event was a success, “Every time I hear giggles or comments from the audience, it is a manifestation that they were paying attention to what is being projected and it affects them somehow. I’ve always believed that advertising is supposed to make us feel something, and if our attendees felt something, then our event served its purpose,” she said.

The event received various feedbacks from the audience that proved its success.

UN Women educates Letranites on issue of sexual harassment

BY MYKEE MONTEROLA

Students were able to watch some of the award-winning short films including Letran’s lone entry, “Rosa” which stood out among the 24 finalists and was adjudged as the Best Experimental Film.

The short film was produced by fourth year Communication Arts students, Jai Liwanag, Camille Alfaro, and Jeanne Dayao.

Chi Laigo Vallido speaks during the “Women on Wall Street” Upon knowing about the comseminar. | PHOTO BY ABIGAIL ARENDAIN petition through the Institute of Communication director, NorUN Women, a branch of the United Nations, in cooperation with Letran’s Media Works, berto Bana III, the three submitted their work address the issue of Sexual Harassment in which was merely an assignment for them, due Public Places to Letranites through a semi- last semester, “Naisip lang po namin na wala nar and film screening on January 12 at the namang mawawala kung susubukan namin”, Alfaro said.

St. Thomas Hall.

Vallido further encouraged the students, esThe event tackled the “Safe and Sustainable Cities for All” program, one of the two flagship pecially in Intramuros, to submit more of their programs of the UN Women’s Safe Cities Global works to the next short film festival in hopes of Initiative, which contributes to the emerging raising awareness to the cause and taking steps international knowledge on effective strategies to reach their objective on amending the curto eliminate sexual violence and harassment rent law on sexual harassment which does not cover incidents in public places. against women in public spaces.

The short film “Rosa” is about an abused Guest speaker, UN Women National Consultant, Chi Laigo Vallido, talked about the Safe woman, represented by a white rose, who has Cities Padayon Short Film Festival held last De- undergone many trials in life. Despite the strugcember 12 which gave young filmmakers the gles, the woman learned to fight and persevere opportunity to submit their “point of view on until it became a symbol of hope.

Also present in the event are the young filmhow to address the issue on street harassment and sexual violence against women through makers of the other award-winning short films from Mapua Institute of Technology. promoting citizen action and volunteerism”.

VOLUME XXXIX - ISSUE 6 | JANUARY 2016 - 12 PAGES

‘Kuya Germs,’ Letranite, 82

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BY MARY QUEEN PAÑO

GERMAN “KUYA GERMS” MORENO, a Letranite, bid the whole entertainment industry goodbye on January 18 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City at 3:20 in the morning.

The brilliant producer, actor, and television host pursued his intermediate studies in Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the year 1949. During his early years, he became a curtain raiser at the Clover Theatre. It was only in the 1960s that he blossomed as a star as he became a stage actor. Later on, he became a resident comedian and choreographer.

In the 1970s, he started his career in hosting at GMA Network. He began the teen variety show “That’s Entertainment” which produced a lot of prominent celebrities today. It ended in the mid-90s. His late night show, “Master Showman”, however started airing in the late 90s.

In the later years, he became known for discovering a lot of young aspirants who want to become actors, actresses and even singers. He was also able to have his own TV series and films. Some of these were, Kung Mayroon Mang Pangarap, Ganti, Sa Paglinaw Ng Tubig, Ikaw, Ako at Ang Awit, Dalawang Ina, Dalawang Pagibig, Larawan ng Isang Ina, and Ina. In the mid 2000s, he brought the idea of the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the Philippines. He installed it in Eastwood, Quezon City. Its intention is to give recognition to exemplary actors, singers, dancers, and artists.

Ms. Edna Marco, moderator of the

100% FROM PAGE 1

“Father (Orlando) Aceron, (O.P.) always makes sure that we are learning every piece of information they are providing us. Our professors also keep on reminding us that we should not break the 100 percent passing rate of our college,”

WHAT FROM PAGE 4

gree) of its people?

Tactically speaking as well, some may just be running for other candidates – using names that would be counted in favor of a certain presidential candidate. Just when we thought our elections couldn’t get any cleaner, here come the aspirants running to

Cultural Development was asked about how well she knew Kuya Germs, “I learned from the older Letran alumni and also nalaman ko lang sa high school because I had students from ‘That’s Entertainment’. [One of them] was Jun King Austria, Thursday group, a 90s student.”

When asked if how she felt when she heard about his passing, “I felt sad, of course, he had the eagerness to help the youth. Yung generosity niya and concern sa young people.

He exposed them a lot in his field. He gave [everyone] a shot. He saw potential to those who aspire to be like him.

He was an inspiration.”

A mass was held last January 9, 2016, 9 PM at Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City.

Rev. Fr. Boyd Sulpico, O.P., Executive Vice President, and also Chaplain of the Employees and Alumni, began his homily by saying, “I am humbly representing the school where Sir German Moreno must have embraced the triune ideals which [makes] a person complete and fulfilled in his mission. I refer to the triune ideals as Deus, Patria, Letran. Please allow me to honor Letran’s 1949 intermediate alumnus. Sir is an address to a Knight,” adding, “I am convinced that calling to portray the role of Jesus Christ would mirror his very self into God’s calling. Si Kuya Germs po ay nadiscover sa industriya dahil kawangis niya si Hesus.”

Fr. Boyd said that we should all be assured that Kuya Germs is now “in God’s total embrace.”

said Jeannie Ann Diaz, fourth year CoEd student and the former president of the Letran Future Educators Society.

Faculty members of CoEd make sure they provide adequate training for their students to guarantee professional and valued educators from Letran.

A valid certificate of registration and a valid professional license

confuse the gullible minds of many a voter.

Perhaps that biggest factor that drove them to running is the “convenience” of requirements for being elected President. One can easily adhere to the said conditions in just a snap.

Perhaps, an amendment to the Constitution would help our country to not look like every bit of a joke during elections. We could at least consider add-

from the Professional Regulation Commission through the LET is a requirement before a person could be allowed to practice the teaching profession in the country or be appointed as teacher to any position. Any person who practices the teaching profession without license is punished by Republic Act No. 7836. ing a formal education to the curriculum vitae of aspirants, or even the absence of a criminal record or cases pending and other such essential requirements.

We are talking about running a whole country here, and not just a random fan club or leading a bunch of classroom officers. We could at least use a President who knows his or her game and not an alien to the arena.

BY ISABELA PERTEZ Letranites gave their opinion on the presidential candidates for the upcoming 2016 elections and spilled which of these names will get their votes.

“I believe that all the candidates are insufficient enough to be president of the country. But given the democracy we have right now, choosing the lesser of evils is the only way to give way for a better future of our country. If I were to vote, I will vote for either Miriam Santiago or Mar Roxas. I believe in intellectual superiority and Miriam oozes with charisma with the knowledge and education to back her up. For Mar Roxas, I believe that his politics will develop the country’s much more needed problems (like education).”

Carlo Suñga (3rd year, Journalism)

“The candidates have their own advocacies. However, they still need to identify specific programs to attain said agenda such as economic front, political stability, territorial, integrity, social services and alike.

Candidates must be able to concretize said advocacies in order to translate to real growth and development. I would be voting for Miriam Defensor Santiago. Since she has a clear platform of governance such a reforming the tax structure, anti-corruption drive, good governance, improvement of domestic and foreign relations and etc. Most important is that she has a very good track record to support all the reforms she wants to pursue. She walks her talk.”

Eissen Ros (2nd year, Marketing Management)

“I don’t know much about the presidential candidates for the upcoming elections but if I were to vote, I would probably vote Binay or Duterte. Binay is very controversial because of his “corrupt-ness” but if you’re going to take a look at the bigger picture, he has done so much for Makati. Makati now is really a well-established city. Every politician has his/her own “corrupt-ness”, unfortunately for Binay, his wrong acts were broadcasted. If not Binay, I would go for Duterte, practically thinking, his iron hands might be able to change our country, not fully change but little by little. His dictatorship manner might be the answer for our uncivilized acts.”

Abbey Malvar (3rd year, Broadcasting)

“I don’t like most of the candidates because I see immaturity on them every time they talk trash to each other; I will vote for Miriam Santiago for she is the most qualified for the job and she is, I guess, the bravest of the candidates who doesn’t even have to say bad words especially on media.”

Ivan Ferreras ( 2nd year, Tourism Management)

“Well, in my opinion I think most of the candidates have earned their right to be a presidential candidate even if it’s by questionable means. But only a presidential candidate, I don’t think they’ve earned the position, yet. They should clarify their top reforms (Education, infrastructure, etc.) We’ll just have to find out, for now, because all of them have obvious faults that can outweigh their positives as a leader of a country/nation. I’ll abstain for supporting any candidates for the mean time.”

Brian Paras (2nd year, Journalism)

“Not all the candidates who will run this incoming election have the traits that a good politician must have. But Duterte, even if he seems like a dictator, he has the traits that I think will make the Philippines better. And I believe that many people respect and want him to be the President”

Gerrylen Reyes ( 2nd year, Political Science)

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OPINION

EDITORIAL

What makes a president?

IT is stated clearly in our Constitution that anybody, from an average minimum-wage worker in the busy streets of Cubao up to a business executive in a lavish building in Ayala, could be the next President of this ever-so progressive group of islands as long as he or she is a natural-born citizen, registered voter, literate, at least 40 years old, and a resident of the country for a minimum of 10 years.

Apparently, a lot took notice of this enticing job hiring. A noticeable upgrade in number of filers slapped the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) until the last day of filing of the COC – from a mild 99 last 2010, it boosted up to a record-breaking 130 filers.

Watching these candidates and how they masterfully advertise themselves is like watching a Cirque du Soleil show. Everybody seems to get tricks from their own bags to convince the public and the COMELEC that they are worthy to be considered as a candidate and not just be thrown in the nuisance list, even if it takes a whole festivity, wearing a symbolic Heneral Luna costume, or just basically proclaiming that you would make the four seasons possible in this land. Quite amusing, yes?

You can’t help but wonder what in the world pushed them and encourage them to run for the highest office in the country?

Well, maybe one reason is the wide array of appetizing perks of being a President. Who wouldn’t want to be blamed for all the crimes and economic instability, right? Plus, we should add the various controversies surrounding your personal life – must be exciting to trend on social networking platforms.

Or, maybe the citizens are actually feeling the need for reformation themselves that they are willing to instantaneously jump into an unfamiliar territory for the sake of salvation. Is the current status of this country actually the force that made them volunteer to implement change? Is our corrupted domain dying to be quenched by one (with or without a college de-

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EDITORIAL BOARD 2015-2016

Kim Daniel Rubinos Editor-in-Chief Angelica Cruz Managing Editor Eumarie Peñafuerte Associate Editor

Angelu Rea Zafe News Editor

Angelica Pauline Sta. Ana Sports Editor

Bryle Suralta Features Editor

Alissandrine Margaret Blanquisco Design Editor and Acting Photo Editor Dylan Afuang, Angela Baes, Czarmae Bajado, Bettina Bonillo, Mykee Monterola, Rafael Omega, Celine Palenzuela, Quinn Paño, Jedrick Paz, Isabela Pertez, Paula Tamayo, Trisha Andrada, Kevin Alcantara, Francis Bordador, Risha Fernandez, Angeli Manabat, Kathrina Pineda, Teejay Obsequio, Donnel Gabriente, Rafael Manzano

Contributors

Abigail Arendain, Pauline Gonida, John Ryan Padlan Arnel Pancho, Jr., Iñaki Pelonio

Photographers

Kenneth Cabuyao

Cartoonist

Luisa Buñag

Norberto D. Bana III Adviser

Kim Eniego

Layout Artists

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

Get in touch with us at

F OR COMME N TS, QUESTI ONS, and LET TERS T O THE EDI TO R

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@TheLANCELetran

letran.thelance@gmail.com

Overshadowing reality

Veto and incompetence ON JANUARY 12, President Benigno Aquino III vetoed a Congress-approved bill that would have provided a P2,000hike in the Social Security System (SSS) monthly pension.

At first, reading the headlines said that PNoy did not approve a bill that would be of great value to our most beloved lolos and lolas is by all means disheartening.

I have been a critic of the Aquino administration since the day he was sworn to office in 2010; but now, let me say that the President did the right move. At last.

I know, it is weird. Let me try to break it down.

House Bill 5842 is: “An act mandating a P2,000 across-the-board increase in the monthly pension with corresponding adjustment of the minimum monthly pension under the Social Security System, amending for the purpose Section 12 of Republic Act No. 1661, as amended, otherwise known as the Social Security Act of 1997.”

The House of Representatives passed the bill in June last year. Bayan Muna party-list representative Neri Colmenares authored the bill with dozen other congressmen as co-au-

thors. All 211 members of the House signed the bill.

The Senate version was filed by Senator Cynthia Villar, with Senator Antonio Trillanes III as co-author. Sans amendments, it was approved five months later in November by all senators – 15 of them – except for Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

Under the constitution, a bill approved by Congress becomes law when signed by the President.

After careful deliberation, PNoy, to the surprise of many, did not sign the bill. He said in a statement the stability of the entire SSS benefit system would be “seriously compromised” in favor of two million pensioners and their dependents.

“Given this situation, the Social Security System will be constrained to draw from and use its Investment Reserve Fund (IRF) to support the pension increase. Consequently, the IRF will diminish over the years, eventually reaching zero by the year 2029,” the President said, adding, “While we recognize the objective of the bill to promote the well-being of the country’s private sector retirees, we cannot support the bill in its present form because of its dire fi-

nancial consequences.”

According to reports, the P2,000 increase for around 2.15 million pensioners will cost an additional P56 billion for 2016 alone. That figure is expected to rise about 10 percent every year as the number of pensioners rise.

Furthermore, SSS president and CEO Emilio de Quiros Jr. said the increase would lead to a deficit of P26 billion from an expected income of P41 billion this year. The pension increase will end the fund’s life to as early as 2027 from the current projection of 2042.

So from what we know, the P2,000-hike is not plausible because of “dire financial consequences”.

Corresponding adjustments in the contribution rate of SSS or a government subsidy is needed in order to accommodate the proposed pension hike.

The veto is widely unpopular and PNoy was criticized by many as being “heartless”. But the President made it clear that this veto is for the greater good.

People suggested that PNoy should have thought of an alternative like a lowering the amount. A group of seniors is also urging Congress to override the presidential veto.

To override a veto, it would take two-thirds vote in the House and the Senate.

Incompetent lawmakers PNoy made the right decision, probably the most responsible thing to do.

But what bothers me is

VETO, PAGE 10

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VOLUME XXXIX - ISSUE 6 | JANUARY 2016 - 12 PAGES

A PERSON who enjoyed himself in a vacation spot is most likely to say “I should go there every year.” A child who loved her mother’s version of carbonara would surely suggest her mother to cook the same food every day. (Well, I also prefer to eat the same breakfast every morning, drink the same frappe in the coffee shops and watch the same episode of Grey’s Anatomy again and again.

It’s a sickness, I know).

But, all these things aren’t necessarily bad. In fact, God seems to like routine as well.

Otherwise, why would He let the seasons follow one another in the same order and have the sun set and rise each day in pretty much the same way? Universal truths and patterns are ever-present in His creation. So if He likes pattern and routine, why shouldn’t we who are created in His image?

But what happens if only the routine is all we see?

What happens when the physical ritual outdoes the spiritual reality?

For some devotees, participating in the procession of the Black Nazarene is more than just a tradition; it is a profession of faith while clinging to the testimonies of those who claimed to have their prayers answered and be healed when they had their handkerchiefs wiped the Nazarene. Quite similar to the story of the woman who, after being able to touch the end of Jesus’ cloak, stopped bleeding (only that the woman was instantly healed and assured of salvation). But, is it really Jesus’ clothes that brought a complete healing to the woman who suffered all her life because of bleeding? I don’t think so. The woman really had the faith in her heart and declared it with her mouth.

Therefore, what really cured her is her faith, not a cloth or a special chant.

And while some understand the real symbolism and essence of that whole event, a percentage of them are just going through the motions of it all, hoping they can instantly receive something

The problem with pageants AFTER 42 years of drought, last year’s Bb. Pilipinas, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, finally brought home the crown as Miss Universe 2015. Even now, Filipinos all over the world are still rejoicing and are beaming with pride.

Filipinos flocked to the streets just to see a glimpse of the newlycrowned Miss Universe during her homecoming parade. The Miss Universe Organization even said the Philippines is one of, if not the biggest fan of the pageant. And that got me thinking. Why are we so invested in beauty pageants? Why is winning the crown so important to us?

And what does that say

about us?

Beauty pageants have been widely criticized for years. And while I definitely don’t see anything wrong with women who find joy in the spotlight, in dressing up, and walking on stage, I’ve never enjoyed watching pageants and have always perceived these as somehow disturbing.

Watching beauty pageants is gawking at a parade of young women strut on stage in evening gowns and swimwear while getting scored by mostly male judges based on certain standards of beauty. Pageants objectify women and contribute a lot to the archaic notion that women are nothing but sexual ob-

because they sacrificed time and energy to be one with the other devotees. Probably, it was hard for them to see God behind all that running, pushing and climbing.

Anyone can live a life like that, filling it with so much activity that makes it hard for them to see God’s hand in it. They can say that they live for Him, but ended up just going through the motions and failing to remind themselves for Whom all the motion is supposed to be. And though I wouldn’t consider myself materialistic, if I tend to value the material over the immaterial, I might need to rethink that assessment. If it barks like a dog and runs like a dog, then it must be a dog.

If I talk so much about money and aim high to earn a lot of money, then I am pretty sure what that makes me.

As Christians, we must avoid the pitfalls of materialism as we carefully tread down the path of life. What the society dictates is different from what must be done. Rather than to wait for a sculpture to bleed or for the clouds to pour money, engage yourself in the most productive activity you can do. Make the most out of your life and have a genuine faith in your God. I believe we can only enjoy our lives as physical beings if we stop ignoring the deeper truths of those which are unseen.

jects to be paraded around and be rated based on their attractiveness and body statistics.

People continuously defend the pageant culture and say that it’s definitely not about being sexy, but if it wasn’t, then why do these women have to walk around in swimsuits, one by one, while cameras zoom in on their chests, waists and legs? They have to walk the runway multiple times in four different attires, but are only given a couple of minutes to answer a question.

Doesn’t that say a lot about what matters in pageants?

Some people say that it’s just a celebration of women’s beauty, but if it was just about that, then why do they set up strict guidelines in order to join such as age range, civil status, height requirement and many more?

Pageants do not celebrate women’s beauty in general.

They only celebrate a certain kind of beauty and that is young, tall and not married.

The problem with beauty

Help, we need

THE SUPREME COURT has declared constitutional the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the military deal which was signed by the Philippines and the US in 2014.

The High Court said the constitutional restriction governing the entry of foreign troops or facilities previously existed in the Visiting Forces Agreement – a treaty ratified by the Senate in 1999 – that already allowed the entry of US troops.

This agreement allows the US to have a military presence in the country, which means US troops, planes and ships will arrive and they will be also permitted to build facilities to store fuel and equipment.

As the tension arises in the argument of territorial rights, especially since China is reportedly violating the letter of the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea by landing their aircraft on Kagitingan Reef and without concurrence, building civilian infrastructure on the disputed lands.

Its aggression in claiming what is rightfully ours is the reason why we need this aid coming from the US. It‘s not about cowardice and being subordinate in our own land but rather thinking about the security of our country as a whole; the safeguard of the people especially children and elders.

Aside from that, this could also bolster our military force and upgrade our rusty machineries and armories.

We must look at the bigpageants is that they are representative of the mentality that women should be valued primarily for their beauty. The problem is not the women who participate, but the whole pageantry system itself. We’re all aware that patriarchy still exists in our society and with all the objectification of women and sexism in beauty pageants, we’re just taking a lot of steps back.

I guess the best that could come from beauty pageants

ger picture and admit that we cannot contend against a country as big as China that has an extreme military force. How can our secondhand armory and outmoded war vessels defend us from missiles and technologized weapons of these colonizers? We’re unequipped, we’re broke and unprepared.

Perhaps we could gamble our cards and fight back on our own but how long will it last? How much will it cost us? How long can we endure for honor? Fighting does not stop at one battle; there is more and more after that.

This is far more different from the battle of our ancestors who fought for our freedom, it’s not a bolo-spear fight; this is a battle of funds and modernity. And we’ll probably be burned into ashes with guns and bombs when God forbid, the red flags are raised.

It’s about being brave to swallow our pride and embrace every philanthropic act that we could receive to prevail in this battle.

That doesn’t mean that we will be depending on the help of other countries forever.

Time will come when a good leader will sit on the iron throne and bring back the wealth and supremacy that we used to have, with discipline and proper usage of resources we could stand on our own and protect ourselves against other countries which belittled our sovereignty as a nation and our spirit as a people.

But until then, we need help. is that a winner changes the system from within when she uses her title and the pageantry itself as a platform to share her views and educate people around the world about gender equality. Let’s just hope that our very own Miss Universe who is an advocate of HIV/AIDS awareness, a supporter of the RH Law, and a believer of gender equality and LGBT rights, will be the one who does that.

Metro Manila Film Festival 2015 6 7 IT IS TRULY the most wonderful time of the year from cinematic craftsmanship to capitalized entertainment for every Filipino spending the Yuletide season with cheer.

BY RISHA FERNANDEZ

Beauty and The Bestie

Buy Now, Die Later

Directed by Wenn V. Deramas, this light comedy action flick is a Kapamilya cornucopia of some of its biggest stars with Vice Ganda and Coco Martin taking the lead; all subplots aside, the film explores the tale of two former best friends, Eric (now known as “Erika”) and Emman, teaming up once again as the latter makes amends and requests his former buddy to pretend as a foreign dignitary’s daughter in a beauty pageant.

Haunted Mansion From the company that brought you that MMFF horror movie that never seems to end is another horror movie with its newest babies (as Mother Lily calls them) slated to cast its main characters including Janella Salvador and Jerome Ponce; appearing alongside veterans such as Iza Calzado and Janice de Belen, the story follows the danger that definitely occurs when a group of youths and old spaces are left together.

Walang Forever Followed by the success of well-acclaimed rom-coms such as English Only, Please, hotshot director Dan Villegas returns with another movie that’ll surely bring out the kilig and sakit ng isang pusong umiibig; introducing the celebrated scriptwriter Mia (Jennylyn Mercado) and her ex Ethan (Jericho Rosales), these former flames prove just how awful can breakups affect someone’s life as the two get stuck in a slump ever since their paths have grown apart— only to meet each other again and rekindle what was long gone.

Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor (Jericho Rosales), Best Actress (Jennylyn Mercado), Best Story, Best Screenplay (Paul Sta. Ana), FPJ Memorial Award For Excellence

All You Need is Pag-Ibig Prepare to swoon as “hugot” director Antoinette Jadaone, best known for That Thing Called Tadhana, is back to take our love-crazed hearts to another journey of highs and lows in her newest, star-studded flick. Like a localized Love Actually with a bonus fable in-between, it’s an interweaving web of romances from all shapes and sizes, exploring the different stages of love.

Randolph Longjas’ first mainstream film is a horror-comedy entry that tackles the terror in the senses; starring Vhong Navarro, TJ Trinidad, Alex Gonzaga, John “Sweet” Lapus, and Lotlot de Leon, the movie unfolds the mystery hidden in Santi’s mysterious shop where troubled people find the perfect solution to their problems… for a price.

Awards: Second Best Picture, Best Float, Best Festival Production Design

Honor Thy Father A film wrapped in controversy inside out, Erik Matti’s Cannes reject revolves around the miserable lives of Edgar (John Lloyd Cruz) and Kaye (Meryll Soriano), engaging in a get-rich-quick scheme with their fellow parishioners that leaves them in debt and struggling to pay in two weeks… or else.

Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Tirso Cruz III), Best Child Performer (Krystal Brimner), Best Director (Erik Matti), Best Make-Up Artist (Ryan Panaligan), Best Festival Original Theme Song (Tao by Armi Millare)

Nilalang (The Entity) Fusing the filth of urban city corruption and centuries-old urban legends with a dash of yakuza, these multi-cultural movie stars Cesar Montano, Meg Imperial, and Maria Ozawa in an action and horror thriller like you’ve never seen before.

Awards: Best Visual Effects, Best Festival Editing, Best Film Editor (Jason Cahapay), Best Festival Cinematography (Pao Orendain), Best Festival Sound (Ditoy Aguila), Best Musical Score (Jessie Lasaten)

My Bebe Love Behold the endorsement-infested love story of 2015, finally making its way to the big screen as the longest commercial for a film entry; starring those two, retiring their well-known roles in exchange of a rebellious daughter and a submissive nerd, they fall in love but must overcome the trials of their respective parents, played by Vic Sotto and Ai-Ai delas Alas, who try to keep them apart yet also create another romantic tale of their own.

Awards: Third Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Maine Mendoza), Gatpuno J. Villegas Cultural Award

Sources: http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/116616-mmff-2015-things-to-know-haunted-mansion

8

FEATURES

Shedding some light on Philippine cinema

BY ANGELI MANABAT

IN THE LIGHT of the recent news about the Metro Manila Film Festival or MMFF, controversies and scandals arise from the widely popular Holiday season film festival. From the alleged ticket swapping, early pull out of some entries from some cinemas and suspicious disqualification of Honor Thy Father as best picture, these seem to spark some heated debate over social media and over the film industry as well on what’s the future of it.

It is not that hard to notice that the Philippine film industry has been lull for the past years. According to a study, the numbers of films produced in the Philippines has significantly dropped to 50 percent over the past decade. Film piracy and competition with foreign films made a major contribution to this radical drop. Most of the top-grossing films in the country are Hollywood films with multi-million dollar budget. While for those locally produced, rom-coms with small budget sold well. Local films can’t compete with the amount of money international films can finance. The technical qualities of the international films, better special effects, visual appeal, tend to lure the audience more. Meanwhile, we are left to work with a tiny budget and be flexible with it.

The decline in the quantity of locally produced films may be attributed to the heavy taxation by government. The Philippine film industry is among the most heavily taxed in Asia. These taxes include amusement tax, culture tax, value added tax, and tax on raw materials plus the income taxes from the film makers and film workers. In short, more than half of a film’s revenue goes to the government. Yet, there aren’t enough projects and funding from the government to support our local film industry.

MMFF could be a good avenue to showcase and celebrate the best of Philippine cinema to cater

the mainstream audience. But based on the past entries, it’s been all about the same old comedic formula, never ending sequels, and product placements. All for the sake of box office. Let’s not forget the all well-made films shown at MMFF like Tanging Yaman, Muro-Ami, Jose Rizal, Thy Womb and others.

With all these problems at hand, it seems discouraging for the local film makers—especially to the young and upcoming films makers to produce movies.

On the other hand, small efforts have been made to lift up our film industry. To support the local film industry, actor and lawmaker Rep. Dan Fernandez from the 1st District of Laguna, proposed a law that mandates movie theater operators nationwide to run local films for a minimum span of seven consecutive days regardless of ticket revenues. Rep. Fernandez also stated that movie theater operators should support local movie producers to encourage and motivate them to make more films, which in turn create job opportunities. Earlier to this, Rep. Jose Atienza Jr. of Buhay Partylist has also filed Hose Bill 3840 seeking a five-year tax holiday for the local film industry to help it recover and be more competitive, especially with the entry of foreign films in the movie scene. An online petition has been done as well to help the undersigned Filipino film makers.

In the end, it’s up to us — the audience, to support them. Film making demands funding therefore we must watch these films in theaters (emphasis on this, don’t support film piracy) so they can continue producing the quality films we demand.

The success of a film relies on us. Why not start supporting local films this 2016? Let me help you with this list of upcoming film festivals just around the Metro.

• CineFilipino Film Festival – February 2 – February 9, 2016 (Still TBD, further changes) • Singkuwento International Film Festival – February 19 – February 27, NCCA Building, Intramuros, Manila • Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival – April 21 – April 26, 2016, SM Mall of Asia.

• World Premieres Film Festival Philippines – June 29 – July 10, 2016 • Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival – August 5 – August 14, 2016, Cultural Center of the Philippines

In addition, the new Cinematheque Centre Manila finally opened its door to the public. They’re also offering free screenings of classic Filipino and Danish films. You can also check out the Museo ng Pelikulang Pilipino (which is Instagram-worthy, by the way) right inside the new Cinematheque building. The Cinematheque Centre Manila is located at 855 T.M. Kalaw Street in Ermita.

It’s sad that films are easily dismissed and not being given attention to. Films are in fact the most effective and striking visual story tellers. It’s the easiest way to deliver your message to your audience. In fact, our local cinema reflects our society, culture, and what we need. From what I see, it needs change. Small changes are still changes.

These small changes can always help to ignite the hope we have for the Philippine cinema. There are so many good films out there waiting for an audience. Let’s see them. Let’s abolish the elitist mindset that divides the mainstream films from the indie films. Let’s fill in the gap between these two.

As audience, let’s challenge ourselves and watch something we don’t usually see. Let other films surprise us too. Let’s make this year a good year for Philippine cinema.

‘Dark Lord of Quiapo,’ source of hope to many “POONG ITIM NA NAZARENO” was translated in English by Nick Joaquin, National Artist for Literature, as “Dark Lord of Quiapo.” It is a befitting title for the lifesized, iconic, ebony of Jesus Christ which crowds of the Catholic faithful flock to in Quiapo annually.

Aside from physical attributes aforementioned, the image of Jesus Christ located in the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, is not merely an i m age of crowd of devotees.

The annual “Traslacion” of the Black Nazarene gives hope to devotees.

The “Traslacion” re-enacts the transferring of the image of Jesus from Quirino Grandstand, its original location, to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. For devotees it is more than just a gathering of people who share the same faith.

The story of the iconic image appeal to devotees searching for hope.

The life-sized image of Jesus is said to have been brought by an Augustinian priest from Mexico to Manila in 1606. While being transferred to the Philippines, the Manila galleon was burned. But the appealing part to the devotees which is perceived by many as

a miracle was the survival of the image from the wrath of flames leaving the image darktoned.

Filipinos generally hopes for a blissful and peaceful new year. May it be through curating personal resolutions or religiously following the annual “feng shui” forecast? We seek hope in different ways.

For Catholic faithful, hope extends until January 9 as they swarm the route of the annual “Traslacion.”

From devotees who swarm the streets to Quiapo from their childhood to first-time attendees claiming that their faith and devotion has helped their family in different aspects. A common desire for Filipinos is to have the best for their family. Some say the Black Nazarene has been their source of hope despite extreme poverty.

Devotees wait in line for hours bracing the heat and the exhaustion just to touch and kiss the statue. Attendees swarm the streets barefoot with hesitation while tailing the carriage of the 400 year old statue which last approximately 20 hours. Despite these difficulties experienced they sacrifice and do not mind instead focused on the hope the Black Nazarene provides.

Filipinos annually witness the sacrifice, faith and devotion of the Catholic faithful flocking from Luneta to Quiapo and the unwavering unity of the devotees. Despite this, the event receives copious criticism yearly from garbage left behind on the streets to the rowdy manner as devotees make way to get near the Black Nazarene.

Manila Archbishop Antonio Luis Tagle defended the Naza-

rene devotees as he urged other Catholics not to judge devotees joining the frenzy during the annual “Traslacion” of the Black Nazarene. Explaining that for many of them, they have no one to turn to except the cross-bearing Christ.

“To those who believe that the devotees were only pushing against each other, that is not true. Have you experienced having no one or nothing to cling to? Tagle asked during the early Mass at the Quirino Grandstand.

Devotees may have different stories and reasons for braving the frenzy during the “traslacion”, defying physical infirmities and natural difficulties, to continue their devotion to the Black Nazarene which to most of them, is their only source of hope.

BY TEEJAY OBSEQUIO

9

VOLUME XXXIX - ISSUE 6 | JANUARY 2016 - 12 PAGES

Sev’s takes a bow

BY KEVIN ALCANTARA

IT WAS February 13, 2013 when Sev’s first opened its doors to the public. This humble food joint built by Howie Severino and his wife Ipat Luna had transformed from a simple cafe to a community of eager individuals nothing short of passion. Beginners and renowned artists from different crafts alike come together and perform, pouring their hearts out on the stage with the satisfying thought that they are being listened to.

Sev’s Cafe often got a full house, what with the events that made the whole place extra special.

There were comedy gigs, cinema nights, open mic for music, benefit concerts, among others.

Musicians have graced the stage, for events like Beatles Night; EPs havee been launched, such as that of Suicidal Genius’s and Michi Uy’s. Even Joey Ayala had visited for a night of pure unadulterated OPM. But what really defined the place and gave it its very legacy is the poetry.

Poetry in Sev’s Café was fully alive onstage.

Every month, they held open mic nights, spoken word shows, poetry slams, and whatnot, spearheaded by its affiliate organizations such as White Wall Poetry and Words Anonymous.

Experienced and beginners alike took on the spotlight, and everyone just performed, listened, inspired, and understood. Credit could be given to the place for putting spoken word on the mainstream, as for seemingly the first time, a proper venue for spoken word performances had finally been established.

Result of this is the emergence of big names in the said art: Abby Orbeta, Franz Pantaleon, Louise Meets, Juan Miguel Severo, to name a few. Awareness of the people with the existence of spoken word has also increased, with the capabilities of the Internet, social media and television (of which spoken word was fortunately featured in during primetime, of course you know that TV show).

But like most things in life, all good things

must come to an end.

The building where Sev’s was located lost a case against the owners of the adjoining lot where the towers’ sump pump and generator set were installed. That meant Sev’s vacating the premises with just a month’s notice to give way to the building’s generator and septic pump. That meant Sev’s closing.

As a farewell event, an open mic, for one last time, was held, because what better way to say goodbye than to tell it through a poem? ‘’#KwentongSevs: Ang Huling Kabanata’’ the grand open mic night held December 29, featured two stages and more than 50 artists all performing their parting words with the café onstage for the last time. Poems after poems after poems, intermission by musical performances from artists such as Ian Penn, KISSLING! and BennyBunnyBand.

Howie and Ipat’s son, Alon, also took to the stage and performed a parting poem written by Ipat. At one point, Ian, Benny, and KISSLING!’s Jeremy shared the stage to perform their own rendition of The Beatles’ Come Together.

The crowd requested right after for them to perform Hey Jude, at which point Howie Severino joined the three, and a heartwarming scenario ensued. The house was, as expected, crammed full of people who decided to spend the night witnessing the few last hours of the café. The event lasted up until the wee hours of the morning, savoring the last of what had seemingly been a cultural awakening in the heart of the metro.

Details aren’t very clear at the moment, but Howie and Ipat are actually considering possibilities of re-opening somewhere else. By now, Sev’s Café is inexistent except for its essence that would remain in the hearts of its patrons.

There’s only that unwavering hope that in the future, the farewell greeting would actually come true: Sa uulitin.

Lessons we’ve learned from David Bowie

BY KATHRINA PINEDA

“I’m not a prophet, or a stone age man. Just a mortal with a potential of superman. I’m living on” – Quicksand David Bowie taught us to keep on trying and trying and trying It took Bowie five years to get noticed. His first single came out in 1964 and his 1967 album was a flop but he got his big break with “Space Oddity” in 1969.

“I’m lyin’ in the rain but I never wave bye bye but I try, I try” - “Modern Love” And to strive for more, be more.

“I always had a repulsive need to be something more than human.”

“And I’m floating in a most peculiar way. And the stars look very different today” Space Oddity “You want more and you

want it fast. They put you down, they say I’m wrong. You tacky thing, you put them on” Rebel Rebel He taught us how to not be afraid to be an individual and to do what we love as long as we know we’re not stepping on anybody’s toes.

“And I don’t care what anybody says, I like doing it, and it’s what I shall continue to do” “The kids were just crass; he was the nazz with God given ass. He took it all too far, but boy could he play guitar” “Ziggy Stardust” He gave us hope and taught us to believe in ourselves.

“And these children that you spit on as they try to change their worlds are immune to your consultations. They are quite aware of what they’re going through.” - “Changes”, The Breakfast Club.

He taught us to let go not take fear too seriously.

“Let’s dance for fear your grace should fall . Let’s dance for fear tonight is all” — “Let’s Dance” “Never look back, walk tall, act fine. Come get up my baby” -” Golden Years” “You better hang on to yourself. We can’t dance, don’t talk much, just ball and play” “Hang On To Yourself” He taught us how dreams have no limits.

“For years and years I roamed, I gazed a gazeless stare” — “The Man Who Sold the World” “Oh I’ll be free just like that bluebird . Oh I’ll be free. Ain’t that just like me...

Look up here, I’m in heaven.” — “Lazarus” Bowie showed us how life and love could be so sweet.

“But I’ll be there for you as

Where’s the Humanity?

THE ISLAMIC State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed the recent attacks in Jakarta, Indonesia on January 14. Another chapter of what has been a tirade of mass killings and executions by the extremist group, another blow for humanity.

The attacks began around 10:55 a.m. (Indonesian time) with a suicide explosion near a local Starbucks on Thamrin Street. Seven people were killed, two locals, a police officer, and a Canadian man plus five of the attackers, a total of 23 people were injured via Fox News.

This terror attack came quite recently after the Paris attacks two months earlier that saw a total of 130 lives lost. ISIS took full responsibility for the recent attack after releasing a statement through their official Telegram channel, an encrypted phone app.

Two years after being recognized as a global Islamic caliphate (a form of Islamic government led by a Caliph), the group has made countless headlines by wreaking havoc all over the world. Spreading internationally to countires like Turkey, Afganistan, Indonesia and soon, other Southeast Asian conutries.

Even if ISIS fades to oblivion, there are other terrorist groups just waiting to be organized. We will never get rid of these extremists in the world; people have different views and tend to have different agenda than most, radical at times. It is not something the world can change overnight, that is just the way things are.

You cannot teach humanity, it is not something your parents raise you with; they can

the world falls down” -” As the World Falls Down” “Some days are heaven, I will not deny” - “How Lucky You Are” “Since I found you, my life’s amazing” -”Amazing” “And we’d talk with our eyes of the sweetness in our lives and tomorrows of rich surprise. Some things we could do.” - “An Occasional Dream” He also taught us to live our lives and not just merely exist.

“Make the best of every mo-

only do so much. It is also not something schools or professors teach, not something you can learn like riding a bicycle or playing an instrument. It is more than that, so much more.

We have long established a culture of wars with mixed perceptions on what peace really means and what peace actually stands for. Wars happen every day, wars that the media do not usually cover. Countless lives lost all for the sake of what? Our failed attempts at establishing order in a chaotic world, a chaotic life with an impression that guns and killing our fellow men means progress. Can you really blame people for not believing in their humanity anymore?

Incidents like this cannot be prevented. Terrorism knows no name, has no face, and represents no religion. We can only hope to contain these senseless acts of violence by standard counter-terrorism measures and prevention. It is the best we can do for now.

There is this goal in every leader’s head to end terrorism and war. Yes, a noble idea in the face of an irreconcilable situation. But, we still have a long way to go before terrorism dies down a little.

As the hash tag goes, yes, #PrayForJakarta. Hash tags are the modern generation’s way of getting involved, sending out thoughts and prayers through the publicized media. But let us all look at all of this from a larger perspective; pray for the rest of the world, shall we? We have 7 billion people who inhibit this planet, we have enough humans. The only problem is that, we don’t have enough humanity.

ment... We’re not going anywhere.” - Esquire, 2004

Lastly, he taught us how...

“We can beat them forever and ever.

We can be heroes, just for one day” - “Heroes”

Needless to say, the world will never have another David Bowie, his legend will forever live on. Greatness never dies and his influence on the world will never fade.

R.I.P.

10

FEATURES

Banning for the better COMM

THERE is no better way to celebrate New Year but with a bang – literally. But when people’s lives start to get in danger in a time that’s supposed to be filled with joy and laughter, would it benefit us if we ban this for the better?

Every year, there are a hundred cases of blasted body parts and a random incident of swallowed incendiaries being treated by nurses and doctors as we welcome another new year. This 2016, the Department of Health-Epidemiology Bureau (DOHEB) had just reported that fireworks-related injuries rose to 760 as it reached the 13th of its 15-day monitoring and surveillance, with the majority coming from the National Capital Region (NCR), as confirmed by DOH-EB Director IV Ira Asuncion due to the easier access of illegal firecrackers in the area.

Many points of authority actually support this possible move; from presidential candidate and former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who pushes for total firecracker prohibi-

PHL

FROM PAGE 12

best in hosting the event.

“SBP wishes to express its gratitude to FIBA and its Executive Committee for giving us one of the hosting rights for the Rio Olympics Qualifying. We are indeed pleased and privileged to receive this news,” Pangilinan said in a statement, adding, “I wish to convey to FIBA President Horacio Muratore and Secretary General Patrick Baumann SBP’s assurances that it will do its best in making the event worthy of an Olympic

iCOMM FROM PAGE 2

“As a communication arts student na puwede sa kahit anong career like advertising, nakatulong siya [Young Gunns] ng malaki para magkaroon ako ng ideas para sa isang advertisement,” said Nikki Aquino, fourth year

tion in the country and instead eye the exportation of products of the Philippine fireworks industry to foreign seas; BFP spokesman and superintendent Renato Marcial, calling for a review of Republic Act 7183; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr, claiming that it was “worth considering” as he addressed the eightpercent rise of firecrackerrelated injuries of 2015; and even DOH Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, suggest that local government units (LGUs) should just hold public firework displays instead for a change, all wanted the same thing: ban them.

On the other hand, Deputy Majority Leader and Citizens Battle against Corruption (CiBaC) partylist Rep. Sherwin Tugna opted for stronger restrictions on the use and sale of firecrackers instead of a total ban. It’s a sensible offer if you do think about it, given that a prohibition would kill the industry when the only time it actually makes money is none another than the last month of every year.

event.”

On January 27, FIBA announced the teams that will be competing in each leg of the Olympic qualifier.

Each tournament was split into two groups of three. The teams in the same group will play each other once in the preliminaries. The top two placers per group will advance to the semifinals.

In the Manila leg, the Philippines is in Group B together with powerhouse France and New Zealand. While Turkey, Canada, and Senegal comprise the other bracket (Group A).

Greece, Iran, Tunisia, Croatia, and Mexico have been Communication student. She also mentioned that the event was successful but the time allotted for it was not enough to show all the advertisements, “Hindi namin nakita yung iba pang ads na hindi naman basta-basta makikita sa Youtube,” she added.

“Young Gunns helped ICOMM students, especially us who are taking up advertising to further understand

FROM PAGE 1

BY RISHA FERNANDEZ dia people para mas lalo So although different LGUs make various efforts to raise the fear for pyrotechnic fancies through infomercials, interviews, and other campaigns, it still wasn’t enough for many Filipinos to light what might spark.

Despite all obvious warnings, existing alternatives, and a hefty fine under possession of banned explosives, victims of these commonplace killers had never went lower than a two-digit number.

Whether it’s a notorious Piccolo or the seemingly innocent Luces, the threat to burn your face or blast your hands had never been absent.

From being a beautiful mistake to a tradition carried for centuries and decades until today, firecrackers have truly become an old habit that’ll die hard. Who said it was easy to give up something you’ve always seen and known anyway? But then again, people change and we must strive for the better-- even if it meant letting go of what once was in exchange for what could be.

drawn to play in Italy while Serbia will serve as host for Czech Republic, Japan, Angola, Latvia, and Puerto Rico.

Two among the world’s top ten teams, France (5th) and Turkey (8th), will play in Manila against Gilas Pilipinas, who currently ranks 28th in the world.

This qualifier will mark the last chance for Gilas Pilipinas to bring the country to the 2016 Summer Olympics after missing an outright ticket by finishing second, behind China, in last year’s FIBA Asia Championship. The Philippines’ last appearance in the Olympic Basketball Tournament was in 1972. kung ano magiging trabaho namin at kung gaano kailangan namin maging competitive at ka-creative,” said Nard Aquino, senior Advertising student, adding, “I found out na kailangan aralin at intindihin ang mga bagay na pwede makatulong sa isang product at higit sa lahat na-inspire ako galingan pa lalo ‘yung mga gagawin ko pa in the future.”

pa nilang pagbutihin yung mga ginagawa nila. Na everyone has his or her own story to tell. Na hindi puro bad side yung pinapakita but may mga stories na nakakapagbigay pag-asa.”

Meanwhile, Niccolo Joshua Lopez, director of photography of “Hataw sa Katahimikan”, said that CMMA is something

VETO FROM PAGE 4

why Congress approve the hike? Didn’t they know its consequences?

In the House, surprisingly, not a single representative voted against the bill. No one seemed to study the consequences.

Same thing in the Senate, where Sen. Franklin Drilon was quoted in November saying, “The passing of this bill is an early Christmas gift of the Senate to the SSS pensioners, who depend on these pensions for their daily expenses.”

CAPACIO

that he’d be proud of for the rest of his life, and an achievement to be shared to the whole Letran community.

Several entries from iCOMM were also nominees in different categories. For Best Public Radio Ad: “Nanay, Tatay”, “Gupit”, “Noon at Ngayon”, ‘Kilala Mo Pa Ba?” and “And These Thy Clicks”; Best Public Service Print: “Mother & Seed”, “Larong Pinoy”, and “The Murderer”.

What happened in the hearings/readings?

Did this bill even go through the right process?

The crocodiles, which I prefer to call them, clearly did not do their research.

Their incompetence is very alarming but it is not new.

So looking at this issue with an open mind, we could grasp two things.

One, the President showed us that thinking long term is beneficial. We could use and adopt that thinking in our lives.

Two, we already know this: stupidity is synonymous to our honorable lawmakers.

going Ayo on his press interview during Letran’s second victory party back in November, FROM PAGE 12 “For me, Coach G is the best choice.”

Adding that they follow the same coaching style, as there will be continuity with the program, he instilled with the Knights.

“Inisip ko naman ‘yung mga bata, kasi kung si Coach G, almost the same system, and ‘yung sistema na ‘yun, compatible sa materyales,” he further mentioned.

Capacio was also the one who took over and served as the interim head coach for the Knights during the 2015 National Collegiate Championship, which pits collegiate champion schools coming from different leagues from all over the country.

Some of the teams included in the tourney are newlycrowned University Athletics Association of the Philippines champs FEU, runner-up University of Sto. Thomas, and Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. powerhouse University of San Carlos.

Unlike from what happened in the NCAA Finals, the Knights bowed down from their mother league tormentors San Beda in a lopsided fashion. It wasn’t the result Letran fanatics expected, but the loss can be attributed to the transition, that the Knights went through because of the new set-up.

Nothing is set in stone yet as school officials are still mum as to who will officially lead the Knights on its title-retention bid on the upcoming collegiate wars. But surely, the name of the next Letran head coach will be revealed sooner or later.

As previously reported, the school will open up a search committee similar to what they did the previous season, where they obtained Ayo, hoping that doing the same process will reap the same results.

11

VOLUME XXXIX - ISSUE 6 | JANUARY 2016 - 12 PAGES

Striding for success

BY DONNEL GABRIENTE

Above the ‘rules’ YOU know, I have no problem with obeying rules no matter how irrelevant they may seem to me. But I guess there is also a fine line that draws between setting them and implementing them.

Walking through the corridors of the main building of Letran, I saw a student wearing blue flats.

They were blue, and they were frigging flats.

Here I was, mastering the balancing act, worrying that I might slip at my next step; and there she was peacefully feeling the grounds. How dare she!

Fortunately, we can’t be limited with the flat shoes issue. We also have the colored hair policy, which apparently does not apply with the prettier girls of the population.

Though no, I am not going to persecute the girl, but rather the system of this campus.

You see, there is something wrong with the implementation of rules more than the disobedience of the students. Is it coming from the head of the institution or from the incapable individuals given the task to enforce

them? Either way, something should be done.

If you are all for the strict implementation of rules, so be it; just make sure that you are going to apply these to every single student enrolled in this institution, athlete or nonathlete, Tourism student or any other student.

Rules are set for a reason. One of them may just be for uniformity of the people bound by the institution. Ironically, there is no uniform treatment of every rule. The rule varies on: 1) the guards; and 2) the student himself/herself.

It pisses us off to always play a guessing game. Are they going to be strict today or are they going to be lenient? There is an honest need for consistency.

It is one thing to give and set the rules but definitely another thing to maintain the implementation of such. The school has all the right to punish the students with sanctions given that we, the students, should also be given definite and absolute rules applicable to everybody, with no exception.

ALMAZAN FROM PAGE 12

isang tawag lang. Para sa bayan naman. Walang problema ‘yun.”

The former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Most Valuable Player (MVP), who is already on his third year with the Rain or Shine franchise which nabbed him as third overall pick back in 2013, had shown enormous improvements since he went up the proranks, proving enough to get the Gilas inclusion.

Only averaging 5.43 points and 5.32 boards on his rookie year, the 6-foot7 big man has increased his totals to 10.93 markers and 8.73 rebounds per game this conference. His

minutes have significantly increased as well, from playing for an average of 17.08 minutes for his first two seasons to now close to 24 minutes per game.

The 26-year old Bataannative has been already moulded to be one of the most reliable centers actively playing in the league leading his team in terms of statistical points after Philippine Cup eliminations. He joins fellow Rain or Shine teammates Jeff Chan, Paul Lee, and Gabe Norwood in the current list of players included in the Gilas training pool.

Almazan will also bolster the already loaded national team frontline cast that features Junmar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, and

standard din.”

This motivates him to go hard every training and apply all his learnings on the actual competition. Even if he doesn’t see his family often because of his strict training schedule, he said that they are his primary source of inspiration. To cope up with the longing, he said that he turns to his teammates and coaches, who he considers as his second family.

Unico also said that athletes should always aim for greatness. With a yearlong preparation for the actual National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tourney, for him it is quite frustrating to see all your work go to drain, that’s why he always try to perform his best each and every time he is competing.

Last year, he participated in Luzon qualifiers of the Philippine National Games.

Harvey Unico represents Letran during one of the tourneys. | Bringing the name of PHOTO FROM UNICO’S FACEBOOK ACCOUNT Letran behind his back, he successfully secured a slot “ANG PAGIGING isang atleta, dapat may for Decathlon after winning disiplina sa sarili, may good attitude the silver medal. He will be one of the and behavior.” representatives of Luzon in the national This answer may sound cliché when meet scheduled on March. asked about what makes a good athlete, Like any other student-athlete, proper but for Harvey Burgos Unico, a junior time management is essential. He tries track and field player of Letran, these are to juggle his time between training and the characteristics he has been trying to studying. For him, it is important to give embody ever since he started playing the equal importance to both sports and sport he have chosen. academics.

The Operations Management student “Parating sabi ng mga coaches namin, recalled that he got into track and bilang isang track and field player, ito field when he was in Grade 4. It was lang ang dapat naming gawin, mag-aral, actually his elementary school teacher mag-practice at magpahinga. Kailangan who discovered his talent on throwing wag mo na dagdagan, kasi may possibility during the javelin throw contest in their na yung pag-aaral mo, paglalaro mo Intramurals. He ended up winning the maapektuhan,” Unico said. competition and this has intensified his If there is one athlete that he looks interest on playing track and field. He has up to, it is Rosie Villarito, a renowned then pursued it and started competing Filipina track-and-field athlete who won for his school. a silver medal during the women’s javelin According to the Calamba-native, it throw event in the 25 th Southeast Asian was his coach during the regional leg of Games back in 2007, who happens to be Palarong Pambansa, who advised him to one of their coaches right now. try out on Letran. Fortunately, with his For the upcoming NCAA season, slated prior experience and radiating potential, at the end of February, he aims to clinch a he became a part of the track and field gold medal, specifically on the pole vault varsity team. and javelin throw category. Last season, Aside from his profound love for the he qualified to the finals of the jumping sport, joining the varsity team was a and throwing event but failed to bag the big help to his parents, who according top prize. to him, cannot afford to send him to a In the end, asked as to what the Letran private school like Letran. community can expect from him and the “Gusto ko yung paglalaro at gusto ko whole track and field team, “I-babandera din makatulong sa pamilya ko, kasi hindi ko yung pangalan ng Letran sa NCAA na naman talaga nila ako kaya pagaralin sa ‘to. Ipagmamalaki namin na ang Letran Letran, private school. At alam ko may ay palaban at hindi sumusuko sa laban.”

Japeth Aguilar, together with newbies Greg Slaughter and Ian Sangalang, to whom he shares the same draft class with.

Gilas Pilipinas is in its early preparations for the

Olympic Qualifying Tournament which will be held in July of this year. The tourney will serve as a wildcard round for all the teams who failed to get a slot in their respective

continental meets for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. It will include powerhouse national teams from countries like Canada, Iran, and France.

VOLUME XXXIX - ISSUE 6 | JANUARY 2016 - 12 PAGES

Letran women’s volleyball team | PHOTO FROM BLANK CANVAS ADVERTISING HOUSE

Letran Volleyball Team shows dismal performance

BY RAFAEL MANZANO

BOTH LETRAN men’s and women’s volleyball team finished this year’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament as one of the lowly teams.

String of dreary losses steered the whole team’s long fought stint – which led the Muralla spikers to the bottom of the ranking, and bid its goodbye early in the season.

The men’s team placed eight while the Lady Knights ended the tournament with a winless record, placing them

in the ranking’s graveyard position. Both division teams were not able to overcome their inferior ranks last season as sixth and seventh, respectively, among nine participating schools.

Kim Caberto, one of the members of the women’s team, said that lack of teamwork and exposure pulled the team southbound, “Kulang talaga sa exposure and konting tapang.”

Although they took measures by joining the Philippine National Games (PNG) during the pre-season in Au-

Almazan gets Gilas call up

BY DONNEL GABRIENTE

him and expressed his interest to have the lanky slotman in the Gilas training pool.

Almazan registered a double-double performance of 15 points and 10 rebounds accompanied by three blocks during the game. It was a blessing in disguise that he posted impressive numbers in a crucial juncture of the conference against a perennial title contender like Talk ‘N Text, where the Gilas mentor Raymond Almazan during his last playing year at Letran. | FILE PHOTO serves as a consultant.

JUST MOMENTS after He disclosed durformer Letran cager ing his televised postRaymond Almazan suc- game interview that Baldcessfully propelled win invited him to join the Rain or Shine’s 104- national team practice.

89 victory over Talk ‘N “Sinabi ko na lang na soText in their knockout brang saya ko kung sakaquarterfinals meet in ling makukuha niya ko sa the Philippine Basket- team niya kasi every playball Association (PBA) er, dream na maging playPhilippine Cup, Nation- er ng Gilas. Lagi naman, al Team head coach Tab ALMAZAN, PAGE 11 Baldwin approached

gust, they still found themselves tangled with difficulty in their own system; and were fond of different lapses they think they should have solved before.

Failing to further familiarize themselves to their opponents’ game was a key defect too – explaining that other teams have lots of advantages over them. The team also thinks that miscommunication and lack of joint effort are their weaknesses inside the court which crash-landed the year they have prepared so much for.

“Sa training nabibigay namin ‘yung best namin kasi mas kabisado namin lahat pati yung lugar and yung mga galaw [namin],” says Caberto, adding, «Exposure siguro talaga para tumibay loob.”

Another thing that pulled them back was the mediocre external support given to them by the Letran community. The team says there is no band or cheerleading team present. Observably, less audience was watching their games live in the venue as well compared to last year.

“Dati po kasi may support ng band, ngayon po wala na.

Konti lang rin po audience,” Caberto claims.

Despite of the full preparation for the tournament, including training twice a day in a five-day week in the summer, the team faced great adversity in routing most of the teams.

San Sebastian College – Recoletos Lady Stags and Arellano University Lady Chiefs remain to be the toughest teams they have faced for the second consecutive year in the tourney.

PHL to host FIBA Olympic qualifier

BY KIM DANIEL RUBINOS

THE PHILIPPINES was chosen as one of the three countries that will stage the FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball or International Basketball Federation) World Olympic Qualifying Tournament that will be played from July 4 to 10 this year.

The announcement was made last January 19 from the FIBA headquarters in Switzerland.

The other two host-countries are Serbia and Italy.

The Olympic qualifier consists of three tournaments that will be played in each of the

three host nations and each tournament will be composed of six countries. The winner of each tilt will join China, USA, Spain, Brazil, Australia, Nigeria, Venezuela, Argentina, and Lithuania in the Olympic Basketball Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August.

According to a press release, FIBA’s decision in naming the host nations was based on the following criteria: player welfare, stakeholder experience, state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, legacy, and commercial model.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny Pangilinan said the country will do its

PHL, PAGE 10

Is Capacio the next Letran head coach?

BY DONNEL GABRIENTE

T h e development was brought by the sudden departure of former Letran head coach Former Letran team consutant Glenn Aldin Ayo, Capacio| PHOTO FROM INTERNET just weeks after he steered the Knights to its FOR THE SECOND straight year, the Letran men’s bas- first championship after a ketball team has found it- decade, ending the longself on familiar territory standing dynasty imposed once again in search of a by rivals San Beda Red Lions in the oldest collegiate new captain to the ship.

league in the country.

The question as to who will fill in the daunting task of guiding the Knights postAyo era has been the point of many discussions since the news erupted. One of the more resounding names in line to replace the vacated position is former Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws tactician Glenn Capacio. He served as the Knights’ team consultant during Ayo’s short but fruitful stint.

The former pro-cager was endorsed by the out

CAPACIO, PAGE 10