LPU tops in 2012 customs broker board exam
story on page 2
p.11
p.7 Backtracking the Reproductive Health Law
Duh?
Vol. XXX No. 2
Member: College Editors Guild of the Philippines
October 2012-January 2013
(Ang Masasabi ko sa Kapwa ko Filipino)
Lycean places 4th in FSO Exams by Cleo Angeline B. Cachapero College of International Relations (CIR) alumna LV de Guzman passed the Foreign Service Officers Examination last December 2012, ranking 4th among the nine successful examinees out of the 534 who took the Qualifying Test, yielding a 2% national passing rate. It was more than a decade ago that a Lycean passed the said exam, dubbed as “the most difficult government examination in the country.” In an e-mail interview, De Guzman recalls the day when she got the examination results. “My reaction was that of complete silence, a peaceful form of joy, I suppose,” she recalled. “I called my parents to tell them the good news. Then I informed Dean Arcilla and Ambassador Alfredo Almendrala of CIR via text message that I made it.” CIR Dean Amb. Reynaldo
Arcilla said that this achievement shows that LPU can be rated as one of the best institutions, particularly in Foreign Service course. “It’s also good for the University because it can attract more students to enrol [here] and in other colleges,” he added. The FSOE is composed of five tests held throughout the year: the Qualifying Test, the Written Test, the Psychological Test, and finally, the Oral Test. De Guzman’s preparation involved reviewing General Knowledge subjects for the Qualifying Test. As for the Preliminary Interview, she commented, “I believe that the candidate’s ability to maintain composure is what’s really being tested. Grace and wit will save you!” “I read at least four broadsheets a day: the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Manila Bulletin or continue to page 14
Dissecting the Cybercrime Prevention Law by Sunita Grace D. Nandwani September 12, 2012, Manila – President Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, causing a commotion in cyberspace and resulting to numerous protests. Commonly known as Cybercrime Law, it is supposed to prevent, investigate and suppress crimes in cyberspace. It provides provisions which penalize crimes such as child pornography, identity theft, spamming and cybersquatting or using a domain name with the intent to profit from a trademark
belonging to someone else. The law was supposed to address concerns on child pornography and cybersex. It was on the third hearing of the Senate when Sen. Tito Sotto added libel as an online offense, making simple likes, shares and retweets deemed offensive on various social networking sites a crime that can put you behind bars. The cyber-libel provision has earned the ire of the Philippine internet community. Youth and netizens’ protests Some private companies and universities took down their websites as protest. Groups such continue to page 3
FIRST IN A DECADE. FSOE passer LV de Guzman (second from left) with (from L-R) CIR Dean Amb. Reynaldo Arcilla, LPU Board of Trustees Chairperson Lorna Perez Laurel, and LPU President Atty. Roberto Laurel. Photo courtesy of the Publications Office
LPU launches Courtesy Campaign by Janine Chloe C. Bautista and Mikaela A. Dayao “Courtesy starts with me.” This statement marked the first semester of the school year. LPU implemented the Courtesy Campaign by running through a week of related activities last September 24-28, 2012. According to Professor Hazel Ramos, Proactive and Spiritual Values Chair and head of the Courtesy Campaign, she saw a problem about Lyceans being discourteous at times. The courtesy campaign is aimed at showing the importance of inculcating courtesy and greetings to achieve quality education. Moreover, the program is also part
of the 5S system which focuses on Self Discipline and the Outcomes Based Education (OBE) system practiced by the university. Apart from reminding the students about courtesy, there were several events that took place during the week namely, Courtesy Booth Fairs, Courtesy Seminars and a culminating activity marked by an oath taking where a Courtesy Creed was recited by the audience. Split reactions There are questions raised about morals that the Campaign is meant to address. “At first it is really challenging for us but also an exciting one. As we all know, [as] Filipino[s], we really value respect and in other [countries], courtesy is one of the
important values because it really [builds] good relationship with others,” Aisa Delos Santos, Lyceum Central Student Government (LYCESGO) President, explained. During the said week, there were split reactions from the students regarding the campaign. According to Ms. Ramos, there was a debate part of the program in the Courtesy Campaign in where they heard the negative feedbacks of the students, commonly about enforcing them to be courteous. “The purpose of that is to stir up, it’s not actually forcing the students, it would actually allow them to remember certain ethics, that this time it’s courtesy,” said Ms. continue to page 14
LPU alumna appointed COMELEC commissioner by Cleo Angeline B. Cachapero Former Isabela Governor and LPU Accountancy graduate Ma. Gracia Cielo “Grace” Padaca assumed office as Commission on Elections commissioner last October 8, 2012, replacing Information Technology expert Augusto “Gus” Lagman. Her appointment was announced by Malacanang on October 2, 2012 and took her oath six days later before Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. In an interview with The Sentinel, Padaca said the possibility of the appointment came up
during her time of contemplation to either run for governor, senator, or to retire. It was ultimately her advocacy for electoral reforms that made her accept the position. “Ever since I was a broadcaster and even as a governor, [and as] a good governance advocate, my colleagues knew that I’ve long been wanting to fight for changes for our electoral systems becaus so much good can be achieved if you put good people in government,” she noted. Padaca explained that as a Commissioner she is apolitical, which is different from the time she was a Governor. Thus, she has
taken a leave from President Aquino’s Liberal Party and Kaya Natin, a movement for good governance and ethical leadership, which she co-founded with the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. “Most of the members there are political candidates and I cannot be identified with one. So from being a political figure, [I am now] supposed to be in the middle and not be identified with others,” she explained. According to Padaca, the election body’s current focus continue to page 3
E-Basura by Joshua Alan P. Allanigue Submit your photos on social and political issues, either digital or film at The Sentinel Office and look for Marc Abila. You may also email your contribution at lpu.independentsentinel@gmail.com and attach a copy of your current EAF.
2
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
NEWS
November 2012 - January 2013
LPU tops in 2012 customs broker board exams
Kenneth Bernard Bacurio
Nerizza Pantaleon
Frances Jade Abad
Stephanie Lovely Domingo
Photos courtesy of the Publications Office by Anna Patricia N. Peralta Four Lyceans bagged top spots in the 2012 Customs Broker Examination (CBE) last October. Kenneth Bernard Bacurio was first placer with a rating of 92.5%, Nerizza Pantaleon landed third with 90.75%, Frances Jade Abad came in fourth with 90.5%, and Stephanie Lovely Domingo came in ninth place with a rating of 89.25%. All four surpassed the ratings of 2010 CBE’s first placers – Karin May Mercado and Ariane Joy Santiaguel – who both got 89%. “Isa kasi sa mga factors nung
impressive turnout ng board examinations is the curriculum... another [is the] teacher factor. Kung itong dalawa na ito ay maganda, regardless kung anong klase ng estudyante, we will produce passers. But if the student factor is also good, we will produce topnotchers,” Customs Administration Department Chairman Norberto Castillo said in an interview with The Sentinel. A total of 25 out of the 43 first time exam takers passed the CBE, while 4 out of 9 repeaters passed as well. This brought LPU-Manila’s overall performance rating to 55.77%,
which is 3.49% lower than last year’s performance rating. Castillo believes that the reason for the decline is the repeaters who, according to him, are “already working and are just trying their luck” in passing the exam. “We do not have any control over them,” he said. “And for this school, ‘yun ‘yong dangerous kasi they pull down the passing percentage.” Nonetheless, LPU-Manila’s overall performance rating is still over and above the national passing rate of 40.76%, which puts them in the Top 15 list of best performing schools in last year’s customs examination.
LPU’s MMA students rank 3rd place in TM-AP competition
Student Leaders’ Congress empowers young leaders by Justine Mae M. Manaloto Young leaders from high schools in Manila gathered at the Student Leaders’ Congress (SLC) on October 3, 2012 at the JPL Hall of Freedom. With the theme “Paving the Way to Good Governance and Exemplary Leadership”, it was organized by the LPU Historical Society and the LPU Legal Studies Society Speakers of the event were Student Affairs Dean Lizandro O. Ferrer, National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Leon G. Flores III, University of Sto. Tomas and San Beda College Professor Fabie V. Pagkaliwangan, Mr. Roland C. Delos Reyes III of John Robert Powers International, and LPU College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Faculty Atty. George Erwin E. Garcia. The speakers discussed topics such as the philosophy of great leaders, youth participation in nation-building, generating funds for organizations, and personality development. The final resource speaker, Atty. Garcia, presented a career orientation program. The event also featured speeches of former President Joseph Estrada and Manila Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno. Dr. Angel Espiritu III came in place of former President Estrada to deliver his speech. Vice Mayor Moreno, on the other hand, came and shared his experiences as a public servant. The event ended with a raffle where books and other souvenirs were given.
Lyceum alumna victorious in regional cosplay competition by Redhor Markie J. Mendoza
PIONEER CLASS. Senior MMA students (L-R) Mark Jonhson Sangalang, Abigail Mary Sha, Hershey Deatrix Castro, Janine Chloe Bautista, and Earl Joseph Quan with the Director of the Publications Office Ms. Photo coutesy of the Publications Office Rosemarie Arhlene Ampil (second from left). by Anna Marie P. Jardeleza Lyceum of the Philippines University Multimedia Arts (LPU-MMA) students bagged 3rd place in the Tax Management Association of the Philippines, Inc. (TM-AP) competition held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City last October 25, 2012. The competition was held for the celebration of TM-AP’s 30th anniversary, according to Hershey Castro, a senior MMA student. Contestants were asked to make a 30-second and 60-second infomercial that should encourage people to pay taxes and inform them where their dues go. It should also showcase the mission and vision of the Bureau of Internal
Revenue (BIR). “[We’ve done] research, we also did a different approach and did a non-traditional infomercial. We used humor [in] delivering facts,” said Castro. “Innovation was also emphasized since we’re MMA students. The infomercial was shot in green screen and was chromakeyed,” she added. The team members all come from LPU’s first MMA batch. They were handpicked by Ms. Rosemarie Arhlene Ampil, Director of LPU’s Publications Office. The team is composed of Janine Chloe Bautista, Hershey Deatrix Castro, Earl Joseph Quan, Mark Jonhson Sangalang and Abigail Mary Sha. “We want to be remembered
as LPU MMA students who can compete against other schools even if we are just from the first batch. We want to leave a legacy to the school as pioneering AB Multimedia Arts students,” Bautista said. Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) ranked 1st while Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), bagged 2nd place. The contest also had student participants from different universities and colleges in Manila, including Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL), University of Santo Tomas (UST), St. Scholastica’s College, University of the East (UE), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and Miriam College.
A Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) alumna cosplayer bagged first place in a regional cosplay tilt in Singapore. Jayce Alexis Yuu Shomura, known in the cosplay community as Yuu Tachibana, won first place in the Asian Regional Cosplay Championships (RCC) at Anime Festival Asia 2012 held in Singapore last November 11, 2012. Shomura, a BS International Relations graduate of LPU, bested other competitors in one of the biggest regional cosplay competitions in Asia. “I’ve wanted to bring honor to my country, make the Philippines proud in my humble way and then this came… my heart really did swell up with joy and pride,” Shomura said in a blog post after she won. “Just do everything with passion and never forget to give it your all. Some things may work as you planned but when you work hard and do your best not to step on anyone, you are sure to [be] rewarded,” she adds when asked about her message to the LPU anime and cosplay community. Anime Festival Asia is an annual gathering of anime fans from across Asia which is held yearly in Singapore. The Asian RCC is its official cosplay competition.
November 2012 - January 2013
3
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
NEWS
Media organizations commemorate 3rd year of Ampatuan Massacre by Cassandra Lynn B. Dizon and Redhor Markie C. Mendoza Various media organizations commemorated the 3rd anniversary of the Ampatuan Massacre with activities lined up from November 23-29, 2012. Protesters held a silent funeral march remembering the Ampatuan Massacre last November 23, 2012. The march started from Welcome Rotonda to Mendiola wherein 154 coffins made out of cardboard boxes were carried. The coffins represented the number of journalists killed in line of duty since 1986. Journalists such as Malou Mangahas of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Luis V. Teodoro Jr. of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and Rowena Paraan of the National Union of the Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) headed the march with other representatives from different media organizations in the country. The families of the Ampatuan Massacre’s victims and students from different universities were also present. A short program commenced in Mendiola after the march. Lighting of candles in memory of the slain journalists was done followed by a short prayer. Malou Mangahas then gave a short statement regarding the
state of the Ampatuan Massacre’s case and the rampant impunity in the country. On the other hand, Ampatuan Massacre private prosecutor Prima Jesusa Quinsayas was a keynote speaker in a forum organized to commemorate the Ampatuan Massacre last November 29 at the Mini-Theatre. The forum was organized by The LPU Independent Sentinel and the LPU League of Young Communicators and Journalists (LPU-LYCAJS). Atty. Quinsayas, legal counsel of the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, explained the culture of impunity and the plight of the journalists who were murdered. She ends by saying that the best defense of a journalist is good old-fashioned reporting. The forum also headlined Christopher Pasion of Pinoy Media Center who discussed the Cybercrime Law, and tackled the history of media ownership and the possible repercussions of the said law. November 23, 2012 was the third year anniversary of the Ampatuan Massacre where 58 people were murdered in Sharif Aguak, Maguindanao while on their way to file Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu’s candidacy for the 2010 elections. The murder was allegedly planned by the Ampatuan clan, political rivals of the Mangudadatus. Out of the 58 murdered, 32 were journalists.
LPU Alumna from page 1 is on gun ban and regulation of political ads. She stressed Comelec’s preparations for a smooth automated election this May. However, her personal priority is to combat vote-buying. “Ang istri-istrikto natin sa automated elections pero sa totoo lang, many of those votes [would simply be bought],” she commented. “Kaya maraming palpak sa gobyerno natin kasi maraming palpak na tao na nakakalusot. Nandyan sila dahil binili lang nila ‘yong posisyon nila.” When asked of her take on the brouhaha on political dynasties, Padaca said, “I have not forgotten my advocacy against political dynasties but my main concern now is the 2013 elections.” Padaca said that she may have her personal feelings but she is setting them aside for her to “just be an observer and listen to both sides.” Padaca is famous for toppling a long-entrenched political dynasty in her hometown of Isabela in 2004. The 49-year-old polio survivor is proud of her LPU education, saying her knowledge of Accountancy, and subsequent achievement of becoming a Certified Public Accountant helped her as governor. Also, the “exposure” she got in her stay during the Marcos regime years from 1980 to 1984 showed her the importance of freedom. She recalled Lycean activists who would distribute leaflets and encouraged fellow students to fight for freedom. “Lyceum was an institution
that did not clamp on freedom of expression [and] assembly. Malaking bagay ‘yon. It gave me the atmosphere to value freedom and bravery. Veritas et Fortitudo, ‘di ba?” she said with a smile. Emphasizing the huge number of youth voters, Padaca called for their greater participation to “save the country from people who are corrupt and abusive.” “Kung ano’ng boto niyo, ‘yon ang masusunod kasi pinakamarami kayo e. So sana ma-realize ‘yan ng mga Lyceans. Sana ma-realize ‘yan ng mga bata that you can do a lot, especially during elections,” she said. “For someone like me who is physically handicapped, noong una akala ko I was nothing at all. But because I valued my education and because of the things I learned. I am here right now,” she said. “E kung ako nga ganun, how much more the others? So claim that right. Claim that opportunity for a better life. Life can be so much better. But you have to make the decision,” she added. Padaca graduated magna cum laude and became a broadcast journalist for Bombo Radyo Pilipinas for 14 years. She won as governor of Isabela in 2004 and was re-elected in 2007. She has earned various recognitions for her efforts, among them the International Women of Courage award in 2007 and the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2008.— with reports from Cassandra Lynn B. Dizon and Anna Patricia N. Peralta
IMPUNITY. 154 cardboard coffins lined Mendiola Bridge symbolizing the victims of media killings since 1986. Out of this number, 32 media workers were killed in a single incident in the municipality of Ampatuan in Maguindanao in 2009. Photo by Kristian Matthew V. Geronimo
LDS holds RH Bill forum by Redhor Markie J. Mendoza The Lyceum Debate Society (LDS) held a forum on the Reproductive Health Law last October 5 at the JPL Hall of Freedom. Aubrey Guinto, the LDS Grand Chancellor, said that the forum aims to promote social issues within the LPU community. The debate was supposed to have Senator Pia Cayetano and Senator Vicente Sotto III but both backed out prior to the event. Replacing Cayetano to defend the then-RH Bill was LPU Special Lecturer Guillermo H.A. Santos,
who explained its details and the government’s role, stressing that it is not just about sex education. He also explained that the controversial family size provision simply encourages parents to have two children. The government does not enforce it but only wants parents to be responsible. According to Santos, the bill, which was signed into law early this year, provides for free medical services to women and also for a Congressional Oversight Committee to ensure proper implementation. Meanwhile, Pro-Life advocates
Cybercrime
Anthony Perez and Rizalito YapDavid asserted their positions against the RH bill, saying that it is redundant and against the Filipino culture. Perez reiterates that the RH components are counterproductive and that contraceptives are not safe. He asserts that there are already existing laws that covers most of its provisions and there is no overpopulation in the country. David, however, says that although it is beautifully crafted, it deceives the people by unwittingly promoting the legitimization of abortion in the country.
from page 1
as College Editors Guild of the Philippines, Kabataan Partylist, Philippine Internet Freedom Alliance, Philippine Bar Association, a wave of bloggers, journalists, lawyers, lawmakers and students marched to the Supreme Court on what was referred to as Black Tuesday last October 2, 2012. A total of 15 petitions from various groups were filed to stop the implementation of the law. Freedom of speech One of the vague provisions of the Cybercrime Law is Section 19 which authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to block access to computer data when such data is said to violate the provisions of the Act. DOJ will be given the authority to take down any website or blog at first encounter, eventually silencing a person or organization’s freedom of expression. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda stands to defend the controversial Cybercrime Law saying, “The Cybercrime Act sought to attach responsibilities in cyberspace. Freedom of expression is always recognized but freedom of expression is not absolute.” Legal and media opinion The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) commented on the issue, saying “The inclusion of libel among the crimes that may be committed with the use of computers poses a threat not only against the media and other
communicators but anyone in the general public who has access to a computer and the Internet.” NUJP further said that the President was “no friend of press freedom, with his apathy toward the continued murders, assaults and threats on our ranks and his penchant for whining and blaming media for delivering the news instead of singing his praises.” “Be responsible. If you’re thinking when you post something, you never have to worry about sanctions,” LPU Special Lecturer Guillermo Santos said. “That law is not going to prosper. All they have to prove is that the Cybercrime Law is against the constitution (particularly Article 3 Section 4, stating: No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances) and its out,” he added. The “unconstitutionality” of RA 10175 has been a hot topic on the internet since it was publicly announced. There have been movements and campaigns against it online and on the streets. Organizations, particularly Anonymous Philippines have been hacking into government websites, leaving messages negating the newly passed law.—with reports from Denise Baquiran and Camille F. De Mayo
4
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
OPINION
November 2012 - January 2013
EDITORIAL
Rethinking Policies “In line with the LPU Courtesy Awareness Campaign, all students are required to observe courtesy by greeting all officials, faculty, employees and guests. Student ID’s shall be confiscated for non-compliance effective October 1, 2012. Thank you.” This announcement on The Official LPU Manila Facebook page last September 27, 2012 garnered 132 likes and 79 shares and earned 104 comments from the student body—comments that are mostly negative. The Courtesy Campaign was launched last year to promote one of the seven learning outcomes of the University’s Outcomes-Based Education system. It was initiated to address the Proactive and Spiritual Values slice of the OBE and produce competent graduates with pleasing personality. Much like the problem we saw when OBE took effect, the Courtesy Campaign also faces opposition due to ineffective implementation. Both had noble intentions, in fairness to the administration, and we are one with them in working for an improved Lycean populace. However, we see the same lapses we saw before which diminishes the value of such programs and invites antagonism from the students who see them in a different light. The Vice President for Academic Affairs said they never meant to make the Campaign around a punishment system but in fact, they aim otherwise—they will award the “most courteous college.” However, the administration started on the wrong foot with the students. Perhaps they thought that since a punishment as grave as ID confiscation fueled the campaign to spread like wild fire, general compliance would soon follow. But then compliance is only halfsincere and half-forced. Even if it was confirmed that no confiscation ever took place, it has already made a negative impression. Point is, it would always help to think and plan the implementation strategy for policies carefully. If only the implementation of 5S or the Outcomes-Based Education system was effective enough and appealed to the students not as additional burden but ways to improve the University and their personalities, then the administration and LYCESGO would not have faced a barrage of questions and negative comments. Same goes for the Courtesy Campaign. Second issue, the program’s aim might be for a good cause, but students greeting people along the campus should come naturally and not enforced. Also, it is quite questionable that failure to greet a professor immediately becomes tantamount to disrespect. You see, the kind of apathy associated with the inability to greet people is ingrained in this society, much as how “courtesy” is also part of it. This problem is only the tip of the iceberg and would have to be discussed in another venue. Third, courtesy is subjective in a way that what may be perceived as courteous by a student may not be seen as courteous by a university official. This gives rise to another issue: the unstable standards of the program. The absence of standards to comply with in the Courtesy Campaign will generate confusion on what makes a gesture discourteous or otherwise. With all of these said, it’s time that we Lyceans ponder why this policy was even adopted—is something wrong with us? Perhaps this campaign, along with other policies instituted, would help us be better especially after graduation, then is it worth a try? If the administration really wants good results, better improve the implementation strategies. If rethinking policies is necessary, why not?
Sinotto: The Zeitgeist of Plagiarism Much comedy, tragedy, and fireworks have exploded in the Senate last year. One of the issues that rocked the nation was a Senator’s failure to cite sources— and ultimately acknowledge his errors—in his speeches. It’s that simple? No, I don’t think so. But does plagiarism even matter in the grand order of things? Quoting the MerriamWebster dictionary, plagiarism is “to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own,” or “use (another’s production) without crediting the source.” Simply put, when you use another’s work without proper credit, you did it. The deed may be committed deliberately due to lack of planning and time, or just plain laziness. On one side, it may be committed unwittingly due to lack of knowledge of what plagiarism really is and how exactly it is committed and— or—avoided. There is a vast spectrum of reasons according to students themselves. It may be due to busyness and ineffective time management. It may also be for competition: professional works seem to sound better than a student’s—or even a Senator’s—own ideas. Others resort to it upon succumbing to a fatalistic mantra of “so be it”: what matters is that they get the grade they need. Some question the discussion of Sotto’s ignominious deeds like it’s nothing but a showbiz gossip junk on TV. They question, ergo, the discussions of plagiarism as part of public discourse. We should stand different. When we plagiarize, we insult our own intellectual capacity and rob ourselves of development opportunities. It painfully undermines your fellow students’ work and efforts. In the Sotto case, it may even misrepresent the original idea from which you plagiarized. Lastly—and perhaps you’ll agree—it is morally wrong for that would be stealing others’ intellectual possessions. It is not a deed worth doing. The ways to avoid it are
probably known to most of you. When writing, we should work with our own words, not necessarily with our own ideas. As what our professors would tell us, it is natural to stand on the shoulder of the
institutions and most especially in the academe. This problem transcends school walls and can be in your textbooks and references to the magazine you read, from the people and programs you see and hear, to
“When we plagiarize, we insult our own intellectual capacity and rob ourselves of development opportunities.” giants. Use quotation marks and give credit to the source when lifting verbatim statements. Transliteration should also be avoided, and mere paraphrasing is not enough—proper credit is still essential. As for problems like lack of time, writer’s block, or planning deficiencies, it always works to plan forward, research thoroughly, and give yourself enough time to form your own work. Sure, plagiarism in its purest form is done by different people inadvertently or deliberately every single day. As students, why does this even matter, you say? We’ve all probably done it several, if not many, times over the course of our primary or secondary education. I admit I had done it before. I knew such a term exists and that it’s wrong but then I did not understand the full graveness and impacts of it. I did it anyway. We did it anyway. This issue was and is not present only at the Senate, but everywhere—in government offices, business companies,
your very own thesis. These are why it matters. Taking the example of the sarcastic Filipino Senator: inability to credit sources, denying and evading accusations and calls for apologies, and despicable arrogance exposes three deeper evils: The commission of the act itself; in the words of Miguel Syjuco: “arrogant impunity”; and lack of accountability. By being disciplined plagiarism opposers we will help ourselves out in the professional world, and also contribute to our beloved institution’s honor. As Peter Engleman, a man whose work was copy-pasted as well by Sotto, says: “The accessibility of published material on the Internet in no way lessens the basic protections all writers rely on under intellectual property rights.” In fact, the internet should be helping us to avoid committing it. It’s not just about being clean. It’s about helping yourself and your own integrity.
November 2012 - January 2013
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
OPINION
5
Breaking the Law of Jante
You aren’t worth a thing. Nobody is interested in what you think. Mediocrity and anonymity are your best bet. If you act this way, you will never have any big problems in life.” This is the summarized Law of Jante which Paulo Coelho talked about in one of his blogs in his book Like the Flowing River. The Law of Jante originated from Scandinavian communities which deem one’s triumphs and achievements as unworthy. It discourages one to stand out and to speak his/her mind. True enough, like what Paulo reiterated in his blog, this law exists all over the world. And what do people normally do about it? Nothing. I experienced it. Surely, you experienced it. In one way or another, we have all been put down by this law. Look around. Social disparity is rampant. Justice is cruel. There is violence,
hunger, ignorance, fear, racism, abuse, pessimism; most people decide to follow the status quo instead of standing by what they truly believe in. Can you do me a favor? As you read along, think of one
change. It can be as simple as someone telling you you’re not beautiful or smart enough; or someone telling you that you will never succeed. It can be something on a macrolevel perspective, like seeing
“Would you just sit around and pray for change? Or would you live your life by your own rules, let your voice be heard and do something about the things you want to make right?” instance that the Law of Jante hindered you from becoming the best person you can be or discouraged you from thinking that you can actually make a
a documentary about the ongoing wars in Middle East or the widespread impunity that seems to rub us in the face every day. Savor the feeling. Hold into it at
this moment. Now, ask yourself. Would you let that feeling consume you? Would you let others tell you what you can and can’t do? Would you just sit around and pray for change? Or would you live your life by your own rules, let your voice be heard and do something about the things you want to make right? It is only you who can make that choice. When Paulo summarized the Law of Jante, he also made an Anti-law of Jante which goes,“You are worth far more than you think. Your work and presence on this Earth are important, even though you may
not think so. Of course, thinking in this way, you might have many problems because you are breaking the Law of Jante – but don’t feel intimidated, go on living without fear and in the end you will win.” May this piece serve as my way of breaking the Law of Jante. For those reading this right now, I have this to say: Do not be afraid. Make a stand. Do something that can make a difference…not only to yourself but to people around you and the society you live in. Break the Law of Jante and be proud that you did.
a public domain, full of so much information (regardless of the information being true or not), it is up to us to filter what we should believe in. It is also up to us on how we handle our reactions whenever we interact in cyberspace. That is where cyber ethics comes in, there wouldn’t be a cybercrime law if people would be more ethical on how they act/react online. Cyberbullying, identity theft, cyber scams, these are the reasons why cyber crime law exists, but to purely say that it’s there to regulate how we must and must not act online is alarming. Because shouldn’t ethical
actions be natural? What you say online, you should also have the guts to say in real life, that who you are online is a reflection of who you really are outside the World Wide Web. Instead of scamming, stealing somebody else’s identity or bashing someone, why not talk critically on issues, share meaningful insights on issues or posts where people get to read them and maybe make them realize the point on what you stand for, social media is the new revolution, it’s the new power that we can rely on for changes to start.
bago pumayag sa proyekto o polisiya ng administrasyon na makaapekto sa mga estudyante. Kahit isang beses, hindi ko narinig na nag-imbita ang LYCESGO ng isang pulong sa mga ordinaryong mag-aaral upang ikonsulta ang mga polisiya. May panahon pa para patunayang LYCESGO ay hindi kiling sa admin. May panahon pa upang makapag-iwan ng markang patunay na sila’y naglilingkod sa mga mag-aaral. Kung sakaling binabasa nila ito, sana’y pagnilayan n’yo. Kung ‘di dumudulog ang mag-aaral sa kanila, hindi ba’t mas maganda kung mismong LYCESGO ang lumapit sa kanila? Hakbang ito upang maramdaman ng libo-libong Lycean na nariyan ang LYCESGO. Tungkulin nila ang makinig at kumilos
para sa mga mag-aaral lalo’t nalalapit na naman ang panahon kung kailan magkakaroon ng “consultation” ang mga admin ng paaralan sa pagtataas ng mga bayarin. Hindi dahilan na pribado o autonomous ang LPU dahil may kapangyarihan ang mga estudyante. Naisip ko lang noong nakita ko ang mga poster na may katotohanan ang mga sinabi ng NUSP. Marahil laganap ang mga senaryong iyon sa ibang student council sa mga pamantasan at kolehiyo sa bansa na nagiging pugad na ng karerismo at oportunismo. Tila nawawala na ang tunay na esensya ng mga student council na dapat kumakatawan sa mga magaaral ng nagluklok sa kanila. Kung ‘di sila kikilos para sa kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral, sino?
Clichés: The Cybercrime law and a new revolution It was on October 2, 2012 that Facebook users all over the country changed their profile pictures into black as a protest to the Cybercrime Law. It is the libel clause within the said law that made every netizen furious. In effect, simple acts on social media like tweeting, liking; sharing or commenting becomes an offense punishable by imprisonment. Furthermore the cybercrime law grants power to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take down any website, blog or posted online information, violating freedom of expression within the constitution. According to Article 360 of the Revised Penal Code, “Any person who shall publish, exhibit, or cause the publication or exhibition of any defamation in writing
or by similar means,” is held responsible for libel. It is specified that “the author or editor of a book or pamphlet, or the editor or business manager of a daily newspaper, magazine or serial publication is responsible for
posting a simple status on a social networking site or commenting on a trending story could have you end up behind bars, or worst the DOJ shutting down your long time personal blog where you’ve shared nothing but your
“Cyber-bullying, identity theft, cyber scams, these are the reasons why cyber crime law exists, but to purely say that it’s there to regulate how we must and must not act online is alarming.” the defamations contained therein to the same extent as if he were the author thereof.” Imagine a world where
insights about various things about life and issues that merited you to react. The World Wide Web is
Bukod sa mga concert at party, ano pa? “Ang Student Council ba ay Pro-Tuition fee Increase?” “Ang Student Council niyo ba ay tagaorganize lang ng concert?” “Ang Student Council niyo ba ay Admin’s Pet?” “Ang Student Leader ba ay defender ng Students Rights and Welfare?” “Ang Student Council ba ay CONSULTATIVE?” Ilan lamang ito sa nakalagay sa isang serye ng mga poster ang nakita ko sa internet na mula sa Facebook page ng National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), isang pambansang alyansa ng mga student council/government/union na nagtataguyod ng mga karapatang demokratiko at kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral. Pangungunahan ko na kayo: Ang kolum na ito’y hindi naglalayong manira. Ang mga isasaad dito ay mga obserbasyon ng isang mag-aaral na tulad mo na bumoto noong halaan sa Mabini Hall, na sinuri ang bawat kandidatong niligawan ang boto ko, na nagnanais marinig ang boses. Ito’y pumupuna sa
mga ginagawa at ‘di nagagawa ng Lyceum Central Student Government (LYCESGO) para sa mga mag-aaral ng LPU. Miting de Avance noong Pebrero 2012 sa LPU Quadrangle, nagtanong ako sa bawat partido, kabilang ang isang independent candidate: “Kung sakaling kayo’y manalo, ano ang gagawin n’yo sa patuloy na pagtaas ng matrikula
s’ya nanalo. Tugon ng isa, “Wala na tayong magagawa d’yan, desisyon ‘yan ng admin.” Nadama kong uminit ang aking mga tainga nang marinig ko ito. Isang nagnanais maging liderestudyante, ngunit hindi tunay na kinikilala ang kapakanan at karapatan ng kapwa Pilipino sa edukasyon. Ang pagiging lider-estudyante
“Ang pagiging lider-estudyante ay hindi lamang palamuti sa curriculum vitae. May mas malaki silang tungkulin kaysa pag-aayos ng mga concert at party.” sa LPU?” Isang kandidato ang sumagot na may magagawa ang student council, pinalakpakan ko s’ya. Sa kasamaang palad ay hindi
ay hindi lamang palamuti sa curriculum vitae. May mas malaki silang tungkulin kaysa pag-aayos ng mga concert at party. Kritikal dapat na sinusuri ang mga bagay
62
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
OPINION NEWS
November 2012 - January 2013
Expect louder war drums this year
What is your opinion about LPU’s Courtesy Campaign? It is a good campaign because it reminds us how we should be polite not only inside the classrooms. We are also taught that the staff should be respected as well. But unnecessary sanctions shouldn’t be included because it would be hard for students to follow if they’re just forced to do it. It would be better if they would do it out of genuine respect. -Aislinn Medina, 4th year/ABJ Sa aking palagay, ito ay “irrelevant” sa kadahilanang ang LPU ay namimilit ng mga tao na maging ganun kahit hindi naman kailangan. Ang mga Pilipino ay likas naman nang may ganung pag-uugali, bakit kailangang magkaganun pa na campaign? Okay sana siya pero sana walang pilitan. Hindi naman lahat ng tao palabati eh. Pero hindi ka ba pwedeng maging courteous kahit tahimik ka lang? -Vincent Magbitang, BSPysch What do you think of the Cybercrime Act? Absolute freedom may have detrimental consequences. However, I don’t think that the Cybercrime Act is formulated with strong foundation and a motive for public benefit. I think some terms should be reformed. -Sheena Liz Balitte, 4th year/BSIR-D I am not in favor of that because, obviously, it restrains the right of a person to express himself. It is unconstitutional. It’s like declaring a martial law. I know the government is doing this because of their selfish reasons. Because they don’t want to be criticized. -Mark Jason Vivas, 4th year/BSBA-MM While it is true that many abuse the internet, it should not hinder press freedom in any way. That is why I am not in favor of the cybercrime act. - Joy Ann Soriano, 3rd year/CLOCA How do you find the implementation of LPU’s new turnstile system? The process of entering leaving the campus premises became more organized with the turnstile system. But I think LPU should also provide turnstiles at other entry points. -Josefina Altoveros, 3rd year/BSCpE Well I would say it would definitely be a good step to discipline the students since they would be obliged to always bring their ID. Unlike before, even if they don’t bring their ID they can just insert an LRT card for instance and they wouldn’t get caught. -Adam Pascual, 1st year ABFS-D What do you think of the Bangsamoro Peace Process? As long as the government will be able to pinpoint and solve the root cause of the problem in Mindanao, then I think it will be effective. -Reka Amorin, 3rd year/ABFS-IT I think it will work if Muslim leaders will cooperate and will be one towards one common goal; that is to finally stop the war in Mindanao. But I think it will be a long and hard process. - Anna Cruz, 2nd year/CLOCA
The past year ended with some optimism for the Philippine domestic scene. Consider these claims of the current Aquino administration: The country’s economic growth is 7.1 % of its gross domestic product despite a number of devastating typhoons that ruined crops, infrastructures and private homes, and a population that exceeds the 100 million mark; the Mindanao peace problem is still a long way from any solution though the rebels and the government negotiators have signed a “Framework Agreement.” Remittances from overseas Filipinos are expected to add up to U.S.$22 billion and will continue to fuel the consumer-driven growth; eight out of every 10 Filipinos surveyed in November nationwide approved and accepted the government’s performance—the highest rating any President ever had; and the country has been rated as only a “shade” below investment grade; and tax collection is at alltime high, got its goals though direct foreign investment is still low. Congress appears to be working in unison with the Executive Department by acting positively on Aquino’s certified bills, including the Reproductive Health Bill, the Sin Tax Bill; at this point it looks like most of the administration’s national and local candidates for the upcoming elections will probably win. But the sound of war drums in the regional and international geo-political and geo-economic scenes appear to grow louder—this must be addressed now as well. It is fanned by the growing internal socio-economic-political discontent in China—its dependence on the slow recovery of the major powers from the 2008 global recession; and its tension-filled territorial disputes with its immediate neighbors. Add to that the latest statements of the new Chinese Communist/ Military leaderships to “modernize” its armed forces with more than US $100 billion annual expenditures (over the last 10 years and the biggest military manpower) “to protect our territory.” New Chinese President Xi Jin Ping said the “Chinese nation must have its powerful military (force)” through its activation of its first aircraft carrier and obvious deliberate show of its capacity to launch and land fighter jets on it; and the announcement of its own stealth fighter-bomber jets. Isolationist Communist North Korea, China’s closest ally which has kept its own military and civilian population unified with its mindcontrol machinery has recently shown its capability to launch missiles beyond the 10,000-mile range (with its warhead landing a few miles east of the Philippines). Naturally we must also take into account that Japan recently sent eight F-15 jet fighters to shoo off a Chinese plane over the Senkaku islands which both claim as their own; then there are the increased naval-air exercises between the U.S. and its allies in the East Asian region in answer to the Chinese military aggressive moves simultaneous with Beijing’s diplomatic professions of “friendship and non-aggression history.” Add to this the recent victory of the historically anti-Chinese Liberal Democratic Party in Japan’s national elections; India’s moves in alliance with Vietnam to protect international shipping in the South China sea lanes, coupled with the American Asian/ASEAN “pivot” policy and U.S. internal economic-political problems; and consequently, the increased sale of drone aircrafts to American allies in the Pacific. Obviously all these are surface indications of military activities that cannot be separated from the current economic developments.
Take the Chinese action rejecting Philippine fruit exports because of the China-Philippine territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Chinese naval ships have threatened unarmed Filipino coastal fishermen and tourist-scuba divers in the western Philippine coastlines; and the Vietnamese scientific exploration ships too. Beijing has announced it will board “foreign vessels” in the South China Sea “whenever wherever they will intrude in Chinese territory”, including the Philippine islands known as the Kalayaan Islands and
questions: with the war drums expected to be louder in the near future, is war inevitable? Can China afford a war now when its military capabilities and technologies are still inferior to the Americans, the Russians and the Europeans? More relevant issue on the China question are: because China is portraying its “Civilization State” as the oppressed nation continuously downtrodden by the Western powers now, can the Beijing leadership continue using this alibi to unify its 1.3 billion people—the world’s
“The Beijing leadership could make the same mistake Hitler made in Germany from 1936 and waged war in 1939 to unite the economically depressed German peoples.” the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. Both islands and shoal are within the 200-nautical mile special economic zone under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) which China had signed along with more than 120 members of the U.N. The Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, and Malaysia have territorial disputes in the South China Sea with China. China refuses to elevate these counterclaims to any international court for settlement. Beijing wants to negotiate with each on a one-on-one basis which is totally unacceptable to the other parties. Beijing and the new leadership under President Xi Jin Ping are claiming territories beyond the 200 nautical miles from their shoreline obviously in search for natural resources and oil under the sea beds. China has known to be engaged in intensive investments in Africa for oil to feed its economic growth and hopefully to satisfy domestic socio-economic unrest. Experts are not lacking when it comes to closely watching China. British best-selling author Martin Jacques recently told a Manila forum that eventually China will overtake the U.S. as the top economic power in the world. But he also said China will be “influenced” by the West as well when that time comes. He never said China will rule the world but maintains the Chinese ideology and nationalism was laid down by the Han Dynasty as a “Civilization State” unified by its historical precedence. He said China is “pragmatic and practical.” He did not say it but some observers believe China is also a “master of deception and diplomatic doubletalk.” News correspondents of international networks—CNN, ABC and NBC—who have lived in China for at least 37 years are currently dispatching regularly their analyses of the Chinese political, economic, military, cultural and environmental issues. There is still no press freedom in China as we know it in the Democratic world but Beijing allows the international media’s presence subject to the Communist Party’s consent. Naturally, all these begs the
largest – and solve its domestic socioeconomic-political problems? As a matter of course, it will do exactly that! That is the reality. China needsawhippingboyfromtheoutside to push its nationalism because it cannot afford another millennium of “humiliation.” The Western capitalists transferred their manufacturing plants in China almost two decades ago and boosted the Chinese economy to its present world position because of its cheap labor and energy dictated by a Communist central government. What happens when the U.S. starts massive production (and export) of much cheaper, environmentally cleaner fuel in 2015? The Beijing leadership could make the same mistake Hitler made in Germany from 1936 and waged war in 1939 to unite the economically depressed German peoples. Hitler used the Jews as the whipping boy. Admiral Tojo and the Japanese Imperial Army made the same mistake in 1940 when Japan was denied the oil from Southeast Asia and unemployment soared. Saying the U.S. and the United Kingdom were depriving Japan of energy, Tojo joined the Axis Powers of Hitler and Italy’s Mussolini in the second world war against the Allies. The Philippine national political leadership must not take issues for granted and presume there can be no war initiated by China simply because it is still comparatively weak (than Russia, the European and the North Americans with Pacific military South Asian alliances). Now is the time to anticipate the probable with strategic planning and positive action to forestall or influence any coming adverse future. Filipinos must base their decisions on accurate and verified information delivered in real time. That requires time, qualified and dedicated manpower, and money. (Email your comments and reactions to gilsan99ph@yahoo.com or gil06ph@ gmail.com or call the Futuristics Center 632- 752-1061 or 632-753-5350 or mobile +63-0917827460)
November 2012 January 2013
7
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
SPECIAL REPORT
Backtracking the Reproductive Health Law Infographic by Janine Chloe C. Bautista
LAW
by John Francis Aris P. Endriga It was December 1967 when President Ferdinand Marcos and 17 other heads of state signed the UN Declaration on Population. The declaration states that: “the population problem must be recognized as a principal element in long range national planning if governments are to achieve their economic goals and fulfill the aspirations of their people.” From then on, different approaches by different Presidents came into play. Marcos pushed for a systematic distribution of contraceptives. The Corazon Aquino administration focused on giving couples the right to have the number of children they want. The Ramos presidency shifted from population control to population management. Estrada used mixed methods of reducing fertility rates. Even in those times, the Catholic Church had shown great opposition for contraception. That opposition was not a secret to the Filipino people, but less talked about it until the boom in the media industry in 1980s. Media has become the mediator between the Church and the State. Most of the media boom caused the tension between the church and state become public and act as the catalyst of forming public opinion. Since 1980, public opinion about the RH Bill has divided the country into the pros and antis. However, it was only 2008 when
the 14th Congress proposed a concrete law to control the country’s population growth. Let’s look back on the major happenings form 2008 up to 2012 that will forever change our country’s future. July 11, 2008 - Reproductive Health (RH) Bill becomes the main topic of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) annual meeting. July 16, 2008 - House Speaker Prospero Nograles announces the formation of a five-man panel that will hold a dialogue with CBCP to talk about the RH Bill. August 8, 2008 - CBCP declares they will not just step up their lobby efforts against the RH Bill but also elevate their campaign against the bill to the highest level. September 9, 2008 - RH Bill is forwarded to House plenary. September 21, 2008 - Ozamis Archbishop Jesus Dosado tells the voting public not to vote for candidates who would back the RH Bill. November 21, 2008 - Fr. Melvin Castro of the CBCP ensures the public that the Bishops will not take their campaign against RH Bill to the streets. December 30, 2008 - Church vows more lobbying against RH Bill. November 12, 2009 - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton states her support on the administration’s family planning campaign. June 29, 2010 - RH Bill
advocates ask court to junk petition against sex education in schools. August 9, 2010 - The Catholic Church warns supporters of the bill, talks about excommunication. September 29, 2010 - House minority leader Edcel Lagman reminds the church about the separation of the religious and administrative states. September 30, 2010 “Damaso Stunt” of celebrity tour guide Carlos Celdran. October 15, 2010 - Senate discusses own version of RH Bill. January 20, 2011 - President Benigno Simeon Aquino III decides to have his own version: the “Responsible Parenthood” (RP) Bill. March 25, 2011 - Catholics flock to Rizal Park for anti-RH Bill rally. April 25, 2011 - Iglesia ni Cristo states support for the RH Bill. May 18, 2011 - CBCP withdraws from the dialogues regarding the bill. June 13, 2011 - Over 20,000 people join anti-RH rally in Bulacan. June 7, 2011 - Senate signs Committee Report No. 49 endorsing RH Bill for plenary. July 10, 2011 - Malacañang hopes to revive talks with new CBCP leaders. August 16, 2011 - Lawmakers praise President Aquino’s inclusion of the RH Bill on the list of priority measures in the Legislative-Executive
Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). August 22, 2011 - Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III asks fellow senators to put an end to the RH Bill saying that many of its provisions are already present in existing laws. October 12, 2011 - Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile expresses that Senate debates on the RH Bill will be postponed the following year to give way to other priorities of the council. May 10, 2012 - Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. shares that the Freedom of Information (FOI) and RH Bill may not be approved before the House of Representatives adjourns on June 7. June 6, 2012 - The RH Bill passes the period of interpellation and proceeds to the period of amendments in the Senate. July 25, 2012 - The House of Representatives sets a date for the final resolve on the bill to be on August 7. August 4, 2012 - 10, 000 antiRH advocates holds prayer rally at the EDSA Shrine. August 6, 2012 - The House of Representatives ends the period of debates via voice vote. The bill moves to the Senate for a series of amendments. September 5, 2012 - Senator Pia Cayetano moves to remove some provisions on the Senate Version of the RH Bill; removes the section that states “care of women who have undergone
abortions” and changing the title of the bill to “promote a policy on responsible parenthood instead of “population and development”. September 24, 2012 - Five members of the visiting Spanish Parliament endorse RH Bill in Congress. December 14, 2012 President Aquino classifies RH Bill as “urgent”. December 17, 2012 - House of Representatives approves RH Bill on third and final Reading in a 133-79 vote. December 18, 2012 - Senate forms bicameral panel to discuss the RH Bill. December 19, 2012 - Bicam panel approves RH Bill and The House ratifies the unified version of the RH Bill. December 28, 2012 President Aquino signs the Reproductive Health Law. The Catholic Church has continued to show its opposition to the bill. Even up to this day, there is still a pending Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in the Supreme Court requested by the Church to stop the implementation of the controversial RH Law. Up to this day, the debate still continues. Even after the law was signed, a possibility of seizure of the implementation of the RH Law still looms. Our only hope now is to turn the adversity of increasing population into opportunity by having a productive Filipino populace because of responsible parenthood.
8
November 2012 - January 2013
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
FEATU
Your virtual world in numb
Graph
by Cleo Angeline B. Cachapero
S
ocial networks, microblogging, social blogging, internet forums, and web content sharing—these are forms of social media. Using more popular names—Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Blogspot, Pinterest, and Google—did you even give it more than a second to recall what they are and what roles they play in your life? According to socialdefined.com, Social Media is a “countless array of internet based tools and platforms that increase and enhance the sharing of information.” They make photos, text, audio, video, and information transfers more fluid making
them highly relevant to today’s netizens— like you. So stop thinking of your Facebook or Twitter account for now. Sit down and look at how you—one in a million (users), as they say—are part of the virtual Earth. #quickfacts #thePhilippinesis 54th in the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) global digital economy rankings in 2010 (latest available data as of October 2012) 7th in Asian internet usage rankings 1st in worldwide internet penetration rate 10th in Twitter’s global traffic rankings 8th in Facebook’s global traffic rankings
1st in Facebook regional rankings 6th in Blogspot regional rankings 5th in Yahoo! regional rankings 2nd in Google regional rankings 11th in Tumblr regional rankings #thePhilippineshas 30 million approximated internet users 95 percent of its netizens using social networks 30 million active Facebook users 9.5 million active Twitter users 9.7 million unique Youtube users 1.8 percent share of total Blogspot users 1.2 percentshare of total Yahoo! visitors 18.6 average hours spent on the internet The Philippines’ affaire de coeur with
social media pushed the internet on the zenith in terms of media preference. We now actually spend almost twice as much time online compared to watching television. Chatting, sharing content, and gaming have been very popular and online gaming—particularly social gaming—are one of the top activities of Pinoy netizens. Now you know why Zynga contributed 15 percent on Facebook’s revenues in the first quarter of 2012. Also, blogging has become very popular among Filipinos as a means of selfexpression and discussing issues. The top 3 blogging platforms in the country are Blogspot, Wordpress, and Tumblr. They are well-liked among newbie bloggers since
they adve Nuff In the te hell too m is in with decis infor poss In too h in yo
The New
Pleasure of the People R
emember the time when girls would exchange letters of sweet nothings and hang outs were done outside, not in front of computers? That was the trend ages ago. Now, it’s the era of writing on each other’s wall and tweeting each other up. In our generation, not having a Facebook account makes you primitive, not having a Twitter account makes you uncool, while having blogs makes you an author, and using Instagram makes you a professional photographer. Thanks to social affirmation and self-disclosure — our
by Geinah Mae C. Constantino
fundamental human desires. The need to be recognized and acknowledged is inherent in our self-esteem and they are fulfilled by using social media. Research from Harvard University found that the area of the brain responsible for outputting ‘pleasure chemicals’, namely oxytocin and dopamine, is activated when we talk about ourselves. This is probably why 30-40% of everything you ever say will be about you. Your Mesolimbic Dopamine System lets you get a chemical kick when talking about yourself.
Studies have shown that we get a double dose of dopamine when we use social media. First instance is when people interact with us. This also triggers oxytocin also called “the cuddle chemical” because it is released when you kiss or hug. And apparently this little jolt of joy spikes when you’re tweeting. Second is when we selfdisclose which gives us more doses of dopamine. “Selfdisclosure is extra rewarding, to the extent that humans are motivated to propagate the products of their minds,
opportunities to disclose one’s thoughts should be experienced as a powerful form of subjective reward,” according to a Wall Street Journal article by Diana Tamir, a Harvard neuroscientist. The study found that around 40% of daily speech is about how we feel or what we think about things. That number jumps to 80% on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter. It’s also probably why 80% of your social media output will be vanity posts about you. These findings were acquired by getting people to talk about
themselves and then about others while having their brain scanned by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging machines (FMRI) and then by subjecting them to cognitive tests. When talking about themselves, subjects showed activity in regions of the brain associated with pleasure. So if you’re worried that you are addicted to Facebook or Twitter, keep cool and cuddle! Firsthand human interaction is still the best way of getting these pleasure chemicals into your system.
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
URES
November 2012 - January 2013
9
(IN)FAMOUS
bers
Felonies by John Manuel M. Manaloto
R
hics by Janine Chloe C. Bautista
y can blog for free and earn via online ertisements such as Google Adsense and ffnang. n the past decade, the debate was about elevision—on how we’re going to a social or a social heaven because of watching much TV. As our preference shifted, it nevitable that social media is integrated h our lives. As a Filipino netizen, the sions we make, relationships we build, rmation we get, and the psyche we sess is affected by it someway. n fact, at this moment it would not be hard to answer: What roles do they play our life?
emember the time when you logged in to your Facebook account, but instead of being delighted, you were annoyed? Yes, annoyed—not because your broadband connection sucks; not because your crush went from being “single” to “in a relationship” status; not because your profile is now “Timelined”—but because you witnessed actions of an insensitive person you do or do not know on FB. Their actions too irritating that they could lengthen the list of cybercrimes. You have just been a victim of a Facebook felony. We’ve got a list. Now pick. Let’s investigate. Log in. Grave misuse of comment box Motive: Inability to use the chat box either due to self-constraint (slothfulness) or technological constraint (slow internet connection). Scene: One hour ago, you uploaded your cutest kindergarten photo. Three minutes after, Bebang, your former classmate commented and liked the picture. Later you have Berto doing the same thing. The next minute, the girl typed in your comment box
Illustration by Rowell Nazher J. Aballa
addressing the boy. The boy replied to her immediately. Sweet, they were high school darlings. Two hours was all you needed to have the cheesiest comments ever, made possible by two lovebirds who are not aware of the benefits of personal messaging. Proposed Penalty: Reversion of the culprit’s comments to their own photo or statuses by three times or more depending on how long their thread on other people’s post went. Status Narcissism Motive: Few (or no) likers of everyday status updates. Scene: Narcissus, 08: 01 AM: “Good morning!” Narcissus likes this Narcissus, 12: 41 PM: “Good noon!” Narcissus likes this Narcissus, 04: 13 PM: “Good afternoon.” Narcissus likes this Narcissus, 10: 12 PM: “G’nyt!” Narcissus likes this Narcissus, 1:01 PM: (photo here) “Pa like.” Narcissus likes this Proposed Penalty: Indefinite disability of the “like” button for the offender’s account and replace it instead with an “I love myself ” button. News Feediscide Motive: Insensitivity to his/her friend’s news feeds. Scene: You were waiting for your crush status update regarding the chat you had last night. Eagerly, you logged in the next morning to see what you anticipated. The first status on the news feed was not hers. Scroll down. The second, still not hers. Scroll down. The third, negative. Scroll down. It’s still not hers—it’s still Pedro’s. Wait, all of these crappy status updates that bombarded your news feed came from one unknown person? We’ve got a situation here. Proposed Penalty: Blocking of the culprit on the site for a lifetime. For serious cases, blocking of his/her name throughout the entire cyberspace could be appropriate. Illegal Friend-ing Addiction Motive: Lack of cyber friends (and most of the time, attention). Scene: You know what they say: “Don’t talk to strangers.” But here you are, about to click that “Add as a friend” button of a Facebook profile with a gorgeous chick photo. You barely know her and she lives in Cagayan. Still, you added her. Will she accept a friend request from an outsider? If she does, she also commits the same “Illegal
Friend-ing Addiction” you first did. Now, who’s more felonious of the two? Both. Sane? None. Proposed Penalty: Hacking of the criminal’s account, giving it a hideous profile picture and name that nobody would ever accept any request from him/her. Chatting-spamming Motive: Desperation to win a contest, or gain attention through solicited likes and comments. Scene: Watching a video on Youtube while you’re online on Facebook, you heard a ding. It’s Dinkleberg who just sent you a personal message. You were a bit elated to have gained attention from a friend you haven’t communicated to for a while. You opened the message, it says: “Pa-like: www.facebook.com/video/ xr6df0_ype=dns&ISN=C7734A13DA 6248159CFB5D2917C72769&ccv=155 &cnid=937811&cco=US&ct=3&sc=80 4b001e. Thanks!” Delete. Proposed Penalty: Modifying the culprit’s chat box that he/she will no longer know who’s online or not because it lists his/her every friend on the network. If they’re 700+, so be it. Erroneous Assumption of Facebook Identity Motive: (Exaggerated) Creativity and Self-expression. Scene: There’s this guy who’s taken his picture in front of a mirror. There’s this girl who posed with her dogs while striking that “kawaii” pose. True, these are common profile pictures on the site so you want to be different. You thought Justin Bieber would better epitomize you so you made his photo your profile’s—but you don’t look like him and you don’t even dance and sing. But that’s you anyway, who cares? Perhaps, your future employer does. Proposed Penalty: Having the delinquent’s friends choose his/her permanent profile picture from the following: 1) Large intestine, 2) Kim Jong Il, 3) Chuck Norris. Admit it, we’ve been all guilty of at least one of the crimes here. We caught ourselves red-handed. If these misdemeanors can cause our lives, we’ve been dead by now. Yet without them, social networking would be nothing but a pleasure machine unable to generate other emotions that would keep us sane and balanced. (You like this.) Log out.
10
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
NEWS FILIPINO
November 2012-January 2013
LPU hosts 1st International Tourism Conference by Mark Kenneth P. Cabusay Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila once again takes the lead as it hosted the 1st International Hospitality and Tourism Conference, the first of its kind in the country, last October 24-26,2012 at The Bayleaf Intramuros. According to the College of International Tourism Hospitality Management (CITHM) Senior OIC Roberto Zozobrado, “The purpose of the conference is to put Lyceum on top. Our goal is to show to the public that we are the leader in the tourism and hospitality industry.” “Right now we are already the leader because we are the biggest, we have 9000 students from CITHM alone,” Zozobrado added. He also shared that aside from the large number of enrollees, LPU is the only internationally-accredited Tourism and HRM School in the country. “Based on those two alone we are already the leader, thus we sustain it by hosting conferences
like these.” A one of a Kind Gathering With the theme “Innovations and Diversity in Hospitality and Tourism”, the event benefited hospitality and tourism industry practitioners, faculty and administrators of Higher Education Institutions in the country. Speakers who lectured at the conference were Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn, who discussed about “The Making of a New Natural Wonder of the World: The Puerto Princesa Underground River”, ShangriLa Resorts and Hotels Vice President Peggy Angeles, whose lecture was about “The Making and Sustaining the ShangriLa Image” and Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez who delivered the keynote speech. Other notable lecturers include: National Commission for Culture and the Arts chairman Dr. Felipe de Leon Jr. who presented his lecture, “The Role of Tradition, Innovation in a Global Hospitality and Tourism Industry”, and LPU President
Atty. Roberto P. Laurel who shared his lecture entitled “Leveraging on Competitive Advantages: The Bayleaf Intramuros Experience.” A learning Experience Zozobrado noted that a lot of LPU Manila students attended the conference. “They learned a lot from all
Delegates from around the country celebrated the International Day of Peace last September 29-30, 2012 at the Bayleaf Hotel in an event organized by LPU United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Peacetech Inc. With the theme “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers for Mindanao”, the peace conference and workshop was dedicated to peace-building efforts in Mindanao. It was also held to “strengthen and realize the Filipino youth’s role in nation building” through cultural and educational exchanges, according to Gladys Yuson, Deputy Director for Internal Affairs of LPU UNESCO Club. The conference was formally opened with a message from Ms. Teresita Deles, Secretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process. It underscored the importance of cooperation and the government’s commitment in peace building efforts in Mindanao. It was followed by a speech from LPU alumna Ms. Maria Gracia Cielo “Grace” Padaca, co-founder of Kaya Natin, a movement for good governance and ethical leadership. She encouraged the youth delegates to take part in promoting peace and the importance of respecting differences. “Hindi na lang basta ‘I am a Christian and you are a Muslim,’ [or] ‘I am from Luzon, you’re
from Mindanao’,” she said, “When there are differences, what’s important is to respect each other.” Afterwards, Mr. Robin Pettyfer, Executive Director of PeaceTech Inc., discussed the present dynamics of conflicts and the effects of increased globalization in light of emerging conflicts. He further highlighted confidence-building as a solution and that the youth must wisely use technology to help promote peace. Professor Guillermo H.A. Santos of the College of International Relations and the College of Arts and Sciences then delivered a lecture emphasizing the importance of information and education to help stem the conflict. A group activity called “The History of Mindanao in a Nutshell” was facilitated by Mr. Zabra Siwa, Country Manager of PeaceTech, where the current status of the people in the South are explained and summarized by tracing back history. The highlight of the event was the panel discussion, attended by speakers from various sectors. The first to lecturer was Assistant Secretary Jehanne U. Mutin of the Bangsamoro Peace and Development Unit of OPAPP. Second was Ms. Baibonn Sangid, Cluster 1 Head of the National Youth Commission. Next was Ms. Bai Rohaniza Sumundad Usman, Country Director of Asia America Initiative, followed by Maj. Ruel Rombaoa of the Philippine Army’s Civil Military Operations. They were joined by
will hold more conferences in the future, Zozobrado shared that they will try their best to do it annually to be known as the tourism academe leader in the country. The Conference was also part of the school’s 60th Anniversary celebration.
TAKING THE LEAD. LPU President Atty. Roberto P. Laurel and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Conrado E. Iñigo Jr. presents LPU THE-ICE accreditation to conference guests.
LPU celebrates Int’l Day of Peace by Cleo Angeline B. Cachapero
these experts, every time [these] speakers talk, share their opinions and information, they benefit our students,” Zozobrado said. “Our faculty also participated to cascade information to their students who were not able to attend,” he added. When asked if CITHM
Mr. Santos in the open forum that followed. A discussion on “The Political Dynamics of the Bangsamoro” was done by Prof. Yasmira Moner of the Political Science Department of the Mindanao State University. Mr. Kabaitan Bautista of the Ayala Young Leaders Congress batch 2011 delivered a lecture entitled “Youth Leadership in Peace and Nation Building.” The event was closed with a peer discussion among delegate groups and formulation of a Peace Building Action Plan, where delegates discussed proposals to help promote peace and awareness in their own universities. The morning of the second day was allotted for the delegates to have a tour of Intramuros. “This program encouraged me to become a peace advocate… if we unite towards achieving peace in the Mindanao region, then it will be good for our Muslim brothers who are victims [of wrong impressions],” said Laurice Cuyugan, a delegate from the College of International Relations, regarding the event. The event was co-organized by the Lyceum Central Student Government and the College of International Relations Student Council. It was attended by 80 delegates from LPU Manila, LPU Batangas, University of the East (Manila), University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, De La Salle University, Yelez College (Zamboanga), Central Philippine University (Iloilo), and Cebu Institute of Technology.—with reports from Kenno S. Nishioka
VPAA discusses ECG and class suspension by Sunita Grace D. Nandwani Vice President for Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Conrado E. Iñigo discussed issues regarding the Emergency Communications Group (ECG) with The LPU Independent Sentinel. According to Dr. Iñigo, “The Emergency Communications Group of Lyceum of the Philippines University consists of different officials from the school that observes & monitors their respective areas of responsibilities when there are calamities.” Regarding the suspension of classes, Dr. Iñigo explains how calamities are not just limited to typhoons. Calamities may also include earthquakes, flashfloods and the like. Dr. Iñigo also cleared up that LPU does not have late class suspensions. He said that LPU follows PAG-ASA and the Commission on Higher Education’s declaration of class suspension. “Based from the PAGASA forecast of the typhoon, the members of the ECG should monitor the weather condition from 7:00-9:00 pm and get updates from PAGASA,” explains Dr. Iñigo. He also stated how decisions on suspension for the following day should be made as early as 9:01 pm.
Student growth and learning remains a top priority according to Dr. Inigo. “Following the OuterBased Education (OBE) on proactive and spiritual values, [information] should be factual, not based on hearsay. From the point of view of the LPU Management, the primary concern is to deliver quality education by not shortchanging the students’ studies and not suspending classes if unnecessary,” Dr. Iñigo added. When asked about whom to follow regarding the announcement of class suspension, Dr. Iñigo explains that even though LPU is an autonomous institution, the university still needs to comply with the requirements of CHED, PAG-ASA, Manila City Government, and any other government agency regarding class suspension. “When classes are suspended, it is not the decision of just one person; In LPU, the decision-maker is a group,” Dr. Iñigo concluded.—with reports from Kenno S. Nishioka [Note: The Sentinel interviewed VPAA Dr. Conrado Iňigo Jr. last September 2012. While the monsoon season is almost over, The Sentinel would like to share this story to the Student Body to inform them on how class suspensions are made.]
November 2012 - January 2013
11
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
FILIPINO
Intramuros: Ang Paglisan sa Masalimuot na Kahapon ni Medy C. Estonactor
Kuha ni Ron Kevin M. Aratan
A
ng unang pagibig ay hindi n a m a m a t a y. Gayundin dapat ang lungsod ng makasaysayang mga pader. Apat na dantaon na ang nakalipas simula nang matuyo ang mga dugong dumilig sa lupa ng paraisong ito. Ang mga dugong ito na mula sa ugat ng mga taong hindi nangiming itaya ang sariling buhay sa ngalan ng pag-ibig sa bayan ang nagpapatibay ngayon sa lupain ng Intramuros. Bakas pa rin sa mga pader ang sugat ng kahapon na gawa ng mapanirang mga kanyon ng mga Kastila. Ang mga pader na ito na kumanlong sa kasaysayan sa loob ng maraming taon, ay siya na ngayong magiging tahanan ng makukulay na pangarap na lalong
magpapaunlad ng turismo sa bansa. Kanlungan ng Sining Isang visual arts festival ang idinaos ng pangasiwaan ng Intramuros upang simulan ang kanilang layunin – ang panumbalikin at panatilihin ang sigla at kulay ng makasaysayang pook na ito. Ang pagdiriwang na ito ay tinawag na “The First Intramuros Arts Festival” na ginanap sa Liwasang Maestranza na kamakailan lamang ay muling itinatag sa tulong ng pamahalaang Hapon. Isa ito sa mga unang hakbang upang maisakatuparan ang pangarap ng pangasiwaan na baguhin ang anyo ng Intramuros. Mula sa pagiging masalimuot na larawan ng kahapon sa piling ng mga
Kastila, nais nilang punuin ng kulay ang Intramuros bilang kanlungan ng sining at ng mga alagad nito. Destinasyon sa Gabi Ang karimlang bumabalot sa Intramuros sa tuwing lulubog ang araw ay hindi na muling sasapitin pa, ayon sa pahayagang The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Muling liliwanag ang maksaysayang mga daan ng pook dahil sa mga ilaw na ipatatayo ng pangasiwaan. Sisimulan ito ng muling pagbubukas ng Fort Santiago sa gabi. Ayon kay Intramuros Administor na si Jose Capistrano, ang Liwasang Maestranza ay magiging kahalintulad ng Clark Quay ng Singapore. Ito ay mapupuno ng mga restawran at tindahan. Kalakip pa rin ng pahayag ni Capistrano, may plano
Duh?
(Ang masasabi koni Medy saC. Estonactor kapwa ko Filipino)
A
ng Perlas Silangan nahihimlay kabibe ng korapsyon kahirapan. Nagtataglay ito ng nakasusulasok amoy ng pulitika.
ng ay sa at rin na
Iyan ang tila habambuhay nang nakaukit sa isipan ng mga Pilipino. Subalit sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, may mga dayuhang nakatagpo ng pag-ibig sa lupaing pilit nating hinahamak. Mula sa lahi ni Tiyo Sam, isang artista, film maker, at modelo ang nagmamay-ari ng puso na tulad ng kay Juan. Tinangkilik ng marami ang unang video na
kaniyang ginawa at ini-upload sa Youtube. Ang video ay nagtatampok sa Amerikanong si Travis Kraft na nagsasalita ng wikang Filipino sa kaniyang pagtuturo kung paano magluto ng adobong manok. Sinundan pa ito ng iba’t ibang videos na nagpapakita ng kariktan ng ating kultura at bansa. “Ang mga Pilipino ay nagnanais magkaroon ng ibang pagkatao. Ang mahihirap, nais maging Amerikano. Ang mayayaman naman, nais maging Kastila. Walang nagnanais maging Pilipino,” isang payahag umano mula sa isang kaibigan, ayon kay Barth
Suretsky sa kaniyang artikulo sa Atin Ito Philippine News Feature. Isa-isa niyang inilatag ang mapapait na katotohanang hindi maitatanggi. Punum-puno raw ng mga pulubi at namamalimos ang ating mga lansangan. Isama pa ang mga taxi drivers na tumatanggi sa mga pasahero dahil sa masikip na daloy ng trapiko. Nariyan din umano ang sistema ng edukasyon kung saan ang mga mag-aaral ay walang sapat na silid-aralan, aklat, at mga upuan. Subalit, saludo siya sa mga guro na nagtitiyaga sa kakarampot na suweldo at sa mga nagnanais pang maging
ring maglagay ng river cruises mula sa parke ng Maestranza, pababa ng Ilog Pasig at paikot ng Isla de Convalecencia kung saan nakatayo ang Hospicio de San Jose. Sentro ng Karunungan Hindi lamang “pasyalan” ang salitang karapat-dapat na ikabit sa Intramuros. Sa pahayagang Inquirer, tinawag ni Capistrano na ‘Museo ng Lansangan’ (Museum of the Street) ang Intramuros dahil isa umano sa kanilang mga plano ay ang gawin itong isang 21st century Heritage Learning Center. Isang ‘art tiangge’ naman ang ilulunsad ayon sa namamahala ng pangasiwaan ng Intramuros. Dito ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang sinuman na makapag-uwi ng obra ng
ilan sa mga prominenteng pintor sa bansa sa napakamurang halaga. Kapag sinabing Intramuros, ang pumapasok kaagad sa isipan ng karaniwang Pilipino, kulungan ni Rizal, lugar ng digmaan, libingan ng masasakit na alaala at kung anu-ano pa. Maaaring magbabagong bihis na nga ito subalit hindi kailanman maaaring maalis sa larawan ng Intramuros ang makasaysayang mga pader na sumalo sa galit noon ng kalabang bansa. Hindi kailanman maaaring mapalitan ang mga alaalang nakaukit dito. Maaaring lilisanin na nga ng Intramuros ang madugong kahapon subalit ito naman ay patungo sa mas makulay na bahagi ng kasaysayan.
guro sa kabila ng lahat ng ito. Ang ipagpatuloy pa ang pagbanggit sa mga bagay na tulad nito ay ikinadudurog umano ng kaniyang puso. Gayunman, ang pinakamasakit sa kaniya ay ang kawalan ng pagmamalaki ng mga Pilipino sa kanilang lahi. Ngunit anuman ang mangyari, sa lupaing ito pareparehong nakatindig ang ating mga paa. Kaya naman, wala nang ibang makapagpapabago ng larawang ito bukod sa atin mismo. Bahagi tayo ng kasuklam-suklam na larawan ng Pilipinas. Kung gayon, tayo rin ay kasuklam-suklam. Hindi ba mas dapat kamuhian ang ating mga sarili na kahit hindi natin maintindihan ang wika ng iba ay masayang masaya pa rin nating inaawit ito? Hindi ba’t mas nararapat tayong kamuhian dahil pinandidirihan natin ang awitin ng ating kapwa Pilipino? Hindi ba at mas kamuhi-muhi tayong kinamumuhian ang mula sa ating bayan? Sa likod ng lahat ng ito,
nakamamanghang isipin na sa daming ulit na mas niyakap natin ang kultura ng iba, ang mga nagmamay-ari ng kulturang iyon ay lubusang minamahal ang sa atin. Nakatataba ng pusong isipin na sa dami ng bilang na niyurakyurakan natin ang ating sariling kulay, ang mga tao mula sa ibang bansa, ay pilit ibinabaon ito sa kanilang pagkatao. Maaaring ang lupain ngang ito ay hindi pinagpala sa mga bagay na mayroon ang ibang bansa subalit hindi ito sapat na dahilan upang ganoon na lamang ang ating pagtingala sa ibang lahi. Mayroon pa ring mga kayamanan ang bansang ito na kahit kailan ay hindi tataglayin ng mga bansang itinuturing na “mas mataas” ng karaniwan sa atin. At ang mga kayamanang ito ay nalalaman ng puso ng isang Pilipino, o kahit na mula sa ibang lahi, na may tunay na pagpapahalaga at pagmamahal sa bayang kilala bilang Perlas ng Silangan. Duh?
10 12 How I Killed A Monster
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
LITERARY FILIPINO Doll
by Queenie Jane Segovia Daylight shatters the dark asunder and casts strings to depict fictitious pretend proper. I will wait… Carry on, I will watch… Tell your story, I will listen… Feed words into my lips, I will smile… Do what you please, obey your every whim, I will follow… I shall keep silent… Yes, until the sun has set, until the calm of night robs you of consciousness. Only until you sleep, whilst you rest, after the roles reverse and render you helpless.
by Justin Brylle Mactal
Inside a room, poorly lit and gloomed, there sat my interviewer. He is here today, to ask how I may have murdered all my monsters. It happened mid-June, at the start of monsoon, when I met all my evil monsters. They roared so loud, and ever so proud, at me all their non-humorous banters. I find it not funny, But to them it was witty, They realized how I was unlike them. like a group of Piranhas, Preying on the one with a stigma They devoured me like a piece of ham. They’d punch me in the morning, some clawing, some dissing, some even stabbed me with a pen. I told someone in authority, But all he did was say sorry, he’s afraid of what they’d do to him. So I decided one day, to end all my dismay, by slaying the source to their doom. With a blazing Molotov, and an uncontrollable sob, I emblazed them all in our room. Burning and screaming, It felt like I was dreaming, but somehow It made me feel worse. Someone cuffed me from behind, I was losing my mind, Now all I recall was metal bar doors. In this room, I felt lonely, but atleast they can’t harm me, except that man reflecting on the wall. It’s claws looked vicious, and it’s eyes felt malicious, I stabbed it, We both took a fall.
November 2012 - January 2013 November 2012-January 2013
My Gray-Eyed Monster by Heidelynne Hazelle Joie M. Convento A human’s body, a monster’s heart… The man of lust and love…
Looked at her entincingly Walked towards her slowly Reached for her hand deliberately Pulled her closer, and kissed her gently…
A feeble body, a broken heart… The girl who dreamt of love…
Hopelessly at his gray eyes, she stared Quickly inhaled the air that they shared Meekly, she let herself be bared Willingly, she succumbed to the fate that she fared…
Trese
by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo Supernatural creatures walk among Manila’s dimly lit streets and commit the usual string of petty crimes that we thought only humans do. With the police incapable of nabbing their suspects, they turn to Alexandra Trese, a badass female who specializes in crimes perpetrated by supernatural beings of Philippine folklore. So goes the premise of the graphic novel, Trese. This graphic novel written by Budjette Tan and illustrated by Kajo Baldisimo revives the magic in Philippine Komiks. Trese is a dark fantasy novel with a not-so-ordinary superhero and promotes Pinoy culture through the allusion of creatures found in the country’s folklore. Baldisimo’s art is quite dynamic and further adds to the overall dark world that Tan projects in writing. With five titles to date, Trese comics continue to promote the country’s local comic book industry. Watch out DC and Marvel, you may have a run for your money with this series.
by Bob Ong
Once again, the infamous Pinoy writer surprised his readers with his 8th book, Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan. Bob Ong deviated from his usual komiko-satiriko themes and paved his way to the road of horror and spiritual entities. Galo, a college student, goes to visit Mama Susan, his grandmother, in their remote province. He soon discovers that the little town has its own mystery and that Mama Susan is no longer the way he remembered her to be. Written in a diary-like manner, this book will certainly give you goose bumps. Be careful not to put yourself in Galo’s shoes too much—you might have a horrifying experience and meet Mama Susan’s “friends.”
Illustrations by Mc Severn C. Baliad and Rowell Nazher J. Aballa
Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan
November 2012 - January 2013
The
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
GREEN PAGE
13
Ec ob ag
Green Chronicles: Planning The Search for the Next “Bag” Star by Guillermo H. A. Santos
by Justine Mae M. Manaloto Lightweight yet tough and waterproof – plastic bags have been the most common shopping bag in stores and markets. However, their non-biodegradability combined with the irresponsibility of consumers make plastics to be blamed for floods and unwieldy garbage problems. Consequently, various municipalities and cities such as Muntinlupa and Makati have created ordinances which control the use of plastic bags. Paper bags are easily perceived as an alternative to plastic mainly because of their biodegradability. Besides, they could be improvised from old newspaper or magazine pages glued together to form bags. However, paper bags are criticized because of their less durability and reusability compared with plastics. The argument that paper bags are made from trees is also thrown against them. The oxo-degradables Unlike the conventional plastic bags, oxodegradable bags can disintegrate and degrade biologically. This is through an additive which causes the plastic to fragment through oxidation. The resulting fragments are then consumed by microorganisms to further the breaking down process. As good as it may sound, the oxo-degradable bag is still not without a critic. An article entitled “Biodegradable bags carry more harm than good” from guardian.co.uk reveals that “research suggests that the bags don’t degrade as well as claimed.”
The PP bags PP, or polypropylene, is a byproduct material of oil refining. It is used to make a variety of items such as ropes, fabrics, and even food containers. PP bags are those unwoven carrier bags which are usually offered by supermarkets to customers as alternative to disposable plastic bags. Ideally, these bags are to be brought every time a customer shops for groceries. The aim is simple: to lessen the disposable plastic bags customers get from his shopping. The PP bags’ reusability and sturdiness are what makes them an alternative for plastic. However, PP bags are also non-biodegradable like conventional plastic bags. The Behavior Factor So where do we go from here? It could be seen that all bags – regardless of their composition – have benefits as well as drawbacks for the environment. Remember the “behavior factor”. Even if the ecofriendliest bag is available in the market, it will be useless if people are not serious in taking care of the environment. The alternatives above will be another problem with improper use. Take the PP bag as an example – every time a shopper forgets his PP bag, he will somehow be compelled to buy another. The result? PP bags will continue to pile up – its rationale misplaced. *** So in the end, the plastics are not the problem but the people who use them. Is it not right to ask: if the plastics are not the problem, should plastics bags be the solution?
Things you don’t know but you should... Did you know that a female pigeon cannot lay eggs if she is alone? In order for her ovaries to function, she must be able to see another pigeon. If no other pigeon is available, her own reflection will do. Did you know that you can conserve water just by using dippers or “tabo”? A 5-minute shower with a standard showerhead uses 100 liters of water. A medium tap releases 10-20 liters of water per minute. In addition, brushing or washing hands would use 5 liters; flushing toilet, 12 liters; bathing, 50-150 liters; and dishwashing, 20-90 liters. Did you know that an orchid is named after the male genitalia? Orchidaceae, its botanical family name, means “testicles” in Greek and may derive from an early notion that the orchid possessed aphrodisiac qualities. Did you know that rice is ideally grown in flooded paddies? The primary purpose of this is to drown the weeds surrounding the young seedlings — rice can, in fact, be grown in drained areas. Sources: • http://www.users.ch/tio.family/page160.html • http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/directory/directory. asp?dir=Animals&page=33 • http://www.kennymouse.com/Mouse-House/Trivia-3/130.html • http://www.r3denr.com/index.php/trivia
Illustration by Michael Angelo A. Pedriña
Brain Food:
That any national planning must address priority issues is not debatable. But because any generation is merely a custodian of the planet earth— the planet belongs to all the people in it—the twin question of how to implement national plans and sustain the human economic development arises. That is because any economic activity has its environmental costs though the visioning designed for “progress.” Examples: the mining industry (including the oil and coal sectors) contribute taxes to the national treasury but pollute the air so people get respiratory diseases like asthma and tuberculosis. Before anything is dug up from the ground and processed into gold bars, or silver for use in computers and cellphones, the trees are cut down. Denuded forests lead to soil erosion everytime it rains. Billions of metric tons of top soil are eroded from deforested mountains of the Philippines— as in the Cordilleras and the Sierra Madre range—yearly and flow down to the seas through the river systems. When roads and residential subdivisions are built anywhere, or when plains or upland is prepared for planting, the area is cleared of trees and other growths for the construction or planting. The social-health costs to humans: the trees and other plants (that produce oxygen for us to inhale and absorb the carbons (dioxide and monoxide) that man and his vehicles emit, are eliminated. The final picture: people look prosperous and happy with beautiful spacious homes but visit doctors for medical treatments or get confined in costly hospitals for a host of illnesses. These concerns were never considered 500 years ago because there were less people on earth and the economies were comparatively simple then. But not in this last, and present, century. Now we have seven billion people on the planet; it is estimated by the United Nations to be about 10 billion in 2050. We Filipinos will be more than 100 million next year and are expected to double in 25 years. This in turn raises the issues of food and water security, sourcing cheap alternative and renewable energy and their sustainability. How do we feed ourselves, maintain our electricity and keep our factories working? How do we move goods and people cheaper and breath in cleaner air, drink safe water and stay diseasefree? How do we overcome poverty, educate a healthy population and keep crime rates low at the same time? Can we achieve these and comply with the U.N. millennium goals—
and eradicate poverty by 2015? Corollary to these questions are the world trends: geopolitical and competition for world hegemony have fired China’s territorial disputes with with north and southeast Asian neighbors; China’s intensified—and everybody else’s—search for energy sources (particularly in Africa) is bound to be environmentally destructive more than constructive due to considerations of the individual national interests of all nations. China is also spending at least US$100 billion yearly for its military upgrading. This is still less than the U.S. national defense budget yearly. Beijing claims it will not invade any country, but it has forced every nation specially the Philippines to be apprehensive. Obviously nobody believes the Chinese spill. This is precisely my point: invest in the economy (including power and energy, food security) and the environment/biodiversity first, then the educational and public health issues next and the peace and order issues will be easier to solve. In short, good economic management equals good politics and governance, and not the other way around. This is what we teach our Lyceum of the Philippines University students. We learn about our country’s resources and potentials every day. Our marine resources or inland territorial waters expanded six times under the United National Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), and modern technologies (including solar and wind power) are now available. The Philippines has sufficient resources to feed 250 million people and enough sunlight hours and wind power to energize our agriaqua industrialization. All we need is competent, dedicated political-socio-economic managers to push the country at par with—then ahead of— our regional neighbors. We sit on top of the most vibrant coral triangle in the tropics which occupies only three percent of the world geographical surface, but its more than 2,000 diversified lives of plants and animals on land and at sea is more than 20 percent of the world’s. All our national leadership has to do is balance the economic growth with the corresponding conservation, preservation and rehabilitation of the environment and biodiversity and sustainability or continuing strategic and daily economic activities can be attained. That can be achieved with the vital national political will!
14
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
KOMIKO SATIRIKO
UNEXPECTED SERENDIPITY
LIMBO
relief
by Rowell Nahzer J. Aballa
by Rowell Nahzer J. Aballa
by Rowell Nahzer J. Aballa
FSO Exams the Philippine Star, Business Mirror, and Business World,” De Guzman said when asked about her preparations for the written part. Regarding the Psychological Exam, she said, “It was completely out of my control. So I just decided to be as honest and sincere as possible when I took it.” According to her, the final test gauged how well the examinees conduct themselves in gatherings. The Oral Examination’s panel interview was the most important part since, like the Preliminary Interview, it would also test how they handle and react to questions. The panel included career ambassadors and representatives from the Civil Service Commission, among others. Being the difficult exam that it is, De Guzman took the FSOE three times to finally pass but she always got back on her feet. “Some
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people are easily dissuaded by failure, but I’m not, so that was never an issue. I’m like that balloon toy that always gets back up after you hit it in the face,” she said. De Guzman is proud of her CIR education, saying that the College helped her greatly in the exam. “Learning from former ambassadors was a competitive edge – knowing how to handle actual crises from those who have done exactly [the same job] is something that other schools might not offer,” she emphasized. De Guzman recalled an incident which inspired her more to achieve her dream of becoming a diplomat. She was working as an office assistant in an attached office to a European embassy when they were approached by men asking for their Language Certificates—a requirement for their visa application. They later realized that the people were scammed. She said she wanted to help fellow Filipinos in
similar situations. “I realize now that in the end, [being a Foreign Service Officer] is a job that will test my loyalty to my country, and more importantly, my devotion to ensuring the well-being of my fellow Filipinos,” De Guzman added. De Guzman will take the six-month cadetship course that the Department of Foreign Affairs requires. She also plans to continue her Master’s Degree in Political Science. Dean Arcilla expressed hopes of producing more FSOE passers in the future. “That’s our objective. LPU has always been synonymous to Foreign Service, and we would like to live up to that reputation,” he said. As for future takers, De Guzman said, “Prepare for it the best way you know how. [But] do not get intimidated by its reputation as being the most difficult exam in the country. It’s character-building at its finest!”
Courtesy Ramos on the concern of forcing the students with the campaign. “Respect is two-way,” Professor Ramos noted. The courtesy campaign did not just aim to stimulate the students’ values but also those of the faculty members and other nonteaching personnel. “There were also positive feedbacks regarding the campaign. A number of students abide to the campaign, especially when the staff and faculty also greeting them back.” Aftermath of the Campaign What made the courtesy movement controversial is the announcement of a directive that students’ IDs will be confiscated if they will not greet other university stakeholders. “Right after the campaign, it was announced that if you will not greet a professor, your ID will be confiscated. As a chair, I disagree with that, ang sa akin, reward system not punishment,” said the campaign Chairman. According to her, the directive was not fully implemented and there were no cases of student ID confiscation after violating the rules of the campaign. Professor Ramos said the regulation might have been shortlived but there are future plans for the courtesy movement. “Our problem now is how we sustain the campaign. Our target is room to room and a reward system.” LYCESGO’s stand Several Lyceans have been asking about LYCESGO’s position about the Courtesy Awareness Campaign. Delos Santos explained that, “[Being the LYCESGO president], I can say that I really represent my co-students to the [administration] regarding [the] campaign.” “But I want to clear this out: I am just the one who coordinated and discussed these points but all the ideas that I gave [did] not just come from me. Together with my co-officers in LYCESGO, we conducted a meeting about this and [had] a consensus regarding this campaign,” Delos Santos added. Delos Santos explained that there has been collaboration between LYCESGO and the LPU Proactive and Spiritual Values. “Since one of [the] activities in our strat[egic] plan is about the Art of Greeting—it is [almost] the same with Courtesy Awareness Campaign—we decided to work with them,” she said. Delos Santos said that they planned the said campaign even before the start of the school year. “Syempre talagang pinag isipan naming yung mga gagawin pero nangyari siya September na,”
November 2012 January 2013
from page 1 she added. Convincing the unconvinced “This is a good campaign, except that some of the professors or officials would only stare at you blankly after you greet them,” says fourth year BS-ITTM student Belle Alva Jelle Culango. “From the start, we know that we will hear negative reactions from the students, it is really part of the system. Hindi na rin naman maiiwasan ‘yan, may kanya-kanya tayong pananaw and we really respect that,” Delos Santos said regarding the various negative comments on the announcement made in LPU’s official Facebook Page. Delos Santos also noted that they are not forcing everyone but they are helping Lyceans to realize that any courteous gesture they show can be expressed to them in return. Courtesy Campaign is a strategy made not just for the students but for the whole LPU community. According to Delos Santos, “Ever since we planned this campaign, we [believe that it’s not] just about the school. The main reason of it is [improving the] values formation of the people in our school.” “Paglabas natin at pumasok na tayo sa professional world, one of the criteria para makapasok sa isang magandang company ay ‘yung values natin,” she added. “Since we are practicing courtesy in our school madadala na natin ito at ‘di natin [mamamalayan] na naging part na siya ng sistema natin.” Confiscation of IDs and violation slips Delos Santos said that adjustments have been made since they saw some improvements and the [students] have turned courtesy into a habit. Thus, they’ve decided to talk to the administration to not apply the violation system. She also added that she’s glad to say that no confiscation of ID’s happened. Promoting the campaign Delos Santos took the pleasure of doing the project by promoting it in a fun and educational way by creating a cheer for the Courtesy Campaign. “Aside from the activities conducted [by] the events classes and us in the Proactive and Spiritual Values Team, each local student council conducted a room to room campaign para mas lalong malinaw ‘yung purpose ng Courtesy Awareness campaign”, said Delos Santos when asked of the other activities that LYCESGO did to promote the campaign.
E R R A T A We would like to inform our readers that one of our front page stories read “Bomb scare disrupts LPU Manila classes”, when it should be “Bomb scare hoax discrupts LPU Manila classes.” Also, in our LPU Independent Sentinel election issue, the article entitled “Heritage: Pamana’s Calling,” stated Klinton Dayson as the party’s Campaign Manager. We would like to correct that Dayson is Pamana’s Deputy Secretary General. We apologize for any confusion or misunderstanding these may have caused. Thank you.
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
15
SPORTS Spotlight: LPU Lawn Tennis Team November 2012 - January 2013
by Anna Patricia N. Peralta
Basketball and volleyball aren’t the only sports you should be watching out for in the 88th season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For the first time, a Tennis team has been assembled to represent LPUManila in the league. Tennis is a racket-type sport wherein two players, a hollow rubber ball covered in felt and a court are needed for it to be played. Each player uses a racket to hit the ball over the net and towards the opponent’s court in a way that he or she is not able to play a good return. The game can be played in singles (one-on-one) or doubles (twoon-two). Like any other sport, it is governed by rules in terms of scoring, number matches and sets, and more. The sport’s origin came from the medieval Arabs. They used to hit the ball to each other with their hands. It spread in Spain through the invading Moors and taken back by the Christian knights to their homelands, where it was particularly popular in French monasteries. Before a player served, he would cry out in French, “Tenez!” which meant “Take this!” or “Receive!” In the 16th century, rackets were introduced in England and the word evolved into “Tennis,” an early form of the sport that was played indoors where the ball could be hit off the wall. Goals and expectations They say the beginning is always the hardest part. Only six
months has passed since the team has been officially assembled and they are already set to compete this January. “Ang goal ko lang is to make the players play as much as possible. Bago lang ‘yung team ko so I’m not expecting kasi hindi ko pa [sila] nahawakan ng sobrang tagal for them to mature that much na may mae-expect ako,” said Coach Deena Cruz. But it’s not like she doesn’t want her team to win, she’s just not expecting something big, like taking home the championship. More than anything, Coach Deena wants the team to “play well, as much as they can.” Jerick Tenorio, the tennis team captain, echoes Coach Deena’s expectations. To him, winning third place is more than enough because their future opponents are pretty fierce in the court. Make no mistake though – he’s far from intimidated. In fact, he’s inspired to work and train even harder. Meet the pioneer tennis team For the upcoming tournaments in the NCAA, tennis is further divided into two categories: Lawn (men’s division) and Soft (women’s division) Tennis. A huge chunk of the team is composed of table tennis crossovers and transferees. Leighdi Duenas, Ava Conlu, Nadine Garon and Kathryn Legaspi were originally table tennis players and have crossed over to soft tennis. “Medyo mahirap siya kasi syempre iba ‘yung table tennis sa soft tennis. Malaki ‘yung
galawan dun sa soft tennis… kailangan mas mabilis yung paa,” Conlu described. Although she admits that it’s a pretty huge adjustment on her part, she’s very much up to the challenge to develop her skill in the sport and is willing to train harder to be at par with seasoned players. On the other hand, Dennis Alano and Reuben Ramolete are transferees from Arellano University, Dimaculangan is from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde and Tenorio is from University of Perpetual Help – Biñan. They were all varsity tennis players from their respective schools. This means that they have to complete a one year residency and won’t be able to compete in the tournament this season. “Mapapayuhan namin ‘yung mga maglalaro because of our experience… Support muna sa ngayon,” Ramolete said. Most of the players – Lemiel Aler, Joemmari Flora and Joey Nunag to name a few–have been playing tennis since childhood To them, tennis is comparable to their need for food or air. It’s like second nature to train or play the sport at least once a week. Life, tennis and discipline Tennis builds character, according to Gladys. “Madedevelop [mo] ‘yung character not only on the inside but the outside. Kunwari sa training, kung wala kang discipline, ‘di ka nakikinig sa coach, e di wala ‘ring saysay.” To Coach Deena, tennis has been her life since she was ten or twelve. She believes that in
CLOSE CALL. Jerick Tenorio, one of the pioneering members of the LPU Lawn Tennis team show his concentration during a training. Photo by Joshua Alan P. Allanigue every game you play, you can gain something valuable. “You can even bring back [lessons] to your daily life, like paano ‘yung choices mo, ‘yung decisionmaking mo,” she said. “Tennis is an avenue for risks,
Fastbreak on Outbreak fever by Janine Chloe C. Bautista
WALKERS EVERYWHERE. Zombies of all kinds swarm through the concourse of Outbreak Manila in Enchanted Kingdom. Photo from Outbreak Manila Facebook Page
Everyone seems to be fascinated of the undead nowadays. Computer games like Plants Versus Zombies and Left 4 Dead and also the hit American series The Walking Dead, are all inspired by these graveyard crawlers. It is not surprising why Outbreak Manila made its way to popularity of not just being a regular running event. Last October 31st, along with the tales of spooks and terror, thousands of athletes and the not-so athletic people alike from all walks of life communed to test their strength on the day of a make-believe zombie plague. Concept of the Undead Outbreak Ever since 2008, a lot of run for a cause events staged popularity not only to the sporty ones but also for those who want the experience. Stimulated by the Run For Your Lives marathon event in the United States, Outbreak Manila brings the same zombie craze here in the Philippines. From its name, it is a marathon with a creepy twist of a zombie horde. It is composed of a 5 kilometer concourse infested by the undead. Yes, just as imagined in the film Dawn of the
Dead, a location full of creatures hungry for brains. Getting Ready The objective is simple; a runner must come out of the concourse with a life left to be considered a human survivor. Every contender has three lives at the beginning of the race represented by three red flags stapled in a belt to be worn throughout the sprint. The zombies, on the other hand, targets the runners’ flags. There are no requirements to join, but there’s an age limit though. Runners must be 13 years old and above to compete. Expect the unexpected—that is the first tip one should remember when joining Outbreak Manila. The concourse itself is not only infested with zombies, there are also man-made obstacles along the way that participants need to pass through such as dark rocky slopes with untrimmed grass and steeplechase barriers. Even though the idea of flesh chasers excites the masses, runners are not allowed to make physical contact with the zombies (such as kicking, punching and attacking with deadly weapons) to ensure everyone’s safety while having fun. The Fun in the Run The undead also come in
winning, defeat, thinking and chances,” Legaspi says. “It’s more than a game of ball and racket. It gauges your competitive edge and how far can you go... this will not hinder the team from putting up a good fight.”
different sorts dressed up in catchy costumes that resemble who they might be in their past life like nuns, policemen, and high school students. Someone even dressed up as Michael Jackson. There are also crawlers, walkers and those fierce enough to run and chase the humans. Yet, they aren’t less harmless when in costumes. They all stand amidst the challenging terrain, and sometimes out of nowhere to get brains, also known as flags. Another fun factor is that everyone, not only the zombies are encouraged to dress up in costumes. In a way, this invites the people to join the human race survival movement rather than being dreadful on a zombie outbreak. To date, Outbreak Manila has held four successful running events, the first outbreak was held in Nuvali October of last year, the second one in Bonifacio Global City and last was in Enchanted Kingdom. The latest happened on the socalled ‘doomsday’, December 21 in Cebu. It is not a wonder that Outbreak Manila made it big—it does not only cater to those who want a run, but they gave them the will to survive.
THE LPU INDEPENDENT SENTINEL
SPORTS
November 2012 - January 2013
FIERCE AND SPEEDY. The Track and Field pirates together with Coach Reynante Giron (third from right, second row)
Fierce and Speedy: Meet LPU Track and Field Team by Karina Shannen Biaga Running furiously at a quick pace, jumping gracefully over hurdles and walking briskly— those are the challenges in the competitive athletic sport called Track and Field. Established on the summer of 2010, the track and field team aspires to represent LPUManila on various national games particularly in the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). The team is under the guidance of Coach Reynante Giron, a former champion in Palarong Pambansa, National
PRISAA, PATAFA, Philippine representative in the 20th World Race Walking Championship in Turin, Italy last 2002. He is also an accredited IAAF Coach in Athletics. The team has acquired good standings in the PATAFA weekly relays held every Saturday from July to October 2012. The weekly relays had Track and Field athletes from elementary and secondary level schools, colleges and universities, including independent teams from all over the Philippines. In this event, the Pirates were able to compete against teams from UAAP and NCAA. John Michael Umamil got
1st and 2nd place on heats for 100m and 200m sprint. Rommel Mercano is on the 1st place twice for Classical Relay and 2nd place for 400m sprint. Saturnino Cereno garnered 2nd place for 1,500m run and 3rd place for 800m run. Meanwhile, their standing in NCAA is on the 10th place. “They’re competitive right now, a lot of athletes from schools and universities told us that their performance are improving a lot.” said Coach Giron. They are having “Intensity Trainings” two months before the game. On February and March they are conditioning their mind and body to adapt innovated intensity training for
December and January so that in February and March, they are going to be well prepared. Coach Giron and the track and field team plan to reprogram their training using video-viewing about the world and national champions of their sport. “They have the potential to bring out their best. The only thing they need is the discipline to follow techniques and methods during the intensity training. We are giving them proper routine. I taught them the importance of biomechanics, the study of life processes with the combination of movement, and I also taught nutrition, proper hygience and
courtesy, of course,” he added. Aside from training their body for the games, they are balancing their academic performance since all of the 13 athletes are enrolled under the Athletic Scholarship. Coach Giron wants them to do well at their respective courses and also win. “Marami akong natutunan dito sa LPU, nag-iimprove yung academics ko, pati yung performance ko sa games.” said John Michael Umamil, one of the noted athletes of the team. “Natutunan ko yung self-discipline...gusto naming lahat magka-place sa NCAA, sa PATAFA” Rommel Mercano noted.
COE electrifies Engineering sports fest 2012 by Johven R. Cate “Engineers are not boring.” Just like what the College of Engineering shirt said, Engineering students proved that they’re not only good at Math but they also have the guts to play and the nerve to win in their sports fest held last September 6, 2012 at the LPU Gymnasium. Six teams vied for the 2012 over-all Championship, namely: Institute of Computer Engineers of the Philippines (ICpEP), Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines (IECEP), Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE), Lyceum of the Philippines University - Math Circle (LPUMaC), Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers (PIIE), and Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME). At the opening, special awards were given to the teams who prepared the most. Crowned as the 2012 Miss Engineering Sports fest was Angelica Denisse Cortes from LPU-MaC and Mr. Franco Austin Alcala was pinned
as the 2012 Mr. Engineering Sports fest. PSME seized the title of the Best Sportswear. The basketball event started right after the opening ceremony. Several days of round robin passed, three
teams rose above the odds. Clinched to the third is the newly-born Engineering LPUMaC. The IECEP landed at the second spot. Still undefeated, the ICpEP retained the championship throne.
In the Volleyball Category, winding third is the IIEE; grabbing the second spot is the IECEP, while LPU-MaC established themselves in the first spot after three clincher rounds.
SPARKS AND SPIKES FLY. The participants of the COE sportsfest go head-to-head in a volleyball match held in the gymnasium. Photo from COE Student Council
In the Table Tennis event, Alyssa Blair Gonzalez of LPU-MaC and Nikko Myco Amazona of ICpEP each bagged the gold in their respective categories. In the Chess Division, whiz kid from LPU-MaC Zymon Edgerix Praxidio outclassed all other teams and snatched the gold medal while IECEP and PSME got silver and bronze awards, respectively. Turning on the Billiards Division, IECEP dominated the singles and doubles category with the help of Jeffrey Morquianos, Joseph Hedia and Mark Roland Tolentino II. Lastly, the LPU-MaC reigned in all the categories of the Badminton Division. During the Convocation, Ralph Vinarao was declared as the Most Valuable player of the Basketball tournament of this year’s Engineering Sports fest. After cumulating the scores, IIEE ranked second in the over-all standing; while hailed as the overall Champion are the Freshies and Sophies of the LPU-MaC.