COEd Flames outplayed again in Intrams From being the overall champion last 2008, and placing second just last year, the College of Education (COEd) Flames landed on third place in the Intramurals held last August 21-25. (continued on p. 3)
Opinion teacher talk
page 4
editorial
page 5
Features reviewer
page 6-7
editorial page 8
Cultures
of rust and
my other demon
page 9
script
page 10
SEC, ipinatupad sa high school Ruby Rose R. Cruz at Carlyd Mae C. De Jesus
Sa pagsisimula ng taongpanuruang 2010-2011, ipinatupad ng Department of Education (DepEd) ang panibagong curriculum sa high school. Alinsunod sa DepEd Order No. 76, s. 2010, ang dating Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) ay naging Secondary Education Curriculum (SEC). Sumailalim sa pilot testing sa mga nasa unang taon sa 22 pilot schools. Kaalinsabay ng pagpapatupad ng bagong curriculum ay ang bagong sistema ng pagtuturo—ang Understanding by Design (UbD) teaching kung saan ang lesson plan at syllabus ay pag-iisahin at ituturo ng per-quarter lesson. Nangangahulugan na sa loob ng isang quarter ay gagamit lamang ng isang unit lesson. Ang ganitong sistema ay nauna ng ipinatupad at nagtagump-
ay sa Estados Unidos kaya naman sa pagnananis rin na magkaroon ng dekalidad na sistema ng edukasyon ay hinango at ginamit ang ganitong sistema sa bansa. Kahandaan ng mga Guro Noong nagdaang bakasyon ay nagsagawa ng mga malawakang pagsasanay ang DepEd sa mga guro sa pampublikong paaralan ukol sa pagpapatupad ng SEC. Nagpasimula ang Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE) sa ilalim ng mga programa ng Educational Service Contracting/Educational Voucher System (EVS) ng mga pagsasanay para sa mga guro sa pampribadong paaralan tungkol sa UbD at SEC simula pa noong 2009. Sa pagtutulungan ng Private Secondary
School Administrators Association of the Philippines (PRISAAP) at ng Department of Education-Bachelor of Secondary Education (DepEd-BSE) ay nakapagsagawa ng mga training workshops para sa mga guro at administrators mula sa mga pribadong paaralan mula sa 17 rehiyon. Boluntaryo naman ang pagdalo ng mga guro sa mga pampublikong paaralan. Ayon kay Mr. Angel Caparas, punongguro ng Laboratory High School, ang asignaturang Makabayan ay inalis sa bagong curriculum ngunit ang ilang asignatura at aralin ay kahawig pa rin. “We are just following the suggested subjects in the new curriculum with the content framework which is UbD framework which shall depend on teach-
(sundan sa p.2)
Ika-112 anibersaryo ng Kongreso ng Malolos, ipinagdiwang Khristine M. Balanay
Bilang pagtatapos sa pagdiriwang ng Singkaban, ipinagdiwang ang ika-112 anibersaryo ng Kongreso ng Malolos, sa temang “Kongreso ng Malolos, Karangalang Di Matatapos”, noong ika-15 ng Setyembre sa simbahan ng Barasoain. Dinaluhan ang nasabing pagdiriwang nina Senador Jinggoy Estrada, panauhing tagapagsalita, ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Bula-
can, Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Malolos at ang kinatawan ng Pambansang Komisyon ng Kasaysayan na si G. Jose David Lapus. Sinimulan ang pagdiriwang ng isang fun run mula sa Malolos Central School papuntang simbahan ng Barasoain kung saan ginanap ang pagsasadula ng pormal na pagbubukas ng Kongreso ng Malolos na nilahukan ng mga kabataang Maloleño. “Itinuturing kong Bulakeño ang
aking sarili sapagkat ang mga Ejercito ng Bulacan at ng San Juan ay nagmula sa iisang pamilya,” batid ng senador tungkol sa pagiging malapit ng Bulacan sa kanya at sa kanyang pamilya. Nagkaroon din ng food exhibit na tinawag na “Hapag Bulakeño” (Pagkain ng mga Bayani) at isang one-man painting exhibit ni G. Reynaldo Salamat na ginanap sa museo ng Barasoain.
2
NEWS
THE MENTORS’ JOURNAL
JULY - OCTOBER 2010
College pubs recognized
Journalism seminar held Adelaine J. Salvador
The correspondents. Dino Balabo (left) lectures on news and editorial writing while Tonette Orejas (right) discusses media transparency and accountability with the student journalists. (Photo by Marian Santos) The Office of the Student Publications (OSP) and Pacesetter conducted the 2nd Pandayang Plaridel, a seminar workshop for student journalists with the theme “Revisiting Commitment to Responsible Campus Journalism” last September 24 at BulSU Hostel. Mr. Romulo B. Mercado, OSP director, welcomed the participants from different college publications: Busy Bee
of the Laboratory High School, The Laurel of Sarmiento Campus, The Horizon of Meneses Campus, The Wizards of the College of Science, The Nurses’ Notes of the College of Nursing, The Engineers of the College of Engineering, The Communique of the College of Arts and Letters, The Cursor of College of Information and Communications Technology, Ang Tanglaw of College of Social Sciences
and Philosophy, The Mentors’ Journal of the College of Education. The resource speaker of the event, Ms. Tonette Orejas, chief correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer in Central Luzon, lectured on media transparency and accountability and the principles of journalism. Orejas also answered questions from the participants in the forum held right after the discussion. Dino Balabo, Philippine Star and Pilipino Star Ngayon correspondent discussed news and editorial writing while Dr. Reggie Gaboy from Central Luzon State University lectured about photojournalism and layouting in concurrent sessions. “Maraming knowledge at guidelines kaming naacquire like last year,” said Angielee Ramos of The Horizon (Meneses Campus). “Keep reading and practice writing. Maraming opportunities in Journalism. Be massively skilled. Try writing stories and columns, explore photojournalism, and others. Pag-aralan din ang
technology for adjustments,” Balabo said regarding the rapid innovation of technology and how news writing goes with it. Certificates, meanwhile, were given to The Laurel (Sarmiento Campus), The Nurses’ Notes, The Cursor, The Wizards, and The Mentors’ Journal for being duly recognized student publications of BulSU. The said college publications finally got recognized mainly because of the presidential memorandum released before the start of the academic year allowing them to collect involuntary fees for their operation. “Among the trainings and workshops that we had, this one became very successful because we have met the objectives of the training and the students not just learned from it but they also enjoyed it. Journalists, be inspired everyday for your works and keep the fire burning for looking for good stories,” said Mr. Mercado as he encouraged the young journalists to continue writing.
SEC ipinatupad... (mula sa p.1) ers capability on how to handle the students’ learning acquisition,” ani Caparas. Dalawang miyembro ng fakulti ng Filipino at sa Araling Panlipunan ang nakadalo sa nasabing training na nakatuon sa UbD na tumagal ng tatlong araw “But still there was no clear explanation on what UbD is, also they [DepEd] told us [during the training] that the new curriculum is under the pilot testing,” dagdag ni Caparas. Ang UbD Lingid sa kaalaman ng marami ay naipatupad na ang UbD noong 2007 sa mga pampublikong paaralan sa lungsod ng Caloocan alinsunod sa kautusan ni Mayor Enrico Echiverri. Sinuportahan ito ni Sen. Manny Villar noong 2009 sa pamamagitan ng Senate Resolution 1295 na sumusuporta sa implementasyon ng UbD framework sa Basic Education Curriculum. Nakatuon ang UbD sa Backward Design na naglalayong maitama ang dalawa sa karaniwang pagkakamali ng tradisyunal na paraan ng pagtuturo: ang pagtuturo na nakatuon lamang sa mga ibinigay na textbooks at ang pagtuturo na puro pagsasanay lamang ang ibinibigay sa mga magaaral nang hindi nila nauunawaan kung bakit nila iyon ginagawa. Layon ng UbD na ipaunawa sa mga mag-aaral kung bakit ito kailangang pag-aralan at
gawin. Hindi nalalayo ang konsepto ng SEC sa pinalitan nitong kurikulum na BEC. Nananatili pa rin ang prinsipyong konstraktibismo at pagtuturong integratibo na batayan ng bagong kurikulum. Sa pagbabagong ito ay hindi pa rin nawala ang ilan pang programang pang-sekondarya tulad ng Special Program for the Arts (SPA), Special Program for Sports (SPS), Engineering and Science Education Program (ESEP), Technical Vocational Program (TECH-VOCH), at Special Program for Foreign Languages (SPFL) na ipinapatupad sa ilang mataas na paaralan. Ilang pribadong paaralan na rin sa bansa ang gumagamit ng UbD framework sa kanilang curriculum gaya ng mga nasa ilalim ng De La Salle Philippines at Holy Name University. Mga karagdagang asignatura Matatandaang binago na ng gobyerno ang kurikulum para sa asignaturang Mathematics noong 1989. Mula sa basics, ipinatupad dito ang Compartmentalized to Spiral Intergrated Approach kung saan nilawakan ang pagtuturo ng Math na kinapalooban ng Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Geometry, Advance Algebra, Trigonometry, at Statistics. Tulad nito, may mga karagdagang aralin na ipinasok sa pagtuturo alinsunod sa SEC. Kabilang na ang Consumer Education na isasama sa mga
Artwork by Ronnel B. Tafalla aralin sa lahat ng asignatura na naglalayong maituro ang 18 Fair Trade Laws. Ang Stock Market Topics naman ay idaragdag na aralin sa Economics ng mga nasa ikaapat na taon. Isinama rin ang mga probisyon para sa Madaris at Madrasah-based curriculum para sa mga mag-aaral na Muslim sa Mindanao at ang Indigenous Peoples’ Curriculum na ipatutupad rin sa mga rural na lugar. Mas pinalawak ang pagtuturo ng Music at Arts sa pagsama ng
mga aralin sa musika at sining ng Africa, Australia at America. Idinagdag din ang asignaturang Information and Communications Technology (ICT) kung saan tinatalakay ang Environment and Market Process/Production and Delivery of ICT Products at Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies bilang mga pangunahing aralin sa loob ng apat na kwarter.
JULY - OCTOBER 2010
NEWS 3
THE MENTORS’ JOURNAL
BulSUans watch Ang Guro Mercy C. Morales
NEWSTRIP Seniors attend ESL seminar Ruth Gladyz B, De Guzman
The English Department of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) with the graduating English majoring students of the College of Education attended an English as a Second Language (ESL) seminar last October 15 at the BulSU Hostel. ESL specialist Mindy Visser from the Public Affairs section of U.S. Embassy lectured on the said semi-
nar bearing the theme “Responding to the Challenges of Teaching English as a Second Language.” Visser discussed about multiple intelligences and scaffolding accompanied by diverse learning activities which the present and prospective teachers may use in class. An open forum ended the seminar to answer the questions from both the faculty and students.
KOEd, pumangalawa sa Tuklas Talino Therence D. Talla Curtain Call. The whole cast of Ang Guro takes their final bow. (Photo by Marian M. Santos) Bulacan State University students watched a musical stage play “Ang Guro” last September 16 at Bulacan Capitol Gym, Malolos City. Singer-actress Karel Marquez played as a teacher who inspired her students but eventually died because of cancer. The play showed the usual kinds of high school teachers such as Mr. Inspection, Ms. Terror, Ms. Fashionista and
Mr. Business who lived up with their respective names. Paul Ballano, the producer and director of the musical, who played as one of the students, said that it was a tribute to his grade one teacher, Ms. Cecilia Resontoc who inspired him to pursue his goals in life. “Yes, I am poor but the love of my teacher is so rich,” Ballano said as he ended and thanked the audience.
Source: COPERS
1-F) sa PhP2000 na premyo. Nakuha ng Laboratory High School ang unang parangal at tumanggap ng PhP3000 samantalang tumanggap naman ang CSSP ng PhP1000 na nagkamit ng ikatlong pwesto. Binubuo nina Christine Halili, Frederick Macale at Charles De Guzman ang lupon ng mga hurado.
KAPIMAPA conducts Sex Ed seminar Therence D. Talla
COEd outplayed... (from p.1) Official Medal Tally
Pumangalawa ang KOEd sa Tuklas Talino sa Kasaysayan, isang quiz bee na isinagawa ng College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) na ginanap sa Tanghalang Plaridel ng CSSP Building noong Setyembre 22. Naghati-hati ang kinatawan ng KOEd na sina Kenneth Santiago (BSED 4-F), Mhericon Jean L. Lorenzo (BSED 4-F) at Ian Karl Lacanlae (BSED
The college grabbed 37 gold , 10 silver and 29 bronze medals from different events. “Malungkot, syempre kasi champion tayo dati. Kulang kasi tayo sa boys di tulad ng ibang colleges. Galingan na lang natin next year,” Dean Luzviminda Tantoco said. The College of Information and Communications Technology (CICT) stood high as the overall champion while the College of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports (COPERS) situated in the second place. “Ang masasabi ko sa athletes ng COEd kulang sila sa training pero alam ko magagaling sila,” said Coach Melvin Villegas. “They deserved it syempre kasi nag-perform sila; wala silang pagkukulang, talagang prepared lang yung other colleges. Kailangan may designated coaches na hahawak sa kanila, preparation for next year and support sa athletes lang,” said by Coach Mona Lisa Mendoza.
Kapisanan ng mga Mag-aaral sa Araling Panlipunan (KAPIMAPA) conducted Ikalimang Sampaksaan, a seminar on sex education last September 17 at BulSU Hostel. Keynote speaker Dr. Rolando Gaspar from COEd discussed the importance of sex education and how it will affect the present generation if integrated in the curriculum. He also gave his stand regarding Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) and how it will help the country’s problem with the fast growing population.
Father Joselin San Jose, an instructor in the Immaculate Concepcion Major Seminary in Guiguinto, Bulacan, meanwhile, gave the church’s reason of its disagreement on RH Bill and divorce. “It only makes the students more conscious on sex,” said Father San Jose when asked about his opinion about the government’s plan to give free contraceptives. He also added that teaching Human Anatomy is already included in the curriculum that is why there is no need to add sex education in it.
Dr. Rolando Gaspar receives the certificate of apprceiation from Dean Luzviminda Tantoco for being the resource speaker in the seminar. (Photo from KAPIMAPA)
4
OPINION
THE MENTORS’ JOURNAL
Essay Titles are for Cowards
Teacher Talk Even teachers have their own stories to tell. This space is open for all teachers who wish to express thoughts, feelings and views about issues may they be related or not to their respective profession. I became a teacher for two reasons. One, because a teacher effected change in me. Two, because I want to effect change to others the way my teacher did. It is all skyrocketing. I love what I do. I am satisfied with how I teach. My students are awesome. Their grades are good, except for a few bad apples. Generally, it is all good from Diego to the Bay. But as all stories go, the hero encounters a plethora of hellacious predicaments. The cliché is that the hero lives happily ever after. But what if he ends up alone and far from his leading lady who married some handsome idiot? What if he joins the evil minions of Baron Sengir, the Vampire who sucked the hemoglobin out of him, and you would have to wait for the sequel? And what if he just gets pricked by a rusted safety pin and dies of tetanus for lack of sufficient medical requirements? In this path, I will digress from the tradition that I so often hear from teachers. Allow me to tell you goat stories about the downside of being a teacher, the hero of their own lives, and the questions that come with the chivalric profession. If you do not want to be demotivated, I adamantly command you to stop reading after this sentence. However, since I am the writer, you might as well sit down and read another article from this Journal. Whatever. A teacher is a model wherever
and whenever she goes. Ms. Bungcalan was always a well-dressed teacher in school and other school related-activities. You may say she had a thing for corporate attire. It might seem apt while she was at it. Suddenly, she wore short shorts and a tube-top on a Saturday to buy kangkong at the wet market. A mother of her student, who was a kangkong vendor, saw her. When the mother went home, she declared Ms. Bungcalan a whore and asked her daughter not to be like the teacher. Actually, Ms. Bungcalan appreciated that she was not a Hindu. She did not like the Hindus because of their Caste social stratification wherein they place teachers in the highest rank—the Brahmans. If she were, she won’t be able to do what the normal people do— wear short shorts and a tube-top on a Saturday morning at the wet market. Ms. Bungcalan is now neither a model nor a teacher. A teacher must obey even the most absurd policies. He used to watch the leftwing gate of the old hallowed building and glare at the sheepish students who would illenter that left-wing gate. He is also being watched by the person who told him to watch the damn gate, checking if he was fulfilling the duty. He is Mr. Oksbrain. He was obeying the policy of the building. The policy that no one should enter the left-wing gate even if it would be more efficient for the pupils to use, the policy that the ugly building corridors must be floor-waxed by the pupils, the policy
Lemuel P. del Rosario
that pupils must remove their shoes whenever they enter the classrooms thereby sweeping the floors with their socks, the policy that the building is far more important than the students’ welfare, the policy to defy logic itself. Odd. A teacher gets baptized with a new name. Now this may not seem so bad, right? “Sir Badingsky” because you are a homosexual; “Ma’am Orocan” for being “plastic” (we can argue that everyone is plastic though); “Ernie Baron” because you know a lot of things; “Mr. Clean” because the moon is down on your head; “Baboy” because you are fat, overweight and obese; “Shadow/ Anino” because your complexion is darker than a lamog na saging; “Robocop” because you are dead serious and strict; “Kuhol” because Mr. Shooli is your co-teacher and you are the sidekick; “Shaider” because you ride a motorbike to school; “Pong Pagong” because of your puffy cheeks; “Basura” because you are it; Pekto because your mug is a celebrity slap-stick victim; “Half-Man HalfYakis” because you can not control your hands and eyes. I can go on if you want but; “Satanas” because you asked to be called that. A teacher who seems to have erred is magnified in infamy. In the boring suburbs of Humpbridges lived a friend, Dr. Loi Puma, the quiet and timid teacher who taught eugenics and genetics in the nearby school. He never talked to anyone except during classes and remains obscure and hidden in his laboratory. One day while working on sam-
Redemption Ruby Rose R. Cruz For years, I was not quite sure of what I really wanted to be. My childhood dream is to be a teacher. I am also a frustrated chef, but I do not know anything about culinary so my outlet is to watch famous cooking shows on TV. When I was in high school, I wanted to be a lawyer. Since I always openly contradict things which I don’t believe in, this would be the best way to go. I will earn big bucks and be famous. I dreamt of having my own law firm and notary public office. I wanted to be a prosecutor, just because I was really amused with the architecture of the courts. I was already in college when I figured out what I really wanted to be—a writer. Of course I had a hard time putting this to action. I was very reluctant to join the school organ thinking that it is only for the Engineering and Science Education Program (ESEP) students (I attended Marcelo). When I entered college, I encountered The Mentors’ Journal, the official student publication of the college, because one of my friends invited me to join in. I took the exams. Luckily, I passed and became a part of it. Still, I do not know how to start until someone motivated me. I could still vividly remember that very fateful day when I was still new in the university. I used to spend my free time hanging around and chatting with my high school friends at the Heroes’ Park. I was writing a thank you letter to my benefactor when suddenly, someone saw my press I.D. and approached me. He was
JULY - OCTOBER 2010
ple bacteria in a test tube, a bottomless sexy neurotic female student barged into his lab and forcefully hugged and kissed him repeatedly. He screamed for help with his Spongebob-like voice. When the principal arrived, she saw the position Dr. Puma and the student was in. Do not imagine. It was gratuitous. In an instant, Dr. Puma became a campus scandal personality. The quiet and timid teacher, who once taught eugenics and genetics in the nearby school, never again talked to anyone and remained obscure and hidden in his cave. A teacher is his own guinea pig. I am in favor of legalizing abortion. I am in favor of same-sex marriage. I advocate choice and the protection and promotion of human rights. I am a sexed-up atheist. I do not believe in Jesus or Yahweh, Allah or Mohammed, the Bible and the Qu’ran, any miracle or any religion. I am an anarchist. But most of all, I am a teacher. Now, imagine that these are not true. I may be invited to write here again. Now, know that these are true. I figured this would be the first and last piece Mentors would ever get from me. Sir Lem is a faculty member of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy . He can still be seen walking around the campus pretending to be invisible. You can add him to your Facebook account.
Übermensch not a complete stranger he used to sit-in in one of my major subjects. “Mentors’ ka? Nakapasa ka? Ano ba naman nangyari sa kanila at kinuha ka?” He asked right in front of my newly-acquired-friends and their friends too. Being two years younger than him, I did not know how to react to his dumbfounding rhetorical statements. Having nowhere to hide from shame and disgrace, I just continued what I was doing even if I was totally hurt deep inside. I tried not to mind him because I knew he has a good point for asking. Aside from my formal and informal themes in high school and my daily dose of journal entries, I do not have any experience in writing. I heard news about him, little did I know that he used to be a former editor of the pub. I started to read his works from the past issues of Mentors and from that, I learned that he is really far better than me. I became very irritated with his existence. It is as if he knows everything; as if he is perfect. He is very frank: if he does not like you he will immediately tell you without hesitation. At times, he can become disrespectful and hurt others’ feelings. His sharp attitude pushed me to be better so as to change his assumptions toward me. After a year of stay in the publication, I was driven by my editors to take the Editorial Board (EB) exams. I was really hesitant and nervous that I might
not make it. I thought my experiences still would not suffice—I still lack practice. Hearing words of encouragement from the alumni of the publication lessened my anxiety. Being the last one to know the results, I passed. I thought maybe I was really destined to be here. The school year started; his treatment towards me changed—a bit—maybe because I was already a part of the EB. But there was an incident when he asked me, “Paano yan e yung staff mo mas magagaling pa sayo?” He was awkwardly right. How will I edit their works if they know more than I do? The thought did not stop me. Instead, I continued to explore . my abilities and strive to be better, if not the best. I sacrificed a lot. I gave my time to the pub when I should be home early and lying flat in my bed watching TV; when I should be at the library studying my lessons. I lost some friends because my priorities partly changed, but I won a lot in exchange. Some got disappointed because of my imperfections, but some felt proud because of my achievements. I never regretted any of those nor blamed Mentors because it gave me the opportunity that I did not get from high school. I am grateful to Mentors and the people behind it for opening its door for someone like me, for the inspiration, for the encouragement, and most of all, for fulfilling my dream.
I lost some friends because my priorities partly changed, but I won a lot in exchange
I do not know what legacy I will leave here. I did not let go of the thought that there is always someone better than me. What is good is that, at least, I try to excel. I barely have a semester left to spend in this publication. This publication that proved me that being the best is not achieved overnight, or a week, a month or even a year. It requires perseverance, patience, and a lot of hard work. I know I am still not the best now after almost four years of being here, I know that I still have a lot to learn, I still have to listen to people better than me. It is not only about being the best. What matters is what you do to be the best. I realized writing can be the best outlet of our fears, frustrations, anger, happiness, and sorrow. Whatever it is that bothers us, just write it down. Most of all, we need to remember that the best writers are not born; they are made. I hope one day, I can prove to that person who belittled my abilities that I am not worthy of such. I will prove to him that I deserve to be where I am and that I am better now. I do not have anything against him now for I believe that those words became the best motivation for me to continue in striving hard and aiming for the best. I hope to extend my million thanks to him because I may not be here if he did not demean me. I may not be able to explore myself and develop my abilities. I may not be able to come up with this one. Perhaps without Mentors, I may not know what I really wanted to be—a writer.
JULY - OCTOBER 2010
THE MENTORS’ JOURNAL
EDITORIAL 5
In jeopardy A darker challenge doomed the face of the teaching profession last September 17. Little did we notice this alarming threat. The whole country was bombarded with daily news about the usual PNoy criticisms, the recent hostage fiasco, the whole jueteng controversy, and the ever unrelenting word fight about the RH Bill between the bishops and the government. Amidst these typical issues that bannered in the newspapers and aired on news programs is an unusual and disturbing fact that should have been given more attention. A terrifying incident shook the knees of a few when a teacher in Caloocan got killed by her own student. Just because she scolded her student for sporting a long hair, the teacher received a toll unworthy for her concern—a literal stab in the back that ended her life. The saddening part is that many failed to notice this colossal episode which is too big to disregard. What is worse is that after only few weeks, the issue just passed like any normal Philippine happening. What most people do not see is that this is not a normal Philippine happening. Teachers discipline and teachers die, but teachers do not deserve to die because they discipline. They do not just teach, they also partake in an event that would change the country’s future. As part of their
grand duty, teachers mold their students to be what they should be. Part of their job is to impart, correct and reprimand. As second parents, they influence students to do more and to achieve more, so to reproach students when necessary is only right. We say that we want a better country, but how can we have what we desperately want if the kids of today who will be the leaders three years from now cannot even follow simple school policies about proper grooming like having a prim haircut? What kind of future will there be if this generation of kids resort to instantly killing people, especially teachers who scold them? If not through natural death, teachers die because of their vocation. Threats are inches away from them every time they choose to render their services for the country and extend their hands every election period—threats, more than anything else, which they do not deserve. Teachers deserve more but they agree to have less. If those are not enough sacrifices, think of their countless overtimes that do not correspond to their underpaid work. True enough, the face of the so-called noble profession has changed. From a refuge, teaching has turned into a dangerous ground which leaves a negative impact to the present educators. The possibility of brain drain may weaken the unstable education system of the Philippines. A fear of entering the
COMPETENT (kŏm’pĭ-tәnt) Adj.1. properly or well-qualified 2. adequate for the purpose Example: The Mentors’ Journal needs competent staff writers, graphic artists and layout artists this semester.
IF YOU THINK YOU ARE COMPETENT ENOUGH TO HAVE YOUR NAME INCLUDED IN THE BOX BESIDE, JUST STORM ROOM 307 OF ROXAS HALL ONCE YOU’VE READ THIS NOTE AND SHOW US YOUR
COMPETENT SELF.
profession may also dawn in the minds and dampen the spirits of the prospective teachers and may totally discourage them to pursue. What could be more upsetting than the fact that the rapidly decreasing number of teachers who stay in the country was reduced by one? What could have been in the mind of that student who killed one of the few teachers who chose to endure the
poor situation in public high schools? Look for a nation who does not value its educators, and surely you will find one rotting in poverty and corruption. This is a call to the one who should hear to see, if not to focus, on the abandoned cries of teachers of today and the worries of educators of tomorrow. A darker challenge dooms the face of the teaching profession. Are you still willing to take the risk?
The Mentors’ Journal The Official Publication of the Students of BulSU - College of Education
Editorial Staff 2010-2011 Editor-in-Chief Julie Ann O. Ramos Associate Editor Ruth Gladyz B. De Guzman Managing Editor for Administration Carlyd Mae C. De Jesus Managing Editor for Finance Ruby Rose R. Cruz Features Editor Jay Christian M. Ramos Hulagpos Editor Maria Jovy Ann C. Reyes Graphics Editor Therence D. Talla Graphic Artists Staff Writer Jenna N. David Khristine M. Balanay Sunshine D. Gravador Mercy C. Morales Ronnel B. Tafalla Adelaine J. Salvador Layout Artists Fernan O. Dealca Photojournalists Angelique L. Fernando Marian M. Santos
Contributors Aljon D. Galang Kenneth Caesar M. Javier
Adviser Dr. Avelina M. Aquino
www.thementorsjournal.net
Surviving the Hours
A review of Michael Cunningham’s novel The Hours by Maria Jovy Ann C. Reyes If you loathe how Bob Ong drives his readers to reminisce and laugh; if you despise the crazy arguments of Eros Atalia; if you find Chris Martinez’ Last Order sa Penguin too frank and bold; if you’re fed up with Severus Snape and Dumbledore’s magic; maybe you will like something intellectual and poetic. Maybe you will like something that will surely make you think but will open you a brighter window of ruminating what life really is, what happiness is, and what love (in every sense of the word) really has for you. Maybe you would want something real, something dead serious, yet flowery and literary. Maybe you would want some Pulitzer and Pen/Faulkner. Then, take the novel The Hours. Written by awardwinning novelist Michael Cunningham, it explores the life of three women from different periods inspired by a Virginia Woolf novel. One is Mrs. Laura Brown, an ordinary wife who is not contented with her routine-engrossed life. She hates preparing the house, baking a cake, caring for her son, and conceiving a child. Just like some people, she convinces herself that she is happy. Second is Clarissa Vaughan, Cunningham’s modern Mrs. Dalloway, who loves and cares for Richard: an old friend who will receive the Carrouther’s Award and is dying of AIDS. Third is Virginia Woolf herself, who then writes Mrs. Dalloway, and recuperates from her ‘headaches’, her layman’s term for her attacks of insanity. The novel begins and ends with a surprise. Virginia Woolf’s suicide shocks the readers in the prologue as she carefully puts stones in her coat to drown herself in the river. The feminist astonishes herself with the different things she sees as the river pulls her down. Cunningham amazes the readers as he gives the deeply passionate ending, while making the readers catch their breaths, as the revelation happens. The author astounds the readers as the lives of two women, Laura and Clarissa, merged with Woolf’s as it approaches the end. “Why else do we struggle to go on living, no matter how compromised, no matter how harmed… even if we’re fleshless, blazing with lesions, shitting in the sheets; still, we want desperately to live.” The novel presents the idea of death in a manner that dazes readers. As Richard, Clarissa’s friend, decides to end his life (I will not tell you how he did it, I promise it is shocking), Cunningham’s words make dying so acceptable. It is as if people recognize that one time, no matter what circumstance, regardless of who you are, you will surely die. We may leave the world in different ways, some take pills, some hang themselves, some get hit by a car, some rot with sickness, some through a natural death. What matters are the things that we do when we are alive. What matters is how we lived life. “Here is the world and you live in it and are grateful. You try to be grateful.” Yet, in living life, there is discontentment, of course. There are writer-wannabes who end up with business; famous people who become infamous; stars who soon fade. People tend to regret the things that they could have done. It is implicitly shown in the novel when Woolf yearns for London because she believes that her life is there; Laura wants to enjoy her life by not being a mother and wife. Obviously, fanatics will say that the book’s title, The Hours is just a copycat of Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, for it was its first title. But Cunningham made it more life-like: presenting more lives and how each one tries to exercise prudence, and go on living. He gives more importance of the few hours that we may have. He emphasizes the worth of the hours that we have lived—the hours that really matter. This is not an easy-reading novel, not that summery-afternoon-sitting-on-the porch-with-a-glass-of-orange-juice-witha-petty-little-book feel. Since it adopts the stream-of-consciousness technique initiated by Woolf and James Joyce, it requires the readers to think, as the author combines, carefully thoughtof, poetic, yet meaningful words in forming his sentences. The manner Cunningham presents ideas will surprise a bookworm for it is highly moving, yet intellectual. Unlike the works of Ong, Atalia, or Martinez, The Hours will give you a serious butt as you reckon things and pieces of the joints of your life.
The Season After A review of the film 500 Days of Summer (Directed by Marc Webb) by Ruth Gladyz B. De Guzman
Master Rapper Takes His Final A
A review of the album In Lov War by Ely Buendia and Fran Magalona (Sony BMG)
by Kenneth Caesar M. Javier Screw Twilight for their vampire love affair clichés, dump Valentine’s Day for its usual happy ending, chuck Last Song and Dear John for their predictable plots. Forget about the cheesy moments you used to watch, forget about “once upon a time” and “they lived happily ever after.” Instead, imagine a low cost movie with great music, wonderful cinematography, a natural style, and a fitting cast with their quotable lines that you can text to your pals. Think of a mob of directors, writers, actors, and actresses who fell in and out of love after watching it and sprung for a standing ovation at the Sundance Film Festival for this movie. Think of its $60 M earnings, but do not ever forget: 500 Days of Summer is not a love story. This independent production is brilliantly directed by Marc Webb and flawlessly written by Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber who won multiple Best Screenplay Awards and Breakthrough Screen Writers Award. It is the first time I encounter the names, I admit, but hey, they are much better than their dry names. This must-pick among the thousand commercialized movies of today sets pace on this unconventional romantic but touching comedy about Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levit), a would-be architect, who believes that true love, serendipity, and fate exist, and hopes to meet ‘the one’ whom he believes to be Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel), who reminds me so much of Katy Perry, a woman who sarcastically does not share the belief and brands love a ‘fantasy’. Events of their on-and-off relationship unfold out of sequence cued by yellow-numbered slides flashing in between scenes to indicate a day in Tom and Summer’s roller coaster love affair. The quirky film opens as an omniscient voice describes how the two main characters totally differ. Episodes are creatively arranged to create an impact on the viewers and to be physically engaged with the twist of Tom’s experiences and feelings. This film makes the viewers realize that love is more than what we see in movies or hear in pop songs; that love, no matter how great, will still be nothing if not shared mutually. Set aside your preconceived notions about love and its fancy and see how this film rudely and honestly shed light on what really goes through in romances. In a nutshell, this is not for those who believe solely in fate. This is not for those who believe that love is a series of coincidences. This is for those who believe that both life and love are a matter of choices. This is for those who are brave
enough to see the truth in every relationship. This is for everyone who is ready to breathe both the aroma and stench of love. After all, there is always another season after every summer. If you still would not see this next season after you watch this film, I must say that maybe, “you must not have been looking.” Look again. “It’s love, not Santa Claus.”
Much has been said about Franc patriotism, passion, craft and his untimely d Much has been said about Ely B started a little band called the Eraserhead (no need to elaborate on this). Put these two titans together in Magalona’s death, he and Buendia conce halfway during the album’s earlier record “Higante” (the album’s carrier sin up band) stands off the mayhem. Actually stations (particularly NU 107) months eve Magalona vibe all over the song—his a inclined lyrics: “sino kang makaasta/ isa k saktan at kinakain.” The next tra its greed m layered “D so e n A de
tap your hands and feet , or air guitar lik “do whatever/ do whatever”. Meanwhile, quite a powerful and heavy song, not beca but the song dynamics is very agitating to ments not frequently used by both Magalo guitar sound mixed up with synthesizers is son, Nine Inch Nails), then it shifts gear into “Wasak Waltz”, one of the bes does best as he displays his arsenal of mu melodic tunes to it, making an automatic e hearts of the fans and later made him on to some poignant lyrics like: “Itaas and ka tagay (kampay!)/ Sa’n ka man magpunta mahan”? I bet this song will be the listeners one of the all-time classics. The album eventually ends wit Eheads). Buendia and Magalona did a fa beginning of the song; just like the grand, a different way of course). It has that punk youthful days. It’s a nice song to put the fina of the song, there is a recording of Magal was unnecessary because the album is alre into it (but hey, that’s just me). For the record, I am not a big fan In Love and War is a great material. First thought all the songs will be something like over and over again. Most of all, I had a b what with whom, considering the fact that Another good point about the a runs past for only 30 minutes (the longest listeners will not get tired of listening to th Is this album worth all the hype who is a purist to both Buendia’s and Ma “With a Smile”, “Kaleidoscope World” are the coolest things that both artists alienating and somewhat irrelevant. music, a diehard or simply a rabid Love and War.
Act
ve and ncis
r
cis “Master Rapper” Magalona. His life, death are well-known to the Filipinos and his music fans. Buendia. We are all witnesses of how this dude from UP ds and later on launched into OPM Rock n’ Roll stardom
n one album and we have an all-star line up. Before eptualized a collaborative album and even if he died dings, Buendia soldiered on to finish it. ngle featuring Hardware Syndrome—Magalona’s back y, this song has already been played on several radio en before the album’s actual release. It has that vintage angst-ridden rap is mixed with politically and socially kang kontrabida di ba?/ maliliit na tulad namin / sina-
ack “Bus Stop” has that nice rock and hiphop vibe while musical melodicism makes it very catchy. The guitar solo d with the synthesizers provides a fresh kick to the song. Dreamdate”, with all its jazzy riffs and vibe, is a great ong. It is actually a dark, stalker-type song emphasized especially when Buendia sings the sick lines: “akin ka na/wag ka nang pumalag/ ako ang iyong dreamdate.” A girl would definitely be spooked to death if a guy edicates this song to her. “Hands On” (one of the best songs in the album, and my personal choice) opens up the second half of the CD. Buendia and the rest of the punk-rock trio Hilera surely enjoyed the hell out of this collaboration. The hard driving guitar riffs and the loud back-tobasics instrumentation really match the attitude of the song. It just sounds so stripped down, raw, dirty, then it all gets sexed-up when Chris Padilla (Hilera) fires the guitar solo (you might want to do a little headbang, ke a total ass-wipe). Buendia then pleads with the lines: the song “Bum Ticker” does not disappoint. It is actually ause the instrumentation plays heavy tunes or something, o listen to. What surprised me is that I found some eleona and Buendia on their previous efforts. The distorted s somewhat reminiscent of industrial rock (Marilyn Mano World Music (with all the percussions). st cuts of the CD, is all vintage Buendia doing what he usical wit: writing good, sensible lyrics and putting good earcandy. That formula right there has made him win the ne of the biggest icons of OPM. How can you say “no” amay at iwagayway/ masarap mabuhay, itaob na ang a, meron man o wala/ d’yan nagsisimula ang pagsasas’ favorite anytime soon and will eventually go down as
th the cut “Unstrung Heroes” (originally done by the airly good job on their harmonizing vocal parts in the , arena–sized melodies Bono (of U2) loves to do (but in k rock groove, maybe a look back at both of the artists’ al nail on the coffin (figuratively and literally). At the end lona’s announcement about his leukemia, which I thought eady great and that recording connotes a negative vibe
n of both Magalona and Buendia, but I have to say that t, it is not formulated in structure. Before listening to it, I e: Buendia’s going to sing followed by Magalona’s rap blast listening to the cuts without caring to know who sang there are tons of artists in this album. album is its length. With 10 tracks in it, the whole CD song being Bus Stop, reaching the five–minute mark) so he songs. and worth jamming into? If you’re the type of listener agalona’s hey days and think that “Ligaya”, “El Bimbo”, ”, “Cold Summer Nights”, and “Mga Kababayan Ko” s have ever written, then you might feel this material However, if you have a broader perspective towards d rock n’ roll faithful, then you definitely can’t miss In
Of Leaving and Living
A review of the film 100 (Directed by Chris Martinez) by Khristine M. Balanay Exemplary writer and director Chris Martinez made us laugh with his hilarious movies, Here Comes the Bride and Kimmy Dora; what we do not know is he first made us cry with 100. One of the 10 full-length films in the 2008 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, this masterpiece of Chris Martinez (who is known for several Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature he achieved for his creations: Laugh Trip, Last Order sa Penguin, Welcome to Intelstar, and Our Lady of Arlegoi), bestows five major awards including Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Audience’s Choice Award. The chronicle starts when Joyce (Mylene Dizon) resigns from work at the brink of her achievements. She starts to list 100 things in Post-It notes the things she wants to accomplish hastily. Her plan are odd as one can imagine to make her death, if not painless, subtle for the people who love her, since her family already lost someone important. These involve paying for her own coffin, choosing her dress and picking songs for her own wake. She arranges all these for she wants to have a prepared death. There is much value added in the mundane: Joyce, with her best friend Ruby (Eugene Domingo), reminisces their school days in their old classroom, visits Hong Kong and takes pictures with Mickey Mouse, Buddha and the wax statue of Brad Pitt. For the first time, Joyce downs gallons and gallons of ice ream and engages a stranger to a passionate kiss and manages her complicated love story. The film offers no climax but a crest of emotions up to the end. It jumps from one task to another in a near-clockwork fashion until all the Post-Its stuck on the wall are gone. Knowing that the activities are done out of making the most of her very limited life, there is melancholy and a thrilling desperation in these moments. Journeying in the wilderness, Joyce arrives at her destination—a tranquil lake in the middle of the crater of a volcano. A life after death or a prelude to
heaven? The sequence is drowned in silence. Mylene Dizon in all her grace in this fastidious flick is a symbol of life’s preciousness no matter how short it seems to be. She sees the people she will leave behind laughing, interacting in bliss. She remains unseen. One thing I realized at the end of this film is this: it is not a cliché about death but one that earns a solo standing ovation and a bow for Chris Martinez in all adulation for such an incredible and award-winning effort.
Realms of the Surreal
A review of Dean Francis Alfar’s novel Salamanca by Ruby Rose R. Cruz Before I encountered this winner of 2005 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for novel, Salamanca, all I knew about that single word was nothing but pure magic. It made me think of an image of a man wearing a long black tuxedo holding a big black hat in which rabbits, doves, roses and butterflies come out of it—a magician’s trick to trigger the illusion of the audience. Dean Francis Alfar’s style in this novel is not quite different for he takes the role of an author-magician but with no props except for his imagination and artistry. He makes his first novel so magical, fantastic and extraordinary that the impossible becomes a possibility before the readers. They are not forced to believe but instead encouraged to. Being a promoter of the literature of the fantastic and a writer of mostly speculative fiction, his first novel takes on the influences of the magical-realism fiction from South America. A bizarre tale of the fantastic love affair of Gaudencio Rivera— Dencio, an exceptional dissolute writer from Manila who came from America to beget a child; and the most beautiful woman in Tagbaoran, Palawan, Jacinta Cordova—Intang, whose astonishing and unearthly beauty has transformed the walls of her house into glass during the midnight of her 12th birthday. The story revolves around their long relationship that spans oceans and generations. It is also detailed with puzzling variety of characters, one of which is Cesar Abalos, the handsome and swarthy man with huge affection on Dencio whom he runs off with after tying the knot with Intang. The book is full of different plots, but the one that keeps the other composed is when Dencio discovers the island of Tagbaoran and during his cigarette break unexpectedly comes across the glasshouse of Jacinta Cordova. He falls in love at his very first sight of Intang’s outrageous beauty. By then, he starts to write his expressions of love in papers and pastes it in her glass walls hoping that she will be able to read those upon waking up in the morning. To their dismay, a natural obstruction occurs. Just when everybody assumed that Dencio is already dead, he surprisingly comes back after three days. He immediately asks Jacinta to marry him and, without hesitation, Jacinta agrees. After 11 days of their marriage, Dencio deserts Intang and runs off with Cesar Abalos to Manila. Since then, Intang’s unearthly beauty starts to diminish. But after years of grief and sadness, since Dencio’s sudden disappearance, he now realizes how much he misses her wife and decides to go back in Tagbaoran and engender a child. Few more years passed and Jacinta gives her entire life for the welfare of her family. “Love was destined and would strike as true as unexpected lightning on a clear day or never come at all.”—Jacinta Cordova Love tends to change its mood suddenly. It keeps on changing one’s mind through inconstancy and passion, desire and obsession, anticipation and misery. Just like how Dencio finds love in the most unlikely places and in the time he least expects it. And this book proves that true love endures all catastrophes—earthquake, typhoon, flood, fire. One good thing about it is that after all the delight and the tumultuous plot and sequence of events, the novel cunningly concludes with the sweetest, most touching occurrence of all. Be astounded and be moved to tears by the last few pages, as the story picks up the swiftness and superbly ends with Intang’s first and final poignant letter to Dencio. Do not read it in public if you do not have at least two handy tissues in your pocket.
8 FEATURES
THE MENTORS’ JOURNAL
Jay Christian M. Ramos at Mercy C. Morales
Mapapansin ang maraming naghihintay na upuan sa klase ni Prof. Juan, halos kalahati lamang ng silid ang nagamit. Nasaan na kaya sila? Napapansin na ni Prof. ang mga madalas na pagliban ng mga mag-aaral niya. Dahil kaya ito sa mainit at maalikabok na silid na kanilang ginagamit o may mas maganda pang lugar na maaaring puntahan? Hindi na nga ba nila mats na magklase sa mainit at masikip na silid sa nakakaantok na tanghaling iyon? Dalawandaang metro mula sa kwartong iyon ay ang mga bagong bukas na establisyimento. Nagkalat ang mga nagkasundong lumiban sa klase para makagimik. Ang mga pasosyal ay nagagahan at tumambay sa KFC. Ang mga walang badyet ay nag-McDo at nag-Mini Stop na lang. Ang mga lalake naman ay maingay na naglalaro ng kanilang kinaaadikang DOTA sa Sweetopia. Napakasaya nila maliban sa mga naiwan sa klase na wala talagang pera noong araw na iyon. Napakasaya na gusto pa nilang umulit. Isang araw na naman ang lumipas na walang natutunan ang mga mag-aaral. Nakatutuwa na sa araw-araw na pagpasok sa unibersidad ay unang mapapansin ang mga mapagmalaking mga establisyimento kaysa sa nakagilid na gate na minsan ay natatabingan pa ng nakaparadang dealer truck. Isang napakagandang pabalat para sa mga sira-sira at nabubulok na mga lamesa at upuan; para sa nagkukulang at naluluma nang mga silid-aralan; at para sa marumi, mabaho at hindi mapakinabangang mga CR—mga anino na nagtatago sa kabila ng matataas na gusali. Ang ugat ng lahat Dahil na rin sa unti-unting pagtapyas sa pondong inilalaan ng gobyerno para sa edukasyon, naipasa ang Republic Act 8292 o ang Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997. Nakapaloob sa batas na ito ang paglalagay ng maayos
na komposisyon at kapangyarihan sa pamunuan ng bawat State Universities at Colleges (SUC) sa pagpapanatili, pagpapaunlad at pagsuporta sa mabisang sistema ng edukasyon. Sa pamamagitan rin ng batas na ito ay napahintulutan ng Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ang pagpapatayo ng mga SUCs ng sariling Income-Generating Projects. Ito ang pagkakataon na nakita ng unibersidad upang mas mapakinabangan ang lupa sa bakuran nito na parte ng dating university oval at mas lalo pa raw mapakinabangan. Kaakibat nito ang tatlong mithiin kung bakit nga ba naipatayo ang mga establisyimento: upang magkaroon ng ibang pagkukunang pinansyal ang BulSU; upang magkaroon ng bagong pananaw ang mga estudyante at maging ang mga tao sa labas nito; at upang makapagbigay ng magandang imahe ng paaralan. Sa kasalukuyan, ang Caltex, McDo at Graceland Mall ang mga umuupa sa lupain ng unibersidad na nagbibigay ng humigit kumulang P1M kada buwan. Ang pamamalakad Ang matagumpay na pagpapatayo ng bawat establisyimento, ayon kay Pres. Mariano de Jesus, ay naisakatuparan ng unibersidad sa pamamagitan ng sistemang Built-Own-Transfer (BOT). Dito ay magsasagawa ng bidding ang pamunuan upang makapamili ng investors. Makatapos makapili, sila ay hahayaang makapagtayo ng sariling gusali at pasilidad sa lugar na ibibigay ng pamunuan. Sa paraang ito, maiiwasang gumastos ng unibersidad. Lumalabas na renta lamang ang maaaring makuhang porsyento ng ating paaralan na kung susumahin ay humigit kumulang P1M buwan-buwan. Bago naman magsimula ang transaksyon ay kinakailangang pumasa at sumunod sa kasunduan ang mga investors sa kung ano lang ang dapat maipatayong negosyo. Ang kagandahan daw rito ay pagkatapos ng 20 taon ay
mapupunta na ang pamamahala nito sa pamunuan ng BulSU. Upang makasigurong susunod ay magtatalaga naman ng mga tagapagbantay ang pamunuan sa transaksyon ng mga establisyimentong ito. Kung may umiiral na sistema bakit kaya nakapagbukas ang Graceland ng isang shot bar kung saan umaga pa lang ay umiinom na ang ilang mga estudyante? Nababantayan rin nga ba ang mga ginagawa ng mga estudyante partikular na sa paggamit ng computer sa mga computer shop dito? Mga pagtataya Iba-iba ang pahayag ng mga tao tungkol sa transaksyon ng mga establisyimentong ito, maaari itong positibo at negatibo depende kung saang anggulo titingnan. Ayon sa isang panayam kay Marc Lorence Samson, BSCE, “Maganda kasi, nagbibigay income sa school saka at the same time nagkakaroon ng trabaho ang mga estudyante.” Ayon naman kay Rhane Vince de Lara ng LHS, “Nakatutulong din kasi may Office Depot kaso lang nagiging lugar ang Graceland para pagtambayan ng mga estudyante.” Negatibo rin ang naging pananaw ni Melinda Iman, isang tindera, dahil sa tuwing dumaraan siya sa tapat ng mga establisyimentong ito ay laging mga estudyante lamang ang nasa loob. Maging ano pa man ito ay mas dapat mapahalagahan ang tunay na kalagayan ng bawat mag-aaral, ang pagkukulang sa mga silid-aralan at pasilidad para sa tuluyang pagkatuto. Ang mabuting balita Magagawa ng linangin ng BulSU sa 2011 ang 25 ektaryang lupain na nasa dating pangangalaga ng Philippine Information Agency (PIA) dahil sa nilagdaang Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) para sa tuluyang pagkuha nito sa bahaging lupain. Hindi pa tiyak ang eksaktong gastusin sa pagsasaayos ng lupain na ito ngunit nakakasigurado na bilyon ang kakailanganin para sa tuluyan nitong pagpapagawa ng mga proyekto. Kaya patuloy na nilalakad ng pamunuan ng BulSU ang mga pagkukunang pondo nito na maaaring manggaling sa ilang prominenteng tao. Nakaplano itong pagtayuan ng dagdag na dalawang kolehiyo: ang College of Human Kinetics at College of Medicine, kasama na ang isang ospital. Isang magandang oportunidad ito para sa marami pang nagnanais pumasok sa unibersidad. Nakaplano rin
JULY - OCTOBER 2010
itong pagtayuan ng BulSU Sports Complex, sariling oval at dormitoryo para sa mga estudyante, guro at personnel ng unibersidad na makatutulong para sa pagpapaunlad ng sports activities at magandang matutuluyan. Not 4 hire Gayunpaman, hindi kailanman magiging repleksyon ng edukasyon ang tumatakip sa esensyal na layunin nito. Isang reyalidad ang dapat harapin ng pamunuan—hindi lang ang tamang pagsasaayos ng labas lalo’t higit sa loob ng unibersidad ang mahalaga upang lalong umunlad ang bawat indibidwal. Hindi kailanman maitatago ng magandang pabalat ang bulok at nagkukulang ng laman ng loob nito. Hindi rin ito dapat maging instrumento para lalong mailayo ang bawat mag-aaral sa pag-aaral. Kung susumahin ang lahat ng mga datos na ito, maaaring isa lamang paraan ng pamunuan ang pagpapatayo ng mga establisyementong ito upang makasunod ang ating unibersidad sa ibang matataas na pamantasan tulad ng Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas at Unibersidad ng Pilipinas na napalilibutan ng iba’t ibang establisyimento ngunit hindi napababayaan ang pangunahing prayoridad. Sa ganitong paraan mas madaling mapapansin ang ating unibersidad at mas maipagmamalaki ng bawat mag-aaral. Ngunit higit pa sa mga establisyementong ito ang hinihingi upang maipakita ang pagkakakilanlan at pag-unlad ng unibersidad. Mas magiging katanggap-tangap na makikila ito dahil sa mga dekalidad at produktibo na mga guro, estudyante at pati na pamunuan, mataas man o mababang lupon. Tamang paglilimi at pagsusuri ang kailangan ng mga namumuno. Wala mang bagong lupa para iparenta, ang kailangan lang ay maisip at madama ang tunay na pangangailangan ng bawat estudyante. Isa man itong magandang pasimula sa kaisipang pampinansyal ngunit pagkakataon naman na tutukan at muling ibaling ang tuon sa tunay na mithiin—ang dekalidad na edukasyon. Isang araw na naman ang magsisimula. Magkaklase na naman si Prof. Juan sa masikip at mainit na silid-aralan. Ilan na naman kayang estudyante ang dapat matuto ngunit nasa hilera ng mga establisyimentong tumatakip sa harapan ng unibersidad? May pwesto pa nga ba talaga ang dekalidad na edukasyon sa dikit-dikit na establisyementong umuokupa sa ating bakuran?
JULY - OCTOBER 2010
ni Maria Jovy Ann C. Reyes Kapag daw matagal mo nang hindi ginagawa ang isang bagay kung saan dati ay magaling ka, isang bagay ang sigurado: mangangalawang ka. High school pa ata ako nang huli akong magsulat ng lathalain na naipublish sa dyaryo. Noon, aktibo akong nagpapasa ng mga sanaysay at tula. Sabi ng mga kaklase ko dati, magaling daw akong mag-
THE MENTORS’ JOURNAL sulat. Nabansagan pa nga akong manunula at manunulat ng klase. Sumasali ako noon sa kahit anong patimpalak sa pagsusulat, kahit pa tungkol sa mga poon at kung sinu-sinong santo (private school kasi kaya lahat ng pyesta ng mga santo ay ipinagdiriwang). Ang yabang ko noon sa tuwing nakagagawa ako ng tula; mas nagiging mahangin kapag naipublish yung gawa ko at kapag nasa harapan ang pangalan ko. Tuwang-tuwa ako sa munting pangalan ko. Humingi pa nga ako ng ekstrang kopya ng dyaryo at ginupit ang mga naipublish kong gawa at nilagay sa scrapbook. Nilagay ko roon para makikita ko pa rin pagdaan ng panahon, at pwede kong ipagyabang sa iba. The breakdown Nang mag-college ako, hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi na ako makapagsulat. Siguro dahil ibang mundo na ito. Nakita ko rin kasi na may mga taong mas magaling sa akin. Napansin kong ang babaw pala ng mga naiisip ko noon. N a -
Pabor ka ba sa pagtuturo ng Sex Education sa Elementary? Ok lang skin, kc moderately nman nilang i22ro. Hndi nman itu2ro s elem qng panu mgsex 0926-160-79** Oo dapat ituro ang “sex education” sa elementarya sa mga antas n grade 4-6 dahil may mga kamalayan na sila sa ganoong mundo. Dapat na silang bigyan ng aral o kmalayan sa mundo ng sex. Kung mapapansin pabata na ng pabata ang mga nabubuntis ngayon dahil sa kakulangan ng kaalaman. 0906-120-47** Pabor ako however we should set limitations. Sex is a very crucial topic. Authorities must be able to apply a definite and formal meaning to it. Pls. consider that when we say sex we do not just refer to the ‘act’ but also to the state of being male or female. Kailangan lang maging open tayo and we should be able to identify the purpose of the subject. 0926-716-86** Agree ako sa panukalang sex education for elementary students, kc pgcnabing sex education d ibg sbhn ipupush mong gawn ng mga bta eh, ders stl a limitation pdn naman, ang bta kc dumadaan s stage of curiousity kung san dpt npupuno m ung katanungan n nd nla mbgyang sagot, tska way n dn un para mguide cla at mamulat cla sa bgay n d nla dpt gwn at der young age. Tnx 0906-676-39** Ou, pabor aq, para mging open na ang mga kabataan sa sex. Na ang sex ay hindi lang puro kamanyakan na eto ang pnagmumulan ng lahat. 0935-918-03** Pabor ako syempre. Let’s be practical. Hindi naman talaga pinag-uusapan at tinuturo ng mga magulang ang sex. Leave it to the teachers. 0915-347-91**
CULTURES/ OPINION 9
laman kong malawak pa ang mundo ng pagsusulat. Sa lawak ng mundong iyon, kakarampot pa lang ang nararating ko. Mula noon, nahiya na akong magsulat. Hinayaan kong lamunin ako ng pag-aaral. Naubos ang oras ko sa mga bagay bagay. Nagsimula akong magbasa ng kung anu-anong libro. Gumawa ako ng kung anu-anong visual aids at report. Nagmemorya ako ng kung anu-anong rules. Nang sinubukan ko ulit magsulat, wala na. Kinalawang na ako. Matagal na rin mula nang huli akong nagsulat. Hindi ko maisip kung paano ko naitago ang emosyon sa nagdaang panahon. Dati kasi, kapag masama ang pakiramdam ko, magsusulat lang ako at magiging ayos na ako. Kapag masaya ako, lalo akong sumasaya kapag may naisulat akong bago. Hindi ko maisip kung ano ang nangyari sa hilig kong magsulat. Baka talagang wala na sa akin yung talento (kung talento nga ba talaga iyon). O baka hindi lang talaga ako talentedo.
Enlightenment Nitong simula ng taon, nabigyan ako ng pagkakataong makapagsulat muli. Naisip kong magandang pagkakataon iyon para subukang makipagsabayan sa mga kakilala kong nagsusulat din. Napagtanto kong baka sila rin, nagsulat ng may rhyme at bilang noong high school; baka gumamit din sila ng dictionary, naghanap ng mga komplikadong salita at pinagsama para makabuo ng tula, o para masabing intelektwal ang sinulat na sanaysay; baka nag-isip din sila ng
mga hindi palasak na pamagat para masabing tula ang isang tula; baka naranasan din nilang mabigla sa mga paulat ng isang mas malaking mundo. Bakit hindi sila kinalawang tulad ko? Siguro dahil nagpatuloy sila. Habang ako ay nagpalugmok sa pagkagulat sa bagong mundo, hindi sila huminto. Nagpalulong ako sa posibilidad na maaaring hindi ko kayaning makipagsabayan. Naduwag akong magtaya para pasukin ang mundong tinitingnan ko lang. Nabahag ang buntot ko na magsulat. Emancipation Sa bandang huli, naisip kong walang mangyayari kung hindi ko susubukang muli. Ngayon, handa na ako. Handa na akong gamitin ang minsan kong nakalimutan na kakayahan at sumubok muli. Heto ako muli, hawak ang pluma na ginagawang makatotohanan ang mga damdaming mapusok, alam kong kaya ko na ngayon. Kaya ko na silang sabayan kahit sa mga mumunting nagagawa ko. Unti-unti ko nang babakbakin ang kalawang na minsa’y bumalot sa aking katauhan. Hindi ko hahayaang maging malamya ang panulat ko. Hindi ko na hahayaang maduwag ang puso ko sa paglalathala ng mga emosyon. Gagamitin kong muli ang pagsusulat para maipahayag ang lahat ng nasa isip ko. Nasa puso ko ang pagsusulat. Hindi ko na hahayaang kalawangin ako muli.
Hindi ako pabor dahl ang mga bata, ang nxa kaisipan pa lng nla ay enjoyin ang buhay, sa highschool pwede pa. 0905-723-61** Sa tngn q pu ndi dapat, ndi dpat ntn bsagin ang inosenteng icpan ng mga bta.. at imulat cla agad sa sex education.. 092648265** Hindi po ako pabor sa sex education sa mga elementarya sapagkat, hindi pa po naayon ang kanilang kaisipan, para sa mga bagay na ito, ngunit hindi ko sinasabing ipagbawal ito dahil hindi naman ibubukod ng subj. ang sex educ. Kundi ihahalo sa bawat subject. That is accidental learning 0905-723-61** I, as future elem teacher, nd ako pabor na i2ro ang sex educ s mga elem students, spagkat hndi pa gnu develop ang kaicpan nla. Wat I mean is magka2roon lng ng mas mrming katanungan at kli2han… mas mabuti n cmulan ang pag22ro ng sex educ pag2ng2ng nla sa secondary level. 0926-591-99** Hindi, kasi sabi nga ng simbahan, may iba pang mas mahalagang bagay na dapat ituro sa mga estudyante like making the youth close to Jesus. Tsaka, sabi nga nila, inaalisan na nila ng karapatan yung mga magulang na magturo ng private matters like that. 0906-245-43** Hindi dahil responsibilidad ng mga magulang ang mga anak kahit hindi pa man sila nag-aaral sa eskwelahan. Mas malalaman ng mga magulang kung ano ang kinakailangang pagsubaybay sa kanilang mga anak. Mas mabibigyang atensyon ang mga bagay tungkol sa sex ed kung sila mismo ang magtuturo sa kanilang mga anak. 0917-334-88**
10 CULTURES
THE MENTORS’ JOURNAL
JULY - OCTOBER 2010
2. Ano ang Haraya? 1. Meron akong magandang ________ na maipagyayabang a. dictionary ko sa inyo. a. tula b. co ok bo ok b. maikling kwento c. literary folio c. sanaysay Anong sagot mo? Dalhin mo rito sa Room 307 para magkaalaman na. Baka maisali pa natin yan sa Haraya. fabayan boxes or those that once housed your . You don’t care if they’re the common Balik some find book a You , s. ooks boxe textb of ol think scho You . high ish early You are up together—your Engl have left unpacked. You start to put them you s book you. to ious it prec gave the He for him. are r mbe They les. vorite instant nood Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye. You reme over you bought from book fairs. You see J. D. see letters from friends you have collected you have stolen from a library, the novels als left. Will you dispose them or not? You journ and ers have pap you ed that stack disc have a still see You You You continue packing. leave Nicolas Cage and Brad Pitt. Now your DVDs. Another box. You just can’t the years. You see his letter. You continue. away. You have him now in boxes. fly it ended. You let the thought how er wond You . finish ’t didn you but watc hed together
It is an apartment somewhere in Malate. It better be a fun neighborhood, you whisper to yourself. You check the whole pad. It will be a tiring day. You start to unpack. F**k. These things again. You wish you could get some help. You think of him. You can’t think of him now. You have a lot to do.
religiously used a phone that is , on k or w to are tired of the need ual office. You by papers you us d a te in la sk pu de po l is a usua relieved it is al Your desk thing. You are l mess found in le ua us ho ink w e th th e ill th d w u an of s yo ient You say u are tired t. Yo gh y. ni da ay l for talking to cl id al Fr u r staring at yo to go with them e to the people large flat monito emates ask you ion, say goodby sit fic of po ur at Yo ne e. a m to ho You wait for a back in ready time to go elevator button. put the papers e , th o s gs in es th pr u ur Yo yo ck think. the elevator. N about it. You pa n seekers, you you are inside io ot ow You N om s. b. pr en ca re a op co il It ardre is he? o. You ha to he W lls ? ca ith g left working. H w in er he sw of him. Who is ly so sick of an stead. Someone while. You think happy things in ted. He’s probab ar of st k in st ju th s to ha y de da u deci u think of him. one else is. His miliar song. Yo ing so picky. Yo fa be a r g fo in s er ay iv pl dr is e side. The radio start to curse th alate. You go in M r fo es re ag finally
ur malnourished every part of yo b ru sc y el at er ms are everyShower. You delib e in Manila. Ger liv w no u yo at th ing you have yourself nt of the white th ou body. You remind am an ur po u massage your fatal. Yo years. You gently where, and muc h ur fo st la e th r d, smiling. ur hair fo cials—eyes close er been using for yo m m co TV in e ally need a hair hat you se your hair. Do I re head. Just like w fix to u yo s nt swer. You sing w he wa of the ac hing an You remember ho go t le u Yo d? w him. You’re hair so ba while since you sa a treatment? Is my en be s ha It . *king shampoo be merry n. You are late. F* a note. You try to ai ag t ee m ill w wish you off to work. You commercial.
after him. You were running r. fa o to s wa He ffee, which is unAfter her. suddenly want co He was running. u Yo rt. sta a ith TV on and hoped You wake up w cup. You turn the a e ak m ll sti u Yo ne. You decide so real. a sip. There is no likely. It seemed ke ta u Yo h. tc o. You stop. Sip. od to wa gave it to you. N for something go He . ad ste in e oks inviting. You in the Ry again? The last lo to read Catcher ep sle or ad re to come over. Sip. watc h, iends to ask them Are you going to fr u se clo o tw ur u ask yourself. Yo text yo ould I text him? Yo suddenly want to Sh . sy r es be m m o nu to s hi will be r. You memorized You hesitate. That er have his numbe ur last sip. ng lo yo no ke u ta u yo Yo ot I know it? almost forg ld ou w e hy W it? it ll know and wa for som before. Do you sti u shut your eyes Yo . m ea dr a st it is ju You are relieved other dream.
ni Paulina
The traffic is just killing you. You wear your ear plugs to shut the ating world of honking cars out nauseside the cab. You browse you r iPod and noticed that you have been playing the same playlist for a couple of months now. You need to hear new music. It is a reminder. For now, you go wit h Oasis. You wish Liam Gallagher is really beside you singing. You just can’t resist his near-todrunken voice. You look at the meter. You look at the driver. You look out the window. Is it so impossible tha t he is sitting at one of the cab s across the lane, and listening to the same song? If so, what will you do? you ask yourself. You grin at the thought. The vehicle has finally moved on. I should too. You are back to the cluttered desk. You start to get rid of som stuff. You need to. Someone rem e of the inds you for tonight. You say you are sorry and will be doing something later. I wish I could go, you tell her with ardor. The truth is they are just not the people you want to go out with and be smashed with. You think of him.
t. eat. No, pig ou o. You want to N n. re ho he at do ar m le t peop a DVD step—just wha or You decide to do mdo nu ur e yo on at st ju sure it is ered right e liv ar de u a Yo zz . pi al di of You think the number to ble. You decide just don’t know r? So muc h trou be m nu ch hi w in Manila. You t it has been. How e or six times. Bu realize how long u Yo n. ca e ber repeated fiv H t. n’ bear. You are member you ca left for you to he in in pa h uc to cook. You re m ember. You are that he lied. How at him, you rem ad a m in e s ar es u long it has been tr yo ac t u are alone. Bu . You can be an sad because yo e in TV dramas se u yo out. You think of t ha w e just lik u decide to go Yo d, h. sig u tears. You are Yo . ay e was a bastar is a movie anyw er and Coke. H rg is bu th se ng ee lo ch movie. My life w a ho think of se to have u oo Yo . ch u sip , Yo en s. Th d’ McDonal take a bite. d yourself. You you try to remin nsume you. will take and co
JULY - OCTOBER 2010
THE MENTORS’ JOURNAL
LENTE
Blue
GRAPHICS 11 Ronnel B. Tafalla
Awash Therence D. Talla
Aljon D. Galang BSEd 4G
Ronnel B. Tafalla
JULY - OCTOBER 2010
para sa Huli Anastacia Gracia
Lipas na ang mga gabing iisipin kita. tama ako. tama ang desisyon kong magpatianod sa agos ng hangin pakanluran kung saan lumulubog ang araw. magduda man sa patutunguhan, maghari man ang poot sa bawat patak ng dugo sa pagal kong katawan, alam kong ito ang tama. ito ang dapat kong ginagawa. paninidigan ko ito:
HULAGPOS 12
THE MENTORS’ JOURNAL
ang pagsayaw kapiling ang hanging may pait— o sa hatid nitong kumpas at galaw. masasanay rin ako sa pagkanta nang walang tigil upang ihele ang mulat na katotohanang nasa puso pa kita. matatag ako, ang boses mong sintamis ng tubig ay hindi na ako matitinag kailanman. makukuha mo akong muli. hindi na.
Block Obi Reyes
Scribbling circles and unproportional flowers, Tossing pens and crumpled papers, He sits and drinks his coffee darker than the day. He stares at the blank page of black lines.
There, he remains. Ruminating over circles that the coffee cup made; ponders on ideas he procrastinated, he remains there waiting,
Tonight, he waits for the poetry. For the night, his muse Will whisper the details of this art.
waiting for the poem to come, waiting for the poem that might never come, that will not come.
But tonight is different: Far different than the nights he writes five pages He grows tired of just waiting. He stands, opens his blanket, and dreams. and more. He dream dreams that tomorrow, For the muse is empty of songs to sing to him. It ran out of rhythm.
To The poet I know who sings good poetry
tomorrow he finds the spark, that certain inspiration that maddens a poet enraging of passionate words to make tangible an abstract feeling.
From The one you’ve never written a poem for
Why don’t you write us a poem and use all your reserved craft which drove you to become a good poet to end up with one about us? Why don’t you write something about happiness that, at some point, we had, or take your pick, midnight lamentations, unforgiveable leaving, our Switchfoot days (and daze), hours of busying yourself in front of a computer, swearing at the top of your lungs while pressing your phone to ask me once in a while if I already stuffed my intestines with anything or what I was doing at the moment, or our times when we failed to ignore each other. Or of you letting me read or listen to books and beats you liked, or of you bragging about some new praises you got from The Doctor, and me rolling my eyes, secretly admiring you— even more. Perhaps you could also write something about the nights we just sat on the benches in front of our shrine, and of you singing their songs in a manner I so despise. It’ll be fine of you to write a verse or two about our days of hatred and mournful weeks, and how we dwelt in hell for a year and a half now. But it doesn’t matter anymore whatever you write, does it? All I want is for you to write some poem or sort about what went between us or what had it stopped, in the impossible case I forget. Let’s not leave them what the hell happened between our doubts. Let’s not leave them wondering what this is all about.
ikaw, bukas, at ang mga alon Ginny Wazlit
Ibinulong ko sa dagat na kumustahin ka. ngunit walamg bumalik. Bumulong akong muli kinabukasan Sa tagal ng paghihintay’y naidlip ako, Sa tabi ng mukha mong iginuhit ko Wala pa rin.
Palubog na ang haring araw Ngunit wala pa ring sagot. Babalik pa ba ako? sana’y guhit na lang sa buhanging nabubura ng hampas ng mga alon. sa aking gunita Sana ay along bumabalik sa dalampasigan
…
…
Mali bang sa dagat ako bumulong? Dapat ba’y sa hangin o lupa o araw? Mali bang naidlip ako habang naghihintay?
Babalik ako. Babalik akong muli bukas At patuloy na mag-iintay. Tatanaw sa kawalan,
Ibuka ang nakaumid na bibig Buksan ang pinid mong mata Tanggalin ang bara sa tainga.
magbabakasakali. Aasang sa pagbabalik ng mga alon, may dala na silang sagot.
Pucca’s Funny Love Pucca Hontas
Di tulad ng mga nagdaang Sabado sa aking pagtatangkang simulan ang hile-hilerang gawain pilit ka namang nagsusumiksik sa isipan ko parang langgam sa tag-ulan na pinipilit pasukin lahat ng butas Tinangka kong umidlip nagbabakasakaling pagpikit ay dalawin at laruin ako ng paglimot Ngunit hindi nabigo akong limutin ang bawat sandaling napasaya mo ako nang hindi mo namamalayan; Hindi ko rin kayang limutin ang hindi mo pagpansin sa akin sa nagdaang linggo ang bawat sandaling nagmahal at nasaktan ako Tulad ngayong araw ng Sabado— Araw ng hinagpis Masyado akong umasa sa kakahayan ko kulang ang pagpupursigi kong malimot ka
Kahit ngayong araw lang ng Sabado dahil kahit bagtasin ko pa ang matarik na tadhana at ang milyang layo ng pangarap at ang dagat ng pighati na naghihiwalay sa atin at pilit tayong pinaghihiwalay— Hindi pa rin kita maaabot at mahahawakan Sapagkat ikaw ang puting-puti at matayog na ulap sa bughaw na kalangitan na kahit anong tingkayad at talon pa ang gawin ko’y hindi ko kayang abutin Hindi ko kaya hinding-hindi Sapagkat mahina ako
pagdating sa’yo.