Tabloid 2013-2014

News

The Mountain Collegian

The Official Student Publication of Benguet State University

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The Official Student Publication of Benguet State University December 2013- February 2014 Volume 42 Issue 3

Of Backpacks and Slippers. Bestowing the right to education is one of the ways to end Violence Against Women and Children. These two children of Besao, Mountain Province enjoy their recess time by savoring their snack and speaking their thoughts by the calm atmosphere of the mountains.

Photograph Taken by Jerson B. Sabado Jr.

Krimen sa LT, tumataas; mga mag-aaral, pinag-iingat Richard Giye

Kinumpirma ni Police Inspector (PIJ) James Dumansi Acop ng La Trinidad Municipal Police Station (LTMPS) ang pagtaas ng kaso ng sunud-sunod na insidente ng reyp at kidnapping na naganap sa bayan ng La Trinidad sa unang buwan ng taong 2014, matapos kumalat ang mga text message tungkol sa pagala-galang van na di umano’y nangingidnap.

Una dito ay ang kaso ng hindi pinangalanang mag-aaral ng Benguet National High School na kinidnap noong ika-5 ng Enero. Ayon sa ulat, isang batang babae ang diumano’y matapos makidnap ng hindi nakikilalang lalaki, ay dumaan sa iba pang pang-aabusong pisikal matapos makatamo ng mga pasa sa katawan.

Sa kasalukuyan ay may nagawa nang artist-sketch ng salarin ang LTMPS upang matukoy ang may-sala.

Dahil sa nasabing insidente ay

Fifty years since its conception in 1963, The Mountain Collegian (MC), the official student publication of Benguet State University (BSU), pioneered various events this year to commemorate its milestones.

Eco-run: a prologue In order to raise funds for its community outreach later in the month, and to kick off the celebrations, MC graced Eco-run: Takbo para sa Karunungan at the Benguet State University covered court last Dec. 1.

The event featured three, five, and 10 kilometer routes, which invited various running enthusiasts around Baguio and Benguet. gap between MC’s inception and the current generation, MC Golden Exhibit displayed it’s oldest issues since 1963 at CHET right wing lobby.Photograph Taken by Rhe-an Ngayaan

In partnership with the Supreme Student Government, the New Life Behaviour Ministries (NLBM) conducted a seminar at the CTE-Function Hall on December 7, 2013.

Krimen sa LT | p2

Rhe-ann Ngayaan, Bobby Mc Gee Lee and Richard Giye

Glittering Exhibit. Bridging the

Daniel Jason Maches

pinaigting na ng LTMPS ang bentekwatro-oras na pagbabantay sa buong bayan. Samantala, patuloy pa ring minamanmanan ng pulisya ang nasabing krimen.

Kasunod ng insidenteng pangingidnap ay ang iba pang kaso ng pananaksak na naganap sa may Gladiola, Km. 6 ng sumunod na Linggo at ang ulat tungkol sa isang menor de edad na babae na pinagtangkaang kidnapin ng di nakikilalang grupo ng kalalakihan sa

MC celebrates 50 years of campus journ

50 years of fearless campus journalism: an exhibit A ribbon cutting ceremony MC Celebrates | p3

‘Sense of Self’ seminar held

Melting Pot. People from all walks of life meet to trade goods. Along with the growth of commercialization, LT is no foreign of dark elements lurking around, day in or day out.

Photograph Taken by Jerson Sabado Jr.

NLBM is an international program which seeks to assist individuals towards behavioral improvement and to reconcile them to their families, to the society, and to God. Dubbed as “A Sense of Self Seminar and Workshop,” the said activity primarily aimed to teach the participants appreciate their own self-worth and improve their relationship with others, leading to

enlightening them on the various factors that guide them to a humane behavior. Moreover, it seeks out to help the participants diagnose and react on their different behavioral patterns for them to understand and modify for betterment.

Bardomero Lagua, NLBI Philippine Coordinator, served as the resource speaker on the series of lectures incorporated. As such, he tackled on the various psychological and social factors that controls behavior. Accordingly, these are capsulated on the four “G’s” namely genes, groups (parents, siblings, peers and friends), guidelines, and goals.

‘Sense of Self | p2

BSA stude’s entry chosen in University jacket design contest Juliet Esther Cindy Guerrero

To determine an official uniform for the University students and staff, the Benguet State University Federation of Supreme Students Government (BSU-FFSG) conducted a University Jacket Design Contest which ran from Oct. 16 - Nov. 15.

Robin Apilado (BSA II) bested among the six entries, earning 90% total average score. He received certificate of recognition, cash prize, and a free edition of the jacket.

The participants were given at least six weeks to submit their designs basing on the following guidelines: the entries must contain a well- presented name and logo of BSU, must be

dominantly yellow and green, must incorporate the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the university, must not contain initials or name of the designer, and must be original and unique. It must be placed on a long bond paper with its isometric views, color, design and description in a landscape presentation.

Apilado’s design was colored with yellow and green and contains the official logo of BSU basing on the

guideline. Accordingly, the bird represents the Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives (VMGO) of BSU. The jacket is a 100% cotton.

His design will be presented to the BSU Administrative Board for approval before offering it to the students.

As recalled, the concept of a University jacket was presented and voted “yes” by the studentry during the General Assembly at the BSU gymnasium on July 2013.

Also, the first attempt of the T-shirt design contest of the SSGLa Trinidad campus on 2011 did not work out.

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mga mag-aaral, pinag-iingat may Km. 6.

“Nakababahala na ang ganitong mga krimen, maaaring ito’y epekto rin ng pagtaas nh populasyon sa La Trinidad. Marahil dito sila karamihang naghahanap ng trabaho. Ang mahirap pa ‘dyan ay may pasok man o wala, day-in or day-out ay may nagyayaring krimen, kaya lahat ay dapat mag-ingat,” sabi ni Acop.

Ayon sa kanya ay kasabay ng pag-asenso ng bayan ay nagdulot ito ng mas mataas na bilang ng kaso ng krimen sa La Trinidad.

“Sa katotohanan ay pati ang mga iba’t ibang establisyimento sa atin ay pinapasok na rin ng mga magnanakaw,” dagdag pa niya.

Ayon sa LTMPS, tinatayang umaabot sa 287 ang kaso ng krimen ang idinudulog sa kanilang tanggapan buwan-buwan. Una dito ay ang kaso ng pagnanakaw, paglalasing at pananakit o physical injury. Sinisiguro naman ng tanggapan ang mahigpit na pagpapataw ng karampatang parusa sa mga nahuhuling gumagawa ng krimen.

Alinsunod dito ay ang umaga at gabing pagpapatrol ng kapulisyahan sa buong komunidad. Ayon pa sa kanila ay pinakakalat na rin ang mga sasakyang pang-patrol na rumuronda sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng La Trinidad. Kasabay pa nito ay ang pagbuo ng Women’s Brigade o ang mga grupo na

binubuo ng mga kababaihang nagmumula sa iba’t-ibang barangay ng La Trinidad upang tumulong sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at katahimikan.

Bukas rin ang hotline ng LTMPS sa mga tawag o ulat hinggil sa krimen. Para sa Smart phone users ay maaring mag-text sa 099-89857568 at sa Globe naman sa numerong 0917809-9639.

“Sa mga mag-aaral, iwasan nating magabihan sa pag-uwi,” saad pa ni Acop.

Kaugnay sa protocol ng mga kautusangpangkatahimikan at pampublikong kaligtasan ng LTMPS ay ang pagkakabit ng mga CCTV camera sa mga lansangan mula sa pamilihan sa Km.6 hanggang sa Km. 4. Pati na rin ang pag-deploy ng walang markang sasakyang pang-patrol na umiikot sa bawat lansangan at ang pagdaragdag pa ng mga pulis sa mga matataong lugar ng La Trinidad ay ipinakalat na rin.

Samantala, ayon sa kasalukuyang datos na inilabas ng LTMPS noong Desyembre noong nakaraang taon, may 57.58 bahagdan ang Crime Solution Effectivity ang ating kapulisan, nangangahulugang nabibigyan ng karampatang solusyon ang mga nagaganap na krimen sa ating komunidad.

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‘Sense of Self’ seminar held Coherent with these, he touched on the three-fold functions of the human mind namely, thinking, feeling and behaving. Lagua stressed that of these three, “It is difficult to determine which comes first.” He noted that life is a continuous circle; going from one function to another.

Moreover, he described “trust” as a vital commodity that plays an indispensable role in molding an individual. “Basic trust is the key to an upward, fulfilling and happy life,” he said. He likewise pointed out that human development is built on trust which leads for positive outcome to an individual. Otherwise, an individual exposed to mistrust since childhood is likely to grow in the opposite way.

Meanwhile, Kevin Titiwa, SSG President, admonished his fellow students to put importance on themselves as it is a vital factor in honing one’s behavior. “Let us first cater to the physical and spiritual needs of ourselves before we reach out to others,” he said.

Around 40 students, mostly members of the different independent organizations in the Benguet State University (BSU) participated in the event. Aside from receiving certificates of participation, they were conferred upon with the title, “Certified New Life Behaviour Instructor,” a spur for them to instate to other people in the things they have learned in the activity.

MC @ 50 Journsem Caravan. As it reaches its 50 years of journalism service, The Mountain Collegian strengthens its extension programs by conducting its firstever regional caravan reaching Ifugao and Mountain Province. In the above photo, the MC staff lectured on basic journalism at Lias National High School as one way of promoting and fostering writing and journalistic prowess of budding student writers.

Photograph Taken by Mark Samuel De Guzman

BSU studes attend MAD Camp ‘13,

gear for leadership challenges Rhe-ann Ngayaan

To hone their leadership skills necessary in today’s challenges, seven students of Benguet State University participated in the 2nd Make A Difference (MAD) Camp themed “Conquering Leadership Challenges of the 21st Century” held at CWC Convention Hall, CamSur Watersports Complex, Pili, Camarines Sur on Dec. 6- 8.

They were Jomar Lesino, Bachelor of Science in Nursing IV; Kevin Jake Angyab, Bachelor in Secondary Education III; RheAnn Ngayaan, Bachelor in Elementary Education III; Luis Calama, BS in AgriculturE III; Kathrene Joyce Sabilala, BSA IV; and Katrina Verzola, BS in Development Communication III. They were accompanied

by Ramon C. Fiangaan Jr., Head of the Office of the Student Development and ServicesStudent Organization and Activities.

In support with student development, the University administration shouldered the registration fees and travel expenses of the students through the college Special Trust Fund.

Asked of why make a difference, Fiangaan said that promoting change is important because change is essential for human’s growth and development.

“As a participant, I gained values and acquired valuable skills which are necessary for self-development as I target to attain healthier performance in the organization I belong to and in the community as a whole,” said Calama.

The three-day leadership conference kicked off with Jayson Lo’s lecture on “Enjoy being YOUnique: Understanding You.” The said speaker shared the four YOUnique characters of human, the DISC: Dominant eagle, a person who may be called the doer; Influential rooster, the talker; Steady carabao, the watcher; and the Corrective tarsier, who is the thinker.

“Despite diversity and differences, we are to maximize our strengths, minimize our weaknesses, and aim for positive lifechange.” Deviating from the golden rule, he said that the platinum rule states - do unto others as they want it to be done unto them”, ended Lo. “Never allow the circumstances of life to

hinder you from dreaming. We need freedom to serve, not power to rule,”were the words of Mr. Tony Meloto, Chairman and Founder of Gawad Kalinga, who keynoted the opening ceremonies.

According to him, education is the way out of poverty, but in the first place, the Philippines has no excuse to be poor. The poor can always thrive and attain their fullest potential so that together, we can all look forward to a better future for our children and the generations to come.

“Our country’s wealth is the people; if young people like you are developed, you become an asset and not an ass of the society.

There is so much about the country to fall in love with. Build your future in this land of opportunity; it’s worth investing here, and be a social entrepreneur,” challenged Meloto to the student leaders.

Arviola’s workshop on Conquering Leadership Challenges through COMPETENCE served as a jump start of the second day’s line of activities. He was followed by Hon. Leni Robredo, Representative of the 3rd district of Cam Sur in her topic on Conquering Leadership Challenges through COURAGE. Leni is the wife of the late Jesse Robredo.

Hon. Sherwin Gatchalian, Representative, 1st District, Valenzuela, on the other hand, spoke on Conquering Leadership Challenges through COMMITMENT. He discussed the four P’s of why politicians enter the Congress which he enumerated as popularity, pork barrel [‘pera’], prestige and public service.

The rest of the day was jam-packed with parallel sessions, workshops and open fora with the speakers: Cathy Garcia-Molina, Film and TV Director of ABS-CBN who discoursed on Conquering Leadership Challenges through CHARACTER; Niña Corpuz, ABSCBN broadcast journalist/reporter on The Power of Volunteerism; Commissioner Alice Pañares, Chairman, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on Youth Making a Difference for Culture and Heritage; and Ma. Rosalie Zerrudo, NCCA worker-artist on Youth Making a Difference for the Community.

Meanwhile, the election of regional officers and oath-taking took place before the lecture of Arviola on Conquering Leadership Challenges through COMPETENCE Part 2. Keynoted by Usec. Leon G. Flores III, of the National Youth Commission (NYC), the leadership camp was officially closed following the youth collaboration and wakeboarding at CWC.

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Children’s Thoughts Matters. Ryan Bestre, an MC alumnus

solicits the messages of Muslim children for Yolanda victims during the MC @ 50 Community Outreach at Barangay Ambiong, La Trinidad.

MC Archive

MC celebrates 50 years of campus journ From page 1

commenced the publication’s exhibit at the right wing lobby of the College of Home Economics and Technology last Dec. 17, led

by Ben Ladilad, University President; and assisted by Percyveranda Lubrica; University Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA); Jean Jannette Sibayan, Office of Students Services (OSS) Director, Ramon Fiangaan Jr.; Student Organizations and Accomplishments Unit (SOAU) Head; and Grace Bengwayan, MC Adviser.

The exhibit, which ran for five days, displayed old files and issues, accomplishments, and other memorabilia of the publication.

An easier connection with online readers: MC website

In order to reach more readers through the internet, MC, in its golden anniversary, launched its official website, www.themountaincollegian. org, last Dec. 19 at the BSU-ICT Conference Hall, spearheaded by alumna Kylie Ann Binay-an.

The website features electronic copies, and other matters of the publication, and also provides links to college publications of the University.

First Advanced Journalism Held To let the campus writers appreciate the importance of specialized writing to development and to expose them to contemporary societal trends and issues , MC conducted its first advance journalism seminar dubbed “MC @ 50 Advanced Journalism Seminar” covering topics on science writing and culture writing at the College of Teacher Education Function Hall on Dec. 20, 8 a.m. - 12 noon.

This is also in line with MC’s mission of promoting and fostering writing and journalistic talents among students. With a registration fee of PhP 50.00 inclusive of certificates and snacks, 36 student writers from the University tertiary publications and BSU Secondary Laboratory papers including BSUBuguias campus and STI Baguio participated in the half-day activity.

“MC organized this activity as part of its 50th anniversary and alumni homecoming weeklong celebration with the aim of continuously empowering the youth as an agent of positive change and helping hand in nation-building by enhancing their journalistic skills for advanced and higher level of writing in the issues of Indigenous Peoples (IP) and science breakthroughs,” said Faith Belingon, MC editorin-chief.

“How can you write if you do not know what to write?” was the challenged of Dr. Ryan Guinaran to the participants. With his presentation titled “Decolonizing Culture Writing”, he discussed the importance of writing culture articles, its impact to readers including tips to be remembered in writing.

An arena for physical and intellectual teamwork: amazing race

To give back its services to to its prime constituents-the students, MC organized its Golden Amazing Race on Dec. 19. Nine teams composed of the representatives from the different organizations in the University competed in the race, namely team Incenirators and Empe-Lights of CAS-YES, Yellow Knights and Mendoro Rangers from MENDORO, SML from the CAS-SG, Samahang Statistika, Black Bangers from CEAT Frontier, and Black Phantom of BSA Eng’g.

Yellow Knights from MENDORO emerged as winners in the race, followed by the Samahang Statistika and Black Bangers as second and third, respectively. They were given certificates and customized plaque made by the MC staff.

The race featured 13- task performing phases distributed in different spots of the eight colleges of the University. This paved way for the students to exercise physical, mental and emotional skills of the players.

Guinaran, a doctor in profession, an IP advocate, of the DITENG, Inc., who spearheaded the Ibaloi Cultural Renaissance by regaining the youth consciousness on the value of their cultural heritage said that Filipinos get source from Western books and oftentimes do not value their own cultures making them partially human. We are to retain our cultural identity through integration, encounter and desire which must be innate in us.

According to him, as writers we don’t just document our history, we make them.

On the other hand, Dr. Michael Bengwayan,

a renowned environmentalist and journalist, talked many truths about the real situation of science and technology in our country. Among these are the many threats on natural resources by both foreign and local greedy organizations and companies.

“We should fight for what is right and whenever we make a choice, we should always be ready to face its consequences. The ant is more prepared than us,” stressed Bengwayan “Write for a reason and for a cause. As journalists, there are threats to you but treat them as breakfasts.” Bengwayan encouraged the writers to write science and culture articles for self-expression and empowered service to studentry.

In an open forum, some of the writers shared their experiences such as biopiracy happening in their locality.

A test for the brains quiz bee

“Sa bagsik ng bagyong Yolanda, bumaha sa Tacloban at iba pang bahagi ng Leyte. Upang hindi na muling masalanta ng mga iba’t-ibang bagyo, tayo ay magtulungan sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan”, stated by Normina Usman.

Moreover, the children wrote and drew their thoughts and prayers to the young victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban and Leyte.

Their outputs were gathered and published in Kalaleng 9, the literary folio of MC. Further, the original drafts are to be sent and made known to the children of the grief-stricken provinces.

Sittie Al-Maidah M. Pacas said in her letter, “Sana huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa.

Patuloy namin kayong ipagdarasal. Kami ay umaasa na patuloy na tutulong ang gobyerno sa inyo. Patuloy rin kayong manalig sa Diyos. We wish you peace, hope, and joy. God bless!”

In a salu-salo, the children and their parents were fed with happy foods, courtesy of McDonalds La Trinidad and MC. The activity was made possible through the sponsorship from friends and supporters.

Panagyaman: a tribute to former advisers Proceeding the thanksgiving service, MC paid tribute to its former advisers for 50 years last Dec. 21 at the RSDC- Strawberry Hall.

The program was graced by the University VPAA, Percyveranda Lubrica. The former advisers gave speeches on their experiences with MC.

Also, immediately after the activity, MC conducted its 50th Quiz bee in the afternoon.

Around 17 participants from the different publications of the college attended the competition. Questions in the quiz bee included trivia’s in the University history, current events and general information.

Mary Joyce M. Tayaban (BSND II) won in the competition, while Maybelle I. Solimen (BSIT III) and Rayleen Eulogio (BSIT III) placed second and third respectively. They were given medals and certificates.

Panagsubalit: community outreach Saving the best for the last, MC set off for a community outreach in Parapad, Barangay Ambiong, and La Trinidad from 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon of Dec.21. As part of the anniversary celebration, this marked the last day of the week-long activity.

To bring love and joy to the target audience, MC staff and alumni bonded with the Muslim children through songs, games, and story-telling. Collected new and second hand educational books were donated to the children.

Also, aimed at accumulating reactions from the beneficiaries towards the typhoon Yolanda devastation, the MCians asked the children’s views on environment preservation.

Limang dekada ng panulat at tinta: alumni night Following the tribute to its former advisers, MC ended its celebrations with a night of socialization among its former and current members of editorial boards at the RSDC canteen.

Paul Joseph Nuval, MC adviser, presented the activities and accomplishments, while Faith Belingon, MC Editor-in-chief, followed with the presentation of recent activities of the publication.

Furthermore, representatives of former editorial boards of MC shared their experiences with the publication, followed by the ceremonial slicing of the 50th anniversary cake.

The night ended with a candle lighting ceremony.

N ews BSU’s MC champs reg’l press confab;

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CAR bags awards in Luzonwide Rhe-ann B. Ngayaan

BSU backs nat’l day of prayer and solidarity Bobby Mc Gee O. Lee

MC Archive After being the first runner-up for three consecutive years, The Mountain Collegian (MC), the official student publication of Benguet State University, is hailed this year’s the over-all champion after besting 12 other schools in the Cordillera Administrative Region during the 15th Regional Higher Education Tertiary Schools Press Conference at the Baguio- Benguet Community Credit Cooperative Inc., on Jan. 23-24.

Dominating the over-all group category contest and emerging 1st runner-up in the over-all individual contest, MC took the competition by storm after its magazine, broadsheet, newsletter, and tabloid issues including its literary folio, Kalaleng, were in for the top five ranking. Also, all its 13 delegates in individual categories were able to make it to the first five places.

In the Magazine Category, MC was adjudged the champion in Layout, Opinion/Editorial, News, and Developmental Communication (Devcom) Pages; 1st runner-up in Literary, Sports, and Features Pages.

On the other hand, MC broadsheet paper bagged individual championships in Layout, Opinion/Editorial, News, Literary, Features, and Devcom Pages; and 1st runner-up in Sports Page.

For the Newsletter Category, MC took home the championship titles in News, Literary, Features, and Devcom Pages; 1st runner-up in Sports Page and Lay-out; and 2nd runner-up in Opinion/Editorial Page.

MC performed well in the tabloid category championing the Opinion/Editorial, Devcom and Literary Pages; 1st runner-up in the Features Page and Lay-out; 2nd runner-up in News page; and 3rd runner-up in Sports Page.

Completing the titles, Kalaleng 9 garnered awards in the Literary Folio Category: 1st runner-up in Lay-out; 2nd runner-up in Literary Content; and 4th runner-up in Cover Page.

Meanwhile, the MC staffers were able to place in the top five of their respective events in the individual on-the-spot contests: Janice Agrifino, BSDC-IV, champion in both Photojournalism (Filipino) and Poetry Writing (Filipino); Harmon Nicer, DVM -V, champion in Literary Graphics Illustration (English) and 1st runner-up in Editorial Cartooning (English); Juman Kevin Tindo, BSES-IV, champion in Feature Writing (English) and 2nd runnerup in Copy Reading and Headline Writing (English); Juliet Esther Cindy Guerrero, BSN-IV, champion in Feature Writing (Filipino) and 3rd runner-up in Opinion Writing (English); and Giselle Ocyaden, BSE-III, champion in Literary Graphics Illustration (Filipino) and 4th runnerup Editorial Cartooning (Filipino).

Moreover, Rhe-Ann Ngayaan, BEE-III

and Arniel Dumigsi, BSE-III championed the Editorial Writing (Filipino) and Opinion Writing (Filipino), respectively. Also, Richard Giye was the best poet in Poetry Writing (English).

Mark Samuel De Guzman, and Bobby Mc Gee Lee, both BSE-III, landed 1st runner-ups in Comics Strip Drawing (Filipino) and Editorial Writing (English), respectively. Faith Belingon, BSDC-IV, 3rd runner-up in DevCom Writing (English); Mariel Laoana, BSN-IV, 3rd runnerup in Photojournalism (English); and Gilbert Barro, BSHRM-II, 4th runner-up in Comics Strip Drawing (English).

The White and Blue of Saint Louis University and last year’s title holder, The Alternative of the University of the Cordilleras, came the 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up, respectively.

They were trailed by Baguio College of Technology’s The Atom and Kalinga Apayao State College’s Earthline.

The MCians and other top five winners represented the region to the 13th Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference held at Lucban, Quezon on February 12-14.

Improved Luzonwide results After bagging 31 awards in individual contests and 13 in group contest, Team Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) escalated in performance to be the 4th runnerup from last year’s 5th runner-up in the overall ranking during the 13th Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference held at Batis Aramin Hotel & Resort, Lucban, Quezon on Feb. 12-14.

With over 141 universities and colleges coming from Regions I (Ilocos), II (Cagayan Valley), III (Central Luzon), IV-A (CALABARZON), IV-B (MIMARO), V (Bicol), CAR , and VII (Cebu) as the guest delegate, the CAR delegates were able to earn 83 points in the group contest and 180 points in the individual contest . This year, the team listed 263 total points from last year’s 84 points.

In the individual contest, out of around 739 delegates, CAR reaped three first places, four second places, three third places, two fourth places, one fifth place, three sixth places, eight seventh places, one eighth place , one ninth place, and five tenth places with a total of 31 places accumulating 180 points compared to

last year’s 75 points.

Team CAR was composed of University of the Cordillera’s The Alternative, Saint Louis University’s White and Blue, King’s College of the Philippines- Benguet’s The Loquitor, Benguet State University’s The Mountain Collegian (MC), Kalinga Apayao State College’s Earthline, Baguio College of Technology’s The Atom, including the respective publications of Abra State Institute of Science and Technology –Main, Bangued and Lagangilang campuses, Divine Word College of Bangued, Ifugao State University, Keystone College, and Mountain Province State Polytechnic College.

For the MC, its following staff won in their respective events: Juman Kevin Tindo, 2nd place in Feature Writing (English) and 8th place in Copy Reading and Headline Writing (English); Arniel Dumigsi, 2nd place DevCom Writing (Filipino); Cindy Juliet Esther Guerrero, 3rd place Feature Writing (Filipino); Bobby Mc Gee Lee, 4th place Editorial Writing (English); and Harmon Nicer, 10th place Editorial Cartooning (English).

Also, MC’s papers contributed to the total points capturing six awards namely: 4th place DevCom Page, and 7th place FeatureLiterary Page (broadsheet category); 3rd place Editorial Page and 7th place Feature-Literary Page (newsletter); 5th place News Page (Magazine); and 10th place Feature- Literary Page (Tabloid).

Themed “Campus Press: Webbing Accountability and Influence to Nationalistic Fervor”, the said conference was keynoted by Prof. Eros S. Atalia, faculty of Arts and Letters, University of Santo Tomas. Atalia is a recipient of Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards first prize for Literature in 2006.

According to Atalia, “Ang isang tunay na dyurnalist ay nakatatanto ng kaibhan ng pulitika sa pakikitungo sa admin, ang tsismis sa balita; naihihiwalay niya ang usapin sa usapan, at nawawari niya kung kelan siya bubulong at sisigaw.”

“Ang lahat ng pagsasanay na ito ay paghahanda sa mas malaking mundo, totoong mundo, hindi nagbibirong mundo,” ended Atalia.

Dubbed, “One nation in prayer- isang bansa, isang panalangin,” Benguet State University (BSU) joined the nation in the National day of Prayer and Solidarity last Jan. 20 at 5 PM at the BSU administration building lobby, participated in by students and employees of the University.

Led by Philippine President Benigno Aquino III at the Malacañan Palace grounds, leaders of various sectors of the church prayed for the resilience of the country, and for the good sake of all those affected by calamities of the previous year. The gathering was attended by various officials of the country, representatives of social groups, students, and other civilians.

As recalled, our country has been battered last year by numerous calamities that claimed thousands of lives and billions worth of properties.

Among these are the siege between the government troops and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Zamboanga in September, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol and Cebu in October, and the super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ (Haiyan) in November.

In a written prayer in Filipino, Aquino reiterated that Filipinos remain unshaken amidst the various calamities trying to put us (Filipinos) down to our knees.

He further added that the Philippines draws its strength and resilience with its faith in God because, though the country does not know what the future holds, as the Almighty remains by its side.

He then asked God to teach Filipinos how to love unconditionally, and expect nothing in return.

Furthermore, the president also asked the country for continued prayers for those being affected by tropical depression ‘Agaton’, currently hitting the southern islands of the country, where approximately 60 residents were reported dead.

The interfaith prayer ended with hymns sung by Ryan Cayabyab’s choir, where attendees in BSU held hands together with the song ‘The Prayer’.

University Vice President for Business Affairs, Jones Feleciano, encouraged the attendees for unrelenting prayers and support for our fellow countrymen.

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The Official Student Publication of Benguet State University

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BSU supports NYR, opens rice corner Sapat na Bigas, Kaya ng Pinas: Growing palay

is one backbone of the agriculture sector of the nation.

As long as the farmers till the land, food will always be available in every Filipino’s table. The top photo was taken in Brgy. Tubtuba,Tubo, Abra.

Photograph Taken by Paul Joseph Nuval

In line with the 2013 National Year of the Rice (NYR), Benguet State University (BSU) opened a rice corner at the Natural Museum of BSU’s Natures Park at Longlong, Puguis which was formally launched in June 2013.

Snap Shot Tapos na ang final defense mo sa iyong thesis! Para kang kinagat ng langgam sa may paa dahilan para ika’y tumalon hindi sa sakit kundi sa tuwa. Umobra ang pagrarason mo sa sandamakmak na tanong ng inyong mga panels. Namula ka. Ninerbyos ka. Ngunit, napagtanto mo, Juana, na kahit hindi ka kasingtalino ng klasmeyt mo ay malawak din naman ang iyong utak na pagkukunan ng rason sa biglaang panahon ng kagipitan.

Hindi mo nga rin alam kung saan mo hinagilap ang iyong mga rason na kahit nagkabuhul-buhol ka sa pagsagot ay nagawa mong nairaos ang sarili. Gusto mong tapikin ang iyong balikat dahil sa wakas alam mong kabilang ka sa ‘common’ na may common sense. Ito ay isang accomplishment na sa iyo na typical na estudyante lamang.

Limang taon ka na naglagi sa eskwelahan, Juana. Matuwa ka. Iyong iba ay walong taon, magsisiyam pa nga.

Kahit nahuli ka ng isang taon, gulat ka pa rin kung paano mo nalampasan ang mga terror na teacher. Hindi nga nakakasugat ang talim ng kanilang tingin sa tuwing ikaw ang nakakakuha ng pinakamababang iskor, na-late pumasok sa klase, nahuling nagdodoodle ng paborito mong anime karakter sa halip na makinig nang maigi, ay natauhan ka rin naman. Hindi ka natakot dahil sanay ka na, nahiya ka lang dahil ayaw mong masanay na walanghiya. Natiis mo ang mga klasmeyt mong competitive, laging nang-aaway, laging nag-iiringan sa difference na .25 sa grado.

Nalaman mong likas na sa akademya ang kompetisyon, hindi lamang sa klase niyo kundi pati sa opisina ng mga pumupuna palagi sa iyo. Narinig mo.

Nakita mo. Ngunit hindi ka nagreklamo.

Bakit nga naman? Estudyante ka lamang na may mapurol ang pag-iisip at palaging umid ang dila ‘pag napaharap sa mga klasmeyt mong parang armalite ang mga bibig kung magsalita at magdefend sa kanilang kabalbalan.

Natatakot, napapaurong, at naapapasuko ka sa bawat bitaw nila ng salita.

Alam mong may tama ka at lalong alam mong may karapatan ka, ngunit hindi mo masambit dahil sa tuwing ibubuka mo ang iyong bibig ay papaulanan ka ng marami nilang salita.

Naisip mo, Juana, kahit wala kang isip, na hindi na kailangan na maging matalino, madaldal ka lamang ay panalo ka na. Pinabayaan mo na lang sila, Juana,

“

preparation can be seen in the rice corner.

According to Colting only a few people know how rice came about it, that is why it is included in the exhibit.

“One more interesting part of the display is about the sack being used in packing rice grains. It is good to see the nutritional facts and the “how-to-cook” method of cooking” .

The collection of different variations of rice was also added in the rice corner. These rice variations were donated through Dr. Belinda Tad-awan’s rice research. Some rice variations were also gathered from Kibungan farmers.

“Looking into the history of rice, especially here in the Cordillera, is a good thing.

Furthermore, this can provide a sense of rice conservation,” commented Ruth Baniaga, BSES student.

… Ito ay dedicated sa lahat ng makakasuot ng toga at makakatuntong sa entablado sa isang espesyal na araw ng Abril…

Dear Future Me and You Faith H. Belingon

With the introduction of the theme, “Panatang Makapalay,” institutions, accordingly, were encouraged to open a rice museum.

“Although it was already within the natural museum, the rice corner is always welcoming everyone to wander to the story of palays,” said Dr. Lita Colting, director of BSU- Open University.

The rice corner highlights some of the researches and theses of BSU staff and students conducted regarding rice productions and consumptions. “This is something special because these theses of students were among those very few researches done,’’ added Colting.

Moreover, the exhibit tells and shares the stories about rice. Few displays of antique materials such as bayu-an for the palay

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Juman Kevin Tindo & Jaina Awas

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dahil batid mong hindi ka rin naman papasok na academic achiever sa pamamagitan ng pambubuking ng kanilang scheme lalo na sa tuwing kayo ay may exam at quizzes.

Nalaman mo pa nga minsan na paborito ni Teacher X ang iyong katabi. Disclaimer: Walang kinalaman ang algebra sa choice kong paggamit ng X. Mas tumpak pa iyong isa na iniisip mong ibig sabihin nitong simbolo-ang X ay mali. Pilit mong inalala ang itsura ng katabi mo dahil ‘once in a blue moon’, kung pumasok.

Pagkaupo mo, natabihan mo ang isang babae.

Maganda. Iyon ang unang mong naalala mo.

Wala nang iba. Dahil hindi ka talaga likas na mapanuri, narinig mo lamang ito sa madaldal mong klasmeyt na buti na lang may katangian na ganito dahil kung wala, ay wala siyang binatbat.

Pero nagulat ka nang masilip mong mas mataas pa ang grado niya kaysa sa iyo kahit lulubog-lilitaw lamang siya sa klase kumpara sa iyo na tiniis maudlot ang masarap na tulog at hindi mag-almusal para makapasok sa 7:30 na klase sa umaga.

Nasasayangan ka kasi sa puntos na laan sa physical attendance. Ganun pa man, hindi ka nagreklamo. Nasabi mo na lang sa sarili mo na siguro bahagi sa pagbibigay ng puntos ni Teacher X ang physical appearance. Dahil wala ka nito, talo ka. Pinilit mo na lang isiksik sa makitid mong utak, Juana, na marahil mataas ang standard ni Teacher X sa panlabas na anyo.

ugali mong hindi kanais-nais at tiyak hindi magpapayaman sa iyo. Magulo ‘yan- “writer kasi”. Weird ‘yan-”writer kasi”. Mapagpaliban”writer kasi”. Palaging namumula ang matapuyat’ yan, “writer kasi.” Mapanlait-”writer kasi.”

Higit sa lahat: walang pera-”writer lang kasi.”

‘Doctor Quack, Quack’ na lamang ang pinalit mo sa dating kinagawian mong ginagawa. Natakot ka pa nga ,Juana, na kumuha ng kursong Agrikultura dahil sa awit niyo noong Grade 2 na pinamagatang “Ang Magtanim ay ‘di biro” na noong trinansleyt ng may mas mapurol ang isip kaysa sa iyo ay naging “Planting is never fun.”

Nakakaramdam ka ngayon ng pag-aalala kung saan ka mapapadpad pagkatapos ng graduation. Kasabay kasi ng pagtatapos mo ng pag-aaral ay ang pagtatapos din ng paglalahad mo ng palad sa iyong mga magulang. Kailangan mo kasi na mapantayan o kaya ay malamangan kung ano ang nakamit ng mga katabi niyong bahay ngayon sa probinsya. Kailangan na mangibang bansa ka.

Kailangan na ang sweldo mo ay dolyar. Ngunit ayaw mong umalis ng bansa, kahit gusto mo ng dolyar.

Fast forward tayo sa mga pangyayari. Magaaplay ka ng trabaho. Natanong mo pa sa sarili mo kung bakit mo kailangan na magtrabaho.

Parang tanong lang iyon kung bakit kailangan mo na kumain at suklian ang mga magulang kahit responsibilidad naman talaga nila ang buhayin at pag-aralin ka.

Makikihanay ka sa mahabang pila ng mga applicants.Gusto mong magreklamo sa bagal

Ito ang mundo, Juana, pagbaba mo ng entablado at pamamaalam mo sa eskwelahan na naging bahay mo, bahay mo na naging eskwelahan mo. Welcome Juana, to the real unforgiving world, sa mabagsik na mundo, sa totoong mundo.

Nababanaag mo na, Juana, ang mukha ng inyong mga magulang. Mas excited sila kaysa sa iyo. Paano naman kasi ay sila ang may pakana sa kurso mo, na kurso ng mga anak ng inyong kapit-bahay, na kurso ng halos lahat sa klase niyo noong hayskul. Ang mga tipo kasi ng kurso na pinapakuha sa iyo ang tituladong propesyon sa inyong lugar. Ayaw mo noon kasi natatakot ka sa dugo, (disclaimerdaringungu), kaso iyon ang gusto nila. Mula noon, pinilit mong kinalimutan ang pagsusulat ng tula, ng diary, ng love letters kahit wala ka namang boyfriend. Sumagi nga sa malikot na kukote mo na kumuha na lang ng Malikhaing Pagsusulat hindi dahil sa marunong ka sa sining kundi magkakaroon ka ng rason sa mga

ng proseso pero wala kang karapatan dahil nag-aaplay ka lamang. Tingin mo sa trabaho ay parang bulok na pagkain na pinuputakti ng mga langaw. Hayok na hayok sila na makiamot sa karampot na biyaya kahit alam nilang marami silang kakumpetensiya.

Magtatrabaho ka nang maigi dahil manggagawa ka lamang na nasa pinakamababang ranko. Huwag ka nang umangal, Juana, at baka mapatalsik ka pa.

Isipin mo, maraming may gusto sa trabaho mong kahit underpaid ka, palaging required na mag-overtime, double time at double work at pressure.

Utos-sumbat dito, utos-sumbat doon.

Magtiis ka, Juana. Utos ‘yan ni totoong manager

at nagkukunwaring mga managers kung wala ang una. Iba rin kung matuwa si big boss, may pabuya. Malalaman mong hindi lamang sa klase niyo noon may mga naninira sa iyo.

Gustong makaiskor kay boss ang kasamahan mong manggagawa kaya kung anu-ano binabalitang masama tungkol sa iyo. Ngunit hindi ka magagalit kahit gusto mong manapak ng tao. Mapagtiis ka at mapagpatawad ka, Juana. Kahit nagmumura ka kung nag-iisa na.

Pero baliktad ang gagawin mo ‘pag kaharap mo na sila. Ngingitian mo sila ng pagkatamistamis na ikakagulat pa nila. Welcome to the real world, Juana, sa impokritong mundo, sa mabagsik na mundo, sa totoong mundo!

Magwewelga ang mga kasamahan mo sa trabaho ngunit hindi ka sasama. Mahirap mawalan ng trabaho, Juana, lalo na ngayon na batid mong ang natatanging patakaran ng buhay ay pagtatrabaho. Kung walang trabaho ay walang pagkain, walang perang iaabot sa magulang, sa kapatid, sa pamangkin, sa kapatid na tatay at nanay na palaging nakikiamot sa kakarampot na sahod mo sa tuwing ikaw ay uuwi sa probinsya.

Uuwi ka ng hapon sa inuupahan mo.

Huwag mo nang pansinin, Juana, ang mabagal na trapik, ang mga taong nagnanakaw ng tulog at pahinga sa jeep, mga kabataan na nakauniporme pero pagala-gala naman, ang kaharap mo na menor de edad na may kandong na bata, ang mga rallies na kadugtong ng trapik. Gawin mo na lang silang libangan, Juana, mga palamuti sa lansangan. Maging cool ka lang, huwag akuin lahat ng problema sa mundo. Pagtuunan mo ang iyong sarili para makaangat ka, at para maangatan mo ang iyong kapwa. Sa pamamagitan lamang nito ka makakaasenso at magkakaroon ng puwang sa mundo. Angatan mo sila ng abilidad, diskarte at pagpapakatotoo.

Pagdating mo sa iyong kwadro kwarto ay matutulog ka nang mahimbing dahil alam mong hindi ka mawawalan ng trabaho.

Magbubuno ka ng enerhiya at lakas ng loob dahil bukas at sa marami pang darating na walang kasiguraduhang bukas ay makikipagbuno ka sa iyong prinsipyo at sa iyong konsensya. Sila ang pinakamahirap na kalaban mo ngayon at hindi ang kapwa mo manggagawa. Hindi madali para sa iyo ang maging manhid at magpalamon sa sistema dahil mayroon kang simpatiya at konsensya. Dahil tao ka lamang na marunong makiramdam.

Ito ang mundo, Juana, pagbaba mo ng entablado at pamamaalam mo sa eskwelahan na naging bahay mo, bahay mo na naging eskwelahan mo. Welcome Juana, to the real unforgiving world, sa mabagsik na mundo, sa totoong mundo.

Editorial

December 2013

February

Mountain Collegian

2014 V 42 I 3 olume

ssue

Nasaan ang Seguridad?

Nakadududa na sa kabila ng mahigpit na pamamalakad ng lokal na pamahalaan ng La Trinidad ay patuloy ang paglobo ng mga krimeng unti-unting sumisira sa maganda nitong imahe.

Ang La Trinidad ay kilala bilang “Salad Bowl” at “Strawberry Capital” ng bansa. Ngunit sa kasamaang palad, wari’y mas kilala pa ito bilang trading post ng mga krimen at iba pang mga gawaing labag sa batas.

Ayon sa La Trinidad Municipal Police Station (LTMPS), umaabot sa 287 ang mga krimeng naitatala sa kanilang tanggapan kada buwan kung saan nangunguna ang pagnanakaw. Nagmistula tuloy na sentro ng kalakalan ng mga masasamang loob ang munisipalidad.

Oo nga’t sunud-sunod ang pagpapasara sa mga business establishments na naglalako ng mga alak, walang permit at lumalabag sa oras ng curfew, pagpapaalis sa mga iligal na manlalako, at pagpapaigting ng liquor ban at curfew, mukhang hindi pa rin sapat na sagot ang mga ito upang makamit ang isang payapang komunidad ng La Trinidad.

Sa pagpalo ng bagong taon, isang mag-aaral ng hayskul sa La Trinidad ang napabalitang kinidnap at lubhang sinaktan.

Kamakailan din ay may kumakalat na mga ulat na di umano’y may natagpuang dalawang bangkay ng mga bata.

Nakapanlulumo ang ganitong mga pangyayari. Wala nang pinipili ang mga masasamang loob sa paghahasik ng kasamaan.

Maging ang mga inosenteng menor de edad ay nilalapastangan ang kanilang karapatang pantao. Hindi na ligtas maging ang paglalaro ng malaya ng mga batang ito.

Ilan pa kayang gaya ni Nene na biktima ng karahasan ang hindi pa naiuulat at hindi nakakamit ang karampatang hustisya? Tiyak, dadami pa ang bilang hangga’t walang pagsasama at ugnayan ang lahat ng sektor ng lipunan—ordinaryong mamamayan, kapulisan, at pamahalaan.

Maaaring ang mga naisagawang programa ng lokal na pamahalaan ay isang hakbang lamang upang makaiwas sa mga krimen. Ngunit sumasalamin din ito na marami pang kailangang pag-ibayuhin upang hindi na lalong maulit ang malagim na sinapit ng mga walang muwang na biktima.

Masalimuot ang pagbubukas ng taon para sa La Trinidad.

Maging handa at maingat ang bawat isa sa kanilang mga anak na huwag silang pagagabi sa pag-uwi. Sa mga estudyante nama’y doblehin ang pag-iingat at huwag pakalat-kalat tuwing takipsilim hanggang hatinggabi. Maging masunurin rin sa mga magulang lalo na sa usaping pang-kaligtasan.

Mainam ding pag-ibayuhin ng mga awtoridad ang pagbabantay sa gabi’t araw at kung kinakailangan na palibutan ng mga checkpoints ang buong munisipalidad. Nakakatulong din ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga magulang at sa mga paaralan upang mabantayan ang mga mag-aaral.

Sa huli, kooperasyon at kahandaan pa rin ang sagot sa lahat ng mga banta ng kasamaan. Makiisa at maging mapagmatiyag upang sa huli, kapanatagan at kaayusdan ang sandigan ng buong bayan.

Faith H. Belingon | Editor-in-Chief Rhe-Ann B. Ngayaan | Associate Editor Mariel L. Laoana | Finance Manager Janice B. Agrifino | Managing Editor

Fidus Chates

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Selfie, social media’s greatest achievement of 2013

Selfie, selfie din pag time.

The Oxford’s Dictionaries just recently concluded selfie as the word of 2013. The term is defined as "a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website.”

Apparently, it went viral over the past few months and I believe that social media has something to do with it. People take selfie so make it as their profile pictures on their Facebook and Twitter accounts. Of course, I will not spare myself from this craze.

It has been observed that people are uploading non-stop selfie photos on the world of these powerful social media today.

It seems to be an up grossing competition of whoever has the best photo or the most photogenic of them all.

Juliet Esther Cindy Guerrero Some may even take it as one of their hobbies. But other than just Facebooks and Twitters, selfie is even persuaded by cellphones especially androids and specifically those with inside cameras, laptops, notepads, tabs, cameras and others.

Go on take a selfie and go with the trend. But please, take it a little slower.

Due to these gadgets, people could easily take photos on their own and they could even edit their photos with its effects and features.

Likewise, you could easily upload them anytime and anywhere you want plus the free wifis all over establishments to attract more customers.

According to guardianlv.com, the social media, where most selfies are being published, is a “magnet” for narcissists. There was a recent study conducted by the University

of Michigan showed that younger people who had a higher score on a narcissism scale tended to post more often on twitter, while older people who were more narcissistic had the higher tendency to post more often on facebook. It was then concluded that social media sites are readymade to attract narcissistic people.

As mentioned earlier, this selfie seems to encourage narcissism or the love for one’s self. Now, this would probably warn everyone who is a great fan of selfie is engrossing the world of the narcissistic. Take note, narcissism is a type of a Personality disorders.

But then, I will leave you no option unto this. We all have our own views and type of personality.

Remember that you are posting in a social media site and everybody will be viewing it. Before you upload and post your selfies, think. Yes, some may click the “like” button but some will be bothered and some may snatch your photo and use it on their own purposes.

Giselle I. Ocyaden | Gilbert P. Barro

Senior Cartoonists Mark Samuel D. De Guzman | Harmon C. Nicer | Ceasar James Osben

Richard A. Giye | News Editor Juliet Esther Cindy Guerrero | Features Editor Mylyn C. Maitang | Literary Editor Bobby Mc Gee O. Lee | Sports Editor Juman Kevin B. Tindo | Jerson B. Sabado Jr. Jessica V. Caranay

lle

Gise

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6

The

Junior Cartoonists Jerson B. Sabado Jr. | Lay-out and Design

Paul Joseph A. Nuval | Adviser Grace T. Bengwayan | Adviser

Senior Staff Writers Kevin Jake M. Angyab | Jaina Ashlyn Awas Brendon Bangco-og | Abigail Joanna L. Nagpala Arniel A. Dumigsi | Chatelaine Wansi Ericka Mae Pistola | Daniel Jason Maches | Irish Wigwigan

Junior Staff Writers

The Mountain Collegian

Editorial Board 2nd Semester of 2013-2014

The Official Student Publication of Benguet State University

Limang Dekada ng Pluma at Panitik.

The Mountain Collegian is a member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and the School Press Advisers Movement (SPAM), Inc. Office located at 1/f Office of Student Services Building, Benguet State University. You may reach us through our website: themountaincollegian.org | email: themountaincollegian@gmail. com and through Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMountainCollegian

Illustrated by Giselle I. Ocyaden

The Mountain Collegian

The Official Student Publication of Benguet State University

Blue Bleeding Pen

Opinion The Mountain Collegian

Comics

“

Rhe-ann B. Ngayaan

As mentioned in Educational Philosophy, Education is life.

traditional teaching of repetition, drill and rote memorization.

For all of these realizations, I salute the aforementioned individuals and departments for their efforts in raising the culture awareness and strategizing classroom teaching to strengthen culture appreciation.

But of course, I won’t forget the University’s focal pillar of culture, (CCA) the BSU- Center for Culture and the Arts Performing Arts Group headed by Dr. Norma Mayos which recently performed local theatre plays titled “Sulinek” and “Nan Layad Ta II”. I appreciate also the KONTAD who are usually tapped by the SocSci students to teach them native dances and to every cultural troupe and club under the umbrella of CCA

Anyway, maybe it’s just a matter of misalignment of the course syllabus to the necessity of the learners. I do not go against such modern dances since they are Filipino dances also and they are part of the Filipino culture. But my case is, if there is a possibility that we first start to learn the Cordi dances before moving to the regional and national dances? What if these native dances are to be prioritized… just thinking though.

A toast to students and teachers who embrace with passion the greatest profession of all --- teaching, while inculcating the value of culture to the learners! Indeed, the role of education to the students in appreciating their culture is very

Without a doubt, I had been eating slices and slices of tasty cakes since I entered BSU through her culture advocates.

Many educators feel that the subject matter and cognitive learning should be the total focus for today’s teaching. Asked the 21st century instructors and professors of CTE, it’s either you will be given a hard stare or a hard lecture. Cliché as it seems but they consider experience as the best teacher. Professor Bryant Botengan reiterated that learning is a sequence of experiences which occurs inside the learner and is activated by the learner. Like the demonstration strategy on teaching the cultural dances and songs, Professor Froilan Manas attested that strategies concretize the learners’ philosophies in order for them to achieve enlightenment and not boredom which results from the

who acts and performs Cordi dances and songs for the promotion of our culture.

Despite the number of these performing groups, the lack of cultural dance trainers especially for the Cordi dances is still evident in the University. This is because these groups are composed of students who don’t have the luxury of time to teach more or less 7,000 pairs of feet.

In my P.E. 13: Rhythmic Activities, yes, we were taught how to dance ballroom, cha-cha, jazz, rumba, boogie but not a single dance step of Cordi native dances such as sadong, tayaw, bendian, etc. It’s ironic how we learned to dance our ethnic dance in SocSci and not in our PE subject.

significant. Much as the learner must learn, educators need to strategize classroom teaching which at the same strengthens culture appreciation among them. We thank our pillars of culture in the University.

May your tribes increase!

For almost three years, I never get tired of its taste… the taste of my identity and culture. ‘Twas a worthwhile learning experience and I believe there are more slices to come.

For now, I can say that still it is more fun to eat cakes in BSU than anywhere in the North. That’s why I keep falling for her. I love you BSU. Keep giving the experience and I and the rest of the studentry will maximize our learning.

Nostalgia Rebuild the Temple

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Richard Giye

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Thus, practical life activities and resources of the community must furnish the bases for the educational program. Education is further viewed as a social process of participating in the affairs of the community because it is by participating in the activities and meaning of society that the learner learns the behaviors, the characteristics of his personhood.

It is a cooperative and collaborative process in which it could come across social interaction. Accordingly, education is a reconstruction of human experiences where it recognizes the importance of the principle of transfer of training, the use of past experiences in developing the continuous growth of the learner.

No Pets Allowed Illustrated by Harmon Nicer

“

(Part 2 of 2)

No more SCUAA Illustrated by Gisellee Ocyaden

Of Indigenizing Education and Reviving Culture in BSU

7

Stop looking at the dead places of the past!

As narrated in 2 Kings Chapter 25 in the Bible, a catastrophic event shook the foundations of faith. Thousands of years ago when the beautiful walls and temples of Jerusalem fell was trampled mercilessly, the wrath of God was strongly felt among His people. The Israelites did not know where to turn to, they did not know where to find food and water. as the place was completely desolated. The land was barren and there was famine. There was nothing left but just the dead places of the past. The memories of the very beautiful city hunted the Israelites, distracting them from rebuilding the temple again.

They kept on reminiscing the glory and beauty of the past and discouragement overwhelmed them. They became weak… faithless.

Ground zero. There’s a volume of work left among the Israelites after the destruction, Jerusalem suffered for 66 years of neglect.

When the time the people were summoned by God to rebuild the worship temple of the City, people

Dejavu. When the Super Typhoon Yolanda struck Visayas, all were destroyed, millions of properties and thousands of lives were stricken.

When everything turned to dust and soils, the temples and churches were also not spared, they were trampled to dust. The wrath was strongly felt.

So strong that until now the Filipino people are still mourning. The faith of the Filipino people is challenged through these unfortunate times, yet the message remained to be clear, God wants the Philippines to be faithful to Him. Likened to what happened to Jerusalem, God wants Filipinos to rebuild the destroyed places but most importantly for us to rebuild the temple of God in our hearts.

Let not the memory of Yolanda and other typhoons distract us to start the new year with a positive outlookfull of faith to Him. He wants us to start strong and finish this year stronger. God is promising us that He will remain to be true to the Filipino people so long as we look to Him, rebuilding our own temple of faith, striking down every doubt, unrighteousness, and sins in our hearts for us to regain His favor to this country again.

When our President Benigno Aquino Jr. declared January 20 as the National Day of Prayer and Solidarity, we have witnessed the unity among

Let us bring back the sacred fire of worship, build in the Ark of the Covenant in our hearts, and rebuild the trampled temple.

What can you say about BSU’s decision of not adopting the school calendar shift this coming academic year?

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themountaincollegian.org

themountaincollegian@gmail.com

refused to follow. Yet what they did not know was that what God wanted them really to do besides rebuilding the worship temples was to rebuild God’s temple in their hearts and wholeheartedly recognize His lordship to them.

With this hopeless situation, God promised them that the glory of the second house which was the one that they will be building would become greater than the latter temples of Solomon. Because the glory that God was referring to was actually Jesus Christ-the savior entering Jerusalem in the New Testament, far much greater than kings and queens visited the Solomon’s temple. Now, I believe that God is promising Philippines the same way as what He did to His people thousands of years agothat the glory of this coming year 2014 will be greater than 2013.

Filipinos. Our brothers and sisters in Visayas have suffered much and until now they are suffering to rebuild Visayas. To start again from ground zero is problematic but God is promising the glory for Philippines this 2014. May we find Jesus Christ in our hearts, for this is the only way for us to regain the favor and protection of God during these last days.

I end up by coming into prayer to God for the Filipinos not to look at the ruins of the past but rather look at God who is the finisher of the future of this country. Let us bring back the sacred fire of worship, build in the Ark of the Covenant in our hearts, and rebuild the trampled temple. Let’s fight the good fight.

Many thanks to my family who always understands me, to my Mom for her support; and to my brothers and sisters in faith, to our Church and to my Senior Pastor. t.G.g | 777

December 2013

February

Mountain Collegian

2014 V 42 I 3 olume

Richard Giye

Illustration Courtesy of Hajari Estima

N

8 ews Affectionate: Written in sands The

ssue

The cold wind of December is boring.

They call her Naphtali. She lookedout through her window and saw youths passing by along the street near her house. In twilight, she was glad to see a young man devoid to understanding taking the path towards her house.

In the black starry night, a woman met him with baroque style of fashion, crafty and seducing. She is gay and rebellious; her feet aren’t comfortable to stay at home. Many times, you will find her lurking around public places, smoking beside the stores and sitting in front of the city.

She took his hands and kissed his lips. Cuddled his hair behind his neck and said, “I have a gift for you; today I’m getting rid of my ring. I have cut and dyed my hair with raven black. Look, I have left everything just to see you. I have prepared a warm bed spread with fine linen and cloud pillows. Perfumed it with cinnamon and aloes.

“Come, let us chase the sunset down.

Let us take into the wine of Jupiter and fill our night with passion until morning

comes. Just the sight of the two of us would turn the stars into bleak. For my husband is not at home tonight, he has gone a long journey and merry himself in long voyages. I heard he was a marooned pirate. Silly he is in the middle of the sea thinking that I was waiting for him.”

With those nervous eyes, the young man hardened his chest and pulled her beside him.

Here comes another man named Reuben a widowed man full of wisdom and understanding but ignorant of self –control.

There in the dark night, when the dusk is young,. There I saw him standing behind those shadowed walls of the city.

He would lit his cigar and moist his lips in the coldness of the night. His eyes would move around thinking of vile things only him who knows. He would wait until everyone is asleep, secretly peeping among the windows of the houses and tiptoeing in the shadows. He thought to himself, “No one can see what I’m about to do. I own the night and the night owns me.”

He would transfer from one house to another, whatever door or window delights him. He would rub his both hands and say, “How could I make myself warm?” While his toes will knock against the ground longing for someone to share the night with him. He then decided to take the road to Naphtali like a man marching to his oblivion.

The cold morning comes, everyone in the city, in the streets gathered where there a young man lying naked, cold and stiff.

You cannot see any glimpse of pity to the eyes of the people watching. Where there’s no affection. Theirs is only horror.

Sa

pagtangis

bayan

nakitrangis ang buong

Illustrated by Mark Samuel De Guzman

ko,

Juliet Esther Cindy Guerrero

Tila bangungot hanggang ngayon Nang tapakan ng isang higante Mga pangarap at adhikain ko Ini-ingat-ingatang kagandahan Sa loob ng mahabang panahon.

Tatlong buwa’y dumaan Mula nang ako’y tumangis Habang pinagmamasdan ko Mga yama’t bagay Kahapon lamang’y hinahangaan.

Ngunit sa aking pagtangis Ramdam ko mga tagagtak ng luha Mula sa aking paligid, sa buong bayan Gaya ko’y nanahaghoy sila Sila’y nalulungkot din sa aking kawalan.

Faith H. Belingon | Editor-in-Chief Rhe-Ann B. Ngayaan | Associate Editor Mariel L. Laoana | Finance Manager Janice B. Agrifino | Managing Editor

The Mountain Collegian

Editorial Board 2nd Semester of 2013-2014

The Official Student Publication of Benguet State University

Limang Dekada ng Pluma at Panitik.

Richard A. Giye | News Editor Juliet Esther Cindy A. Guerrero | Features Editor Eunice Joy Tayaban | Research and Culture Editor Mylyn C. Maitang | Literary Editor Bobby Mc Gee O. Lee | Sports Editor Jessica V. Caranay | Olenor P. Llarenas Jerson B. Sabado Jr. | Juman Kevin B. Tindo

Senior Staff Writers The Mountain Collegian is a member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) and the School Press Advisers Movement (SPAM), Inc. Located at 1/f Office of Student Services Building, Benguet State University. You may reach us through email: themountaincollegian@gmail.com and through Facebook: www. facebook.com/TheMountainCollegian

Muli’y lungkot ko’y napawi Dahil sila’y nariyan sa aking tabi At dahil sa taos-pusong pagdamay Sa mga tulong na naiparating Ako’y nabunutan ng malaking tinik.

Kevin Jake M. Angyab | Jaina Ashlyn Awas Brendon Bangco-og | Abigail Joanna L. Nagpala Irish Mikee Wigwigan | Arniel A. Dumigsi Chatelaine Wansi | Ericka Mae Pistola Daniel Jason Maches

Unti-unti’y nanumbalik mga ngiti Tiwala’ t pagmamahal sa Diyos Sigla’ t dating katauhan Muling pagsilang ng pag- asa, Ang pagsilang ng bagong ako.

Junior Staff Writers Ferdinand S. Palbusa Jr. | Giselle I. Ocyaden Gilbert P. Barro

Senior Cartoonists Mark Samuel D. De Guzman | Harmon C. Nicer Ceasar James Osben | Keyzer K. Tad-o

Junior Cartoonists Jerson B. Sabado Jr. | Lay-out and Design

Paul Joseph A. Nuval | Adviser Grace T. Bengwayan | Adviser

- Bumabangon,

Visayas

Literary The

Mountain Collegian

It Started With a

Paintbrush Juman Kevin Tindo

The mist on the runway was slowly evaporating revealing the end of it which blazed like a metropolis at twilight. Hovering above it was a huge kaleidoscope which reflects millions of butterflies from a myriad of species. Lightning bolts shot from prism to prism located at the edges of the runway, turning the colors from white to blue to red to green to yellow.

Illustrated by Harmon Nicer

All the audience stared at the magnificence of the runway, waiting any second now for the show to start.

Everyone “oohed” and “aahed” as they listened to a soft, alluring giggle- the sign that the show is already commencing.

A swirl of smoke and blue fire swept around the stage and spiraled to the top. As it moved, the swirl revealed a translucent three-dimensional image of a raven-haired girl with sky-high cheekbones. She was wearing a ruched red dress which fitted her quite perfectly. She was strutting the runway and the spectators applauded thunderously.

Brianna has been into hundreds of fashion shows but this was the most extraordinary. She was walking in one of the biggest and grandest fashion shows ever. People were applauding her and she was overcome with excitement.

Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. And as she is about to exit into the curtains she made a unique pose and remembered how a painter changed her life forever…

Ciphers, images, strokes, and lines fused togetherthese are the shields and swords that Aurum used to metamorphose intricate codes and change numerous ideas into a single one. Within a small room he rents, these optical metaphors are camouflaged through his cleverness which makes a coven of people admire his works of art. His artworks are often compared to the masterpieces of Da Vinci.

Aurum’s greatest dream is to make a painting of a person worth immortalizing. He wants to combine colors and make his best strokes to come up with an artwork which is more than a thousand words. This creation must be out of the ordinary- this artwork must be a person he loves.

Aurum usually spends his afternoon in the Paper Doll Park, where other artists like him absorb the beauty of the place and transform them into wonderful creations. And in that particular afternoon, he saw someone which made his heart “zing” with delight. He thought that he has found the one- the only person who can transform his dreams into reality.

He saw Brianna. She has a face the cruelest person may not label as “yuck” but never in a million years would be pronounced as beautiful either. She’s the girl whose hair has a multiple personality disorder and cannot decide if it is intended to be wavy, curly, or straight. Her body is a contradiction of itself: a slightly hunched back, feet the size of sneakers, and stick figure arms and legs which are so fragile. Her head is humungous and punch-bowl-sized with a forehead that goes on and on and on.

Every day was a struggle for Brianna. Her struggle to keep her head up high whenever she is in school…her struggle to be noticed, her struggle to find friends, her

struggle to find the man she wants, her struggle to be able to rise above the social food chain, and many more. Because in many eyes, she is nothing, she is but a generic girl who is neither lovely nor that ugly.

When Aurum approached Brianna, fireworks filled the atmosphere. Brianna felt Aurum’s heat- his love thawing Brianna’s lack of confidence. In that instant, they found their missing pieces- Aurum’s masterpiece and Brianna’s prince.

It took Aurum one day to make a life-size portrait of Brianna. He used his best paint brush to make the contours of her face. He combined light and heavy strokes to emphasize her figure. The contrast of colors made the painting seem real. And as Brianna stared on her mirror image, she felt bliss. She felt that for the first time in forever, she was beautiful and she was loved.

Aurum’s medium became more effective than words in transmitting messages. They attempted to transcend more than just showing an image.

Through mirroring Brianna, he stimulated feelings that fortified people into believing that beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder. People were drawn into his masterpiece mainly due to its ingenuity in conveying a message that love can be immortalized in an eye-catching and effortless manner.

People from everywhere came and gave Aurum their respect. Aurum became a figure of a master painter. He was idolized. On the other hand, Brianna was also noticed. One of her ambitions is to be noticed. She was noticed but it was beyond her

dreams. She became a model. She was an inspiration that beauty is not about how perfect a person is. She broke the standards of beauty. She stood firm that beauty is also about celebrating one’s imperfections.

Aurum and Brianna became forces of inspiration and greatness. However, Aurum’s talent has a twin curse. He did have the capability to create a masterpiece, but its creation evaporated most of his life force. He became weak.

Brianna tried to reason with Aurum for him to stop making paintings. But Aurum is as persistent as a black ink could be. He said that his life is tied to his talent and if showing his talent to the world meant dying, then he will not fight that fate. And so he still created three portraits of Brianna- the only subject he said which is worth painting.

And as he put the final touches of his third painting, he also had his last breath. Brianna caressed him and thought of the good things which came to her life because of him.

It started with a paintbrush. It started with one person, seeing the beauty in her. It started with love.

Aurum passed away doing the things he wanted.

Brianna has realized that his presence is a gift. His smiles were a picturesque scene. His laughs were music. His eyes captured her heart. His naughtiness completed her days. It was definitely love which changed her life forever…

When Brianna exited the tent of the fashion show, she suddenly realized that Aurum may have left her. But his paintings were immortalized. That is when she realized that Aurum never truly left but his essence lived through his masterpieces.

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DELICADEZA Yet dogs, which once consumed Jezebel’s body in the books of Kings, were branded from being “man’s best friend” to being “man’s best food.” Human consumption of dogs has become a global trend in traditional cuisine of some cultures since time immemorial.

Animalpeoplenews.org noted that 13-16 million dogs are butchered annually in Asia for human consumption and bulk of these are eaten in China and Korea.

Called “fragrant meat” by the Chinese, other countries have reasons for dog consumption. China, Korea, Nigeria, and Uzbekistan believe that dog meat has medicinal properties and can promote well balance of one’s vital energy of the body.

While certain tribes in Ghana look at dog consumption during ceremonies as a way to bond with members of other tribes.

RA No. 8485 Section 6 of the Republic Act No. 8485, otherwise known as “The Animal Welfare Act of 1998” states that “It shall be unlawful for any person to torture any animal, to neglect to provide adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat any animal or to subject any dog or horse to dogfights or horsefights, kill or cause or procure to be tortured or deprived of adequate care, sustenance or shelter, or maltreat or use the same in research or experiments not expressly authorized by the Committee on Animal Welfare.”

However, there are still exemptions as enumerated by R.A. 8485, namely: when butchering is done for an established religion’s rituals or a ritual required by custom of ethnic communities; when it is deemed necessary to stop the misery of animal due to an incurable communicable disease as certified by a duly licensed veterinarian; and to prevent an imminent danger to the life of a human being; and when it is for animal population control and authorized research or experiments.

“Any person found guilty of trading dog meat shall be fined not less than five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) per dog and subjected to imprisonment for one to four years,” Section 11 of the said act added.

The inhumane methods But still R.A. 8485 did very little to help.

According to forcechange.com, approximately 500,000 dogs are being killed annually in the country for consumption.

Sadly, the most common way of killing dogs are seemingly unacceptable. As networkforanimals.org narrates, their muzzles

are bounded with a can and transported in almost 30-degree heat and starvation.

Moreover, they are butchered by being clubbed or having their throats cut while still conscious. Their fur is singed with blowtorch and the bodies are cut into pieces and distributed to markets and restaurants. Dogs that died during the trip to the slaughter house are ‘double dead.’

The pitiful condition of dogs before and during slaughter has been featured in TV stations, where it was shown that dogs were placed in cramp iron cages.

More than an Igorot delicacy Nestled with exotic cultures and traditions, Baguio City and the rest of Cordillera emerged as the leading consumer of dog meat in the country, embracing almost 90% of the dog meat partaken in each year, according to linisgobyerno.org. This cannot be refuted because dog-meat eating has been a practice of the Igorots since the early times.

According to Bing Dawang, editor of The Junction a regional newspaper in his article titled “Dog-Eating and My Culture,” when tribal

Arniel Dumigsi

Inclined to exhibit social intelligence, dogs are of multipurpose as they can be hunters, security guards, workers, entertainers, livestock herders, rodent eaters, and psychological therapists.

who might have caused the sickness be affected with the prayer of the mambunong.

For instance, the mambunong prayed that the person will get sick and it really happened.

And this is believed was sure sign of his evil work on the other person. The ritual animal for this kind of cañao is a dog or a chicken.

Among other Igorot native dog delicacies, pinuneg is a longganisa-like blood sausage which is commonly served during cañaos.

However, as time unfolds, the delicacy have somewhat became a daily menu of most Cordilleran restaurants and a part of Igorot’s meal and pulutan during inuman. The recipe uses large intestine of dog or pig, along with spices, and some innards; it is mixed with cooked rice, usually kintoman or red rice.

In his article, Dawang expressed that he finds it insulting that Igorots are branded as “dog-eaters”. “As a full-blooded Igorot, I take offense,” Dawang responded to a local USA newspaper which defended the dog meat trade in the Philippines particularly in the Cordilleras. The newspaper claimed and generalized that dog eating is a part of the Igorot indigenous culture.

“We do not condemn those who are eating dog meat but we do not promote it.”

wars were rampant, dogs were butchered by the Igorots before engaging to war. They believed that spirits of sacrificed dogs would guard them in their combat. Further, dogs were sacrificed to appease the spirits, and to assign the soul of the dog to guard the spirits of the living family members.

On the other hand, the official website of the Benguet province, has it that dogs are usually butchered among I-benguets during certain cañaos such as palis and topia. In order to bring back the spirit of a sick person taken by the tinmongao, a spirit residing at the creeks, palis is done where a dog is offered to the so that it would release the spirit of the sick person and be freed from his sickness.

Meanwhile, topia is practiced to drive out the devil from a sick person. It is believed the performing and also would let the person

Illustrated by Giselle Ocyaden

Dog

Traders: DELICACIES

ssue

Photo taken by Jerson Sabado Jr.

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Meanwhile, according to Lyn (not her real name), an employee of an eatery-serving dog meat along Km. 5, La Trinidad, approximately 50 people order sautéed dog meat from them in a day. She said, most of their customers are Igorots including some policemen and government employees.

Lee Marvin Aping, a Cordilleran Doctor of Veterinary Medicine II student, also shared that the principle of animal rights should still be given importance, but we should also respect those dog-eating people for it is a part of their tradition.

Amongst nutritive benefits and threat of rabies

According to Pelin B. Belino, dean of the College of Home Economics and Technology (CHET), dog meat is a good source of protein, phosphorus, and Vitamin A which are

essential for the body.

“We do not condemn those who are eating dog meat but we do not promote it,” said Belino.

However, in the perspective of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Melly Ann A. Salic-o of the Benguet State University (BSU) Veterinary Hospital, consuming infected dogs, especially its brain, is a high risk factor of transmitting rabies virus to humans.

World Health Organization (WHO) noted that about 60 000 people die in the world because of rabies each year.

Travelclinic.ltd.uk reads that rabies may be transmitted if the dog meat is eaten raw and is not well-cooked like spiced chunks cooked in a hot-spot stew. As the virus is absorbed by the body, it multiples into a susceptible cell where it grows in number and enters the nerve endings. The virus then migrates to the brain and rabies symptoms begin to occur.

Anti-Dog Slaughter Warriors Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), a volunteer based non-government organization (NGO), aims to prevent animal cruelty through education, animal sheltering and advocacy. Serving as a temporary shelter of dogs and other animals rescued from inhumanity, PAWS believes that the creation of a more peaceful society begins with heightening man’s awareness against animal abuse and the promotion of responsible pet ownership and wildlife protection.

“Animals don’t have a voice and that’s why they need us to speak for them. PAWS and I are encouraging everyone to be responsible pet owners and be a good example to others so that there would be less homeless animals on the streets,” said singer-actress and PAWS advocate Karylle in paws.org.ph.

Dogs are already tested of their dedication to man. In return, we should be firm as their best friend. Eating their meat just for pointless reasons like pangpulutan is undoubtedly offensive and unlawful. It is a cliché to be unaware of the laws concerning inhumane torturing and eating of dogs. It is a shame that even the blind-pretending government is in front of the line of dog eaters.

As long as RA. 8485 and other laws exist, dog meat will never be a part of our regular meal even if culture is concerned. However, if ethnicity calls us to slaughter dogs for rituals called by customs and traditions, we must use euthanasia or the painless killing of animals, where no fully-conscious dogs break into a fury of whimper and where no crescendos of pain are heard.

#selfie: The Breaking Dawn of the

‘Me’ Generation Arniel Dumigsi

Images from the internet

Features

Tilt head. Pout. Adjust chin. Twinkle eyes. Click.

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In this world of social networking, the common way of most people in broadcasting what they look like 24/7 is to simply stare at their camera with their perfectly angled pouty face, wait for its flash, upload their self-portrait on Facebook, and tag it with #me while waiting for some friends to click the ‘like’ and ‘share’ buttons.

Selfie as defined by the Oxford Dictionaries is a photograph that one has taken of one’s self, typically with a smartphone or webcam and then uploaded to a social media. It has gained momentum and cried for attention in social networks such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, along with photo-sharing applications like Snapchat.

Recently, selfie was added to the Oxford Dictionary of English and was named as the “Word of 2013.”

According to the editors of the dictionary, selfie’s usage frequency in the English language increased by 17,000% in 2012.

“Its linguistic productivity is already evident in the creation of numerous related spin-off terms showcasing particular parts of the body like ‘helfie’ (a picture of one’s hair) and ‘belfie’ (a picture of one’s posterior); a particular activity called ‘welfie’ (workout selfie) and ‘drelfie’ (drunken selfie); and even items of furniture dubbed ‘shelfie’, and ‘bookshelfie’.”

The evolution of selfie The first photographic selfportraits is thought to have been around since 1839 when camera pioneer Robert Cornelius took a picture of himself outside his family’s store in Philadelphia, USA. In the 1970s, the Polaroid camera came of age which gave way to some experimentation with the selfie but photograph was not really instantaneous because of the costly film, as posted in thestar.com.my.

It was in the advent of the digital camera that selfie rose in popularity.

Bbc.co.uk reads that selfie can be traced back in 2002 when it was used in an Australian online forum.

It then began to appear on the photo-sharing site Flickr and on MySpace back in 2004.

In a collective discussion with Maricris Lad-ey, Irene Alcantara, and Julie Annaway of the Office of Student Services and DevelopmentGuidance and Counseling Unit (OSSGCU) of Benguet State University, they said that selfie back then and today differs due to the culture and the environment of the people.

“Taking photographs during the early times are served to capture memories and record special occasions.” However, they added that access of most people to a digital camera provides an avenue of exploring and expressing themselves and makes then selfies as digital diary or photo album.

Accordingly, selfies are not new already because some generations in the past decades had their own mode of this phenomenon though it was a photo studio-enabled selfie.

Lad-ey also linked selfie as the modern extension of the evolution of man.

How to shoot a perfect selfie The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News Magazine features some effective tips in taking a perfect selfie. First, a natural light must be available. The most pleasing sunlight which is best time for photo-shoot is the hour after

trying out a new look or different hairdo. It can help you feel just a little different or fancier in a photo, and this confidence will shine through your final images. The said magazine then suggests adding a prop such as a hat, scarf, or a piece of jewelry.

Selfie, a sign of narcissistic age?

“Selfies are killing culture and turning us all into wanky narcissists.”

This is the lead of Lucy Uprichard’s article titled “Selfie Culture: Are We All Boring Narcissists Now?” The article said that through selfies, the internet is no longer to share information, but to gain attention. She told oversharing of self-portraits has become somewhat like social smoking.

“Websites that allow you to constantly upload photos you just took have given birth to a special kind of bulletproof narcissism,” she said.

In addition, an article titled “Selfie, Word of 2013, Sums up our Age of Narcissism” reads that through selfie, we are living in an age of narcissism where only our best, most attractive, most carefully constructed selves are presented to the world.

...selfie is a self-generated manifestation of man’s God-given ingenuity which he integrates to the over-shared world he lives in. sunrise and just before sunset.

Next is the ‘rule of thirds’. Try to think of how to compose in thirds, like eyes, a third of the way up, head a third of the way into the picture-ideally from the top or side.

But do not forget to ensure a space between you and the background, to achieve a depth of image.

In addition, show your ‘good’ side. Positioning the camera slightly above your eyeline tends to be the most gratifying. You can also angle your face or body to one side.

Lastly, be bold or daring by

The best of selfie However, in Pamela Rutledge’s “#Selfies: Narcissism or SelfExploration?”, several benefits of selfies have been enumerated that have nothing to do with narcissism in spite of the negative allegations towards the selfie culture.

Foremost, selfies facilitate self and identity exploration. As Rutledge explained, selfies offer the opportunities to express features of ourselves, such as the artistic side, the silly side, or the glamorous side; and by offering different aspects

through images, we are sharing more of ourselves, becoming more authentic and transparent which are the things that digital connectivity encourages.

Accordingly, selfies clearly identify a passion or interest that strengthens our social identity and give the ability to create a life narrative through images that allow us to relive some of the emotions, context, and experiences.

“Some view these self-created self-portraits as proof of cultural—or at least generational— narcissism and moral decline. I, on the other hand, view them as a by-product of technology-enabled selfexploration,” she wrote.

Furthermore, OSS-GCU said that it is difficult to conclude that selfie can be a manifestation of narcissism.

According to Annaway, we should still consider the personality and the point of view of people who engage in this phenomenon -behaviorally, emotionally, and mentally.

Lad-ey added that selfie is the flavor of 2013 and that is why we should expect it to be very influential. But if the selfie fever cools and still many take selfie addictively, then the behavioral tendency is narcissism.

“Like alcoholism, take selfie moderately,” advised Alcantara.

According to Dianne Balbin, a BSE III student, and a certified selfie devotee, trending technology and the society influenced a lot in her hobby of taking her own photos and engaging to selfie poses. She finds selfie as a way of expressing herself and an effective cure to boredom.

Above all, while the selfie culture could be enjoying and encouraging self-expression for some, or even self-centered, narcissistic, and unethical phenomenon to others, it is a trend which does not deserve stereotypes as it only serves as a human’s modern tool in exploring who they really are in connection with others. Indeed, selfie is a selfgenerated manifestation of man’s God-given ingenuity which he integrates to the over-shared world he lives in.

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Beauty The Filipinos in the

Olympics of

Juman Kevin Tindo

The most beautiful day in the universe has come again. As this glorious day is anticipated, people are gathering into their hallowed living rooms to witness the congregation of at least 90 women from around the world. Every man, woman, ‘super sireyna’, and ‘that’s my tomboy’ hold their breaths as these 90 women are being cut down to the final 15. Three spots left…Miss Venezuela was called…Miss India…and finally, Miss Philippines! Screams and screeches of bliss are then heard from every corner of the world as Filipinos celebrate for Miss Philippines entering the next round of the pageant.

This is just one of the scenarios whenever Filipinos watch and cheer for our contestants during the coronation night of an international beauty pageant. And this year, the Philippines’ candidates are again ranked as one of the top beauties of the entire universe, world, and earth.

so much because of the monster typhoon “Yolanda.”

The Philippines grabbed its fifth crown in the 53rd Miss International when Bea Rose Santiago outshone 67 representatives around the world during the pageant’s four-hour finals night in Tokyo, Japan.

"If I become Miss International, I would uphold international camaraderie. I will work to sustain the spirit of sympathy and spirit of hope. As long as we work together, there is hope," answered Bea for the final round when the remaining five contestants each gave a 30-second speech on the subject, "What I will do if I am crowned Miss International."

On December 31, 2013 as the world looks forward to meeting a new year, Angeli Dione Gomez reigned Miss Tourism International 2013 in Putrajaya, Malaysia. This is a backto-back win for the Philippines since Miss Tourism International 2013 who passed on the crown is another Filipina beauty, Rizzini Alexis Gomez.

According to the Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom, Angeli bested 59 other contestants in the Malaysia-based beauty pageant, which aims “to educate and promote tourism and cultural exchange.”

to share other than her physical attributes.

Another article titled, “Filipinos Love for Beauty Pageants,” stated that beauty pageants unites Filipinos all-over the world. Filipinos take pride when candidates represent the country in international pageants to show the world how beautiful and intellectual Filipinos are.

Others may see pageants as superficial where only those called “beautiful” are given the spotlight. But most Filipinos will agree that the viral love for beauty pageants is a celebration of the Pinay beauty both from the inside and out.

Beauty with a Purpose Watching beauty pageants reminds us of those moments when Filipinos would put everything on hold, as they watch our Pinay beauty queens compete for world beauty titles. Tumitigil ang mundo! This is also happening during Manny Pacquiao’s fights and during the finale of our kababayans’ favorite teleseryes.

During these collective experiences, all of us are “Filipinos,” regardless of our political leanings or social standing. We root for our kababayan candidates, athletes or favorite

Images from the

internet

The Big Four Since 1950s, the top three most prestigious world beauty contests were the Miss Universe, the Miss World, and the Miss International.

This century, the Miss Earth was added.

Although there are hundreds and hundreds of beauty pageants being held year in and year out in every conceivable place all around the world, according to jatps. hubpages.com, these four are the most sought after.

The grandmother of these pageants is the Miss World which was born in 1951 in the United Kingdom. Miss Universe came next in 1952 which was first held in the USA. Later in 1960, Miss International search was started in the USA. Finally, Miss Earth begun in 2001 in the Philippines.

Filipina Beauties in the Spotlight The Filipina Beauty (and Brains) has long

continue her studies and support her mother who needed regular medication for a blood disorder.

Another crown was bestowed upon a Filipina when Miss Philippines Megan Young ramped victorious on the Miss World 2013 pageant at Bali, Indonesia. According to the Associated Press, even though the pageant was surrounded by a fear “that Muslim extremists may try to disrupt the event,”the parade of beauties was not hindered.

Megan told the judges she deserves to be Miss World because she wants to show that people from around the Philippines are hard workers.

She said that she wants to show people the core values of humanity “so that as one, together, we shall help society.”

For four years now, the Philippines’ bets in the Miss Universe has been in the top five.

Maria Venus Raj was 4th runner-up in 2010, Shamcey Supsup was 3rd runner-up in 2011, Janine Tugonon was 1st runner-up in 2012, and Ariella Arida managed to conquer 3rd runner-up in the recent Miss Universe in Moscow, Russia.

During the contest’s question and answer portion, judge Tara Lipinski asked Arida what

During these collective experiences, all of us are “Filipinos,” regardless of our political leanings or social standing. We root for our kababayan candidates, athletes or favorite lead character in the teleseryes. We laugh, cry and cheer together. been a well-kept secret for generations. But like most secrets, it will eventually find a way to surface. This 2013, Filipina beauties emerged and brought home bacons of pride for the country.

Mutya Datul brought home the very first crown this year as she emerged as the first Filipina and first Asian to be crowned as Miss Supranational 2013 at Minsk, Belarus besting 82 candidates.

The journey of Mutya was a Cinderella story, as reported by Joyce Burton-Titular from Rappler.com. She would join local pageants, big and small, just to raise funds for her family. Winning pageants meant she could

can be done about the lack of jobs for young people starting with their careers around the world.

“For the people who have lack of jobs, I do believe that we people should invest in education. And that is my primary advocacy, because if every one of us is educated and we‘re well aware of what we are doing, we could land into jobs and could land good careers in the future. So, education is a primary source and it is a ticket for a better future,” she said.

Arida bowed down to Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler from Venezuela. She dedicated her victory to her fellow Filipinos who lost

Aside from these wins, the Philippines also triumped in several other pageants this year, such as Miss Grand International, Miss Intercontinental, Mr. International, and Miss Teen Expoworld.

Craze for Beauty Pageants “What is it with Filipinos and beauty pageants?”

According to an article titled, “The Pinoy fascination with beauty pageants,” beauty pageants are a celebration of beauty. It said that there is nothing wrong with celebrating beauty. Joining a beauty contest does not necessarily mean a woman has nothing else

lead character in the teleseryes. We laugh, cry and cheer together.

Although there are people who frown about the “beauty contest” mentality, celebrating beauty is also celebrating the women’s elegance, talent, and intelligence.

Whatever people may feel and think about beauty pageants, one thing is for sure: for as long as people love to see beauty, are entertained by the thrill of competition, and are appreciative of a good pageant that showcases lovely gowns, dances, culture, and songs – beauty pageants are here to stay.

The Mountain Collegian The Official Student Publication of Benguet State University

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FORECASTING Juman Kevin Tindo

Sendong, Pepeng, Habagat, Rosing, Ondoy, Milenyo, Yolanda, and many more. These are not just names of ordinary Filipinos but of typhoons which have ravaged the Philippines and have caused much damage to properties.

In particular, typhoons that hit Benguet cause devastating landslides. Typhoons affect the production of vegetables since crops are destroyed. Landslides also affect mining industries as they cause accidents, casualties, and even death.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Northern Philippines accumulate at least 30% of their annual rainfall which could be traced from tropical cyclones.

Furthermore, the wettest known tropical cyclone that hit the archipelago was on July 1911 in Baguio City. The cyclone dropped over 1, 168 millimeters within a 24-hour period.

In the study conducted by Marivic C. Novida and Karla Liza Ann R. Pinlac, Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics graduates, titled “Time Series Analysis using Box-Jenkins Modeling on the Number of Tropical Typhoons that hit the Province of Benguet,” forecasting of typhoon occurrences was done.

The study was only focused on the modeling and

Illustrated by Mark Samuel De Guzman

AUTOCORRELATIONS

interval. Time series analysis encompasses techniques for analyzing time series data to extract significant statistics and to introduce forecasts or predictions. The analysis of time series is from an assumption that further values in the data file signify consecutive measurements take at equally spaced time intervals. Also, time series forecasting, an appropriate model to forecast future events, is to recognize past events to predict date points before they are measured.

On the other hand, Box-Jenkins methodology in time series analysis applies autoregressive moving average or autoregressive integrated moving average models.

This is regarded as the most efficient technique when used in analysis and forecasting. In comparison to other approaches, Box-Jenkins makes use of a variable’s past behavior to choose the best forecasting model from a broad division of models.

Based on the results of the study, the forecast values from 2010-2014 were provided. A typhoon range of zerofive was also revealed.

Being prepared involves knowing what lies ahead.

Forecasting typhoons give information to people on how to be prepared in cases of calamities. forecasting of typhoon occurrences in the Province of Benguet. Data used included the typhoons that hit the province and those which crossed 100 kilometers from the province’s boundaries.

Moreover, analyses of data by the researchers were based on the annual typhoon data compiled by the Climate and Agromet Data Section-Climatology and Agrometeorology Division of PAGASA from 1948 to 2009.

The data series was subjected to time series analysis and was used to forecast the number of typhoons for the next ten years. The Box-Jenkins Model was also used on the data series to come up with the results.

Time series, in Statistics, is any structural series of values or data points of a variable at evenly spaced time

Indeed, the significance of the study through the utilization of scientific knowledge and information as an effective instrument to ensure the safety, well-being, and economic security of the people. It will improve the quality of life and the environment. It also promotes national progress which will contribute to regional socio-economic development.

Being prepared involves knowing what lies ahead.

Forecasting typhoons give information to people on how to be prepared in cases of calamities. Benguet may be prone to typhoon destructions, but the result of this research can help in disaster management and can improve our quality of life.

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IL iAS CUlTURE: A Disciplinary and Unifying Factor Daniel Jason Maches

as eels and monkeys, are among the many customary practices considered as paneyyew among the I- Lias.

Moreover, in an article titled “Profile History of Lias” by Luis Talastas he emphasized the relevance of culture in achieving unity based on the fact that the Lias people originated from varying roots. Accordingly, even though the people are clannish like some other tribes, they are somewhat unified under one roof by being active and devoted to the same practices, beliefs, and traditional customs. It is this unifying factor that compels them to act and cooperate in times of need in any of the tribal family member. This is more illustrated when a tribal family member dies in a distant land by which they still follow their traditional custom of bringing home the deceased to be rendered with proper and complete ceremonial rites and prayers.

After the deceased is buried, kubkufu will commence, wherein the whole community particularly the family and relatives of the deceased will get together at a certain site along a river to conclude the rites and rituals offered to the dead. Doing so will allow the spirit of the deceased to rest in peace.

According to elders, highlight of such activity is the sarop, a traditional fishing method which was once rampant in the Cordillera before modernization took its grasp.

This is done by men and boys by cutting off

Have you ever heard about the story of a hunter who got lost after passing by a sacred abode because he did not leave even a single bit of his food for the spirits to partake with?

How about the story of a man who got killed by head hunters during his trek because he ignored signs sent by Kabunian?

a shallower portion of a river from the rest by way of piling rocks, then chinked with mud to prevent the flow of water, making way to an easier catching of fishes. It would be the task of the women and the children to do the catching of fishes, who are then startled from their hideouts, by hand or using a type of fishing net called sechok. Finally, the people will gather at a designated site where they will feast together on the fishes which are initially cooked through a traditional method called lenau. Such is done by wrapping the fishes on native leaves, then cooked in fire.

The unity of the people is also manifested through a traditional bayanihan system called korchag. This refers to the carrying of lumber from the forest to the house of the owner, of which at least one representative or more from every family is obliged to cooperate.

Generally, the source may be far- flung from the village and it may take a day or even weeks to do the job, depending on the distance or the number of lumbers to carry.

This is even severed by prevailing atmospheric conditions such as rains which cause the path to become slippery and risky, adding to the hefty burdens one must have to carry.

Nevertheless, such affirmations never served as drawbacks for the people to give up such culture and they continue to hand it down to the younger generation.

Further, the annual Changyasan Festival

is held every April for the people including those residing on foreign places who will gather together as one. At this part, everyone would eventually partake in various cultural activities being staged such as cultural dance competitions, playing of indigenous games like the fawwat, ak-akkad, and sangkor; beating of the pattong (gong) by boys and men accompanied with traditional dances such as choraw, and a lot more. Such event not only serves as a meeting period of the people who are dispersed worldwide due to several factors, but it aids as a testimony of a living culture which they continue to hold fast with, amid the incessant intrusion of modern influences. Not just that, this festival is an implement which persists on promoting peace, harmony and unity among the I-Lias.

However, it is disheartening to note that at present time, the traditional beliefs and practices are being eliminated due to several reasons. One is the prevailing assumption that such cultures are already impractical and rubbish. According to elders, such eradication would mean the disintegration of Lias as a close-knit tribe. In which case, clans will no longer be supportive of one another, individuals or families will soon become loyal only to their clans or families.

Indeed, beyond what we commonly see or hear about, there is something more behind all those customary practices and beliefs. It is more than just the staggering beats of the pattong or the graceful sways of the women dancing the choraw or the torayan. Far from what most of us are conscious of, culture is in fact a unity and a disciplinary approach among the Lias tribesmen and perhaps, even among other Indigenous People nationwide.

Illustrated by Giselle Ocyaden

Unknown to many, culture is not only a manifestation of the people’s histories or their devotion to Kabunian and the unseen deities and spirits. For the I-Lias, a group of people living in the northern frontier of the municipality of Barlig in Mountain Province, culture serves as a disciplinary measure and a unifying factor that continues to play a significant yet unnoticed role on the people’s daily existence.

Surprising it may seem, discipline has long been somewhat a counterpart of the Lias culture. Deep- rooted in the hearts of many I-Lias, paneyyew which according to Emilia M. Maches, an I-Lias elder who is now on her 80’s and a devoted observer of the Lias culture, is the unwritten law which prohibits or restricts certain practices to be done particularly when a special or sacred occasion such as sunga (popularly known as canao in other places), manmanok (butchering of native chicken for thanksgiving and for luck), and lufun (burial) just took place.

“This is intended for the conservation and protection of the natural environment and respect to the unseen deities and spirits,” she added.

Violation of this would lead to bad luck resulting to disease, wilting or infestation of crops and even death. Stealing of others crops or properties, lying or uttering of deceitful words, and feasting on certain animals such

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The Pansig’dan Way

Kevin Jake Angyab

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f there is one thing that escalated the status of Philippine economy over the long decades, it is agriculture. Agriculture introduced one of the longest- running livelihoods called farming where most of the Filipinos are involved.

The Cordillera region, in particular, thrives on agriculture. The province of Benguet, because of its climate change advantage, has been the leading producer of semi-temperate vegetables since the mid-20th century.

But, what if the farming that has been sustaining us for a half century is fast becoming affiliated to teen suicide?

Since 2009, the phenomenon of suicide continuously occurs in Benguet and surprisingly, pesticide ingestion was said to be the most common way of committing it.

BSU TAKES THE MISSION Aiming to understand this emerging phenomenon in vegetable farming areas, Benguet State University (BSU) partnered with ResearchMate, Inc., a local government organization, for a study titled “Pansig’dan: Promoting Well- being in an Agricultural Community in Northern Luzon, Philippines,” also known as “Project Pansig’dan.”

The members of the research team include Ruth S. Batani, Stanley F. Anongos Jr., Mursha D. Gapasin, Rachele D. De Guzman, Betty C. Listino, Beverly C. Sa-ao, Tecah C. Sagandoy, and Gregorio C. Taag which was conducted in an undisclosed study site.

“It was called Project Pansig’dan because it has two components. The first component is the research on factors contributing to suicidal phenomenon, while the second component was for the extension activities for the team to extend support to the community in designing and planning how the problem should be addressed,” explained Gapasin, one of the researchers.

Pansig’dan is a Kankanaey word which means pagmayatan or “for the good of.”

Meanwhile, after conducting the study, the Project Pansig’dan team concluded that before a suicide really happens in a farming community, there are three main contributing factors namely predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS Predisposing factors refer to the knowledge, attitudes, values, and experiences that trigger suicidal behaviors which may come within an individual or from his or her environment. The study strongly suggests that social interaction between family members and other members of the community should be maintained to further promote and strengthen bonding and relationship.

Since the study site is a farming community, parents seem to be preoccupied with farm works in which they use chemical agents like pesticides supposedly to increase production. Though they can provide the material needs of their children, they

compromise time for bonding, moral support, and other emotional needs significant to every child. Besides, they usually go home late stressed and exhausted from their farm activities.

The study explains that when adolescents and young adults experience distressing emotions such as tension, confusion, and uncertainty, it eventually leads to social stressors, primarily, depression. In cases when these children are faced with a distressing emotion, they turn to their peers for attention and emotional support. However, some peers, instead of extending help, influence them the other way.

REINFORCING FACTORS Moreover, the study stresses about the second factor called the reinforcing factors.

It explains that the quality of interaction an individual has with his family, friends, and other members of the community may influence suicidal behaviors.

“For example, a student’s poor performance in school and the unhealthy treatment at home may trigger the student’s suicidal ideation which may lead to actual committing of suicide,” said Gapasin.

The study included a culture of teasing in Kankana-ey farming communities called the

Moreover, the study concludes that toknang creates a misunderstanding since a joke to the other maybe an insult to another. With this, some people involved in a conversation can laugh out loud as they discuss anything, while others feel mocked and degraded.

The study further states that toknang can challenge masculinity. An account of local officials incorporated in the study reveals that toknang can trigger someone in ingesting a poison. According to a story in the study, a young man after being persuaded to “showoff” masculinity drank paraquat, an herbicide while one neighborhood is lamenting for someone’s death. For them, overcoming the fatality of ingesting pesticide will define someone’s masculinity.

Aside from toknang, the study figures out another contributory factor called ginnuyod.

There are cases when adolescents commit suicide because of exposure to the suicide attempts of others, especially if it is someone close to them.

As explained, ginnuyod is like a contagious disease because some people commit suicide after encountering their dead friends and family members in their dreams. With this, it is believed that the spirits of the dead

Indeed, suicide had taken many lives. It is about time to stand on our feet and fuel up as pro-life advocates against suicide. Life simply calls for hands willing to reach out. tradition of toknang, as a reinforcing factor.

The bite of satirical humor as the study calls it usually happens within a group of men in which they tease, challenge, and criticize one another. It could also occur among groups of young people by throwing jokes and sometimes giving pieces of advice as part of their conversation. In fact, as cited in the study, personal problems like separation from loved ones may be dealt with a joke.

Furthermore, toknang could be a result of embarrassment. According to the study, some elders of the study site hypothesized that the youth who committed suicide were “na-toknang” by their friends. The study cited a situation of a suicide attempt survivor who was teased by his friends and tagged him with the brand name of pesticide he used to commit suicide. Out of shame and developed courage, the person completed the suicide attempt.

people join in alcohol drinking activities and later influence the intoxicated individuals to commit suicide.

As explained by Gapasin, ginnuyod could be perceived as a cry for help of someone who feels grief and sorrow for the death of his loved one. Thus, dealing with this feeling is sometimes out of hand. This is the time when concerned individuals and the community as a whole is needed to comfort his or her who is lamenting and struggling.

ENABLING FACTORS The third factor are the enabling factors which point out that a person may have premeditated committing suicide but it was executed because of the presence of available means. Like other Filipino communities, alcohol drinking is also a part of the study site.

The study inferred that alcohol serves as the disinhibitor, while pesticides are the lethal

Illustrated by Mark Samuel De Guzman

Suicide:

tools.

Another story cited in the study reads that a person along with his peers went in a drinking session because of personal and familial problems. As a resident of a farming community, he has pesticides at home which gave him a greater access to kill himself by drinking the pesticide while under the influence of alcohol.

The study advocates social integration activities among communities such as Liga sa Barangay, Inter- barangay sports festivals, family days in schools, and other planned occasions.

It is recommended by the study that the institutionalization of school counseling centers that are accessible and friendly to young people (YP) should be promoted. In this way, the help of lupon members, church leaders, and other existing resources in the society will be maximized.

The importance of formal education should also be reiterated among YP because the study believes that it prevents self- inflicted injuries. In line with this, values education should be integrated in homeroom activities. It deals in caring for the environment and counseling activities like communicating problems and friendlyways of handling emotions and its other alternatives among YP. Accordingly, it is beneficial to venture in comprehensive plans geared towards farmer’s health, well-being, and appropriate strategies and mechanisms to promote and realize them. It is also a good thing to educate them about proper pesticide handling, use and disposal, pesticide lethality, suicide detection and early warning signs, use of safety gears, and alternative technologies and practices.

Lastly, implementation of liquor bans and curfew hours are very much important.

“Suicide is a reality and it actually happens.

It is preventable. We do not just wait for teams like Project Pansig’dan to address the problem, we could also contribute to its solution. This is the time when the involvement of the community as a whole is very important. The establishment of programs, strengthening of education, and other beneficial actions are big contributions towards the prevention of this phenomenon,” ended Gapasin.

No one and nothing could ever help bury suicide in its catacomb but only us because looking at the statistical data alone will not do anything. We have to unite ourselves in boldly proclaiming the end of suicide as we persistently push to celebrate life and care for it.

Indeed, suicide had taken many lives. It is about time to stand on our feet and fuel up as pro-life advocates against suicide. Life simply calls for hands willing to reach out.

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The Official Student Publication of Benguet State University December 2013- February 2014 Volume 42 Issue 3

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Ready, Set, Go! The participants of the MC @ 50’s Takbo para sa Karunungan are preparing to run the mile at BSU Gymnasium last December 1.

Photograph Taken by Rhe-ann Ngayaan

Musangs chart 4 CARASUC title streak th

Brendon Bangco-og and Chatelaine Wansi With Reports from Arniel Dumigsi and Ericka Pistola

Taking the command again for this year’s Cordillera Administrative Region Association of State Universities and Colleges (CARASUC) Meet, Benguet State University (BSU) marked its fourth championship title in a row, hooking a total of 93 gold, 48 silver, and 17 bronze medals. competition needs a lot of preparation. For us, we had scheduled morning of Tuesdays and Thursdays for our practices, from 6:00-7:30 and half day during Saturdays,” said Jaylyn Mae P. Urban, a CARASUC two-time lawn tennis champion.

On the other hand, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) ranked 1st runner-up, nicking 23 gold, 35 silver, 34 bronze medals; Ifugao State University (IFSU) followed with 23, 28, 21; Abra State Institute of Science and Technology (ASIST) placed 3rd runner-up (12-15-14); University of the Philippines (UP) – Baguio trailed in the 4th runner- up spot (12-418); and Kalinga-Apayao State College (KASC) and Apayao State College (ASC) ended 5th (713-36) and 6th (4-19-7), respectively.

Team sports is CARASUC star player Comprising a 44-, 19-, and 29-percent share of the University’s grand total of 93 gold, 48 silver, and 17 bronze medals, respectively,

BackTrack Healthy Tips To Success

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Mariel L. Laoana

One of the requirements that an athlete need to have before joining a sports competition is to undergo medical check-up.

Whereas, you will not be given a medical certificate if you will not pass it. Simply, being unhealthy can result to disqualification in your chosen sports event, isn’t it? So, for this time, please give me this chance to tackle on healthy tips that might help our BSU athletes to stay physically fit.

According to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), there are some health tips that student athletes should follow to keep a healthy body and to achieve success.

Eat Smart. Breakfast builds a better athlete.

Make sure to eat your breakfast to guarantee that you are well fuelled for your trainings and games all throughout the day. More importantly, don’t skip meals.

Snack Attack. Small and easily digested snacks can supply energy that you may need in your practice. Also, pack your snacks and don't just rely on what's available in vending

All worth the sweats. Various freshmen classes

displayed their aero moves during the 2013 interclass aerofusion championships at the BSU gymnasium.

Photograph Taken by Faith Belingon

BSU Musangs garnered a total of 41 gold, nine silver, and five bronze medals in team sports during the three-day bout in CARASUC.

The prowess of the Musangs reaped 11 gold medals in football (men), 12 in volleyball (men and women), nine in baseball, and another nine in softball.

Further, sepak takraw (men) and basketball (men) teams seized nine silver and five bronze medals, respectively.

“The reason for team sports contributing the most in BSU’s winning in athletic events is maybe because of the solidarity of members in teams that seem like a family. If you are feeling down, for instance, your teammates are there to motivate you, unlike in individual sports, that if you lose hope, that is already a big difficulty for you to win,” said Karen Domin-eng, a Musang volleyball (women) player.

machines. This is to ensure that you have easy access to nutritious food before and after your game.

Further, try fruit first before juices. When possible, choose the fresh fruit to obtain more nutrition. For instance, prefer orange slices than orange juice.

Kick the Caffeine Habit. Caffeine containing foods like sodas, energy drinks, coffee, and tea can exterminate energy later in the day and cause water loss or dehydration.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. According to UC Berkeley Wellness, some athlete can sweat up to a gallon of water each hour following a serious exercise. It is then important to take a lot of water when having an extraneous workout or when you are having exercise under the sun to replenish the fluid you have loss.

Train SmartThink Ahead. Before you start training seriously for a certain sport, be sure that your body can cope up with it.

Discuss training with an expert. This is why we need to coordinate with our coach.

We need to learn some good tactics from the expert.

Athletic shoes are an athlete's foundation. Make sure that you have the proper shoe and fit for your sport.

Be prepared. Put your best effort into every workout and practice. ********** Once again, congratulations to all the athletes who have done their very best to bring fame and honour to our beloved university.

The legacy you have created in the BSU sports world would always be remembered. Keep up and share those winning tactics to our amateur players.

Moreover, let me end this column by acknowledging everyone who extended and are still extending their support to the publication. Thank you! To our aspiring writers out there, writing can be inspiring. So, when you’re inspired, write and share the blessing to others. There are still a lot and lot of stories that are worth writing for.

03/07/2014 | 12:36 AM jers

Hosted by the University last Dec. 12-14, BSU Musangs grappled with SUCs around the region, snaring 41 gold medals in team sports, 15 in taekwondo, 14 in racket games, 12 in athletics- track, and seven in athletics- field.

Moreover, two gold medals were pitched in by dance sports, and College of Veterinary Medicine’s (CVM) Martin E. Blando, and College of Nursing’s (CN) Alyssa Denise G. Rosimo captivated the Mr. and Ms. CARASUC crowns, sealing the total medal count with another two.

Meanwhile, amassing 48 silver medals, Musangs pocketed 15 from racket events, 12 from athletics- track and field, 10 from the taekwondo kickers, nine from team sports, and two from dance sports.

Eight bronze medals were also collected in athletics- track and field, five in team sports, three in taekwondo, and one in racket games, contributing a total of 17.

“Aiming for a gold medal in such

“