WE write for you. we fight for you.
VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 19-23 | NOVEMBER 5-DECEMBER 7, 2018
THE MAGNIFICENCE. College of Nursing Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences (CNPAHS) candidates, Christine Ann Gabucan and Jomar Rey Adtoon emerge victorious against other colleges and campuses during the Mister and Miss NORSU 2019 Photo by John Earl F. Merto
Happy 111 b-day NORSU! th
Kenneth Carlorio S. Surilla
Photo by Harvey Iquio
Celebrating its formation in 1907, Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) welcomes its 111 years of service with studentfaculty activities, milestone acknowledgement, university pageant, and the Hugyawan Festival. Different from previous
YEARBOOK’S PURPOSE. The yearbook committee for the school year 20182019 organized a meeting for the graduation students addressing queries and deliverance of the information on November 7.
Yearbook ’19 gears on Yearbook for 18-19 kicks off! Kenneth Carlorio S. Surilla
Pylonites, Inc., through a general assembly on November 7, was chosen to create the yearbook 2019 themed, “Unwavering” and charging P1,200 per student but full payment upon the photo session. “Knowing TRAIN Law, ni-mahal man ang papel as it was already explained. ‘Nya,
dili ra biya siya ingon nga papel nga mapalit sa Cang’s dayon mo-print. It’s a roll, dako man gud siya nga papel nya dollars pod paliton,” Joseph Culanag, Federation of Student Government VicePresident (FSG-VP), said. To note, Pylonites, Inc. had to adjust with the P800 budget per student last year being also affected by the Yearbook/ to page 8
annual celebrations, student organizations were forced to construct their booths and celebrate from November 25 to December 3 inside NORSU campus I due to uncontrolled factors. “Na-move na sa school kay wala tay budget sa booth kay ang budget gamay ra kaayo and gi-allocate ra namo siya sa mga events and activities”, John Harvey
Evident during and after the 111th founder’s week celebration, improperly disposed garbage and booth leftovers caused problems for the university janitors and staff. Zaldy Elmido, Utility Management Head, said that it is indeed the responsibility of the janitors to clean the area but the
Student Booth Exhibit of the capitol and lacking budget for the required uniformity of booths if NORSU were to occupy the Ninoy Aquino Freedom Park. The commemoration still pushed through despite major changes during the annual foundation week celebration. HAPPY/ to page 7
NORSU performs best in board exams Top 8 in Geodetic Engr Board Kenneth Carlorio S. Surilla
November 5 — NegrOS Oriental State University (NORSU) incurred four high passing rates out of five licensure examinations scheduled in September and October 2018 based on the results publicized by Professional
Regulations Commission (PRC) The Chemist Licensure Examination (CLE) and Geodetic Engineer Licensure Examination (GELE) produced a perfect 100 percent passing rate with newly passed Geodetic Engr. Louie Divinagracia ranking top 8 with 86 percent. Additionally, Registered
Trash poses problem for janitors, staff Faith Jessica E. Alejano
Maypa, League of Organization (LSO), summed up. The LSO considered the last decision since Kagawasan Avenue is not available due to the Christmas
students can help in maintaining ANYEONG, GLOBALIZATION. Geothermal Engineering students Christine Guaren and Noreen Gonzales, together with a faculty member, goes to South the university clean. Korea to attend an international conference representing the university and Garbage bins are located all the country. Photos from Christine Guaren over the university, making them accessible for the students. Elmido explained that the utility is not the problem but it is the irresponsible Michelle M. Salmin and within the university causing an student who leaves and throws Jenevelle V. Banono uproar to the students during the their garbage around the premises. League of Student 111th Founding Anniversary, LSO As of December 12, after Organizations (LSO), overall president explains. founders week, the debris and organizer, concluded to have The booth stock festival has STUDES/ to page 8 the annual booth stock festival been the highlight event since
Electrical Engineer (REE) Licensure Examination recorded 90 percent passing rate, Electronics Engineer Licensure Examination (EELE) produced 66 percent, and the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Licensure Examination squeezed 16.67 percent. CLE
The six new chemists from NORSU are Kimberly Ann Alanano, RCh; Mae Faith Briones, RCh; Michael Angelo Circulado, RCh; Geneva Lu-ang, RCh; Farah Faith Tapis, RCh; and, Jeremiah Tubongbanua, RCh. Nationwide, 496 out of NORSU/ to page 7
Reychemver C. Credo
Architecture (CEA) attended the convention aiming to foster awareness on the existence of the geothermal industry. “Kami ni-apil para marecognize ang Geothermal Engineering sa Philippines which ang nag-offer nalang [ani] is ang NORSU. And big opportunity na pod [nis] amo-a 2 GEO/ to page 8
2 geothermal eng’g studes join int’l forum BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Geothermal Engineering students represented Philippines in the 12th Asian Geothermal Symposium (AGS12) in Daejeon, South Korea, November 9-12. Christine Guaren and Noreen Gonzales, students from College of Engineering and
Campus booth stock festival criticized
Selective empathy bELLE aME
OPINION | see page 2
the university’s founding and has been conducted at the Kagawasan Avenue fronting the university main gate. Students from various organizations bombarded the
LSO officials with criticisms due to their improper dissemination of information failing to inform on the specific location and time span for their construction. CAMPUS/ to page 7
FOUNDERS
FACEBOOK POLL
FEATURES | see page 4
BACKPAGE | see page 8
FEATURES
BACKPAGE
2 EDITORIAL
OPINION
VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 19-23 | November 5-December 7, 2018
Another year
For 111 years, starting from its humble beginning as a wood working class in 1907, the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) system has indeed evolved to a higher institution competing not only in the national scene through education and competitions, but internationally as well by student exchange programs and partnerships. Through the years, the university has produced at least 51 topnotchers from different degree programs, including the Geodetic Engineering topnotcher Engr. Louie Divingracia during the recently concluded GELE, ranking 8th among hundreds of passers. Aside from this, NORSU has also sent 30 student scholars to Singapore for an exchange program headed by the Temasek Foundation International Specialists’ Community Action Leadership Exchange (TFI-SCALE) to expose them on issues in other nations, focusing on creating friendships for the strengthening of the ASEAN connection. Also, becoming one of the highlights during the 111th founding anniversary of NORSU is the revamping of the VMGO (Vision, Mission, Goals, and Objectives). Clearly, the university has metamorphosed into an educational institution that can go places and be an instrument for global change. But events prior the founding anniversary have caused uproar among Norsunians, when it was confirmed that the annual booth stock festival was denied access to the use of Kagawasan Ave. where it was usually held. In addition to this, the torch parade, which is one of the most anticipated events by the students, was also changed into a mascot parade held in the afternoon of the first day. Student organizations were forced to erect booths within the university because there was no allocated budget for this. Since they could not produce booths of same design, thus the denial of its utilization. In the previous years, the observance of the booth stock festival was along Kagawasan Ave. but because of the Christmas Exhibit of the capitol, it was disallowed. Nevertheless, the celebration pushed through. This leads to a query as to why the administration did not make a good move to help the students? Who are these students? What roles do they partake in this very institution— a public institution at that? Students are the main stakeholders of this university, without them, there are no topnotchers, student exchange scholars, participants in competitions, and most importantly, bearers of recognitions and achievements. Whatever the administration decides should always be for the welfare of the students since their welfare is the university’s, too.
Junkie Wannabe Each one of us constantly craves for food. We all have that in common and that is just completely human nature. Moreover, we resort to food – all types of it, mostly junk food – when we are hungry, when it is time to eat or even when we are stressed-out.
With that being said, the latter has been the most defining issue among students these days. Especially when quarterly assessments wave in. It is hard to deny the fact that in this fast-paced world, we are constantly searching for the quickest solution to
Selective Empathy Lying on my bed while holding my cellular phone, it was a typical lazing around day for me. I scrolled through my most-used social media platform, hoping to find fresh memes I could laugh about. Yes, I found some but I noticed something that really bugged my tranquility at that time. My news feed, as clean as I would’ve liked them to be, was filled with posts about a certain ruckus going on in a certain Filipino reality show. The storyline is quite simple yet said to be complex. It involved
a male and a female teenagers developing feelings for each other during their stay at a televised house while the girl still has a lover from the “outside world”. As this issue spread like a wildfire, the people’s reactions and opinions were also spilled like a water dam. Comments were everywhere. Posts were getting out of hand. Thoughts were shared, some were contradicted. The people, as stubborn and apathetic as they are, were being brought together into one arena only to duel about an issue that doesn’t need brainstorming.
this problem, Dr. Torres from Deakin University said. Truth be told, we all have been in this stage of our lives. Chips and cracklings gave the crunch of motivation to study harder amidst the stress we face. However, Dr. Torres also elaborated how stress contributes to the manifestation of chronic and mental health diseases during stressing times. For the many, it is like a resort wherein we submit to the fleeting motivation it gives whenever we are bombarded with tons of lessons to memorize and to internalize. We forget how it is comprised low of the nutrients our bodies need. A handful may even forget to eat or skip meals just because they think they are already satiated. This is like digging yourself into a hole— a false move that worsens over
time. Dr. Torres also added how our bodies respond to stressful situations. “When we’ve stressed our bodies release hormones like adrenaline, which raises blood pressure. If this is a regular occurrence over the long-term, it can result in hypertension which is then a risk for future cardiovascular disease,” he said. The bottom line to this is that it’s not good to consume just any food especially the junk ones whenever faced in a stressful situation. Think before you purchase or even swallow another bite and is it worth the risk? Nonetheless, you can ace the exams still if you eat the right kind of food. Laban lang! (With information from https://this.deakin.edu.au/selfimprovement/eat-unhealthyfood-youre-stressed)
People are attracted to a certain illusion that the society is just facing dilemmas about finding the right love at the wrong time when in reality, we’ve just lost our love in wasting our time on things that are no-brainer. People’s sentiments are automatic when it comes to things they only feel strongly about and not on things that they should think strongly about. We are locked in a room full of distractions that help us forget to come out of that cage and solve our way through our society’s realest and biggest problems. I cannot blame the populace. They run from problems that they couldn’t fix overnight and go for dilemmas too petty that they think they could repair with just one intervention. I guess human beings are just like that. They find shortcuts or better yet, entertainment. But too much shortcuts would only bring unsolved and left-out real societal problems and before we know it, apathy is already thriving within us. Philippines has many problems big enough for the people to see and feel but they just chose not to. As of 2018, Philippines has
one of the ‘fastest growing’ HIV epidemics in the world. On that note, 32 Filipinos are diagnosed of HIV/AIDS every single day. Again, every single day. Also, when it comes to the revision of our Federal Constitution, which is on its 2nd reading already, some of it include the removal of term limits for members of Congress which technically gives the Representatives freedom to still run for the Congress for Godknows-how-many terms. There’s also the lack of an anti-political dynasty provision in the draft of the Federal Constitution which gives the “prominent” families relief because then, they’d be able to pass down the political reputation they have. In our fast-growing world, people oversee the whole picture of the place we live in as they are focusing on certain conditions they want to discuss, not on things that they should discuss. If we could be a little informed, a little immersed, a little empathetic to every single thing that could help our motherland, then the future is something we could look forward to instead of being afraid of it.
VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 19-23 | November 5-December 7, 2018
TN wins campus press award
NEWS
3
5 join Nat’l Journalism Workshop
GERARD RICK C. JARDIN
Strengthening the journalistic prowess of the writers in the publication, five Norsunians participated the annual Organization of Student Services Educators, Inc. (OSSEI) National Training Workshop on Campus Journalism in Baguio City on September 27-29. The convention aimed to provide an intensive training in journalism in order to improve the quality of campus journalism in the participating schools. Angela Jo Niday, Riza Mae Iso, Michelle Salmin, and Brex Dupio were among the delegates along with their facilitator Joseph Macaranas, a university faculty.
The three-day seminar highlighted lectures in the field of campus journalism which includes; News Writing, Editorial Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Photojournalism, Feature Writing, Page Design and Layout, and Multimedia Production. Angela Jo T. Niday, a freshman layout artist, shared her experiences and learnings as delegate of the workshop. “I am happy because I’ve learned a lot in my craft as a journalist,” Niday said. To note, John Earl Merto’s, a TN photojournalist, entry for Photo News Category bagged 2nd place among other competing delegates all over the country.
Admin launches campus e-hub
REAN JANE D. ESCABARTE
Attended by representatives and faculty from different colleges, the university turned over 19 computer units for the E-hub (Electronic hub) at the College of Law building on November 23. With a packaged budget of Php4 995 000, the E-hub has 20 computer units— 5 of which are at the College of Law building on October 9 and the remaining 15 on October 16. However, one out of these 20 computers has defects and is currently in repair leading to only 19 computer units being turned over. Because of this, the turnover was purely physical and no signing of papers were done. “Wala pa gyud siya’y giingon nga signing og mga papers kay
dili pa pod mu-receive si Maam Felicris [University Librarian] kay dili pa kumpleto,” Ramil A. Calva, University Library Assistant Clerk, said. As of now, the E-hub still has many lacking computer and electrical parts like wirings, but the turnover was pursued since it is the advice of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) with the approval of the administration. As long as it will be finished, and all documentation papers are complete, law students can already access the E-hub. Other undergrad Norsunians can also access, however, law students are given priority specially during their classes hours. “Ang law [students], klase nila kay 5:00 – 9:00PM man, so anang mga orasaha, i-prioritize ang law [students],” Calva said.
JOURNEY TO PEACE. “We need to work with friends and partners to achieve shared aspirations for our people and region,” said Han Dong Man, Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to the Philippines during his visit in NORSU on Oct. 25, 2018. Photo by Jose Marie Royo
NORSU-SC wins Hugyawan again Rean Jane D. Escabarte Alvord Van Patten D. Valencia
Now on their fourth winning streak, Negros Oriental State University – Siaton Campus took over the streets of Dumaguete City during the Hugyawan Dalan and Entablado Sayaw on December 3. Provided with sufficient funds from their administration, NORSUSiaton showcased a variety of fiestas in the Philippines depicting its rich tradition and culture. According to Vincent
James Cal, a participant from NORSU-Siaton, they struggled with the theme, ‘Smile: Life’s secret to happiness’, as they are used to dramatic and contemporary dances. “We were challenged with the theme itself. There were dances that were new to us and that we’re not accustomed to,” Cal said. Portraying different concepts relevant to the theme, a total of thirteen teams performed during the Hugyawan Dalan and Entablado Sayaw. This included the eight colleges from Dumaguete
Photo by Jose Marie Royo
props, despite practicing hard until dawn. “Nagtampo-tampo ra mi sa among makaon and kana sa among attire, kami ra mismo ni-take part, pero own willingness ra man na namo kay ganahan man mi makatabang sa group as a whole,” she said. Meanwhile, David Mari Nichole Gadingan, a freshman Bachelor of Secondary Education and a witness of Hugyawan Entablado Sayaw said that Norsunians are truly talented. “Dili gud madili nga talented ang mga tagaNORSU,” Gadingan said.
Alumni, retirees, board passers honored Kenneth Carlorio S. Surilla
RECORD BREAKING! NORSU-Siaton Campus defends and imprints their solid groundwork as champions during the 111th Founding Anniversary HUGYAWAN Dalan and Entablado sayaw for the 4th time this year.
campus I and II, Bais Campus, Siaton Campus, Guihulngan Campus, Bayawan Sta. Catalina Campus and Mabinay Campus. Following Siaton campus, College of Education NORSU-Dumaguete Campus was hailed as 1 st runner-up and Negros Oriental State University-Bais Campus garnered 2 nd runner-up. Jeraliz Pati-on, a participant from the College of Education (CEd) of NORSU-Dumaguete Campus shared that they were not provided with funds for their costume and
Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) 111th Founding Anniversary recognized seven alumni, 18 retirees, and all recent board passers and topnotchers during the general academic convocation on December 1. Felizardo Calimpong, LIB, who showed dedication in the Labor Unionism sector was named NORSU alumni of the year awardee; while, Doctor Alfredo Maturan who worked in the Government Service was named Outstanding Alumnus of the year awardee. “The foundation of institutional growth and excellence is the values we learn in life,” Attorney Alan Gel Cordova, city councilor, said being the guest speaker for the occasion. “If you want to succeed however you define success to be, you must have character.” Honored as
Outstanding NORSU Alumni 2018 Awardees are Police Super Intendent, Ronilo Macasilhig (Ret) in the Law Enforcement Service, and Maria Stella Valencia, BSN, RN, CPN in the Nursing Services. Danilo Palomar for working in the Medical Support Services, Luisito Divinagracia Ed. D. in the Basic Education sector, and Herculanito M. Miquiabas serving in the Vocational Education sector were named 2018 Alumnus of the Year Awardees. “There is no better way for me to say but to express my gratitude to a lot of people who in one way have contributed to the development of this institution,” NORSU President Dr. Joel Limson said. NORSU also acknowledged the service of 18 faculty retirees with 11 of them from the main campus, two from Siaton, two from BayawanSta. Catalina, one from Bais City, and two from
Guihulngan campus. “We should also recognize that millennials struggle many of the same teachings and concerns their parents and grandparents faced,” Esther Tan, retired faculty from NORSU main campus, said. “Millenials like generations before them strive to find out their individual destinies and identities in life.” Dr. Limson, during the convocation, praised the examination performance of the university especially in the geology and engineering programs. Along with the acknowledgement of recent and present licensure examination passers, about 51 topnotchers produced by NORSU were also mentioned during the program. The 111th Founding Anniversary of NORSU was centered on the theme: “Anchoring Institutional Growth and Excellence on Life’s Enduring Values.”
FOUNDERS WEEK
Illustrated by Jericho Quibot
Illustrated by Jay Cheever Rocarberte
4
jenevelle banono
His eyes adjust to the blinding spotlight like the sudden approach of an early morning sun and saw contrast of darkness against it. Fixed luminous points glow to his direction, dancing and cheering everytime he enters the stage as if they are one with him. He convinced himself that those aren’t stars but the entire NORSU crowd screaming his victory. Coming from the humble first choice nor his second. He flashed on his mind. He was island of Siargao, the nineteen- wanted to be a veterinarian the sixth contender during year old Jomar Rey Adtoon but his mom convinced him the regional pageant for Mr. still coudn’t believe the greatest to render himself in helping STI where he failed to win the plot twist he had this year. actual people rather than crown. “It was like a roller coaster animals. “Will history repeats itself ride,” he said while reminiscing As a freshman student now that I embody the same his pageant journey with the still adjusting from the new number?” It was a question he trace of a smile still eteched on environment he was sought answer for himself. his face. Bagging the “Best in, joining Mr. Born on the year 1999, NORS U Speaker” award in the ninth of October, the wasn’t in and Mr. NOSRU freshman student from the his list. 2019, Jomar Rey College of Nursing, Pharmacy But the Adtoon achieved and Allied Health Sciences the success (CNPAHS) admitted he had no he had never plans in joining Mr. NORSU imagined by not way back, despite his history in letting anyone joining pageants. even his selfHe spent his elementary doubt bring him and high school years studying down. in Surigao Elementary School I n and Surigao National High accordance to this, School. His senior high school now that he finally years were very well spent in got his crown of STI College in Surigao. An glory, he is institution that has been of a great help in molding his character as well as his confidence. His first pageant was Mr. STI Surigao followed by Mr. AGCIS in the year 2017 where he was crowned as the winner in both pageants. Aside from all the ups in pageantry, he also determined to experienced the rock bottom. accomplish Way back in 2017, after his a d v o c a c y, winning the Mr. STI Surigao, “Love and he was then told to compete for Respect for One’s the Regional level. As a student encouragements Self and For The Others.” bringing the enormous banner and support he got from his “Not only are you of Science and Technology, professors and friends fueled empowering yourself by Engineering and Mathematics him to join the pageant. accepting your flaws and (STEM) strand under the “I accepted the challenge imperfections, hence your academic track, bringing home because it’s for my own uniqueness as an individual the bacon was expected from personal development,” he said but also empowering your him and making the entire STI as his lips curved into a thin fellowmen by accepting Surigao proud was his goal. But smile as if to show he have their unique attributes and life didn’t work that way. He made a great decision. respecting them as well,” said was hit head first with failure When asked about his Jomar. and disappointment. Indeed, although it is a early struggles, he then “Acquiring an achievement answered without hesitating, cliche, loving yourself must really comes with a price,” he “Belittling myself.” come first before anything stated. Competing with eight else. Despite his severe charming and elegant males The Mr. NORSU 2019 despondency during such from different colleges, Jomar believes that divisiveness due times, he picked himself up and Rey seized every moment to judgments and comparison continued with life carrying during the pageant night should not be tolerated and his experiences with him and despite his growing anxiety as that an appreciative mind the lessons he have learned as the announcement of minor and heart are great assets he moved on to his college life. and major awards were told. in achieveing peace and Nursing wasn’t really his A sudden nostalgia then harmony.
Alvord van patten valencia
She was like refined silk, gorgeously gliding in the night as her body walked like she was offered the world. And truthfully, victory for her was a picture she did not expect as it was one of the many moments she will never forget. Despite the tough Faced in a tougher faith and trust in God that competition, one lady made scenario, Christine’s parents made and will make her it through the hindrances she separated years ago and worthy of every crown she encountered. One woman together with her three has and will receive. endured the pain from head siblings, they were under the With her fervent vision to toe and gave her best care of his grandmother and in transforming Norsunians shot making her more than uncle. Her mother, because to become morally upright, worthy of triumph. of the need for greener her advocacy “Optimizing The roaring crowd filled pastures, went abroad to moral responsibilities for the entire place as supporters support them. better NORSU”, has fueled of different candidates raised It was a pain in her her more to definitely seize their banners in hopes of heart joining competitions the crown. victory. Although she has felt where the support of her She was awarded Best the intense support from her own family was all that she in Production Number, Best college, her throbbing heart needed. Yet her mom, who in ASEAN Costume, Best still paced along with the was thousands of miles away, Speaker, Best in Formal Wear, cheers. still showed her passionate and finally, she was crowned Hailing from support for her daughter Miss Negros Oriental State Cadawinonan, Dumaguete in all means possible. Her University (System) 2019 City is a fine lady of nineteen father, on the other hand did along with her partner who born on February 2, 1999 and not show any support; but, won Mister NORSU 2019, second among four children, Christine believed that he marking another reign from Christine Anne Embalsado would be proud of her. the Dumaguete campuses. Gabucan seized the crown as But alongside the Not a newbie in the Miss Negros Oriental State world of pageantry, she sacrifices and struggles University 2019 as if it were has competed in several she has encountered, it is genuine personality destined to be hers. pageants. She was crowned her Christine spent her as Miss Tayasan 2018 and a that lead her to triumph. It elementary years in West Festival Queen in a particular was showcasing who and City Elementary School, barangay in Tanjay. But what she is, without sugarher junior high in Negros despite all throughout the experiences coating, the entire pageant, from Oriental High School, and in the world of the preparation to senior high at Foundation p a g e a n t r y , Preparatory Academy. She C h r i s t i n e coronation, that composed and is currently a freshman b e l i e v e s formulated Bachelor or Science in that it Nursing student. her to i s Through a bumpy ride be the The road to the crown queen. was not smooth. Challenges ranged from financial to even academic difficulties. But although it was a steep track, she remained steadfast because of the flaming support of her family and friends. “I was not really planning to join,” she said as she remembered her Mister and Miss CNPAHS moments in a light atmosphere. But because of the encouragements of her teachers and friends, she gave it a shot. “I just need to give it a h e r try. Kausa ra ni,” she firmly convinced herself. But in a world like ours, she became the dessert for most tattlers, especially those who did not believe in her. “Ang struggle pa jud ato kay akong height. 5’2 ra man ko,” she said in melancholy. Although the standard of the pageant was exactly 5’2, it still did not rescue her from discrimination.
Photo by Jose Marie Royo, John Earl F. Merto, Harvey Iquio, Cor Uriel A. Balladares
FOUNDERS WEEK CELEBRATION 5
“Don’t rush. Do not look at others and worry, your journey is different. Every masterpiece takes time. And you definitely are one. Allow every stroke to take its course for you are indeed a work of art.” —excerpt Kokkie B. Mahinay, an incoming 19-year-old lass from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, is a freshman Accountancy student and the eldest brood among her family, and the only one among the family having a physical disability. “I don’t know much about my condition aside from remembering what the doctor say, nga ipa-cut daw akong right foot for a reason, young minds tend to forget. Only my mother knew much about my condition and she refused the idea of cutting my right foot. After that, we never went to any other check-up kay pareho ra man ang result,” she said as a vague memory flashed before her eyes. People, even the young ones, looked at her with eyes plumped with judgement and disgust, like an alien, but she never backed down and let their thoughts wreck her. After all, we are equal in the eyes of God. Elementary days, when all we cared about is playing— and even at an early stage, bullying. Bullying may perhaps have become the trend these days but letting yourself become inferior is not Kokkie. “Never kong nihilak just because gisungog ko, since never nako na feel na di ko normal. And maybe I am a bully sad siguro, sa una, back when I was in elementary kay tanan suklan nako [bullies]. I don’t know why, wa ra koy kahadlok,” said Kokkie. Humans, in our very own way, will always strive to be perfect. Well, almost close to being perfect. How much more with the people who are physically disable like Kokkie? But then, a person is not measured by his or her ability to do things. She graduated as the valedictorian in her elementary years and received a scholarship giving her the privilege to study in Colegio de Sto. Tomas - Recoletos (CST-R). She spent her six years, junior and senior high, and graduated with high honors. “Well, I am always incomplete physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But then I don’t have to worry because I feel the presence of God. He’s always there to fill me in, to make me feel complete. And I never blamed him sad why I am like this CAMPUS IMAGE/ to page 8
Illustrated by Lyndon Jake C. Cataruja
VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 19-23 | November 5-December 7, 2018
Arts by Jerico Quibot, Dinloven Janguin, and Lyndon Jake Cataruja
FEATURES
CAMPUS IMAGE
Photo by John Earl F. Merto
6
Riza Mae M. Iso
The room was silent. The atmosphere was tense. The people were eager. Strokes of refined ashes pigmented the answer sheets like it was staining a blank slate— in a good way. As his hands were firmly holding the yellow wood with lead as ink, the inner revolt in his mind was being splashed in every question he managed to answer… and the rest was history. The day of the results arrived and verdict has been served. He scanned the overall result of the examination and felt ecstatic when the most familiar set of letters were processed in his eyes— his name. He got his hopes higher as he scanned the names of those who got into the top 10. And there he saw the identity he's owned for 27 years. He readied, got set, and went for the top. He is Louie Cantila Divinagracia, Top 8 of the 2018 Geodetic Engineer Licensure Examination. "Among goal kay mupasar mi tanan. Mas fulfilling namo nga nipasar mi tanan. Additional na ug bonus nga na-top," he shared when asked whether he was expecting himself to be part of the top 10. Cracking a joke about him not knowing the answers of some parts of the examination and just randomly selected any possible letters, h e showed how light he is as a
Broken Things by Blue
person. Anybody's childhood dream can be grasped and accomplished or changed and replaced. For Louie's, it was pursued. You might be taken aback when you find out that the dream job of the new Geodetic Engineer was not to measure data on the surface of the Earth but to build and design infrastructures and buildings on the land, itself. Yes, he wanted to be a Civil Engineer. And so, he spent his 5 years, from 2007 to 2012, in studying for his dream course. During his journey, he shared that he was like any other student. "Mao man na sa engineering, m a l i p a y na ka n g a
not graduate with Latin honors,
he still was given the Most Proficient Award in which he treasures just the same. Raised in a notso well-off family in Cangmating, Sibulan, Louie did what any other striving child of a striving family would do. He worked hard in everything he does and made it sure that a well-deserved better life for his parents will be served through his grit and determination. Dodging from his working schedule as a Civil Engineering Instructor in Negros Oriental State University Dumaguete campus II, he pursued his 2nd Engineering course, Geodetic Engineering, in the same institution. From his challenged sleeping hours to not fullyreviewing for his upcoming quizzes and tests in his Geodetic course, he revealed that it was never easy to do things simultaneously. But with the help of God's grace, he managed to
balance the equation of his responsibilities and graduated his 2nd degree without ever experiencing a failing grade. Now, as he fulfills his life in the chosen path he's embarking, he is wholeheartedly grateful for those people who helped him become the Louie he is right now. His family, students, the faculty, and his mentors, Engr. Tuballa and Engr. Saga are proofs that in this life full of endless conquests and unpredictable horizons, you need people who will help you achieve the things you want to go for, whether it takes you eight years. "Never give up on your dreams," the simple 6-worded sentence that was inculcated in Louie's mind. And maybe, sometimes, that statement is all we need to hang on into what we feel strongly about— our dreams. If we wants it, we should go for it because all great things start with a simple spark. And rest assured, you are a forest fire.
My little feet were intact to the solid earth’s crust but why did I feel like I was drowning? I was too young and naive to diagnose myself into something I do not understand back then. I was numb and in a desperate need to feel and nothing really helped unless it involved pointy edges. The number eight is a positive integer. Sometimes, it is also an indication of unending possibilities when rotated 90 degrees— thus, the number eight becomes infinity. I was eight when all those infinite posibilities were reduced down to one. My first heartbreak was when I was eight years old. It was when I saw the loss of fire in the furnace that once kept our home warm inside my parents’ eyes. In Greek mythology, the goddess Hestia guards the furnace at Mount Olympus, the home of the Olympian gods. She keeps the
hearth warm and burning as well as the gods together. But this is not Greek and I am no god. Even their eight-year old son wasn’t enough to keep this family from falling apart. I was also eight when I realized I was no longer human but a breathing marionette. My strings were attached amongst the fingertips of both my parents. I tried to convince myself I was an adventurer, a captain of my own ship who needed someone’s help to navigate this journey of a life, when in fact I was never the captain but merely the passenger. And the more they navigate, the more lost I’ve become. I was their puppet and I wish I could use the invisible strings to strangle myself. I’ve heard over the radio about this certain announcer surprised by the fact that as young as thirteen-year olds, children commit suicide. I am so sorry to
break it to him but I was ten when I started to hurt myself. The memory was fuzzy like an unfocused camera and I don’t remember much of it. Maybe it was my mind’s coping mechanism or maybe part of me just didn’t want to remember such a dreadful past. I was being locked away in a basement everytime my parents think I did something wrong. Chasing dragonflies didn’t exactly made the cut for my level of wrongness but since I was naive and had nothing figured out-yet, I was dragged inside the dark fourcornered space like a dog on leash and spent the entire night crying myself to sleep. Children my age that time were probably on a warm cozy bed made even warmer by their mother’s arms and bathed by their good night kisses along with their father’s promises of a brand new BROKEN THINGS/ to page 8
makapasar," he said d r e a m i l y, recalling his past years of being a student. Though he did
VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 19-23 | November 5-December 7, 2018
NEWS
GREAT VALOR. The Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) National 2018 represented by students from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) arrive with victorious smiles on their faces after competing in Davao. Photo by Harvey Iquio
HE IS THE CHAMPION. Erzincto Pionela, a 2nd year Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology Major in Electronics emerged as champion in the 10 kilometer marathon during the 42nd National Milo Marathon in Cebu. Photo from Erzincto Pionela
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NORSU / from page 1 1,101 examinees passed the CLE. While, 1, 673 out of 1, 916 passed the Chemical Technician Licensure Examination with 11 Norsunians, also incurring 100 percent passing rate. GELE Engr. Divinagracia is among the nine new geodetic engineers including Engr. Lendy Mae Amistoso, Engr. Allen Rey Dequito, Engr. Jan Willer Duran, Engr. Ed Jorillo, Engr. Vince Nemesius Guarino, Engr. Christy Jane Guerrero, Engr. Jaryd John Ojales, and Engr. Rey Dennis Malicay. It is the third time in a row that NORSU recorded 100 percent passing rate in the GELE. 451 out of 848 examinees passed the GELE October 2018.
REE Meanwhile, there are nine new electrical engineers; Engr. Josue Araneta, Engr. Earlric Dela Cruz, Engr. Eric Erosedo, Engr. Lea Katrine Nocete, Engr. Adrian Roy Perez, Engr. John Kenneth Secor, Engr. John Mark Soreño, Engr. Johnfel Renz Tactay, and Engr. Clark Villocillo. They are the passers out of ten examinees from NORSU compared to last year, 11 out of 17 Norsunians passed the REE. Additionally, six out of 16 passed the 2018 Registered Master Electrician Licensure Examination. EELE Also, two out of three passed the EELE: Engr. Jeriel Cuba and Engr. Kaiser Ed Bayawa and three
others out of four Norsunians passed the Electronics Technician Licensure Examination. Nationally, 2, 326 out of 4, 700 passed the EELE yielding a national passing rate of 49.49 percent and 2, 944 out of 3, 605 passed as Electronics Technician. CPALE Lastly, Jelona Abo, CPA; Chenee Angot, CPA; Maria Famela Jane Deloria, CPA; Rodel Dingal, CPA; Cris May Libaton, CPA; Edwin Monceda, CPA; Clark Neil Moncopa, CPA; and Christian Magbanua, CPA, are the eight new CPAs from NORSU. The eight new CPAs are the passers from 48 Norsunian examinees as compared to last year which produced 13 passers out of 30 examinees.
CAMPUS/ from page 1 In an interview with The NORSUnian (TN), an education student who ask not to be named said, “Insakto unta ang preparation ani kay dili lalim, then sakto [pod] unta sa time, but I wonder nganong ingon ani man nga ang information delayed kaayo na disseminate.” Alimar Tulabing, Technology Livelihood Education Society Organization president, said “Naglisod mi kay dugay nakahatag og area ang LSO para sa pag-build sa among booth tungod pod siguro kay gaproblema pod sila.”
According to John Harvey Maypa, LSO president, in an exclusive interview that they made alternatives for the construction of booth. “Pwede raman unta ta sa Kagawasan Avenue kaso naa man ang mga booth didto sa Buglasan so dili ta pwede didto”, Maypa said. Maypa disclosed that they tried requesting the provincial office to allow the use of the Freedom Park, however, the office of the governor informed Rosemarie Pinili, Vice-President of Academic Affairs, that they would allow the university
provided that the booths will be funded and have uniformed canopies for their exhibits. “Na-move na sa school kay wala tay budget sa booth kay ang budget gamay ra kaayo and gi-allocate ra namo siya sa mga events and activities,” he added. On the other hand, Joseph V. Banabana, a junior education student, said, “I like the idea of having the booth inside the campus because we can save some of our expenses and we are secured kay naa tay mga assign security aide sa campus.”
HAPPY / from page 1 “There is no better way for me to say but to express my gratitude to a lot of people who in one way have contributed to the development of this institution,” NORSU President Dr. Joel Limson said during the academic convocation. About 51 topnotchers, 18 retirees, and 7 alumni were recognized during the general academic convocation on December 1. City Councilor Alan Gel Cordova served as guest speaker. Mister Jomar Rey Adtoon and Miss Christine Ann Gabucan,
freshmen students from the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (CNPAHS), took the crowns as Mr. & Ms. NORSU 2019 in the night of December 2. On the other hand, NORSUSiaton Campus conquered the Hugyawan Festival for the fourth time with Dumaguete campuses’ College of Education (CEd) as 1st runner-up and NORSU-Bais Campuses being the 2nd runnerup. LSO spearheaded numerous student activities including seminars, film showing, and competitions like spoken poetry,
DOTA 2 tourney, modern dance, battle of the bands, Quiz bowl, and miss unigay pageant. On November 30, faculty and staff of the university contended for games of Volleyball and Basketball. In a founders’ celebration survey conducted by The NORSUnian collecting 231 respondents, 101 students reacted “Okay ra. Mu-participate kay may attendance,” the reaction with the highest number of response. (With reports from Gerard Rick Jardin, Michelle M. Salmin, and Jenevelle V. Banono)
THINK IN ADVANCE. Social Security System (SSS) Dumaguete held a Seminar at the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) AVR for all the 4th year students who are willing to apply a membership and to have a life insurance in the future, November 7. Photo by Harvey Iquio
EXPLORING BEYOND WALLS. As a time-honored rite of passage in the business profession, students from the College of Business Administration (CBA), together with their guardian, receives their pin during the Pinning Ceremony at the NORSU STEPS FORWARD. TFI-SCALE Scholars of 2018 sending off ceremony (above) with Dr. Limson and Dr. Pinili, and the scholars’ site visit in CPIB, Singapore (below). Photo by John Earl F. Merto and from the TFI-SCALE Facebook Page Sports and Cultural Complex, November 17. Photo by Harvey Iquio
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BACKPAGE
VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 19-23 | November 5-December 7, 2018
On Founders Week Celebration GERARD RICK C. JARDIN
Infographics by Rey Mark D. Marcelino
Norsunians reacted on the recently concluded Founders Week celebration through a Facebook reaction survey posted by, The NORSUnian, on December 5 at 3:39 PM. The poll gathered 231 reactions as of December 6, 10:16 AM, divided by six corresponding “emojis” per experience. Like emoticon for “Okay ra. Mu-participate kay may
attendance.”; Heart emoticon for “Enjoyed it despite sa mga changes for this year’s Founder’s Week.” and Haha emoticon for “Makalingaw”. Moreover, “Wow” emoticon for “Amazing ang mga booths & activities”; Sad emoticon for “Mas nindot jud ang previous years nga founders.” and Angry emoticon for “Unsatisfying. It could have been better.” Among the reactions, 101 respondents reacted with a Like,
CAMPUS IMAGE / from page 6 because daghan man sad mi,” she shared. Kokkie was never a stranger in wishing things were different. There are unlimited what if ’s and if only’s swarming inside her mind. ‘If only I am physically able, I could’ve done a lot of things, especially sports like football, taekwondo, and dancing’, but self-acceptance is a pivot step in becoming more than what she is now— accepting the fact that she has her own limitations. And the thought that there will always be people who’ve been much worse than what she has been through, is enough to
keep her to always look forward. Now that she’s in college, living miles away from her family, she now feels the really hard struggles of life, but she believes that this will help her grow and handle these things with care. She never wanted to change herself because her condition is a reminder of God’s gift to her. “I am an art,” she said. She is indeed an art molded by the delicate hands of the Father, a masterpiece painted through the flawless stroke of brush of the Almighty Father. Written by Princess S. Farole
BROKEN THINGS/ from page 6 day. My only companions that night were the cold floor, dusty scrapped and unused things being stored away and may even be forgotten. Maybe I was forgotten too. Maybe they forgot I was there son. There were also times when they forced me inside a bag and was hung like I was a boxer’s own personal brand of punching bag. I
wish someone had really punched the life out of me. I did not hate them though. It was myself I am enraged with. I was – still am – a disappointment who eats and breathes. An encapsulation of a son they can never be proud of. I am a mistake they try to correct, a broken thing that can never be fixed. Blue is fighting depression.
yearbook/ from page 1 TRAIN Law that started early this year and the students’ partial payments. He has been assisting Donabel Palencia of the College of Business Administration (CBA), who was elected as the committee president on October 7 and the rest of the committee. “Nangayo lang mi og approval from Dr. Limson and Dr. Pinili if mo-sugot ba sila mag-yearbook or kami ang mag-handle sa yearbook. Nisign ra man pod sila sa letter nga amo gihatag,” the FSG-VP said. As to the committees for each external campus, Culanag shared that the
campuses have established their respective committees recently thus cued for the start of the photo sessions. The photo session is from November 19 until December 21 for the Dumaguete campuses and January 7 next year until February 8 for the external campuses. Students can look it up in the committees official Facebook Page, “NORSU Pylon 2019 Yearbook.” Additionally, yearbook 2019 will carry last year’s concept of featuring a student’s story per college thus, the FSG and the yearbook committee is encouraging graduating students to pass stories.
making it with most number of student’s experience. Meanwhile, 60 students reacted for Heart, 37 for sad reactions, 14 for Wow reactions, 12 for Angry reactions and seven for Haha reactions, respectively. In the comment section, Genalyn Aligda Cuevas shared her concern on the night schedule of the activities, noting that she lived in a remote place. “Tinuod dili jud organized then mostly sa main events kay
gabii.mag onsa na lng ang mga lagyo nga way nay masakyan kung gabii na kaayo,” she commented. Another user, Tweetie Ella Tukar Green, mentioned that happiness depends on our choices despite the things we cannot control. “To be happy and to enjoy things bisan pa dili organized kaayo is our choice. Happiness starts within ourselves,” Green said.
2 GEO/ from page 1 nga makaapil sa event to gather ideas for our project studies,” Gonzales said. Anchored on the theme, “Technology for Geothermal Energy Use in Harmony with Society,” AGS12 covered lectures on geoscientific, geotechnical, legal, socio-economic and environmental studies and facets of geothermal consumption. Additionally, the confab explored participants on workshops for green economy, field trip to GSHP sites in Sejong City, exposure to various Korean cultures in Gapsa Temple, and a banquet sponsored by Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). “Informative kaayo ang field trip kay each sector sa power generation was discussed and we witnessed how the actual operation was going. If our heat source is only for power generation, didto [Korea]
kay naay heating and cooling, kung winter season, that’s the time nga maggamit sila sa heating system,” Guaren disclosed. She added, “We were able to see the actual parts of the system like heat exchangers and turbines that made me happy somehow kay wala pa jod ko kakita ana sa personal kay wala man ta diris NORSU and di pod dali ma-approve kung mofield trip sa Energy Development Corporation (EDC).” Guaren and Gonzales, along with two geothermal engineers from the Department of Energy (DOE) and Leizl Honculada, CEA faculty, were among the 48 official delegates from many countries who graced AGS12. AGS12 was organized by Renewable Energy Research Center (RENRC), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)Japan, and KIGAM-Korea.
studes / from page 1 materials used in the booth exhibit such as bamboos and wood were not disposed properly. Gwaineth Stefhan Pabinguit, League of Student Organization (LSO) Internal Vice-President, said the overall organizer of the events appealed that it is not their responsibility as the head but it should be everyone’s concern, and appealed for the students to be liable for their own trash. Moreover, Zacchariah Caraig, President of Student Government of Dumaguete City (SGDC)-II,
said that since regular classes are back, the organizations are mandated to take care of their booth materials. Vivian Alabata, a junior Bachelor of Secondary Education said, “Kailangan maging responsible sila sa ilang gigamit, kailangan huna-hunaon nila unsay effect ana sa eskwelahan”. To note, there are 17 janitors employed in Dumaguete Campus I and about 13,000 students enrolled during the second semester of this school year.
THINK IN ADVANCE. Social Security System (SSS) Dumaguete held a Seminar at the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) AVR for all the 4th year students who are willing to apply for membership and a life insurance in the future, November 7.
NEWSBITS
14 pass MLE for NORSU Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) recorded 14 passers in the November 2018 Midwife Licensure Examination (MLE) out of 20 examinees marking 70 percent performance rate for NORSU. Nine out of ten passed from Bayawan City-Sta. Catalina campus yielding 90 percent performance rate and five out of nine passed from the Dumaguete campus yielding 55.56 percent. The passers from the main campus are Joanne Elizabeth A. Carson, Girly Mae L. Narciso, Jedsan R. Quila, Deloiuse E. Remollo, and Neri Chris Sateniama. Meanwhile, the nationwide result marked at 47.42 percent national passing rate with 1,175 passers out of 2,478 examinees, based from Professional Regulation Commission. In comparison, last year produced 21 passers out of 35 for 60 percent passing rate. In 2016, 22 out of 29 passed for 75 percent passing rate. (KC SURILLA)
NORSU produces 48 geologists
Geology Licensure Examination (GLE)’s November result increased by 22.19 percent compared to last year’s result with a passing rate of 37.50, recording 48 new licensed geologists. Out of 128 Norsunian takers, 48 passed the examination consisting of 35 first-timers and 13 repeaters. Delilah Ablong, Geology Department Head, shared her sentiment about the result of the board exam, “This year’s result is because of the cooperation of the teachers and the students who strived [for] quality education.” Moreover, Ablong is thankful towards the faculty members that despite they are part-time instructors and were paid less than what they ought to have, they rendered fulltime services. Joshua Bungcasan, a board passer, shared, “When I found out nga naa nay results, wala dayun nako gi open ang list. Nag-pray pa ko una then pag scroll nako kay naka shagit kos kalipay pagkita nako sa name nako. I was overwhelmed with joy.” However, Bungcasan somehow regretted he did not change one of his answers for he knew right after viewing the top ten lists of passers that he is very close to being one of the top. “I was 0.1 short para maapil sa top ten, 82.7 akoa score then ang top 10 kay 82.8… naka-realize ko nga one correct answer nalang maapil nako sa top 10,” he stressed. Ablong also left a challenge to the next batch of takers by saying, “I have always encouraged them that we get 100% as much as possible, but I know that not many of them would strive to aim high. I’m just hoping the performance of this next batch would surpass the performance of this year’s batch.” To note, this year’s NORSU overall performance in GLE is still below the national passing rate with a percentage of 58.99. (JJ UMBINA)
Psych dep’t hails 6 new RPm NORSU PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT produced six new registered psychometricians as the fresh takers passed the Psychometrician Licensure Examination (PmLE) conducted in October 2018, as publicized by Professional Regulations Commission. The new registered psychometricians are Enna Rose Gequillo, RPm; Alexa Kae Ginete, RPm; Mariliza Inoveno, RPm; Jubellen Niniel, RPm; Lifeel Gleedz Raga, RPm; and, Aidyl Jean Veloso, RPm. They are the passers out of 11 examinees from NORSU and they consist the 54.55 percent passing rate of the university which is above the national passing rate of 47.73 percent with 4, 035 passers out of 8, 453 examinees. In the 2017 PmLE, NORSU produced also six registered psychometricians out of seven examinees; and in 2016, NORSU recorded another six passers out of 12 examinees. (KC SURILLA) Infographics by Jeke Cris Rocaberte
Photo by Harvey Iquio
Participation for attendance—Facebook poll