The NORSUnian Vol XXXV Issue 26

WE write for you. we fight for you.

VOL XXXV ISSUE NO 26| JANUARY 1-5 , 2018 SMILE OF TRIUMPH. One of the dancers of TRIBU IPONA smiles amidst the hot exposure in the sun during the street dancing parade during the 2018 Mabinay Langub Festival, to give good vibes to the people watching. Photo by TN Mabinay

Norsunians demand for student assembly

11 NORSU programs level up Kenneth Carlorio S. Surilla

Year 2018 is welcomed with 11 programs at Negros Oriental State UniversityDumaguete Campuses passing the evaluation of Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), December 10-15.

A total of six undergraduate programs are now level three phase-

To raise their concerns and queries, Norsunians appealed for a second semester student assembly before the academic year ends.

Federation of Student

Kenneth Carlorio S. Surilla

Government (FSG) constitution states the federation shall have, at least, one student assembly per semester to clarify the university’s programs and endeavors.

Kristine Rose Pening, FSG president said, “Na-busy NORSUNIANS / to page 4

NORSU seeks LFR to resolve P1.2M ex-BM Saycon debt

Narlyn R. Mascardo

Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) is pushing for a Letter for Release (LFR) of money to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), to settle the overdue scholarship debt of former 2nd District board member Melliemore Saycon amounting Php1,020,000.

Jason Fermiza, University Accounting scholarship-incharge and Reymil Cadapan, Scholarship coordinator

level three is a turning point,” Cesar Estrope, director of Quality Assurance Management Center (QUAMC) said.

The level three phaseone programs are Elementary Education majors, namely: General, Special, and Preschool Education; Secondary Education majors, namely: English, Physical Education, Social Studies, and MAPEH;

2017 states, “Not to make the collection of alumni fees from graduating students compulsory, but voluntary, and devise ways for students and alumni to pay such fees.”

The said alumni fees include graduating students annual membership fee of Php 300 and a lifetime membership of Php 3,000.

Alumni affairs director Jose external campuses to create Guiuan II said the Federation of accessibility to the association.

NORSU Alumni Association “If they want NORSU (FEDNORSUAA) and the to grow, [they should] university are devising contribute by being good ways to add benefits to the members,” Guiuan said. membership as the current Lastly, the alumni benefits include only affairs scheduled alumni ID for standard uses. meetings in February to The association is also meet graduating students to planning to put up alumni assist them in looking for job chapters starting with the employment.

11 NORSU / to page 4

BOR ratifies voluntary alumni fee

Hon. Kristine Rose R. Pening Photo from The NORSUnian Archive Faith Jessica E. Alejano

Office System Management; Hospitality Management; Mass Communication; and Social Science.

“Level three will give us the privilege to apply for Center of Excellence (CoE) since we have already the results with flying colors. Six programs will have to prepare for CoE and phase two within the year,” Estrope shared.

one. Two more baccalaureate programs reached level one while two graduate programs are on candidacy status, and one more program has been accredited to level one. “ [It is] very challenging to a point that there are six programs mobilizing for applying accreditation for level three phase one and we all know from the perspective of an accreditor that

proposed to 2nd District Congressman, Manuel Sagarbarria to allocate the monetary scholarship balance of former congressman George Arnaiz as payment for the remaining liability of Saycon.

Fermiza explained the said proposal was approved by Sagarbarria, but he still needs to get the complete list of Saycon’s scholars in the main and the satellite campuses before making the LFR. An attachment letter, NORSU / to page 4

Eradicating alumni compulsory collection, the Board of Regents (BOR) approved to make the collection of alumni fees voluntary to give the graduates the discretion to contribute.

As released in July, BOR Resolution, No. 61, series of

SAS assures strict monitoring on frat activities

Angeleah Grace J. Acaso

With at least 31 recorded hazing-caused death cases in the Philippines since 1954, Student Affair Services (SAS) director Julio Ventolero guarantees to strictly monitor the activities of various fraternities in the university.

The Republic Act No. 8049 or Anti – Hazing Law in the Philippines, requires every schools and universities to recognize different fraternities and ensures that the organization complies with the requirements given by the law.

universities in the country while the rest are from private institutions, Philippine Army and DepEd’s Alternative Learning System.

In an interview with The NORSUnian with regard to the issue, Ventolero gave his assurance to monitor and regulate rules on school organizations.

“Kanang hazing, ato gyud nang gilikayan, wala ta ana... I see to it nga walay hazing nga mahitabo,” he said.

IMPRINTS OF FRATERNITY. These fraternity murals are seen alongside the wall Ventolero pointed out how the of Languange and Social Sciences (LS) classrooms, signifying the foundation of pioneering fraternities of NORSU. Photo by John Michael Ausejo Reserved Officer Training Corps According to ABS-CBN recorded hazing-caused death (ROTC) cadets seek his approval SAS / to page 4 reports, more than half of the 31 cases are said to be from public

TILL NEXT TIME...

A NEW YEAR...

WORLD BRAILLE DAY

SEE PAGE 2

SEE PAGE 3

SEE PAGE 4

PRODUCTO DEL FRACASO

UNIVERSITY DIARIES

UNIVERSITY POLL

2 Starting the slate [not] clean

OPINION

VOL XXXV ISSUE NO 26 JANUARY 1-5, 2018

EDITORIAL

“No government or legislature can start from a clean slate,” said Andrei Marmor in his book, Law in the Age of Pluralism. Similarly, this is the case when it comes to government entities, their units, and committees.

It is a fact that these units cannot avoid from creating drawbacks, that is why the government encourages proper management within the staff or members. There are also employee leadership trainings granted to orient them with how they should perform in order to avoid crucial mistakes during proper work hours.

Even the slightest errors mark undesirable results especially in government procurement, so it is a total that members should be very careful in scrutinizing and correcting the documents, before approval.

To note, many procurement proceedings for government contracts and suspicious activities result to civil litigation, or legal dispute between two or more parties because errors were committed. Take for example the case where ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the dismissal of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, provincial treasurer Danilo Mendez and provincial accountant Teodorico Reyes for grave misconduct in connection to the disbursement of calamity funds.

According to an article from SunStar Bacolod, the dismissal order carries the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and bar from taking the civil service examination. The ombudsman also ordered the filing of charges against Degamo for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019).

This case occurred during the previous year, showing how one who works within the government should act in accord, abiding by the constitution and iterated policies. If it is found out that there are drawbacks during government processes, lawsuits cannot be avoided. If minor errors can cause disputes, how much more if these mistakes are even larger in scope?

In any government activity or process, offices should have their members inspect every document that goes through them in order to allow the smooth flow of operations as much as possible. If there are mistakes, then they can always ask for the necessary corrections to disallow breaches in these activities.

Transparency is an important factor since it is one of the essential elements of a democratic nation. It is important for the citizens to have access of information used by the government to make decisions. Similarly, government transparency is an instrument reducing corruption and providing a better comprehension of how a government works. As it is aforementioned, no government can ever start with a clean slate, but it can work with a clear goal after all.

Illustrated by Emmanuel D. Manlun-uyan

Starting the slate [not] clean

Till next time, Rappler Just recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) released their adjudication of the revocation on Rappler Media Inc., which on the other hand, cries for press harassment but has maligned the country not just once, neither even twice nor thrice but innumerable times.

This recently came all over the Philippine media just because of its alleged foreign ownership.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque that branding what stated happened as a press freedom issue is like fake news.

“That’s a decision of the SEC [which] is manned

by Aquino appointees. [It’s] a money-making scheme

[which] SEC said violated the [Constitution].

Allegation that its press freedom is about fake news. [It’s] about avarice for money that violates the Constitution and the laws of the land,” he said.

This is nowhere far from playing in an arcade and putting some coins in it to let it operate and entertain you.

They published countless fake news articles online as their means, and lured the bandwagon by wrenching and deluding their headlines. Even their news are provided with their so-called “quantitative figures,” as their tactics —an act of compromising our national

security and scrutinizing the administration with bias and prejudice.

This is not a case of press freedom anymore but a case of violating the Constitution.

And I don’t think if somebody will tolerate this uncongenial conduct and ethics to provide misinforming news in the form of media under press freedom to our Filipino people. Let’s be brutally honest here. They deserve that. Not because they mislead the people the way how they write their media articles but because they violated the rule. That’s how simple it is to comprehend.

What’s intriguing here is that we are campus journalists who weekly publish news online and offline. We are part of the student publication in a sole institution, pushing for press freedom but we’re only bounded and discerned by our own principles and uphold ‘responsible’ journalism.

Principle in a way that you write because it is your job to serve as a voice for the voiceless ones, and not for the reason that you write and defame the people because you are manned in the name of money.

Press freedom is a prerogative and should not be overpowered and manhandled.

It is a privilege in a democratic state, yet media like Rappler tries to go beyond the line. And I don’t think it’s a privilege still.

“It’s an abuse and overuse of the privilege in the guise of press freedom,” president Duterte said in an interview with the media, including Pia Ranada from Rappler.

I am elated of what this has caused them — to let them realize that they’re barking at the wrong tree. To let everyone know that we don’t deserve a Filipino who pulls down his own kababayan. To let everyone grasp that we don’t need a money for the sake of destabilization.

Again, they deserve that and nothing much more than to put these people behind Rappler into sanction and castigation. If ever resolution has to be given by the end of this article, try to have some guts first by adhering simple guidelines from our Constitution before you make a move. Let us see how ethical and professional these people are —this media company by just conforming one simple rule. At least.

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Photo by Ma. Angelica G. Ho

Faith Jessica E. Alejano

“New Year— a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately, we write it. The choice is ours.” –Alex Morritt

CAMPUS IMAGE Kenneth Carlorio S. Surilla

Her name is Princess. For someone whose name sounds like she’s not supposed to do a lot of things, she composed herself to service, volunteerism, and charity.

Dedicating one’s self to demanding activities without tangible rewards while focusing on studies takes great love and commitment.

To have many is just impossible. By doing so, Princess Ebrole becomes an inspiration to others in making this world a better place.

“Lord, tabangi pod mi ani. Tabangi pod ko nga ma-continue gihapon ni nako if mao man gud ni imo gihatag nako, kaning moserve…” Princess thoughtfully repeats a prayer she made in one of her missions.

A resident of Siaton, Negros Oriental, she was born on September 25, 1998. The second and youngest, she graduated at Felipe Tayko Memorial School with honors while finishing at Siaton National High School as a member of Supreme Student Government and a sign language interpreter for the local parish.

“This particular missionary priest I consider as a second parent.

Siya’y nagtudlo nako mag-sign language, together with the other people from the seminary,” she explained as she recalls that moment which contributed a great impact to her.

She is taking up Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) major in Special Education (SPED) at Negros Oriental State University (NORSU). At a young age, she has surprisingly become active in nation-building activities.

She is a member of Newground Events, an event-organizing group in Dumaguete City. In her first year of college life, she helped facilitate in some notable events which are: Earth Day Jam last October 2015; Youth and Leadership Summits of Department of Education (DepEd) like Nation of Heroes and YOLO; Sinio, JKing & Romano event at Foundation University last September 2017; and the Regional iFight Summit in Western Visayas.

“They invited me to join them as one of their organizers,” she added.

She is also a student coordinator for the Visayan Forum, a nongovernmental organization in the Philippines known for innovations in addressing modern-day slavery, an executive member of the Federation of Student Governments (FSG), and chairperson for Gender and Development and iFight Movement since 2016. There, she organized iFight seminars in NORSU in which one of the seminars was aired in CNN Philippines last March 2016.

Aside from being a facilitator, and interpreter, she is also an CAMPUS IMAGE/ to page 4

Illustrated by Jessa C. Araneta

FEATURES

Illustrated by Jonel A. Baligasa and Jameel E. Daksla

VOL XXXV ISSUE NO 26 JANUARY 1-5, 2018

A New Year Without you Story of Montesauh

The fireworks have colored the cold, dark night of New Year’s Eve while the trumpets and firecrackers created a welcoming noise for year 2018. Again, the world is grateful for a new beginning to set goals, to accomplish dreams, to be refreshed, and to renew ourselves.

Having a list of New Year resolutions seems to be unimportant for some, but creating one can be a good start to live life better.

Take time and pause for a moment.

Think and reflect about the things you could’ve done in the past year. With a new set of goals, try to work them out for the entire year. If you don’t have resolutions yet, then maybe this article can help.

Resolution #1: To be fit Get checked, be active, eat healthy and take simple measures to de-stress.

As what Jim Rohn – an American motivational speaker – once said, “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”

Resolution #2: To study well Believe in yourself, cultivate a mindset of success, don’t make excuses and persevere. College life I flipped to the fourhundredth page of the book I was reading, while my back was comfortably pasted on my bed. It was another legal thriller I was so engrossed about and I knew I wouldn’t end the year without finishing the book. Then, I heard various sounds from the outside causing a sudden halt inside my mind.

“Nak, ang imo gusto nga kaonon.”

I turned my head to where the jolly voice came from. Ah, it was Papa. He was holding a freshlypicked-out-from-the-fridge keso de bola and told me that it was the food I loved eating.

I smiled because he always knew what I liked, especially when it comes to food.

charitable, honest, and righteous. Since almost everyone knows Aristotle— one of the most famous Greek philosophers of all time, you might also want to overwork know that he has something your brain. to say about living good virtues— “Happiness does Just not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.” study well, and you will Resolution #6: To maintain surely get desirable good relationships If you think you’ve got in results. handy with your relationships Resolution #3: from the past year with your family, peers, or special To be respectful Be a good listener, say someone, then be motivated thank you and encourage a to maintain them. Be mature friend, for a smile and an in making decisions uplifting word can brighten and clear your head someone’s day. “Respect for first, so you will ourselves guides our morals, not stain your respect for others guides r e l a t i o n s h i p s . to our manners,” said Laurence Learn Stern, who was an Irish u n d e r s t a n d and novelist and clergyman in more, c o m mu n i c at e the 1700s. more about y o u r Resolution #4: To forgive Clear your head of emotional poison, forgive yourself and others, and move forward. Forgive others as quickly as you expect God to forgive you. This will lighten the burdens of your heart. is hard but not as hard as life without y o u r degree.

Don’t study too hard because this m i g h t

personal concerns so you can work your issues out. Break the #WalangForever stereotype because there is forever if you are determined enough.

Surely, a lot of resolutions are flooding your mind right now. If you wish to be a better version of yourself, then list all of your goals in a piece of paper or create a memorandum on your phone. After which, it is up to you to make this year a true accomplishment.

Dream big, focus, think outside the box, be genuine, start it now— a New Year with a good bang.

[Note: With reference from www. thesismag. com]

Resolution #5: To live by good virtues Be kind, He handed it to me so I could cut it in different shapes. I then laughed and picked up the knife from the rack where my Mama always placed it. I peeled the red item and started slicing it into different sizes of rectangles and squares. Papa was there looking at me.

I told him to go away but he shook his head. I knew why he didn’t want to leave.

Well, you see, I have this habit of cutting the skin on one of my fingers whenever I use a knife. That time, he wanted to make sure I wouldn’t cut myself again.

He just stuck his tongue out and smiled, showing spaces since he didn’t put his dentures on. I just laughed at his silliness.

It was already twelve

midnight. As expected, we waited ‘til New Year’s Day and elatedly ran after the clock struck twelve. I was holding a small tin can with small stones inside so it would create a ruckus. I was only in my fifth grade so I wasn’t allowed to hold fire crackers. It was alright, though.

Then, I heard Papa calling me. When I turned to him, he was holding a pasirit.

In our dialect, it’s like a minifirework similar to a fountain.

I immediately smiled when I saw it and ran straight to him.

But before he gave it to me, he had a condition— I needed to hug him as payment. It was so easy, right?

“Summer has come and passed, the innocent can never last. Wake me up when

September ends. Like my father’s come to pass, seven years has gone so fast. Wake me up when September ends.”

Indeed, I woke up wanting to turn back time to seven years ago, almost at the end of September. I should have told him that I love him more than enough, which I never did. Now, all I remember is his name and his warmth with his face losing itself as a memory.

My attention was drawn back to my cellular phone beeping at three in the morning. I fell asleep as the midnight of December thirtieth passed. Ah, yes.

Another year without. A New Year without you, Papa.

Montesauh has a pool of books at home.

BACKPAGE

Doctorate program for Mathematics and Bachelor of Theology acquired candidacy status. On the other hand, masters for English and undergraduate programs of Psychology and Chemistry attained level one.

Rose Marie Pinili, vicepresident for Academic Affairs (VPAA) publicized a memo, announcing the results and recognize individuals who

contributed to the “major achievement.”

“It depends on the program chair and the dean. As early as February, I’ll be calling a meeting with them to orient them how to prepare for phase two,” Estrope said.

As of press time, The NORSUnian (TN) is currently waiting for further updates on the accreditation.

before they overnight in campus and emphasized the students’ observance of the curfew and the presence of an organic personnel to supervise the students.

“You can find some of my documents about my communication to ROTC if they are seeking permission from me,” he furthered.

Moreover, he said they are vigilant in monitoring the students who are involved in fraternities.

“Akong gilantaw ang nature

sa organization when they apply, usa na sa akong gilantaw kung wala ba ni probability [ for hazing],” he added.

Out of 78 registered student orgs in the university, eight belongs to fraternity or sorority, and special interest groups.

As a whole, Ventolero acknowledges the importance of having organizations in the campus considering that students will gain involvement with the university’s activities.

including the list of scholars, will be submitted to the university president for approval and will be forwarded to the DBM. He said it is the decision of DBM to furnish an official letter for NORSU to utilize the money, “kung dili, mangita napud og laing paagi, kaso dili lang siya ing-ana kadali, it takes times.”

“At least, nakagama og pamaagi. Wala lang ni ingon nga pasagda-an lang na siya ug dili lang lihukon,” Fermiza added.

Notably, Saycon’s previous outstanding balance was Php2,287,000 including the scholarship balances of NORSU Bais and Mabinay Campuses.

SAS / from page 1

NORSU/ from page 1

Mining Corp donates books to Geo dept

Photo by John Michael Ausejo

11 NORSU/ from page 1

THROUGH NEW LEARNINGS. These fourth year geology students are reading the books donated by Holcim Mining and Development Corporation (HMDC) inside the university library.

Kenneth Carlorio S. Surilla

Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Physics and Geology department received six books as donation from Holcim Mining and Development Corporation (HMDC) on January 4, 2018.

The books, according to Delilah Ablong, department CAMPUS IMAGE / from page 3

attendant to those with different needs. Although her activities sound stressful, she still helped the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Newground Events in accommodating young and old people in Valencia, Negros Oriental, who needed assistance.

Most students may see her as a student assistant in the Student Affairs and Services (SAS) Office. Actually, she has been serving as a volunteer assistant. Since third year college to present, she goes to the SAS

NORSUNIANS/ from page 1

mi tungod sa Founders’ [week celebration], naa pod mi giasikaso para sa mga sunod na events.

Given na midterm last week, as of now, wala pay assembly.”

“Kailangan ang student assembly kay naa to silay plans sa first sem para karong second semester,” Christine Gale Baliola, BS Information Technology student, said.

Melanie Caducoy, BS

Comics by Joleos June S. Vegare

VOL XXXV ISSUE NO 26 JANUARY 1-5, 2018

head, will be beneficial to all geology students studying mineralogy, paleontology, petrology among others.

“I am happy,” Ablong said as gratitude to the corporation. “At least, naay bag-ong collection of books.”

The books included are: Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks and Minerals, Introductory to Mining

Engineering, Dictionary of Geology and Mineralogy, Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, and Manual of Mineral Science 23 rd Edition.

“Happy ko and thankful kay medyo lisod jud maka kita og Geology book,” Merra Lenne Jala, a sophomore BS Geology student said. “Kung naa

man gani sa online, mahal sad kaayo. Mao nang big help jud kaayo ilang gidonate nga books sa amoa.”

The donations, which costed Php15,000 are currently stored in the university library. With regard to book acquisitions, only the office of the library can process book procurement.

Office in her vacant time to make IDs and encode documents, but she still has time to do her academic obligations.

“Even if naa koy assignments, makasulat ra gihapon. Thank God ra pod, noh? Dili pod magdungan tanan,” she laughs, being fortunate that there are no conflicts between time and everything she does despite the loads she is taking. She continues doing sign language for the church in Sundays when she goes home to Siaton or in Dumaguete City if she couldn’t. And if a deaf asks for

help, she accompanies them inside NORSU for legal processes as well as outside the university, like in hospitals, the Philippine Mental Health Association, and other government offices.

“Part of my life is being a volunteer interpreter for the deaf,” she said. “If mo-volunteer ka, kapoy siya, wala kay money, pero kana gani ilang smile nga dili mabayran— wow! Lami kaayos feeling.”

She is a role model to her fellow Norsunians in efficiently managing academic and extra-

curricular activities within effective time schedule. Plus, she is an inspirational citizen in contributing to the society in her own little but great ways.

Everyone is busy doing their tasks and beating their deadlines, but not all can surely be stable on the line. And it’s not a sign to give up and let things fall to chaos. We may not have a name of royalty but we can have the same drive and fire.

Let us keep moving forward with life and be an inspiration to the people around us.

Education student said the concerns raised during the first assembly are still hanging since there are no updates on how the student government resolved it.

“Hapit na mahuman ang school year, dili na makakuha og tubag ang mga graduating students. Para nako mao ni ang flaw sa SG,” Caducoy furthered.

“Sa assembly mahibal-an ang lain-laing concerns diri sa

campus and kinahanglan gyud nga ma-educate [ang students] on important things,” Jea Reva Azores, a Mass Communication student said.

The first semester student assembly was held in August wherein the number of students who attended did not reach quorum. Pening explained they lacked support and coordination

from the other elected officers.

Pening said the second semester student assembly will be in February, together with the presentation of the new set Of SG candidates for election for the next school year.

She encourages her fellow students to directly address their concerns and queries to the FSG and hopes to have more activity involvement with the students.

Infographics by Javan Lev A. Poblador

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