THE NORSUnian VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 4 | JUNE 25-29, 2018

WE write for you. we fight for you.

VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 4 | JUNE 25-29, 2018

LET`S GET WET! Kicking off the start of the university’s Charter Day celebration, Norsunians, together with the faculty and staff, celebrate the 1st Sablig Festival, June 23. Photo by Harvey Iquio

Alexe A. Luce and Reychemver C. Credo

With a total population of 13,406, Negros Oriental State University – Campus Student Government Commission on Elections (NORSU-CSG COMELEC) reported that only eight percent of the students from Dumaguete campuses I and II voted during the Student Government (SG) election due to their failure in disseminating information.

According to Joe Anne Mae Montebon, NORSU-CSG COMELEC chairperson, an estimation of more than 600 votes were casted in the election day on June 21, wherein, Romar Pedrina, Student Government of Dumaguete Campus-I (SGDC-I) won with 670 votes,

which did not reach half of the 10, 320 official population of campus I. On the other hand, Student Government of Dumaguete Campus-II (SGDC-II) elected president, Zacchariah Caraig, won with 525 votes out of the 3,086 MC-II population, losing a margin of 83 percent of its supposed voters.

“What we did is nag-post mi sa mga bulletin boards. Mao gyud na siya ang pinaka-importante. ,” Montebon said.

Meanwhile, Daniel Cristuta, former SGDC-II COMELEC chairperson said, “Ang election karon nga term should supposedly be held last school year but then ni-graduate na man most officers in the past administration, so medyo weak

ang process.”

Jan Marie Yunsay, a Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) student major in MAPEH, said, “Wala ko kabalo nga nag-elect na diay sila og bag-o nga officers. I was shocked to see them nagoath taking sa Charter Day.” Jordyn Suito, a freshman B a c h e l o r of Elementary Education (BEED) student, said the COMELEC should have the sense of responsibility in announcing complete information frequently.

He also pointed out

making use of social media in creating a relationship with the students.

In response to the students’ concern, Montebon said, “Puhon mangita mi’g way para ma-disseminate ang information og tarong since naa man puy special election nga padulong.”

Furthermore, she said, for an event to be successful, everyone’s cooperation is needed and the students must also do their part to get involved in the activities of the university.

FSG prexy wins by default Rick Lyndon A. Calma

TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS. SGDC-I President Romar T. Pedrina proposes his platforms and programs for the empowerment of NORSU students during the Miting De Avance at the NORSU Gymnasium on June 19, 2018.

IN EXCHANGE...

A BYTE OF RESPECT

OPINION | see page 2

With no opposing party, Romar Pedrina won as Federation of Student Governments (FSG) president with 670 votes out of the 10, 320 officially enrolled students in Dumaguete campus I. Pedrina automatically got the position after no student submitted the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on the last day of filing, June 14.

Cited in the Commission on Election (COMELEC)’s Constitution and Bylaws, in case if no other student ran for FSG president, the electoral position will be FSG PREXY/ to page 4

STEALING SERENITY

UNIVERSITY DIARIES

FEATURES | see page 3

Photo by Harvey C. Iquio

COMELEC admits fault on 8% voters

HAND-IN-HAND. Students from all colleges work together during the one-day university wide cleanup as preparation for the Charter Day celebration.

‘Pride Month’ unites LGBTQIA Norsunians

Karah Jane B. Sarita

S upp o r t i ng Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA) community, Norsunians unified during the Pride Month celebration in June.

This year’s Pride Month celebration is initiated by #6200Pride, a loose network of organizations and individuals in Dumaguete who are dedicated to the LGBTQIA advocacy, with 10 events scheduled throughout June, according to Metro Post Dumaguete.

Dr. Carlou Bernaldez, NORSU Physical Education Department (PE-Dept) director, said it is already high-time for individuals who belong in the LGBTQIA community to take part in the development of the society.

He added that the event was a great opportunity for Norsunians who consider themselves a part of LGBTQIA community.

Bernaldez is also the first president of the newlyformed LGBTQIA+E organization also known as PETALS which is composed of members in the LGBTQIA community, as well as enthusiasts and advocates, who are willing to help.

According to Bernaldez, #6200Pride asked for PETALS’ assistance and support for this year’s Pride Month celebration.

Meanwhile, Warren Gimeno, NORSU PE-Dept instructor, expressed his delight that there have been movements for them to be recognized as an integral part of the society.

“I think equality and PRIDE MONTH / to page 4

CAN YOU DISTINGUISH...

UNIVERSITY POLL

BACKPAGE | see page 4

OPINION

2

VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 4 | JUNE 25-29, 2018

FEATURES

VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 3 | JUNE 18-22, 2018

3

EDITORIAL Slave to apathy

Shattering Mirrors of Insecurity

By Wallflower

Stealing Serenity

Jenevelle V. Banono

“Why? Why? Why?” Questions of uncertainty circled her thoughts as her hands clutch the three-layer belly she had gained throughout her lazy summer. To add her distressing momentum is Taylor Swift singing Out of Style on her daring outfit, walking the runway along with the skinny Victoria’s Secret Angels in their lingerie.

I’m Offended The Philippines is known as a country with diverse religions, Christianity having the largest population. As a person of Catholic faith, I believe that God created earth, and all the abundance in life is a blessing from Him. He created Adam and Eve, settled them in the Garden of Eden where there are no imperfections in sight, with only one test— that is to not eat the forbidden fruit. But

they disobeyed Him, thus, the birth of death.

God created such a beautiful place and chance but was disobeyed. Do these make Him stupid?

When president Rodrigo Duterte delivered one of his statements during the National Information and Communications Technology Summit 2018 in Davao, he said that God is stupid for creating something perfect but thought

In exchange of gratis education As Republic Act (RA) 10931 or Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act – a law that grants students to be free of tuition – has been implemented to the 112 state college and universities, including our Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), this had brought itself the “Return Service System” which is probably the most controversial issue to date.

Under of the Rule

II, Section 4 of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of the RA 10931 stating, “SUCs and LUCs shall formulate and implement a Return Service System for students benefitting from the free higher education provision of this Act, as part of their admission and retention policies.” In an article from GMA news online, CHED officer-in-charge Prospero de Vera III said that it is just puts value to the subsidy

of an event that would destroy the quality of His work. Yes! God summoned the snake to tempt Adam and Eve but it was because he wanted to test their faith and loyalty.

According to an article of New York Post by Tamar Lapin on June 26, the president said, “Who is this stupid God? He’s really stupid. You created something perfect, and then you think of an event that would tempt and destroy the quality of your work.”

Although according to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque that it was only the president’s personal conviction, he must be very mindful of his words.

Everyone’s eyes and ears are on him so he must exemplify good conduct as he is the highest ranking officer of the country.

It is in the commandments of the Lord that you should not use the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. We must respect our God, your God,

and my God for He is the giver of life. He is the God we pray to every day not only for ourselves but also for this administration. Jesus allowed Duterte to become the president for a purpose, for the reason that perhaps will bring us the path to make him a stronger person for a better nation.

The reason why human beings are divided because there are people who cannot respect others. They think as if their beliefs are better than the rest. We have different religions but we pray to the same God. If you don’t believe in someone’s God, then learn to at least respect.

We have the right to express our own beliefs, opinions and thoughts about religion. However, we have to consider certain limitations on this regard, noting that every word we say should not disrespect, disregard, discredit others— if we aim to live a life in harmony.

that taxpayers give.

So, the university requires every student to have at least 150 points in every semester in order to comply for the requirement of the Return Service System.

These points are acquired through various events or activities in the university, but can obtain a small amount. Lucky are those who are members of various organizations or institutions in and out of the university.

These opportunities give them more points than those who are only participating in events or activities.

Most of these events are being held in the university’s cultural complex. Imagine the rising population of that NORSU and with just one gym, not everyone could really have a seat or a mere space, right? So in this scenario, most of the students could not earn this small amount of points because of the situation.

Another thing is that

student assistants (SA) will convert honoraria into return service points since they will not be paying fees and tuitions anymore.

Through this, many students would really apply this position in various offices to gain the allotted points for every semester.

But what will be the consequence if the allotted points cannot be attained?

Will these unfortunate students pay the tuition fees for the next semester? How about those students who really worked hard to earn points but still, these efforts were not never enough?

We, students, really want to accomplish the required points required in every semester. But how can most of us even gain that number of points when in the first place the implementation of the system is still at infancy? We’ll just have to wait until such time they would be properly orienting us regarding this matter.

She hit the pause button with a feeling of insecurity and stares at the smooth surfaced material displayed on the wall adjacent to her. She meets the gaze, not of a skinny woman but a flabby one. Open. Close. Open.

Close─ as if every gaze burdens her senses.

“I look like a walking charcoal.”

Filipinos often exaggerate the ‘kayumanggi’ skin tone as charcoal or ‘uling’. Adding fuel to the burning fire of selfpity and insecurity are the skin whitening ads on television implying that being tan or m o r e n a makes you f l a w e d and less attractive.

According to GMA News Online,

Philippines has the highest u s a g e

CAMPUS IMAGE

A perfect student government is a myth. Flaws will always be present, not only to SG officials, but in many other institutions or aspects, as well. But if the SG does its part to reach out to the students, since it is its main purpose, we can say that even if it doesn’t achieve perfect, at least it was able to be effective.

Going back to the leadership of former Federation of Student Government (FSG) prexy Kristine Rose Pening, different activities were pushed through in favor of the student body: for the first student assembly, Hon. Ma. Leonor Robredo was able to attend and talk about her caravan; for the Charter Day celebration of the university, Panaghugyaw and Glow Party was held; for the Foundation Week, the SG was able to support the booth materials of organizations (although it was delayed) who took part during the Booth Stock Festival, spearheaded by the League of Student Organizations (LSO) and the Mister and Miss NORSU Crystal 2018; for graduating students, the official yearbook wherein a committee was formed for its completion (which is now still on the process of finishing), said Narlyn Mascardo, Yearbook Committee president; and, the list goes on.

Despite the many activities the SG officials have pushed through (College Day, LSO Day), students have yet to come out of their apathetic shell. Should this be blamed on them alone, or is the SG also at fault of this behavior exuded by the students?

Aside from having many accomplishments, it is not a secret that Pening’s administration failed to awaken the interest of the student body, especially in concern to running as SG local and national officials for academic year 2018-2019. NORSU elections are always dated a month before the end of the school year, but A. Y. 2017-2018 elections were moved this semester, 21 of June, due to a very few number of students willing to fill in the empty positions of the student government. Also, there was no proper dissemination of information, causing to have only a few students to attend the Miting de Avance on June 17, at the NORSU Sports Complex.

With only one student who filed a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for SGDC-I and II president, this is a clear notion that Norsunians need to act now. Special Elections for unfilled positions should not be the future NORSU in the years to come, especially now that the free tuition for all SUCs is being implemented. Isn’t it time to give back to the university which has become the place where we have been nurturing our dreams? Or shall we remain silhouettes of the dark, slaves to apathy?

of such products in Asia with almost 50% of the population followed by Hong Kong with 45%.

Some Filipinos may not realize this but even foreigners, whom others admire for their white complexion, are dying to have our naturally tanned skin.

“I look as if I am four months pregnant— with food.”

Have you ever felt determined to achieve a flat stomach and somehow deep inside your ambitious innerself, has those sexy indented hard pack of abs? Have you restrained yourself from eating your favorite food and swallow an enormous lump of hunger, cravings and dissatisfaction instead?

Studies show that dieting is said to be common among people with eating disorders.

When the body is deprived with the food it needs, it reduces the metabolic rate resulting to poor health. Here’s the thing. You don’t have to force change into your system just because the society dictates you to do so.

Don’t starve yourself, love.

You are perfect. They’re just extra fats!

“I wish I can stuff all my

stomach fats in my boobs.”

In a world where fame is dictated by society’s hunger for appreciation and perfection, women with small bust size seem to ask, “what is wrong with me?”

Society often expects women to be perfect in body measurements that is worthy of their eyeballs to feast, not to mention people who wear tight c l ot h i n g , highlighting their best curves, making those prying animals choke over their drools and average women doubting themselves.

News flash! You do not need someone else’s validation.

Your bust size and body shape does not define your femininity and womanhood.

Wear anything with confidence!

“I’m soooo ugly.”

A conclusion made after few minutes of criticizing

yourself in the mirror. But know that beauty isn’t always about having nicely-arced eyebrows, long thick lashes, well-pronounced pointy nose, rosy lips and pinkish cheeks whom for Pete’s sake were painted with the same tint applied on the lips; nor, is it about having flawlessly unblemished skin and the 36-24-36 stupid body ratio.

There is a fine line between looking beautiful and feeling beautiful.

Appreciate what you have and accept what you don’t.

Just because you do not have a Victoria’s Secret Angel’s physique doesn’t make you anything less attractive.

Wear your flaws in an imaginary stunning crown worth millions that would make heads turn. Walk the runway with confidence like the model you are born to be. Do not let society tell you how to carry yourself— be your own director.

His lips quietly moved as a smile curved perfectly that captured the hearts of many.

It was his way of showing others that no matter how hard life is, hope still lingers around the corner, conquering every challenge as he slowly reconstructs his broken dreams.

He is a freshman at Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) Dumaguete campus II, taking up Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE).

This ultimate goal digger is Erick Soldero, and is living in Sibulan, presently An X-Generation youngster, Erick was born on March 19, 2000 at Maslog, Cebu and was raised in the city since then. Living in a small family with a sister, he has the opportunity to enjoy his youth and be showered with love by his parents.

Looking back, his father,

Elmer Soldero, worked as a technician while his mother, Guindilyn Soldero, is a housewife and is always by their side. They had a bountiful and stable life most of the unfortunate families would dream of having.

But in 2015, when Erick was 16 years old, his entire life shifted. A tragedy he never saw coming knocked everything down.

“Gi-demolish among balay kay dili man to original title ang naa namo. Many families were washed out jud, including us,” with his voice almost cracking, he reminisced the moment when his parents’ fruits of labor disappeared in a blink of an eye.

It was horrifying for him, standing there capable but could not do anything. With a faint soul, he endured the pain and watched their home get wrecked during the Cebu City demolition. The memories they shared have withered away along

“Maybe we’re creatures that just can’t help ourselves to be captivated by the moment.”

“Maybe,” I thought.

High school years were almost over and summer break was just around the corner. Poised in a cross-legged position with handouts as thick as a dictionary, I closed my eyes as the calm wind caressed my face.

“Whoa,” my lips parted as I stumbled a step backward.

A mob of students came my way aggressively and slowly filled the open grounds of the school building. I stepped aside to let them flow freely. A lot of them were giggling as they planned their summer getaways. However, some of them were scrutinizing me with their heads cocked, almost taking a peek of my soul. It made me wary and anxious.

I took a glimpse of what I wore. I was wearing my typical yet decent outfit, white on white— a simple white tee, dark denim jeans, and a pair of white trainers.

“Was I ugly? Do I have a something on my face?” I asked myself as I awkwardly jerked a facial muscle.

As soon as the waves began to hush, I saw my circle of friends whom I spent my youth with. It was as if time stopped and memories rushed in. It gave a feeling of nostalgia— picture-perfect moment.

“So, where are we going to take our dinner?” Kate, my friend, asked as she approached me. Yes, we always talked about food and that’s one thing we have in common. We were all thinking in depth for a moment. By far, this was always the hardest question for a social circle. We giggled as we tried to think still for another batch of minutes— yet, again.

With no decision made, we decided to take ourselves to wherever our feet may take us and to how deep our minds could think of a place where we all belong. So, we went off.

It reached an hour by just going to the uphill bistro. We were all suspended in serenity from where we stood as we got out from the taxi. As we went through the hill, we were amazed by the stars, street lamps, and vehicle lights seen on a mountain sight.

“I once prayed to God to give me an inseparable friend, and He gave you guys instead,” I murmured. It was a moment’s thought that made me realize they were a family to me. They were for keeps.

Am I to be grateful or to be the flip side of it because sooner, we will be parting ways? I can’t blame them because we have different courses in life. But that really won’t matter, anyway. People cross our lives to inculcate what we need to learn. It’s not really a painful goodbye. Ultimately, that is the best thing about having friends.

Too much meditating, the barbecue’s aroma was calling us as it perfumed the air. It turned us into drooling beings, feeling ravenous with stomach screeching for something satiable. That was a night, indeed!

Wallflower has morphed into a garden of dancing golden daffodils uplifting others in need. with the rubbles and dust.

For Erick, it was like being aggressively thrusted into a pit of uncertainty that led to nowhere.

No signs. No instructions.

Nothing.

Despite all the emotions that surged up, he did not get discouraged. After what happened, their family moved to Negros Oriental where they bought a new lot in Tubtubon, Sibulan. There, they learned to see the light of hope and started a brand new life.

Because of what he witnessed during the demolition in Cebu City, Erick fixated on becoming an engineer so he could build homes for families and for the poor who had their homes perished.

“When I was a child, my dream was to be a pastor then akong gi-ilisan og BSIT kay in demand daw but after what happened, I decided to take up Civil Engineering,” Erick said

with determination.

He has learned many lessons from all the things that occurred in his life. In science, positive attracts negative, but for him, being positive is the perfect formula in deriving success.

Dreams aren’t just things we want for ourselves. These are things we want to achieve in order to make the people around us happy. There might be times that we reject the negative things that had happened to us, and hide it; however, for Erick, he is proud of his shortcomings during the span of his existence for it has created a better version of himself.

Erick and his family is currently at their best shape as the reward of their hard work and perseverance; and, as of today, his goal is to finish his studies.

Written by Ted Jasper Adrian C. Gomez

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VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 4 | JUNE 25-29, 2018

NORSU hosts 7th PACUIT skills upgrade Psych dep’t holds 1st Child Psych lecture Alexe A. Luce

D eepen i ng students’ knowledge on child cases, Psychology Department spearheaded the 1st Child Psychology lecture at Counseling, Assessment, Resources, Enhancement (C.A.R.E) Center, June 20.

Guest speaker, Dr. Ana Kathrine Oatin, a clinical psychologist and the owner of AKVO Clinic, shared her thoughts and lessons focusing on case studies of sexually abused children from 5-10 years old, the suggested treatment, and strategies to be done to make the treatment.

“You may trick an adult but not a child. So you need

ORGANIC LIFESTYLE. President of Herbanext Laboratories Inc., Philip S. Cruz (center), shared his knowledge about organic health products to NORSU researchers and students on June 21.

learn and use the company’s latest products and solutions.

“Faculty are updated with the latest technology so that it will address the mismatch in the technology learned in the classroom and technology needed in the industry,” Julio Ventolero, PACUIT-NORSU Chapter Secretary, said.

The participants not only consist of the faculty in College of Industrial Technology (CIT) of NORSU but also those from universities nationwide as far

as Nueva Ecija in the north and Sultan Kudarat in the south.

Dr. Glicerio Duran Jr., CIT dean, mentioned that whenever NORSU would organize the said skills upgrading affair, there would be numerous visiting participants, which he thinks is a good impression.

The skills upgrading activities included Networking and Security, Autotronics, Computer Numerical Control Technology, Instrumentation and Process Control, Education 4.0 E-Learning,

and Industrial Automation with Automation Studio.

These activities lasted for two days of hands-on experience and workshops and were all facilitated by engineering experts from Hytec Power Inc., As recorded, Duran established the PACUIT, Inc. NORSU Chapter on August 18, 2011 and have been conducting the skills upgrading ever since.

The 6th PACUIT Inc. NORSU Chapter Skills Upgrading took place in April 2016.

W i t h s t uden t s waiting for vendors to cleanup after them, Negros Oriental State University Vendors Association (NORSUVA) called for Norsunians cooperation on implementing the Clean as You Go (CLAYGO) policy.

The said policy is strictly followed by other universities wherein costumers return their plates to the stores they bought food from and throw their own

garbage away, not leaving any trace.

Felisidad Flores, NORSUVA president, said they are tired of customers not following the CLAYGO Policy.

“Wala nami mahimo ana.

Kapoy na kaayo sige’g yawyaw,” Flores said.

Eglenn Remollo, 34, a maintenance staffer in the canteen, shared her experience, “Naa’y usahay na makit-an nalang nako sa basurahan ang mga plato. Siyempre akoy tagalimpyo, akoy bulungan.”

Aside from the lack of

cleanliness, Divine Miras, 37year old vendor, added, “Naa juy ubang estudyante (dili tanan) na dili jod mo-uli hangtod na mawala among plato. Bisan naa si Eglenn, ang maintenance, dili japon niya makaya sa kadaghan sa estudyante.”

Flores also agreed and said they had no choice but to buy new sets of plates and utensils.

Also, Reycel Jane Gangaso, a freshman BS in Geology student, said Norsunians should follow the implemented policy so that other students can occupy the area since

used plates take up space on the tables.

“Hindi iyong nandoon pa yung pinagkainan,” Gangaso added.

However, Realyn Millares, BS in Business Administration student, said that the [CLAYGO] policy will be followed if the implementation is strict.

In a survey conducted by The NORSUnian (TN), 155 out of 230 students preferred to eat in the canteen than in eateries outside the university.

FSG PREXY / from page 1 based on plurality, wherein at least two votes from the students are only needed.

COMELEC chairperson Joe Anne Mae Montebon said this year’s election is good but at the same time, “a sad thing.”

“It was good for it went

smooth from conducting the Miting de Avance until the proper election but the sad thing wasthat most students were not actively participating from the filing of candidacy, reading of posts on the bulletin boards, and exercising their rights to

suffrage,” she added.

Montebon disclosed that there will be no re-election for the position of Student Government (SG) president, even if the total number of votes did not reach half of the university’s student population.

Qualifications of a candidate running for any kind of position for SG are: the student must have at least one semester stay in NORSU; 80 percent GPA grade; and, not under disciplinary position with 15 units of enrolled subjects.

Kenneth Carlorio S. Surilla

N egr o sOr i en ta l State University (NORSU) organized the seventh Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities of Industrial Technology (PACUIT), Inc. NORSU chapter National Skills Upgrading on June 19-21.

In cooperation with Hytec Power Inc., a Filipino-owned Company providing support to the industry and academe sectors, faculty-participants were able to

PRIDE MONTH / from page 1 equity is not an issue to be begged from these people who call themselves ‘straight’, but it’s actually a thing that we already have because it’s not for them to give us, it’s for us to enjoy,” Gimeno added.

Desther Kent Justo, a Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) senior student, said that this is a good platform for them to show their creativity and innovativeness and to finally

to use effective strategies to get their attention,” Chel Bilocura, a fourth year BS in Psychology student, said.

The said event also gave notable information about how to handle cases in the workplace.

On the other hand, Amiel Reinsky Suganob, also a Psychology student who attended the lecture, said, “It is useful for us, interns, para ma-aware mi sa mga cases nga among i-handle in the near future.”

“It was very substantial and very relevant to the students as well as to us, instructors, to deepen the knowledge and improve our work,” Mary Dawn Valencia, Psychology Department faculty, said. gain respect from others.

Alle Alatan, a BS in Information Technology sophomore student said, “Importante ni siya para pod tanang tawo magtagaan pod og pagtagad. Wala’y taas or maba sa tagsa-tagsa nato.”

The celebration started on June 16 with a drag show and culminated with a Grand Pride Parade on June 30.

Krisha Mae D. Altabarino

Infographics by Joemar B. Villarejo

NORSUVA asks studes to obey CLAYGO

Rean Jane D. Escabarte

With 32 participating agencies, Government Agencies’ Association of Negros Oriental (GAANO) officially opened its 2018 Sports Festival at Lamberto Macias Sports and Cultural Complex on June 23.

GAANO holds a Sports Festival to build camaraderie and better relationship among the government agencies in the province.

“The most important of all is health,” Dr. Henry Sojor, former GAANO and Negros Oriental State University (NORSU)

president, said in his message on behalf of Hon. Roel Degamo, provincial governor.

The participating agencies were presented by Dr. Nelson A. Caday, chief of School Governance Operations Division (SGOD)-Department of Education (DepEd) Dumaguete City.

The opening of GAANO Sports Festival 2018 was then formally declared by Dr. Neri C. Ojastro, Career Executive Service Eligible (CESE), Assistant Schools’ Division Superintendent of DepEd Dumaguete City and the current GAANO President.

After the opening program, GAANO Pep Squad Competition started the festival followed by Larong Pinoy which includes traditional Filipino games like Takarang Bagol, sack race, paligid relay and the like.

Sports games are played every Saturday from June 23 to September 29, including volleyball, basketball, table tennis, chess, tennis and badminton where players can have compensatory leaves during the schedule of their games.

The 2018 Sports Festival is expected to culminate at the end of September.

Comics by Lyndon Jake Cataruja

GAANO opens sports fest ‘18