The NORSUnian Vol.XXXIII Issue No. 6

TheNORSUn an 33 YEARS OF SERVICE

W E W R I T E F O R YO U. W E F I G H T F O R YO U.

The Official Weekly Student Publication of Negros Oriental State University A member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines Negros Oriental State University Kagawasan Avenue, Dumaguete City Philippines

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July 13 — 19, 2015

Vol.XXXIII Issue No. 06

Norsunians, Kahayag Dance Co win world cultural fest in Korea

Ultimate performance. Kahayag dancers give their best shot as they perform “Tag-araw” during the 2015 IYF World Cultural Dance Festival. (Photo retrieved from Kahayag Dance Company Facebook Page)

By Joanne P. Ferrolino

W

AV I N G T H E B A N N E R of the Philippines, 27 members of the Kahayag Dance Company, including four Norsunians and one part-time NORSU instructor, won the grand prize of the 2015

International Youth Fellowship World Cultural Dance Festival held in Jeonju, South Korea July 3.

Bringing home the grand prize of $5,000 (Php225, 250), Kahayag Dance Company, Dumaguete’s premier cultural dance group and

the Philippine’s representative, performed a dance presentation “Tag-araw” which depicts Filipino’s creativity and artistry when it comes to celebrations, besting eight other dance groups from seven competing countries from other parts of the world.

Kahayag Dance Company posted in their Facebook page that it is their pride representing the country in the event. “We feel the fulfillment of being able to successfully represent our country well and got the major bonus of bagging the grand prize. We feel blessed to have had our chance to share the vibrant and colorful culture of the Philippines in the world stage. We are proud Filipino youth,” the post says.

Norsunian delegates who participated in the event together with other Kahayag Dancers were Clarisa Plandez, a fourth year BS Business Administration student, Agustin Nicolas Salva from NORSU-Bais Campus, Ariel Atillo, a BS Hospitality Management graduate, Ricky Nelson Cimafranca Jr., a Bachelor of Secondary Education graduate and Engr. Alexis Dawn Masangkay, a part-time instructor of the Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT) Deparment..

In an interview through Facebook, Plandez expressed her fulfillment and happiness towards the success of the Philippine team.

NORSUNIANS. KAHAYAG... page

NORSU has 4 COMELEC announces snap election victors New SGDC-I VP named new architects

By Irish Mae S. Cuaresma and Joanne P. Ferrolino

NEW PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTS gave Negros Oriental State University a 66.6 percent passing rate as four out of six NORSU takers passed the June 2015 Architect Licensure Examination (ALE) with result released by the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC) on June 19.

The newly licensed architects are Joan Chaia Alejon, Ellen May Andrade, Alrey Caluscusin and Gezon Dales.

Delighted of the result, Caluscusin said, “I am overwhelmed and thankful to God that all my hardships were paid off and the exam was in favor with the examinees.” He shared one important factor he nourished in his preparation for the exam is having personal time with God. Alejon, another successful taker said, “At first dili ko katu-o, but atong nakakita nako sa list of passers, I was so happy jud…I love you Lord!”

Meanwhile, for the future takers, Dales advised the Norsunians to be in good health NORSU HAS 4... page 3

By Joanne P. Ferrolino

THE COMMISSION O N Election (COMELEC) of NORSU Main Campus-I revealed the newly elected officers of the snap election for the Student Government, the College of Nursing, Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences ( C N PA H S ) L o c a l S t u d e n t Government positions held on June 30.

COMELEC Chair Maridel Catubig said Derry Deff Sampang, a BS Psychology student had been the only one who filed for the vice presidency seat thereby, automatically proclaimed as the new SGDC-I vice-president with his platform centered on social awareness, students’ rights and environmental education.

Meanwhile, newly elected

CNPAHS Governor Mary Angelic Banogon, a third year Pharmacy student garnered a total of 279 votes, besting her opponent Giselle Jeanne Rufiño having 103 votes.

Banogon assured that her administration will uphold unity and camaraderie among

Banogon

students of the college saying, “I have the moral obligation to lift up the reputation of this school….”

Together with Banogon in the winning row is the newly elected Vice Governor Aira Gay Mananquil with 244 votes. In COMELEC ANNOUNCES... page

Sampang

Mananquil

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July 13 — 19, 2015

Vol.XXXIII Issue No. 06

Be warned

In a world of Video Scandals Video na. Scandal pa!

It isn’t rare for Filipinos nowadays to stumble upon video scandals of popular celebrities surfacing on the internet. When I was younger, the popular video scandal that everybody knew about was Hayden Kho’s careless whisper with Katrina Halili. After its rocking wide spread, a lot of videos followed, and at this day and age, because of our community’s easy access to social media, scandals involving local personas are already breaking out every now and then. What surprises our conservative community about these videos are the preteen personas playing the star roles.

Just recently, a video of a preteen lass went viral on the internet. The two-minute film allegedly stars the popular Andrea Brillantes— commonly known as the teleserye protagonist Annaliza. So, being the talk of the town, and to further answer my overpowering curiosity, I, together with my friends watched the video.

According to my friends, it was only part one of the whole scandal. And, to confirm whether

On being part of the herd “Does God exist? If He does, who is He?” This question constantly lingered on my mind whenever I get to hear His name being glorified by people way back my childhood days. Don’t get me wrong but I am a Roman Catholic by religion. I was raised by my parents being taught and exposed to the teachings of the Catholic Church. I believe in God, the Alpha and Omega (the beginning and end). But there are really some instances that I get confused and would occasionally question God’s identity.

Yes, that’s how my curious mind works. And honestly, there was even a time when I prayed to God to show Himself in person for me to feel contented that He really exists. From this

it was really Andrea, I read a lot of articles and discovered the video made huge headlines after hitting the internet, as the identity of the young girl is still hanging on question. Though others weren’t convinced that it was the child prodigy, most netizens in social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter continued to share it. Some social media users defended Andrea and publicize the hashtag #RESPECTANDREABRILLANTES. The video became the hottest trending topic on a Friday night. However, the latter was later taken down.

So, what was the content of the video scandal? Why did it became viral?

As I have intently observed, the video manifested an explicit show of a young girl playing with her genital without any clothes on.

It caught my attention when I discovered that the youngster’s face seemed familiar. According to the news I read, the vid was purposely caught on cam, inside the girl’s alleged room which when examined intricately shows quite a couple of similarities to Andrea’s room previously featured on national television.

Commonly, questions like ‘why are doing that kind of thing at a very young age?’ and ‘why do you have to record such a lewd act?’ could come up our mind, but as for me, the queries focused about why and how ‘was it uploaded in the internet?’ and ‘what have we done to a young girl?’

We should put it in mind that no sane woman, would upload his/her video masturbating at the age of 12 for purposes of fame and recognition.

IN A WORLD... page 4

longing falls the quote, “To see is to believe.”

Right?

Before I continue with this column, I would like to state that whatever is written here is all and solely based on my experience and perspective as a Christian. I respect everyone’s beliefs and idea opposing mine and likewise, I would also like to ask for your open-mindedness and respect upon reading this column.

I can still remember the happenings during my first encounter with God through the Holy Spirit. It all happened on a Thursday night.

Prior to that, some TN staffers already agreed on conducting a bible study by 7:00 pm. I really wanted to join because I was hoping that it would help me strengthen my faith as well as my relationship with God. However, I had a class up until 8:30 pm.

I attended all of my classes preoccupied with the desire to join the bible study. And then, my last class for the day ended. I was already pessimistic that I wouldn’t be able to join but with Holy Spirit’s leading, my feet brought me to my colleagues and some visitors. They greeted me with a pleasant smile so I awkwardly smiled back. I recognized one of them and he introduced ON BEING... page 5

With the enactment of Resolution No. 171/Ordinance No. 94, otherwise known as the ‘Smoke Free Ordinance of City of Dumaguete,’ students and faculty and staff of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) were warned by the Students Affairs Office (SAO) on the strict implementation of the No Smoking Policy inside the university grounds.

It can be noted that in Article 110 of the University Code, smoking is strictly prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, libraries, canteens, conference rooms, theatres, halls, hallways, wards, shops, and grounds. More so, it includes the outside perimeters of the university within one hundred (100) meters.

This policy is being implemented by the administration so as to give the campus a healthy environment for a conducive learning and a healthy work setting for the faculty and staff of the university.

Furthermore, maintaining proper decorum inside the university must be observed. The said implementation is not degrading your free will to quit smoking but reflect on all the factors and effects that derive from smoking such as demoralizing the health, social, and economic consequences. At another note, a law is obligated by the government for public institutions and establishments to ensure the well-being and safety its people.

But why do we still have violators of the rule? Do not they know how to follow the rules and regulations of the university? Are they still not satisfied of sipping the taste of tobacco stick in their respective houses? Or simply stated, a hypocrite of the law?

Indeed, we have freedom to do things, but take note that every autonomy has its corresponding limitations. We believe that we all of us passed basic education classes and had enrolled in a university because knowledge and learning are what make us well-equipped with essentials of an educated person.

We cannot tolerate them to continue their practice, and to do this, respective authorities, perhaps the university administration as a whole, shall impose and strictly implement acts and disciplinary measures to diminish this common yet a primitive scenario of the BE WARNED... page 5

Editor-in-Chief: Ariel B. Dizon Associate Editor: Kleine Jun B. Ontolan News Editor: John Dave V. Laturnas Features Editor: Francis Ivan G. Ho Arts and Graphics Editor: Angelo K. Sastre Business Manager: Marve G. Fabela Assistant Business Manager: Kim Eden Felize B. Belnas Staff Secretary: Kimberly Rose E. Lumaya News Writers: Niña Marie T. Pino • Maria Dominique P. Ferrolino Joanne P. Ferrolino • Irish Mae S. Cuaresma Hengie V. Jalando-on Feature Writers: Roma-Amor A. Oligo • Oliver Orlando Dometita Trixia Pauline C. Acab • Caryl J. Sapepe Cartoonists: Karlo Billy S. Rubia • Joleos June S. Vergare Joemar B. Villarejo • Emmanuel D. Manlun-uyan Layout Editors: Alyana Wilma C. Molinos • Froiland D. Liu Graphic Artist: Clarisa Marie M. Cadiz Photojournalists: Kent S. Mapula • Mayette Hanna F. Diez Web Content Editors: Jergo T. Acido • Randolf Z. Chavez Circulation Manager: Mark Lloyd M. Regalado Publication Adviser: Joy G. Perez, Ph.D. Financial Adviser: Lilibeth S. Villanueva

July 13 — 19, 2015

Vol.XXXIII Issue No. 06

Someone who is eager to learn, learns fast.

Someone who understands, retains knowledge.

Many people think that learning is one-sided, but it is not. There has to be a vice-versa interaction to fully grasp the concept of learning. You might be stuck in your Political Science subject, sitting second to third row, left side listening to the never ending lectures of your teacher, and who knows what might happen next? You eventually get bored, as most of the time, for someone who aims to pass the subject. At the end of the semester you get stuck with a resounding 3 flat. But that doesn’t mean you didn’t learn anything, does it?

The Struggles In school, teachers are very particular with the way they teach, but with a hefty dose of students, it can’t be helped that their way of sharing information are just too old school.

You have to break it to yourself that amidst all your expectations you are bound to fail somewhere. Not everyone can get things the way they want them to be, most students these days just might get homeschooled, why bother go to school if you are only going to get a failing mark at the end of the semester? If students can’t adapt to the way their mentors impart knowledge then it is goodbye for them, which is the main problem of todays’ society.

Let makeshift curiosity fly, here are some of the reasons on why you fail. You don’t understand the amount of work that needs to be done. In college, students may work harder than they ever worked before and find out that it is still not sufficient enough.

Unclear decisions on long-range goals, you need to have a personal goal otherwise you are bound on a trip to underemployment. Signs of maturity gaze on your being if you manage to delay pleasure with your long term goals.

Students are most likely to have lack of personal standards of quality. “Before college, judging a student’s work is largely the teacher’s responsibility. The trouble with this process is that many students do not learn to evaluate their own work and to develop high standards of quality. They frequently overestimate their understanding of college material and the quality of their written work.

This factor alone may lead to taking criticism too personally, placing blame on instructors, and claiming “personality conflicts” with teachers.”

Types of Learners You can fully accomplish your learning state once you know where you really belong. Are you laid back and passive or just down to earth lively?

Auditory Learners —the first type, these kinds of people basically absorb information through listening, they would rather listen to explanations than read about them, saying information out loud or having music in the background maybe a common study method for them. Other sounds will downright be noise to them leaving them distracted.

Do you enjoy looking and or watching at things and perfectly learns from them? Well then, you’re undoubtedly a Visual Learner who would prefer seeing things rather than having it heard around your environment. Learners belonging to this type fend off sound and focus on the pictures and situations they could actually comprehend through seeing.

They prefer watching a demonstration or illustrations while reading. While sense of seeing is the most common medium of learning things, visual learners commit to observe the unobservable. People who are on this type find it easy looking at charts and graphs but find it hard focusing when listening.

Another type are Kinesthetic Learners, they prefer “hands-on” experience. For them, doing the actual job or activity is the best way for them to familiarize their subject. They do better writing down things compared to sitting down studying.Figured out which one are you?

Discover your strengths, the learner inside you is half filled with knowledge; fill it up, because for all you know, you are not society’s enemy. Learn from you struggles do not detest failure, it helps because students are only pawns during classes, you have the chance to reach the end of the chessboard. Be higher than your shortcomings.

S o u r c e s : h t t p : / / w w w. c t l . u a . e d u / CTLStudyAids/StudySkillsFlyers/GeneralTips/ causesoffailure.htm

NORSUNIANS. KAHAYAG... from page 1

“What made our group win must be our positivity, hardwork and strong faith in God,” she said.

Others who made to the top three are Fiji (gold prize), South Korea (silver prize), and Togo-Ghana NORSU HAS 4... from page 1

always, study hard, have time management and “most of all, trust in the Lord.”

Architect Jeycarter Tiloy, one of the College of Engineering and Architecture teaching staff, expressed his happiness with the result.

“I really felt happy based on the result though out of six only four passed the exam,” Tiloy said.

As recorded, 1,201 out of 1,964 passed the ALE given by the Board of Architecture headed by its Chairman, Arch. Rolando Cordero and board member, Arch. Fidel Jose Siapno.

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(bronze prize).

(With reports from Manila Bulletin and Kahayag Dance Company Facebook page) COMELEC ANNOUNCES... from page 1

addition, the newly elected representatives are May Princess Durango with 270 votes and Karl Jucom with 236 votes.

Prior to the election, Norsunians grilled the candidates with questions during the Miting de Avance and open forum held last June 29 at the Pharmacy lecture room.

Polling areas were situated in front of the NORSU gate for the voting of SGDC-1 VP and CNPAHS building for the voting of the CNPAHS SG officers with results posted July 1.

No matter how we try to suppress, it keeps on bouncing back like a balloon that no matter how we push down the water still keeps itself up over and over again. Well, one cup of coffee down, idea-wise. I closed my eyes and the flashback starts.

There were cries and shouts everywhere--- a sad soundtrack that seemed to swallow me back to the chaotic ages of war. I moved myself directly out of bed. Blank-headedly I searched for the epicenter of the noise.

I was ultimately shocked with what I saw--a man was lying motionlessly on the bed and was covered with white cloth. It struck me up like a lightning. In a slow motion, everything seemed to sink into my mind. Until I finally realized what the doom scenario was all about. My father’s death.

It happened a couple years ago but the trauma of losing someone very important still keeps on hunting me. Those black effects made me afraid to be away from someone I really love. For instance, I was hesitant to study at Dumaguete and live away from home, frightened to leave my loved ones. It made me cope up with life once more, like a rebirth of someone in me that I never understood.

It made me refuse to study anymore.

I even fell out of the Guild of Honor Students. It made me a happy-go-lucky person outside while making me a living-dead inside.

It made me keep all the pain in me, only inside me. It made me scared of trusting someone and might lose that trust. It made me afraid of loving someone and never be loved back.

The aftermath of that scenario made me rotate on a continuous cycle of pain and misery.

It changed me. Those black effects of life’s Photoshop left me uncertain to where would my life be, with who I am, and with how I’d live a life full of anxiety.

I was immune by the pricking of thorns of despair long before I realized that the dawn has come and I should wholeheartedly accept it. The light started to conquer the dark, the black effects started to collaborate with the white. And here I am now, slowly living back the normal life, although I believe it still never was.

Slowly, I am seeing the positive effects of a tragedy. Slowly, I am escaping from the room of misery. Slowly I realized what would be His reaction if I continually live the life of a lost person. Slowly, I am starting to prove my worth, unafraid of what people’s judgments would be.

I am a strong person now, I believe. I can say that those experiences honed me to be a brave person and face the future no matter what kind of day it would be. These are the white effects.

Life, for me is full of mysteries. I have countless “why’s” and “how’s”. But like the current worldwide trend, experiences taught me to take my phone, capture the imperfections of life, and filter it with Black and White.

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July 13 — 19, 2015

Vol.XXXIII Issue No. 06

same entity.

Guess what, terms on the couples’ marriage is also made to be temporary. That is because of our human nature; attraction of opposite poles; union of the positive and negative integers. Defy it, but you can’t stop the forces that pull you towards the obvious attraction and cling.

You might also want to cite that Adam was meant for Eve, not Adam for Steve or Ana for Eve in particular.

Will it make things brighter?

Same sex relationship. A mutual and intimate union and bond among individuals of the same orientation, bounded by the undying affection invisible from the opposite preference. An understanding not only by the physical realm, but something beyond what is imagined by many. The absence of disgust, desolation, and fury.

It is for a fact that the community of those who belong on the third sex is a living presence and coexist in equal races, colors, social ties and nature as a normal living does. Yet among these soothing ambiances, social injustices and prejudices are pulling them apart from the biodiverse urban jungle. But they are strong, wholly, and free to feel and express what they want to, regardless of those people who get in their way. And they achieve more from these dragging things, much more than what you can do.

Yes! They can do much more than straight people like you do.

Recently, they stood firmer waving the rainbow flag for their goal of having a stand in human law, a stand for lucrative equality that has been existing in a blur. A blur that turned out to be clear, as their right to unite in matrimony was passed and made into law. Law that will, in one and many ways, shall be treasured by those intimate love birds into their pink wide cages.

Yet fighting for something might mean an appalling sense to many.

Making it legal: a conflict on many terms In the Philippine setting, believe it or not, this

thing is still to be reconsidered. In fact, acceptance to making it a law is not just a blur, but an existing fading faction.

Hence, our university itself has lots of individuals who belong to this orientation, and they share different sentiments; many of whom were not in favor of being embraced by our society through same sex matrimony.

“I’m actually happy for gay couples…but as a Filipino, and being raised as a Catholic, I am not in favor of gay marriages simply because for me, marriage is a holy sacrament that is only given to men and women…and my religion tells me to be contended that I am accepted by the society,” said Vince Anthony Villanueva, FSG President and a proud individual.

So basically, one major factor that affects their decision is religion. And it is a given fact that our country is dominated by Christians, and reflection to Christianity is vital for this another detailed matter to be pardoned with. And no matter how hard we try to disregard religion to make decisions, it won’t make anything better, because religion is and will always be our guide and remedy for many things.

Conflicts on human rights and gay rights should also be raised to be quite vague, for the general law applies to both sexes, and diversion of one system of individuals does not validate the legalization of such rights, citing gay rights as an example. But we must never throw the fact that they share the same law and must be treated as one

They wave the banner for the representation of their community’s pride, the reflection of diversity from various proud individuals, and to represent freedom in their own many ways. But a question on looking for a greener pasture is hanging on this particular matter.

Well, if we will look on the brighter side, it might as well decrease the population rate, that is, if your partner is an ever loyal flamingo in a soda dash and shall never look for another cave and lake to dwell and carve its wings into.

Oh! You might think that it’ll not affect money.

Yes it will. Remember, thousands of couples are waiting for this moment, and rest assured, spending an amount for this colorful wondrous thing would greatly affect an ample percentage of one state’s economy.

But aside from that, it won’t make things any brighter. It might even worsen it.

Imagine, conflicts in media have been raised and scattered and it’s way more religious than personal, threat that aggravates advocates. Advocates that contribute to the stupendous opposition of the law.

And you can’t blame them, you just can’t.

Noted! Blasphemy to religious order. A never ending debate between Divine law and human nature. If equal rights shall be served to these proud and free individuals, it might as well be appropriate to consider things for the proud ones; respect; humility, and; acceptance to one identity from the other.

Same sex marriage—the union between individuals who proudly and freely fly their heart to the bursting joy. An understanding among flamingos and pink panthers who come along to go as one. Yet indeed is a conflicting matter and a debatable circumstance. A thing that blurs ideas of acceptance.

Of coexistence. Of balance. Of justice.

CEA studes complain lack of chairs

By Siriyl Mapili

THE COLLEGE OF Engineering and Architecture (CEA) students call out for NORSU administration’s action on the problem of lack of chairs in Main Campus II which they face for several years now.

Displeased of the scenario in the college, Kimberly Maat, a second year BS Computer Engineering student said, “Lisod gyud kay naay instances na mukuha pa ‘mi sa first floor ug bangko unya aswaton pa namo papunta sa third floor. Hangyo lang unta na

matagaan na jud ug bangko ang CEA.” Mark Bryan Eslit, a BS Civil Engineering student testified that due to lack of chairs, students tend to steal other’s chair saying, “Kay tungod kay walay bangko sa pagsulod sa sunod na klase, mangawat nalang ug bangko ang mga istudyante sa pikas room.”

Hoping for new chairs to come, Eslit suggested, “Kung naa, siguraduon pud lamang unta na bag-o kay gabitay na ang mga desk sa armchair.”

As he testified, the students utilize wrecked chairs by wrapping its parts together with tape for it to be stable enough to clutch a person for a short

while.

Demanding the administration to give special treatment to other colleges, Sharmaine Jade Maghanoy, a BS Geodetic Engineering student argued, “It is so unfair kay ang Main Campus I matagaan nag extra chairs, while kami diri sa Main Campus II magkawatanay na ug chairs…wala jud natagaan ug pagtagad and pareha ra biya na nga NORSU.” These complaints were already brought to the CEA dean, Josef Vill Villanueva However, he stated that he is still waiting for the response of the Supply Office to grant the request of

additional chairs.

“Because of the massive increase of student population and tungod kay wala nay college funds, it has been expected that there will be lack of chairs and other resources,” Villanueva said.

“But I have already requested for 250 chairs directly from the Supply Office and we are now waiting for their response,” he added.

Aware of the matter, Julius Ausejo, director, Building and Grounds explained the request cannot be given immediate action since it is excluded in the Annual Procurement Plan.

“Next semester pa gyud na siya tungod sa kataas sa proseso nga agion,” said Ausejo.

kind of thing. A scandal, probably, could lead victims tying themselves up around the neck to end a lifetime full of embarrassment and judgments.

What about seeing your sister or any of your family member in Andrea’s position? I am not even in her father’s shoes, but I personally felt an intuition of outraged and disgust; outrage for the culprit who managed to devastate a young girl’s future, and disgust to people, who, by human nature were made to judge someone they

personally do not know. So even if it will be proven that it was not Brillantes, the ruckus has already wounded a lot of people. And the damage has already been done.

However, if it is true that the lass on cam is Andrea, it would be no different to last summer’s rumored flashlight girl; viral photo of an intoxicated young girl being allegedly taken advantage by five young guys in Bacolod, and; two students who were allegedly expelled last year from St.

Paul University Dumaguete after the circulation of the students’ unexpected video foreplay –a life arbitrated by the surrounding community’s condemnatory eyes.

How would you react if you stumble upon a video or photo of you naked –as it went viral without your consent–while you’re browsing in one of your social media feed? I welcome your arguments, questions or answers concerning this topic. Please send it to francisivanhoofficial15@gmail.com

IN A WORLD... from page 2

I am not writing this to condemn persons having scandalous videos.

I am writing this to inform anyone, who, by any means would want to upload personal sex video(s) of a certain person, that we do not have any right to shatter one’s life without their consent. It is not fun to watch these videos knowing that they involved women, especially minors. We have to consider that women are the most vulnerable victims of abuses, bullying and traumas when it comes to this

Vol.XXXIII Issue No. 06

July 13 — 19, 2015

5

Geology instructor named one of PH’s outstanding geologists

By Alec Benjamin Ramirez and Caryl Sapepe

NORSU GEOLOGY INSTRUCTOR, Hernulfo Ruelo received an award as one of the Outstanding Professionals of the Philippines in the field of Geology during the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Awards Night at the Manila Hotel, Manila on June 18.

Among the eight Geologists nominated by the Geological Society of the Philippines (GSP), the Selection and Awards Committee chose the top three geologists: Ruelo,

Dr. Fernando Sajona, and Dr. Rojel Santos. The PRC, then, selected Dr. Sajona as the Most Outstanding Geologist of the Philippines.

In a letter sent to The NORSUnian (TN), Ruelo expressed how privileged he was for the oncein-a-lifetime award, considering his well-rounded career and hard work in practicing good geology.

“I do feel great, despite my lack of a Ph.D. degree [which is a big factor], my colleagues in the GSP still chose me to be among the best in our flock,” he said.

Al Remuel Tubongbanua, a fourth year BS Geology student and president of the Geology Students

Society said, “He (Ruelo) cares a lot about the students,” citing Ruelo’s many contributions to the students including being an instructor, organizing various seminars for NORSU geology students, inviting his colleagues from the University of the Philippines (UP) as visiting professors and the fruition of the Memorandum of Agreement between NORSU and UP – National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS).

To note, Ruelo, also known as Sir Nonoy among his students, has been an instructor in the NORSU Geology Program for the past 3 years.

When asked for his message

to the aspiring student geologists of NORSU, Ruelo said, “Aim high!”

“An award of this kind is one in a thousand, but anybody among you can be just like me. You should love Geology, study and work hard because nothing excellent in this world can be accomplished easily,” he said.

The Outstanding Professional of the Year award is the highest honor given by the PRC to professionals nominated by their peers for being a good example in professional competence and social responsibility through their meaningful contributions or participation in socio-related activities.

SAO Director implements ‘no smoking policy’

By Hengie V. Jalando-on

Be recharged. A Norsunian uses the newly placed vending machine in the Science and Technology Building to buy something to drink to replenish her thirst. (Photo by Kent S. Mapula)

MY IDEA holds inclusion caravan in NORSU

By Maria Dominique P. Ferrolino

THE MOVEMENT OF THE Youth for Inclusive Development through Education in ASEAN visited Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) as one of its destinations of their inclusion caravan, July 8.

MY IDEA is a youth-led organization by the forerunners Rolando Villamero Jr., a NORSU instructor, Kathleen Dawn Young Ricardo, Eduard Joseph Narciso and one from Vietnam, Quy Nguyen.MY IDEA was declared by the Youth South East Asian Leaders Initiative of the US Embassy as one of the winning proposals in the ASEAN region.

With its aim to increase the capacities and knowledge of studentteachers about inclusion, the College of Education students served as the audience of their workshop and capacity-building activities.

In an interview, Ricardo, one of the speakers, said, “We aim for

inclusive education and equip the students with the basic strategies to accommodate children with disabilities in Negros Oriental.”

“We do inclusion caravan and provincial conferences in Negrosbased Teacher Education Institutions The caravan,” she added aims to mobilize young student teachers to advocate for inclusive education in their respective communities.

When asked how the participants were, Ricardo and Narciso said, they were “very enthusiastic.”

Ricardo mentioned the audience was willing to learn and they are glad everything turned out well.Jerica Era Resurreccion, an Education student said, “Tsada siya kay nakahatag sila ug information kabahin inclusive education ug pag-handle ug maayo and saktong treatment sa estudyante.”

Likewise, Elsa Ingkot, a third year Education student, said, “We were enlightened to fully accept inclusive education, including children with disabilities in the regular classroom.”

BE WARNED... from page 2

school and the society in general.

We believe that education and counseling are effective in lessening the peril of tobacco use. Similarly, we believe that the administration must do something to innovate some informational guidelines, notices or signs and memoranda around the campus. Of course, the publication itself will not write this dilemma without its goal to at least subsidize Norsunians, faculty and

staff to halt or quit strolling with cigarette butts.

Nevertheless, the law was imposed for about four (4) years now but still, we haven’t learned its essence. They say, ‘prevention is better than cure,’ so if the NORSU administration doesn’t advocate to the early inhibition on anti-smoking statement its own code, then who does and who will?

A S M A N D AT E D B Y the Resolution No. 171/Ordinance No. 94, otherwise known as the Smoke Free Ordinance of City of Dumaguete, the Students’ Assistance Office (SAO) director Julio Ventolero prohibits smoking after a number of employees and students were caught smoldering cigarettes inside the parameter of the university.

Ve n t o l e r o h a d p r o p o s e d a widespread dissemination to the administrators of forbidding Norsunians to use cigarettes to promote an institution with health security and welfare.

Ventolero wanted to reprimand Norsunians with the said prohibition after a supposed raid in June.

“They [from the local government] will supposedly conduct a raid but, I refused since I wanted to disseminate the awareness first, before the inspection will be done in the university,” he said.

He wanted stakeholders and students to cooperate and follow orders, “Mandates of the law should

be followed because there are consequences for those who do not,” he added.

Jaymar Badon a sophomore student in BS Psychology raised his concerns to those who do not abide with the orders that are considered beneficial in general.

“The orders are helpful since everyone can be benefited with it, and that a person who smokes in the university deteriorates our health so they should be warned,” Ventolero said.

Meanwhile, a Bachelor of Secondary Education student, Jasper Castañeda delighted on the mandate of the SAO Director “As future professionals, we must be a role model not just in this institution but as well in our locality,” he stressed.

As stated in the city ordinance Resolution No. 171 Series of 2011 Section 8, violators of the said regulation for the first offense will be reprimanded; Php 500 for the second offense; and Php 1, 000 for the third; or even imprisonment for the succeeding offenses.

With reference from www. dumagueteinfo.com

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me to his colleagues.

“Human na mo ug bible study?” I asked them. Their answers made my heart smile with joy for they had not started yet. “At last, there is still a chance for me to join,” I said in my thought. And for me, that was God’s will.

M i n u t e s l a t e r, t h e p r a y e r meeting started. I believe all of us were filled with God’s holy presence.

We were moved to tears as we talked to God wholeheartedly. We were aware that all of us have burdens inside yet, we all surrendered everything to God knowing that He

is a personal God who would raise us up when we fall. No doubt, Jesus is an amazing God after all.

Allow me to end this column with a verse from 1 John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with his son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.”

“God exists and His name is Jesus Christ, the image of the unseen God, the One who was, who is, and is to come!”