THE NORSUnian VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 7 | JULY 16-20, 2018

WE write for you. we fight for you.

VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 7 | JULY 16-20, 2018

ACCIDENT OR NEGLIGENCE. In what is supposed to be for convenience and ease of access for the visitors and students of the university, five students got stuck due to low voltage when they tried to use the elevator. Photos by John Earl F. Merto and Pamela Lousie M. Abrasado

Julius Joe T. Umbina

Despite the benefit of convenience, five senior pharmacy students got stuck in the College of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Allied Health Sciences (CNPAHS)’ newly established elevator on July 4 due to low voltage causing a malfunction.

Buildings and Grounds (BG) director Edgar Abella explained, “Once nga mu-function na kanang elevator, mo-automatic mo-charge na iyang battery. Kato, gadula ra gud to sila’g ila ratong gidula-dulaan [referring to the five students].”

Meanwhile, one of the victims who wishes not to disclose her name, expressed they

used the elevator on a hurry for their next class on the third floor and did not play with the elevator.

“Ang ingon nila is [technicians] nag-low voltage then na-timing-an nga nakasakay mis elevator,” the victim said.

The victim added, “First, wala mi nag panic inside… then natingala mi nga ni-shake then ning hunong. Then pag taod-

taod na, ning-kuan ang speaker, ‘The elevator is faulty, call the technician’… Usa pa mi na-panic after mga two minutes na kapin kay murag init na siya.”

Around 20 minutes, the technicians responded to the victims stuck in the elevator and got them out unscratched.

Abella advised to prevent 5 studes/ to page 4

Legs were selected to be part of the Philippine team to compete in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at Le Pavillion Metropolitan Park, Pasay City.

Villaflores won silver medal in the Non-traditional Open Anyo category and a bronze medal in the

Padded Point System Feather Weight (52-57 kilograms) category.

He confessed that there have been struggles in adjusting to the changed rules and weight categories o f the newly formed Nat i on a l Sports

Association.

“Per day sa summer mag jog mi 5:30 sa buntag until 4 sa hapon, bale mga 6 hours per day kay pahuway dayon training, except Sundays or if amo lawas kay drain na kaayo,” he said.

He shared that he gets his motivation to train through the experiences he had during his past competitions which encouraged him to do better.

NORSUNIAN/ to page 4

university engineer Jose Serester Tuballa.

Phase I of the laboratory budgeted P 11,726,404.90 and was expected to have its full completion by September of the previous year whereas the Phase II, which will begin is operation on January 2019, was accounted P 15 million worth.

However, in the structuring of Phase I, it was temporarily stopped causing

the delay of the construction for months.

“Actually, after Engr.

Tuballa got promoted to a certain firm and resigned sometime in February last year (2017). The building was temporarily halted because we lack of engineers,” Michael Saga, the current university engineer said.

The project recommenced its construction in June 2018 due to the issue, Dumaguete campus II students claimed

Norsunian wins 2 medals in arnis fight Karah Jane B. Sarita

Roy Xavier Villaflores, a senior Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSArch) student, won silver and bronze medals in the first Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) National Battle of the Champions, July 7-8.

A competition among the winners from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR

Eng’g lab construction slow Reychemver C. Credo

The three-story engineering laboratory building started in 2016 is an extension project for Negros Oriental State University Dumaguete campus II and has raised student concerns due to slow progress.

The construction of the building was in response to the need of advantageous engineering facility under the supervision of former

bLOWING WORDS

lIBERIS ISIGNIA

OPINION | see page 2

‘unequal treatment’ and rather ‘detached’ from campus I. Aljun Mabilog, a fifth year BS in Mechanical Engineering student said, “I guess the manpower is weak because I was a second year student when the construction [of the building] began and up to now it wasn’t finish.”

Mabilog stressed the university has disregarded the college’s need of facilities despite benefitting from the eng’g/ to page 4

Sophia Hope Beira CAMPUS IMAGE

FEATURES | see page 3

Photo by John Earl F. Merto

Five studes trapped in elevator

MAROON BUILDERS GO GREEN. College of Engineering and Architecture students join together in a coastal cleanup drive in Dumaguete city where frequent improper garbage disposal happens.

CEd extension project recognized at int’l confab Kenneth Carlorio S. Surilla

Extension Project of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) College of Education (CEd) was recognized in the 1st International MultiSectoral Development Extension Services Conference on July 6.

The paper presentation was recognized as “Best Extension Services Implementation/

Management Award” under the Business, Education, and Social Science Category and was presented by faculty members of CEd. Entitled “Halad Pagbansay Child Education and Care Program/C-Educare: An Enclosure to Project Sibulan (Skilling Inspirasyon sa Barangay Uban sa Lungsod na Aktibong CED/ to page 4

NORSU employs bridging program Gerard Rick C. Jardin

To cater nonsenior high school students, Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) along with other state universities and colleges conducted a bridging program as an intervention for students affected by the K-12 program implementation.

Pursuant to Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 10 series of 2017, Category 3 specifies that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have options to employ bridging programs to ensure the readiness of students enrolled in the new curriculum.

In an interview with The NORSU/ to page 4

SHOULD PRESIDENT...

UNIVERSITY POLL

BACKPAGE | see page 4

OPINION

2

VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 7 | JULY 16-20, 2018

EDITORIAL Compromise or solution?

The number continues to increase as thousands of trees have been cut for the government’s road widening project. Whether they are young or hundred-year old, there seems to be no exception. Trees have been marked with numbers that indicate they will be cut by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The move for road-widening is a good action for development, however, eradicating trees beside the road is deemed very unnecessary.

In Bago City, Negros Occidental, 271 trees are already subjected for cutting. Planted for about 31 years ago, these are consisted of old acacia trees that give shade on riders. Sadly, pruning has begun despite of petitions and campaign runs to save the trees.

Some 500 sidewalk trees in Taguig have been approved

by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to be cut. For the sake of smoother flow on traffic, these trees are set to be uprooted.

This move has been widely implemented in different provinces nationwide. Unfortunately, while it is very obvious that roads in provinces usually have long rows of towering trees on the sides, these are still widened. Even those roads which rarely experience bad traffic conditions is not an exception. While the problem on traffic gets worse as the number of vehicles increase, widening of roads shouldn’t be the direct solution.

Instead of having trees cut as an option, DPWH should focus more on diversion roads to reduce traffic. Thus, when the normal route cannot be used due to bad traffic conditions, vehicles have another route to take. In this way, traffic congestion will be answered without compromising the presence of trees.

Through tree-transplanter trucks, sidewalk trees could be relocated elsewhere, or just beside the widened road. Yes, this can be costly, but could there be another alternative way of solving traffic problems without compromising the environment?

We cannot deny the fact that development projects are deemed part of modern living. As the population grows, we are expected to find and make solutions to avoid possible problems that may come ahead of us. But, by doing such, the environment has been giving ways to most of man’s demands. Hence, we must focus more on finding solutions without compromising nature.

Blowing words Imagine yourself in a counseling session with a psychologist/psychiatr ist because of some things around you that bother your head a lot. You don’t know where else to go so you seek for his/her service, hoping to lighten up your mind. But after a few minutes being in that same four-cornered room, your counselor suddenly had an outburst because majority of your thoughts counter his/her personal thoughts.

Come to think of it. You

are a psychologist/psychiatrist but you have minimum tolerance of your patients.

When you study Psychology, you are trained to have a lot of patience to your patient. Your job is to listen and provide pieces of advice, and not to fight back words because you are simply helping this patient to be treated and to suggest options that would help him/ her way to recovery.

This is the same when you apply or run for public office. You don’t expect other people to always adhere

Gentle people?

One time while I was on my way to school, I heard a loud noise coming from a distance. It was the sound of an ambulance siren. I noticed that drivers took advantage of the free space for the ambulance instead of giving way for it to reach the hospital in time. I shook disappointingly at the scene and thought about the statement, “Welcome to the city of gentle people!”

This sounded sarcastically as I thought about it. What happened when the drivers

took advantage of the road?

Well, traffic jam! It caused the ambulance to stop in the middle of the road which totally increased the heat of my head to its boiling point.

How do these drivers, exactly, think when there is an emergency along the road and that traffic jam may have costed a life? If we are to give a very law about this, Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code clearly states that, “upon the approach of any police or fire department vehicle, or of

to what you say. Having individuality means owning differences which ought to be understood, especially if you are a government official or employee.

In the case of public officers, they were voted through the sovereignty of the people meaning they are the masters and they hold authority. Since we are a democratic state, these officials should serve the people well and address concerns in a professional manner.

For those who are working in public offices, it is not hard to be polite to people asking for assistance.

Since they know more about the processes of a particular institution, then they should be more than willing to help an individual instead of being rude. If one cannot tolerate the other, then there would be no harmony among us.

There have been many cases which have caused disturbance among the Filipino people just because of people who are placed in

a public office or position due to some conduct and statements which are somehow unacceptable to the majority. Just like during President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent statement during his talks, saying that God is stupid. Although he is merely expressing his opinion, this has reached to the extent of violating the beliefs of others.

He is a person placed as the highest ranking officer by the people so he should not cause division amongst them.

Also, just recently, Philippine Star released a news story on July 27 stating that a police man from Parañaque slapped a bus driver in the middle of the Roxas Boulevard after his refusal of showing his driver’s license. Police officers regulate the security and order among the people, not incur violence.

A public office is a public trust. If we cannot even trust institutions or people who are supposed to be trusted, then what kind of a nation are we really fighting for?

an ambulance giving audible signal, the driver of any other vehicle shall immediately drive the same to a position as near as possible and parallel to the right hand edge or curb of the highway, clear of any intersection of highways, and shall stop and remain in such position, unless otherwise directed by a peace officer, until such vehicle shall have passed.”

What is the use of these acts if people only follow to their own whims? Well, they’re okay with incidents like the aforementioned since the patient inside the ambulance is not a family member or a close peer. I have to say that discipline has been eradicated already and that the city is no longer worthy of being called the city of gentle people.

Not just that, it also appalls me how some people have been behaving in this city, nowadays. Imagine riding a tricycle seeing young, strong guys sitting comfortably on their seats while some old

passengers sit uncomfortably.

Even greetings like “Maayong buntag!”, and “Maayong gabii!” are already less observed.

Unjust fairs are being asked especially from the tourists visiting the city. Public instructions are also neglected, which is why national highways appear to be very unsafe now.

There are too many reckless drivers already and yet some of them do not have licenses.

What bothers me most is the attitude of these people towards road discipline. See? How many do you think have they killed unknowingly?

You might say that these people who have been doing this is not originally from this city. I might as well agree with that but there can never be any reason as well that we as people from Dumaguete City could not uphold this unique and very welcoming attitude.

In fact, as I have noticed, some people who have been very gentle are from other places and that, alone, is very questionable.

FEATURES

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Her confession

Art by Jessa C. Araneta

Arts by Dinloven Janguin, Claire Francis B. Elum and Lyndo Jake C. Cataruja

VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 7 | JULY 16-20, 2018

Story by Miracle

riza mae iso

CAMPUS IMAGE

Eyes glowing. Minds racing. Hearts jumping. That euphoric feeling of any person reaching his/ her higher state of admiration?

Yes! To a person, an idea, a group of people, a belief, a book, a movie, or anything really, there is no denying that we’ve all experienced having fervent adoration towards anything that penetrates into our system and tickles us in the most fun way possible.

It is not surprising. the entire world of fanatics The Rich disagree with the fact that Humans are appreciative is badly wanting to go to a Basically, this type of fan all of us are fanatics one beings. We can get all giddy and concert and the only thing has only one job and that is way or another. In this excited, feeling all hyped up. they can afford is just to be a fan. Their money diverse world, one of the We are these people. will do all the work. It’s like common traits that we share We are fanatics. everything is at their own with other people is that we We share the same grasp— from limited edition appreciate what sparks our feels and emotions albums to pre-ordering enthusiasm. At least there is but differ in ways of hard-bounded books, one thing we share common expressing them. You and purchasing VIP grounds with— and that may have tix. Basically, the is being a encountered statement “Shut fanatic. these types up and take of people my money!” or you might was made because even be one of them. of them. Do you The Preacher want to know which one The last are you? Check out this list! on this list is no other The Speaker a handkerchief to wipe their than those who persuade, Often misjudged by how tears. Concert ticket price is influence, and spread they express their emotions their nemesis and live stream the info to those who for who or what they adore is their redemption. live in a ‘cave of pure excessively. This type of a fan The ‘Reference All’ unawareness’, as what will never hold back in being “According to…” and they call it. They’ll loud and vocal about what he/ “Based on…” are best friends constantly tell you how she feels especially in public. You of this enthusiast. Quote- you are going to miss might want to be careful when directing from their fave half of your life if you’re you’re around because an intro book or idea is enough for indulge into the interests of a song from a fave band will them to prove their point. they’re currently digging automatically bring an instant One compelling passage from on. They believe in things rave in the entire vicinity. a series they’re rooting for that make them feel and The ‘Team Bahay’ and you’ll question yourself, they want you to feel it too.

One of the most “How did he/she even No matter who we are heartbreaking realities in memorize all of that?” and what we do, we cannot

Photo by Cor Uriel A. Balladares

“It was already late in the evening when an unknown object fell from the roof of our home. It was pretty terrifying knowing that it may or may not explode in a minute or two but we were all glad it didn’t.

It was just nothing but a rotten mango from a nearby tree,” she spoke in a terrified tone while recalling the past.

That was just one of the horrifying happenings she had experienced back in her former hometown— one of the many they had to escape from in Isabela City, Basilan.

She is Sophia Hope Beira, a freshman Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student, and a firm believer of God even when all seem to counter her existence.

When she was still 16 years old, she had already witnessed the terror of fighting for freedom and the way to escape from the gunshots

and screaming misery from the clash between terrorists and the government military forces.

Because of the messy situation, her family decided to break free from the detrimental bonds of darkness and again, she had to transfer to another school which also led them to settle in the land of gentle people where there is peace.

A year later, she felt free from the chaos of the abused Basilan, but unfree with the complication she suffered. Her health suddenly declined that manifested in the look of her face.

Her lips were pale, looking as if she ran out of blood while her body became weak. Sophia suffered from it during the entire academic year.

In July 2016, she felt something wrong with her body, as if there was a force pulling her to the ground.

Men spend half of their lives glancing at girls, checking their image and scrutinizing their physique. As a guy, gazing doesn’t have any emotion dwelling in particular.

However, it was different with this one girl. She did not just catch my attention, but was also able to instantly take my heart with her.

I was walking from the gate to my room, thinking that it would still become a usual day. I was bored and was staring at the door. Then a girl came in. I was mesmerized by how she looked. Her hair, her clothes, her eyes and her smile dug into the depth of my emotions.

From what I saw, I became confused. I started to think of questions with no definite answers. She has friends which happened to be my friends, too. So I took the chance to ask her name through them.

In this generation, Facebook is just on the tip of our fingers. Letter by letter, I carefully typed her name in the search bar. I felt happy when I saw her account. I didn’t think twice or feel anxious about talking to her so I sent a message.

Unlike any girl out there who would leave people seen-zoned, she talked to me and never failed to keep up a conversation. There, I knew she possessed a good heart and was definitely a friendly person.

As our conversation became interesting, I also felt my interest towards her growing. I began to ask about her personality, or her interest in school and her day-by-day routine. I continued stalking her for five months.

Though I had lots of opportunities to talk to her personally, I chose not to since I didn’t have the guts to utter even a single word when she is around. We just passed by each other like strangers and I usually give a simple stare at her back as she walks to a different direction.

I was thinking of confessing my feelings to her through chat, and as a coward, I did and I did not ask anything in return. Being her social media buddy was enough. In the course of two years, I never talked to her face to face. I tend to shiver and I’m really skittish in nature.

But then I realized that I’m like a small ring trying to fit to a finger. The more I force it, the more it hurts. Because of my stupidity, I tried to divert my attention to another person. I thought it would go well, but it just came out that I was hurting her with my selfish decisions.

It was until summer vacation came. Never have I dreamt of something so incredible happening to me. She confessed, and everything went black. I started crying so much. I was happy, so happy that it hurt. Her confession was her goodbye.

She loved me, but I was too late. If only I was brave enough to pursue her, things could have been different.

Hundreds of days could have not been wasted over simple insecurities. I could have spent millions of hours with her but I could not take back time, now. It’s already done.

Miracle is an engineering student in NORSU. He believes that life is too short to be stuck on someone you want temporarily.

She knew she had to see a doctor already. Days after, they found out that a malignant tumor abnormally increased in size, particularly in the pancreas region of her body.

Accordingly, a malignant tumor can grow, metastasize, and even get worse.

With all hopes clung to God, Sophia and her family did not let the harsh wind shake them. Instead, they praised Him more and clung to His promise.

Just this April, when she took another examination right after graduation, she knew how God loved her so much that the news was beyond belief.

Her tumor became benign, harmless in nature.

Sophia held onto her life verses: Jeremiah 29:11 and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. “They reminded me of how great and loving God is despite the challenges and trials I had to endure along the way,” she

asserted with a smiling and hopeful face.

“I almost took my life. But God reminded me to always trust in Him; 2 Corinthians: 9-10 states that when we are weak, then we are strong because of Him. He will never leave me nor forsake me. I knew and [I] believed that God’s promises will never be broken. He never lies,” she explained.

“Having a pancreatic tumor and a depressing past did not stop me from pursuing my dream of becoming a gastroenterologist or a G.I. specialist in due course.

And it really didn’t stop me from praising His name. In Jeremiah 29:11 – my life verse – because of Him, I was able to stand by my name – HOPE.” Her eyes – filled with positivity – will always share a story of God’s undying greatness.

Written by Sofia Joyce A. Hermoso

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VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 7 | JULY 16-20, 2018

AFROTC extends help to Bajumpandan Negros Oriental State University - Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (NORSU-AFROTC) donated school supplies to Habitat 3, Bajumpandan, Dumaguete City on July 14.

The volunteerism started last year 2017 and now has slowly grew with the help of cadets and officers taking part in donating notebooks to the local school located in Bajumpandan.

In an interview with Julio Ventolero, Student Affairs Services head, he said, “Since it is voluntary, I appreciate what they do and their initiative. They found out that there is a need to share a notebook in Habitat 3.”

The AFROTC team explained that the volunteerism will be

conducted annually in order to contribute a sociallyresponsive community and develop the students’ leadership skills through such activities.

“I am happy that Air Force ROTC donated voluntary from the heart,” Ventolero said.

Ventolero explained that the activity done by the AFROTC had no hidden intentions since any activity that will be conducted under the name of university will have to undergo proper procedure from the administration to be permitted.

“If that was done for the purpose of earning credits in the Return Service Policy of the campus, it should have proper documentation as evidence in communication and coordination for authorities,” he said.

NOrsu/ from page 1 NORSUnian (TN), university registrar Reymil Cadapan clarified the purpose of the program, noting that this is not a school initiative but CHED mandated.

“This is for students who were not able take Senior High School or they were able to graduate prior to 2016 and effective this school year 2018-2019, all students must have already be a graduate of senior high school,” Cadapan said.

According to Cadapan, the bridging program classes started last June 26 with 247 students coming from different colleges and departments.

“We have 247 [students] prior to the enrollment, that’s the data. They already started their classes as of June 26.”

Moreover, Cadapan stressed that all students who are not under the K-12 program is required to take part in the bridging program.

“All students entering college effective this school year, who did

not undergo senior high school, are required to take bridging programs,” he added.

Meanwhile, Cyndie Montenegro, a freshmen Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management although not part of the program believed that it is necessary so that students (nonsenior high) will acquire more knowledge.

“Maayo nang naay bridging program para katung subjects nga wala nila nakuha before makuha nila karon additional knowledge napod para nila,” she shared.

On the other hand, Devie Sechico, third year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration student said this initiative will cost much time, thus unfair to some students.

“Dili na siguro, kung ibalik pa unfair na, cost of time pud, mas better kung diritso na lang,” Sechico expressed.

LENDING A HAND. NORSU HALAD academy, in cooperation with ECD and DSWD, conducted a teaching expo and training session for curriculum planning and instructional materials for young children and those with developmental delays, at the DSWD Women’s Center on July 13.

SG pushes to remove stude apathy Rean Jane D. Escabarte

Aiming to relive Norsunians’ involvement in university activities, newly elected Student Government (SG) officers finalized their student-centered programs and activities for school year 2018-2019.

“As of the moment, as what we can see from the students, they don’t have interest in making future leaders”, Romar Pedriña, Federation.

The officers goal is to get rid of apathy by bringing NORSUNIAN/ from page 1 Villaflores competed in the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) which is the World Championship Visayas Qualifying Competition at Lapu-Lapu City on April 2022 to qualify to the national level.

Meanwhile, Clint Jude

Infographics by Jameel E. Daksla

eng’g/ to page 4 college being known as ‘Home of the Topnotchers’.

“There may be priorities observed but that was because we’re always following the program of works and since there are more students in MC I than MC II, we began addressing the concerns here (in MC I),” Saga explained.

“In fact, we’re also eyeing for academic infrastructures in other external campuses,” he added.

back traditional activities in Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) including the Hugyawan and Dalan Sayaw during the Foundation Week celebration.

On August 31, the Pagsinatiay 2018 concluded as the university acquaintance party with different student performances and live band.

In September, included in their laid out plans is the Science Fair in accordance with the celebration of the Science Month, Amazing Race and Techno Fair.

Verano, a former Bachelor of Science in Criminology (BSCrim) student, also competed alongside Villaflores in the national level.

Villaflores and Verano were among the 160 participants who competed in the championship.

CED/ to page 4 Nagpakabana)”, the project paper was presented in Vigan City.

The extension program was conducted at the Senior Citizen’s Building, Sibulan, Negros Oriental between November 2017 and March 2018 with 28 daycare workers being trained and are program beneficiaries.

During the course of the program, sessions with varied concepts and activities transpired in order to further shape daycare

Furthermore, the Foundation Week scheduled on November has a proposed a classic theme for Mr. and Ms. NORSU, and the Film Festival and Cheer Dance competition per college is planned to be continued.

Outreach programs are also included, to be pushed through this December but, the target beneficiaries are still undecided.

However, the finalized plans are still subject for approval as disclosed by the FSG president, and changes are still open depending on the decision of the

administration.

Pedriña, however, assured the realization of these plans, “Of course, we are also very positive so we can give a hundred percent assurance on that.”

“However, that depends on the response of the administration. We can propose and all, but as for the approval, it will depend on them,” he added.

Pedriña, together with the new SG officers, guaranteed that their decisions will benefit the majority, not just institution but also the students.

5 studes/ from page 1 this incident, students who are still young and is not a Person with Disability (PWD) should use the stairs rather than the elevator.

The main purpose of the CNPAHS elevator is to serve for ease to the visitors who would like

to visit the university president in fourth floor of CNPAHS building.

Furthermore, the elevator is open from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. with a maximum capacity of six passengers.

workers and their strategies so that preschoolers become more progressive when they reach grade school.

Some of these activities are Multi-Concept Mobile, Puppet Making and Storytelling, Washable Letters, team collaboration and teaching demonstrations.

The session evaluations yielded Session Means ranging from 4.85 to 4.88, all marked as Excellent while the Criterion

Mean recorded Excellent at 4.86.

Meanwhile, the teaching demonstration yielded Team Means ranging from 87.16 to 92.32 and marked as Very Satisfactory, likewise, the Criterion Mean produced 89, also Very Satisfactory.

Furthermore, CEd is conducted another Halad Pagbansay extension program at Women’s Center in Dumaguete City which concluded on July 13.

Art by Jay Cheever C. Rocaberte

Photo by John Earl F. Merto

Rick Lyndon C. Calma