WE write for you. we fight for you. VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 9 | JULY 30-AUG 3, 2018
AT LONG LAST! For the completion of its, the continuation of the FUPTA building construction took place on July 27. Photo by Cor Uriel A. Balladares
No definite plan yet on FUPTA bldg- Saga
Julius Joe T. Umbina
U n i v e r s i t y Engineer Michael Saga said there is no definite plan yet for the P 2,343,987.56 worth Federation of University Parents and Teachers Association (FUPTA) building – July 27. The allotted budget will be used for the completion of the building including its flooring under the DT & C Construction company.
“The ground floor will be used for the dental and medical clinic. There are medical instruments there and equipment that are being transferred already,” Saga said. Installation of ceiling in the second and third floors, airconditioning unit in the medical and dental clinic, glass doors, plumbing of the building,
and construction of fire exit are among the improvements to be done in the FUPTA building. The target date of completion is within the 120 calendar days after the construction’s commencement. Meanwhile, Saga said the third floor will be utilized for meetings, conventions, or conferences, and some offices are to be
transferred in the second floor, however, it is still tentative. The building was donated by the federation to NORSU since it was dissolved in 2015. However, the FUPTA building’s construction was not finished, causing the administration to allot budget for its continuation. Marichu Bacla-an, a senior BS in Pharmacy student, suggested, “For me, NO/ to page 4
Ind bldg construction to continue
Photo by John Earl F. Merto
Alexe A. Luce
POSTPONED STRUCTURE. To ensure improvements, the construction of the Industrial Electronic Training Center will resume in January 2019.
To finish the incomplete workshop room and still unusable 2nd floor, the Industrial Electronic Training Center will resume its construction in January 2019, according to the university engineer Michael Saga. “We can bid it out as early as October and the start of the project will be in January. There’s already an approved P15 million budget for it,” Saga said. The first phase of the building was finished in 2014
but the progress was slow which surfaced doubt and questions from Norsunians in 2016. “Medyo dako-dako pa jud ang trabaho nga himuonon, together with the construction of the third floor,” Saga added. He also said there are certain areas left unfinished like the shop’s floor, the offices that needs to be tiled and a portion of the second floor of the building. After hearing it, Ejay Ramirez, a fourth year student from the College of Industrial Technology, said he understands IND BLDG/ to page 4
USMO vs studes on dress code policy As students rant on the inconsistent and unfair implementation of the dress code policy, University Security Management Office (USMO) director responded with complaints on unruly Norsunians. Geshelie Rotch Sojor, a senior BS in Education major in MAPEH, explained that some of her classmates were permitted to enter the university despite wearing tattered jeans; however, in an instance wherein she wore pants with smaller cuts, she
was blocked by the guards. She said that she was not able to take her exam because the security aides mandated her to write a letter in a half yellow paper. “Ganahan ra ko nga og bawal jud mag-tattered, bawal tanan kay ang uban kay ila mang mapasulod ra,” Sojor stated. Megumi Sakurai, a freshman BS in Tourism Management, said that it is WHEN WILL WE FOLLOW? Norsunians often ignore the Dress Code Policy good that there are policies, implemented by the university even with the on-going reminders by the security personnel. the problem is that often it becomes unfair because some Also, Clarisse Estribillo, dapat dili siya mubo kaayo. students violate the policy and a freshman BS in Pharmacy Okay ra if above the knee siya USMO/ to page 4 get away with it. said,“Ang skirts pod unta,
Photos by Harvey Iquio
Karah Jane B. Sarita
how free is FREE?
The one that...
OPINION | see page 2
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sans and serifs
UNIVERSITY DIARIES
FOR HEALTH AWARENESS. The Poster-Making Contest is one of the many activities, including Fruits and Vegetables Carving, and Menu Display, highlighted during the 10 Kumainments Nutrition School-on-the-Air Nationwide headed by the Department of Health and National Nutrition Council. Photo by Jose Marie Royo
CEd to go ‘high tech’ Gerard Rick Jardin
As a step towards internationalization, College of Education (CEd) will acquire 40 units of tablet worth P 1.1-M through the Special Trust Fund 164 for its Blended E-Mode Classroom project. The tablets will be used for Educational Technology (Ed Tech) 1 and 2 subjects as part of their Blended E-mode Classroom which integrates digital media with traditional classroom. CEd Dean Libertine De Guzman said this initiative was proposed because she wanted a globalized education, “It’s not always paper and pen.” “We are planning to go global and if we want to bring our students across the great divide, it’s the technology that puts us closer,” De Guzman explained. She added that they make use of whatever technology is available at the present age so that students will not lag behind. De Guzman said she plans for internationalization, however, it will only be possible if they start improving their infrastructure. “This is a very good example of the infra that we are acquiring so that our students can be ready for internationalization.”
Moreover, De Guzman pointed out that economic status will not hinder students in a state university to be oriented and immersed in technology. “I want to see them part of the world and let them understand that it is not because we are poor that we can’t communicate and be connected with other universities or other people outside,” she said. The dean also shared the burdens she encounte red in pursuing the plan. “I tell you there are so much pains, questions on why we go into that. It’s always like that if you have good ideas, so we understand that,” De Guzman noted. She also expressed joy in being able to finally able to pursue the plan after three years. “It’s so exciting, of all the colleges, it’s CEd who starts with that. I hope engineering and the rest of the courses that is technology-based should look into that also,” she said. To adapt to globalization, De Guzman would like to compete with Singapore and Thailand, thus, implementing actions to be of the same level. “My perspective for students who will be graduating in the ced to go/ to page 4
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OPINION
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VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 9 | JULY 30-AUG 3, 2018
EDITORIAL
An act enflaming hope
Starting with a delayed process, later reaching 20 years of endless torment and almost a lifetime worth of revisions, Republic Act 11036, on June 21 of this year, is now a law. A good news for everyone, however, it can no longer be celebrated by the thousands of Filipinos who died due to mental health issues. While the government prolonged the process, death records kept on piling up day by day; and, in mental institutions, many patients were treated more as prison inmates than an actual person who needs assistance. According to CNN Philippines, a margin of 800,000 died caused by mental health issues across the world. That is, without taking to account, the number of people who are attempting to end their lives every year and those who actually inflict physical harm to themselves. The published report discussed that the most significant risk factor is the prior attempt, itself, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017. Mental issues that often lead to suicidal patients are caused when a person feels intolerable pain, constant rejections, neverending agony, situations that are inescapable and problems that they no longer cannot solve. In a book entitled, ‘Clinical Manual for Assessment and Treatment of Suicidal Patients’, it states that a person’s mental stability is like two sides of a coin. There are people, for instance, cancer patients who wishes to extend their lives. While, on the other side, are those who want to end it. It just so happened that there are people who land on the losing side of the coin. The society underrates mental health illness without considering how difficult it is to understand a human mind. All factors consisting of physical, emotional, and spiritual are all driven by mental health. Which is why the day when the Mental Health Bill was signed into a law, it became a redefining moment for people who are suffering from concerning issues. Senator Risa Hontiveros, the principal author, stated in an article published by inquirer.net, “No longer shall Filipinos suffer silently in the dark. Mental health issues will now cease to be seen as an invisible sickness spoken only in whispers.” As an understanding to the ideology, the government is the one who actually tosses the coin. If the government extends outmost help to its people, there would be no need to bet lives through a flip of a coin. There would no longer be an option wherein people choose death. This is possible, only when the government would actually take action and fund the medication so that it would no longer be deprived from the poor.
How free is free? When the free tuition concept was publicized early 2017, I was dumbfounded. I can’t believe that soon enough, after receiving 17,500 pesos voucher from the government in my Senior High School years, there is another “free” tertiary education I will greatly enjoy. It’s a back-toback blessing, I thought. Our batch – the pioneers of the SHS curriculum – is indeed fortunate.
Republic Act No. 10391 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act covers free tuition and miscellaneous fees of Filipino students starting this year from the 112 state universities and colleges (SUCs), 78 local universities and colleges (LUCs), and all technicalvocational education and training (TVET) programs registered under the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Isn’t amazing?! However, what saddened me is that there are still students who struggled despite this initiative of the government. While in my major class, a tear-jerking event took place. My teacher asked my classmate why was he unable to take a number of quizzes from the class. And the reason left us crying. He is smart yet financial constraints hinder him from going to school for he lives in a remote area where he needs to walk kilometers to arrive the city proper, then to Dumaguete. It is ironic because the “free” in the free tertiary education should let every college student in public universities or colleges study without being anxious if they can still go to school tomorrow, pass projects or print reading materials. More so, it is not just tuition
and other fees that burden every student. There are also daily expenses, projects, and other related things. Then, does free tertiary education really help poor students? Or it helps the students who can actually pay for their tuition? Regardless of the answer, we cannot just say that the free tuition, in its entirety, did not help in any way possible. There are still circumstances that we cannot grasp into our hands, thus, it will rely on perseverance in finishing a college degree. After all, poverty is not a hindrance to success— if greatly realized. In turn, we who enjoy this privilege, the scholars of the government should prove that they are well-worthy to receive the subsidy. The tax, money and hard work of the people in the country made sure that free tuition exists. So, given this weight on our shoulders, we should not fail them nor ourselves.
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FEATURES
3 Illustrated by Claire Francis Elum, Jessa Araneta, and Jay Cheever G. Rocaberte
Photo by Harvey Iquio
VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 9 | JULY 30-AUG 3, 2018
CAMPUS IMAGE
Illustrated by Jerico Quibot
Wearing a pair of black framed eyeglasses, he is holding a cup of coffee in his left hand while a module in his right. He is ready to kick off the day in the university. He walked through the corridors and started holding the class as he entered the room. The once turbulent room turned as silent as a crypt the second he entered. It was not a sign of terror but an evidence of respect, rather. He put his small sling bag and a half-filled coffee cup on top of the desk— an act that meant another hour of fun learning shall now begin. He is not just an educator but so much more. Talking about the environment where he grew up, he helped his parents in farming. From clearing, plowing, planting, irrigating to harvesting, he recalled his younger years with much pride that despite the hardships their family had been through, it didn’t halt him to pursue his dreams. Born and raised in the rural town of Pilar, Bohol, he was disciplined well by his parents together with his three older siblings and has been taught the same value every Filipino lives by— the importance of education. Like any other Filipino family, his parents would always say that education is the greatest gift they can bestow to him and that no one can take that away. His childhood was filled with experiences as he used to join amateur singing contests together with his older brother, may it be a school or a province-wide competition. His teenage years were no different as he became a school band vocalist and joined several inter-school competitions. He didn’t have any formal voice trainings or lessons but his love for music is undeniable even if he is not from a family of musicians. But life is not all rainbows and butterflies. His patience and faith was tested when his mother, who worked abroad, got ill. It was not even the worst, but it was when his father got murdered because he fought for his life principle. The justice his father rightfully deserved never dawned to him. The emotion and the chaos destroyed him. He fell into being depressed and empty. But he tried to get himself back on track. Gradually, he rebuilt the light and hope that was once lost. He got back up and remained steadfast to his visions in life. The man behind these struggles is Norris Wagas, a Social Sciences Department adviser and instructor at Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), Dumaguete City. Before he became into what he is now, Norris finished his high school at the University of Bohol in 2009 while he studied his college degrees at Silliman University. In 2013, he took up Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After graduating, he took up Bachelor of Arts in History in 2017. In the same year, he graduated Master of Arts in History. He proved that there is no limit in education and learning as he is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Social Science in the same university. Aside from being compassionate in educating himself, Norris always follows his heart. Going back to 2012, he decided to form a reggae-core band. Paying tribute to his father for his undying support on his passion for music, he named the band “Willfreedo” rooted from his father’s name, “Wilfredo”. The band name also stands for “WILLing to have FREEdom in what we do,” as he quoted from Professor Cecile Genove. The band bagged many championships in various caMPUS / to page 4
The One that Got Away Story by Hihi
Ted Jasper Adrian C. Gomez
Is a successful life really that difficult to attain? It has been taught in school. Adults have always told the youth what to do and who to look up to in order to be successful individuals. The rich ones are labeled as society’s ‘successful’ crops. However, stereotyping and creating standards for success has slowly taken a negative toll to the society itself. People who have been happiness lies, because after of starting from square one is your flaws as your strength for it will help in molding forced to attain success the day ends, you will be still high. Verify the obstacle you. your own companion. As a defined by the society E x p e r i e n c e People living in college student, you are given has turned their desire to failure without losing the mountains with no the time to evaluate yourself. desperation. Wealth, fame enthusiasm. Looking bank accounts are also Start setting your goal before and satisfaction, these words at the trophy and successful people. time catches up on you. have defined success in the knowing where Those who are Seek for light long run. And those who have you’re going, are unknown and living To hit your target, there’s acquired it are now hungry by with three meals a for more. However, those got to be that burning desire the most important day are to. Find that motivation and who fail to attain it are being things to also convert that into light. It’s pressured by society leading hard to see what you crave them to suicide, crime and for when you’re obscured. misfortune. Reaching our dreams Dreams show their brightest isn’t easy but reaching an light in the dark. successful Brighten up the uncertain r e m e m b e r. people. It way goal is more F o c u s i s upon you; U s e difficult. on goals you are the that light to Do not let that are d e f i nition guide your s o c i e t y ’s achievable, o f your own way. Every definition of test your limits, however, success. step is crucial; success destroy What is success to a wrong move can do not break yourself by you. exceeding your limit. Always you? To this day, there is destroy everything. It’s Clear your eyes consider reality when setting no exact definition. One like playing the board You can’t go your dreams, because life, person might define success game Snake and anywhere when as they say, is a bed of roses. as having lots of money, or L a d d e r — you, yourself, It may seem beautiful but another person might define y o u can’t even thorns will always prick you. success as not having to m i g h t see where Passion and hard work work for multiple hours a think that you’re Achieving important day; and, there will be some you’re almost goi ng . goals in life can truly be who define it as simply being there, but a Life isn’t just single snake difficult yet so rewarding. happy and contented with about taking risks, can take you back Successful people tend to fail what we have. Either way is realize what you want and multiple times. But failure is fine, after all, we define our to the beginning. Always know where you are going. not a sign of weakness, carry own success. consider that the possibilities Follow the path where your If he was a flower, he’d be the most attractive organism capable of photosynthesis. But before I can even intersect my fingers to his blindingly white petals, someone already had him by the stem. I guess, beautiful flowers aren’t meant to stay in an ordinary garden forever. I was barely thirteen when my teenage hormones started working. I have quite a long list of crushes and this guy impressively stole the top spot. My unsophisticated, naive self would intentionally walk by his classroom, hoping to catch even a glimpse of this topnotcher. There was a time when I caught him running his hands through his perfectly combed hair while he averted his gaze towards his classmates’ direction, who were laughing because of his inside jokes. His round, nutbrown eyes turned into half
moons as his Cheshire smile appeared playfully. His well-ironed white polo was hard not to be noticed as it gleams with divinity when kissed by the sun’s ray. It complimented his translucent complexion. If given a chance to write a letter for someone in the past, I’d like to write a handful of thank you’s to the person who invented phones. I was fourteen when I mustered up the courage to text him. A simple “hi” was all it took for him to notice my entire existence and a plain “who’s this?” was all it took for my heart to jump out of my sleeves. He was humorous even through text with all his corny jokes. He was kind and patient in helping me out with my assignments even through the digital screen. Even his holiness reverberated from it as he sent me bible verses and words of
wisdom. He told me I was his ‘special friend’. And just like that, this moth was drawn to the flames. I was in my ninth grade when I neglected my ‘long list of crushes’ and focused on someone who matters most— the guy who exceeded expectations. Despite my flowing river of admiration, there were also bricks of uneasiness compiling, blocking these feelings. ‘What ifs’ thoughts kept me awake at night. What if he would found out I like him? Will he still want me as a friend or will he rather stay away and pretend I never existed? One afternoon, I was walking down the hallway when our paths crossed. Seeing the intensity of eyes, I already knew what it was. I swallowed a huge lump and wondered if he heard the loud beating of my heart. I hope not.
He inched closer as he looked at the ground between us, scratched his nape and stared intently into my eyes. “Uhm... tinuod to?” My heart summersaulted behind my ribs and my legs almost gave up. With that question, I already knew what he meant. Should I say yes and suffer the consequences or deny it and say no? Not knowing what to say, I nodded my head in embarassment. A tiny smile escaped his lips as he snatched something from his pocket and attached it to my wrist. That day, my heart exploded into millions of pieces. Hihi still has the rubber bracelet etched with a bible verse while the guy who exceeded expectations is now studying theology and is working his way to priesthood.
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CCC Dgte welcomes SKR chapter
Aiming to make new friends and invite people to learn the gospel, Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) from Daegu University, South Korea meets the Dumaguete chapter members during a twoweek visit, July 9-20. Kim Jaelim, Jeong Jae Seom, Lee Su Min and Kim Na Yeon are the south korean students who met members from NORSU, Foundation University (FU) and Silliman University (SU) in a Korean Night event featuring Korean Pop (KPop) songs and taekwondo on July 13 at Bethel Hotel. Kim Na Yeon said they were invited by the Dumaguete chapter members to create new ties and to spread the gospel of Christ. Korean language teaching and Korean drama were also held at the Students’ Affairs Services (SAS) center on July 14 in participation with the CCC members: eight from NORSU; five from SU; and, four from FU. Charisse Tag and Ry-Ann Taghap, both freshmen education students of NORSU and CCC members, said they are privileged to join CCC and they want to be molded into better people who trust God in everything. Furthermore, John Andrew Bandico, a freshman Mass Communication student, said he appreciates the Korean visit in NORSU for they encourage students to value God and they also bond with students, particularly to non-CCC members. To note, CCC is an international religious organization aspiring to “win, build and send Christ-centered multiplying disciples.” (FJ ALEJANO)
ESTEEMED RESEARCHER. Maria Dolores Paculanang (left) is awarded “Best Paper Presenter” during the International Conference on Methodological Advances in Research held at University of San-Jose Recoletos, Cebu City on July 26. Reychemver C. Credo
Research Extension and International Linkages (REXIL) researcher won as Best Paper Presenter in the 2018 International Conference on Methodological Advances in Research (ICMAR) at University of San JoseRecoletos, Cebu City, July 2426. Against 200 research entries, Maria Dolores Paculanang, Ed. D., imparted her research entitled ‘Analyzing spoken language in a short story: Exposing identities.’ Into Descriptive
Infographics by Rey Mark Marcelino
Newsbit
Qualitative and Theory Development category, her research figured on the direction of ‘critical discourse analysis as a research approach in examining the spoken language in a novel which leads to the understanding of a people’s identities and ideologies’. Within the data of the paper exposed social concerns like racism, power struggles, and inequalities. The deliberation of the best research presenter was determined through the following criteria: confidence and delivery (25%), presentation aesthetics (25%),
and the ability to answer to questions (50%). Ten REXIL members from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) attended the said conference, four from the Dumaguete Campuses, three from Guihulngan City Campus, two from Bais City Campuses, and one from Siaton Campus. The purpose of the said convergence was to continue holding the generation of sustained scientific journal production through collaboration among the 15 member universities of the Visayas-Mindanao (VM) consortium.
Moreover, its national vision aims to impact social, cultural and economic development amid the growing competitiveness of Philippine higher education institutions. “As president [of the consortium], I am elated that [to host] an international conference [that] brings together some of the best minds available and the researchers to discuss global challenges that can be addressed and understood through advanced research methods,” Francis Ann Sy, Ph. D., chair of the VM Consortium for Journal Publication, Inc., noted. caMPUS/ from page 3 competitions and released an independent album called “Something Khaki” which sold 200 CDs nationwide. “When life hits me hard, aside from spiritual connection, music is my refuge,” he confessed. After the pain he encountered, he learned that there is always a rainbow after the rain and every time you strive harder to move forward, the more you get closer to what you’ve been yearning for. “God knows that I’ve strived real hard to be where I am now. It was not easy but I knew it was worth it,” he ended. Written by Riza Mae Iso USMO/ from page 1 gamay, di lang tung sobraan ka-mubo nga abot tunga-tunga sa paa.” In an interview with USMO director, Rosalinda Abellon, on August 6, she said, “If ever naa moy nakita diring galatagaw, they are made to make a promissory note. If amo silang ma-caught na gaviolate sila sa ilang gi-promise, adto na mi mag.abot sa Board of Discipline.” According to Abellon, during the midterm exams week, many students were caught violating the policy but were given a chance to take their exams through promissory notes but during normal class days, they really
NO/ from page 1 as a senior student, the other necessary offices na mooccupy sa building maybe ang Student Affairs office kay para naa na jud silay tarong nga place para sa mga concern sa students.” “Okay ra man pod ang puwesto nila karon, pero mas nice jud kung ilang office sila lang ang naka-occupy para dali lang ma-cater ang concern sa students,” Bacla-an added. Meanwhile, Janrie Larena, a freshman BS in
Hotel Management, urged that the building may be used for meetings of student organizations. “Kay as far as I observed, wala silay room nga makameet-up then sa gawas ra sila magkita then tapok-tapok,” Larena furthered. However, Francis Antique, a freshmen BS in Elementary Education, suggested the building to be used as classrooms since the university lacks them.
Illustrated by Nichole C. Destor
Photo from Maria Dolores A. Paculanang
REXIL researcher wins best paper
VOL XXXVI | ISSUE NO 9 | JULY 30-AUG 3, 2018
IND BLDG/ from page 1 the slow operation of the building since it is a government property. “I’m happy kay they are already on the move. I hope nga maabot na ang budget para ced to go/ from page 1 CEd is that they could become competitive graduates. This is just the beginning hopefully we can continue with this,” she ended. do not allow violators to enter the university. She added that there are no excuses in violating the policy since the students already know the policy, even the freshmen and transferees already had their orientation last July. “Ang eskuylahan, ang government, is trying hard to provide you everything. Unsa ra man ang gipangayo ninyo? To obey the policy of the school plus to study hard para di mo manga-hagbong,” Abellon said, addressing the Norsunians. Furthermore, Marciano Ventolero, USMO Guest Security Aide, explained that
masugdan na jud,” he added. The original plan was a four-story building but it was then changed to a three-story one. To note, the units are being processed and will readily be used after it fulfilling the requirements needed for purchase. due to the number of students, there were times that some students violating the policy were not caught. “Og makasulod man gali siya, pasalamat siya ato kay nakasulod siya. Wa jud to namo nabantayi, pero og mabantayan namo na, among i-caution nga bawal nang iyang suot. Usahay muhatag mi’g warning, usahay mupapauli pud mi if ever wa siya’y exam,” Ventolero said. He added that these policies are actually found in the university handbook for students to read but the last issued handbook was the 2011 version and does not state the dress code policy.