The Pioneer (Tabloid Issue 2)

Chem-Soc promotes CLAYGO, Chemistry thru recycling tilt

see full story on page 2

Culturals 2013 marks ‘Year of Faith’ Celeb considered ‘successful’ amidst student clamor

by Darlene Amabele Salunga and Kier Ocampo

GEARED WITH the theme “Celebrating the Year of Faith: The Lives and Works of AUF’s Patron Saints,” Cultural Competitions 2013 served as showcase of talents in band, vocal solo, choir, and dance categories.

According to Center for Culture and the Arts Director Gildo “Boron” Garcia Jr., the event helped the students to exhibit their talents outside the classrooms.

“We [the university] want to develop the students holistically – through sports, culture, and academics,” he said. continued on page 3

Double the award. CON outperforms other colleges as they portray the life of San Lorenzo Ruiz during the Cultural Dance Competition, making them emerge as champions.

Photo by Riza Marie Padilla

Comm grads bag Angeleneans ratify USC-CBL thru schoolbliz CCF, CCDS launch faces praises, criticisms from studes TULAY project 3rd place in nat’l Method

by Darlene Amabele Salunga

by Gema Ocampo Also, Fabian revealed the room-to-room distribution and docu tilt TO RESOLVE the issue idea was conceived during the to reduce the tendency of merely

by Krishna Elaine Magdangal

COMMUNICATION GRADUATES Bianca Deloris Dakis, Michelle Lee Porter, and So Hyun Kim placed third out of the 25 entries in the 4th EdukCircle Annual Documentary Making Competition of International Center for Communication Studies (ICCS).

Unlike most documentaries, “Dapithapon sa Pampang” featured the folk arts of Kapampangan industry and culture namely Pukpok, Dukit, and Burarul.

“People want something new and fresh so we wanted something out of the box,” Dakis said.

According to AB Communication Program Chair and Institute for Kapampangan Studies Research Assistant Andrea Gatchalian, the documentary advocates the preservation of the folk art industry because it may eventually die.

“Sayang ‘yung craft if it will not be sustained because no one is interested anymore,” she explained.

Furthermore, Gatchalian shared the documentary was wellreceived by the audience during the ICCS convention.

“Every year, I hope we can continuously send entries,” she emphasized.

Meanwhile, Multi-Media Center and Publications Office Director and Professor Cristina Reyes said the group had “the criteria of a very good documentary.” She explained continued on page 2

regarding the amendments of their Constitution and By-Laws (CBL), the University Student Council (USC) is reaching out to the Angeleneans through “online ratification.”

According to USC President Mary Heliane Fabian, they were able to meet the 50 percent plus one requirement for the CBL ratification and at press time, it is subject for approval.

2nd USC-CSC-PIO General Assembly where they decided to make it an online requirement such as clearance step before getting the permit.

“It is easier and everyone will be able to vote because everyone has their schoolbliz account where they will be mandated to vote,” she emphasized.

She shared it is more effective because there is no need to disrupt classes by doing

writing without reading the CBL. “Medyo it will create an intrigue among the Angelenean students. Maiintriga sila parang ‘uy, ano ‘to? Parang may bago’,” she stated.

Furthermore, she added that this paperless method can help in supporting the Green Crusade.

Meanwhile, BSEd Math continued on page 2

‘Pio’ Pulse: Vending machines satisfy 60% of AUF studes

Vending Corp to improve service, install more vendos

by Hee Soo Oh

THREE HUNDRED eighty two out of 636 respondents composed of students from different colleges surveyed by THE PIONEER, say that they are satisfied with the vending machines installed in the university.

According to Regional Philippine Vending Corporation Business Development Officer Allan Ray Sarte, he proposed the idea of installing vending machines in the campus which eventually gained the approval of Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Canteen.

“Of course, the installation would not have been possible without the approval of Atty.

Joseph Emmanuel L. Angeles,” he added.

However, during the survey, a number of students raised their comments and complaints regarding the services provided by the vending machines. The most accumulated complaint is about the problem of short fill and lack of stocks.

To address the concern, Sarte said because the vending machines are really in demand at AUF, the stocks run out even if the routeman checks on them daily. Now, they are planning to make the routeman check the machines twice a day.

Moreover, they are also

planning to put an instruction manual at the side so the students will be educated not to vend the product when it is short fill and know that there is no ice when the light blinks. continued on page 3

IN COLLABORATION with the Center for Christian Formation (CCF), Center for Community Development Services (CCDS) pushed through Tutorial Undertaking for Literacy and Advancement of the Youth (TULAY) in September.

According to CCF Director Dr. Edna Manlapaz, the TULAY launch was moved from September 14 to 23.

“Natapos na namin ‘yung paggawa ng concept paper about it. We also did our initial consultations with all administrative and academic groups or those who would be part of the implementation of the program,” CCDS Director Glicel Grace Tiamzon said.

The TULAY project was conceived after the faith lecture series delivered by Pampanga Bishop Pablo “Ambo” David last February. It was inspired by Bishop David’s question on how Angeles University Foundation bridges the gap between public schools and itself.

With the aim to make this an integrated community project of the university, Manlapaz proposed the said project with the hopes that all colleges will participate as this project cannot stand on its own.

“We had a two-day workshop with CCDS representatives from each college,” she shared. They also asked the college deans for recommendations.

Meanwhile, the tutorial will

continued on page 2

THE PIONEER

News

2

OSSS reinforces Chem-Soc promotes CLAYGO, Chemistry thru recycling tilt Sitio Pavilion chosen as beneficiary security measures

by Lilet Sicat

by Jerremie Anne Lopez

OFFICE OF Safety and Security Services (OSSS) strengthens security as they collaborate with Angeles City Station 6 Police to reduce stealing and snatching incidents within and outside the university.

According to OSSS Director Dr. Noel Barela, they found out from outsiders that such incidents happen because students and employees who became victims do not inform them directly.

“Security is not complete without you.

We are encouraging them to report to us immediately and we will find a way to solve the problem. But if it [problem] is beyond our limits and needs the assistance of the policemen, we’ll inform them. Anyway, they promised na all-out support ang ibibigay nila,” he stated.

Furthermore, Barela said students and employees can also report in barangays because the OSSS has a good connection with barangay officials. He also advised them to be vigilant and not to expose their belongings like cellphones used for texting while walking or wearing expensive jewelries.

Moreover, the security guards are checking IDs, inspecting bags, and observing the surroundings especially at night when students are already dismissed.

According to Barela, he heard complaints from students regarding the inspection.

“May nagtanong na bakit daw tinutuhog lang ‘yung stick sa bag samantalang ‘yung ibang students sasabihin na nagmamadali sila. ‘Pag ‘di namin ginagawa, may mga nagtatanong. ‘Pag naman gagawin namin, iba naman ang perception,” he declared.

Barela also advised the students to call the attention of security guards if they observe someone or something suspicious.

“If students want to be safe and secured in the community, we need their cooperation because after all, security is not solely in our hands,” he added.

OSSS will invite barangay officials to a seminar in November and will conduct a safety drill in March.

USC NEWS

THE UNIVERSITY Student Council (USC) takes a step higher with the implementation of their activities set this September.

Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) gave out Automatic Teller Machine cards on September 5-6. The next day, student leaders attended the Google Apps seminar organized

by Management Information Systems and Services.

Meanwhile, in partnership with Center for Community Development Services, leadership training was provided for Sapa Libutad community on September 14. Also, this day marked the 2nd USC-CSC-PIO General Assembly with the Junior Officers.

Moreover, E-boards were installed in September while preparations for University Week is still on-going.

COLLEGE BITES College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) CAMP-College Student Council (CSC) President Jansenn Ray David said CAMPers “definitely” looked forward to the InterCollegiate Cultural Competitions.

Preparations included intensive rehearsals with their conductors and choreographers as the performers were pulled out of their classes and practices ran until evening.

Meanwhile, the “CAMPyon” Sportsfest 2013 was held on September 6-7 with the Medical Technology Archers prevailing as the over-all champion.

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Like other colleges, CAS prepared for Culturals in September.

CAS-CSC Secretary William Rider expressed his opinion regarding the result of the event.

“It was a fair fight because every college had shown their talents when it comes to performing arts. Even if we got only the “Best Common Piece” award during the pop band competition, we still acclaim our performers that they did their best during the competition.”

Meanwhile, CAS Sportsfest was staged with the theme “PalaCASan” held on September 27-28 wherein they invited the AUF Pep Squad to perform in the event.

TO HELP promote the Clean As You Go (CLAYGO) campaign and to raise the awareness of students about the fun side of studying Chemistry, a three-day “Recycled Dress Exhibit Contest” (RDEC) was organized.

“We want to make the students realize that this subject is not boring and Chemistry students can make beautiful dresses from pure recycled materials without spending any money,” said Chemistry Society (Chem-Soc) President Vienna Dianne Navarro.

Even without the assistance of the College Student Councils and University Student Council, Navarro said Chem-Soc conducted this activity to show support to the CLAYGO campaign of the university through promotion of reuse-reduce-recycle practice.

“Pinapakita namin na hindi porke basura na, wala ng patutunguhan. Minsan ang mga bagay na patapon ay pwede rin nating pagkakitaan,” she said.

“It also makes us happy when we hear compliments from the other students that the dresses Fashionably Recycled. Mannequins wearing unique dresses prove how were beautiful even if the materials used were pure recycled,” Navarro used materials can be put to good use.

Photo by Frances Sharina Gonzales added.

NCCA holds Lakbay Exhibit at AUF

by Jerremie Anne Lopez

THE NATIONAL Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chooses Angeles University Foundation (AUF) to serve as venue for Lakbay Exhibit.

According to Kapisanang Itinatag sa Asignaturang Filipino (KISAF) President Marvin Punsalan, Commission of Filipino Languages Commissioner Dr. Lucena Samson informed AUF about the exhibit and sent a memorandum to Department of Education to invite other schools.

“Mula September 13 hanggang 19 ang exhibit dito. Araw-araw may mga pumupunta galing sa iba’tibang eskwelahan,” he said.

Punsalan clarified that the Filipino Department was not the only one in-charge for the exhibit but also the whole university.

“Wala namang naencounter na problems dahil

Cultural Exhibition. A collection of the country’s tradition, art, and heritage is displayed to promote the preservation of the Philippine culture.

Photo by Riza Marie Padilla

university ang nagprepare.

Madali mag-request ng mga kailangan, madali rin na nabigay,” Punsalan added.

Furthermore, Punsalan said the exhibit was initially planned to be located in PS lobby but because of its inadequate space, they decided

to move it to San Agustin Hall, Main Campus.

Meanwhile, NCCA headed to different provinces to conduct the exhibit in order to develop and promote the Filipino national culture and arts and to preserve Filipino cultural heritage.

said it will not be free anymore.

Moreover, the enrollment is not per semester but per cycle.

After rendering 40 hours, the enrollment starts again. CI also gives out free Mandarin courses during summer.

Furthermore, according to Shifang, enrolled students are encouraged to attend their classes because some students enroll but skip Mandarin sessions.

“We have limited slots for interested students and the slots are just wasted if they don’t attend classes,” she said.

Aside from equipping the students to be globally

competitive, the CI-AUF and Fujian Normal University are promoting Mandarin in the Philippines.

According to Shifang, they are not only dealing with the AUF but also the universities outside.

They are teaching staff from the Department of Education, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Bureau of Immigration and they are also accepting private corporation training.

The CI-AUF has been offering free Mandarin courses since 2010. It is open to all members of the alumni, nonteaching personnel, faculty, and students of AUF.

to see improvements in the National Achievement Test.

Initially, only NSTP students will serve as tutors but the project aims for other organizations to teach public school students. Participating organizations, either mandated or non-mandated, will undergo training for tutors.

Among the participating schools are Pandan Elementary School, Don Mariano Nepomuceno Elementary School, Sitio Pader Elementary School, Abelardo G. Tinio Elementary School, Gueco Balibago Elementary School, and Lourdes Northwest

Elementary School.

“We want a lasting impact to our children in public schools and at the same time, other schools will benefit as well.”

Manlapaz stated.

CI invites graduating studes to free Mandarin

by Hee Soo Oh

THE CONFUCIUS InstituteAngeles University Foundation (CI-AUF) Chinese Director Zhang Shifang says that they are encouraging graduating students to enroll in free Mandarin courses to equip them for their career.

She further said that knowing Mandarin language will be a great career advantage since Mandarin is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.

“Basically for AUF, Basic 1 and 2 are free for 80 hours,” said Shifang.

However, if students wish to advance to Basic 3, Shifang

CCDS, CCF...

from page 1 serve as an entry point intended for the various colleges of the university for projects such as computer literacy, values formation, feeding, fecalysis, weighing, and wellness.

Furthermore, the budget for the TULAY project will come from the Student Activity Fund (SAF).

In addition, the offices plan on fund raising campaigns with the help of different mandated and non-mandated organizations.

The project targets 10 consecutive Saturdays of tutoring students from grades 3-4 and

Meanwhile, Medical Technology student and participant Ellaine Balanon said the contest is really beneficial to students because it could bring out their artistic talents and it could strengthen the bond of the whole class.

“Although it was my idea to make the dress for the contest, the whole class did not hesitate to help me and give their full support,” Balanon declared.

“Winning is not really our main goal in joining the contest.

We participated because we want to show others what we can do as a class. We are really proud of the outcome of our efforts,” she stated.

Moreover, Balanon hopes to hold this event yearly because it is an effective way for Chemistry students to showcase their talents.

On the other hand, Navarro shared that the exhibit aims to help Sitio Pavilion community.

“This contest is a good way to promote community service because one pencil is equivalent to one vote. Pencils earned will be given to less fortunate children,” Navarro said.

Comm grads... from page 1 everything in a documentary must be detailed and should leave a mark.

“Their story is good because it has a topic that is uncommon and it touches the lives of the viewers.

Ang nagdala roon ‘yung mga anggulo nila because there is less talk, more action,” Reyes went on.

Prior to their success, the trio did not anticipate joining the annual film festival because they were the last group in the class to start the project. According to Dakis, they were just focused in finishing the documentary but they did not want to settle for what is “OK.” On the other hand, Dakis said the secrets to their success were their skills, determination, eagerness, and open communication among one another. She was “ecstatic” when they won the bronze, but she also aspired for the silver and gold.

“I wanted to win silver or gold for the university. I wanted people in Manila and other universities to know about AUF,” she stated.

She added the group had the mantra “believe” and they want “to share inspiration and hope” to everyone who will be watching it.

Angeleneans ratify...

from page 1

4B student Rachel Guevarra expressed there is nothing wrong with this step of USC and it depends on how the students would consider it.

“Dahil requirement ‘yun, may tendency na madaliin ng mga students at ‘wag basahin ‘yung content para makakuha agad ‘yung permit,” Guevarra said.

Also, 2nd year Medical Technology student Jolette Dizon commended the purpose and objective of USC but said it still lacks “proper orientation.”

“Hindi ko naman linalahat pero pwedeng hindi lahat nagbasa dahil sa sobrang haba at busy ng mga students,” Dizon expressed.

On the other hand, Fabian said the sentiments of the students are just “spur of the moment feeling.”

Moreover, Fabian shared it was “successful” because of the participation of the Angeleneans.

“CBL was changed because of them. Makikita naman ng mga viewers na bawat amendment doon, it was for the Angeleneans’ benefit so we think it’s successful for as long as they appreciate the worth of what we are doing,” she said.

THE PIONEER

‘Pio’ Pulse...

from page 1

“In case of short fill or lack of stocks, you can bring your cups, show it to the canteen and accomplish the refund forms to get your money back,” he stated.

According to Sarte, AUF is on a three-month trial period.

They will be checking on how people appreciate it and what adjustments are needed to improve the services.

Sarte mentioned they also have plans to install additional machines. They have been asked to install additional vendos at the medicine building another one at PS building if there are any requests.

On the other hand, Sarte said that the prices of the drinks were set by the AUF canteen to prevent overpricing and underpricing.

“The vendo machine accepts only 20-peso paper bill because the coinbox is only limited. Kung maglalagay tayo ng 50 pesos, mauubos ‘yung panukli and kayo rin ang magkakaproblema,” he added.

The Philippine Vending Corporation is willing to support the activities of the university.

Sarte said he wishes to get the schedule of activities so that they can give certain amount of free drinks to support AUF events.

News

3

MPS stages 1st Math quiz show

by Darlene Amabele Salunga

TO PROVIDE an avenue for high school students to showcase their skills and prowess in Mathematics, Math and Physics Society (MPS) conducts their 1st Inter-High School Math Quiz Show.

According to MPS President Rachel Guevarra, this activity has always been a part of their proposed activities every academic year but was not pushed through due to delayed confirmation of schools.

“This year, sinigurado namin na makakapagconfirm sila agad. Maraming follow-ups ang ginawa namin,” Guevarra stated.

Meanwhile, MPS Advisers Carlos Gozun and Bernadette Sanchez said this event will help them in preparation for full implementation of K-12 program and can also serve as a marketing strategy.

“K-12 was designed to have more Math, English, and Science subjects. We are expecting senior high school students to enroll in our university.”

Overall, they consider this event as “successful” because 12 out of 23 invited schools confirmed

College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) “Team CBA for Culturals this year was formed just two weeks before the competitions.

This is the reason why I’m proud of my fellow Tigers because they exerted extra efforts and truly deserved what they achieved,” CBA-CSC President Renzel Evangelista said.

Evangelista added there was a lot of pressure because only few wanted to participate at first. Nevertheless, she was still “happy” that in the end, Tigers were able to participate and were able to bring home some of the awards.

Meanwhile, BaCBAkan 2013 and CBA Sportfest were held in October.

According to Evangelista, the Unity Run signaled the opening of the sportsfest.

Numerical Cognition. These students’ eyebrows meet in the middle as they solve their way through the Math Quiz Show.

Photo by Adrian Yalung

their attendance and they accomplished what was expected. Also, they earned a “nearly excellent” rating and received suggestions from the participants.

“These [suggestions] are unavoidable since this is the 1st Inter-High School Math Quiz Show. Next year, we will take note of their suggestions and consider them as motivations,” Gozun and Sanchez emphasized.

In addition, Guevarra aspires to have more schools to participate in the quiz

show next year.

“Kapag kasi mas marami ang kasali, mas mabigat ang labanan,” she added.

As for the result of the competition, Francis G. Nepomuceno Memorial High School was declared as champion followed by OB Montessori and Angeles City High School as 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.

This event was organized in cooperation with Math and Physics Department, Math Majors, and College of Arts and Sciences Honor Society.

from page 1

Meanwhile, Garcia mentioned that this year’s celebration of is “much better” than last year’s wherein the University Week and Cultural competitions happened concurrently.

“It is much better kasi hindi na nagkasabay-sabay ‘yung activities ng mga bata,” he declared.

He also added that seeing the students perform “flamboyantly” can serve as a good marketing strategy for the university.

Furthermore, Garcia said it was “very successful” regardless of the students’ clamor for it.

Vocal solo, Choir tilts stir issues Amidst mixed reactions regarding the result of the competition, College of Education and CEA made a stronghold as this year’s Vocal solo and Choir champions.

Consequently, the results created a buzz on the social networking media pointing out speculations regarding the said event.

College of Education (CEd) September served as the “seminar month” for the Marlins. According to CEd-CSC President Kenneth Alex Villanueva, it started with the seminar with Korean educators which aimed to prepare fourth year students for global teaching. Moreover, a research seminar for juniors and management seminar for sophomores were also held.

Meanwhile, the “Piso Para sa Kinabukasan” Project was also launched in September. Students will donate one peso everyday and the donations will be used to support the scholars.

Futhermore, the Metamorphosis Art Club started the Art Drive. “There will be a box placed outside our office where students can donate art materials. Art tutorials will also be given to children,” Villanueva added.

College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE) The Eagles conducted a field training exercise for its third and fourth year students on September 10.

Third year student and member of the Junior Law Enforcers Association (JLEA) Rafiel Alfonso Flores said they had obstacle course in Special Operations Wing Barracks and had a mass exercise in Clark Development Corporation Parade Grounds.

Furthermore, the training exercise aimed to develop and maintain physical fitness and discipline, and aid students to be motivated, highly-skilled, and well-trained.

Culturals 2013...

End of 9-year reign College of Arts and Sciences’ (CAS) supposed tenth win turned into ashes when College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) emerged as this year’s best band.

According to CAS band vocalist Krishna Elaine Magdangal, she set aside the pressures of the competition and just enjoyed the performance.

“What’s important is that we were able to show the talent of CAS band and we were able to come up with such kind of musical arrangement,” she said.

Meanwhile, College of Engineering and Architecture’s (CEA) song “Gold” received the Best Fast Beat Song Award, CAS won the Best Common Piece Award, and CBA’s rendition of “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing” received the Best Slow Beat Song Award.

COLLEGE BITES

College of Computer Studies (CCS) Dragons started September with the launching of “Project Engage” wherein four non-mandated organizations made videos that would serve as one of their marketing strategies.

“The videos were presented in our general assembly and they will also be presented to high school students so that we can encourage them to enroll in our college,” said CCS-CSC President Naema Kahil.

Meanwhile, CCS delegates have won several awards from different categories of Student Assembly in Information Technology Education (SAITE) 2013 held at Olongapo City on September 5.

Champions of the “Year.” The colleges rock, sing, and strut their way to the top as they dominate the Intercollegiate Cultural Competitions, showing that Angeleneans are gifted with extraordinary talent.

Photos by Deanne Belle Canlas and Ervie Joshua Pascual

“I cannot please everybody. Thankful din po ako sa kanila kasi gagawin ko silang inspirasyon para mag-grow in a better way,” Vocal solo champion Mary Rose Duya said.

She added that the Marlins’ support contributed to her success and she was thankful for it.

Meanwhile, CEA-CSC Secretary Rose Ann Michelle Alfonso expressed her side toward negative comments.

“We would rather not comment about them since it’s really not up to the “bashers” who the winner is.

The judges have made their decision and that’s final,” she said.

On the other hand, Garcia said there is no point on commenting because they only served as organizers and not judges. Moreover, Garcia reiterated that the decision of the judges was final and irrevocable.

Meanwhile, University

Chancellor Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles (EYA) showed satisfaction with the result of the event.

“The students are very good in singing. The judges made the right choice in choosing the winner. Marami talaga tayong talento rito sa AUF,” said EYA. As for the result, Serpents and Falcons ranked 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively in the Choir category while Falcons won 2nd place and Bobcats received 3rd place in the vocal solo contest.

Furthermore, the Best Choreography Award was conferred to CBA while the Best Choice Piece Award was bagged by the College of Computer Studies (CCS).

Nightingales dance their way to the top After 15 years, College of Nursing (CON) was hailed as champion in the cultural dance competition.

“When it was announced

that CON won, everyone was relieved. This is a testament of how united our college is,” said CON-CSC President John Frederick Halili.

Halili added that all the late rehearsals, money spent for the competitions, issues faced, and stress were all paid off because of Nightingales’ victory.

Meanwhile, according to Kenz Myrel Hernandez, it was “sheer hard work and dedication” that helped him win the title as best solo performer.

Hernandez also shared that CON’s support served as their edge among the other colleges.

“The spirit of unity uplifted all the performers to aim their highest goals and believe that they are capable of doing so,” he added.

Aside from Serpents’ victory, College of Allied Medical Professions and CBA were awarded as 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively.

College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) Bobcats brought pride to their college, placing fifth out of 14 schools in the 8th Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines (IECEP) Regional Interscholastic Quiz Show.

Meanwhile, with much attention diverted to the Inter-Collegiate Cultural Competitions’ preparation, CEA-CSC postponed their September activities which required their participation with the University Student Council. Nonetheless, the officers will relaunch Institutionalized Prayer Warriors and plan to conduct stress management seminar, in cooperation with the Guidance Counseling Center, for freshmen before the semester ends.

College of Nursing (CON) CON conducted its leadership camp on September 7 at Vista Verde, Pulung Maragul, Angeles City.

As for the Culturals, CON-CSC President John Frederick Halili said the CON performers and advisers were really pressured with their training regimen wherein they would practice until the school closes. They rehearsed nonstop every day and weeks before midterms.

Meanwhile, Halili said they are still following their usual calendar of activities to avoid interruptions of classes. In addition, they were greatly considering that no excuse slips would be handed out to CON students because there will be special consequences especially in terms of hospital duties.

THE PIONEER

Opinion

4 EDITORIAL

S

Fear the Paper

TUDENT PUBLICATIONS are the backbone of all university organizations for they speak through writing. Whatever they voice out through their pen would establish a framework for whoever they are writing about, and the content may positively construct or indelibly stain the subject. These distinguish student publications from other forms of student organizations.

The student publication should be the most unbiased among all mediums of information. The opinions of every writer do not reflect the paper’s general stand and consensus. Student papers reserve their right to address any inconsistencies through writing, and this right would not prevent writing about other related student organizations if need be. In the Section 2 of the Republic Act No. 7079 or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, it is stated that this law is a declared policy of the State which aims to uphold and protect the freedom of the press at the campus level. Furthermore, the first provision in the Philippine Journalistic Code of Ethics states, “I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress essential facts or to distort the truth by omission or improper emphasis.”

Therefore, this will prevent any party from barring any fair writing about their inconsistencies. In a campus setting, this bars any student organization, either mandated or non-mandated, in preventing the student publication from publishing their write-up about any controversy that may arise. It disallows them to stop procedures of evidence gathering by the paper about a case on hand. The law is all about professionalism, and student publications should professionally follow accordingly to the standard procedure.

But the continuation of the first provision in the Journalistic Code of Ethics states that, “I recognize the duty to air the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors promptly.” In order to produce fair and unbiased information, the paper should acquire the side of the party on the hotseat. Student publications should eliminate any demarcation line and reach out to all parties to produce balanced writeups.

This year’s editorial staff of The Pioneer strongly proclaims that they have been thoroughly unbiased in information gathering and dissemination, always have been and always will be. AUF’s official student publication considers everyone as their professional colleagues, but would write accordingly if the situations call for it, disregarding if it can construct or destroy, as long as the information is required by the knowledge of the student body. The Pioneer stands autonomous in terms of promotional assistance.

We will remain as a middle man between university authorities and their clients.

There is this stereotypical branding that student publications are to be feared. Somehow, it is true because no wrongdoings are left shelved by truthful writers. However, it must always be kept in mind that we write to serve the student body and not to instill fear in them through writing.

THE

PIONEER

Editorial Staff 2013-2014 Rheinlander Musni, Editor-in-Chief Renz Alfonso, Associate Editor Reynaldo Donato Jr. & Kevin Quiambao, Managing Editors Darlene Amabele Salunga, News Editor Janna Dela Cruz, Features Editor Nikko Raphael Villanueva, Sports Editor Danielle Carlos, Literary Editor Neil Salonga, Head Cartoonist Riza Marie Padilla, Head Photojournalist Jonathan Belleza, Layout Artist Kane Nielsen Payumo, Circulations Manager Hee Soo Oh & Elijah Marie Vicher, Chiefs of Correspondents O Seong Kwon • Krishna Elaine Magdangal • Jerremie Anne Lopez Gema Ocampo • Kier Ocampo • Lilet Sicat News Correspondents Ma. Bernadette Castro • Leslie Gechelle Dela Cruz Daniella Pattine Dizon • Mary Heliane Fabian Kelly Stan Fausto • John Edward Mamangun Gerard Alain Nulud • King Jim Pamintuan Emmanuel Panti • Genesis Santos Gestrelle Lides Sarmiento Features Correspondents Kathleen Camille Apilado Edgar Allan Dela Cruz Rosiah Rodriguez Sports Correspondents Jerusha April Canon • Camille Eloise Eisma Frances Sharina Gonzales • Gem Alen San Pedro Maria Erika Yumul Literary Correspondents Kim Christian Cunanan • Denise Ann Loredo Danielle Paul Panique • Harriet Kim Anh Rodis Cartoonists Deanne Belle Canlas • Katherina Faye Galvan Ervie Joshua Pascual • Vince Francis Pineda Adrian Yalung Photojournalists Mary Nicole Dimasangal Contributor Ms. Cristina B. Reyes Adviser

The Press and Their Significance

JOURNALISTS ARE the writers of the most treasured history that greatly defines our identities. Their eyes have witnessed the sweetest success and the bitterest failures of the most prominent figures in our country. Their ears have heard the painful truth and the joyful lies that came out of the mouths of the highly regarded and the extremely disavowed. Their mouths have spoken the reality, whether delightful or depressing, and their hands have imprinted the inerasable footsteps that the Filipino people have taken through the years.

Throughout historical decades which our motherland had witnessed, journalists who possessed brave souls dared to take on life-threatening adventures for the sake of news coverage.

They had put their lives on the line to put together the pieces of a complex puzzle that would turn into a “meaty” article. Stray bullets may pierce their courageous hearts, and guns may blow up their brilliant brains.

The risky life of a journalist provides no guarantee. They may live if they manage to survive the ordeal; they may die if they set their foot on the wrong ground.

For instance, journalists flocked together at the Manila International Airport to cover the heroic arrival of the exiled hero Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., the formidable rival of then-President Ferdinand Marcos. With their pens and notebooks ready and

AT THE end of every competition, one will either be a good sport or a sore loser. One will either be modest or boastful, and one will either walk off the course with pride or humility.

Indeed, sportsmanship – a package of dignity, fairness, fellowship, and respect – is always an option.

During the Intercollegiate Cultural Competitions, some of the students may have forgotten what it means. Their response to the results was very disappointing. Rants were thrown everywhere. Social media timelines were filled with words of assumptions and hatred. The Angelenean sportsmanship was buried in the pits of Tartarus.

“Lutong Macau” is the word-of-mouth for this season’s Cultural Competitions. If your college won, would you still use that idiomatic expression? Just because your college did not win, it doesn’t mean that other colleges should not win too. Everyone is, without a doubt, expecting a lot from their representatives.

That is right, but too much expectation could really bring everyone down when the results will not turn out

“Denying access to media is tantamount to denying the power of the student press.” cameras set up, they had no slightest clue that the landing of the great man would turn into an assassination which acted as a catalyst that changed the entire course of Philippine history. While Ninoy was bathing in his own blood, guns of different calibers were pointed at the journalists. At any moment, the triggers could be pulled, but the journalists bended on their knees and continued taking photos and footages of the crime scene.

In August 2010, when Ninoy’s son ascended to the coveted throne of presidency, journalists had convened again to cover the tragic Quirino Grand Stand Hostage Crisis. The whole country watched the coverage as it happened live, thanks to the life-risking efforts of the media. The perpetrator, who was an arms expert due to his military service, could have sprayed bullets on the media who were securely standing behind the safety lines.

Considering this possible danger, the journalists went on with the coverage and updated us point-by-point on what was transpiring in

the crime scene.

At press time, journalists were deployed to the south to cover the Zamboanga Crisis, the heightened conflict between the military and the Moro National Liberation Front. As they boarded the plane to the perilous city, they may not catch a glimpse of their endeared hometown and loved ones again. But they did not flinch. They did not back out. They proceeded to their journalistic mission to inform and educate the whole country on the status quo of the bloody skirmish in Zamboanga.

The abovementioned incidents were permanently etched in the arsenal of our history. Through the fearlessness shown by hardcore journalists, we have witnessed history as it unfolded before our very own eyes. These historical happenstances serve as a reminder on the significance of the media whenever a story of great importance is afoot.

In a campus setting, student-journalists play the same role as “history writers” of the university

Seeking Sportsmanship “You should be grateful that you have opponents because without them, there won’t be any competition in the first place.”

the way YOU want them to. You have the right to be disappointed and you have the right to assume that the results were rigged, but the amount of energy released because your bets did not win is just indefinable. Let us act accordingly, because the things that you bring to the stage may not only affect other students from your department, but also from your college, or worse, the whole Angelenean student body may be branded as sore losers.

Bashing your opponents, in this case, your college’s opponents would not do you any good. In fact, you should be grateful that you have opponents, because without them, there won’t be any competition in the first

place. Other than that, you should acknowledge the fact that your opponents hold the same expectations as you.

Also, remember that bashing others because of a loss not only makes you the sore loser, but the college you represent may be branded as one.

If your college did not win, you should not show them that you are disappointed. Be proud that they represented the college even though the competition and their schedules might have been really tight. Do not blame anyone, especially the one you see as the weakest link, because this will only make the issue bigger and make their loss more heartfelt. There are those colleges which most of us think as threats when it comes

and the colleges. While the administrative offices and student councils plot out and turn their plan of actions into reality, student-journalists write about the fruits of their labor and put their efforts in black and white.

They may not be risking their lives for the sake of breaking stories but they are eager to devote their time to be physically present in an event. This is how journalists define their fiery passion for their craft. It is heart-wrenching to say, however, that there are those who fail to recognize the importance of journalists in our university.

Denial of access to the media is perhaps the quintessential incident of non-recognition to the privilege of the press. As journalists, we need to be in the event. We need to witness the event. But here you are, telling us that we are not allowed to enter due to shallow reasons.

We understand that there are several instances wherein access is denied to the student press. However, when it comes to newsworthy student activities/events aimed to the studentry within and outside the Angelenean campus (as stated on the media pass), why do the authorities refuse to grant pass to those who will be covering the event?

Denying access to media is tantamount to denying the power of the student press. We exist to cover continued on page 5

to a specific competition. You have the right to be happy because they did not win the competition, but do not slap to their faces that they lost.

The Intercollegiate Cultural Competitions is not the only competition this academic year. There were competitions in Buwan ng Wika, and there will surely be competitions in the University Week, and our respective College Sportsfest. Let us not make sportsmanship only an option; let us also turn it into a practice as these competitions are one of the things that bring our colleges together. Despite the competition, we should not forget to show how united the Angeleneans are. There is nothing wrong with being competitive. Let us not just go overboard when things do not turn out the way we want them to.

Being kids once, we must all remember that win or lose, what matters in the end is that we did our best, we had fun, and we experienced it. Also, in every competition, we will root for someone, whether it is a reality show, continued on page 5

THE PIONEER

Opinion IN EVERY competition, there is always a winner and a loser. Some may say that runners-up do not matter; it’s all about bringing home the bacon. But isn’t it more gratifying to see that there are people who are cheering for you to win although you lose? That is the very essence of being a people’s champion.

Many famous personalities were dubbed as people’s champs for different reasons. One may perform remarkably in their field whilst not winning the title. One may also be fond of reaching out to people who are in dire need while one may be a victim of the “magic” that manipulates the results in a contest.

This “magic” lingers in every part of the world, from small time contests to national elections. The Philippines is not a stranger to these suspicious and despicable happenstances.

Some contestants will exhaust all possible means to win while some will resort to extreme measures such as bribery.

People tend to forget the very essence of winning. A winner is a person who plays square and fair with a clean conscience and defends the values that he/she firmly believes. Let’s not go too far. In our university, we hold various competitions that test the sportsmanship

People’s Champion “Admit it or not, it is hard to accept the fact that someone or something is better than you or what you do.” of every Angelenean. May it be academic or extracurricular, contests have become part of our treasured college life. Within the four corners of our classrooms, a competition exists among our classmates. “Sinong mas magaling dito? Sinong mas magaling doon?” We always catch a glimpse of this rivalry everyday. Now, I wanna ask: How would you feel if you lost in a competition that you think you deserved to win?

As a performer, I believe it is an instinct for us to be confident in what we practice. We perform to show them what we have and to give the audience a great show. We see joyful smiles of people who cheer for us, and these curves on their lips give us the rush that we might emerge as victors. When awarding comes, however, we lose, but we know for a fact that we deserve the title

better than the crowned winners. Yes, it hurts. But we cannot do anything about it but accept the reality that we failed to bring home the bacon.

This story of false hopes and high expectations might ring a bell in you. Because of this unacceptable reality, people tend to ignite a spark that would eventually turn into a scorching flame, thus consuming and turning the essence of sportsmanship into ashes.

I have read a comment on the controversial Facebook page “AUF Confessions” that a deserving contestant should have won the gold in a competition.

“Luto ang laban!” he posted.

But as the definitive rule of every competition goes, “The decision of the judges is final and irrevocable.” It is saddening to see that these comments may affect the

credibility of the respected board of arbiters invited to render the final verdict in these competitions.

We, the Angelenean community, uphold to our core values to be mabuti, magaling at may malasakit sa kapwa. The third core value calls for us not only to be charitable, but also to respect the feelings of our fellowmen. If I were in the shoes of a winner, I would feel unsatisfied because people could not accept my victory.

Admit it or not, it is hard to accept the fact that someone or something is better than you or what you do. But it is up to you to face and accept the truth. As the quotation goes, “Learn to accept the things that you cannot change.” If you want to be the people’s champ, you should know how to practice the spirit of sportsmanship.

A true people’s champ knows how to discern what is right from wrong. One cannot become a people’s champ by being bitter or by ranting about his misfortunes. He knows how to accept defeat and vows to do his best next time. And most of all, a real people’s champ owes his best to people who inspire him to join and win a competition.

If you think you have what it takes, win or lose, unleash the people’s champion in you!

All-New Collegiate War of Words

YOU READ the title correctly, but this column will not be about the long-awaited AsianParliamentary method of argumentation which willl replace the old Oxford-Oregon format that university insists on using in its Intercollegiate Debates. It is a different collegiate word war; it is non-academic, and it is not purported formally by the university, but by students and their war-seeking, nonsporty nature.

The Cultural Competitions is a traditional celebration of the Angeles University Foundation aimed to illustrate and honor the Philippine culture through the showcasing of talents by the student body.

This is an event innovated by the university and the Center for Culture and the Arts to extract more out of the students. It also aimed to add more events that would give the students a pause from the burdens of academics. And it also aims, to some extent, to promote the institution.

This extravaganza happens yearly, and it is highly anticipated not only within the university but also by neighboring universities and lovers of fun. It is so highly anticipated that it elicits mixed receptions.

This year’s Culturals was internally controversial.

Internally among students, I mean. Students from one college started bashing other colleges, which then formed a chain reaction. Students

“So far, these ‘bold’ students can only engage in written conflict and online bashings while incognito.” began expressing dismay over contests results in unlikely fashion which led to extensive finger-pointing and reproach. The tumult was worsened because of the Facebook page named AUF Confessions where students are free to voice out their convictions without filter.

Although the Culturals week ended in overwhelming success, students continued striking other colleges even if the iron is no longer hot. These lowly acts from these kinds of students disprove what the university preaches: pagiging mabuti.

Surprisingly this year, they took the friendly games so seriously that it made them ridiculous.

It is alarming that the spirit of the so-called Angelenean brotherhood that the institution exclaims could be stained because of these petty word wars.

Facebook is a broadcasting agent, and the neighboring universities could easily peek on the community page and capitalize on the situation, at worst. The Culturals may be over, but the clamor it

The Press... from page 4 campus events to inform, to educate and to entertain the entire student body with what had happened.

But denying access to us is a big slap on the purpose of our existence. We MAY NOT be professional journalists, but we ARE journalists-in-training.

It is heart-wrecking to think that because of our classification as “students,” we can be deprived from

duly accomplishing our journalistic responsibilities.

The University Week is months away from press time. We hope that the concerned committees will recognize the importance of the student press’ coverage and that the access of student-journalists in these newsworthy activities will not be hindered by ignorance to recognize the power of the media.

produced is only beginning.

Next time, students may end up imputing libelous remarks to one another, and as they claim they are representing their respective colleges, they may excavate confidential matters of other colleges and use them to their advantage.

The teenagers of today are daredevils, and they could risk everything to prove that they are supreme over another, and this pride game could ultimately hurt the university.

If the students representing their colleges eventually resort to feasible malicious imputations, are they exempted from any charges of libel? The law says NO. Any malicious remarks with the intent of prejudicing, imputing, derogating or verbally vindicating over another could be considered express or actual malice.

There are stated provisions about libel and its related cases under the Act No. 3815, or the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines. Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code states: “A libel committed by means of writing, printing,

lithography, engraving, radio, phonograph, painting, theatrical exhibition, cinematographic exhibition, or any similar means, shall be punished by prision correccional in its minimum and medium periods or a fine ranging from 200 to 6,000 pesos, or both, in addition to the civil action which may be brought by the offended party.” This provision describes how heavy the consequences are if one wrong word is exclaimed in these online collegiate word wars. Never forget that another set of provisions is stated in the all-new Anti-Cybercrime Law of the Philippines, and it could worsen libel a big time.

Ignorance of the law excuses no one, not even a college student.

But so far, these “bold” students can only engage in written conflict and online bashings while incognito.

They can never provoke a physical conflict. Of course, it is a fact that AUF students are far from that. But what else is there to expect? Another university event on par with the level of the Culturals is the University Week. Are we to see the worse of this online mud-slinging?

Going back to the Culturals, the event indeed produced surprising results.

Colleges were squeezed and the best emerged. At the end of the day, Culturals 2013 went on just how the official calendar wanted it to be. It may be over, but the cold war of colleges is only formulating.

Seeking Sports...

the Olympics, or a pageant, and if our bets lose, what matters is we showed our support until the end. If you lose a competition, no one must be blamed, no excuses must be made, no petty reasons must be raised, and no immaturity must be traced, because that will only make you a sore loser. If you win a competition, never rub it to your opponents that you won and never gloat about it,

from page 4

because that will only make you a bad winner.

“It is your response to winning that makes you a winner or a loser,” as the highly regarded athletics director Harry Sheehy quoted. It is up to you to judge yourself and your response to the competition now. Are you a winner or are you a loser?

But based on what has been said, I think we all know the answer to that.

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My Confessions about AUF Confessions “Social media was not created to transform communication to miscommunication.”

THE BRILLIANCE of Angeleneans’ talents shines out whenever the season of Cultural Competitions transpires. All participating students fortify one goal in their souls to win. It is a vision cemented on their minds from their rehearsals to the performance proper.

Unfortunately, even if all colleges did their best in the competitions, the Angelenean world would only need one champion. And truly, the verdict is irrevocable once the judges finally declare the winner. After the audience heard who won, multiple murmurs of mixed reactions will sound out from their mouths. Some of them will agree, and surely, some of them will not. It is like the atmosphere of the venue will be divided into two textures of air because of the arguing emotions and reactions from the audience. But after all, an opinion is defined as neither right nor wrong but then, it matters in one way or another, just like this column you are reading now.

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought typhoons were done devastating our area. But surprisingly, one time, when I updated my Facebook account and viewed AUF Confessions —a Facebook page wherein Angeleneans can post their university-life-related confessions— I thought that a new disaster occurred literally and figuratively on the face of social media. Why? Because that page is a hub administered by Angeleneans where mixed posts and comments of terrible mocking, eye-hurting opinions, compliments, and crushes of students are freely and selectively posted.

Anyway, my attention was captured by a student who posted his admiration for the choir competition’s champion, the College of Engineering and Architecture.

In my opinion, they deserve it for positive reasons.

However, bitter participants in AUF Confessions exploded their opinions too, saying that the said college did not deserve to be the champion. From that moment, I realized that in AUF Confessions, everyone can be a subject of compliments. Everyone and everything can also be a subject of so much hatred, so much disdain.

On one hand, I understand my fellow students’ sentiments about the results of Cultural Competitions and other issues. But on the other hand, why will they post such tearing thoughts of hatred if they cannot do anything about the laid final verdict of the judges?

The competition was already done. The judges already judged. So why blabber? People, we can choose our battles. I understand the solid support you showed to your respective colleges but then again, do not hurt others just because you are hurt too.

In a macro level, I understand that majority of the Filipinos, in their confidence to express, are rooting from the given freedom of expression to speak, write or show what they think and feel. However, with big freedom comes right balance and limitation. In the case of AUF Confessions, the confessions posted on that particular page can actually build huge tendencies to start different types of war. If we will zoom in the picture at the maximum level, that roaring page can dwindle the reputation of students and might destroy the image of the university in the long run. By the way, it seems that the creators of that page got the guts to use “AUF” before “Confessions.” Seriously, are we out of our minds?

I think AUF Confession-ers have high confidence to post anything about people and issues in the university because aside from the fact that it is free and trending, their identities are concealed. It is a factor which invites Angeleneans to bash, harass or admire anyone or anything. What a weak way of fighting, huh? You bash without revealing your identity. “Sige, push niyo ‘yan!”

Ladies and gentlemen, the social media, as I know, was created by genius people to transform way of communicating easy, immediate, convenient and cheap.

More so, it was also created to make communication of one person to another understandable.

So please, this is for YOUR sake, before you open your mouth on the face of social media, kindly open your minds. Mind you. “Huwag nang gayahin ang mali.”

You might have piercing eyes on me now. If you will ask me who am I to say such comments, who am I not to? I am a student-journalist who, as much as possible, offers solutions to problems which most of us allow to persist as problems and do not do something about. This dilemma is something which I cannot contain under my skin. You may not know but what you post on AUF Confessions page is already a form of cyber-bullying. Let me remind you.

If you do not want to experience flaming punishment from our university administration because of your erroneous behavior on social media, particularly in that AUF Confessions, act the way you are expected to, my beloved Angeleneans.

Now, can I be a trending subject in AUF Confessions?

THE PIONEER

Opinion

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Unknown Existence “In this present time where materialism is very prevalent, we cannot help but ask where every single centavo is being used.”

IMAGINE THE world without currency. Surely Bill Gates will be nobody, iPhones will be toys, medicines and treatments will be free for all, social climbers and greedy ones will somehow lose their reason for being such, and most importantly, there will be equality – there will be no huge gap between the rich and the poor, prince and the pauper, and royals and the commoners. Does it come to your senses how can these paper bills and coins make the world go round?

In this present time where materialism is very prevalent, we cannot help but ask where every single centavo is being used. We experience eating in a fast food chain and say that the price does not justify the size of the burger you order. Sometimes, we spend a lot of money checking in an expensive hotel, but what do we get? We get poor services. Can you imagine how much disappointment that can cause you?

It may seem unfair but what is so-called “corruption” is very rampant nowadays. Napoles, Revilla, Arroyo, and Enrile are some of the names that a Filipino must recall whenever they hear that word.

We cannot deny that taxpayers were bursting with anger due to the unjust use of their hardwork. Instead of allotting that money for the different sectors of the society – livelihood, agriculture, education – people in power lavishly use the funds of the government for their own selfish needs. Aside from the evil schemes being carried out in our government, students like us know for a fact that we also practice it in our tiny little ways. Asking for money for a project which only you know exists, volunteering to pay your tuition fee wherein you conceal the real amount of it, having a sudden amnesia whenever you are asked to give back your parents’ change, and doing the traditional “kupit” where you secretly find your parents’ wallet and get your desired amount of money. These are some of the truths and proofs that we have our own versions of “pork barrel.”

Whether they are asking for a significant or trivial amount of money, it is a basic human instinct to ask when feeling aggravated. It is a human right to question where our money is going. I am sure that elders never fail to remind us that money is not being picked on streets nor does it come from a money-bearing tree.

It is the result of hardwork –sweat, tears, and dreams exerted by our parents to cope with our daily financial needs.

As I browsed the latest posts on my Facebook account, I saw a lot of comments and complaints posted regarding the National Service Training Program (NSTP) fee that second year students have been paying upon enrollment. There is a growing clamor that it does not serve its purpose. When I was in my sophomore year, I remembered my classmates argue why they have to pay certain fees every time they go for immersion and why they have to pay every time they ride the university bus. Sometimes, when buses were not available, they left them with no choice but to rent public utility jeeps (PUJ). Sadly, some students are not even aware that they are paying this kind of fee.

If you will come to think of it, these activities are made for a good cause - to help and educate the less fortunate ones. It feels really great to extend our helping hands to our poverty-stricken “kababayans” but not all students enrolled here today were blessed with the gift of affluence. Some were just fortunate enough to be sent in this prestigious university. However, the value of giving is priceless. No one can measure the joy and impact of seeing impoverished children satisfy their hunger because of the food and money spent and donated for them.

In my three years at Angeles University Foundation, I have experienced being annoyed with the endless dues that we have to pay. In my lack of confidence, I always tell myself to just give money and be done with it. No questions asked. It is very irritating to know that we pay for something that we thought was already included in our previous payment. If you would try to ask, no one will bother to answer you because even your classmates do not know what to say.

I believe every student must be educated and be informed of the transactions and payments they are doing in order not to cause future problems. Just a brief discussion or explanation of the breakdown of these fees can clear the doubting minds of the Angeleneans. As for the side of the students, they must also have an open mind that these immersions are not being conducted just for the sake of complying with the requirements needed by the course. It is a step to practice our core values – mabuti, magaling, at may malasakit sa kapwa. What is the point of having all these activities if, in the first place, the students do not imbibe the real meaning and values that we can get from it?

AN ACID of irony should scorch me now.

The very thought of reading columns from other students never interested me before. I never liked it. It was an irritation for me how “writers” teach “nonwriters” what to do and what-not. I had the idea that they are also students and therefore, they should not have the right to lecture. Who do they think they are, anyway?

And yet, here I am with a column in servitude to rant or to romanticize things: voicing out opinions and exposing the truth. Do the unorthodox and I shall write a 700-word of history about you. Do an anomaly and you shall be marked.

Go against the league and the thousand good deeds you have done shall perish. Fancy is a word to describe the powerful life of a writer. But who do we think we are, anyway?

The same faces you see every day in our university. Same people with mirrored uniforms and with the same level: students. Just students.

These are probably some of the many reasons why I see wasted The Pioneer newsletters that were left abandoned on our university’s grounds; left with the purpose of not to be read but to be ignored.

It is not of a great deal to be

IT SEEMS like there is a never-ending cycle of corruption in this world.

Since ancient times to Renaissance and until the modern age, the issue of corruption has always been present in the history of men.

The hottest issue on the table is the 10-billion pork barrel scam by Janet Lim-Napoles which was considered as one of the greatest corruptions committed in the history of the Philippines.

It is truly saddening to see that when you say “Philippines,” the word “corruption” always follows. Over years of repeated cycle, corruption has laid its deep roots in the government making it the way of life of the politicians. The country’s image gradually went down because of the continuous cases of corruption and thanks to Napoles, we became even more famous for the 2013 Philippine Pork Barrel Scam.

The pork barrel is the cradle of corruption.

Although the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) itself is not bad, the people who are entrusted with the funds easily get tempted to misuse it or to fill in their pockets. And as long as pork barrel is not abolished, these people will repeat the same thing over and over again.

Part of the taxes paid by our parents goes to the pork barrel. Can you imagine that the fruit of the sweats and hardships of our parents will only go to the pockets of government officials? There are so

Odds of Student Integrity

“So why read our rants if we too are sinners?

Simple: we know it when we have sinned and we acknowledge.” disregarded as the decision always belongs to the students. Read it or not, it is a student’s choice. But to waste efforts, literally, is on the complete other side of the coin, dear reader.

We cannot force other students to appreciate our works, of course. But if one does not want to read The Pioneer, is it not a fair and better idea to just keep it rather than throw and waste it? If you do not want it, just say no. If you’re not interested, leave the reading to the dusty, old stack of papers in your homes. Because to throw it scattered and whatseemed-to-be unread on the very grounds of our university is utter disgrace, not only to us but to the university as well.

For you to realize that this is not a self-serving column and to imply that we are all fairly human beings who have sinned and are continuously sinning, let

me explain that we have our own share of insanity too.

Sure, we know how to write.

But sometimes, we don’t know the responsibilities of what-happens-next after doing so. We want to be read, to be appreciated, and to be heard but we, at times, rot in our own pages. We cannot comment on other people’s wrong doings if we ourselves are tainted.

So to those of us who seem indifferent in fulfilling our sought after vision for the school’s publication, here’s a little message: good luck to you!

Dear reader, you can now declare that indeed, the hearsays are true: people aren’t always how they seem to be. We are a thousand layers of false pretenses. So why read our rants if we too are sinners?

Simple: we know it when we have sinned and we acknowledge.

Unlike others, we hide nothing; no grey areas.

Unity in diversity is

Breaking the Cycle “Can you imagine that the fruit of the sweats and hardships of our parents will only go to the pockets of government officials?” many people on the streets starving to death and yet the sinners are in their mansion rubbing their buldging tummies. It is really hard to accept the fact that our money is not used to benefit those who are in need but instead, it is used to make the rich even richer.

It is hard to understand the reason why President Aquino did not abolish the pork barrel earlier despite the continuous reports about the scams. Why is he acting on the issue just now when billions of pesos were wasted already? Was he hesitant to abolish it because this is one of the projects that his mother started? Or worse, is he benefitting from it?

In fact, President Aquino is now being tagged as the “pork barrel king.” According to the report from Inquirer.net, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) actually filed a plunder complaint in the Office of the Ombudsman against President Aquino and others including Janet Lim-Napoles over the misuse of the PDAF. People expected the President to give out a clear answer about the abolition of PDAF. However,

when he got cornered, he started to blame his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the whole thing. What is the use of pointing fingers at each other over something that can’t be retrieved?

What is the use of naming people who don’t even feel any shame for their wrongdoings? Yes, he was vexed by the accusations made upon him however, as the president of one nation, he shouldn’t act emotionally. Besides, if he is really innocent, then he shouldn’t even care about such accusations because he has nothing to be guilty about and the truth will be revealed in the near future.

If the abolition of pork barrel really pushes through, the government officials might argue and ask how different projects can be accomplished without it. But those are just excuses. There are other ways to fund projects and avoid risk of corruption. The government can give the funds directly to those who are working for the project or rather, give to different government institutions which are involved.

The government can also send people to check if the project is really true

what we always say. But there are some who do not know how to connect chains. Bridging gaps, is what we have always endeavored. But, alas, in the course of envisioning, the seams of a remarkable studentry cannot be easily bridged. Write to serve.

Perhaps, no one would ever read this now. Or if they have, this writing would be considered as a handful of scrawled letters; remembered now, forgotten tomorrow. Who am I, anyway?

What words should one form to be able to truly ignite change? Change has been used over and over again but it remains deeply anchored. What kind of a flicker of a light should one lit to awaken a dimmed mind? Surely, a great fire will do. What kind of a student can influence a fellow to flinch from the antagonizing reality? That would be us: The Pioneer.

The power is ours. You can have it too, if only you weren’t so indifferent and cool.

And so dear reader (if any), you are right. I am just a student like you. But we differ in minds; same way thoughts are diverse.

I am not a writer; I do not write to perform words of adoration and act like the all-knowing one. I am a student-writer. Know the difference.

just like the visitador of the Spanish era. They can also provide a system where the information about these projects and funds will be made available to the public.

Yes, it is true that despite all these actions, there still might be a tendency for corruption.

However, if they keep strict records and implement different measures, then the risk may be lessened compared to the pork barrel.

People ask if there is a way to stop corruption but they end up saying that life has been like this for decades already and that there is no hope for a change. I would like to ask: How can one expect change when there is no one acting for it? It is just like opening your mouth under an apple tree waiting for the fruit to fall. It is faster to grab an apple out of the tree. And it is faster to act on an issue rather than waiting for someone to act upon it.

Since the time of Marcos, the word “corruption” has always been found in newspapers.

As the head of one nation, President Aquino should make a move for justice and correct what is wrong.

The abolition of pork barrel may not reduce corruption down to zero but continuous efforts to prevent and minimize corruption can help in putting it down little by little. We have been stuck in the same cycle for decades already. It’s time that the President makes a step to break this neverending cycle.

THE PIONEER

Have you ever wondered of what an Angelenean would want to ask a fellow Angelenean?

Here we present to you some questions that they have in mind, and also, answers that may remove those question marks.

Features

7

Bakit nag-make up pa yung ibang female students kung magkaklase lang? – Chen, CAMP

Gaano ka ka-aware sa mga government issues natin ngayon? – Millicent Jenille Ocampo, CEd

“May iba kasi na mahilig sa make-up kaya naglalagay talaga at ‘yun ang gusto nila para maging mas maganda.

At saka ‘yun ang hilig nila kaya respeto nalang.”

– Ailyn Dayrit, CAS

“Aware ako sa mga nangyayari sa society natin ngayon kasi nga napapanood ko sa TV, pero hindi gaanong kainvolved kasi wala naman atang mangyayari as long as hindi napapalitan ‘yung mga “corrupt” na nakaupo sa government.” – April, CON

“Kasi kailangan mong maging presentable kahit stressed ka na sa school. Sa mga nakakakita sa’yo, siyempre kailangan mo pa ring magpaganda lalo na ‘yung ibang nagkakagusto sa’yo lagi kang inaabangan.”

– Patricia Lagman, CBA

“To be honest, minsan wala akong pakialam sa nangyayari sa gobyerno. Minsan naman may pakialam ako. Minsan aware ako, minsan hindi. Pantay lang.”

– Erica Mae Tullo, CBA

tanong ng estudyante Bakit mahilig sa photocopy ang mga estudyante?

– Fairylane Changcoco, CBA “Mas madali kasing pag-aralan kung ganon eh, kaysa kung bibili ka pa ng book, mas mura.” – Rances Coronel, CBA “Maraming mahilig magpa-photocopy kasi tamad silang magsulat.” – Almira Cayanan, CAMP

Bakit tamad ang iba na magsuot ng ID kapag nasa loob ng school premises? – William Rider, CAS “Sa school kasi, kung suut-suot mo ‘yung ID mo palagi, magmumukha kang freshman. Sa mentality ng iba ganon, kaya siguro ayaw nilang suutin palagi.” – Awi, CAMP “Kasi ‘yung iba walang ID LACE so ‘di na nila sinusuot.

May tendency na mahulog ‘yung ID nila, eh ang mahal magpagawa ulit ng ID.” – Daryll Manalang, CAS

sa kapwa estudyante

Bakit hindi masyadong welcome ang book reading sa mga students ngayon? – Charles Manansala, CAS

“Maybe dahil masyado ng inclined ‘yung mga teenagers “Hindi effective at hindi necessary. Dapat mag declare ngayon sa mga gadgets and social networking sites. And lang ng smoking zone at may guard na nagbabawal sa siguro, they find it boring na rin, since marami silang mga kanila. Hindi natin pwedeng tanggalin sa kanila ‘yung avenues na pagkakaabalahan or dahil hindi na ganon ka- karapatan na mag-smoke eh.” – Leonard Bernardo, CBA click ‘yung reading as a past time.”

– Ana Marie Dungca, CEd “For me, much better siguro if they would be the ones na magsimula ng disiplina dahil ang mga CCJE ang mahilig “In pa naman siya. Kaso ‘yung iba kasi mas nag-eenjoy mag-smoke. Pero as of now, nakikita ko naman na wala sa paggamit ng “makabagong teknolohiya” kaya siguro nang nag-smoke kumpara mo dati, kahit saan makikita sometimes nao-overlook na natin ang pagbabasa.” mo.” – Christian Jason Gonzales, CEd – Goyong, CCS

Bakit yung mga ibang estudyante, palagi nalang nasa internet café, tapos magdo-DOTA lang?

Bakit karamihan inuuna ang gimik kaysa sa studies?

– Lars Norlander, CCS – Aileen Balilo, CON “Siguro dahil mas nakakadama sila ng kakaibang ligaya sa “Kasi siguro noong high school hindi sila makapag-gimik, paglalaro ng DOTA kaysa pag-aaral ng mga takdang-aralin.” kaya ngayon bumabawi o kaya ginagawa nilang escape ang – Czar Kenneth Sarmiento, CAMP gimik sa mga problems sa studies.” – David Gunnari, CBA “Medyo stressful kasi sa school. Kaya siguro mas pinipili nila na mag-unwind. Masarap din kasing magparty eh. Kaso dapat di napapabayaan ang studies.” – Semaj Red, CEA

Ano ang reaction mo sa ipinatupad na CCJE AntiSmoking Campaign? – Eugene Dimalanta, CCJE

“Kase libangan namin ‘yun. Bale kung sa iba paninigarilyo ‘yung pampaalis ng stress nila, sa’min ‘yung paglalaro naman ng DOTA. Sa DOTA rin kasi nade-develop ‘yung strategic skills namin.” – Darel Paras, CCJE

THE ART OF DECEPTION MY STERY UN C O VERED

So are you nodding your head in agreement? Or shaking it in opposition? Message us on our Facebook account (The Pioneer AUF) and let your voice be heard.

Confessions behind AUF Confessions

by Elijah Marie Vicher

People lie. Lying is inevitable in the world whether it is to destroy others, maintain a harmonious relationship with others, or to protect one’s self.

Photo Credit: Google Images

I

by Leslie Gechelle dela Cruz

t is also a common account that, “The truth will set you free.” A person might not disclose everything that needs to be disclosed especially when he is hiding something in order for him to evade, avoid, or deny allegations or confrontations with certain consequences he is not in favor of. In this case, his actions may result to lying. If the truth sets you free, but you do not say so, how will you be set free? Is it possible for another person to know what the truth is without the use of a Polygraph machine, which is an instrument capable of recording internal bodily changes caused by stress, especially when lying? The answer is yes.

Is lie-detection possible to be made by means of pure observation? Absolutely! Is this some kind of voodoo or witchcraft? No, it’s not! Does liedetection without the use of a Polygraph apply magic tricks? Of course not! Do you need a Ph.D. to do this? Not at all! Is this really possible? Oh, yes, it is!

The following are the methods of observation in lie-detection: eye movement, facial expression, and postural reaction.

First method of observation in lie-detection is eye movement.

The directions where the eyes look when questioned are not a subject of interest to most people. Little do they know that that means a lot. (Note: These cues shall apply to righthanded people, while you, the one asking the question, are in front of them. If the person is lefthanded, the case may be that the eye direction is on the opposite side.)

When a person’s eyes look up and to the left, this indicates that he is visually constructing or imagining something in his head. When a person looks up and to the right, this indicates the person is trying to recall the appearance of something. When in case the person looks to the left, that indicates the person

is trying to make up a sound in his head. A person who looks to the right when questioned, indicates that the person is recollecting the sound of something. When a person looks down to the left, this indicates that the person is trying to recall a smell, feeling, or taste. Lastly, when a person looks down to the right, that indicates that he is talking to himself in his mind.

Another method of observation in liedetection is through facial expression. It is puzzling how people can put their game face or their poker face on, but never a lying face.

This is because through your facial expressions, you may be able to detect whether that person is lying or not. This can be through blushing, paling, profused sweating of forehead, and excessive activity of the vein at the temple and Adam’s apple due to dryness of throat and mouth. When speaking of the eyes of the person, it may be dilated, squinted, protruded and may fail to look into the inquirer “straight into the eye.” He might have the tendency to wink excessively and roll his eyeballs from one direction to another. He has a forced laugh and has a peculiar monotone voice.

It is also noticeably mystifying how posture may indicate deception. Fidgeting, tapping, or drumming of fingers on surfaces indicates stress which may be caused by lying.

The person lying might also swing his legs or one leg over the other. He might also do unnecessary movements like scratching, nail-biting, thumb or finger sucking. Lastly, the most obvious is that he is trembling and his whole body is sweating.

The mystery why people lie and not admit the truth may rest only upon the person.

But the mystery behind the actions of a liar is now revealed.

R

UMORS SPREAD like wildfire. Its level of popularity rose to the top. It implored us to set aside other hobbies of ours as it navigated its way to our to-do list. It would be even weird to see an Angelenean who isn’t familiar with it. Wave hello to AUF’s newest trending Facebook page!

Rapidly escalating to four thousand likes and still counting, with most of those, if not all, enjoy its perks either by scrolling and reading entries or posting one themselves.

AUF Confessions surely knows how to get noticed. Confess your top secrets and let the AUF community hear your sentiments, complaints, and your kilig moments without giving away your identity.

The page assures anonymity so questions such as, “Can I really stay anonymous?

Can the page owners trace my identity?” are never to be worried about. However, Office of Student Affairs and Financial Aid (OSAFA) Director Ma. Gwendelyn Oronce claimed that because of the illusion of anonymity or confidentiality, people no longer screen and consider other people when they post something. Knowing that the page also gains bashers, she calls for the attention of the administrators, stating they must duly screen the posts that are being posted.

Aside from confessing to a small circle of friends, why not stretch out to the virtual world and let other Angeleneans know what you feel? The main admin did not expect the page to “boom” because he created the page simply to confess to his long time crush from Physical Therapy department.

But now, the page evolved and established a greater intention. “Our purpose is to connect the whole AUF community.

We want the students to communicate their thoughts and feelings about their college lives

as openly and freely as possible. That’s why their identities are kept anonymous,” one of the admins explained.

“We also wanted to provide a place wherein the students could express their feelings, whether they want to profess their love for a long time friend, rant about their bad day or give suggestions and constructive criticism para mas ma-improve ‘yung school without the fear of being judged. Most of the time kasi, we have this dying urge to just vent out all our thoughts and feelings pero we’re too afraid na iju-judge tayo ng ibang tao. So instead, we keep it all in na lang,” the main admin added.

Though we are free to express these things on the page, we should also limit ourselves in making criticisms. We should still recognize our limits and we must not take advantage of freedom pages. Some people get offended by criticisms that are stated and they put the blame to the admins and their reckless screening.

Darren Carlos dela Cruz, a BSCE3 student, expressed his disappointment on the page. “I think I’d say that one of the crucial and stellar roles of a page administrator is to professionally moderate and manage heated discussions and conflicts. They should maintain a neutral, yet positive voice in the page at all times.” However, he still follows the page. “I am not really against the page and its operation. In fact, I really admire the administrators for their continued effort in improving and keeping the page alive. Just keep in mind that they are using the university’s name and they should screen the posts properly.”

If the mystery behind the identity of the page admins still haunts you, perhaps this clue might narrow your search: two Falcons, a Serpent, and a Marlin run the trending page.

THE PIONEER

Features

& 8

QUIRKY TASTY

PIZZA CHICKEN

DYNAMITE

Go to the side of the main building and find a stall which sells this oh-so peculiar fry food that looks like your ordinary cheese stick at first. But wait! Something weird is in it. There’s sort of a stem attached to it. Bite it and wait for your taste buds to cry for water. Yes, you just sunk your teeth on a dynamite. It got its unlikely name from its complementing taste and appearance. It explodes

by Ma. Bernadette Castro in your mouth- not literally though. The 15-peso ANGELENEANS, LOOK to your right, look to your left. You’ll see lots of food stalls that have dynamite bursts not only with flames but also been established around the university grounds. Cheap or expensive, the variety of food can with flavors you’ll definitely come back for. surely stop your tummies from rumbling. Some of them may be new to your ears and taste buds but they sure can make you open your wallet and order these dishes yet again.

Even though dynamite gives my tongue

“

a hard time, I really enjoy eating it since it’s delicious. Pair it with some blue lemonade, and you’ve got yourself a cheap yet perfect merienda. – Jeanne Zapata, CAMP

POTATO BALLS DYNAMITE POTATO BALLS PIZZA CHICKEN GRAHAM BALLS

”

The next uniquely tasty dish on the list is the Potato Balls. Potato Balls are an addition to the family of street foods, or totobits as we call them. Deep fry a ball of mashed potato and voila! You’ve got yourself a treat. The said dish is usually paired with catsup plus mayonnaise sauce. If you are in for an even weirder taste, do a little experiment and dip it in vinegar.

“

I love potato balls. It is definitely something new to us. It’s cheap yet tasty. – Armie Tolentino, CAS

RIDDLES AND SENSES a recipe for mystery

by Genesis Santos

THE “BER” months have arrived! Not only is the Christmas countdown starting, but Halloween is just around the corner. What does it mean? Yes, candy and horror….but it’s not all about the scary stuff, its the mysteries too. The time for those things that go unseen yet send shivers down your spine is here. Here are some books perfect to keep your eerie spirits up while keeping you occupied during the much awaited sembreak.

The Riddles of Epsilon by Christine MortonShaw

A book for the curious and young at heart, as it is a young teen’s novel. This book revolves around Jess and her parents moving to an island called Lume off the coast of England. Like every new girl, she isn’t too keen on exploring so she just chats with her friend in an internet chatroom. It was all normal until someone named “V” chats with her and warns her about the dangers to come. Jess then started to have dreams about a boy named Sebastian, the former resident of the house almost a hundred years ago. Jess’s and Sebastian’s lives seem parallel as they dream about each other in their time. V continues to chat with Jess, still making his identity unknown, and mentions to her about Epsilon and helps her in unraveling the mystery of the island through riddles. As she continues to solve the riddles, her mother falls ill and V warns her that the doctor who came to help out is dangerous. She learns that the same things have happened to Sebastian and only she could save them if she solves the ancient curse of the island. Will she triumph? What is the danger and why her? Who is V and Epsilon? Are they for good or for evil?

It’s written in Jess’ point-of-view and solely revolves around her. Unlike most stories that have side-characters backing up the protagonist, it’s only Jess who goes through it all. The author told the story well, chilling in some parts and it had an engrossing plot overall, which compensates for the lack of characters.

The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch

The Secret Series is a series with five books. Each focuses on the middle-school protagonist Cass alongside her friend, Max-Ernest and later on, Yo-Yoji. The series goes about their adventures as members of the Teres Society, a group that keeps a mysterious secret from being found out or stolen by the Midnight Sun society.

Each book introduces new characters and a different story.

Each book in the series focuses on one of the five senses. The first book, “The Name of This Book” is a Secret book that focuses on smell. The second, “If You’re Reading This, It’s Too Late” is on sound. Third, “This Book is Not Good for You” with taste.

The author focused on sight with the fourth installment, “This Isn’t What It Looks Like.” And finally, “You Have to Stop This” has touch. It’s a mystery and somewhat suspense novel with a whole lot of humor from the author as he goes about how everything is a secret and that it must not be told to anyone else. And also the reader being part of the Midnight Sun Society and spying on the Teres Society is a bonus. To add, even the author is a secret as the pen-name Pseudonymous Bosch implies. The novels may be for kids to and young teens. But as long you’re young at heart and imaginative, give it a read.

Mystery books are engrossing to read and these have just the right mix of that. The books are rated G, so anyone can read them. They may not be for the serious novel readers, but the storyline will not disappoint. Besides, it’s good to read something different from time to time.

Finding and obtaining them may already by a mystery on its own, since most bookstores don’t have these titles on the shelves. But if you have found, have or know someone with one, you’ve already solved your case and enjoy reading.

Photos Credit: Google Images

”

Melo’s Restaurant, a few steps away from Mercury Drugstore, is agreeably a small restaurant.

But after reading its menu, one would also agree that what it offers is a mix of quirky, new and yummy. A brainchild of the owner himself, the weird-looking dish called pizza chicken is a hit in the restaurant.

Considered as one of the restaurant’s specialty, the renowned snack combines two fast food favorites into one- chicken fillet topped on a deliciously-prepared pizza. The price may not be that “wallet-friendly” for some, yet it still continues to bring in more patrons.

“

Even if it looks weird, its unique taste is highly secretive and deceiving. I like it very much because of its pizza flavor and attractive taste. – Christian Evander Yabut, CCS

GRAHAM BALLS

”

This last weird dish is for those with a huge thing for sweets. Graham balls add twist to your favorite dessert. The sweet is a composition of Grahams shaped into a ball, a marshmallow stuffed in it and sprinkles on top. Buy one at the Cabalen Hall and get yourself the cloud nine taste.

“

The food can actually make my day as with just a bite, it can take you to heaven. – Jeremi Serrano, CCS

”

It can almost be considered a mystery how Angeleneans go for the weird choice of food to satisfy their cravings. But after reading through what can be reckoned as the “weird menu,” satisfy your curiosity by trying one of these crazy dishes!

CONTACT THE

DEAD

by Kelly Stan Fausto

HAVE YOU ever imagined yourself being able to receive messages… from dead people?

Oftentimes, we get curious about them: who they were, how they died, and why they keep on giving us the goose bumps. Many paranormal experts have attempted to communicate with spirits through special gadgets like spirit wind chimes, motion detectors, and digital recorders. While others would prefer to be old school: a bunch of friends sitting in a circle uttering chants in a candlelit room, while waiting for an angry soul to break something or take one of their friends.

Yes, ghostly apparitions are always a gripping topic.

But with the help of today’s technology, you don’t need to do all of those weird stuff to find out if an invisible friend is with you. Anyone can now locate ghosts through the use of an iPhone, anytime and anywhere.

Roger Pingleton and Jill Beitz of StreamSide Software developed Spirit Story Box, an iPhone application that lets you read messages from people from beyond the grave. It all began when paranormal investigators theorized that spirits can manipulate certain environmental elements and are able to communicate through electronic devices such as the iPhone. This app claims to translate supernatural energy into English words. It is designed with realistic graphics that makes it look like an ideal ghost-busting equipment. Using this app will effortlessly make you feel like you’re a pro ghost hunter. It has an onscreen meter and a swarm visualization which detects if an activity is occuring. The app is supposed to track a nearby ghost and lets it manipulate your device. After a few minutes, the device uses a word generator to translate the energy of the nearby spirit into seemingly spoken short words and phrases. All you have to do then is to brace yourself for a creepy message to pop on your phone. The site www.dailymail.com tells how the app was tested in the New York MailOnline office which was in a downtown

Manhattan loft building built in 1900. The place was believed to be haunted. Within the first few seconds of the procedure, a ‘spirit’ was detected; hurling out words at the rate of one a minute. The first message, sensed in the middle of the room was “embarrassed.” In opposite corners of the office the app spelled out “heavy,” then “headband.” On the dark and spooky stairwell, the device clicked out swollen lungs. To believers in the office, these premises have once witnessed the death of a shamed female worker from bronchitis.

Users can enjoy the app more, because of its other features. It has a switch on the left of the onscreen meter that selects the sensitivity of the app. Put the app in the highest sensitivity mode and you would get words and phrases from a dead person. The switch to the right of the onscreen meter controls whether words are audibly spoken when a word or phrase is generated. You can also share words with friends or family by tapping the history button, tapping the words or phrases you’d like to share, and tapping the “action” or “share” button in the top right corner. This wonderfully created app is now available in the Apple App Store for ninety-nine cents.

The Spirit story box is an exciting way to a creepy adventure, but this app was created for entertainment purposes only. According to www.Livescience.com, the app is really just a random word generator, cleverly packaged to appeal to would-be ghostbusters’, . There are lots of other similar spooky apps that attract aspiring ghost hunters. Some of these are Ghost Radar and Ghost Cam. Ghost radar, like Spirit Story Box, detects “energy-readings” from roaming spirits, while Ghost Cam lets the users edit their images by adding semi-transparent ghostly images. Although apps like these aren’t scientifically proven to be really capable of making contact with ghosts, they could be really useful in terms of mere enjoyment.

“Bottom line is we wanted people to have fun with it,” Pingleton told the Indiana Star.

Photos Credit: Google Images

THE PIONEER

Features

hey daydreamer

and manipulate things. You are currently using it right now because you’re thinking of the word. Yes, it’s the human mind and there is no underestimating its power. With this, there are these phenomena we always try to question and scientists try to shed some light to. Let me cite some examples.

Déjà Vu

out in the mirror, brings out your mind’s hidden insanity.Performance level eh? In addition, daydreaming with music isn’t only for those happy hearted. Daydreaming about yourself starring in a heartbreaking music video, that maybe a compilation of your sad memories or completely made up cheerless scenes is more than enough to express your dark mood.

Death, what a tragic thing it is.

Will they When someone you cry if I die? know dies, it gives you that strong miniheart attack feeling.

Would it be the same to others if you were on the dead one’s shoes? I bet you have wondered how the Luxurious world would subsist if you have breathed houses, fancy cars, Success your last breath. “Will my loved ones cry a fun and highover my death?” is a weird yet mostly thought question. The idea paying job, good of having those you love shed their precious tears on you already reputation— wouldn’t makes you tear as well. “Would my friends visit my wake?” What life be perfect having them? Every person has the aspiration would be their speech on my burial?” And the most devastating of becoming successful. Who doesn’t? question you’ll probably come up with, “Would I be forgotten?”

Fantasizing about your awesome self in Are you the broad a classy coat or a glamorous outfit eating The and youthful minded your scrumptious dinner in a five star restaurant with violinists playing relaxing music is certainly the impossible type? If yes then you might be one of the few life. In the interior of our minds, we can be victorious and wellwho daydreams about known doctors, engineers, businessmen, or even celebrities. Fame securing supernatural and fortune are two words that pleasure our ears. Well, the thought of having fame and fortune will surely pleasure not only our minds, powers, teleporting from place to place but our whole selves as well. “For the most successful person of the with just a zap, or being capable of flying.

You may become a wizard and play tricks year, the Oscar goes to…” on those you despise, explore through the clouds with a flying carpet, pet an Relax.

Put aggressive yet tamed dragon, and have vampires or werewolves as your earphones on, Music play your favorite your friends. These types of daydreams are for those who believe that being exhausted by the reality will always be ceased by the song, and let the show thought of wonderland. begin.

Grab your microphones, combs, remote controls or anything that can play Powerful and indefinable, our minds truly are. An occupied a microphone’s role, and be prepared to mind is mysterious, and what’s inside it falls under even greater sing your mind out. Imagining yourself mysteries. Do we just daydream for mentally satisfying ourselves or performing a song in front of a big crowd, while checking yourself to escape the madness of reality?

SECRETS TO SLEEPING LESS

BUT BETTER

by King Jim Pamintuan

How many hours do you sleep every night?

Eight hours maybe? That leaves 16 hours for your waking life.

Most of us spend those waking hours setting ourselves for the day ahead, being at school or work, and attending to our responsibilities after. How about your travel time? Time with friends? Family? How about time for some leisure activities that help keep our mental balance?

Let’s face it. For many of us, 16 hours daily is not enough! We would dispose of the idea of sleep altogether if we could.

But we can’t. Circadian neurologist Russell Foster of University of Oxford says that sleep serves several functions such as conservation of energy, memory consolidation, and restoration of some of our body matter among many others. But the question is, how much of it do we really need to function at our best?

Chronobiologists, scientists who study our body’s biological rhythms, say that it is indeed possible to sleep better with fewer hours.

You can sleep for only four hours and, upon waking, feel more rested than someone who slept the whole night. In other words, it is not a matter of how much you sleep, but how well. Here are some things to remember to improve the quality of your sleep.

says the mind

WE ARE all equipped with this weapon. It can change

ONE’S MIND is indeed very cryptic. It is far from possible to witness what is going on within the minds of others. We cannot even detect what our minds will be envisaging about after. From making plans to setting goals, from figuring something out to conducting strategies, from first impressions to realizations, thoughts, ideas, and reasons, our minds absolutely do not desist from thinking.

A happy and creative way to think is to daydream. The point of daydreaming is to escape the madness of the real world or is simply just a form of leisure.

With the power of our honed imaginations, we obtain satisfaction by the fictions our brilliant minds create. Which scenarios do our mysterious minds usually daydream about?

Admit it.

One of your most often daydreams has something to do with you ending up with your crush. You imagine the both of you being the next Romeo and Juliet chasing each other on a sandy seashore, slow dancing in a grand location, holding hands, exchanging I love you’s, having your sweet lips collide, and culminating into the tying of knots with the lingering sound of wedding bells. See how amazing the mind is? Even minds can give the guts some butterflies.

ABRACADABRA!

by Ma. Bernadette Castro

by Gerard Alain Nulud

The other half

9

Light It is proven that the more natural

light our eyes absorb during the day, the longer the duration of our sleep stages 3 and 4 – also known as the deep sleep.

Deep sleep is what quality sleep is mostly about. PowerfulSleep.com says “our immune system turns on during deep sleep to fight diseases. When we’re deprived of deep sleep… we experience our greatest day-time impairments, such as drowsiness, nausea, headaches, muscle aches, and trouble concentrating.” It is also during these stages that our body works most to repair damaged tissues.

So what should we do? Simply, get more natural light! Do more activities outdoor. Open the curtains. Do not wear sunglasses.

Space According to healthysleep.med. harvard.edu, it helps to use your sleeping space only for sleep. Do not read, or study, or work in bed. This builds mental associations that put you into a sleepready state by the time you really need to be in bed.

It also helps to keep your bedroom as clean, noise-free, well-ventilated, and comfortable as possible.

Time As with everything in life, timing is important. Here is the underlying principle regarding sleep timing: During the day, our body rhythm rises and falls.

When our body rhythm rises, we feel more energetic and awake; when it falls, we feel

drowsy. The more intensely our body rhythm rises during the day, the more intensely it slows down during the night, causing deeper sleep. We can speed up our body rhythm during the day thereby having deeper sleep during the night by exercising, being more active, and taking a noontime nap not longer than 45 minutes.

In relation to timing, it is also crucial to wake up from your night slumber at the right time. During a sleep cycle, we progress from stage 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to REM, then to stage 4 to 3 to 2 and back to REM again. A night’s sleep contains several sleep cycles and it is important that we wake up at the REM stage. Author Kacper M. Postawski says “to wake up at the end of a cycle is to do some trial and error testing. If you currently wake up feeling horrible, try going to sleep 20 minutes earlier, or 20 minutes later, 40 minutes earlier, or 40 minutes later than your usual. By doing this, you’ll eventually find a “hot spot” for waking up at the end of your cycle.”

According to the World Bank, the average life expectancy of today’s Filipino is 69 years. Eight hours of nightly sleep deducts 8395 days from that total. That is 23 years! The advancement of our age puts greater demands on us to participate in this whirlpool of exciting affairs. Many of us cannot anymore afford to sleep eight hours. The time we spend sleeping is a time we do not spend living. Wake up!

Have you experienced something that you seem to have experienced before? We call this mind phenomenon as Déjà vu, French for “already seen.” Research states that 70 percent of people experience this scenario daily. Some psychologists believe that Déjà vu may root from a wish you want to be fulfilled, a dream that you have dreamt before, a past experience, something from a parallel universe, or just a minor brain malfunction.

Jamais Vu Jeuel from CAMP was left to wonder. “When I was jamming with my friends, I suddenly forgot my favorite song’s chords and even its lyrics even though I was just playing it yesterday.”

When something familiar and known to you suddenly becomes a blur, it’s no longer Déjà vu. This phenomenon is called Jamais Vu. The phrase means “never seen.” Experts have already concluded the causes of such scenario may be minor amnesia, epilepsy, or just simply a cause of migraine.

Presque Vu Have you been in a situation where you think of a word you know in your heart you are familiar with yet it just can’t come out of your mouth? You may be under the blanket of Presque Vu or in layman’s term, “on the tip of our tongue.”

Presque Vu means “almost seen.” This phenomenon can be made clear through this example. Your friend asked you about a character in a TV show. You remember yourself saying the name numerous times yet you can’t make out the word. Sigmund Freud, a known psychologist, stated that Presque Vu is caused by our unconscious thoughts and impulses that let us forget the word.

Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon How come we encounter a word several times in one day? Different scenarios it may be, the same word pops up literally everywhere. You were watching a movie entitled “Only You.” At school, your friend suddenly recommends you a book entitled “Only You.” On your way home, you hear the song “Only You” bursts through the airwaves. Is this just coincidence?

This is called the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon.

Scientist Arnold Zwicky states that this is caused by our brain’s selective attention and confirmation bias. We become conscious of a certain word and we recognize the fact that we encountered the word in unusually plenty times.

Confabulation The mind is so powerful, it could even create false memories and recall something that had never happened.

Confabulation allows us to fill the gaps of memories that we have already forgotten. The brain does that by using things we watched, read or imagined as fillers.

You remember joining a contest when you were younger but ended up losing it because of your tantrums. But your head beseeched with confabulation insists that you won the said contest, believing you even received many awards.

Elizabeth Loftus, psychologist, concluded that this phenomenon is because of Schemata- a created pattern by our mind, brain damage, dreams or hallucinations.

Esprit De L’escalier Ivy Rose from CBA still feels the pang of regret. “When I competed in a debate competition a couple of years ago, it was so difficult to think of anything to say. But when it ended, everything I should have said popped into my mind. The feeling is like having slow internet connection or a lagging computer.”

Have you ever experienced the annoying feeling of having thought of wiser responses when it’s too late? This strange scenario is called staircase wit, esprit de l’escalier in French. It was called such as it was compared to a person going downstairs, and by the time that person reaches the bottom, that is only when he will generate a brilliant thought.

It’s true that the mind has few tricks up its imaginary sleeve. Some of which we know. Others, we don’t know.

And some, we will come to know.

THE PIONEER

Features

10

THE WORLD can never be balanced if everything is already figured out. No need for queries, clues,

guesses and hints. But for every question, there is an answer and one of the most extraordinary things in life is the process of achieving answers. The world we live in is filled with unsolved mysteries. A researcher can spend a lifetime cracking codes and connecting puzzles. Our history as mankind still contains holes to be filled in. Here are some of those that are still covered with the blanket of mystery and uncertainty, intriguing and confusing people through the years.

by Kelly Stan Fausto

The WOW signal Let’s go infinity and beyond for this thing is out of this world. Jerry Ehman, a volunteer for Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence might be the first man, and most likely the last too, to ever make contact with some life-form outside the earth.

On a summer night in 1977, Jerry was attempting to pick up signals and static waves from outer space using his scanning radio. After hours of non-stop searching and observing, a measurement spiked in the radar. A very unusual signal appeared so he converted it into a numbers. After cracking some codes, Jerry got the word WOW. It was proved that the signal was from outer space as its distance was traced all the way to the constellation Sagittarius, 120 light years away from earth. Hundreds of researchers attempted to pick up the signal once again, but every single one of them failed.

Phaistos Disc Are you familiar with Indiana Jones? If you are, this next mystery might entertain you. In 1908, Italian archaeologist Luigi Pernier discovered the Phaistos Disc in the Minoan palace-site. The disc was molded out of fired clay, and it bears with it a sequence of mysterious symbols that was believed to represent an unknown form of hieroglyphics. Hieroglyphics was the written language of ancient Egypt and considered as sacred in the scriptures. The disc is believed to have been made in the second millennium BC. The disc, according to scholars, was used as a symbol for the Ancient Crete. Ancient Crete refers to the island of Crete, located south of Greece. Up to this day, the disc symbols continue to bother and baffle researchers and archaeologists.

Rongorongo

by Emmanuel Panti

FILL IN

THE BLANKS

COTARD’S SYNDROME MAKING ZOMBIES OUT OF PEOPLE

Easter Island is the world’s most isolated inhabited island. It is located 3700 kilometers off the coast of Chile. The island is considered as one of the most enchanting and mystifying places on earth. Researchers from all over the world are eager to search and gather information about the island. Because of further visit in the Eastern Island, many archaeologists were able to find the Rongorongo script. The Rongorongo is a sequence of mysterious glyphs engraved on several artifacts found in the Eastern Island. There are some researchers who believe that the Rongorongo used to be a system of writing literature established by an unknown ethnic group. While others say that the unusual symbols and characters offer hints about the perplexing collapse of a statue-building of a civilization that was once standing strong in the Eastern Island. This script is consisting of almost 120 symbols- mainly representations of birds, fish, gods, plants and a variety of geometric shapes. Others say that the Rongorongo’s true meaning may be lost forever.

Will the time come that a certain someone will be able to connect the dots and manipulate the maze to provide answers for everyone? It almost seems like all of these mysteries were put together to create an era of uncertainty and doubts, a complete history of puzzle. But then again, mysteries and queries put spice in our life. Not knowing everything can also be a good thing.

Photos Credit: Google Images

IMAGINE A living person

perceiving himself as a corpse. It may sound creepy, but if you ever see someone doing the zombie walk, don’t panic as if you’re in a scene from the movie “The Return of the Living Dead.” That person might just have Cotard’s Syndrome.

Cotard’s Syndrome or Walking Corpse Syndrome is one of the most bizarre conditions in the world.

It was named after a French Neurologist, Jules Cotard, who first described the condition in 1882 as a rare mental disorder where sufferers imagine that they are decomposing, dead or non-existent. In a mild form, it is described as depression and despair. In a severe form, a person will begin to deny their own existence. Those with this condition often describe a loss of blood, organs or body parts.You probably wouldn’t want to be buried alive, but people who have Cotard’s Syndrome get quite excited about their funerals.

Based on a case report made by medical doctors from New York City, Anne Ruminjo and Boris Mekinulov, a 53-year old Filipina had suffered from Cotard’s Syndrome. Her family called 911 after she complained that she was dead, smelled like rotting flesh, and wanted to be taken to a morgue so that she could be with dead people. She also admitted to hopelessness, low energy, decreased appetite, and somnolence. She reported that she had been on antidepressants while in the Philippines, where she had resided for the last 18 years, having moved to the US only a month ago.

The most popular case, which was published in www.Telegraph.com, was of a British man only identified as Graham who claimed that he was no longer alive even if he was still breathing.

Graham suffered the unusual condition after trying to commit suicide by taking an electrical appliance with him to the bath. “I lost my sense of smell and my sense of taste. There was no point in eating because I was dead. It was a waste of time speaking as I never had anything to say.”

Graham spent his time on graveyards. No normal person would love to sleep with dead bodies. It’s like already being in a nightmare even if you’re still awake. But Graham comfortably treated the

cemetery as his home. “I just felt I might as well stay there. It was the closest I could get to death.”

Some patients may experience delusions of immortality. Believing t h e y are untouchable, patients may selfharm and even attempt to commit suicide just to make sure they are dead. Some can also end up starving themselves in the belief that they no longer need to eat. Some individuals have odd perceptions of being taken to places such as hell after their death, or that they are wandering around in the afterlife. Some even complain of feeling worms or insects inside their brain.

So how do people lose touch with their body to that extreme? According to Scientific American, a popular science magazine, it is being caused by a malfunction in an area of the brain called the fusiform gyrus, which recognizes faces, and also in the amygdala, an almond-shaped set of neurons that processes your emotions. The combination is a lack of recognition when viewing familiar faces (even the face of the sufferer), leaving the person feeling disconnected with reality.

But nowadays, this disorder can be cured through Electroconvulsive therapy, or simply ECT. This therapy is mostly recommended by doctors to patients who experience severe depression. ECT is a procedure in which electric currents are passed through the brain, triggering a brief seizure. ECT can cause changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental illnesses.But ECT is not 100% safe. ECT has received bad press, because one of its side effects is to cause memory problems.

But since ECT was introduced in the 1930s, the dose of electricity used in the procedure has been decreased. This has greatly reduced the side effects of this procedure, including the side effect of memory loss, according to Medline Plus.

The Cotard’s Syndrome, which used to be a mystery, has now been solved through technology. Most of the time, it is rooted from severe depression. If you don’t want to suffer from this weird syndrome, simply find all the reasons to be happy. Always remember to smile, as it will make you look and feel more “alive.”

DO YOU believe ghosts exist? Well, some of our professors and buddies in AUF believe not only in the existence of ghosts, but also in their presence in our school.

For instance, a 2nd year BS Education Student said that as he and his friend were on their way to IT building to return the musical instruments used in a performance, through the glass door, they had a glimpse of a man standing still inside Cabalen wearing barong. They quickened their steps.

They knew what it was. There couldn’t possibly be anyone in there. It was around 2AM and Cabalen was closed.

The same student said that one evening, as they were preparing some materials to be used for a program in A building, he got out of the room to get some fresh air when a boy ran pass him… and disappeared.

Could this be the same boy that an AUF employee saw roaming around filing cabinets in the registrar?

This AUF employee thought that this kid was only the son of her co-worker so she didn’t mind. But as she found out that this wasn’t the case, no more questions. They knew what it was.

If I wanted to know more ghost stories, I would go to the library, not to read about them, but to listen to stories of staff and student aides. A “former research assistant” in AUF Main Library told us of an incident on the 4th floor. She was washing her hands in the restroom when, on her side vision, she saw a tall man, dressed in white, pass by. “Naglakad s’ya ng mabilis papunta sa boy’s CR ng tuloy-tuloy. Pero alam ko na naka-close ang pinto ng boy’s CR at wala akong narinig na langitngit ng door so I checked.” There was no one there. She continued to wash her hands. She was alone. Or so she thought.

Ghosts in AUF?

by King Jim Pamintuan

W h e n she raised h e r

head, she saw the top of someone’s head reflected on the mirror.

There was someone standing behind her in the closed cubicle.

Another AUF staff who claims to possess a “third-eye” told of a similar story that occurred in one of the girls’ restroom in the main building. “Minsan mapapatingin nalang ako sa mirror at may nakikita akong babae sa likod ko na nakareflect sa mirror.

Or minsan nagf-flush yung toilet sa isang cubicle but no one was there. There was even one time na nakakita ko ng entity na nakadungaw sa taas ng wall ng cubicle. All I could see was her face and her hands.”

The same AUF staff said she also saw the spirit of an AUF alumna who had died. She was in a spot she used to go to before she died. The informant said that these souls who frequent places they used to visit before usually cannot accept the fact that they’re already dead. So they go about their daily activities as was their habit.

There were more informants, usually people who told stories of their peers who had experienced strange incidents. For instance, a story was told of a professor who saw a pregnant woman while in the twin building and later found out that this woman wasn’t real.

Another was that of an official who heard a rather loud whisper directed at his ear when there was no one else around.

Many who have not experienced such occurrences find it hard to believe such stories. One employee said that in all her years working in AUF, she has not seen, or heard, or felt any such entities. One professor said that he knows no way on how ghosts, in general, could exist. Such experiences, he said, are subjecctive and are aligned with individual idiosyncrasies.

Some people just don’t have the propensity to believe in the supernatural or the paranormal.

You may be one of them. But the number of eyes which claim to have “seen” is not easy to ignore. So there still remains the question, Are there ghosts in AUF?

THE PIONEER

DevCom Seeds of New Hope arrive in Central Luzon

11

by John Edward Mamangun

THEY SAY that there is always a rainbow after the rain. For Central Luzon, the rainbow has just arrived.

According to a recent article of Sun Star Pampanga, in lieu with the massively damaged lands and multi-vanished crops and commodities, the Department of Agriculture (DA) provided over 170,000 bags of certified seeds which are now accessible to farmers who were distressed by the recent floods. These seeds would enable them to draw near with the cropping season.

Hailed as the Rice Basket of the Philippines, Central Luzon holds a reputation for its rice fields and plantations, which makes a strong agricultural promise. Indeed, it is one of the region’s strengths. Yet, due to incessant and tremendous rainfalls, ignited by the southwest monsoon, combined with life-threatening floods, there is only one word to describe the region’s farmlands– DEVASTATED. According to a report published by the DA, there were more or less 13,850 rice farmers and some 33,154 hectares of land affected. The rains also left more than P343.1 million worth of damaged crops in the region, as stated by the Regional Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) in Central Luzon on the Inquirer news.

The total damage recorded had been very low compared to last year’s Typhoon Gener which reached a whopping P1.18 billion.

Pampanga still led as the most affected province, having damages up to P281 million last year and P116.13 million this year.

DA Regional Director Andrew Villacorta guaranteed that there are enough seeds for everyone.

However, the farmers need to wait a bit longer as processing and verification of the reported damages is still ongoing. It was also ensured

by Villacorta that despite the destruction by the ferocious wrath of Typhoon Maring, the region’s provinces would still be able to meet the quota of rice production.

“As part of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, we established farm machineries and post-harvest intervention and small water impounding projects. Therefore we are optimistic that we can reach or even exceed our national target for this year,” he said.

DA has also called the attention of the local government to join its counterpart program, to augment their enrolment premium, and to bring more farmers into the insurance coverage.

Yes, it is a noble act that the government contributed something to fully aid the depressing crisis

that hit the region. It is worthwhile.

Yet, let us reflect to ourselves, “Why did it happen?” or “Why do we need such help now?” Is it because we became abusive, reckless, or ignorant to our environment? We may have risen above the odds, but considering the threat of the future, we must learn from this lesson and strive hard so that we will not be in this position again. Hopes are given to us, yet complacency is never an option. After all, it is like wasting millions of pesos to something we never learned.

Cleaning up the Devastation. A farmer gathers the damaged crops to give way to new seeds that will sprout hope.

Photo Credit: Nonie Reyes / World Bank

WWF-Philippines’ project addresses climate adaptation AC chosen as target area due to development potential

Furthermore, more businesses and other establishments will be founded as the city will hopefully rise as the heart of the province. We have to prepare the city for the upcoming big break.

Cities with great potential for development were chosen, and all of them must undergo a three-vector analysis. According to the system for

assessing cities, the first study will be on Climate/Environmental Analysis which will examine the city-specific weather information. Each city-scale assessment starts with a listing of likely local climate scenarios. Second analysis will focus on the SocioEconomic Sensitivity which includes population, agriculture, tourism, new and existing businesses and investment, health and educational enrolment. The last assessment will track the Adaptive Capacity that would define a city’s ability to adapt changes. This will include labor/ work force, family savings, functional literacy, city revenue/expenditures/ reserves, banking data and the city’s scores for LGPMS, crime statistics and the Human Development Index.

Thereafter these analyses, experts would lay down solutions in line with the data they have collected.

The big step for the city is to adapt the answers.

This private sector aims to reach other concerned citizens and investors that would help them fulfil the plan.

“Participation involvement of local leaders, whether in the public and private sectors, will be crucial to crop solutions to climate change,” said Tan. Other individuals misinterpret the organization’s goal. Some may conclude that this project is only a key to earn more gold.

“Some people will say you are talking about business continuity.

No, we are talking about common goodness,” explained Tan.

Director Dr. Edna Manlapaz. Indeed, money is not the cure-all for this type of ill; words of guidance help tremendously.

These Values Formation activities employ volunteers composed of faculties and students who aim to teach the kids the value of being mabuti. It is important to make these children understand that through learning, they can elevate their condition and improve their odds for a better way of life. In this way, society will come to recognize them not as juvenile delinquents but as contributing citizens.

In Angeles City, there are about 50 to 70 street children visible around the AUF vicinity. Ranging from 7 to 15 years old, these poverty-stricken kids struggle to cope with life as their struggle separates them from a better future.

Street vagrancy is categorized into two: part-time and full-time.

Part-time vagrants are those who

have families to come home but forced to go a-begging because the families’ incomes are not enough to sustain them. Most of the street kids around AUF are part-time panhandlers.

Of the 70 panhandlers, 15 are full-time, having no home or family nearby. These kids have lived alone in the streets with no supervision. Let alone on their own, they might end up on the wrong side of the road.

This wandering nature of fulltime panhandles presents a problem for CCF. As stated by CCF faculty member Mrs. Christina Santiago, “Mahirap silang hanapin ‘pag gusto mong kausapin.” Better methods are yet to be implemented.

Meanwhile, we can do our part in extending our goodwill to these children. If they are able to see goodness in others, the goodness inside them might ignite. And in the future, they, too, will do the same, continuing the cycle of giving.

by Elijah Marie Vicher

“STUDIES IN the United States show impacts on climate change will not be a marginalization on population, it would be forcing migration,” says Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines Chief Executive Officer, during his talk at the “Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impacts” seminar.

We always hear the phrase “climate change” for the past few years.Floods, landslides, extreme heat, and other natural calamities do not choose dates or places. These cause residents to migrate on a better location where they would have a more tranquil life.

WWF-Philippines, the world’s largest conservation organization in partnership with the BPI Foundation, Inc., pursues a noble project. Based on its rationale, this scheme aims to help city planners and decision-makers assess climate change impacts, identify opportunities, and decide on a sustainability strategy, site-specific interventions, and standards of next practice that will allow the city to retain economic viability and respond more competitively in a climatedefined future.

The project is a very concrete way to address climate adaptation. Since our climate has gone to worse, there is a need to adapt to the dynamic environment. It will help us cope with the natural occurrences in a way that businesses will also be sustained.

Rapporting Business and Nature. Local leaders gather during the Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impacts to learn about the retainment of economic viability and how to combat climate change. Photo by Katherina Faye Galvan

There are three phases in the project’s target area: The first phase was successfully assessed last 2011 comprising the cities of Baguio, Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo. The second phase was done last year where they had Cagayan de Oro, Dagupan, Laoag, and Zamboanga as their focus areas. For this year, Angeles City was chosen as well as Batangas, Naga, and Tacloban.

BPI Foundation’s Executive Director Florendo Maranan said that Angeles City might be Singaporelike in the next 20 years. This city has great potential for development as examined by the city planners.

There is a great possibility that number of immigrants will increase because of the place’s productivity and its position on a higher ground.

CCF Extends Helping Hand to Street Kids in AC

by Emmanuel Panti

Bucket of Hope. Help extended to anyone will surely change their point of view with life, and as for this street child, the bucket contains a bigger and a brighter future. Photo by Riza Marie Padilla

TWO HUNDRED thousand street children rove our country. Hopping from one place to another and asking for spare change and leftovers from passers-by have been their routine.

Future spells doom for these children if we do not do something to improve their condition.

Angeles University Foundation’s (AUF) Center for Christian Formation (CCF) has established a program to attend to the needs of these children – love. Throughout the years, CCF has launched different Values Formation activities and immersions to gain better understanding of these children. Immersions include visiting their homes and engaging them in productive conversations which are followed by prayers and exchange of ideas.

“Hindi sapat yung bibigyan sila ng barya araw-araw. Dapat talaga silang tutukan. At ‘yun ang main aim ng Values Formation,” said CCF

THE PIONEER

12

Tony

Literary

by Camille Eloise Eisma

This is a narrative account regarding a boy whose real name is something anonymous than Tony. Actual identity is cloaked under the alias Tony for specific confidential reasons. By no means, you will never know his true name.

This is his story.

Slowly, my consciousness starts to drift away. Drowning nearer to dreamland, my eyelids keep gaining weight. Our Physics teacher’s voice expectedly turns to a hum that seductively invites me to sleep. I yawned.

Out of the corners of my eye, I noticed someone watching me. I alarmingly fixed my vision in the direction. He smiled all thousand watts, completely outshining anyone’s.

Tony.

Tony is a classmate from pre-school; which later turned out for eternity; little did I realize. He is one of those free-spirited, bubbly and always-available-person-you-can-talk-to types. In fact, acknowledged to be someone so warm, he cares to ask everyone, “Are you okay?” just to be certain that everyone around him feels at ease.

Tony is a compassionate being; he comforts others; he listens with pure intentions; that is his forte.

Going back, I gave him my deluxe I’ll-kill-you-later-stare for interrupting my sleep. But instead of giving me his usual playful wink, oddly, Tony’s face shifted to a serious frown and he abruptly looked away.

Honestly, these past days, he seems a bit different. Well, he’s still “the smiling Tony” but deep in those dark brown eyes, I felt like something seems wrong.

Recollecting back the memories, of course now, about 15 years later, I will be able to clearly and easily distinguish the signs. But at that time, I didn’t notice them. Or perhaps I didn’t want to.

As soon as our Physics teacher ended her interestingly sleeping-pill-like discussion, resembling a soldier who has been finally given the awaited signal, Tony jumped to his feet and furiously walked out fast and he head to the corridors. I immediately sensed weirdness in his actions. I tried to search for others who also might have noticed the strange behavior.

No luck, everyone is busy with their chit-chats. Then, I stared at my blank lecture. I nervously began dribbling and just by stroking my pen at the paper, my mind went near-explosion! I don’t know what particular emotion crawled into me. I just felt terrible. Not resisting the urge, I stood carelessly and I almost made my chair fall. I dashed promptly to where I saw him set off.

The corridors are empty. I unhurriedly marched as I seek for any sign of Tony. I paced past the classrooms with lectures going on, and then at the end of the hallway, from an empty room, I heard someone’s clumsy movements. I can’t control myself. I run for the vacant room’s door.

Discovering that the doorknob is locked, I banged it with full might.

“Tony! Tony!” I shouted frantically between harsh breaths. Someone from the inside tries to respond but not entirely successful.

“I’—m… al—al—right” a grasping-for-air voice answered.

“Tony! Tony!” I kept on calling. No response.

Rushing thuds of loud footsteps echoed closer to me. Hearing all the commotion, the students and teachers came hurriedly. Everyone surrounded me at once asking what happened. I managed to point to the unlocked door. My head is swimming with thoughts. I don’t know what exactly happened but I’m quite sure Tony is gone.

Everything went blank.

By the time I was brought back to my senses, they told me how Tony committed suicide and how he hanged himself in the room.

We will be graduating in just a month, ready to spread our wings and to impulsively encounter life’s thrilling adventures! Another set of fresh and exciting experiences is ahead of us! But it’s different in his case. As for Tony, the future is a dreadful hollow place where emptiness solely dwells.

Apparently, he felt he had nothing ahead but pain, sadness, and darkness.

I don’t exactly know the truth behind his depression. Who would have ever thought that someone as cheerful as him went through such emptiness?

But the main point is, why hasn’t anyone of us taken the chance of asking him “Are you okay?”

Sadly, no one dared to be as thoughtful as Tony.

HER UNKNOWN TRUTH

by Maria Erika Yumul

Gasping for air, she runs away Flashes of lightning guides her through Her legs weakened Dropped, she fell head first The cold ground carried her The rain cleared her soul She was running from something ‘Til now, no one knows Her truth hid from the world forever The lies prevailed in her absence All have tears of loss One has the smirk of the hidden truth

Cleft Pavements

by Gem Alen San Pedro

Dozens of good deeds would enliven your spirit But dozens of souls with shattering sins would destroy it Pride, greed and env y, all of these gave birth to dishonesty Why we live in the whips of poverty shouldn’t be a mystery Cerebral fissure break s with multiple evil minds As legal tenders of the country vanished mysteriously Worsened by internal causes that reciprocate instantly We, Filipinos, stumble and fall with corrupt politics Burdened by the people we used to trust Where it seems impossible to get out of this vile land A lad, who was said as the hope of this motherland Still believes we can get out of this misery

BROKEN GLASS

by Jerusha April Canon Shards of broken glass Come shattering into my chest, bleeding It cuts deeper and deeper within I tremble as I lay grasping for air Nevertheless, I hold it close to me Breathing heavily, my arms start reaching into Each piece of broken glass Each with an inscription Of words forming sentences As I stick them all together To a stranger’s eyes, seemingly meaningless But to my eyes, they are not See, to me, they are priceless And precious enough for me to hold onto For dear life, even as I gush out That one last breath

THE PIONEER

Literary

13

Ang Santelmo ni Pedro ni Frances Sharina Gonzales

oong tayo’y mga bata pa, sino ba sa atin ang hindi natakot sa mga “bumbay na may Nat barang? dalang sako” na maging kay Gat Jose Rizal ay panakot din? Sa “usog?” Sa kulam Sa mga nagpepenitensyang nanghahabol ng mga bata? Sa hitsura ng mga

SWEET HAVEN

by Jerusha April Canon

This sweet haven Beautiful as can be I can lay down and relax Breathe easy And live peacefully But they won’t stop calling To say that it’s killing me They won’t stop saying That I should escape From this “false reality” And this “sham of a sanctuary” They insist that it’s all Just an illusion And they tell me it’s nothing But a deluded fool’s imagination

MYSTERY OF HIS GRAVE

by Maria Erika Yumul

Lying in a bed covered by secrets Rain from people’s eyes fall hard Grief is what they all share Angered fists are what they keep Flowers lose their sense of purpose Black occupies the scene Brightness seemed to have hidden From them who hunger for it Questions rise Answers are still unanswered In their midst, they doubt the people Trust is no longer an option.

A body of someone who lost his soul Knocks silently for help He wishes to be freed from his shackles The shackles of his plea left kept In this world, his existence just passed Here remains the mystery of his story He joins the others who share the same With their stories left untold

manika at “clowns” tulad nung sa The Conjuring? At iba-ibang imahe ng mga mascot na kadalasan ay kinatatakutan?

Ano nga kaya ang ibig ipahiwatig ng ating pagkatakot sa mga bagay na ito? Ano nga ba ang misteryo sa likod ng ating kahinaan?

Sa pagkakataong ito, nais kong ipakilala sa inyo ang karagdagan sa aking mga nabanggit. Talaga nga namang kinatatakutan sila ng lahat ngunit sa ayaw mo at sa hindi, lingid sa’yong kaalaman, nakakasalamuha natin sila sa daan. Minsan, sila pa ay ating mga kaibigan. Masaklap, tayo mismo ang tinutukoy kong sila.

Sa elemento ng lupa, sabi ng mga nakatatanda, kaya nilang magbago ng anyo. Hugis tao sa umaga, halimaw naman sa gabi. Sa mga pagkakataong tayo’y nasa liwanag at nakaaangat, nariyan sila, naka-damag. Ngunit sa mga pagkakataong madilim, tayo’y nadapa at walang nakikita, pagsasamantalahan tayo at isasama sa bilang ng kanilang mga biktima.

Mabait lang pag nakaharap at pagtalikod akmang susunggab. Kilala mo na siguro sila?

Tama. Kesyo Manananggal, Tiktik, Wakwak, Ekek, Bal-bal, Amalanhig, o Busaw pa ang itawag mo. Pare-pareho lang sila. Mga Aswang na huhuthutin ang dugo mo hanggang sa iyong huling hininga. Pwera na lang kung singkintab ni Edward Cullen yan. Nasa sa’yo na kung magpapaligaw ka.

Nais ko ring ipakilala sa inyo ang magkapatid na sina Mangkukulam at Mambabarang.

Sa sobrang katamaran eh nangangailangan pa ng galamay, ng alipores. Sa mga karaniwang kwento ni Lola Basyang, mga mangkukulam ang kadalasang nang-aapi sa bida. Kailangan pa nilang manggamit upang maisagawa ang kanilang itim na balak. Gagamit ng manika, gagamit ng insekto. Mga manikang may-kaya sa buhay, o maaari rin namang mga insektong kumakapit sa patalim. Pareho nilang kakaibiganin ang nais biktimahin. Dahil sa inggit, magbubunga sa paghihiganti. Sa di kalaunan, di na makakayanan ng napahamak at susuko na sa buhay na tinatahak. Pero sana, tulad na lang nina Harry Potter at Hermione Granger ang mga mangkukulam at mambabarang ngayon. Gwapo’t maganda na, matalino’t mabait pa.

Isali na natin sa elemento ng lupa ang mga nakatira sa puno. Isama na rin natin yung mga nakatira sa punso.

Si Pareng Kapre. Hala sige. Yosi lang. Hintay lang ng biktima sa itaas ng puno.

Manliligaw ng babae, at mang-liligaw rin ng mga bumabyahe. Ginagamit ang kalakihan ng katawan upang manakot ng kapwa. Ngunit bakit nga ba sila nananatili sa itaas ng puno? Marahil katulad rin sila ni Adan na dahil sa pagkahubo’t hubad, takot lumabas dahil sa ginawang kasalanan.

“Walang malaking nakapupuwing…maliit man ay may maibubuga din.”Sila yung mga small but terrible. Huwag i-small-in, pagkat big-atin din. Tignan mo baka sa labas lang may kumpanyero ka palang katulad nito. Kung ano’ng trato mo sa kanila, ganun din sila sayo o hihigitan pa nila ito. Bigyan mo sila ng pagkain, swerte ang balik nila sayo. Ngunit sirain mo ang kanilang punso, kamalasan daw ang ibabalik ng mga ito. Mga Duwendeng maaaring kaibigan o kaaway mo. Parang yung 7 Dwarfs ni Snow White.

Sa gubat kung saan isang panibagong mundo na maaaring tahanan ng iba pang elemento, sila ang pinakakinatatakutan nating mga tao. Ang mga engkanto.

Mayroong dalawang klase ng engkanto. Ang mga Diwata at Dalaketnon. Ang mga diwata’y mga taga-bantay ng gubat at nasasabing kung ano ang kagandahan ng hitsurang panlabas, ganun din kabusilak ang kanilang kalooban. Wala silang halong pagbabalatkayo at tumutulong sila sa mga naliligaw sa kanilang teritoryo. Samantalang ang mga Dalaketnon, nakikisalamuha sila sa mga tao ngunit nagpapanggap na mayaman, nakatira sa mansion, at nagdadamit ng magagarbo. Linilinlang ang mga tao sa kanilang makikinang na dyamante na ordinaryong mga bato lamang at sa nag-uumapaw na salapi na sa katotohana’y dahon lang. Kung natatandaan mo si Tatay Diego ni Luna sa Luna Blanca, ginamit ang dahon upang maging pera.

Walang patawad ang alamat. Pati na mga batang inosente, walang kamuwang-muwang, hindi pa iniluluwal ay itinanggi na ng magulang. Ang mga sanggol na ito’y sinasabing hindi nabautismuhan. Kaya pagkapanganak pa lang, itinakwil na rin ng simbahan. Kaya saan sila mapupunta? Sa purgatoryong ganap o ibabalik sa buhangin ng mundong ito. Walang magpapalaki at hindi lalaki. Mamumuhay ng ligaw. Walang patutunguhan.

Maiimpluwensyahan ng kapangyarihan ng demonyo, maghahasik ng lagim at magiging isang ganap na Tiyanak.

Hindi ko rin palalaampasin ang pagkakataong ito upang alalahanin ang mga nilalang sa elemento ng tubig. Sila, na pinaniniwalaang nabuhay bago pa ang mga tao. Sila, na hindi tiyak ang kasariang ibinigay ng Poon dahil sa nakapatong na buntot na sumpa sa kanilang mga paa. Mga Sirena’t Siyokoy na nagkukubli sa kailaliman ng tubig upang itago ang kanilang pagkatao sa takot na hindi tanggapin ng sangkatauhan ang kanilang panlabas na anyo. Tulad ni Ariel ng The Little Mermaid. Sa paghahangad na matanggap siya ni Prince Charming, isinugal ang kanyang buntot para sa pag-ibig. Sila, na ikatlong sangay ng mga elemento, walang humpay ang pag-awit upang mahanap ang kanilang lugar sa mundo.

Sa mga ipinakilala kong personalidad sa inyo, hindi ba kayo nagtaka kung saan nanggaling ang mga ito? Mula sa alamat nina Adan at Eba na pinanggalingan ng lahat.

Sino ang hindi nakakakilala kay Magaul? Ang ibon na pinag-away ang kalangitan at katubigan dahilan kung kaya’t sila nagkawalay. Ang ibon na tinuka ang kawayan na pinanggalingan nina Malakas at Maganda. At ang ibong kung sinuman ang makahuhuli’y magtatamo ng habambuhay na kaginhawaan. Siya ang Sarimanok ng Kapayapaan. Malay mo, siya rin pala yung sarimanok na ninanamnam mong lechong manok.

Lalaki man o babae, bata o matanda, malaki man o maliit at mahirap man o maykaya, lahat tayo may kinatatakutan. Totoo, paniniwalaan mo at sa hindi, kabilang ito sa mga bagay na bubuo sa ating pagkatao. Kung alin pa ang hindi natin nakikita, ito ang mga bagay na ating napapansin. Ika nga sa pelikulang Now You See Me: “The closer you look, the lesser you see.” Subukan mong humarap sa salamin. Kung ano ang nakikita mo, hindi mo alam iyan ang sarili mong multo.

Illustrations by Renz Alfonso, Neil Salonga, Kim Christian Cunanan, Denise Loredo, Danielle Paul Panique, and Harriet Kim Anh Rodis

THE PIONEER

14

Entertainment

COMICS ALLEY

Media Pass Conundrum by Neil Salonga

HULASCOPE ni Madam Nam Nam

DISCLAIMER: Ang mga sumusunod ay kathang-isip lamang ni Madam Nam Nam. Maaaring ito ay makatotohanan o hindi depende sa inyong pananaw.

Aries Mar. 21-Apr. 19

Love Triangle by Danielle Paul Panique

Mag-ingat sa pagiging siga o masyadong cool baka ikaw ay mapag-initan ng mga guards o ng mga prof. Kahit mainit ang panahon lalo na ‘pag walang e-card, try to calm down. Chill ka lang para hindi lalong uminit. Bawas-bawasan din ang pagkunot ng iyong mga kilay. Huwag mo na silang piliting ipagdikit kasi magkahiwalay talaga ‘yan. Iwasan din ang pagiging makasarili. Hindi parating survival of the fittest ang labanan.

Kahit marami kang dapat gawin, kahit mahaba ang pila sa Accounting, dapat cool ka lang kaya subukan mong mag-candy muna. Try mo ‘yung may letters sa likod para masaya.

Gemini May 21-June 21

Lights Off! by Denise Loredo

Ikaw yung tipong mabilis makibagay at di mahirap makisama. Sa sobrang masiyahin mo, talo mo ang wide smile ni Jollibee. Isa kang bukas na libro - open sa mga tao at kakaunti lang ang sikreto. Di rin maganda ang sobrang pagiging open ‘te, kaya dapat ipitin mo nang konti at magtabi ka ng para sa sarili mo.

Madalas kang nerbyosin at madali kang matakot. Bawasan muna ang caffeine intake para di ka nanginginig.

Huwag masyadong gawing madalas ang pagpunta sa Starbucks at Milo kapag nag-vevendo. Huwag kang masyadong ma-tense. Baka mapajinggle ka nang wala sa lugar.

Leo July 23-Aug. 22

Aral-aral din! by Harriet Kim Anh Rodis

Signal #3 by Kim Christian Cunanan

Matured ka na at malawak ka kung magisip. Creative ka ultimo sa maliliit na bagay, ‘sing creative ng mga future teachers sa CEd. Kaso maraming nakakapansin na bossy ka. Sa relasyon ikaw yung tipong mang-uunder, mala Christian Grey ang peg; may dom at sub. Pero kahit ganoon, iba ka magmahal.

Ikaw ay makabansa, pero mahilig ka din sa mga imported products. Mahirap kasing ipagpalit ang Hersheys sa Goya, ang Vanns sa goma, at ang Spam sa torta.

Libra Sep. 23-Oct. 23 Hearthrob at lapitin ng mga nagmamahal kahit saan man magpunta.

Pinanganak na chickmagnet, sadyang malupit dahil sila ang lumalapit. Minsa’y tinatawag na flirt kahit friendly ka lang, okay lang yan hayaan mo sila. Pabago-bago rin ang isip mo kaya hirap na hirap ka sa True or False na type of test. Ang maganda naman sa personality mo, ikaw yung taong ayaw ng gulo. Madalas ikaw ang pumapagitna at siyang nagtataguyod ng kapayapaan. Hindi ka naman duwag kaya ayaw mo ng away, sadyang mabuti ka lang.

Sagittarius Nov. 23-Dec. 21 Parating positive ang mindset mo, lakas maka-Rexona “it won’t let you down.” Ang lakas mo din maka-good vibes dahil mahilig kang magpasaya ng tao. Pranka ka kung pranka, ‘di baling tagos sa buto ang mga sinasabi mo basta totoo.

May mga ibang naiinis dahil sa mga sinasabi mo, pero mayroon namang natutuwa dahil totoo ka. Minsan hindi mo alam na may nasasaktan ka na sa mga ibinabato mong salita. Mahirap din magtiwala ng sikreto sa’yo dahil madalas kang madulas. Bawasbawasan din ang pagiging iresponsable, gumawa agad ng assignments huwag masyadong mahilig sa rush.

Aquarius Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Ikaw ang awardwinning Mr. /Ms. Congeniality kasi halos kilala mo lahat.

Binabansagan ka nilang social butterfly at feeling close pero okay lang dahil para sa’yo importante ang pagkakaibigan. Ayaw na ayaw mo ang imitations, siyempre mas maganda kapag original. Madalas matigas ang iyong ulo at ang gusto mo ang nais mong masunod. Maipilit lang eh, sige i-push mo yan. Medyo matigas din ang iyong puso, hindi ka maramdamin at kahit ilang recollection pa ang puntahan mo, hindi ka naiiyak.

Taurus Apr. 20-May 20 Mahaba ang iyong pasensya, ipagpatuloy mo lang iyan. Marami pa ring isip bata kahit nasa kolehiyo na.

Unawain mo lang sila kahit mahirap.

At least, ikaw ang mas nakakaintindi.

Wala nang dapat ikabahala ang iyong karelasyon dahil ikaw ay likas na matapat. Dahil loyal ka, inaasahan mo na dapat ganon din ang balik sa’yo. Pero sa sobrang pag-eexpect mo, nagiging seloso/selosa ka na.

Ikaw ay pinanganak na may malaking puso. Hindi mo matiis ang mga bata sa overpass at si Lolo Candy Man sa side gate. Pero ‘wag kang papaabuso masyado dahil baka mamaya wala ka ng pamasahe pauwi sa inyo.

Cancer June 22-July 22 Emosyonal ka pero mapagmahal, huwag mo lang io-over act dahil magmumukha kang star ng heavy drama. Huwag maging suki ng wrinkles dahil nagmahal na ang pagpapabanat. Kung marami kang problema, try mong magpoker face kasi ang plastic naman kung ngingiti ka tapos pilit. Ang mahirap sa’yo ay paibaiba ang iyong mood na minsan para kang matandang malapit ng mag-menopause pero minsan para kang nanalo sa lotto. Huwag ganon!

Ang labo mo eh, di ko gets. Dapat huwag kang hot and cold, pati vendo maguguluhan sayo eh.

Virgo Aug. 23-Sep. 22 Ikaw yung taong mahiyain at ‘di makabasag pinggan.

‘Sing pino ni Maria Clara ni hindi mo masagkil. Pero naniniwala ako na depende lang ‘yan sa lugar at sa mga taong kasama mo.

Malay natin daig mo pa pala si Miley Cyrus na hanep kung mag-twerking.

Pagdating sa pag-aaral at pagtratrabaho sinusuguro mo na malinis, maayos, at kung maari ay perfect. Metikulosa na kung metikulosa basta ang importante pulido ang gawa.

May ibang natutuwa sayo pero ‘yung iba binabansagan kang OC o ‘yung may sakit na “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.” Okay na iyon kesa sa dugyot at nanggigitata ‘di ba?

Scorpio Oct. 24-Nov. 22 Determinado ka sa bawat gawain. Subsob sa pag-aaral medyo GC (Grade Conscious) kaso dinedeny pa. Mababaw din ang mga luha mo at mabilis kang masaktan.

Kailangan mo nang kaunti pang tapang dahil marami talaga ang masama sa mundo. Mahirap basahin ang iniisip mo, ikaw ‘yung tipong maraming lihim.

Mabibilang lang sa mga darili ang salitang sasabihin mo, wala namang bayad ang magsalita, iwas bad breath pa.

Capricorn Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Praktikal ka at hindi maluho. Inuuna mo ang need sa want.

Medyo may pagkaambisyoso/ambisyosa ka. Madisiplina ka sa oras pati sa iyong katawan.

Mayroon ka ring sense of humor, kung minsan mukha mo palang nakakatawa na.Ngunit dahil diyan marami kang napapasayang tao sa paligid mo.

Parati kang nega at takot sa mga posibleng mangyari. Ang iyong katauhan ay nababalot ng misteryo, nakakatakot parang 4th floor ng SL building.

Pisces Feb. 19-Mar. 20 Malawak ang iyong imahinasyon, suki ka sa dream land pero sana huwag hanggang pangarap lang. Mabait ka at mapagubaya, kayang kaya mong unahin ang iba at kalimutan ang iyong sarili.

Kapag ikaw ay may problema, mahilig kang tumakas, lalo na pag iniisip mo na wala na itong lunas. Madali kang maimpluwensiyahan ng mga opiniyon at paniniwala ng iba. Iwasang magpapaabuso at magpapadala sa mga BI o Bad Influences.

THE PIONEER

15 Sports BEING CAUGHT ON-GUARD! SPORTS EDITORIAL Basketbrawl?

Ryan Garcia

Shej S u

mang

ero ce Rom Terren

Bobby Parks Jr.

Kiefer Raven a

by Nikko Raphael Villanueva

Photos Credit: Google Images THE UNIVERSITY Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) is the most followed collegiate athletic league in the country, especially the Senior Division of Men’s Basketball. Thousands of fans are anticipating each and every game cheering for their Alma Mater or the teams that they favor the most.

In basketball, a game is never fun without the guards.

May it be a point guard or a shooting guard. Because they are the ones who provide fast-paced action that basketball fanatics love to see.

So here is a short list of the finest guards in the UAAP who never fail to give the fans heart-pumping actions and thrilling moments.

Name: Kiefer Isaac Crisologo Ravena School/Team: Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles Position: Shooting Guard Dubbed as “The Phenom,” Ravena started to create noise in the world of basketball when he joined the Ateneo de Manila University Eaglets which he led to three consecutive championships in the UAAP Juniors Division. After graduating in high school, Ravena was pursued by a number of universities but stayed with Ateneo to play for their senior team. He then helped the Blue Eagles win two more championship to stretch their reign to five consecutive titles.

This year, Ravena and the Blue Eagles are trying to capture their sixth straight trophy.

He is an all-around player who has a great shooting touch and a keen eye for dishing the ball. He can be an explosive scorer, a court facilitator, or both at the same time. Last season, Ravena posterized Kareem Abdul who is from the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) showing that he is not just a pure-blooded shooter but can also slash to the paint and display his leaping ability.

Name: Shej Roi Sumang School/Team: University of the East Red Warriors Position: Point Guard Roi Sumang is a player from Tondo who grew up playing basketball on the streets. In high school, he played for the juniors team of Letran. After leading the Red Warriors to a championship at the 2013 FilOil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, Sumang continued his dominance in the UAAP. Sumang has swift hands and a very fast behind-theback dribble that can beguile his defenders to create scoring opportunities. He can hit three-point shots from the parking lot. He can sneak out and lead fast breaks. Sumang also initiates ball movement and finds open teammates. His team and trainers see him as a very efficient court general. UE head coach, Boysie Zamar, remembers PBA Great Hector Calma’s playing days when he sees Sumang orchestrate in the game.

In basketball, a guard is one of the most essential elements to complete the winning formula. And as the UAAP season comes to a halt, these elite cagers are the ones to watch in the future seasons of the league as they carve their way to the world of professional basketball.

DepEd, PHILSPADA-NPC...

The training-seminar has three components: Training of Trainers and Coaches; Technical and Classification Seminars; and Talent Identification.

Participants of the Talent Identification in athletics, swimming, table tennis, goal ball, futsal, and boccia are orthopedicallyhandicapped and visuallyimpaired athletes.

The selection of members will be based from the training for the Philippine Team in future international competitions.

Philippine Sports Commission will support the training of trainers and coaches and the technical and classification seminars helping DepEd and the PHILSPADANPC.

from page 16

“Part of inclusive education is giving our differently-abled athletes the kind of training and other support services they need to optimize their potential as a total person,” Luistro added.

Luistro also said that the training-seminar aims to create a pool of coaches, trainers, technical officials, and classifiers who will support differently-abled athletes in all levels of competition.

Trainings for the Mindanao leg started on August 30 and ended on September 1 which was held in Cagayan de Oro City. The Visayas leg will be from September 20 to 22 in Tacloban whereas the Luzon leg will be on October 11 to 13 in Baguio City.

Name: Bobby Ray Parks Jr. School/Team: National University Bulldogs Position: Point Guard/Small Forward Son of the legendary PBA import, Bobby Ray Parks Jr. is a natural talent ever since he started playing for the NU Bulldogs. After playing for St. George High School in the United States, Parks was being scouted by NCAA Division 1 schools in the US. But he decided to play for NU instead. His arrival turned the Bulldogs into championship contenders.

Parks won the MVP award at the end of his rookie season, and once again got it in his second season.

Parks is a Carmelo Anthony like player. He’s an excellent shooter and slasher, making him an offensive juggernaut.

He also knows when to pass the ball and when to take it all by himself. Parks love to posterize his defenders and can control the pressure in clutch situations.

Name: Terrence Bill Romeo School/Team: Far Eastern University Tamaraws Position: Point/Shooting Guard When Terrence Romeo entered the UAAP, he was a cast in RR Garcia’s supporting crew. The eyes of the UAAP and basketball aficionados were all on Garcia as he played exceptional basketball. At the same year (2010), Romeo managed to win the Rookie of the Year award while Garcia was crowned as the MVP. But still, FEU failed to win the championship that season. Due to a number of injuries, Garcia was sidelined and Romeo was then expected to bring wins for the Tams with their star player’s absence.

Romeo did not fail them; he became a premier shooter and a great passer. Soon enough, he was the one leading the charge for the Tamaraws. His transition from an assist man into an explosive scorer is flawless since he learned to adjust and combine the two. Now being addressed as the King Tamaraw, he is the leading scorer of the team and is expected to bring back the Tams in to title contention.

Name: Ryan Roose Garcia School/Team: Far Eastern University Tamaraws Position: Point/Shooting Guard RR Garcia has played not only for the FEU Tamaraws but for the country also. He won the UAAP Most Valuable Player award in 2009. As a part of a strong Philippine selection team who competed in the Southeast Asian Games and NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA D-League, Garcia won a number of championships already. As one of the leaders for the Tams, Garcia is continuously striving to get a UAAP crown.

Before getting injured, Garcia was a consistent offensive machine. He takes the shot when he wants to and where he wants to. He was an excellent perimeter shooter and can drive easily to the basket to score. Being a point guard, Garcia also had the knack of dishing out flashy passes to his teammates. After his injuries, Garcia slowed down a bit but still was the same player who can explode for 30 points on any given day.

Endurance swimmer... hospital. Dr. Derek Covington, who was a part of her team, said that it was an incredible experience watching Nyad all throughout. He also declared that the swimmer is healthy and will be recovering quickly from dehydration, swelling, and sunburn.

Yahoo News stated that 24 hours after the triumphant record-breaking swim, 64 year-old Nyad appeared in her day-long celebration looking refreshed and enlivened. She said that the toughest test during the 53-hour swim was the high winds and swallowing large amounts of seawater which made her throw-up a number of times.

She also praised the supporting cast who

from page 16

THE PHILIPPINES has national heroes who fought tooth and nail against foreign conquerors.

We are taught at school to be inspired by these phenomenal individuals who freed the country from slavery and oppression. That lesson might be the reason why basketball stars both in the professional and amateur ranks are turning courts into boxing rings and their fellow players into their personal punching bags.

Let’s starts with the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). In the present season of the UAAP, Commissioner Chito Loyzaga generously awarded suspensions to a number of players (and even a coach and a fan) for their not-sportsman-like behavior.

These collegiate ballers are starting to become “too” competitive, giving the referees an easier job of blowing the whistle and handing out those fouls. University of the East (UE) big man Charles Mammie is the most notable one. He was slapped with a two-game suspension which started when he confronted, shoved, and KICKED Roider Cabrera of Adamson University. Another UE player, Lordy Casajeros, was also suspended for hitting Terrence Romeo of Far Eastern University (FEU) with a closed fist. Earlier this season, Jeron Teng of La Salle and Joeffrey Javillonar of National University were also suspended for their aggressiveness inside the playing court. FEU’s RR Garcia was also part of this fiasco after hitting a La Salle guard with an elbow.

Not only the players, but coaches and fans want to join the mess also. Just a few weeks ago, Coach Bo Perasol of Ateneo was caught on cam aggressively trying to go to the stands and confront La Salle fan and alleged heckler, JJ Atayde. Perasol was needed to be restrained by security personnel to prevent him from attacking Atayde. The UAAP came up with a one-game suspension for the Blue Eagles’ head coach and banned Atayde from attending UAAP games for the rest of the season.

Recently in the PBA, national team player Marc Pingris and now the infamous Kelly Nabong got into a somewhat mix martial arts fight in the middle of a game between the San Mig Coffe Mixers and the Globalport Batang Pier. It started with a foul call that later on sparked into a rumble. Besides Pingris and Nabong, Joe Devance and Marvin Hayes also got punished for taking part in the brawl.

Surprising? No. Basketball is a physical game.

Even before, brawls were already present and sometimes, they turned into riots. Is this bad? No. Perhaps this will define a new age in Philippine basketball. New breeds will be muscling their way to international contests which are very physical compared to the level of competition in the motherland.

Calvin Abueva and Beau Belga are being criticized for their excessive physicality in the PBA. But look at them now, already having championships because of their “physicality.”

But that’s how basketball is nowadays: Be the bully or the one being bullied. And more often than not, the bully reaps the rewards of their labor.

accompanied her through the swim and the people who inspired her to finally capture the goal that she started aiming for since 1978.

The team that convoyed her this year was equipped with a device that generated a faint electrical field around her, designed to keep sharks at bay.

A boat also heaved a line in the water to help keep her on track.

Hemingway Marina Commodore Jose Miguel Diaz Escrich, an official who aided Nyad in organizing her multiple attempts, said that more than the athletic feat, she (Nyad) wants to send a message of peace, love, friendship, and happiness Vintage Ironwoman. At the age of 64, Diana Nyad swims for 110 between the people of the miles from Cuba to Florida, setting a brand new world record.

United States and Cuba.

Photo Credit: Google Images

THE PIONEER

Sports

16

Balancing with ‘the way of the foot and the hand’

by Hee Soo Oh

Serving Dragon. Amiel kicks through life’s toughest obstacles as a taekwondo prodigy and a student leader for the College of Computer Studies (CCS).

Photo by Deanne Belle Canlas

DepEd, PHILSPADA-NPC launch training for Paralympics

by Rosiah Rodriguez THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) and Philippine Sports Association for the DifferentlyAbled National Paralympics Committee of the Philippines (PHILSPADA-NPC) will hold a special training for differentlyabled athletes nationwide. This is to help them win international sports competitions by coaching and training them.

According to DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro, the purpose of the trainings is to develop public consciousness about the sports program of the government for differently-abled athletes starting from the local up to the national level.

“These athletes are equally capable and deserving of all the state support they need,” Luistro said. continued on page 15

American swimmer finishes CubaFlorida swim

by Nikko Raphael Villanueva

AFTER FOUR unsuccessful attempts, Diana Nyad, a 64-year old swimmer, accomplished a new world record.

The long distance swimmer became the first person to swim from Havana, Cuba to Florida (110-mile distance) without the help of a shark cage. According to Time Sports, with 17 miles left to go, Nyad already broke the record set by Penny Palfrey for her 2012 efforts over the same distance.

Nyad finished the swim with the official time of 52 hrs. 54 mins. and 18.6 secs.

“I got three messages. One is we should never, ever give up.

Two is you’re never too old to chase your dream. Three is, it looks like a solitary sport, but it is a team,” she said as she arrived on the shoreline. A group of people, including friends and relatives, waited for her to congratulate her and take photos. Upon coming to the bay, she was placed on a stretcher and was sent to a continued on page 15

“BALANCE” IS an important key word in both life and sports.

Although it may be a difficult thing for others, 18 year-old Taekwondo athelete Amiel Nicole Antonio lives by this word as he serves the student body as a student leader and raises the name of our university in different competitions.

Antonio started playing Taekwondo before entering his sophomore year in high school.

“My father really wanted me to be involved in sports, so his friend advised him to enroll me in a Taekwondo class during summer,” he said.

He was an under-trainee during his junior year and became an official AUF athlete a year after.

Although he did not enter this field at a young age, Antonio has won several medals in different competitions. He won bronze medals in the Regional PRISAA in 2011 and 2012, and silver medals in the 2011 Smart National Taekwondo Championship and 2010 ACAA Meet. However, his greatest accomplishment is winning gold medals in CPJ Regional Taekwondo Championship and Central Luzon Taekwondo Championship in 2010.

As a junior BSCS student and the College of Computer Studies (CCS) College Student Council (CSC) Vice President, he manages his studies, training, and works in the council by balancing his tasks according to importance. He said it is important to learn to sacrifice and when to sacrifice.

“In sacrificing, I always ask myself kung worthy ba siyang i-sacrifice. As a student-leader, I have to sacrifice many things but I can always ask help from colleagues kung di ko talaga kaya,” Antonio said.

Despite his skills as an athlete, Antonio also experiences difficulties in training. He suffers from scoliosis and capsulitis which hinder his performance during practice.

“Especially in Taekwondo, every kick has its own posture and it is hard to practice those kicks when you feel very inconvenient,” he added.

According to Antonio, he needs to push himself to the limit during training but he is having a hard time due to these ailments.

“Pero kung talagang may passion ka naman sa ginagawa mo, kahit na may obstacles or hindrances na dumarating, magpapractice at magpa-practice ka pa rin.”

On the other hand, his present goal is to acquire the back belt.

“Every Taekwondo jin’s main goal is to be a black belter. The same goes for me. My second goal is to bring the name of the AUF Taekwondo Team in national competitions,” he added.

Meanwhile, he said that to be a good athlete, you should keep practicing and love the sport you are playing.

“As my master always says, you are always better than what you think. So don’t be afraid to push forward.”

Bossaball: When notes and balls collide

by Kathleen Camille Apilado

HAVE YOU ever heard that there is a game played in a circular trampoline and requires samba music while playing? How about a game that involves different martial arts skills, volleyball spikes, soccer kicks, and some dance steps? If you haven’t heard these, now is the time to know a thing or two about the sport called Bossaball.

What is Bossaball?

Bossaball is a dynamic and unusual game that you may have not seen or heard before.

According to topendsports.com, this is a hybrid of volleyball, gymnastics, beach soccer, and capoeira (an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines parts of martial arts, games, music, and dance) played on a specially designed inflatable court with a circular trampoline on each side of a net.

The Origin This sport was developed in Belgium between 2003 and 2005 by Flip Eyckmans – a soccer fan, a table tennis player, and a music promoter. He was

Duet of Music and Fitness. Bossaball combines groovy music and extreme movements like kicking, jumping, spiking, etc. Photo Credit: Google Images

inspired by the atmosphere of volleyball and soccer games, capoeira, and non-stop music on beaches. These became the elements of his invention which gave birth to bossaball. Now this sport is becoming well-known, and tournaments are organized in different countries such as Mexico, Ecuador, Europe, Brazil, and the Middle East.

Sports Buff Beat

by Rosiah Rodriguez and Mary Nicole Dimasangal

“No. Kasi maganda if first year palang sila, naglalaro na sila para kapag senior na sila, familiar na sila sa laro and sa team nila.”

–Raven Ambrocio (CBA) “Yes. Parang hindi naman sila kinukuha for educational purposes. Kinukuha lang sila para sa skills nila sa specific sport.”

–Dustin Lumba (CBA) “Yes. Kailangan munang matutunan ng student ‘yung discipline kasi sa school natuturo ‘yung mga regulations kaya marunong silang sumunod sa rules. Hindi mo rin masisisi ‘yung school kasi hindi madaling i-let go ‘yung mga magagaling na athletes na biglang lilipat ng ibang school.”

–Micronesia (CEA)

“No. Para sa akin, no one should be denied in participating the UAAP games only because bago lang sila sa school. Anyone should have the chance kasi everyone has their own skills, and I find it unfair for those people na nagaaral sa non-UAAP member na magta-transfer sa UAAP member na school, kaya dapat i-revoke yun.”

–Arnelle Belason (CAS) “No. Kapag na-late sila ng two years, hindi na nila ka-age ‘yung mga kalaban nila and baka masayang ‘yung skills nila.”

–BJ Gonzaga (CAMP) “No. Bakit kailangan pa ng two years? What if talagang magaling ‘yung student and kailangan niya ‘yung scholarship na galing sa sport na ‘yun para makapag-aral?”

–Mary Grace Morales (CAS)

The Rules There are two teams in the game. Each team should have three to five players and the net height is adjusted depending on the height of the players. Just like in volleyball, the goal is to hit the ball back and forth using powerful spikes. If it lands inside your court, the opposing team will get the point.

You can serve the ball any way you want. Just be sure to make it impressive. Teams are scored three points for scoring on the trampolines, but only one point when scoring on the court. If the ball lands on the ring around the trampoline, the play continues.

A match is played over three sets and the winner of each set is the first team to score 25 points (or to be two points ahead).

In this sport, music is required. From the name itself, you will read the word “bossa” which came from the word “Bossa Nova,” a famous type of samba music. Believe it or not, there are no actual referees in this game.

The officiating is done by the people they call “samba referees.”

Besides officiating, they also act as master of ceremonies, drummers, and DJs. A must-try sport This is one unique combination of music and sports!

It is a must-try activity in which we may enjoy dancing to the rhythm while exercising our body.

So what are you waiting for? Try playing this game now and have fun while staying fit!

ARE YOU in favor of the executive order of the UAAP Board that any incoming collegiate athlete should take a mandatory two-year residency before being qualified to play?

“No. Hindi naman factor ‘yung pag-familiarize sa school sa performance ng athlete.”

–Mark Cruz (CCS) “No. Sayang ‘yung playing years. Wala namang mangyayari. Sayang din ‘yung scholarship.”

–Ross Cari (CEA) No, kasi hindi naman kailangan ganun katagal yung training, kahit months lang pwede na. Yung school hindi naman ititrain ng 2 years yung athlete kung alam nila na magaling na siya.

–Erwin Alamares (CCJE) Yes, kasi you have to have proper training before competing in the UAAP. –Raychelyn Galang (CEd)

The UAAP is the grandest stage for collegiate athletic competitions. But with this new rule, aspiring athletes may have doubts in joining universities that are members of the UAAP because of the two-year residency rule.