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THE PRISM Leading the write path
What do you miss the most about
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The Official Newspaper of The PRISM
COMPILED BY SAMANTHA JOY QUIMAN AND SHAINA ROSE AYUPAN
Many of us admit that we feel belongingness and loved by everyone when we are in school. Those smiles and laughs of our friends and classmates that divert our sadness. I miss eating and working with them. I really miss those stressful days working with our assignment in Calculus during lunch time, cracking jokes together with our teachers. That feeling, “Bukot lang man gale ako sara gaka stress, mas stress tana classmates ko.” Longing for their touch and hugs that lift up my day, my mood shifter buddies, my comfort. I admit that I miss my friends the most than the lesson that we can learn in school. In fact, we can learn in some ways right? But once in a blue moon, we can find friends that would feel to us that we’re part of their family, we’re part of their life. “It’s been a while, but I really miss my second home, I miss school.”
-Cherry Ann Zamora BSED 3B
Our seven months stay in UA was so memorable and I miss some of the things we used to do. One thing I really miss having face to face classes is cooperative learning, here we do not let somebody to be left behind. As a pioneer class pf our program, we have this goal of ‘lahat makapasa at walang maiiwanan’. I still remember how we help each other in doing class reports and art artworks, and in this of extremities we still practice it, and upraise the principle of cooperativism. I have this attitude of giving and sharing references and books to my fellow English Major. As a true blooded UAean, let us help one another for us to go back to what we used to do before the pandemic. Let us uphold our core values wherever we go. Padayon kasUbAy!”
-Niño Jan Blase. AB ENGLISH 2A
A year ago, it was the same month when community quarantine was strictly mandated by the government because of the danger brought by COVID-19. Almost everything was shut down including schools, universities, establishments and many more. It saddens me every time I thought about how things changed, I could have reached a little longer with the people who are dear to my heart. I think I took advantage of the time where everything was normal. Now, what I missed the most about having face to face classes, well of course my classmates. I know it’s a different feeling doing lectures, exams, activities and just exchanging conversations inside the four corners of the room. Arm chairs, laboratories, canteens, grandstand, library, professors, crushes and fun. Growing, learning and making memories together. It has such been a rough year, taking online classes and catching up with the deadlines are real struggle. I just hope students like me could still survive and be optimistic that there is no easy step to our dreams.
It’s been a year since Covid-19 brought an unexpected conclusions to the academic year. We are all used to do little things we haven’t done normally. And finally adapted to this “new normal”. What I miss the most in face to face classes? We all know that it is everything, I miss everything. Especially the never ending laughs with my classmates and friends that bounced off inside the four walls of our classrooms. And also how we study together, sharing of ideas and eating lunch together because we’re “Ohana”, which means family. I also miss those wara ga ka ubos nga paramangkutanon nga “Diin ta makaon? To lang sa Canteen? Basi to man bala sanda ni crush no?”. If I knew that this would happen and it would be one of our last moments together, I probably enjoy it first and make it the most unforgettable one.
-Fretzl Ann Toledo BSCS 3A
First of all, I miss attending the early morning prayers, one of the most memorable thing about school. Every time I can’t make it through the allotted time, our punishment would be a lot of push-ups. Our school uniforms that should be neat and clean. We should be proper at all times, because we somehow represent our school and we should be outstanding. Especially because that’s what our instructors had taught us. We, as well miss them because through thick and thin they provide us the lessons we need to learn to apply it, not just in school but also in our daily lives.
-Resam Benedict Daylusan BSMT 2D
What I really missed is that, being with my classmates especially those are close to me,my friends. The bond that we’ve shared together during free time, the laughters when we’re happy, frowning faces when there are tons of paper works and requirements and the vibes of our quirky instructors. The teaching approach in face to face classes is way better than virtual classes since both the teachers and students were given the chance to interact during the class discussion and having an exchange of feedbacks. I also miss those sports and cultural activities in school, acquaintance party, department day, sleepless nights with my groupmates working on our assignments and projects. I miss the way we learn collaboratively and lastly my classmate saying “okay lang ra bawi kita sa finals” the one who’s tapping my shoulder and motivating me to just keep moving forward. There’s a lot of things I missed during face-to-face classes and I ultimately want to experience it again.
-Rica Melisa Grace S. Diana. BSBA 3D
-Jennie Jane Jover. BS ECE 2A
January 2021 - March 2021
Volume XXIX Issue No. 1 | January 2021 - March 2021
UA JOINS CHED’S STUDY.PH BY JORIELYN MARTIZANO AND LOUIE JOHN SERVANCIA
“The Covid-19 pandemic may have limited our mobility but it does not or will not overcome our commitment and passion to create a bigger global classroom of responsible student learners and travellers. And we encourage all of you to join us with this project,” Atty. Lily Frieda M. Milla, CESO IV, International Affairs Staff – CHED, said. Following the approval of its project proposals for Edutourism initiative of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), University of Antique(UA) organized the presentation of the CHED-UA Study.PH Program which was graced by CHED Chairperson J. Prospero De Vera III at the paghiUsA Hall, February 28. The university was among the 17 State Universities and Colleges(SUCs) in the country identified as grantees of the CHED’s program in which the proposals promote culture preservation, economic tourism, and environmental conservation. As a response to these components, UA came up with two Edutourism programs; Juan-A-Go Tourism Program and Sipal eskUelA: A Tertiary Sports Tourism Project. Juan-A-Go project aims to establish local and international linkages and capabilities towards efficient and effective delivery of learning and to improve the infrastructure to support innovations in knowledge
Hon. Popoy De Vera meets the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) grantees at University of Antique PaghiUsA Hall on February 28, 2021.
generation and education. The said project has an alliance with the Local Government Units (LGUs) of the province and Antique Provincial Tourism Office. Sipal eskUelA, on the other hand, is an avenue for improving educational outcomes, establishing national and international linkages, attracting foreign students and sports enthusiasts in the
university through Eco-Based Sports, Sports Summit, and Friendship Games as its major components. In fact, Sipal eskUelA was designed prior to Covid-19 pandemic so the challenge now is on how UA can normalize it in the new normal. Continue to page 3
NEWS FEATURE
500 cyclists join symbolic ride on UA’s founding anniversary
The kasUbAykers took the lanes in a symbolic ride during its launching.
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196 candidates earn diploma on The struggle in a blurry vision virtual grad A total of 192 graduates from the main and satellite campuses were conferred a degree during UA’s 2nd virtual semestral graduation exercises that was broadcast on Facebook live via UA official page on January 19.
Education and tourism in the Philippines, particularly in Antique province most likely do not have much collaboration in doing projects that will empower both sectors in the process.
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How tyrants silence the ‘Evelios’ they created Throughout the narratives of history, one idea has been consistent and the same in every country. That in the existence of tyranny, there is a rise of freedom fighters who work together to overthrow the despots.
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500 cyclists join symbolic ride on UA’s founding anniversary Dating kasambahay nakamit ang pangarap BY LOUIE JOHN SERVANCIA
The kasUbAykers took the lanes in a symbolic ride during the launching of kasUbAykers Cycling Group of University of Antique. | Photo by Vanessa Amor Buenafe
In line with the celebration of the University of Antique’s (UA) 67th Foundation Anniversary, more than 500 cyclists joined in the 10-km symbolic ride as part of the launching of kasUbAykers, the official cycling club of the University on January 19. Around 12 cycling groups participated and the majority came from the northern and central towns of the province. Wearing red and gold shirts, with IATF compliance, and in complete biking gears, the symbolic ride started from UA to Cubay Naultan – Bongsod – Pangpang – Olaga – Biga-a – Villar – Esperanza 3 – Esperanza 1 – Solong – District 2 – District 1 and then back to UA for the raffle draw of prizes for the registered participants of the symbolic ride. “We just joined here and I really enjoyed being with other cyclists in the province, and of course, it helped me a lot physically,” Alena Deniece Andrea Alentajan, a kasUbAyker from Cadolonan, San Remigio, said.
The brotherhood among the kasUbAykers started with a few members, mostly from outside the University but as time went by, it expanded to the different campuses of UA. The name “kasUbAykers” was derived from sUbAy which represents the spirit animal of the University. “I am delighted that many of our young people are into biking instead of devoting their time in computers and online games. Many of them go physical which is a very good form of exercise,” Dr. Pablo Crespo Jr., University President, said. Throughout the ride, UA was blessed with the presence and guidance of Vice Governor Edgar Denosta, SP Members Karmila Rose Dimamay and Mayella Plameras-Ladislao, LGU Sibalom, PNP, MDRRMC, Barangay Officials, SP Members, UA Sports Unit, and UA ERG. The launching also included the New Biking Curriculum to be embedded in the programs offered by the College of
Technology (COT) such as Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) major in Automotive Technology with courses in Bike Mechanics, Repair and Maintenance, and the BSIT Major in Fashion Design and Apparel Technology (FDAT) with the course in Biking Apparel Design and Production. Exactly five years ago today, UA made history as it established the Guinness World Record on the Biggest Human Formation of an Anchor with 6,000 people surpassing the 4,100 maritime students of Philippine Maritime Institute Colleges – Bohol. Now, the highlight was the biggest human and bike formation with the shape of “UA” participated by more than 500 cyclists. After the formation, kasUbAykers danced with great delight in HataU SAyaw (Zumba Session) led by the P.E instructors then proceeded to the Symbolic Ride. “We, P.E. teachers, really prepared for the Zumba Session and we are fortunate enough because we also became members of the kasUbAykers. We really want to share with other students that biking is good especially this pandemic,” Prof. Glea Joy Paulino, P.E. Instructor, stated. On the other hand, University of Antique Student Government (UASG), University of Antique – Future Leaders of the Philippines (UAFLP), RSCS and UAFedFA contributed efforts to facilitate the event. In addition, Dr. Crespo planned to launch the kasUbAykers in Hamtic Campus so that numerous cycling group from the Southern part would be able to join. “To the students, get into sports instead of staying in the confines of your beds and do the online games. It’s better to be physically fit, to exercise, and go on biking,” Dr. Crespo added.
SINULAT NI MARIANNE PALCAT
Kasabay ng paglagablab ng kasiyahan sa dibdib ay ang pag-apaw ng matatamis na likidong umaagos sa kanyang mga mata. Inaalala ang mga mapapait at masasakit na nakaraan at dinadamdam ang galak na sa wakas ang hantungan ng masalimuot na daan ay ang pagkamit ng diplomang matagal nang inaasam. “Kung may makakagraduate sa inyo, tutuwad talaga ako sa basketball court.” Mga katagang hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay nananariwa sa pandinig ng isang huwarang babae. Isang babae na puno ng pangarap. Minsan nang nagkandarapa sa hirap ng buhay at ilang beses ng kinutya at minaliit, subalit ang kanyang paniniwala sa Poong Maykapal at sa sarili, ang kanyang naging kaagapay sa pagharap ng mga masisidhing kasukdulan ng buhay. Kaya naman, sa kabila ng malinggal na ingay na dinulot ng pandemiya, ngiti ang kasalukuyang namumutawi sa mga mata’t labi ni Avelita Francisco, na kahit naging katulong man, ay isa na sa mga taong handa na ring tumulong. Si Avelita “Chab-Chab” Francisco ay dalawampo’t tatlong taong gulang na kumuha ng kursong Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship - Open Learning (OL). Ang OL ay isa sa mga binuksang daan ng Unibersidad ng Antique (UA) upang mabigyang pagkakataon ang mga nagtatrabaho na makapag-aral. Isa si Avelita sa mga nagsikap at pumasok sa mundo kung saan kailangang pagsabayin ang dalawa: trabaho at pag-aaral. Musmos pa lamang siya at kanyang tatlong kapatid nang biglang nilisan ng kanilang ina, na hanggang ngayon ay hindi niya wari ang dahilan. Ang hiwalayan ng kanilang magulang ang nagpatikim sa kanya kung gaano kapait, ang maidudulot ng buhay na walang pag-aaruga at pagmamahal ng ilaw ng tahanan. Sadyang hinamon ng kapalaran si Avelita nang
sumunod na namayapa ang kanyang ama, at sila’y napag-iwanan sa pangangalaga ng kanilang lola. Para patuloy na makapagaral ay nagtrabaho sa iba’t-ibang tao ang kanyang ate, kinuha sila ng kaniyang tiyahin, subalit dumating rin ang punto na hindi na nakayanan ang gastusin. “Naalala ko pa Grade 5 ako noon, nagpoposo ako sa kapitbahay para bigyan ako ng 20 pesos na pangbaon ko. Nung Grade 5 ako namasukan bilang scholar sa iba’t-ibang pamilya, nag-alaga ng baby, naglilinis ng bahay hanggang makatapos ako ng elementary,” kuwento niya. Hayskul siya nang kinuha ng kanyang guro bilang iskolar. Sa kabila ng mga hapdi at kirot ay kanya ring naramdaman ang tinatawag na totoong pagmamahal sa isang pamilya. Kahit naglalaba at nag-aalaga ng Si Avelita Francisco ay nagtapos sa kursong BS Entrepreneurship sa Learning Center ng Unibersidad ng Antique. | Larawan kuha ng bata, siya’y naging masaya. Natapos ang Open UA ID Center hayskul at parang biyaya rin nang malaman ng kaniyang tinitirhan ang Open Learning at kanya ang naging inspirasyon niya, na sa siya’y pinatuloy sa pag-aaral. ngayo’y nadagdagan ng kanyang partner na si G. Rene Boy Calcaña at anak nila na si “Para sa dagdag na kikitain Avreona Zea Calcaña. “Napagod din ako physically, ko nagbebenta kami ng mga emotionally at mentally pero hindi ako kaklase ko ng lumpia at nag- bumitaw, kaya sa mga estudyanteng katulad ko noon na nakikipaglaban at patuloy na oonline selling para may lumalaban sa hirap ng buhay, una magtiwala pangbayad sa module. Kaya sa Panginoon at isunod mo ang pagtiwala sarili mo. Huwag kang mawalan ng pagheto, magtatapos na ako,” sa asa dahil sa huli, lahat ng minimithi mong pangarap ay makakamit mo rin. Positive “Laking pasasalamat sa Maykapal, sa thoughts lang! Kapit lang!” turan niya ng Catbagan Family, sa Quanico at Calcaña,” siya’y tinanong kung ano ang mapapayo sa saad pa niya. mga taong kumakayod pa lamang. Marami ang naging balakid sa Tunay ngang walang mahirap kanyang paglalakbay tungo sa rurok ng sa taong masikap. Walang mahirap sa tagumpay. Ang kanyang pagiging matiyaga taong nabubuhay para sa pangarap. at matiisin sa lahat ng bagay na kahit mahirap Mangarap lang nang mangarap, sabayan ay pinapasok, ang humila sa kanya patungo na ng pagsisikap para tagumpay ay tiyak na sa pag-abot ng kanyang pangarap. Ika nga, malalasap. babangon para sa pangarap, kakayod para sa pangarap. Ang tatay, lola, mga kapatid, pati na mga kaibigan na nagtiwala sa
OPINION
How Tyrants from page 6
More than 500 kasUbAykers formed the image of UA during the launching of kasUbAykers Cycling Group. | Drone shot by Jayson Riobuya January 2021 - March 2021
in his lifetime as a leader, would stand where the youths who value the ideals of democracy currently stand. Beloy was not just the youngest governor of his time when he got elected during his youth. He is one of the thousand definitions of activism. He is one of the thousand proofs that the government still succeeds even without the use of force. He is one epitome of a governance that inspires rather than instill fear. Evelio Javier made a selfless choice to become a “man for others” that he had to stop living the peaceful life he had in the United States of America to make the lives of Antiqueños better, away
from exploitation and intimidation from those who are in power. And his choice is also the activists’ choice: to fight for the marginalized amidst security threats, to live away from comfort so others will have, and to achieve their nation’s dream even it is beyond the social realities. However, Beloy’s fate should not be the activists’ fate. No one shall be chased by dozens of bullets in broad daylight, or even in a dark corner of their land. His death may have sparked the EDSA People Power Revolution but that death should be a lesson that someone’s life be the reason to be awakened from a blinded sleep. The
youth of today should not experience what their ancestors have gone through for democracy. There shall be no more deaths because of impunity which will be mourned in their anniversaries. Despite the remembering of Evelio Javier’s death today, he is not ‘dead’. He continues to live within every youth who dreams a nation where the state values free speech, social justice, and kindness— the things that became the reason why they are rising, because these are the things that this administration lacked and probably will never have until the end of the present admin’s term. January 2021 - March 2021
OPINION
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Dacera case : A flawed diversion Jan Brian Siladan
As the Philippine National Police (PNP) awaits medical reports of deceased flight attendant Christine Dacera, questions stir up as to why it took the country’s interest. The issue tends to widen up to the hotel’s quarantine violation, the mother suspecting foul play and even issues on Dacera’s funeral. The issue does not concern the masses and could have been an isolated case yet it still stirred the people and was often heard in the news. The autopsy report of Dacera came out to be ruptured aortic aneurysm and it posed a question that the rape issue is amplified to cover up police negligence in the Gregorio mother and son case. The Struggle from page 5 without compromising the health of everybody due to the risk of travel and the regulation of the movement of the project. Planning and preparing for these programs are unlike the visions the institutions used to set for education and tourism before this pandemic that they can already finalize when will it start or manifest when would it succeed in fulfilling the main goals. The implementation of the projects depends on the health situation the province have, not on its manpower. With the slow progress in improving the COVID-19 response, the achievements of the edutourism vision also delays. The university’s edutourism projects can compete and has potentials to be a sustainable support for tourism but it will never be a milestone for both the tertiary education and tourism if the coming days, weeks, months or even years when it is only the number of cases and level of public immobility progresses and if the institutions and the people do not work collectively and continue to downplay the pandemic.
PNP chief Debold Sinas was formerly quoted saying that the case was “closed” after the arrest of three males who celebrated with her, on New Year’s Eve, at the hotel room where they stayed. Even though her friends claim that it was them who took care of Christine, the flight attendant’s mother concluded that there was foul play. A fatal shooting of a woman and her son in Paniqui, Tarlac happened just before the Dacera case occurred and the mass media had been found focusing on the rape-case rather than on how the police neglected their duty. According to Center for Women’s Resources, one woman or child is raped every hour which is roughly 7,037 reported rape cases nationwide on 2016. A
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rape case is serious and it needs attention but involving the netizens is believed to be unnecessary. Meanwhile, the police is waiting for Dacera’s DNA analysis, toxicology/ chemical analysis, histopath examination, and laboratory results from Makati Medical Center, according to Inquirer.net. The PNP seems to be cherrypicking in the cases they are handling. It can be recalled that the netizen’s video of Nuesca killing the Gregorio mother and son was doubted as evidence but the CCTV footage of Dacera’s last hours at the party was treated as conclusive evidence in the case. Is this an indication that the justice system in the country only offers their main attention on cases that make them appear like heroes? Cases which do not require public attention could have been stirred to cover the negligence and misconduct of one of the PNP’s men. This is a thought that comes out of mind due to the unnatural way of treating both cases. What is needed here is proper coordination among concerned agencies and for those in authority to be involved and start doing their jobs properly.
How tyrants silence the ‘Evelios’ they created Jorielyn Martizano
In the Philippines, there were the revolutionists, the guerrillas, and the activists who stood against the western colonization, eastern imperialism, and dictatorship. Then there was Gov. Evelio B. Javier. Every year, we commemorate his death that paved the way to our freedom from tyranny. This year is a different memorial as red tagging among student activists become the new diversion in the daily narrative of the government. Javier, who is popularly called as “Beloy” by the people who knew him, was described to be an outspoken, young, visionary leader and an advocate of good governance. Such qualities of him are now embodied by progressive youth leaders against what they view as another dictatorial regime today. This administration and the impunity-driven governance made and fostered a new generation of Evelio Javiers, who rise along with the likes of Edgar Jopson, Archimedes Trajano, and Liliosa Hillao. As Panay remembers Beloy’s
35th year of martyrdom this year, the likes of him see themselves in the same water of threatened security as the government resorted to red-tagging its staunch critics. The current administration treated activists as terrorists belonging to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army(CPP-NPA), a rebel group that thrived during the regime of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., when activism and terrorism do not stand in the same definition. Red-tagging became more prevalent as the president signed the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 where it made easy for anybody to label an activist as a rebel because of the gray area in the provided definition in the law, no court appearance after arrest, and compensation for false accusations. It is also the same administration that had sought the termination of University of the PhilippinesDepartment of National Defense(UP-DND) accord, an agreement that protects the academic freedom of the students. Beloy, who had valued activism and freedom of expression Continue to Page 7 January 2021 - March 2021
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lUpAd 2021: Embracing art virtually BY SAMANTHA JOY QUIMAN AND SHAINA ROSE AYUPAN
Avelino Lagunday Jr. of College of Teacher Education’s masterpiece during the 2021 lUpAd at the convenience of his home in Patria, Antique. Digital Poster Making Contest, first place winner.
Prevalently, every student’s canvas and blank sheets are ready. Their paint, oil pastels, crayons and all kinds of pencils are already positioned on the table. Yet – laptops, drawing tablets, computers, android, cameras, and other digital equipment are their partaker now, instead. Arts Month is customary every February. It is an event spearheaded by National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and institutions; which artistic organizations are encouraged to join the nation in celebrating it in their own ways. The University of Antique held its lUpAd virtual contests to highlight also the great ideas and creativity of the students in different works of art showcased virtually not to forget the intended focus also on the appreciation of local culture. The RSCS with the collaboration of the UASG had conducted this year’s Arts Month Celebration with the theme: Alab Sining, Alay Sigla, which has four categories – Digital Poster Making Contest, Harana, E-card Making and Recycled Home Decor. These contests are open for all bonafide students of UA Main campus and external and extension campuses who are the official representative of their college. Each college department is only allowed to have one contestant per category. Meanwhile, its main objective is to provide opportunities for harnessing artists’ creative energies in uplifting the nation’s spirit. It further aims to conserve, promote and popularize Filipino artistic creations; integrate the arts in the community; and harness the arts as catalysts for values education (ncca.gov.ph). Since lUpAd started last 2019 with a simple contest of designing old clothes and had them worn for a simple fashion show, the RSCS wanted to celebrate Arts month every February given that, last year the arts
month celebration was not materialized. “This 2021, because we have already experienced doing virtual contests during the Hugyaw, we decided to hold it in the same way so that we can also reach more students and let them share their talent and creativity even just in the virtual platform. The preparation was usual. We are thankful for the cooperation of the college governors and UASG whom we asked to share the info to the students”, stated Prof. Shella S. Sandoy, RSCS director. Furthermore, there are obviously merits in having the activity in face to face mode. It’s basically the tangible reach because it can expose the contestants to a large audience who can really witness how they did their masterpieces and the unquestionable validity that indeed the art works were done 100% by the students themselves. This is not to undermine or to doubt the talents and skills of the students. It’s just for establishing objectivity especially for the judges. “But we have tried to address such by asking behind the scenes and progressive photos of the participants while they were doing their art works. we also asked them to submit a sworn statement saying that their work is original and they have not copied any part of it from the internet or from any existing unpublished art work. Doing the contest virtually though also has its merits. The audience reach could actually be wider because the photos could be shared plus the search for people’s choice was instrumental in making the event popular. The audience experience, however, is limited in my own opinion. Although, we really devised some contests which could really be appreciated in the digital platform (digital poster and e-card making). The harana and recycled home decor would be best in ‘face to face’ definitely”, Sandoy added. Contine to Page 4
Rovejake Amaran of College of Computer Studies’ display of creativity during the 2021 lUpAd. Recycled Home Decore, first place winner.
UA joins from page 1 “The good thing about this project, ang mga estudyante natin ang mga gagawa nito, as attached actually in their courses, so very related talaga. It could enrich their learning and at the same time make this later on as our leverage by which we could be establishing linkages with other HEIs who are also in similar activities,” Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr, University President, said. United Financial Assistance for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) was one of the partners of this project, and Atty. Ryan L. Estevez, OIC Office of the Executive Director IV, was present during the program who gave his message about the CHED Scholarship. He emphasized that students who were chosen to receive financial support from the government did not directly mean they are poor, but because they need it and are deserving of the trust of the government to make the most of their lives, talents, and commitments to be better professionals to serve the country. Moreover, 16,000 students of the university are currently enjoying free tuition and miscellaneous fees wherein 2,000 are Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) beneficiaries, the most numbered beneficiaries in the whole region. “Ang mga hinihingi lang naman ng ating mga kabataan dito, they are not asking for privilege. They are not asking to be treated differently. They are not asking for special consideration. All they are asking for is a chance to study—ang hinihingi lang ay ang pagkakataon at pag-asa,” De Vera said in his speech. Hon. De Vera encouraged the TES grantees to improve themselves, their families, so they can “give back to the nation.” De Vera added that all he is asking from the students is to take studying seriously, finish their education at the right time, study well, improve themselves, improve the lives of their respective families, and give back to the nation. There will also be a 59-second video contest, led by De Vera, that will show how the TES grant has made a difference in the lives and learning of the student grantees from around the world. Study.PH is part of building the internalization of competitiveness of Philippine Higher Education Program funded under the Higher Education Development Fund.
January 2021 - March 2021
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196 candidates earn diploma on virtual grad
EDITORIAL
BY BRENT THOMAS SALVALEON
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EDITORIAL BOARD AY 2020 - 2021
Marianne T. Palcat Louie John Servancia Editors in Chief Jorielyn E. Martizano Associate Editor
The struggle in a blurry vision Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr., university president, confirmed the graduation of 196 candidates from the UA System for the 1st semester of academic year 2020-2021. | Photo by The PRISM staff.
Lead from page 1. Likewise four graduates from Tario Lim Ruiz Campus (TLMC) donned their regalia during the pre-taped graduation exercises. midyear graduation “With all the enlightening lessons of the past, the emerging surprising of the present and the thrilling uncertainties of the future, what matters most is we survive and surpass these trying times with the passion, dedication and commitment of an Antique’s Pride,” Mrs. Shella Sandoy, faculty of College of Arts and Sciences, said.
The majority of the graduates included students from the College of Teacher Education, College of Business and Accountancy, College of Engineering and Architecture, College of Computer Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, and Open Learning in the campus. Antique Representative Loren Legarda made a special appearance via a pre-recorded video to congratulate the graduates and shared some words of wisdom. “With great freedom comes great
responsibility, but with a fulfillment of these responsibilities comes even more freedom for yourself and for others. You have the freedom to make the easy choice or the challenging one. You have the freedom to do what you wish,” Hon. Loren Legarda said in a video message. The virtual graduation followed the daytime activities in celebration of UA’s 67th founding anniversary. This graduation’s theme was “Social Responsibility, Responsiveness, Relevance and Resilience for Excellence.”
lUpad 2021 from page 3 The struggle was actually more on popularizing the event with the students because it was just a simple activity and not really a big institutional activity like Hugyaw. As advised, they only used the RSCS and UASG Facebook pages for the people’s choice and only asked the help of the college governors in looking for participants. They also did not bother the cultural coordinators anymore because they also wanted to empower the appointed provincial officers and let the students just willingly join without any leverage from their teachers, believing that engaging in art should be a personal choice and should not be because the college has no representative. Afterall, any art work whether it is a painting, a poem, a song or a dance is an extension and an expression of oneself. In addition, Sandoy also shared
that celebrating hUgyAw last November was actually a good thing. Coordinators observed the same practice that they did in hUgyAw like asked the judges to come at a particular time to judge the pieces together so they could discuss and deliberate and avoid breaking a tie. Pictures for people’s choice where also uploaded after the judging. On the other hand, special gift packs with relative worth are given to winners upon notification of the RSCS Office. Wherein, the 1st place for all the contest will receive a gift pack worth P3, 000; the 2nd Place will receive a gift pack worth P 2, 000 and the 3rd Place will receive a gift pack worth of P1, 000. As for the rest of the participants including the People’s Choice will receive a gift pack worth of P300 as consolation price. January 2021 - March 2021
If there were, it is through college programs, exchange programs with foreign government organizations, cultural programs, research and extension, and course requirements. Travel both for education and tourism was not given much thought in the past years by the students who yearn for quality education. Nevertheless, these two, that the various sectors rely on are heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, Commission on Higher Education(CHED) teamed up with Department of Tourism and with the involvement of the Local Government Units(LGUs) launched the Study in the Philippines-Edutourism Program to help revive the tourism industry through education as the country’s borders are not yet open for foriegn and local tourists. University of Antique(UA) was among the state universities and colleges that are grantees of the program nationwide with Juan-a Go Tourism Program Phase 1 & 2 and Sipal EskUelA: A Tertiary Sports Tourism Summit Project as its developing programs for the educational tourism initiative. Though CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera said during the launching of the edutourism in the province that the waiting game for the vaccination and the ‘old normal’ is the time for the university to prepare its edutourism projects, the light at the end of the tunnel is still uncertain with all the circumstances that the Antiqueños engage with on the daily basis that hurdles the empowerment of education and tourism through these projects. Around two weeks after the launching of Edutourism program at the university, the province faced a sudden surge of COVID-19 cases. This was the
first time for Antique to record high number of cases in a year of community quarantine which blamed the failure of public policy and complacency of the people. Despite the long duration of the lockdown, massive testing is still a goal for the country and even the province. What added to the COVID-19 problem is the scarcity in the supply of vaccines rolled-out nationwide. Purchased vaccines have not yet arrived and all the vaccines that the country only has are donated vaccines from the COVAX facility and China. With the unimproved response of the state to the virus, the future of edutourism project is still blurry for the province. The current situation of Antique makes a ripple effect to both to the state of education and tourism in Antique. Campus activities that involve physical student participation became more impossible for UA to hold. Three of the five campuses of the university lies in the towns with highest recorded cases next to San Jose de Buenavista, the province capital. In the case of tourism, most visited tourists spots for summer in Antique are also in the highrisk towns and are currently regulated from tourists from other towns and provinces. Thus, both agency will not be productive enough to make these projects successful. While the state of health, education, and tourism are the concerns of these projects, community involvement is important too. The university and the LGU cannot develop these projects alone without the participation of people from the community who can contribute in generating information and innovation for its tourism service. It would be difficult for the project team to reach its constituents Continue to Page 6
Reah Rica Marie N. Padroncillo Managing Editor Iyen Bautista Daryl Reginaldo Circulation Managers Shaina Rose Ayupan News Editor Daven Luis Aragon Bryan Zander Baconga Op-Ed Editors Samantha Joy Quiman Sandie Ged Nicholas Minaves Sports Editors Alden John Tubale Korina Aurelio Magazine Editors Niña Rica Belmonte Literary Editor Ma. Stephanie Kate Balboa Brent Thomas Salvaleon Jan Brian Siladan Francis S. Mission Staff Writers Alfonso M. Samillano Jr. Adviser
January 2021 - March 2021