Tagbando Vol 30 Issue No. 6 (October-December, 2022)

Tagbando

UAEANS CELEBRATE PASKUA

By Jorielyn Martizano

After two years under distance and online learning, students of University of Antique (UA) system witnessed the opening of lights in the main campus which is colloquially called pasKUA on November 29.

Students from main, external, and extension campuses of the UA system, particularly the student leaders and performers graced the program as a jump off of activities from the different colleges and student organizations of the main campus in the succeeding days.

Among the student-led activities were PaskUA Marino of College of Maritime Studies (CMS), CASadyahan sa PaskUA of College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Chill Chill and Enjoy of College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), of Business and Accountancy (CBA), TEACHERific Night of Sharing of College of Teacher Education (CTE), CCSinadya sa UA of College of Computer

Studies (CCS), Paghugpong para sa maCEAng Kapaskuhan of College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA), PaghirUpAy sa PaskUA of College of Technology (COT), and Student Organizations Night.

Aside from programs, there is a Tiripunan Bazaar which showcased the creativity of the students in the field of pottery, dressmaking, arts, and crafts which are all situated in the Traditional Knowledge Center and UA Oval.

“This year’s celebration is about lightthat we become light for others, especially those in need. The center of the Christmas College Celebration is about giving- of gifts , of presence or anything that is hoped to bring smiles to the faces of our people,” Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr., university president said.

He also added that the sharing of talents, and gifts is what makes this celebration special. PaskUA is Antique’s local term for “holiday” wiith a pun of the university’s initials.

Induction pushed after sched conflicts

By Jorielyn E. Martizano

After multiple postponement of the induction into office, student leaders from different organizations of UA-Main Campus sworn into office at the UA Cultural Center on November 28.

According to the newlyinducted University of Antique Student Government (UASG) president Kim John S. Osunero,

the induction postoned many times because of the unavailability of the inducting officers and conflict with the schedules of midterm examinations and intramural meet.

Osunero pledged into office before Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr., University President along with El Jan Jason Doronila, newly-inducted president of Future Leaders of the

Philippines (FLP)-UA Main Campus Chapter and their respective vice presidents, Brent Oliver Abucejo and Joscel Ivan Dayrit.

“I will look forward to hearing both your concerns and your aspirations for the welfare of the students of our University, all in an effort to set a clear and compelling path for the next chapter in the life

Dr. Crespo Jr. delivers his speech during the opening of lights at UA Covered Gym.

Elected governors of different colleges pledge into office before Photo by Demil Ros Mendoza

of this wonderful place,” Osunero promised.

He also vowed that he will be accountable and responsible for his shortcomings and will serve with dignity and listen, learn, and earn with his responsibility.

Meanwhile, Doronila stated that it was a great opportunity to stand in front of his fellow student

leaders to share his journey with FLP. “I did not expect to be part of this organization. I was just sitting at our classroom when someone approached and appointed me as an auditor. That unexpected appointment changed the course of my life. From auditor to president, it was a huge turn and I didn’t expect that FLP would fill my life with so much

learnings, happiness and friends that became a family,” he shared.

On the other hand, guest speaker Engr. Edgar D. Denosta, vice governor of Antique discussed about the student leaders’ roles in fighting disinformation and encouraged them to serve without having personal interests while in the position.

37 UA students train as peer facilitators

By Jan Brian Siladan

After two years of hiatus, the UA Guidance Center trained 37 peer facilitators from the eight colleges/departments.

This was during the first Peer Facilitator’s Capability Training at the UA Hostel on November 2829.

The seminar intended the students to gain substantial knowledge, skills, and attitude to be efficient peer facilitators.

“We train peer facilitators in order for the Guidance Center to gain an arm from the student body in facilitating UAeans’ psychosocial issues,” Dr. Kristoffer Ryan Gidaya, Head of the Guidance Center, said in an interview with The PRISM staff.

Also, Peer Facilitators’ acting vice-president, Hannah Bee Sibugan, emphasized that it is part of the Guidance Center’s advocacy to involve peers in student facilitation because mental health issues are rampant and contagious.

The first day focused on four topics namely, All About Peer Facilitation, Self Awareness and Values Formation, Communication Skills, and Facilitation Skills.

The second day of the event continued on November 29, with six topics and a team building activity.

Sibugan talks about the importance of peer involvement in mental health discussions.

Photo by Charles Ivon Sealquil

UAeans hold 1st folklore conference, IP festival

By Jan Brian Siladan

Hundreds of UAean students, faculty and staff attended the first Folklore Conference and Indigenous People (IP) Festival with the title Sab-ug facilitated by the Karay-A Folklore Society (KFS) at the UAMain Campus on November 18.

The KFS is a newly established multi-disciplinary organization currently composed of the university board of directors who indulge themselves with research.

Professional researchers presented eight research papers on IP culture and lifeways as a function of the organization to foster academic disciplines related to research on folklore and humanities.

“The society is open for students… as members. We have two kinds of membership: professional membership and student membership. If you were a student, imagine getting acquainted with the rubrics of research among some

of the practicing researchers of the University,” Alex C. Delos Santos, KFS president, said in an interview with The PRISM.

To be part of the organization, students must pay an annual membership fee of P100.00 while professional members are required to give P500.00 to the organization.

Moreover, Delos Santos said that the conference was meant to be a platform for presenting researches, to foster folklore studies, and to promote qualitative research and humanities research.

“We actually planned this in celebration of the Indigenous People’s Month last month in October but it was postoned due to some… logistics,” Delos Santos added.

UA participants register for attendance before the event began.

Photo by Jan Brian Siladan

Delos Santos gives a speech during folklore conference and IP festival.

CBA SC reports transparency on relief drive for #PaengPh victims

By Justine Jane Y. Abanto

On its Facebook page, the CBA Student Council (CBA SC) posted a transparency update of its disaster relief drive project, BUligAy kag Ulikdanay launched on Friday, October 28.

This is a rare occasion on which any student council regardless of scope posted its transparency report on financial management.

As they continued to mobilize relief efforts at UA in the aftermath of Tropical Storm (TS) Paeng, an accumulated 40,000 pesos worth of relief goods and medical supplies extended to the said council helped serve clean water, food and sanitary supplies to more than 400 UAeans and Antiqueños who took shelter at the university.

“As a youth leader, it is important to make sure that everything is in accordance with what is right and just. It is also a measure

of assurance for the donors that their donations were well spent and accordingly distributed,” CBA SC governor, Erl Macavinta said in an exclusive online interview.

He then encouraged other student organizations to be transparent in their governance as it is also a way to widen their social involvement as student leaders.

Macavinta also shared that immediate action, call for donations, utilization of emergency funds and personal allowances were taken by the CBA SC officers to purchase emergency supplies needed by evacuees during the storm surge last Friday.

“In the moment of difficulties, we, leaders, should be more empathetic and inclusive in serving other people. No special treatment, no priority...” he further stated.

Victims of Tropical Storm Paeng in Patnongon, Antique receive relief packs.

Photos by Renavi Maguidgad

UA suspends classes, resumes on Nov. 7

By Jan Brian Siladan

Following the announcement on the Province of Antique’s Facebook page that classes in all levels were suspended due to inclement weather conditions, UA president Dr. Pablo Crespo Jr. also announced on November 1, that students were no longer required to return to the University on November 2-5.

It was posted in the Facebook page, UA President’s Office, that students are advised to return to the university on November 7.

However, Dr. Crespo enforced that the permanent faculty and office staff including job orderlies must report to office on Nov. 2-5.

“Offices will be open at the university to provide services. The expected return date for students is November 7, 2022, though this date is still subject to change depending on the weather,” the UA President’s Office posted in their Facebook page.

The suspension of classes was due to the impact of Tropical Storm #PaengPH to the province where students of UA were affected by the storm and were stranded due to clogged roads, broken bridges, and raging rivers in Antique.

UA launches donation drive on intrams opening

By Jan Brian Siladan

Almost a week after Tropical Storm Paeng ravaged Antique, the UA Main Campus headed by its president, Dr. Pablo Crespo Jr. launched UA for Antique - The Bulig Drive on the opening day of Hugyaw 2022 .

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Dr. Crespo announced this during the flag raising ceremony at the UA Traditional Knowledge Center, Wednesday, November

Stranded UAeans take shelter at UA during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Paeng.

Photo by Jorielyn E. Mantizano

UAeans offered cash and in-kind donations for the victims of Tropical Storm

He called UAeans to bring donations in cash or in-kind on Monday, November 7, during the opening program of Hugyaw.

“Students by college would go because we will launch UA for Antique Bulig Drive, siyempre maparticipate man kita (faculty and staff),” Dr. Crespo said last Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Dr. Crespo stated in a live interview with Abante News Online on November 4 that some students were not able to head home because of the bridges that collapsed, and were catered by the university during the surge of Tropical Storm Paeng.

Hundreds of students in the main campus were stranded on October 28, the day when thunderstorm categorized under red rainfall hit Sibalom until the succeeding day.

In response, UA opened its gates and served as an immediate evacuation place for the stranded students and families in surrounding barangays.

“We are also reaching out na makatulong padin sa ibang mga pamilya dito sa Antique that’s why ‘yun talaga ang essence ng UA for Antique Drive,” Dr. Crespo emphasized in the interview.

The Hugyaw week will feature various individual, team, and combat sports events, cultural contests, and the Mr. and Ms. UA beauty pageant starting November 7.

Hugyaw, a Kinaray-a verb that means to roar in laughter and excitement, is the stylized name of UA’s intramural activities.

PBBM lifts wearing of facemasks indoors

By Deo Dame Beige Saligumba

Malacañang released a signed Executive Order (EO) No. 7 allowing voluntary wearing of facemasks in indoor and outdoor settings on October 28.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has advocated relaxing the face mask requirement in Resolution 3. (s. 2022).

According to the EO, mask usage is still recommended for Senior Citizens, people with comorbid conditions, immunocompromised, non-immunized, and exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, as well as pregnant women.

As stated in EO no. 7, wearing of face masks shall be voluntary except for the healthcare facilities, medical transport and public transportation by land, air and sea.

“A policy of voluntary wearing of face masks in both indoor and outdoor settings is a positive step towards normalization, and a

welcome development that would encourage activities and boost efforts toward the full reopening of the economy,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in an interview.

Furthermore, the Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) recommendations must be updated, according to the EO from the Department of Health (DOH).

While this was going on, Marcos urged the provinces, highly urbanized cities, independent component cities, and municipalities with low-risk classifications but Alert Level 2 status to make steps to increase their vaccine and booster coverage in order to fulfill vaccination targets.

Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 3 in September, which permits the voluntary use of face masks outside, particularly in wide-open spaces and unpopulated, wellventilated regions.

UAean LGBTQ+ student org gets a nod

By Jan Brian Siladan

The UA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + (LGBTQ+) community elected a set of officers for a yet to be established student organization at the UA Convention Hall on Thursday, October 6.

The LGBTQ+ students conversed with University President, Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr., and Mr. Mario Cayetano, dean of discipline who were accompanied by Engr. Sheryl S. Valera, director of Gender and Development (GAD) and

IPD runs strategic planning pt. 4

By Sandie Ged Minaves and Jan Brian Siladan

As UA prepared to modify its current organizational structure, the Institutional Planning and Development (IPD) office hosted the part four of the series of its Strategic Planning activities at the Cultural Center, on October 19.

This month, IPD organized the budgeting plan for the major thrusts of the university namely, instruction, research, extension, and production with the Financial Management Services (FMS) unit.

The strategic plan outlines the vision, mission, goals, and specific objectives of the university in the next six years.

This plan is also the framework to which the contents of

Mrs. Yumema Villanueva of the Student Affairs and Services (SAS) concerning the university rules and regulations that affect the community.

Issues regarding the dress code were discussed together with the establishment of the new LGBTQ+ student organization .

Dr. Crespo and Mr. Cayetano confirmed that long hair cuts for gay and transwomen will be allowed provided that their hair is tied in a bun and is “simple” but they emphasized that crossdressing during class hours is still prohibited.

In relation to the bullying incidents of LGBTQ+ students inside the campus, the victim(s) and officers should ‘write an incident report’ and forward it to SAS for proper investigation to address the case.

The new set of officers is set to process the establishment of the organization and will work on the SAS accreditation.

the student manual, faculty manual, administrative manual, procedural manual, and other policy books of the university are aligned.

Part of the planning is establishing a projection of the university for six years and beyond, including enrolment rates which will also be the basis for infrastructure development in the university.

Dr. Crespo Jr. with Mr. Cayetano involve in the conversation regarding dress code issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Photos by Jan Brian Siladan

IPD alongside FMS present budgeting plan for UA’s major activities during its strate-

The PRISM joins CAS virtual accreditation

By Jan Brian Siladan

Information and Publication

(IAP) head, Prof. Saredith C. Sola, invited The PRISM, the official student publication of UA, to join the Level II Accreditation of the College of Arts and Science (CAS), Wednesday, October 5.

The PRISM Associate Editor for Supervision, Jan Brian C. Siladan, joined the virtual visit as representative of the publication together with CAS faculty and staff, and university heads and directors.

“Our office is in charge of the institutional publication, separate po siya sa The PRISM para di po siya mag-conflict of interest. (It is) because we want to make sure that the students have their own voice,” Prof. Sola said in response to a question from the accreditor.

Representative from the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Mrs. Loreta Vivian Ramel Galima, said that she is happy to see a representative of the official student publication to shed light on some questions about the school paper.

The AACCUP evaluated 10 areas; Area I-Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives, Area IIFaculty, Area III-Curriculum and Instruction, Area IV-Support to Students, Area V-Research, Area VI-Extension and Community Involvement, Area VII-Library, Area VIII-Physical Plants and Facilities, Area IX-Laboratories, and Area X-Administration.

Twenty one programs of the university were scheduled for accreditation last October 3-7, 2022.

Guidance services, health services unit, BA psych studes run mental health talk

By Janea Giselle Cazenas and Demil Ros Mendoza

UA Guidance Services and Health Services unit held a mental health talk on October 17.

With a title “It’s Okay Not to Be Okay”, the organizers ran the said dialogue as part of the Mental Health Month activities at the UA Traditional Knowledge Center.

“We want the students to know that help in UA is here,” Dr. Kristofer Ryan T. Gidaya, UA guidance counselor, explained the purpose of the activity.

Mental Health speaker, cofounder of Welby Psychiatry, and resident psychiatrist at West Visayas State University Medical Center, Dr. Mitz S. Serofia, talked about mental health issues and advocated the spreading of awareness regarding these topics.

“Treat everybody as yourself, “ Dr. Serofia encouraged the attendees.

He also advocated that mental health should receive proper attention and should be a global priority.

Dr. Serofia of Welby Psychiatry and WVSU-Medical Center takes lead in the mental

Siladan represents The PRISM during CAS’s Level II Accreditation.

Arki UAeans celebrate world architecture day

By John Paul Macuana

With a theme “Architecture for Well-Being”, Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSArch) students from UA joined World Architecture Day (WAD) at the UA Cultural Center today, October 3.

The event focused on the goal of the International Union of Architects (IUA) to promote health and the union’s commitment to use evidencebased design of buildings and cities.

Among the prominent guests were Antique Vice Governor, Engr. Edgar E. Denosta, keynote speakers Arch. Bonifacio Guiterrez Jr. and Arch. Ma. Xenia S. Randall.

According to IUA, WAD was established in 1985 and is held every first Monday of October.

The said event was spearheaded by United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary-UA

Chapter (UAPSA-UAC) with the involvement of United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), United Architects of the Philippines Graduates Auxiliary (UAPGA), BSArch alumni and students.

Students were also challenged by University President, Dr. Pablo S. Crespo to inaugurate

an Architecture Building that will be evaluated in December.

“The best building of the university should be the College of Architecture,” stressed Dr. Crespo. The event continued until afternoon with Installation Art Competition and ended with fellowship night.

Faculty honored on national teacher’s day

By Joevyva Mae A. Torre and Mark Steven O. Tandoy

With the theme “Gurong Pilipino, Dangal ng Sambayanang Pilipino”, UA celebrated National Teacher’s Day today, October 5, 2022.

Students and teachers gathered at the Traditional Knowledge Center to join the event, which has been celebrated worldwide since 1994 as a result of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

(UNESCO) Recommendation concerning Teachers.

Dr. Pablo S. Crespo Jr., University President, officially commenced the said program with appreciation to all UA teachers and staff.

“Teachers are blessings, they are channels of blessings to all students,” he said in his opening remarks.

UA Sports director, Adrian Francisco, and Extension Services director, Dr. Marie Ann Raymaro, were awarded Best in Smart Casual Attire 2022 for Male and Female category, respectively.

Following Dr. Crespo’s declaration, the Teachers’ Day celebrations were extended for permanent members of faculty.

“We will continue the celebration in Boracay this coming October 20 to 22”, he declared to the permanent teachers of the university.

Selected students prepared a special performance such as community dance led by Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) students, and songs of tribute led by the University of Antique Student Government (UASG).

UAPSA-UAC officers pose for a photo with the event’s prominent guests and

UAeans acknowledge UA faculty during Teacher’s Month