The Spectrum Newspaper June 2014

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THE S PECTRUM VOL. 58 NO. 1

APRIL 2014

USLS builds more houses in GK site

Photo by Roma Jane A. Hechanova

O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T M E D I A C O R P S O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F S T. L A S A L L E

LASALLIAN HEROES. Ignoring the heat of the sun, Lasallian volunteers keep on building houses, in the hopes of transforming the lives of the people they can help through the University’s Bayani Challenge.

A total of 534 students, staff and faculty members joined University of St. La Salle’s (USLS) five-day volunteer program called Bago City-USLS-GK Bayani Challenge 2014 to build four houses.

Headed by Balayan-Social Development Office (BalayanSDO), the participants started the construction of the houses at the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Lopue Legacy site in Brgy. Dulao, Bago City from May 12 to 16.

Apart from Lasallians,

volunteers from local government units, students from Bago City College, and members of GK Kapitbahayan association also participated in the said program.

As of press time, the four houses are still undergoing construction and Balayan expects to complete them by the end of August 2014.

Each house is worth Php100, 000, the funds for construction of which come from the budgets of the University Student Government, the La Salle Yearbook-USLS, the National

Service Training Program, and fund-raising activities of University clubs.

However, with the still ongoing fund-raising activities, Balayan decided to “start working on a fifth house”, according to Balayan-SDO Director Minmin Ponteras.

She added that Balayan patterned the said volunteer program’s concept, “but not fully”, from Bayani Challenge, an annual five-day national activity of GK launched in 2006 that gathers volunteers to participate

in poverty-alleviation through building homes, repairing schools, conducting health missions and tree planting programs, and engaging with kids.

Apart from the housebuilding activity, the University also adopted the Paraisong Pambata from the national Bayani Challenge, wherein Lasallian volunteers engaged the 30 kids in the community for five days in activities like storytelling, art workshop, singing, playing, dancing, and cupcake decorating.

USLS/3

Photo courtesy of Patricia Mari M. Mijares

10 Lasallians conduct internship in Japan

LASALLIANS GO GLOBAL. The ten Lasallian students sent to conduct a three-month internship in Japan proudly wear their native costumes, bringing the Filipino culture with them.

By Roma Jane A. Hechanova

Nine graduates and one senior student from the College of Education (CEd) of the University of St. La Salle (USLS) are currently on a three-month internship at Miyakonojo Higashi High School in Japan under the International Internship Program of USLS. CEd Dean Cherry Anne Biaco said the purpose of the program, which is exclusive to CEd students, is for the interns to teach English to the Japanese students and to make them more

globally competitive through “benchmarking from other Asian countries”.

“It opens a bigger window to a new world. It helps our students propagate good Christian values and become more diverse,” Biaco said.

The interns arrived last May 19 in Japan and started to work as assistant teachers the following day.

They not only serve as facilitators during the individual or group class activities of the students, but also get to hold classes and construct their own lesson plans in coordination

with the Japanese teachers for the English subject, according to Patricia Mari Mijares, the senior student-intern.

“We usually divide the group and attend classes with five student teachers, with one main teacher.

They prefer the progressivist strategy. For example, we will group the class into five with one student facilitator each assigned to deliver an activity,” Mijares explained.

Furthermore, the interns get to participate in four major programs of the host school, namely, Global Team, Theme Room, School Gallery, and the Summer Camp with the students.

Mijares said they are helping prepare the projects of the Global Team, which is composed of the host school’s various teacher.

The said projects include the Open House, which is similar to the University’s Lasallian Week, and the English Café, wherein the Japanese students may freely converse with the Filipino teachers.

On the other hand, the Theme Room is an English exhibit, which the students may visit to learn more about the said language,

while the School Gallery features photos of the different school club activities on their bulletin boards.

Meanwhile, the Summer Camp will allow the interns to interact and communicate more with the Japanese students.

The nine CEd graduateinterns include Marianne Agapito, Sheila Mae Bayag, Jem Herald Deliarte, Benjie-Al Dy, Zygell Doll Jamelano, Ariel Joy Patria, Jhon Elber Perolino, Jessa Raycel Raquinel, and June Carl Seran.

According to Biaco, the interns were chosen from the recommendation of the CEd council, which consists of the college dean, department chairs, and faculty members.

“The college council recommend students in terms of readiness, intelligence, adaptability, and active membership,” Biaco said.

Moreover, the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the host school last June 16 at the University’s English Cafe with plans to accomplish an agreement.

Biaco added that two more batches are to follow after the first batch finish their internship in Japan.

BNeFIT takes a step for future demand of Cloud engineers

UP IN THE CLOUD. Participants from the BNeFIT Seminar pose together with Bacolod City Councilor Hon. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue.

By Monica M. Cueto

International Information Technology (IT) firm EMC Academic Alliance, in partnership with BacolodNegros Occidental Federation for Information and Communications Technology (BNeFIT) and the University of St. La Salle (USLS), conducted a crash course program on Cloud technology at the Computer Science Laboratory 4 in USLS last May 19 to 23.

A total of IT professors from the different colleges and universities in the province participated in the program.

The training program on Cloud, a system of network computing wherein an application runs on a connected server, aimed to help IT teachers embrace and develop skills relating to the new technology’s innovation, infrastructure and services.

EMC initiated the program because they believe that the IT industry has taken a significant shift in this new age of technology.

BNeFIT Executive Director Hon. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue

claims that the professors are expected to teach the structure and fundamentals of cloud technology to their students in the hopes that, two to three years from now, the students will be equipped with the familiarity of Cloud.

“It is, after all, the foundation of the teachers to be able to teach a new technology,” adding that it will prepare today’s young people for the future challenges in IT and the increasing demand for cloud engineers.

She also said that the program was held to address the possibility of having no teachers with the right skills to teach students in the future, especially in IT. Moreover, with the possibility of decreasing job opportunities in some courses, enrolling in an IT course would be a good choice, according to Batapa.

“There might be a mismatch, so as early as now, I am warning all high school students to be careful when you choose a course. You have to think, ‘If I go to college and work four to five years from now, what’s going to happen by that time?’”

Batapa said, adding that “things are now really evolving fast”.

Photo courtesy of Raymund G. Trespicio

By Roma Jane A. Hechanova

NSEWS

THE PECTRUM

REVIVING THE LOCAL CULTURE. Peque Gallaga gives encouraging words to the young, aspiring Bacoleño artists.

By Kyzeah Coleen M. Tababa

University of St. La Salle’s (USLS) Culture and Arts Program Committee (CAPC) culminated its summer workshop called the Artists’ Hub, catering to the different artistry skills of students, at the Gallaga Theater last May 19.

With the theme “Discover, Develop, and Express your Creativity”, the programs for the different courses offered, which lasted from April 21 to May 17, were held at different locations in the University.

The workshop accommodated students in different courses, namely, Theater for Kids, Teen Acting, Voice for Kids and Teens, Visual Arts Basic, Basic Painting, Shidokan Karate Do Clinic, Creative Writing, and Basic Hiphop; the Artists’ Hub also hosted Digital Photography and Theater Improvisation

workshops in collaboration with Bacollywood.

Former Jean-Baptiste Dance Company Artistic Director Rene Hinojales started the Artists’ Hub two years ago, originally under the name St. La Salle Academy for Arts and Culture.

The culminating activity featured the outputs of this summer’s participants through an exhibit and graduation performance organized by the Hub’s secretariat and instructors.

Artists’ Hub Director Gerry Grey said during the culminating activity that “the summer workshops offer courses in the different artistic disciplines to introduce the children and teenagers to the joys of art, nurture their potentials as artists, as well as develop life skills such as creativity in problem solving, self-confidence and selfdiscipline, time management

Photo by Ryan Ceazar B. Santua

Artists’ Hub gives rise to new talents and social skills.”

Artists’ Hub also pioneered the first Bakunawa Film Festival, showcasing the film outputs of the students who enrolled for the summer classes under Film Production and Visual Design for Film.

Bakunawa is a mythical dragon- or serpent-like creature based on a Visayan folklore, particularly in Western Visayas, areas of Iloilo, Bacolod, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, Guimaras, associated with the eclipse, wherein it ate all of Earth’s moons, and the people in the ancient villages would bang their pots and pans noisily outside their homes, in hopes of scaring the Bakunawa into spitting the moons back out.

“We used this creature [Bakunawa] to signify a new creative direction for USLS without forgetting its roots.

This is a festival of bursting talents done under one moon: a sign of unification under one goal. This would be the very first time that these students have taken production subjects and the organizers are excited to share them to the Bacolod community,” Workshop Organizer and Co-Festival Director Tanya Lopez said.

The film entitled “Reverie” grabbed six awards, namely, Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Editing, and Best Use of Music, while Angelica Paviliar, Ena

Belen and Jorge Gamboa of the said film won as Best Director, Best Actress, and Special Jury Prize for Voice Acting awards, respectively.

Steven Asaph Reasol got the Best Filmmaker of the Summer Courses award, while Josh Motus and Kurt Soberano from “Transient” got the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards, respectively.

John Lemuel Delapa won the Special Acting Award from the Jury for “Yuhom”, while “Evading Charlie” got the Best Sound award.

Elvert Banares and Rodolfo Hinolan tutored the students all throughout the course, while film directors Lore Reyes and Jay Abello, film actress Angel Aquino, and Canadian film actress and director Talia Pura completed the board of jury, with director Peque Gallaga as chairman.

“Go out and tell the story.

Telling the story is very important because it defines who we are; it is the meaning of education,” said Gallaga.

Lopez said “the Hub will be expanding the workshops into a year-round training program in different artistic disciplines with after-class and Saturday sessions so participants can continue their skills development, guided by the experienced faculty. This is part the Hub’s commitment to develop artists and promote art appreciation to the community.”

Lasallians ‘Hug-a-Tree’ for Earth Day 2014

By Maria Angelica M. Ape

In celebration of Earth Day, the University of St. La Salle Balayan-Social Development Office (Balayan-SDO) organized a “Hug-a-Tree” program held in the University grounds last April 22.

Participating faculty, nonteaching staff, administrators,

campus club officers, students and volunteers hugged around 630 trees located in the University.

Participants also tied green ribbons around trees to signify their dedication to environmental awareness.

“The ribbons should be a reminder to everyone that we should make this [caring for the

environment] a daily routine even if it’s starting with the little things like CLAYGo, recycling, etc,” according to Balayan-SDO Director Minmin Ponteras.

The campaign advocates the University’s support towards a greener community and its care for the environment.

The “Hug-a-Tree” activity also suppports the campaign

of the Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc., which is an overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Germany, according to the University’s press release.

Every 22nd of April, over 150 countries around the world celebrate Earth Day, becoming one of the biggest global environmental events.

JUNE 2014

Balayan opens Summer Immersion Program to studs

TO LIVE WITH OTHERS. Immersion program participants pose together with their host families during the week-long activity’s culmination.

By Maria Angelica M. Ape

Balayan-Social Development Office opened its 2014 Summer Immersion Program to all students of the University of St. La Salle.

According to Balayan-SDO Director Minmin Ponteras, Balayan opened the summer immersion program, which was exclusive to Balayan volunteers, to other interested students so that the Balayan volunteers can share “the educational experiences they get” from volunteering.

Ten Lasallian volunteers, six of whom are from Balayan while the other four are from the College of Education, participated in the said weeklong activity held at Cauayan last May 26 to 30.

The said program is an annual activity wherein participants immerse in one of the University’s partner communities, with Cauayan as this year’s location.

Participants of the said program include Elyncreaz Alisasis, Cleone Rhoel Castro, Jommella Marie Guotana, Syralyn Hilaga, Alyssa Mariz Javelosa, Vina Miravalles, Mhiko Tinsay, Henna Jane Tirol, Clyde Torremocha, and Caridad Yap. “This has been the first time that we opened the program to all non-graduating and non-Balayan students so that there will also be a diversity of students [who will] get to

witness the culture in Cauayan,” Program Officer for Volunteer Formation Jose Randy Saplagio said.

The participants were adopted by host families and lived with them, joining them in their livelihood and daily activities.

“It taught me the real meaning of contentment in a deeper way. I made the most out of the experience, despite the discomforts and difficulties I faced,” Javelosa said.

Castro also shared that he learned to control his attitude through the program, and that it changed him “a lot”, adding that “the people were hospitable, cheerful and very accepting”.

According to Saplagio, the program is an opportunity for the participating students to increase and deepen their understanding about the community and value of life which will help them become socially responsible Christians.

Ponteras added that the volunteers live with their community partners to learn about the ordinary people’s “lives, dreams and aspirations”, and to appreciate their [the volunteers’] blessings in life more.

“This activity helps in raising awareness to students about the life in the far-flung areas. Volunteers were tasked to do what their foster families do in their everyday lives.

This activity will let students see the value of service. We believe in the concept of ‘serving to learn, learning to serve’ which students can apply to their lives later on,” Saplagio said.

COLLEGE BEATS COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

By Maria Angelica M. Ape

Although the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) will be two clubs lesser this academic year, with Information Technology and Computer Sciences transferring to the College of Engineering and Technology, it won’t stop the Artians to “push” for victory with their new council theme “Artians Domination: The Green Blooded Revolution. PUSH!”.

CAS Governor Patrick Nambatac said the Artians will continue to make a legacy and reign supremacy despite their decrease in number.

“We admit it’s not easy [to part with] these two courses, but we take it as a blessing more than a challenge. It will never be a hindrance towards achieving our goals. CAS will roar loader and soar higher,” Nambatac said.

The CAS Council, together with the CAS Comrades, will be launching “Green Lions Union”, where they will be having monthly evaluations of each club under the college with the goal of making all clubs fully accredited by the end of the academic year.

“We will ignite and unite as One Green Team! This year may not be easy, but we are very positive that everything will go well. The more serious we are, the more fun it becomes,” Nambatac said.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTANCY

By Kyzeah Coleen M. Tababa

College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) welcomed 770 freshmen during the Lasallian Freshmen Awareness Program at Santuario de La Salle last June 7.

“Welcome to USLS, college freshmen! May you enjoy your freshmen year by actively participating in every event that the USG will offer.

Make friends and live your college life to the fullest,” CBA Governor Neri Pahayupan said.

He also emphasized the importance of the Lasallian attributes of being critical thinkers, effective communicators, and socially responsible Christians for the freshmen to live out all throughout their stay in the

University and for the years to follow.

CBA also established an info booth last June 10 to give easier access of information regarding council activities, coupled with lanyard selling as fundraising activity for the benefit of the college-sponsored activities.

On the other hand, Society of Young Management Accountants organized an outreach program at Balaring, Silay City last June 21.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

By Kyzeah Coleen M. Tababa

A total of 192 freshmen, as of June 9, enrolled in the College of Education (CEd), increasing the number of sections from four to five.

“The increase in the population of the freshmen is really good. We just hope that they would be open and active to any activities set by the college,” said CEd Vice-Governor, Jeanne Mider.

CEd Treasurer Angelo Cachero said that as upper classmen, they should make the freshmen “feel that they matter by reaching out to them personally as students”, adding that they should welcome them as a family.

Meanwhile, CEd joined in the University-related activities, including Lasallian Freshmen Awareness Program, Lasallian Leadership Training Seminar, Summer Party 2014 and Bago-USLS-GK Bayani Challenge 2014, and organized the CEd Teambuilding Activity last May 26 to 30 at Camp Learning.

CEd representatives, in partnership with the Department of Education, also joined the Brigada Eskwela 2014 at Education Training Center School last May 20.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

By Andrea Nicole C. Farol

Following their recent finish as overall first runner-up during the Summer Splash 2014, the College of Engineering and Technology (CET), together with its new council officers, will start blazing up this academic year as it welcomes two new academic programs.

CET’s manpower went up after the transfer of Computer Science

(ComSci) and Information Technology (IT) students from the College of Arts and Sciences became effective this academic year, doubling the college’s first-year enrollees.

“This year it will be about blazing up the Engineering and Technology students’ college experiences and at the same time unveiling their different potentials through different student-centered activities that will be provided. I aspire to develop oneness among the Engineering students along with the ComSci and IT students,” said CET Governor Jose Antonio Caparas.

He added that they will “all work hand in hand for the betterment of the student body and instill to them the Expected Lasallian Graduate Attributes.”

COLLEGE OF NURSING

By Maria Angelica M. Ape

The College of Nursing (NSG) prepares for the Academic Year (AY) 2014-2015 headed by their Governor Patricia Louize Dizon.

A total of 48 freshmen enrollees entered the said college in the new AY. “This academic year will definitely be about making the most out of the number [of students] we have. I feel a little bit sad about having a few number of enrollees, but this definitely wouldn’t stop us from bringing out the fire of the Red Phoenix,” said Dizon.

The NSG council also prepared several projects for the college this year, including coastal clean-up projects, community outreach activities, medical missions, Red Squad dance workshops, the Phoenix Invitational Cup, and the Nightingale Ball.

“I, together with my council, will take this opportunity to form a stronger bond within the college and make sure to maximize the potentials of the students. Despite these circumstances, we carry with us our purpose as one council and we believe that together, we will be able to revive the College of Nursing to the extreme with the theme ‘exceeding limits, exhibiting potentials, exuding power’,” Dizon said.

Official Student Media Corps of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Student Activity Center, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 59 Number 1

Photo courtesy of Athynna Marie Abaring

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NSEWS

LIVE INSPIRED. Lasallian student leaders pass on the legacy to the upcoming officers.

Ninety-seven student-leaders from the University of St. La Salle participated in the 2014 Lasallian Leadership Training Seminar (LLTS) at Granada EcoPark last May 26 to 28.

The participants, who are officers from the University Student Government (USG), college councils, and clubs, were grouped into 10 teams to join in the different activities, which include the reflection and sharing sessions, and to listen to the given modules.

Former USG President Gerica Ann Layola gave the first module entitled “The Start of My Lasallian Leadership Journey”, wherein she talked about the experiences that led her to become a leader, and gave some tips to her fellow studentleaders.

“Don’t spread yourself too thin. It’s better to be remembered by a single person for his lifetime than be remembered by thousands but for just one day,” Layola advised.

In the second module entitled USLS...

from page 1

The University also sent Lasallian volunteers to San Carlos City last May 1 to 5 for the national Bayani Challenge 2014, which aimed to gather one million volunteers from April 9 to June 12 to help in rehabilitating the areas affected by typhoon Yolanda, the Bohol earthquake, and Zamboanga siege.

“This is what we are called for…to reach out, to help, to build communities. It runs in our blood as Lasallians,” Ponteras said.

She explained that the University’s Bayani Challenge aims to seek ways to expose the students and let them experience community service in order to see the social reality, to touch their lives, and to make them more socially aware.

“The students must learn what real life is outside of Facebook and their gadgets.

The educational experience they get [from this program] supports our University’s thrust on making them socially responsible Christians,” she added.

Furthermore, there are currently 28 family beneficiaries under Kapitbahayan, an association of members of the GK community, 10 of whom have been already awarded one house each.

As the caretaker of GK Lopue, the University “assumes the tasks of reorganizing the community, establishing

“My Lasallian Leadership Heartbeat”, Julio Espina, also a former USG executive president, recalled his ups and downs before he finally settled on the path to leadership and finished his college education.

“My Lasallian Leadership Legacy”, the third module, was given by Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Marie Therese Jochico who also advised the student-leaders.

Director for Student Affairs Andre Tagamolila talked on the last module, “My Leadership Commitment”, wherein he asked students about their learnings and newfound commitment.

Student leaders also read letters form last year’s LLTS participants and wrote their own for the next year’s LLTS. The seminar was culminated by a mass and a closing ceremony where students wrote their leadership commitments and stuck them to the LLTS tarpaulin.

The Office for Student Affairs organized the seminar with Jim Austin Tolentino as moderator in charge. the community association, building the capacity of the members and leaders, and working with them in the establishment of the different programs responding to their expressed needs and concerns,” according to Balayan-SDO Program Officer Vince Paildan.

According to Paildan, requirements for a family to avail a house from the GK Lopue Legacy site include residence in Bago, active participation in monthly house-building sessions, completion of the four required membership trainings, and rendering a total of 2,500 volunteer hours, including the duration of work in the house building and attendance to seminars.

“The ones who avail the houses are those who gained the most number of ‘sweat equity’ and showed favorable performance,” Balayan-SDO Program Officer Teresita Barcoma added.

Barcoma said it takes a lot of sacrifice to be able to finish a house, and seeing the changes in the way the family beneficiaries think and act because of the program given to them is “a source of joy and inspiration”. “[Through the program,] you’re able to live out your faith. You feel like an extension of God’s love to others.

When you see them being transformed, that’s beyond any measure of fulfillment,” said Paildan, who also pointed out how the five colleges worked together in the program.

Jean-Baptiste Dance Company (JBDC) staged The Lion King: Circle of Life, culminating the JBDC Summer Dance Workshop, at the Gallaga Theater last May 28.

The said summer workshop aimed to teach and improve the participants’ basic skills in ballet, acting, gymnastics and character make-up.

“Having not been able to come up with an original concept, [JBDC decided to stage a] dance recital anchored with the Disney’s Lion King. This is one of the interpretations we

chose to put up on stage, catering the skills that the members have by letting them supply their own interpretation to come up with the choreography, costumes and make-up out of what they have learned,” JBDC Artistic Director Baldomero Defensor said.

JBDC members and students willing to join the organization this coming academic year enrolled in the different courses of this exclusive workshop held from April to May. “Passion is needed upon involving in a so-called dance. The materialization of creativity through this activity

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE. The JBDC artists portray the different character roles from Disney’s movie The Lion King.

and achieving it by having an organization like JBDC gave [us] the inspiration,” Defensor said.

JBDC will restage their

performance during the upcoming Lasallian Week in September and will also participate in other Universityrelated activities.

Top feeder schools join first Leaders’ Circle

By Maria Angelica M. Ape

A total of 106 student leaders and 16 moderators from 16 of the University of St. La Salle’s (USLS) top feeder schools in Negros joined in the University’s first Leaders’ Circle held at Santuario de La Salle last June 17.

With the theme “Ako, Sila, Kita”, the activity aimed to train the participants to become advocates of social change and to help Lasallian facilators become effective leaders.

According to University Student Government Chief Justice Niño Tumbagahan, another purpose of the activity is “to give back to the [University’s] feeder schools”.

“The University, being an advocate of social change, accommodated everything to make these student leaders feel that they are valuable in our society, and most especially, prepare them to become more productive leaders,” Tumbagahan added.

Moreover, former Executive Officer in the Visayas Region for Moral Values in the Philippines Alonzo Austria Jr. guested as a speaker and focused on the student’s purposes and motives as leaders, inclining to the “Ako” part of the theme.

On the other hand, former College of Education (CEd) Governor Hanemar Ponteras gave the participants a talk on

“Sila” that explained the students leaders’ actions to fulfill the needs of others.

CEd Council Moderator Ricver Ureta also talked on the importance of the leadership and teamwork, expounding the theme’s “Kita”.

Jezra Daye Guides, a participant from Negros Occidental High School, said she is grateful for having joined the said program, adding that “the training was very organized and unforgettable”.

“They taught us not just how to be good student leaders, but also how to be decent, educated, just and respectful individuals of this society,” Guides said.

“At the end of the event, it’s

a fulfilment when we see student leaders making new friends, and discussing and enjoying the activities prepared for them. I think, what made the Leaders’ Circle successful is not its programs or activities but the kind of people who gathered together to realize and celebrate leadership as a gift of serving others,” Tumbagahan said.

The University’s Judiciary Branch headed the one-day activity in collaboration with the University’s Admissions and Scholarships Administrations Office, Office for Student Affairs, Society of Young Management Accountants, English Enthusiasts Club, CEd Council, and Math Teachers’ Society.

Bacollywood students harvest excellence

By Kyzeah Coleen M. Tababa

Fifty-four students received their diplomas during the Bacollywood Workshop 2014 graduation rites at the La Consolacion College (LCC) Auditorium last May 17.

Fifteen students graduated from Film Production, nine from Make-up for Film and Theater, 14 from Basic Acting, five from Theater Improvisation, six from Cinematography, and five from Digital Photography, with LCC, University of St. La Salle and Gallery Orange hosting the workshops.

Theater Improvisation Instructor and Bacollywood Workshop Director Gabby Fernandez initiated the workshops

together with co-workshop Directors Paolo Lindaya and Jack Triño, and instructors for the different courses, namely, Manny Mantelibano, Laurence Fajardo, Carlos Durana, Jack Triño, John Gilbert Arceo, Eero Martinez, Jay Abello and RJ Lacson with facilitators Paolo Correa, Rouel Camingawan, Kurt Soberano, Jan Rae Sanicas, Paolo Bañas and Jaco Paz. The Film Production course centered on the decades of standard film industry practice as experienced and taught by some of the country’s most outstanding film-makers, covering all aspects of the filmmaking process.

Students utilized the principles,

techniques and styles in various entertainment industries and events in the Make-up and Film Theater, exercising an intensive and hands-on course based on specific and technical concepts.

Basic Acting course exposed the students to the fundamental concepts and essential practices required in the primary study of acting by utilizing the workshop methodology of “learning-bydoing” which is largely based on Viola Spolin’s “Improvisation for the Theater”, while Theater Improvisation offered advanced acting courses.

Cinematography emphasized the three areas a successful cinematographer must master, namely, technical knowledge for

lighting and camera equipment, time and manpower management, and ability to adjust to actual filming conditions in aid of the director’s vision.

Digital Photography, on the other hand, covered the essential state-of-the-art techniques and methods used by some of today’s top photographers.

“Of many virtues spoken in praise of the Bacollywood workshops, our ability to create an atmosphere and our attitude towards education that emphasizes the joy of learning, the delight of discovery, where failures are allowed, even encouraged, knowing that one truly learns from mistakes, are what I’m proud of,” Fernandez said.

USLS welcomes new freshmen

By Andrea Nicole C. Farol

The University of St. La Salle (USLS) welcomed about 1,800 freshmen during the Lasallian Freshman Awareness Program (LFAP) 2014 at the USLS grounds last June 6 to 7.

Four colleges expected 1,014 incoming first-year students to come during the first day for the simultaneous orientations of the College of Engineering and Technology (CET), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Education (CEd) and College of Nursing (NSG) held at Santuario de La Salle, Mutien Marie Auditorium A, Gallaga Theater, and NAL Building, respectively.

According to College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) Governor Neri Pahayupan, around 770 CBA first-year students went to the program the

next day at Santuario de La Salle.

According to CET Governor Jose Antonio Caparas, the regular freshmen population of CET increased after the transfer of the academic programs Computer Science and Information Technology from CAS, evident in the 524 freshmen count as opposed to the expected 284 freshmen without the transfer programs.

On the other hand, CAS freshmen count dropped by about 50 percent, with 250 remaining, while an estimated 192 and 48 incoming freshmen attended the CEd and NSG LFAP, respectively.

The morning session of the program involved orienting students about the administration, officers, faculty and personnel, rules and dress code orientation from the Discipline Office, and drills and safety rules from the

Photo by Ma. Henna A. Pilla

Photo courtesy of Andre Tagamolila

by Kyzeah Coleen M. Tababa

Photo courtesy of Mary Grace Yulatic

Lion King: Silver screen to theater

97 USLS student leaders join leadership training

By Andrea Nicole C. Farol

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THE PECTRUM

JUNE 2014

WELCOMING NEW FACES. Three days before classes officially begin, the University’s freshmen gathered to experience the Lasallian animo.

Security Office.

Meanwhile, the five college deans discussed the different

Official Student Media Corps of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Student Activity Center, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * June 2014

courses offered by their respective colleges during the afternoon session.

OPINION S

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THE PECTRUM

JUNE 2014

Did You Know That…?

The online search engine is the modern day equivalent of reference books of all kind. With billions of web pages to scan and billions of new information being added to a multifaceted visual database of different kinds of knowledge, it is hard to distinguish quality, useful, and correct information from bad ones.

When news about a father who killed his teenage daughter for allegedly using her tuition money to buy a ticket for One Direction’s 2015 concert in the Philippines went viral online, many netizens reacted in sympathy, believing it right EDITORIAL away without even bothering to verify the reliability of its source. If they had only scrutinized the information better, they would have known that it was, in truth, intended to be satirical and false.

Furthermore, it is notable to mention that the Did-You-Know-Facts, which for the most part are not actually facts, in social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter spread even faster than the conventional and real news that the press delivers.

And for the worst part, prominent figures are “killed” online.

Such instances prove that many people trust in the information provided to them by the internet too blindly, becoming less of critical thinkers and more of passive, spoon-fed slaves of the World Wide Web. With the likes of 9gag, So, What’s News, The Adobo Chronicles, it shows that the Internet is not as impregnable as people think it to be – it can be manipulated by anyone, anywhere, at any time.

Even Wikipedia has an “Edit” option.

The challenge now is to counteract the prevalent trickeries online. But while it is difficult to screen out falsity and misinformation, especially on one’s newsfeed, there is a pressing need for the users of the Web, especially the youth, to become their own gatekeepers and to assess the information that they receive. Check the ‘About’ section of the site, finish reading the whole article, look for statements indicating its satirical or fictional nature. And if all esle fails, check reliable sources such as the websites of local newspapers.

After all, the power of information is in our hands. We only need a minute to exercise it.

THESPECTRUM F O U N D E D

1 9 5 6

www.thespectrum.ph | thespectrum.usls@gmail.com VOLUME 59 NUMBER 1 *June 2014 Member Alliance of Lasallian Campus Journalists and Advisers and College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Adely Grace V. Tomaro Editor-in-Chief Ryan Ceazar B. Santua Associate Editor Carl Mark A. Pat Managing Editor Newspaper Editor Roma Jane A. Hechanova Asst. Newspaper Editor Andrea Nicole C. Farol Magazine Editor Katrina Trish C. Isiderio Patricia Mari M. Mijares | Patricia Marie M. Laporno Special Projects Officers Literary Editor Monica Louise Trinidad M. Cueto Online Publications Editor RJ Nichole L. Ledesma Filipino Editor Jisson C. Yalong Newspaper Writers John Dave P. Pido Maria Angelica M. Ape Kyzeah Coleen M. Tababa Magazine Writers Mark Harmon R. Magbanua Michael Albert M. Diy Charisse Erinn Flores Anthea P. Manayon Raniel C. Ponteras Filipino Writer Thalia B. Dela Cruz Online Writer Jireh Marielle C. Zaragoza Layout and Graphic Artists Robert Austin G. Salameda Aloe Danica B. Deala Photojournalists Faith Joeleene J. Lacson Ma. Henna A. Pilla Publication Moderator Jean Lee C. Patindol The Spectrum is the Official Student Media Corps of the University of St. La Salle.

Its editorial office is located at the USLS Student Activity Center, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100; it can be reached through the telephone number, (034) 432-1187 local 172 and e-mail address, thespectrum.usls@gmail.com.

All rights reserved. No part of The Spectrum may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Media Corps. All contributions become The Spectrum property and the Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to edit all articles for publication.

A Toast to Drunken Hopes Picture this: a giggling, little girl coming out of a mall. She gets her hair cut and her nails painted because it’s going to be her birthday soon. Days later, she celebrates her birthday in the hospital and what she gets as a present is a wheelchair.

Picture a beautiful young college student going to a party with her friends. Weeks later, her father grieves as he looks at his unrecognizable, blind and burnt daughter. Lastly, picture a happy-go-lucky young man joking around with his friends and driving home on a summer night. The next day, he’s gone.

They all have something in common. The one behind the wheel that crashed into their lives was a drunk driver.

Law enforcers are to strictly implement in June the Republic Act 10586 or the AntiDrunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 (also called Anti-Drunk Driving Law). A driver who is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol will go through a series of tests to check if he goes beyond the allowable blood alcohol level which is below 0.05 percent for private vehicle drivers. Public utility vehicle, truck and motorcycle drivers are not allowed to have any amount of alcohol. Random testing

The Andeeniable Andrea Nicole C. Farol andreanicolefarol@gmail.com

is a stubborn question that gnaws through my head: “Why only now?” Hasn’t drunk driving been always a rampant case that it has become common to the public’s ears? Then, why wait for all those years and for all those mishaps to happen before passing and approving this law?

And here I was thinking that we always had a firm law that secures the public from drunk drivers.

Yet, despite this tardy law that took its time before bringing the long-sought security to us all, it has come, it will be put into practice and it will, hopefully, bring hope. Let’s anticipate that we will be able to see the assurance it has laid out and that more lives will be saved.

Let’s hope that there’ll be less little kids that will be deprived of the chance to celebrate their birthdays and run with their legs for the rest of their lives. Let’s hope that there’ll be less beauty that will be engulfed in the flames of a car crash. Let’s all hope that there’ll be less friends to wake up with one less friend in their circle.

I propose a toast to these drunken hopes.

(Oh, and in case you want to go on a “feeltrip”, the examples are all true stories and they are the faces of drunk driving.)

The one behind the wheel that crashed into their lives was a drunk driver. at transport terminals will also be conducted and if a law enforcer suspects that the driver is under the influence of drugs, the driver would be subjected to a drug test. Violators will face penalties such as suspension or revocation of driver’s license, three months to 20 years of imprisonment, and fines ranging from Php20,000 to Php500,000.

Finally! This looks like progress for our country. We could be actually cruising with our family and friends in safer roads. Driving home during the late hours could actually be less risky.

The news reports being aired could actually be less cluttered by drunk driving-related cases.

But despite the promise of this law, there

Rizal’s Dream and Other Clichés

February 2014. PNoy: There is no more classroom shortage in the country.

If I were there, and only if I were also PNoy’s close friend, I would have patted his back three times then clapped for him really hard the moment he said those words. But I wasn’t there when he delivered that speech, and more certainly, I am not his friend. But, these didn’t matter because the words that followed haven’t satisfied me as much as his first statement initially has, anyway.

Let me clarify something. What our very hardworking president only meant by having no more “classroom shortage” is that, the present administration has addressed the previous administration’s “classroom backlog”, which includes more than 66, 000 classrooms, and even exceeded the target.

PNoy and Department of Education (DepEd) Sec. Armin Luistro had been, let me quote one solon from Leyte, “boasting” about how they aimed to build 66,800 classrooms worth around Php800,000 each, but actually defied their own expectations and reached a total of 66,813 classrooms, instead! Sounds good, eh?

But how about the classroom backlog of the current administration?

While watching the television, I couldn’t help but gasp seeing how difficult the situation is for many of the 26 million elementary and high school enrollees this schoolyear. Imagine how many of these pupils have to travel to other “less-crowded” classrooms just to attend classes. And mind you, by “less-crowded”, I mean, classrooms that already accommodate more or less 63 students each, which is so far from their ideal ratio of one classroom for 45 students.

Imagine how many other hopefuls who wish to continue their studies after the tragedies that had befallen them since the past year, simply stay at home (that is, if they still had something to call home after the storm and quake took their properties and lives away), with their dreams slowly vanishing together with their remaining traces of hope.

If you still can’t imagine the havoc caused by Yolanda alone to our country, let me give you a summary. It cost about 6,200 lives, excluding the 1,785 others who went missing, and left four million others without houses. Also, more than 4,500 and 13,000 classrooms were absolutely and partially damaged, respectively.

Hushed Clichés Roma Jane A. Hechanova romajanehechanova@gmail.com

As a future educator, what’s even disheartening to me is that, the reason for having this number of OSYs is mainly attributed to their “lack of personal interest to go to school, followed by the high cost of education, and the desire to work”, accodring to a 2010 survey.

Out of the millions of students currently enrolled in public schools, I wonder: how many of them are still absolutely willing to listen to their teacher’s discussions, despite the factors that do not make learning as conducive as it should have been? How many of them are suffering because of the insufficiency of supplies and lack of good (by that I mean, well-ventilated and NOT crowded classrooms with enough decent comfort rooms, and other means that contribute to the child’s holistic learning) facilities? How many of them are going through lots of difficult circumstances like walking long distances and skipping lunches just to continue going to school? How many dreams will remain dormant, and eventually die just because the people who could have helped in fulfilling them are not doing enough to help the needy?

We keep on believing that the youth is our nation’s hope. The youths is. But what Rizal meant by “youth” are the well-educated ones, not those who have lost the fire to dream, and the courage to go on despite all odds.

You see, there is no limit to dreaming, but to having opportunities? There is (and most often, that depends on the kind of life you are born to). However, some might say, there is still hope to change for the better since we are the ones shaping our own destiny, whatever the circumstances are. They may be right, but who will give the hopeless their hope? They need all the help they can get, not only the help from themselves.

Unless these problems are solved, don’t be surprised if you see students having their classes under the trees, or in crowded classrooms where they may either suffer from too much heat or suffocation. Don’t be surprised if you see many other youths standing by around the streets, letting time pass by rather than burying their heads on (hopefully, new) textbooks while listening to their teacher and sitting on a comfortable chair located in a well-ventilated room. Oh, please don’t tell me all these will simply remain in my dreams.

You see, there is no limit to dreaming, but to having opportunities? There is.

The DepEd has a total budget of Php309.43 billion, and the government pledges to build 43,183 classrooms for the purpose of meeting only the demands of the K-12 system implementation, and another 1,704 classrooms worth Php1.67 billion to cater to the enrollees’ growing number. So far, I would have been convinced that this perennial issue on our education system, especially the lack of classroom, is finally being addressed well enough, if it were not for what Independent Minority Bloc (IMB) Head Rep. Ferdinand Romualdez has pointed out.

He says “the K to 12 is a good program because it gives our children ample time to study and have more and better experience.

However, the current conditions are not favorable to achieve the goal of providing better education in public schools because the government is not prepared to accommodate the students.” Only then did I believe that the implementation of the K to 12 system might be “in danger of being jeopardized”, indeed, as long as the classroom shortage is not completely addressed. Only then did I realize that the problem is not solved YET. And yes, there is still classroom shortage (just take a look at the current situation of some public schools around you), contrary to what PNoy had earlier said.

In an article written a year ago, Alliance of Concerned Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio feared the shortage of classrooms will keep 4.6 million youths out of school. This number, however, is only a portion of a total of 6.24 million out-of-school youths (OSYs) as of 2010. And if you think this number has remained that way or hopefully decreased, then you are wrong. DepEd Secretary Luistro himself also currently fears that the said number of OSYs will increase.

Official Student Media Corps of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Student Activity Center, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 59 Number 1

OPINION S

5

THE PECTRUM

JUNE 2014

Heroes of Color After a hectic summer of juggling internship duties and classes, I finally got some free time a few weekends ago to catch one of the latest movies out on the big screen: Maleficent. One of the best things I usually look forward to every time I enter a movie theatre, aside from finishing my popcorn before the show even starts, is checking out new trailers.

One particular trailer that caught my attention was the remake of the hit musical, Annie. I felt a surge of nostalgia rush through me as I watched the cheesy song numbers injected in the short teaser, but several thoughts kept nagging at the back of my mind the entire time, echoing the same big question: Why is Annie “black”?

But the follow-up question, however, is “Why should it matter?”

Racism is an old battle that seems to be going around societies in endless circles.

To degrees as obvious as the inhumanity of Hitler’s mass genocide of millions of Jews to the more subtle demoralization of a person rejected from a peer group simply because he’s of different origin, racism has evolved over the years, infesting more and more media to embed itself into our system. It has infected our work culture, our education, our social caste system and now, it has even affected our literature.

With the big boom of the YA (Young Adult) fiction category of books a few years ago, bookshelves and bookshops have been piling up with new titles that entice the youth, yet encourage romantic entanglements and strangely enough, promote a distorted sense of true love. (I’m looking at you Twilight.)

But that’s another story for another day.

The point that I’d like to emphasize is that although it’s great new authors and new stories are coming into the market, there’s an overwhelmingly large gap between the number of books starring a hero of color as opposed to a “white” one and not just in the YA genre, but in generally most children’s books circulating around the world. How is this such a bad thing, you ask?

Reading is generally a great hobby to foster in the new generation and even if the work is fictional in nature, it can bring about imagination and inspiration in the experiences relayed by the main characters that the reader may feel connected to. Books are also the

Dely-syoso Adely Grace V. Tomaro adelygracetomaro@gmail.com

York where it featured an all-white line-up for featured children’s contemporary literature authors. In the Philippine setting, it’s pretty apparent (Unless you’re Bob Ong), that not many Filipino-made stories featuring Filipino references seem to sell very well as opposed to the international line-up of white undead lovers. (Again, I look at you Twilight). There are literally more cat videos in the internet than there are any people of color being represented in books and stories as anything other than the stereotypical smartass or bad guy and that’s sad.

An online campaign started in Twitter a few months back, where the hashtag #WeNeedDiverseBooks coupled with the phrase “because…” was used to take a stand against uniformity in literature and since it went viral on the internet, many famous authors including Jodie Picoult and John Green, white or not, have also joined the bandwagon for this.

But despite many people joining the cause and in a span of less than a year, earning more than thousands of contributors, I don’t think it’s enough to get a few likes, shares and retweets off the web to actually change the lack of diversity in our literature.

Perhaps if we opened our minds to a new direction, we could manage to accept without prejudice a cast of characters that are not the picture perfect models we seem to perceive.

If we can’t even accept a new Annie without mentally cringing at the fact she isn’t white, then how can we hope to welcome a new age of anti-discrimination? We fight for equality of rights and treatment but in our core, we still judge the characters we read about, see in movies and imagine based on what they look like. See? We keep going around in circles.

It’s the same battle, different fields, same argument, same solution. The key is to actually understand that the world isn’t uniform; that the more diversity we have, even in the little things like the heroes on the books we let our children read, can be the solution we’ve been searching for. That is because, the so-called “future generation” will look back on the books they’ve read in their youth and the insights they’ve gathered through them will reflect on who they will be in the future.

And they’ll use it to paint a new and better world. Hopefully not with a box full of white crayons.

We fight for equality of rights and treatment but in our core, we still judge the characters we read about, see in movies and imagine based on what they look like. portal for the youth to discover more about the world. Books can shape their personality and influence what they perceive is good and bad.

Books, in the hands of the youth today, have the power to change everything tomorrow.

But if all the books we surround the “hope of tomorrow” contains characters and ideals that reflect something highly westernized—we are not just promoting colonial mentality, but also nurturing the subliminal message of white supremacy in our very own homes.

We need more diverse books because we all deserve to have our stories told. We need diverse books because we matter, too. And we need diverse books to remind ourselves that there’s no universal definition of what is good and what isn’t. How great would it be to read about how a Filipino student falling in love in a jeepney on her way to school as she turns in her six-peso fare to the handsome stranger sitting beside her? How totally relatable would it be to read about the daily life in the Philippines? Getting a job, commuting and hissing at the unbearable heat? I’m probably highly romanticizing the whole idea but it’d be nice to be represented as a character of better depth than just as a domestic helper in another cheap racist textbook.

Asians such as Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese and etc., Hispanics and African Americans and many other nonwhite races, still play no more than supporting roles, if they even do have roles, in books we see and buy. And in an age where we value diversity as much as we value our human rights, it’s a wonder how this has slipped our radar as an act of discriminatory treatment.

I suppose the rise of the concern erupted during the recent 2014 BookCon in New

Live. Die. Repeat.

Brave. The Dark Knight Rises. Monsters University. Frozen.

Since I’ve turned 18 years old, these were the only films that I have actually watched in a movie theater. I’ve always had the impression that I could not watch a movie on the big screen unless: a) I had my mother with me, b) I had my sister with me, or c) I had my mother and my sister with me. It was only during the last week of summer that my mother made it clear to me that I was old enough to go watch movies on my own or with my friends, and should do so whenever I wished to. This assurance of independence (however small it might be) made me so giddy that I ended up watching three new movies for the next three weeks. And I’m very proud to say that two of these movies were rated PG-13; I think Maleficent was for general viewing.

Coincidentally, the last movie was Edge of Tomorrow, and for a sci-fi movie with aliens, awesome battle gear and one too many resurrections, it sure got me thinking.

How would it feel like to make mistake after mistake, only to be given unlimited chances to redo everything until you get it right?

It’s a very appealing thought, no doubt about it. But, as I soon come to learn from the boyishly handsome Tom Cruise, unlimited chances do not make your choices any less valuable or dangerous. One decision could lead to infinite results, or in Tom’s case, infinite ways for Emily Blunt to die. Choices are terrifying things, especially when you’re faced with the fact that in real life, there are no resets for your mistakes, no alternate universe where you can hope to make up for what you’ve done, and no magical clockwork pendant that makes you turn back time. There are only the consequences of your decision, and you’ll have to live with it.

Trespassers Will Katrina Trish C. Isiderio katrinatrishisiderio@gmail.com

In order to achieve that, I would have to lock myself inside my house and never get out. And even that would be a mistake already!

The point of having choices is to live. In Hannah Montana’s words, nobody is perfect.

We are expected to make mistakes every once in a while. The important thing is that we learn from them; we become better, become brighter and continue on. Having only one chance to make a choice makes it more precious, and our past mistakes can help us in making the right choice. And even when we make bad choices, we are given opportunities to make right ones in a later time. In a way, we are given the option to reset.

But that doesn’t mean we squander the choices we have to make in the present time, nor does it mean that we escape the responsibility for our choices and its consequences. Trust me, Tom Cruise did that in so many ways in the film, and still, those creepy alien crawlers always managed to get to him. It didn’t end well.

Choices are something I’d rather avoid, as much as possible; mistakes, even more so. But if I do not make choices, then how will I live? If I do not make mistakes, won’t that just be the same as being dead? Isn’t living and learning worth it, despite not being able to repeat the day and correct our mistakes?

Tom Cruise had to die repeatedly in order train and equip himself to face his enemies, and to make the right decisions in order to save the lives of everyone. I, however, am not given that luxury. Yes, I am still unsure and spineless, but I’m taking steps in taking things into my own hands and making choices – my choices. I now choose where I want to eat for lunch, what shirt I want to wear during Wednesdays, and when I want to go to the movie theater to see a new film. I’m making sure that I live, even if I cannot repeat when I die.

How would it feel like to make mistake after mistake, only to be given unlimited chances to redo everything until you get it right?

To be honest, that’s what makes me shamefully spineless when it comes to making decisions. I’m afraid with what I’ll have to deal with because of my choices – afraid of making mistakes – and so, to be on the safe side, I usually let others decide for me. I’m so unsure of even the most mundane of decisions that it has come to the point that I need to consult my mother about everything, from what shirt to wear to whether or not I’m old enough to go to the movies on my own (and people wonder why I’m such a sheltered child).

But, aren’t mistakes supposed to be avoided, not feared? Isn’t experience one of life’s greatest teachers? If you go through life without making a single mistake, would that mean that you’ve actually lived life? Believe it or not, but I’ve started pondering on all these questions after watching Edge of Tomorrow!

If Tom Cruise, who already had the advantage of knowing what may happen to him minutes before it actually occurred and had the ability to reset the day whenever he messed up, couldn’t save Emily Blunt without first getting her killed in the most colorful ways in countless number of times, how much more can I, a mere mortal with no alien powers or time travelling abilities, ensure that I won’t make a mistake for every decision I make?

Bill out, please.

“Piolo Pascual as ‘National Ultimate Heartthrob’” – this is the headline from a shared post of a Facebook friend of mine sometime in early 2014 that took hold of my attention. I abhorred the idea of a bill seeking the implementation of such but I remained skeptical to its verity as a minute part in me still believed that the dear Filipino lawmakers would not be foolish enough to pass a bill as insane as this.

Fortunately though, upon religious research of the so-called news, I was later on able to verify that such article was, in fact, fictional and satirical.

Thank goodness…or so I thought.

The Congress can be humorous in its own way as I would also soon discover that some of the persons who the dear Filipino voters have given the authority and responsibility to create laws, which are purportedly for the general welfare of society and the betterment of lives, would file bills that would just make me want to cringe on what the future has in store for my dear Philippines.

I would later find out that the bill which made the author of the aforementioned post write his Carl Mark A. Pat piece was, carlmarkpat@gmail.com in fact, a bill worth being called satirical in itself.

House Bill (HB) 3926, to be known as the “Philippine N a t i o n a l Symbols Act of 2014”, aims to declare a number of national symbols as a way “to develop and instil nationalism and unity” as well as “to promote Philippine tourism through these symbols”, to wit, Jose Rizal for national hero, anahaw for national leaf, bangus for national fish, mango for national fruit and other icons which are taught to be national symbols to Filipino students in school. I like to note, though, how the bill also seeks to make some flimsy declarations, take for example, Lupang Hinirang for national anthem, Filipino for national language, and Philippine peso for national currency, as if they aren’t already recognized by the nation and even by the international community.

On a personal account, I have no qualms on them being unofficial national symbols. So what if Jose Rizal is the unofficial national hero?

That doesn’t make me think of him as less of a man or a womanizer (but that’s another story). So what if bangus is the unofficial national fish? That doesn’t make me think of it as less of a sumptuous meal when cooked boneless. So what if the mango is the unofficial national fruit? That doesn’t make me think of it as less of a fruit fitting for my Thirsty drink. Their being unofficial does not make me think less of my being a Filipino. What makes me do so is the corruption in the government. For until corruption remains rampant, then the author might as well include it as one of the national symbols of the country.

However, the list of ridiculous bills does not stop here.

Earlier this month, local newspapers reported the filing of HB 3719, to be known as “Hatid Saya for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Act of 2014”. The bill, as its title suggests, aims to provide merriment and enliven the “lonely” spirits of OFWs by staging musicals and comedy shows, free of charge.

As if the idea and even the term Hatid Saya for a to-be law wasn’t funny enough, the author had to make it sound so serious and dire when he cited in his explanatory note that “the passage of this measure is of paramount significance in honoring our modern-day heroes.”

What’s so significant about this bill that the Congress should settle this first over the more grave issues facing the country, say, the massive income disparity between the rich and the poor, the incessant territorial disputes in the Spartly Islands, and the ever popular scandal with the Pork Barrel scam?

And to make things worse, the bill pushes for appropriations amounting to 50 MILLION PESOS just for the initial funding of such. That big sum of money just for comedy shows? I think the author forgot that he’s working as a lawmaker, not as a showbusinessman.

If the author truly cares for OFWs, which he represents in his partylist, then he should instead help the government think of ways to improve job opportunities in the Philippines and increase the wages for workers, or provide a more effective funding system to help OFWs put up businesses in the event that they decide to permanently return to the Philippines. He should focus on augmenting the OFW situation and propose programs that would make OFWs go back to the Philippines. (But, I bet he wouldn’t do that lest his partylist would dissolve.)

The bottom line is: The OFWs do not need an ‘entertainment’ bill. They have TFC for that.

As for the money, many truly significant issues can be addressed with it. The government could use that sum to provide more houses to the unsheltered, more jobs to the unemployed, more books and classrooms for the young and hopeful students of this country. The government could use the money for nation development, not pork envelopment.

And the list still goes on and on.

The likes of the “restaurant bills” Senate Bill (SB) 1863 coined by a netizen as “Half Rice Bill” and HB 1974 as “Bottled Water in the Menu Bill”, and the “health bills” SB 1204, to be known as “Calorie Count Menu Act”, SB 1563 as “Body Piercing and Tattooing Regulatory Act”, and SB 1845 as “Tanning Facility Regulatory Act”, and many others serve as proof that if the voters continue to not exercise good judgment, then clowns will flock the Congress and waste the money that taxpayers have shed their blood and sweat for.

As if the Congress isn’t already run by clowns.

Stakeholder

So what if bangus is the unofficial national fish? That doesn’t make me think of it as less of a sumptuous meal when cooked boneless.

Official Student Media Corps of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Student Activity Center, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * June 2014

FEATURE S

6

THE PECTRUM

THE ISLAND (2005)

BOOK REVIEW

The year is 2019 and the outside world has been “contaminated”, save for Earth’s last remaining paradise that simply goes by the name “The Island”. The lucky survivors, dressed in identical white tracksuits, live in a futuristic facility run by Dr. Bernard Merrick. Their sole purpose in life is basically to wait for Lottery day, when a seductive female announcer tells them that they can finally relocate to The Island and live the rest of their lives in glorious peace and freedom.

But of course, like all movies with ominous synopses, a plot twist comes into play and it is revealed that the preconceived beliefs in the first paragraph might not be true after all.

And since this is a sci-fi film, it’s usually safe to presume that the supervisors and the scientists in the secret laboratories are part of some evil scheme, which in this case, is the mass production of clones that make up the facility’s general populace. So there it is – gasp, the real world isn’t entirely dystopian and gasp, each so-called “survivor” is merely an organ bank or a disposable surrogate for America’s rich and famous!

The viewers get to witness the events unfurl in the eyes of Lincoln Six Echo, portrayed by Ewan McGregor, a special clone of sorts who is strangely semi-immune to standard brainwashing procedures and is notably more curious than the other ones. After discovering

Photo taken from the Internet

By Michael Albert M. Diy

said plot twist and finding out that his best friend Jordan Two Delta, played by the objectively beautiful Scarlett Johansson, has just won the Lottery, they both spend a good half of the movie escaping from killer military contractors and the other half exposing Merrick Biotech’s immoral cloning business to the rest of the world.

All the clones are educated only to the level of 15-year-olds, a quirk which McGregor and Johansson totally pull off. But with this in mind, it is kind of surprising how well they fare against the highly-trained special agents out for their lives. There are also bits of awkward humor whenever overwhelming levels of romantic tension fill the air and they have no clear idea of how to release their pent-up sexual urges.

Everything else is generally wellacted, considering the film has over USD100 million for budget, which should be more than enough to get reputable actors to fill up the supporting roles.

What’s more evident of the colossal budget is the special effects, which, for a movie made roughly 10 years ago, are still pretty awesome. While the plot does have sci-fi roots, it also comes with the elaborate chase sequences and spectacular explosions you would expect from a film

by Michael Bay. Lincoln and Jordan flamboyantly run away from pursuers in large trucks, helicopters and flying motorcycles in stunning places, with a nice Steve Jablonsky soundtrack providing the edgy atmosphere.

Though they do get dizzying and a tad repetitive, the action-packed

scenes manage to grab your attention quite effectively, and the same formula is used by the director-composer duo when they team up again to start working on the Transformers franchise a couple of years later.

Another standout element besides the characters, set and the effects is the product placement.

The movie advertises everything – from shoes to gaming consoles to the facility’s drinking water. A real-life 10-second or so Calvin Klein fragrance commercial is actually incorporated into the film. It isn’t that much of a deal-breaker, but the frequent brand advertising can throw you off and distract you from what’s really going on in the story.

“The Island” doesn’t exactly provide any clear form of closure on the ramifications of the social issues it presents. It’s at least perfectly suitable for teachers handling General Science classes who want their students to shell out some form of reaction paper.

It may also be a great stopover for a mindless weekend movie marathon. The tricks, thrills, and laughs can keep anyone satisfied, and are reasons enough for a second viewing, if the last time you watched this was ages ago.

Well, those reasons and Scarlett Johansson.

Museo features “Dark-Stained White” by Bantilan “The art of creation begins with the pain of emptiness.”

So goes the artist’s statement on the 11 dichromatic artworks portraying different subjects in an exhibit entitled “DarkStained White” by Architect Ian Jay Bantilan at Museo Negrense De La Salle from April 24 to May 22.

The artworks depict vague messages containing different subjects and are products of Bantilan’s “not having won an art competition”, he said.

Though it was a loss for him, he said “the good thing with that experience is that it drew out emotions to come up with pieces of art.”

The exhibit is a way for him to “celebrate with other people

Photo by Roma Jane A. Hechanova

By Patricia Mari M. Mijares

the beauty of a good artwork”, which can either “make people happy or depress them.”

Bantilan’s works also aim to depict the beauty of living life wherein “to ‘stain it’ requires courage and patience, to embrace truth, to introspect and acknowledge.”

They also depict his life as an artist that “has matured all

throughout the years” as he learned to “pursue different things and appreciate other people’s works”.

Bantilan, an alumnus of La Salle Integrated School, is an architect by profession and has held a lecture entitled “Filipino, Global, Green Architecture” about his entry “Bakod, Bubong, Balat” to a contest in 2012.

He also has “a knack for blogging and writing” and has learned of his interest in poetry in the site during the construction of one of his projects.

Along with “Dark-Stained White”, he also organized a Poetry Reading exhibit together with the English Enthusiasts’ Club at the Cody Conference Hall A last May 22.

He felt the need for a poetry exhibit along with the artworks for he believes that “art is dying”, and that “its shelf life [becomes] very short after it has been purchased.”

He believes that the meaning of the artwork can easily be lost until the time that “there is no more interaction with its audience”, adding, “Once you put art with poetry, it is constructed with beautiful words to create more meaning.”

BBTL COMICS: Recruitment

By Aloe Danica B. Deala

Dance Dance Dance

by Haruki Murakami

Photo taken from the Internet

MOVIE REVIEW

JUNE 2014

By RJ Nichole L. Ledesma

It all started with a recurring dream.

The nameless protagonist, a divorcee freelance journalist, is haunted by memories of a high-class call girl he hooked up with, and the Dolphin Hotel where they stayed at years ago. Feverish dreams of him walking the dark and creaky hallways of the hotel and of someone calling out for him urge him to take a break from his job and fly to Sapporo.

Instead of the run-down hotel he recalled, the old place has transformed into a modern gleaming high-rise establishment of the same name. Even the old staff, who used to be pitiable and uncompetitive, is replaced by well-trained, robotically hospitable ones. He then leads an investigation on the hotel, furrowing for clues and secrets, and even tries finding the girl from his strange dreams, only to stumble upon a perilous unknown. He soon discovers that “beneath” the hotel lies the old hotel where his encounter with the Sheep Man took place.

The Sheep Man serves as a “switchboard operator that connects me to the world”, to quote the lead character. If the Dolphin Hotel is the central point of the novel, the Sheep Man is what keeps it spinning.

The Sheep Man is a recurring character in Murakami’s The Rat Trilogy, composed of “Hear the Wind Sing”, “Pinball”, and “A Wild Sheep Case”, but “Dance Dance Dance” is not a direct sequel to these books and can be read as a stand-alone piece.

Even stranger things happen outside the hotel where the hand of death seems to be following the protagonist’s every step, touching those people around him. He establishes connections with a list of oddball characters including a moody 13-year-old psychic obsessed with rock n’ roll and her famous parents (her dad, an anagram of the author’s name: Hiraku Makimura), an actor stuck with teacher/ doctor roles, secretive hotelclerks, a one-armed poet, and

Official Student Media Corps of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Student Activity Center, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * Volume 59 Number 1

intellectual, high-end hookers.

All of them contribute to a roller coaster ride of metaphysical proportions.

Among the living contemporary writers around the world, it is arguably Murakami’s hallmark to seamlessly blend urban ennui – the bland repetitiveness of one’s daily life, especially in a city like Tokyo – with the supernatural. In this novel, in particular, a seemingly ordinary man in his mid-30s, bored out of wits from his job, is suddenly face-to-face with forces beyond his comprehension that would reshape his life in vague and compelling ways.

Murakami’s protagonists across all his novels, old and new, are seemingly weaved tight by a common thread: middleaged men who live mediocre lives, sometimes going through a loss of some kind (divorce, death of a friend), being drowned by feelings of alienation, and always seeking for companionship. Another one of those odd parallelisms most of his lead characters share is the love for Jazz music and cats. These men would often find themselves fixated on a memory, a person, or an object which would then lead them into stranger territories and often metaphysical encounters with offbeat characters. Talking cats, murderer in the guise of Johnnie Walker, disappearing wives, “prostitutes of the mind”, you name it.

Despite the obvious cookiecut-out similarities from his other works, “Dance Dance Dance” stands out as one of the more riotous, phantasmagoric, and suspenseful card up of Murakami’s sleeve. It is at once a detective story, a tail-end search for a girl, and a deep contemplation on the fragility of life.

Throughout the course of reading this novel, or any of his works, what truly matters is the fun of traversing through the narrative— but never on the seeking of answers. For with Murakami, the story does not end with a period, but with a few resounding question marks that will echo in your head for days after you put the book down.

UNIVERSITY S

7

THE PECTRUM

JUNE 2014

LASALLIANS SPEAK Compiled by Maria Angelica M. Ape, Andrea Nicole C. Farol, Roma Jane A. Hechanova and Kyzeah Coleen M. Tababa

What is your advice to the freshmen?

“College life is the start of a new journey.

Be prepared for whatever comes and enjoy the new experiences and memories you’re going to have.”

- Cherry Jade Sabaysabay, BN2A

“Real life situations and the different personalities of people are exposed through PBB. There is always a lesson for every challenge undertaken, which leaves a great impact to the audience especially to the children watching it.”

- Merlyn Grace Catugas, BSIT4B

“Fake. I think the housemates now were picked based on fame and connections. It’s only just to gain high ratings and so they start to stray far from the point of reality shows which, basically, is to show what’s natural and real.”

- Rosanen Soberano, BEEN3A

What do you think is the impact of Obama’s state visit?

“Have fun. Don’t be scared to commit mistakes. It’s okay if you make errors along the way or if you weren’t sure on what you really wanted at first.”

- April Joy Lee, BSPS1A

“Be active in school activities and organizations. Follow rules and regulations to avoid unnecessary trouble. Study hard.”

- Vmos Angelo Garcia, ENEC4A

“Think about your studies first. Don’t be swayed into doing pointless and troublesome things or habits. Study diligently and don’t let peer pressure beat you.”

- Diorella Rio Aloro, BSIT1

“Always study in advance. Listen to your teachers and prioritize your studies.

Develop good time management.”

- Ava Angelica Cabalquinto, BABA2D

“Don’t be shy. Make friends with your batchmates and know the upperclassmen.

Make use of the facilities because you paid for them.”

- Ayezah Al-Alawi, ENCH2B

“Thank you for choosing La Salle and believing that this institution could mold and prepare you for life after college. I hope that you chose a course out of your own passion and interest and that you see yourself succeeding in that career. At first, you might be a little bit lost and confused about the college culture, but that’s completely normal. You’ll eventually go back to the right track so don’t exhaust yourself too much. Enjoy college life and dare to meet new friends.”

- Agatha Maria Belediano, ENCH2A

“Welcome to the Lasallian Community!

May you enjoy your first few days as college students and meet new friends here in La Salle. Never hesitate to show your true potential and never forget to share it with others. Be yourself and enjoy this new chapter of your lives.”

- Gilbert Sanidad, ENCE2A

What can you say about reality shows like PBB? “In my opinion, PBB doesn’t fit the qualifications of a true reality show because there is a possibility that the management is manipulating it. We just can’t tell but that’s how I see it.”

- Rheonald Vargas, LC3

“The Big Brother house is filled only with rich and good-looking kids. This makes the reality show sound [and look] scripted. Staying there is nonsensical; the TV network is only making money out of the participants.”

- Rienz Ryan Barrameda, BABA2D “Joining PBB is just a ticket to stardom. It’s filled with gorgeous and handsome faces only, who apparently got backers. I don’t really care if it’s scripted or not, though I think it’s somehow unfair; others who are in need must also be given equal chances.”

- John Paolo Acupinpin, COMA3C “The people inside the house can show their attitude to the public. I think they can mould the public’s view of life and beliefs through their experiences and actions inside the house.”

- Reymark Barbas, COHM4C “I think it’s scripted.

There was bias in choosing the people who qualify to go inside the house. It’s like they only chose the ones who are pleasant to look at on television. They did not care if there was an imbalance of personalities in the house.”

- John Michael Añosa, ENCE2A “Scripted. Although their personal stories can be an inspiration to the viewers, there are some scenes/episodes that imply that these stories are sold to create drama in order for the media to produce new artists to invest on.

In my opinion, it’s just for business considering the ratings they get and the votes that are sent during nominations or the like. The public and the contestants don’t really benefit much.”

- June Nathan Fernandez, BEPS4A

“This country [Philippines] is not really poor. PNoy, I believe, is a good president.

He could make changes for the Filipino community. It’s not really necessary to depend on the Americans to make the change that we need.”

- Kimberly Dela Torre, COAG4F

“It’s a one-sided deal. I read that it was about the EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement). In my opinion, it only aims to boost the image of USA. USA claims that they will defend us, but it actually benefits them more. If we review the EDCA, it’s not about cooperation or support but is a sort of conspiracy to gain access to our country and its facilities and satisfy their artillery needs.”

- Chaychelle Yeoj G. Rigby, BESS2

“I think it’s foolish that people are against Obama’s visit. They still have the thirdworld country mindset that first world countries are here to benefit from us.

There’s stereotyping about the western world’s intentions. The visit is about promoting peace and working together. I think it’s good that Obama visited us to settle certain issues.”

- Quinn Laurence Llavan, CO2

“For me, it’s a sort of a propaganda of the US. Even though they claim that the visit was done to settle the relationship between the two countries and the issue about the military bases here [in the Philippines], I still think they have hidden agenda.”

- Marnelle Torrecampo, BEEN3A

“Obama’s state visit made the relationship between the United States and the Philippines better by becoming allies. It is also evident that the Americans are willing to help our country. This has a positive impact to the Filipino people and to me as an individual.”

“Reality shows like PBB help people to break out of their shell. I think they tell people that we could show our true colors and still be accepted. The persons involved help inspire others.”

- Kristine Jean Amazon, BSIT4G

- John Patrick Lim, BESS3B

“It’s all an act. The housemates now are generally well-off, goodlooking kids compared to the past seasons wherein underprivileged people were picked.

Their attitudes and manners are really different now.”

- Cecilia Faith Cardel, BEEN3A “Reality shows should reveal people’s true attitude and behavior and give us a glimpse of spontaneous human interaction. But I think reality shows now are mostly planned and the contestants just go along with the act.”

- Kyla Angela Puerta, BN2A

“I don’t know if it is entirely positive or negative, but I believe it is both. The advantage of it is that we can acquire help from the United States. The disadvantage of it is the strengthening of the colonial mentality of the Filipinos which can be seen until the present time; thus, resulting to our intensive dependence to the Americans.”

-Caren Kay Nagum, AB1C

“The contestants were put inside the house to supposedly show the public real people, real emotions and real lives but I think the housemates act unlike themselves because they know people are watching.”

- Amaya Lim, BSPS2A

Official Student Media Corps of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Student Activity Center, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100 * June 2014

“In my opinion, this state visit has both positive and negative effects. We have been consistently inferior to the Americans for the past few decades, but at the same time, we can benefit from this due to the assured help from the United States.”

- Jezrah Gaitan, BE1B

T H E S PEC T RU M

VOL. 59 NO. 1

THESPECTRUM.USLS@GMAIL.COM

SPORTS FREEDOM IS EVERY THING

AWAY FROM ENEMY LINES. Ceres-La Salle gets the chance to bring the ball back to their territory, trying to notch a goal.

Photo by Ma. Henna A. Pilla

CBA leads the way to ANIMOTION grand cup The yellow falcons from the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) beat the heat and soared as the overall champion during the Summer Party 2014 themed “Fun Under the Sun” at the Forest Park-Water Garden Resort last May 2.

According to University Student Government President Neil Juntado, the Summer Party is “the first step to achieving the ANIMOTION grand cup” that is given to the college with the most number of points incurred during council-related activities for the whole academic year.

CBA prevailed over other colleges in the College Production Number, and in the games Water Basketball and Water Volleyball, and finished second in the

Governor’s Challenge and third in the Amazing Race.

“As the college governor, it feels great to have won the over-all championship during the Summer Fest 2014 because our hard work really paid off. It goes to show that the yellow-shielded champions won’t go home without the crown.

Go. Fight. Win. CBA!” CBA Governor Neri Pahayupan said.

He added that this “is just the beginning” of their many other victories to come.

On the other hand, College of Engineering and Technology (CET) landed first in both the Body Painting contest and the Governor’s Challenge represented

by Governor Jose Caparas, second in the College Production Number and Water Pong, and third in Water Volleyball.

The College of Education

(CEd), meanwhile, grabbed first place in the Water Pong, second in the Amazing Race, third in the Governor’s Challenge and Body Painting, and fourth in the College Production Number.

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) got second place in Body Painting and Water Volleyball, and third in the College Production Number and Water Basketball, while the College of Nursing (NSG) left behind the other colleges in the Amazing Race, and placed third and fifth in Water Pong and in the College Production Number, respectively.

CAS representatives Jorge Gamboa and Daphne Molinar were hailed as the Summer Hotties 2014.

Eric Yared and Angeluz Aujero from CBA settled for

second place, followed by Rae Solidum and Karina Pareno from NSG, Shem Nono and Leah Baldonaza from CEd, and Kenneth Apelo and Gierlyn Gonzales from CET. Juntado said the purpose of the Summer Party “was for students to break away from academics even just for a day and experience relaxation together as one Lasallian family”, adding that it also lets the students know their strength as a college, and the council to “build rapport with their fellow Lasallians.”

Despite finding a place apart from the Granada Eco-Park that could cater to three thousand Lasallians, making “many” of these students use the pool while watching the program on stage is what Juntado personally admits they “failed to achieve”.

THE STAGE IS SET. The Panaad Stadium welcomes supporters from both teams as they fight for contention in the AFC President’s Cup.

By Andrea Nicole C. Farol

Ceres-Lasalle Football Club (Ceres-Lasalle FC) fell short in making history as the firstever Philippine football team to advance into the championship round of the Asian Football

Confederation (AFC) Cup after concluding game three of the AFC President’s Cup with a score of 1-2, in favor of Turkmenistan’s FC HTTU, last May 6, 8 and 10.

The host team initially settled a draw with North Korea’s Rimyongsu during the first game,

Photo by Ma. Henna A. Pilla

Ceres-Lasalle FC loses spot in AFC Cup ‘14

with a score of 2-2.

Game two improved CeresLasalle’s chance of qualifying after Tatung FC of Chinese Taipei suffered defeat with a score of 2-0, effectively giving four points to the Bacolod-based team – same with FC HTTU.

Patrick Reichelt completed Carli de Murga’s free kick to deliver Ceres-Lasalle FC’s first goal during the 17th minute.

Juani Guirado’s header earned the second goal at the 87th minute mark, capping the match.

This required Ceres-Lasalle FC to either beat or get a draw during game three to secure a spot in the championship.

During game three, CeresLasalle FC scored the first goal during the third match courtesy of de Murga.

FC HTTU caught up at injury time when Suleyman Muhadov headed a corner kick ball into the net.

The referee announced a five-minute-added time after the deadlock remained past regulation time.

Muhadov scored at injury time, his fifth in the tournament, which blowed up the host team’s chances to get in the championship round.

FC HTTU and Rimyongsu claimed the championship slots for the President’s cup.

A Leap of Faith

Photo courtesy of Sheena Lim

By Roma Jane A. Hechanova

Name: Sheena Lim Age: 21 years old Sports: High Jump Course: LIACOM

timeout RJ Nichole L. Ledesma Discipline.

Determination.

Dedication.

These are the words that fuel multi-awarded Lasallian trackand-field athlete Sheena Lim to succeed in the challenging task of balancing sports and academics.

Lim specializes in highjumping and she has won several awards in this category, including gold in the 2011 Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural and Educational Association (NOPSSCEA) Games-high-jump category and gold in Private Schools Athletic Association Regional Games-high jump category.

She is currently on her fifth and final year of being a Liberal Arts and Commerce student, majoring in Psychology and Operations Management, and has been a consistent dean’s lister.

“As student-athletes, we are always reminded that we are students first before being athletes.

It is not easy to balance both but it is our responsibilty,” Lim said.

She looks up to three central

figures in her life, her family, especially her mom, her mentors, and God. She strives to do her best in every competition, not only for her own sake, but also to pay off the hardwork her mentors and coaches have invested on her.

One of those mentors was the late Rolando Malate, a policeman and, at the same time, a coach for Sheena since she was in sixth grade. She was deeply affected by the loss, but later on Coach Rolando became one of her biggest inspirations.

Lim is also very devout and prayerful. “I am nothing without Him,” she said.

It was not always an easy ride for Lim. She recounts one terrible incident that happened weeks before last year’s NOPSSCEA when she had an injury because of rigid training and preparation.

The first doctor diagnosed her of having a fractured odontoid, and he opened up the possibility of her not being able to play again.

“It broke my heart upon hearing this. I cannot imagine saying goodbye to high-jumping that way,” she said.

But later on, they found out it was only a stress line. She still wasn’t able to play in the NOPSSCEA but was able to again rejoin her team in the Unigames.

When asked about her biggest defeat, she could not cite any event or competition, not because she wins every single one of them, but because she always makes it a point to have a positive mind whatever the circumstances are.

She shares one of her favorite words of wisdom from Francis Kong, saying, “Life is a matter of perspective; it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you take it and look at it”, and adds, “it’s how you act upon it.”