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Volume XXIV NO.1 | TABLOID | NOVEMBER 2014

ALL HAIL

UPang WHAT’S INSIDE?

► FEATURE | SABLAY NA PAGTATAPOS p. 9 ► DEVCOM | OF ‘LEARNING BY DOING p. 7 ► LITERARY | KAPIRASONG PAPEL p. 10► SPORTS | AND ALSO BOXER - MISS UNIVERSE? p. 12

EDITORIAL : CARE TO CATER THE CREDIT? p.4

UPDC bests dance-offs ►Gail Zhahariell Mejia

Vidal, Samson land 9th in Nursing, Medtech boards

►Fiona Megan Decano

Two students from the College of Health Sciences (CHS) both placed ninth in their respective board examinations, the Nursing Licensure Examination (NLE) last May and Medical Technology Licensure Examination (MTLE) last September. Pray and Play In the recent nursing board exam taken by a total of 157 examinees from PHINMA University of Pangasinan, all 86 first-timers passed with only 18 repeaters, posting an overall rating of 66.24 percent passing rate for the university.

In the said exam, Mark Melo Vidal was the sole passer from UoP to seize a spot in the top 10 of the NLE, with an average of 84.00 percent. Following Vidal were Kaye Marie Tambot in the 12th spot, Adriano Miguel Adorador and Michelle Marzan both in the 13th place, Marilouise Calugay in the 15th place, Michelle Bañaga in the 18th spot, and Kim Edward Aquino and Michael John Iglesias in the 19th spot. The 20-year old topnotcher hails from Magtaking, Bugallon, Pangasinan who dreamt of being in the list of topnotchers, but did not expect to land in the ninth spot. Continued on page 6

STEP UP. An outburst of passion and focus is flaunted in every step as the University of Pangasinan Dance Company (UPDC) makes a mark as national champion during the ADDLIB’s Venus Cup in A-Venue Mall, Makati last July 19, 2014. Photo source: Wei Fu Photography

SH reaps awards in SPAM confab

Every step is a highlight, every move worthy of spotlight.

►Fiona Megan Decano

“I believe this is the year of UPDC”, a student leader and a personal fan of the group said. The University of Pangasinan Dance Company (UPDC) dances its way into bagging numerous awards in the first semester of the academic year 2014-2015.

UPDC first prevailed as champion in Miss Joe Abuda and The ADDLIB’s Venus Cup, the first of its kind dance competition the ADDLIB had organized in celebration of their core values of creativity, freedom, and equality. Held on July 19, 2014 at the Big Shift Creativ Centrale, A-Venue Mall, Makati City, it is the first national competition that UPDC had partaken Continued on page 6

CMA students dominate extramurals ► Jana Yvette Abenojar

The outside is where true education lies. The Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) PHINMA UPang Chapter topped the myriad competitions in this year’s Regional MidYear Convention, an annual gathering of different JPIA Chapters, held at Hotel Supreme Baguio last September 22-24, 2014. Continued on page 6

ACT. COUNT. THINK. UPang JPIANs take the stage and spotlight in the 2014 Regional MidYear Convention in Hotel Supreme Baguio, prevailing a winning streak as the front-runner among other JPIA Chapters in the region. Photo source: JPIA Region 1 & CAR

‘We did not anticipate it.’ The Students’ Herald, the official publication of PHINMA University of Pangasinan, bagged awards from the 8th Annual National SPAM Convention, 5th SPAM National Journalism Quiz Bee: Pambansang Pautakang Pampahayagan, and 2nd International Cultural Exchange held last September 11-13, 2014 at Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City. Out of eight universities that sent entries for the pre-judged competitions, Genesis Marzan seized the 1st place in the Cartoonist of the Year category, while Jan Marlon De Vera

got the 4th place in the Opinion Writer of the Year category. For the on-the-spot competitions, Jana Yvette Abenojar and Fiona Megan Decano both placed tenth in Editorial Writing category and News Editing category, respectively, out of 50 students from universities and colleges nationwide that competed. It was a first for Herald to participate in the said annual confab which advocates responsible campus journalism. The School Press Advisers Movement (SPAM), Inc., in coordination with Benguet State University (BSU), conducted this year’s confab

Continued on page 6

CE studes bring home pride ►Fiona Megan Decano & Gail Zhahariell Mejia

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) University of Pangasinan Chapter had once again dominated the annual Regional CE Quiz elimination conducted last September 27, 2014 at Mariano Marcos State University, Batac, Ilocos Norte—marking this year its five-peat championship. With their coach and adviser, Engr. Noel Siapno and Engr. Henry Amado, respectively, Mark Andrew Araneta emerged as the champion, followed by John Dominic Tomelden who placed 1st runner-up. The said elimination will determine who will advance in the 33rd National Civil Engineering Students Quiz (33rd NCESQ), which will be held in Legazpi City, Albay on November 2014. Moreover, the UoP division is one of the top 20 finalists out of hundreds of participating schools nationwide in the PaCEkatan organized by the Besavilla Review Center, and also placed fifteenth out of 120 schools in the National Civil Engineering Quiz 2014.

SPAMMED WITH VICTORY. Genesis Marzan, in light of humility and pride, seizes on the spur of the moment the title of number one Editorial Cartoonist of the Year in the 8th Annual National SPAM Convention held in Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City. Photo by Gail Mejia

CITE aces TESDA Exam

►Francis Gonzales

The College of Information Technology Education (CITE) achieved a 100% passing rate in the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Computer Hardware Servicing NC II last March 14, 21 and 28, 2014, and July 5 and 12, 2014 at Bright School International, Urdaneta City. A total of 310 information technology students passed the TESDA examination. Mr. Engilbert Comadre, instructor in Computer Hardware and Servicing, said that he is very proud of his students in achieving its goal. “We in CITE were not after a perfect programmer or I.T. practitioner, but we hone and develop or transform our students in to quality well-rounded useful I.T. professionals of the community”, Comadre claimed.


The STUDENTS’ HERALD

News

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The Official Student Publication of PHINMA University of Pangasinan

UPang hits PHINMA numbers ► Jana Yvette Abenojar

Yearlong efforts of PHINMA UPang’s Marketing Department became fruitful in achieving PHINMA’s target number of enrollees— this semester they succeeded to do so. PHINMA University of Pangasinan’s members of the Marketing Department hit PHINMA quota of 3,065 enrollees for the first semester of the academic year 2014 – 2015 by achieving 3,060 freshmen. Since the takeover of PHINMA, this semester has had the highest number of enrollees by far. Mr. President Vargas, UoP Marketing Manager, said they met halfway with PHINMA this semester. In the years that have passed, PHINMA has been setting very high quotas for them. Knowing the market better, they decided to talk with the PHINMA bosses and came up with a realistic target that is still aptly close to the numbers PHINMA wants to see. The members of the said department has started their campaigns in the mid-year of 2013 to prep for the coming semester. They boast of their

unique Marketing Campaigns namely the Power of One and Parent Champions, where students and parents get incentives for adding to the number of UoP’s enrollees. According to Mr. Vargas, our Marketing Supervisor, these campaigns are now being emulated by the other PHINMA Schools. This year, they went heavy on physical ads that emphasized on getting more of tuitions’ worth when one enrolls in UoP. These ads were in the form of tarpaulins hanged all over Dagupan and farfetched edges of Pangasinan last March of 2014. When April hit, UoP tarps were all over the province. They have also visited areas like Bolinao, Sison and farther parts of the province in their wanting to reach as many places as they could, all in the aim of hitting the target. Before the end of the second se-

Projection of PHINMA UPang’s freshmen enrollees in four years.

mester 2013-2014, they were already halfway in reaching the target, garnering 1500 enrollees. In June of 2014, they hit the goal before the new academic year opened.

Mr. Vargas acknowledged the aid of the other departments such as the registrar, the CSDL, and their PHINMA Marketing superiors in their success.

IYDS 2014 shapes student leaders “One is never too young to lead” - Efren Peñaflorida

PUSHING THE LIMITS. Known for his ‘pushcart classroom’, Efren Peñaflorida empowers student leaders to be driven by a passion to achieve great expectations during the IYD Summit conducted in the ADB Headquarters on August 12, 2014. Photo by Gail Mejia

First ‘Hackathon’ in Pangasinan commenced

Three student leaders from PHINMA University of Pangasinan namely Gail Mejia, Frankie Cortez, and Henderson Floreza were selected to attend the International Youth Day Summit (IYDS) last August 12, 2014 at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Headquarters, Pasig City. Out of thousands of student leaders nationwide who applied, only 300 participants were chosen by AIESEC, including representatives from civil society organizations and ADB staff. The IYDS is a worldwide event which recognizes the vital role of the youth in society. This year, the IYDS focuses on the potential in youth leadership and how it affects change in the current generation with its theme, “Empowering the Youth to Achieve Great Expectations”. The goal of the IYDS is to encourage youth to aspire for a better future for themselves and for Asia and the Pacific by building their capacity and leadership, and to mobilize young people to support the continuing development of their communities and of the region. The said summit was highlighted by the Great Expectations Youth Dialogue (GEYD), which includes the launching of ADB Great Expectations video series on how ADB is helping address development challenges and partnership issues of member countries of ADB, Youth

►Edrea Fernandez

Leadership Workshops (YLW) which provided capacity-building and training to the youth participants, and Generation 2015 (Gen2015) which provided a platform that will gather the youth’s commitments for the development of Asia and the Pacific and empowering the youth to contribute in fighting poverty in Asia and the Pacific. The said event was started by a welcome remark from Mr. Bin du Lohani, VP KM of ADB and was followed by a speech from CNN hero Efren Peñaflorida, and Cris “Kesz” Valdez. Akbayan National Chair, Risa Hontiveros, was also one of the speakers and stated that, “selflessness is a virtue”, while Tony Abad, a lecturer on International Economic Law at Ateneo de Manila Law School said that “leading is a challenge” on the topic of being a 21st century leader. After the activities and speeches, the delegates wrote their promises about contributing to society in their own ways followed by closing remarks from Michael Fua, president of AIESEC Philippines. After GEYD, Great Expectations was launched online through a live chat via ADB’s website. The IYDS 2014 highlighted the role of young people in the region’s development and provided a platform for ADB to support youth in fulfilling this important role.

►Francis Gonzales

The College of Information Technology Education (CITE) conducted its first ever ‘Hackathon’ Event in Pangasinan held last October 3 to 4, 2014 at the Mac Laboratory, PHINMA Technology Building. With the theme “Alerto UPang”, the said codefest is a twoday, 32-hour straight coding and designing competition which aims to showcase the talents, ingenuity and skills of the IT students. A total of 54 participants, divided into 14 teams of four members each, comprised of second year to fourth year students. Each team showcased different skills in website programming, and designing to collaborate with each other to build a mobile application or website that aims to spread awareness within the university. The winners of the first ‘Hackathon’ were decided by a panel of judges from different IT companies. The Team CraAze consisting of Jeric Abulencia and Rubelyn Aquino (4th year), Josephus Caballero (3rd year), and Allen Mark Seco (2nd year) earned the title of Best Programmer and Designer and received a cash prize worth of Php6,000.00. The winning team’s website, named U-connect, allows student to intervene and react with different issues through live streaming of activities within the university. The website also features: the “bully project”, online polls, surveys, online forum, announcements, and event schedules.

W

rite yo u r STORY w it h US.

CLICK BEFORE YOU SLEEP. All systems go as the participants of the province’s first ever ‘Hackathon’ gear up for the 32-hour straight code and design contest at the PHINMA Technology Building held from October 3 to 4. Photo source: Bea Sta. Ana

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The Official Student Publication of PHINMA University of Pangasinan

Pagtanggal ng Wikang Filipino sa kurikulum, pinagdiskusiyunan ►Charlmagne Christian Ramoso

Nang ilabas ng Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) ang Memorandum Order No. 20 Series of 2013 na may nilalamang layon na pagtanggal ng asignaturang Filipino sa kolehiyo, inihain ni Terry Ridon, Kinatawan ng Kabataan, ang House Resolution 1249 na humihiling ng naturang imbestigasyon ukol dito kasabay ng mga umaarangkadang batikos ng mga kasapi ng Mababang Kapulungan sa direktiba ng nasabing kagawaran. “Nakababahala ang panukala ng CHEd na tanggalin ang mandatoryong pag-aaral ng ating pambansang wika,” ani Ridon. Dagdag pa niya na nararapat lamang na busisiing mabuti ng Kongreso ang posibleng maging epekto nito sa mga estudyante at guro. Ayon kay Ridon, mas mahalagang pag-aralan ng wasto at mabuti ang ating sariling wika sapagkat kakailanganin ito sa ilalim ng programang isinulong ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, ang K-12 Program. Nakasaad sa utos ng CHED para sa akademikong taon 2016-2017 ang karagdagang 36 na unit para sa mga mag-aaral sa kolehiyo -- Sa kasalukuyan, ayon sa datos, mayroong mahigit-kumulang 65 units ang mayrooon sa ikatlong lebel, kabilang na rito ang humanities, social sciences, math at iba pa. Kaugnay dito, kamakailan lamang, kabilang ang mga batikan sa Filipino, tinalakay ang “Tanggol Wika” sa ilang piling unibersidad sa bansa. Kanilang tinalakay ang samu’t saring bentahe’t disbentahe ng direktiba ng nasabing komisyon – ang implikasyon nito, mga papel ng mga samahang pang-wika sa pagsulong ng pambansang lenggwahe, ang lunan ng Wikang Filipino sa sikolohiya na nagkukwestiyon sa paggamit nito at ang pagsusurisa ‘di umano ng order sa pakikibaka ng panatilihin ang Filipino sabjek sa kolehiyo. Hinihiling ng inihaing Resolusyon sa Committee on Higher and Technical Education na pinamumunuan ni Roman Romulo, Kinatawan ng Pasig, na suportahan ang isinusulong na paglilitis kontra CMO No. 20.

S T R E E T ABLAZE. The streetdancers of Brgy. Pantal, champions of the GilonGilon Ed Dalan during the Dagupan City Bangus Festival 2014, emblazon their high-spirited winning performance in the PHINMA Avenue as a grand welcome to the academic year and a prelude to the u n i v e r s i t y ’s 90th Founding Anniversary. Photo by Gail Mejia

‘First Day Hi’ preludes 90th Anniversary ►Gail Zhahariell Mejia

UoP offers RCBC option ►Lorenzo Fabia Jr.

PHINMA University of Pangasinan finally finds a way on how to lessen the typical hassle the students encounter during settlements of different school fees brought about by the long waiting intervals on direct-to-counter payments. Now it offers the easiest way of paying students’ accounts made possible through its partnership with the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC). Interested students may ask a slip for RCBC transaction on the teller’s customer service counter. After which, the student may fill up the following information needed for the transaction: - Company Name/ Account Name: University of Pangasinan, Inc. - Account No.: 9005208703 - Payment Information: Name & Student Number - Details Section: TF / Tuition Fee - Cash Payment Information The bank will give a copy of the validated deposit slip and the student shall give the deposit slip to Counter 6 (Customer Service) of the teller within the university.

NCSMS goes viral ►Ranzel Mae Ubando

“It is not enough to be passersby on the digital highways, simply ‘connected’; connections need to grow into true encounters” – Pope Francis This is the theme of the third National Catholic Social Media Summit (NCSMS) held at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center, Capitol Complex, Lingayen, Pangasinan last September 13-14, 2014. The conference was hosted by the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan and was sponsored by Youth Pinoy, an alliance of young Filipinos who bear witness to their Catholic faith through creative means of expression published in the world wide web. Participated by different catholic schools, dioceses and parishes around the country, the two-day event was launched to heed the call for online evangelization. The said conference comprised of Social Media Skills and Social Media Advocacy workshops which focused on seven skills including: Creating Images & graphics fit for Social Media Evangelization presided by Kei San Pablo; Creating Videos and Animations that communicate the Catholic Faith by Charlie Aquino; Expressing your Catholic Faith and Beliefs through Article & Content Writing by Rommel Lopez; How to Help in Spreading the Catholic Faith and Beliefs through Social Media Content Sharing and Distribution by Valerie Deveza; Building your Parish and Organization’s Social Media Presence by Genesis Reonico; Learn How to Use and Maximize Social Media the Catholic Way by JP Acuna; and How to Take Pictures and Use Instagram and Pinterest for Evangelization by Sky Ortigas. NCSMS also tackled different advocacies based on the 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy. A Holy Eucharist celebration presided by Archbishop Socrates Villegas concluded the aforementioned summit.

CBS searches for best wall art concept ►Genesis Marzan

PHINMA Education President Meliton “Chito“ B. Salazar, more commonly known as “CBS“, together with the Office of the President (OOP) and the Center for Student Development and Leadership (CSDL), spearheaded the PHINMA UPang On-the-Spot Painting Contest held at the University North Hall last September 24, 2014. The contest was participated by 12 UPang students of which Christian Villena and Mark Delos Santos, both B.S. Architecture students, triumphed in the said event. The challenge was to create a wall art concept with a Penang Malaysia Wall Art as a theme. The participants were tasked to illustrate a wall art concept of their own on an illustration board using different media. All entries were judged and the winning piece was decided by Dr. Salazar. The winning piece will be painted on two vacant walls located at the newly constructed atrium inside the university. All participants received Certificates of Participation while the winners received Php5,000 and Certificates of Recognition from the Office of the President. WALLED IMAGINATION. Students exuding their most creative sides on illustration boards during the On-the-Spot Painting Contest are judged as the winning artwork would be enliven on the walls along the university atrium. Photo by Genesis Marzan

The new school year has started—and it started with a bang. With the current trend of flash mobs and OOTDs, PHINMA University of Pangasinan initiated a welcoming milieu for the freshmen to behold as the academic year kicked off with a flying start last June 16, 2014. The said endeavor, entitled as ‘First Day Hi’ for four consecutive years, was extended to a weeklong celebration as part of the administration’s prelude for the university’s 90th founding anniversary in February 2015. Employees and student officers were tasked to wear a distinctive attire for each days of the whole event to acquire a sense of uniformity. Prior to wearing different outfits, various activities were scheduled throughout the week, as well. As the first day of school started, officers of different school organizations scattered around the campus and exhibited a flash mob while wearing their Hawaiian or floral costumes. The grand champion of the Gilon-Gilon Ed Baley Street Dancing Competition during the Dagupan City Bangus Festival 2014, Barangay Pantal, was invited by the university to showcase their winning performance in the PHINMA Avenue. ABS-CBN News Central Luzon covered the welcoming program and conducted interviews with Frankie Cortez and Jodie Maquera of the University Student Council (USC) and Mr. Hanz Sapitan of the Center for Student Development and Leadership (CSDL). In the second day, the student leaders and employees were shown in their white shirts. The third day was highlighted by their attempt for costume playing or ‘cosplay’, and was also the opening of the two-day Students’ Fair which presented food and entertainment booths set up by college-based and university-wide organizations in the parking lot. Commodities of all sorts such as selling of products made by the officers, photo booths, and even an open music jam by the Life’s Sound Society were offered to the students for the benefit of raising funds and amusement for the student body. An exhibit of the different uniforms was also featured in the university gymnasium. Freshmen witnessed chosen students modelling the department uniforms available in respective courses in a catwalk. July 19, the fourth and final day of the program, presented the officers and employees in a sporty attire. Throughout the entire welcome program, the USC had launched the Ask USC Info Desk, an information booth settled in the Students’ Plaza for guidance and concerns to be accommodated, especially for the freshmen and transferees. The whole program may have truly raised the bar for the 90th Founding Anniversary on February 2015. As the academic year kick-started with a bang of surprises, the student body is in anticipation for the rest of the school year.

CSS reps join Philippine Model Congress ►Lorenzo Fabia Jr.

Two students from the College of Social Sciences (CSS) represented the province of Pangasinan at the Philippine Model Congress (PMC) with the theme, “Redefining the Role of the Filipino Youth” last September 13-14, 2014 at the Senate Hall, Pasay City. Lorenzo Fabia, Jr., 3rd year AB Political Science student, and Joedie Maquera, 4th year BS Education student, were among the 400 qualified delegates out of a thousand hopefuls who applied through an online examination. The said event aims to highlight the roles of the Filipino youth in the field of formulation of policies and crafting bills. The event started from 8 o’clock in the morning and lasted until 6 o’clock in the evening. The delegates were divided into five different committees and were tasked to pass at least one bill to be discussed later on in the plenary. All were able to comply and five bills were argued on the session hall. However, only two bills among those five were able to gain the votes of the majority which are the The Indigenous Peoples’ Bill of 2014 and the Development and Risk Management Act of 2014. The highlight of the event was the awaited speech delivered by Senator Lauren Legarda about her advocacy for the environment. Awarding of certificates to the delegates concluded the congress.


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EDITORIAL Care to cater the credit?

EDITORIAL

The Official Student Publication of PHINMA University of Pangasinan

The transition from high school to college level is a huge and dramatic shift in a students’ life, and the college or university they enter will play a significant role in so many ways. That being said, our university showcases a number of ways to entice the students as well as fostering these students into individuals who would serve themselves well. Then again, is it really for the students? Since the University of Pangasinan (UPang, or UoP) was officially recognized as part of PHINMA Education Network (PEN) in 2009, constant striving for goals and aspirations transpired. The whole student body is aware that the university has been on the threshold of becoming a nationally renowned institution with all its programs, projects and whatnot, never-ending renovations of facilities, and endless marketing strategies to attract the curious minds of what’s in store at the school. Admittedly, the university has improved so drastically compared to its state four years ago that those who bear witness to its evolution would remind those who did not that they are lucky and appreciative to have experienced this change. The aesthetics and promising offers may seem first class, but the quality of education is still the best mark of an exceptional university. But has the administration forgotten the main reason why students are sent to college or university? To learn. To get a good job. To make parents proud. To make the best out of four or five years before conquering the professional world. Truth to be told, these pleasures seem underrated but it’s definitely the truth. Every day that should be filled with excitement to learn turns to be difficult because it seems as if the school shuns students who are deemed as ‘underachievers’. Let’s get this straight. UPang did not raise the studentry to have the right to call them names and degrade them for their shortcomings. Undeniably, there are some students who slack off and not really care about their parents’ thoughts if their money is being put to good use. There are even those who have an unwanted short attention span, and lack the capability to catch up with lectures. But that doesn’t mean that skepticism towards the students should be implied. Just because the students are students and instructors are professionals, doesn’t mean they should be deprived of their individuality. It’s quite incomprehensible to hear from instructors the words “see you next year on the same subject” or even “next year ka na lang grumaduweyt”. No student can fathom these deafening words and even more for hearing “engot/tanga/bobo” from professionals. It’s absurd that a student’s instructor shakes his head in constant disappointment because the student isn’t a fast learner, resulting to fear of asking for further explanation of the lecture. Even some students who have accomplished something remarkably related to academics aren’t credited and furthermore taken for granted. There are some instructors who tend to say “let’s focus on teaching and honing the skills of *insert name of renowned student prodigy here*” They imply to the rest of the class that only he is much deserving of attention, resulting to the ‘underachievers’ to sit on the corner because they are unable to reach their expectations. Face it. Attaining a 1.0 grade point average seems to be the epitome of what it means to be an achiever. Get a 3.0 and no one gives a crap about who you are and what you’re able to do. And what about those who painstakingly reviewed for months to take their licensure exam and, albeit not all of the takers, still passed? Just because the batch did not reach the expected passing rate, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be credited by the university. Tarpaulins and a hundredfold of “the school is so proud of you!” speeches are professed in an instant once an alumni enacts a place in the top ten in board exams. How unfortunate for the other handful of students who did their best anyway, but never got any recognition from the school they had come from. Have the people forgotten that although the administration takes total control of the university, it is the students who are the primary stakeholders of the institution, and that it is us who are to be favored instead of the school itself? It seems as if the administrators are much engrossed on vying for the school’s reputation that they have forgotten their primary role as educators. If our university is contending for a spot in the national scene, it may be a high time to give the students, every one of them, what they expected to acquire in college: extreme polishing and preparation for the professional world that they would soon conquer. The university is indeed a competitive institution, exerting much effort to impart and boast of its exceptional students who top the boards and achieve great expectations. The administration might not be fully aware of it but it is comprised of a versatile clientele—all the students are able and deserving of vigilance, patience and focus from their mentors. And what they do not fully realize is that once a student has the eagerness to learn, it is a mark of an achiever. In fact, even when stepping out of the four corners of the school, the university oftentimes forget that whether a student has achieved national standards or simply graduated in spite of struggles, every Flame should be ignited with pride.

The STUDENTS’ HERALD

THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF PHINMA UNIVERSITY OF PANGASINAN

Editorial Board A.Y. 2014-2015 Gail Zhahariell Mejia Editor-in-Chief Jana Yvette Abenojar Jan Marlon De Vera Managing Editor Associate Editor Sports Editor Fiona Megan Decano Lorenzo Fabia Jr. News Editor Feature Editor Christian Ramoso Louie Ann Chua Edrea Fernandez Feature Writer Francis Gonzales NewsWriters Genesis Marzan Editorial Cartoonist Ranzel Mae Ubando Layout Artist SportsWriter Frances Athena Panopio James Paul Dela Cruz Photojournalist Miguel Krystoffer Mendoza Artist Kelvin Rioferio Kenneth Richard Carrera Bea Micah Pagaduan Lennon John Tapiador Rythaniel Ryss Garcia Contributors Dr. Joseph Jovellanos Technical Adviser

GAIL WARNING Gail Zhahariell Mejia

Deservingly undeserved? Most leaders do not realize that their reputation is an invisible force that shapes every decision that involves them: decisions on how people would react to them, how others take their arguments or ideas, and how people will consider their visions and trust their direction. Leaders are entrusted to step up their game for genuine social change the moment they said “yes” to the role they will be upholding. But oftentimes, when a person is recognized for possessing a reputation of going through a hundredfold of seminars and has been eagerly joining organizations, people tend to consider giving that person the trust to sit on the throne of authority. As the election in our university was approaching last March, it was learned that only one party was running for the different positions in the University Student Council (USC), therefore winning by default. It is quite dismaying that if not for the keen observance of several students as to the inactivity of the candidates during the first days of the campaign week, no flyers would be handed out and other paraphernalia to be set up—at the last minute by the way. It was observed that they relied more on spreading their over-the-top insights through social media. The hopefuls somehow managed to conduct room-to-room campaigns, a more viable way to personally present their lineup and platforms, and to prove their sincere intention to run, but its impact was still not entirely felt for it was a last-minute effort, therefore only meeting a few classes. During the meeting de avance held at the Students’ Plaza, only the running president of the party spoke in front of the audience to deliver the promising speeches. In their defense, to be headed by such a strong-willed individual who has a reputation for knocking on leadership ventures for the past years seemed sufficient to represent the party. But then, how could they accomplish their goal as an avenue for voicing student rights if not

even a whisper from the other candidates was heard? Despite the lack of votes which was supposed to reach 20% of the student electorate, and their failure to submit their financial statement on time, the candidates still secured their respective positions in the council. Did anyone gauge their potential in matters of leadership? Or did we just let this pass since ‘everyone makes mistakes’? In their State of the Flames’ Address (SOFA), the USC’s self-proclaimed accomplishment, the impact of image was stressed several times, a part of which states that “[this] shall take charge of regaining the image of the USC and shall raise student activism in the university.” The latter integrates a creative idea to strengthen the student sector but the former rears a demeaning and eyebrow-raising reaction. Why is it that they exert much time and effort to promulgate their reputation as leaders? Why is there a need to attach a “powered by USC” at the end of an activity title? The USC is not funded by the school but by the students, so it is only a must that they should not prioritize the allotment of their Student Activity Fund (SAF), or the organization’s fund, for office renovations, and attending out-of-town seminars and rendezvous as what was observed at the start of their term without pressing political action for the constituents. Moreover, students are questioning why the USC is not consistent on objectivity. The council ought to pave the way for the entire student body’s empowerment instead of converging on image and bragging rights. It has been an impression by the silent majority that the current USC is much devoted to protecting their image as the superior organization within the institution. The council has been proposing and fulfilling programs to input a visible mark on their existence in the university—projects that hardly address the realistic issues of

HERALD HOWLER DLP for Major subjects, like DLP sa College Algebra and Accounting 1 is not accurate for slow learners like me or us. - Coffee Freak Dapat ilagay sa COM ang miselainous.xD sensya sa spelling busog eh. Haha! -Swit Patatas Okay ang DLP sa minor. pero sa Major. ay. sobrang mali po un. - Accountant Wanna be. Masyado silang strict sa mga board courses to the point na gusto nila yung mga matatalino lang talaga dapat matira, paano na yung iba?diba ang aim ng school ay magproduce ng zero-to-hero students, pero yung mga zero inaaalis na nila kaya ang mga natira panay hero. - Thanatos Sana hindi lahat ng MINOR SUBJECTS ay DLP. Nacuculture shock po kasi mga estudyante pag may major na. More bench or chairs in SP, please? - System of education. Yung aircon. Hindi naman

the school, some of which are the overrated sports fests that honestly exude performance over sportsmanship, outreach programs and conferences that involve only officers, and other affiliations that do not genuinely and entirely hone the academic and social well-being of the students. Most of the time, these proposals tend to bring the spotlight to the officers themselves instead of shining light to the primary stakeholders of the university: the student body. Just because they are recognized as leaders, does not mean they are good leaders. When are we going to stop hiding behind the curtains and stop tolerating the mistakes of those in authority? The USC is entrusted to act as a liaison between the students and the administration and to represent the constituents. Let the progressive reform of the student council speak for itself and entail a deafening silence. At times it is proper to take credit when it is due, but to display false modesty and having a large ego are considered undesirable. This article does not intend to frown upon the officers’ capabilities or attack them in a personal perspective, but the more exposed a person is, does not mean he is deserving of authority or superiority; the more a person is familiar with the concept of leadership, does not fully define his own skills as a leader; the more a person proclaims of his image as a leader, does not entirely mean he delivers excellent service. Reputation became a measure of our standing, a measure of how the people around us value our efforts. The greater the reputation, the more the person can exert influence, which often leads to impunity or the exemption from punishment. Reputation subverts authority but may compliment them. We can have the best of both worlds if our leaders understand the power of each. We must not succumb to the notion that just because one is not recognized for having a reputation in the field of leadership and have been exposed multiple times, he or she is incapable of empowering a community. Sometimes, those who serve in silence and humility are those who serve remarkably, while those who shout to the void their accomplishments are those who fall in an instant.

Ang Howler ay koleksyon ng mga komento, saloobin, at hinaing ng mga mag-aaral ng PHINMA University of Pangasinan tungkol sa mga isyu at pangyayari sa loob ng kampus. Ito ay may hangaring mapag-isa ang lahat ng estudyante tungo sa pagkakaroon ng mabuting komunikasyon at pagbabago sa loob ng paaralan.

sa pagiinarte na mainit pero nagbabayad bawat estudyante. Cleanliness in SP, please. - MissingInAction Masyadong mataas ang tingin ng mga tao, lalo na mga taga-UPang sa TUF. To the point na all posts are rendered truthful when it’s otherwise, when most posts are petty, insecure, ill and degrading. -SorryNotSorry Siguro dapat asikasuhin ng mga staff ung aircon ng mga rooms. Kasi Di lang estudyante naainitan kundi pati mga teachers kaya parang nagiging boring ang klase kasi mainit ang atmosphere at kapag nangyare yun, baka di na maka-focus ung mga estudyante kasi nga nagiging boring klase dahil sa init. Namomroblema tuloy mga teachers dahil sa performance nila dahilan nga nung di pagpasok dahil sa rason na nakakatamad pumasok kasi di naasikaso ung rooms. -JR In a certain college in UPang, most students people please their way to high grades. In short, kung

close ka sa instructor, taas grade na agad.

- Luh Di naman HK scholar ha pero marami akong kaibigan na HK scholar. At nabasa ko lang yung contract na pinirmahan nila sa pagiging scholar nila Ang lagi duduty sa mga dlp classes and other departments Which I guess is nalalabag na nila yung rights ng mga estudyante by simply forcing or oblaging them to render service in diff. Dlp classes And bakit kelangan din required silang umaatend sa lahat ng school events, is it because they are scholars? AndI thought being a scholar of UPang is a previlage? - Renzen21109

Erratum: The writer of the article “Of independence and

patriotism: the truth behind our Philippine flag” in the previous issue of The Students’ Herald would like to acknowledge Sam Tamayo of Yahoo! Philippines for the article “7 facts you should know about the Philippine flag” for his failure to recognize it as the source of the date of his article.


The STUDENTS’ HERALD

OPINION

The Official Student Publication of

BULL’S SHEET OF PAPER Jan Marlon De Vera

“...Lead modest lives” A former chief justice convicted for undeclared bank deposits. A former president with lavish dinners at the United States. A congressman who is also a boxer, actor, host, basketball player, and coach (refer to the sports opinion “And Also Boxer-Miss Universe?” on page 12). And recently a police chief with his ‘White House’, and a Vice President with a farm in Batangas. It is observed that most of our public officials and employees, and may also be for you who are currently reading this, are not aware of a certain provision, more specifically a certain phrase, in Article 11, Section 1 of our 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states that “Public office is a public trust. Public officials and employees must at all times serve the people with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and LEAD MODEST LIVES.” What do we mean by the phrase “lead modest lives”? The Merriam-Webster’s dictionary would define the term ‘modest’ as “limited in size, amount, or scope”. In short, the phrase “lead modest life” means “to lead a simple life”. Instituting the policy on simple living, R.A. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), under the definition of “Simple Living” states that “Public officials and employees and their families shall LEAD MODEST LIVES appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.” With these, our public servants must live a life of simplicity and contentment, and try to lead their constituents to live a simple life, something which is obviously not being practiced in our social, moral, and even political reality. As to the definite scope and limitation of a “modest life” for the public officials and employees, then Assistant Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni said in an interview with GMA

News’ Unang Hirit in 2009 that there is nothing mentioned in the law of the standard amount or value that they could possess. Therefore, there are actually no laws banning and penalizing our public servants from having an extravagant lifestyle, provided that it is acquired in legal ways. But for our information, there are at least two ways to determine if the public officials’ salary can afford such lifestyle and not ill-gotten or unexplained. First is through the disclosing of their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), a declaration under oath required to be submitted as mandated by R.A. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and R.A. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees). As promulgated by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the filer is required to submit “a true, detailed and sworn statement of assets and liabilities, including the statement of the amounts and sources of his income, the amount of his personal and family expenses, and the amount of income taxes paid for the next preceding calendar year.” It can be remembered that former Chief Justice Renato Tirso Antonio Coronado Corona was convicted mainly for his failure to disclose all his bank deposits in his SALN. During the impeachment trial, it was brought out that an employee of the judiciary was removed from office for her failure to disclose a market stall as her property in her SALN. And the recent case of Philippine National Police Chief Alan La Madrid Purisima, MPA, accused by CSC of violating the guidelines on the correct filing of his SALN for not indicating the addresses of his properties. Second is through a ‘lifestyle check’, “an investigation strategy developed by anti-corruption agencies in the Philippines to determine the existence of ill-gotten and unexplained wealth of officials and employees of the government” as defined in the website ombudsman.gov.ph.

MORE ON THE TRUTH Fiona Megan Decano

Dissecting Governance and Followership Changes in leadership in the councils and organizations were witnessed throughout the years in the university. These student councils and organizations, comprised of several elected and appointed leaders, represent the students of the university as their voice in their expression of problems and concerns. Without them, the students lose their voice. We have learned of their countless plans and promises, initiations and outcomes, conflicts and resolutions, but somehow, by the end of the term, they all seem to get jeers rather than cheers. Hence, who is to be blamed for the hisses that our student bureaucracies get every year? Is it the councils and organizations that play little games of conjecturing the best way to become relevant? Or is it the unconcerned student body whose awareness and participation in the electoral atmosphere and the organization itself is as diminutive as their

interest with termites? Perhaps the problem with our student councils and organizations is that they fail to mean much to the entire student body. Some students find their projects irrelevant or insignificant, while some feel that their authoritative roles are only for selfish gains. Some say that they don’t even know what their councils truly do except probably for moments of crisis like typhoons and suspension of classes, while some simply just got tired of hearing hopeful plans and never getting envisioned results. During election season, vying student leaders contemplates the best way to provide the student body with the most auspicious plans and projects in the hopes of putting themselves into office. Sometimes, they try too hard to please the student body and these plans and projects tend to get too impractical and farfetched that once these vying leaders get elected or

5

PHINMA University of Pangasinan

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Araneta Roxas II recently ordered a lifestyle check on the PNP after a police official involved in the September 1 incident was found to have a huge amount of net worth but has only a little annual salary. The PNP adhered to a “top to bottom lifestyle check” among all its personnel, although it noted that it was conducting lifestyle checks on its policemen since 2013. While public officials and employees are penalized for their wealth and properties illegally acquired, they are not punished for simply having a lavish lifestyle. How ravaging it is to see candidates in elections display themselves as pro-poor with only t-shirts and maongs, only to become glamorous with barongs, dresses, and suits in the annual SONA’s fashion show. Are there still public officials out there who lives in simplicity and contentment? Is there still a solution to this unforeseen predicament and unfulfilled phrase? In an essay by Jaeyoun Kim, a former student in the Philippines, he said that it is the lack of love and nationalism that keeps Filipinos poor. He cited the case of South Korea wherein after the Korean War, it had only three factories and no natural resources, making the country very poor, unlike the Philippines which was envied for its good economy. With this, the Korean government was prompted to send mine workers and nurses to Germany so they could send money back home to help build factories. He noted that the Korean government was so corrupt but the Koreans were able to recover and develop the economy because they did their best for the country and people, their hearts burning with nationalism. In short, it is the love of country that will make it bloom, FOR AS IN TRULY LOVING A PERSON,TO TRULY LOVE YOUR COUNTRY WITH BURNING NATIONALISM IS TO FEEL CONTENTED ON WHAT YOU HAVE. When our shameless public servants cannot do it themselves, then we should at least, as citizens of the Pearl of the Orient, truly love our country. Then we can say to ourselves, as what “Strawhat” Monkey D Luffy of the anime series One Piece once said, that “if we die trying, then at least we tried”, unlike those scumbags. appointed, those plans and projects just go tumbling down the hill and what the student body end up getting are events like concerts, or beauty or costume contests, which they have paid for yet has no academic purpose at all (with the leaders on podiums doing what exactly?), and never-ending fees that gets a lot of complaints, whereas the student leaders get to attend educationally and administratively advantageous seminars and workshops for themselves. On the other hand, the problem with the followers, the student body, is that they lack awareness, participation and audacity. Sure, they are aware that there are bodies governing them and their respective organizations, but are they aware of their power? Every election season, the candidates for the different positions, together with the Commission on Elections, struggle to get the student body to vote. More often than not, they fail to reach the quota needed. If the student body wants change and progress and if they don’t want to complain all year round about inept leaders and their shortcomings, this is the easiest thing they can do. After all, the right to suffrage or the right to vote and our sovereignty is demarcated well by our very own constitution, so why not exercise it? Moreover, the student body’s concerns and grievances must be conveyed to

THINKING ALOUD Jana Yvette Abenojar

Down to prerogative What social media, mass media and media in principle see, we see; what it ignores, we ignore. At present, we live in a world directly interlaced with a vast variety of media. It is the institution which has the explicit and undeniable power to promptly influence public preferences and opinion far and wide. As a great movie adage has emphasized, “with great power comes great responsibility.” According to scholastic references, the power of media is derived from five functions: news-making, agenda-setting, interpreting, socializing and persuading. Others account media as the vehicle for entertainment, information, sale, and more importantly, communication. The social media, being the channel of content sharing with friends on the web, and the mass media, being the communication that could either be written, broadcast or spoken, attach significance to people and events, therefore, involving, convincing, and persuading the society more. A great responsibility of media is its power to decide whether something is to be covered, posted, apprehended, or snubbed. In the Philippines, the study “TNS Digital Life 2012” by Taylor Nelson Sofres affirmed television as still the most influential media with the internet and social media trailing closely at second. Filipinos have 89 percent viewership and 45 percent netizenship. Still, media is greatly considered as a means of literacy. When children see and hear a commercial on TV with a catchy jingle, we will hear them singing it the whole day. Posts on social media became catch phrases like “push mo yan”, “pag may time” and much more. Is is observed that most of the people participating in these trends are of young age. What makes media alluring to the young is the chance that it lays out for interaction especially at their ages where they feel a deep hunger to be long and be in trend. Many educators, businessmen and professionals have accepted media as a pervasive influence on both young and adults. Mass media is a very compelling way in providing entertainment. Most people find watching television shows and movies a great leisure pursuit. It is also an extensive source of information on a wide range of topics which broadens the horizons of knowledge for people across the world. The world also recognizes media as the vital link to government and people. It is also an epitome for freedom. Most parts of the world recognize freedom of expression as the cornerstone of democracy and the right to exercise this freedom is one of the most valued among human rights, but freedom also comes in stringed with limitations. Today, it is utterly naive to think that media will comply to certain guidelines anymore because they believe that all they televise are what people want or probably deserve. What they think, people will buy. Little consideration do they put as to what and how they televise, broadcast, or publish might be of great influence to how the young act. The young have put media in a pedestal where all the media does, they do too. It paved the way to a rude generation and a harsh culture in which nit picking is found plainly comical belittling its psychological effects on the young. Media has much to offer but also so much to filter because their public preferences are not only adults who can very well comprehend things in a broader view but also the youth who barely know what is right from wrong. All media accessible to the youth have a great influence on their sentiments and beliefs. Media has conditioned us to think and act the way we do in our daily lives today because what media sees, we see; what media does, we do; what media ignores, we ignore. In eyeing for the highest ratings and the most likes, media must consider the welfare of their audience. Their power must be used to mold a better culture. They must look back into the meaning of filter and public welfare and the viewers. Netizens and the young needs to realize that not all that is seen, read and heard from media are what is best. If we choose to see, we will see; if we choose to ignore, we can ignore. The media institutions set options, not norms. They set trends, not rules that all ought to follow. One’s conviction is of his prerogative. Not everything seen, read and heard from media sources are what should be. The great power of media is still our responsibility. It is all down to our principles and prerogative. those who are concerned, the leaders or even the administration itself, and must not only extend to the infamous The Upang Files page or any other page or account on social media, in order for the student body to be provided with beneficial projects and effective resolutions for their distresses. Perhaps it is our tolerance and fears of those who lead us--even the administration itself, that has enable incompetence to persist within the system. One must not be afraid to come up and divulge to the governing body the incompetency of his leaders, or his complaints on unsystematic enrollment process and questionable miscellaneous fees, or his apprehensions with the university’s marketing feats instead of aiming on academic development. This is a free country, after all. Leadership is not the ability to manipulate people for selfish gains, or making jutting speeches but to promote the growth and welfare of the constituency involved, and making sure that constituents are heard—be it academic or administrative concerns. Our student councils and organizations must make sure that their plans and projects are realistic, specific, and timely. Being elected or appointed is not a popularity game, but it is the essence of accepting responsibility to serve and put constituents/followers first before themselves. They must not forget that they are the stu-

dents’ voice and not the admin’s dummies. They must not rebuild from flawed transitioned traditions but rebuild from rediscovering the needs and concerns that they must call to address. Followership, on the other hand, is not the ability to slate the inadequacies of their leaders but to help leaders in achieving their common goals. The student body has the responsibility to help their leaders and serve the organization as well, to participate in the transformation, to have the courage to speak up concerns, and to appreciate the value of their leaders. So, who is to blame here for all these jeers? Is it the leaders, or is it the followers? Perhaps there is no need to point fingers for ineffectual governance since doing so would resolve nothing. Instead, why not just ask ourselves, as a leader, if we’re truly doing our responsibilities or are we just here for show or to gain recognition, and as a follower, if we really care or are we just here to criticize our leaders and complain about everything? The relationship of leaders and followers are truly symbiotic and both have responsibilities to uphold. As the famous Winston Churchill has said, “The price of greatness is responsibility.” Thus, let us all, leaders and followers, veer ourselves away from apathy, egotism, and inaction to make this institution “Bigger! Better! Best!”.


The STUDENTS’ HERALD

News

6

The Official Student Publication of PHINMA University of Pangasinan

UoP Delegates 2nd in YMCA tilt ►Fiona Megan Decano & Gail Zhahariell Mejia

Representatives from PHINMA University of Pangasinan won in different categories and ranked 2nd place overall in the 3rd Provincial Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)-Guanzon Academic Olympics with this year’s theme “Empowering Young People’’, held at Lyceum Northwestern University last September 6, 2014. Students who represented the campus received medals, certificates and trophies as merit in their winning categories. Jeselle Visperas succeeded first place in Oration category; Juny dela Cruz and Joshua dela Cruz placed 1st runner-up

in Vocal Duet; Jake Martinez got 1st runner-up for the On-the-Spot Drawing contest; Frankie Cortez attained 1st runner-up in Extemporaneous Speech; and Alvin Garcia and Kristel Ann Maramba got 2nd runner-up in Ballroom Dance competition. The participants were trained and lead by Sir Arnold R. Centino, YMCA-PHINMA adviser. The first placers represented Dagupan City at the 2014 Northern Luzon Academic Olympics held in Baguio City on October 15.

Herald reaps awards... Continued from p1 VOICE OUT. YMCA and Guanzon award Jeselle Visperas first place for her elating oratory speech empowering the youth during the 3rd Annual Academic Olympics held in Lyceum Northwestern University on September 6, 2014. Photo by Gail Mejia

Continued from p1

Vidal, Samson land 9th...

“Upon informing me, ‘di ako makapaniwala. I felt overwhelmed. Parang, totoo ba to?” Vidal said. Vidal mentioned that he relied much on his four-year studies at the UoP College of Nursing in taking the exam. “Kung nakinig ka sa mga lessons niyo by heart, it’s enough para maging sandata mo for the NLE”, he added. Before taking the exam, although enrolled in a review center, he made sure that he is free from any anxiety by playing computer games with his friends or going out with his family. “Anxiety doesn’t increase knowledge. To forget the pressure, play na lang.” he stated. He is currently an instructor at the UoP College of Nursing and intends to lecture as well at a review center. He also plans to go abroad and pursue his nursing career. “Never underestimate your potentials and never be ashamed of what you are. Do your best especially when people expect the least of you, because the greatest pleasure in life is doing things people say you can’t do. Lastly, don’t forget to pray and play. Study hard but don’t let the pressure rise because pressure doesn’t increase the knowledge, just the anxiety.” Vidal said. ‘Abante Medtech!’ After 18 years, the Department of Medical Laboratory Science has a topnotcher— once again. Chino Paolo Samson, a resident of Tamaro, Bayambang, Pangasinan, was the only one as well from the university to seize

a spot in the top ten of the Medical Technology Licensure Examination landing at ninth spot with an average of 89.20 percent. In a total of 2,986 passers out of 3,615 examinees in the said medtech board last September, 27 out of 30 from UoP passed, posting an overall rating of 90.00 percent for the university. Dr. Hannah A. Balanon, chairperson of the Medical Laboratory Science department, said that she expected Samson to seize a spot in the top 10. The 20-year-old topnotcher, however, expressed that though he dreamt of being a topnotcher, he never expected it. Samson stated that the preparation of the exam was “composed of many months of prayer, hard work, and sleepless nights. I started serious study two months before the [board exam] and the routine was to study every night for at least two hours.” Samson said. When asked how they prepare their students in the medtech career, Dr. Balanon affirmed that they impose ‘Spartan training’, or the strict imposition of discipline to develop love for their chosen profession, and they make sure that they have a good foundation in the field of Medical Technology. She added that the main goal of the department is to strive for excellence. “Abante Medtech!” Dr. Balanon expressed with pride. Meanwhile, Samson hopes to continue his career to medicine. He works now as an instructor in the university. “Pray a lot. Study a lot. Give up things if you really aspire for something. At the end of doing your best, trust God to do the rest.” Samson stated.

UPDC bests... Continued from p1

in, therefore, the team’s first ever national championship. UPDC is also in the running as a regional finalist in the Smart Jump In Dance Off 2, organized by Smart Communications Inc. The regional elimination was held last August 30, 2014 at SM City Rosales in which the winners carried on to the national leg on October at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. UPDC is also recognized as the grand champion of the first ever Robinsons Ultimate Dance Crew 2014 after going through the eliminations and semi-finals, witnessed last September 20, 2014 at the Robinsons Place, Calasiao. In addition to its many struggles, triumphs and firsts, UPDC had likewise secured the 2nd runner-up in the Interpretative Dance Category during the SM Baile Festival of Dances on September 27 in SM City Rosales. They also won the People’s Choice Award for having the most number of likes on their photo shared by the organizer’s Facebook page. The pivotal dance group of the university aims groove its way into more awards and honor in the next semesters and years to come.

with the theme ‘Inculcating the Essence of Truth, Credibility, and Morality in Campus Journalism Amidst Global Challenges’. Campus journalists with their advisers from elementary, secondary and tertiary levels, with a total number of 68 schools, both public and private nationwide, attended this year’s confab. The delegates were welcomed with performances from Highland Cultural Dance Troupe (KONTAD), Center for Culture and the Art, and remarks from Dr. Ben D. Ladilad, BSU president. Prof. Cristina B. Reyes, VP for Luzon of SPAM Inc. presented the participants during the program, Dr. Melanie V. Briones gave the statement of purpose while Prof. Lydia Villanueva, VP Internal of SPAM Inc, declared the opening of the 8th Annual Confab. Awards of excellence were given likewise to campus advisers and student journalists who excelled in their respective fields. This year, SPAM Inc. granted the Award of Excellence in the Field of Broadcasting to Ms. Jessica Soho, and the Award of Excellence in the Field of Documentary Reportage to Ms. Kara David, both respected GMA-7 journalists. An election of officers for the National Federation of Campus Journalists’ was also conducted. Winners were declared and awarded during the closing program as well as distributed the certificates to all the participants of the national confab.

Continued from p1

CMA students dominate...

The said convention underscored many competitions, both academic and non-academic, in which PHINMA UPang JPIANs stood astride over other JPIA Chapters in Region 1. The following awards and winners are as follows: Cyber Accounting Genius v1415 - Kimberly C. Marcos (Champion), Mark Christian M. Reyes, Jason G. Villanueva, Al Joshua G. Pidlaoan, Maricon Siapno, Elbert Molina, Jomarc Malicdem, Kimberly Marcos (title holders); Accounting & Finance Quiz - Joshua V. Budol and Katrina Leizl E. Clauna (Champion); RMYC Online Photo Contest - Cherry Anne Maniacop, model, and Rhodalizza Sotelo, photographer (Champion); Mr. and Ms. Ambassadors of Goodwill 2014 - Jericho Sarmiento and Clarin Kyle Terrenal (1st Runner-up); MTV spoof - Upang team (1st Runner-up); Business Laws and Taxation Quiz - Remi Renzel M. Castillo (1st Runner-Up), Kimberly C. Marcos (10th place); Poster-Slogan Making Contest - Jenina de Guzman (1st Runner-up); Debate Cup - Jhay Caliwag, Marianne Jo Madrid and Crystal Nicole Baltazar (1st Runner-up); CAT Cup 1 Practical Accounting 1 & Theory of Accounts Quiz - Alexon Brylle S. de Guzman (3rd place); CAT Cup 5 Practical Accounting NGAS Quiz and Deloitte Cup, an Auditing Theory & Auditing Problem Quiz - Joshua V. Budol (4th place); Search for Basic Accounting Wizard - Vangie Mae D. Manaois (5th place); Institute of Management Accountants’ Quiz Bowl - Mark Christian M. Reyes (The Presidents’ Cup and 10th place).

USC, LifeBox empower UPang leaders through Kapihan

►Jana Yvette Abenojar

Great power comes with leadership. August 15 became a day dedicated to honing UPang leaders at the LifeBox Center in Arellano Street through a gathering entitled Kapihan, a chance to share thoughts with fellow leaders over coffee. USC together with LifeBox initiated the youth leadership training with the theme “Media: Tool for Empowering Student Leadership,” participated by different organizations in the university— CMASC, UPCESCO, UPACS to name a few. The Kapihan centered on activities that cultivated the youth leaders’ minds and passion for true leadership. There were talks and tasks that advocated camaraderie and teamwork. Cris Zuniga was a special guest in the event who pointed out that “leadership has so much similarity to news casting because in news, there must be credibility; in leadership, the same goes.” He also said that there is great power in the youth hands that can initiate change when youth wills change. “It was a breath of fresh air.” A student ESPRESSO YOURSELF. Subtle exchanges of ideas over a cup of coffee between UPang leaders and Region 1 news anchor Cris Zuniga are immersed leader assessed after the Kapihan.

during the Kapihan convention as a pick-me-up on student empowerment organized on August 15.. Photo source: Kapihan: Student Leaders’ Convention


The STUDENTS’ HERALD

DevCom

The Official Student Publication of PHINMA University of Pangasinan

Of ‘learning by doing’: The odds & ends of DLP in the UPang community ►Gail Zhahariell Mejia

T

he University of Pangasinan, one of the most renowned universities in the province, has sought to advance into the national level since PHINMA Group of Companies took over. Its endeavors to sprout to the national scene became visible to the naked eye; buildings have been modernized, facilities improved, promising scholarships and propositions to attain an education were granted. Above all else, the traditional ways of teaching have been somewhat altered, but with the aim of refining the university’s quality of education. Teaching approaches augment and play a vital role in the learners’ education. Last year, the academe implemented the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) as a new tactic to further improve the quality of learning of the students, particularly those enrolled in minor subjects—at least that is the vision it seeks. How it came from Struggle to Success 2010 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees and prominent physicists Dr. Christopher Bernido and Dr. Ma. Victoria Carpio-Bernido who earned their doctorate degrees from the State University of New York took over the Central Visayan Institute Foundation (CVIF) in 1999. CVIF was a struggling high school situated in the outskirts of Jagna, Bohol which was supposed to close for good if not for the Bernidos and their determination to turn the school around. In 2002, the couple, being the President and Principal of CVIF, respectively, established a new method of teaching as a means to input progress in student performance—the Dynamic Learning Program. It was intended to improve basic education using the same curriculum set by the Department of Education (DepEd), even in the face of challenges in the academic realm. On its first year of execution, four graduating students of CVIF passed the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT), and the number rose, proving its efficiency, until its sixth year of operation. From having only one student entering the 90 percentile in the nationwide examination of DepEd before the implementation of the DLP, it increased in the succeeding years, reaching 51 percent of CVIF students to be part of the 90 percentile since 2010. Measuring Efficacy Upon further research of other schools implementing DLP, it was observed that several colleges and universities actually acquired this method. PHINMA UPang is one of them, but in doing so, students criticized the action because of its impracticality in the college setting. The teaching approach highlights self-learning for the students, the perception of “learning by doing”. The instructor is given 15 to 20 minutes to discuss the lecture, and throughout the rest of the duration of the class, a given activity will be accomplished, therefore strengthening independence and harnessing the students’ potential to explore the lesson on their own. In addition to that, a facilitator is left to watch over as the instructor would proceed to the next class, while the students finish their activity sheets. And the cycle continues. With this, teachers can now handle three classes at the same time on any given concept. Also, because so much work has already been done at school, there is no more need to do assignments at home. Without a doubt, comprehension and writing skills are enhanced with the help of DLP. Students beset with meager performance in English proficiency and a poor grasp of spelling and vocabulary would gain much from the innovative strategy. Even responsibility to handle tasks on their own and the value or perseverance have been imbued to the students as they take on the activities given by the facilitators. These developed attributes

Dynamic Learning Program

would truly be a great avenue for students to earn utmost desire to finish their education. Yes, DLP is quite commendable in several aspects, but nonetheless its entirety is also panned by the majority. So to speak, a large chunk of the student sector, particularly from the freshmen under the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), inevitably doubt the effects of the method since they are already in the college level, a few steps before the advancing to the professional domain. Prior to the advantages mentioned above, the educator’s opportunity to impart further and develop rapport with students is limited and deprived due to the inadequate time. Even a possible call for behavioral manifestations is emanated from DLP. One instance is the increase of tension because of the person’s need to speak out and interact. For this matter, the students’ communicative competence would possibly diminish if not catered by a mentor. Based on reviews regarding DLP, there were a few who stated that a quarter of the class had difficulty approaching the teacher because they were not used to interacting with him or her. Putting aside the respective instructor of a class and his/her students, the facilitator also bears witness to some of the defects of the approach integrated in the university. For the information of everyone, DLP facilitators in PHINMA UPang are its scholars. They are tasked to expedite in classes that undertake minor classes as part of their duty. They may form a strong bond with the block they facilitate, but beyond that is a bothersome notion that their personal study habits would be affected. Time that is supposed to be allotted for studying for a quiz or exam is diverted to preparation of activity sheets and modules. And because the facilitators are students themselves, sometimes the level of respect is abstained; laziness would mobilize among the class. The said program teaches the students the art of “learning by doing.” But it somewhat also contradicts that scheme. There are some who would rely on their seatmate, copying their answers and would not have it any other way. On the other hand, in light of those who have the sincerity to learn, students are restrained from gaining more knowledge because of the very minimum time with the professors, leading to the perception that they are not learning anything at all; just as most of the students undergoing the program had already been taught of the lessons during their high school days. Revolution in the Provincial League It is indeed pointed out that the Dynamic Learning Program is a 21st-century method that has enhanced a vast population of students, especially in the high school department. But that’s just it. Most of the progression is seen in the high school level because mastering basic fundamentals have mostly been attained before entering the tertiary level. The bottom line is, the university’s recent and untimely experimental action in extravagant hopes of cultivating its teaching and learning approaches has steered to doubtful insights. The majority of students are contemplating that they are being run-down of quality education that they paid for and very much deserve. In fairness to its provincial status, PHINMA University of Pangasinan is stepping up its game to ensure that it is a force to be reckoned with. The administration is optimistic to look forward to the end result of the revolutionary program, and with them are the students, who, despite the transgressions and hindrances, hope that the desired result will be achieved.

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Homologeo, Mystikos, Pseudonymos Fiona Megan Decano They say that in anonymity, there is power. With the recent boom of secret files pages of different universities all over the country like The Diliman Files, The UST Secret Files, The Ateneo de Manila Secret Files, and other known universities’ secret files Facebook pages, this has never been more spot-on, and our university has followed suit with the infamous “The Upang Files” page. The Upang Files page or simply known to many as “TUF” has over 6,300 likes as of the moment and has gained popularity to the student body ever since its commencement. Like the other secret files pages, TUF works as a confessional space where anyone could post in anonymity whatever secrets, grievances, or stories he/she likes to share online. Here are the most commonly seen types of posts on The Upang Files page: “All We Need is Love” – Majority of things posted on TUF is about that grand declaration of clandestine crushes to fellow students (even to professors!). Some go all the way posting photos and names of their crushes and their glorious feelings for them while some seem to be in this grand quest for that person they “fell in love at first sight”. This is also where you see the funniest and the creepiest stalking stories of all and, of course, those love stories of epic proportions. Some share short and simple accounts of their love lives that are outright amorous you can actually feel the writer’s heart beating out of your screen while reading their posts; whereas others post lengthy blow by blow accounts of their love lives leading to countless chapters and volumes to which some watch out for whereas some simply dismiss as fiction. “Papa-Jack”- These are posts about love problems yearning for some answers and solutions. Need we say more? “Who-goat”— If there are stories of unending romance, there are also stories of unending heartbreaks. Here, we see one-liners, which couldn’t beg for more bitterness, stories of antipathies and resentments of failed relationships, turned down affections and all those kinds of “-zones” and messages of the heartbroken to their heartbreakers. “Anger Management”- other frequently seen posts on TUF are those posts which are so full of rage, profanities, and, unsurprisingly, exclamation marks! Here we see all kinds of grievances and wrath against the university, their organizations, their professors, the administration, the system, their classmates, the facilities, the rules and regulations, etc. Everything that is there to complain or hate that one cannot rant on their personal Facebook accounts, you will see here. As we have said earlier, in anonymity, there is power. “The XXX files”—and do we even have to mention those posts of stories and rumors of the nastiest kind? “Laglagan Na!”— Here we see posts of people who like bullying other people online, spreading rumors about them, and some who just fancy making fun of other students and professors, even their own friends. Again, in anonymity, there is power. “Dear Diary”—these are the random posts of random people about what happened in that random time on that random day. Some posts are entertaining to read, while some posts are verging on scandalous because some issues that are being addressed are considered “taboos” inside the campus. Some suggests that this page gives awareness to both the administration and the student of what is really happening inside the university. While some find several posts entertaining to read, the administration and some students feel alarmed. The anonymity itself gives power to whoever to post anything he/she desires without having to worry about any punitive action whatsoever from the university. Some students feel threatened as anyone who posts has the freedom to post anything even to “namedrop” as some students fear that this scheme may destroy reputation and dignity. Moreover, some issues addressed in the page, the administration believes, may affect the overall image of the university. The Upang Files has both upsides and downsides to it. Even if seemingly harmless issues that are displayed on the page have become real major issues inside the university, it has not stopped students from posting unapologetically to the infamous page. The fact that it still exists and is gaining more and more popularity does not the stop the most entertaining or the most scandalous post from being posted. Whether the issues being raised by anonymous people or TUF itself should be considered legitimate or not, you be the judge.

Be it at school or at work or at the mall, spending time traveling has its chances of meeting someone new, or simply noticing the people around you unleashing ridiculously radical experiences, or just unraveling the mundane. For the commuters, you can find a crowd of interesting and often entertaining strangers everywhere, even on a jeepney. Brace yourself not for the bumpy ride, but from the passengers you’re riding with. 1. The Movie Star - Similar to the actors you see in movies riding buses staring blankly outside the vehicle’s window and contemplating on why they did this particular thing, or how they’re going to solve a problem or save the world, this is the most common of all passengers, because most of the people commuting to far places tend to stare into the sky and reflect on who knows—that, or what they’re about to have for dinner. All they need is a little wind effect and some background music and poof! We have a new music video for Yeng Constantino’s song, “Jeepney Love Story”. 2.The Skandalosa - Whenever someone in Metro Manila says “Kuya, para po sa tabi, sa may Sogo” or sometimes in the case of Dagupan City, “Kuya, para na po sa Music Warehouse (Tonda, if you know what I mean)”, other passengers would stop with their texting or whatever it is they’re doing, and give that someone an eccentric stare, depicting thoughts such as “alam na this!” or “grabe talaga ang kabataan ngayon, pa-hotel hotel nalang, kaya maraming nabubuntis at naghihirap e”. First of all, as they say in Filipino, “porket bumaba sa tabi ng hotel, buntis na agad?”, and second, it’s none of your freaking business to meddle with the destinations and/or others’ choices. People shouldn’t simply be judged by where they go. Huwag judgmental; malay niyo, gagawa lang sila ng project o ng loombands sa hotel. 3.The Pitiful Lastikman - It’s such a fret whenever you’re at the far end of the jeep and say “bayad po!” and no one bothers to pass your payment to the driver. You can’t help but think, “so feeling niyo Lastikman ako na kaya kong

abutin kay manong driver ang bayad ko kahit nasa dulo ako? Kuya driver, CATCH!!!” It’s as if they’re disgusted with your money. Palaklakin ng hand sanitizer nang matanggal ang kaartehan. Either that or they’re just totally self-centered. And when someone has already realized that your arm is already shaking from extending it to the driver, again you can’t help but sarcastically shout “ay salamat po ha? Akala ko wala ng gentleman sa mundo.” Sometimes, we have to stop focusing on ourselves and see when other people are in need of help (and this, my friend, applies to any situation). 4. The CIA Agent - Have you ever noticed the person beside you, using his or her phone just inches away from his face? “Ay hindi ko babasahin messages mo, ‘teh” is all you want to say to her, unless you do want to go through her text messages and observe the constant exchanging of texts between her and her lover like a nosey little rat. The person tries way too hard to prevent other people from even taking a slight glimpse of his gadget that he becomes crosseyed from the short distance between his nose and his phone. 5.The Shampoo Ad Girl - Just like The Movie Star, the Shampoo Ad Girl takes pride in her long hair, flaunting it as if she’s in Bora, aspiring to become the next commercial model for a shampoo, forgetting that she’s not the center of the universe and that someone is behind her, getting slapped in the face with her long tresses. Sometimes, you get the unfortunate chance of accidentally getting some of her hair on your mouth. So much for having lunch at McDonald’s. 6.The Songbird - Admit it: whenever you have your earphones on, at maximum volume, you sometimes get a little carried away. You start stomping your feet, pretending your legs are drums and have imaginary cymbals in the air, and start singing along, to the point of having a one-man band concert on the public transport vehicle. Only after finishing the chorus do you realize that other people are refraining from laughing and that you’ve been singing so loud-

ly all this time. Hey at least they had a free show, right? You deserve a round of applause for having guts to conduct a concert for them. Yay for you! 7.The Spoiled Princess Picture this: A jeepney full of passengers, everyone eager to escape the rush hour and just get home; the vehicle looks like a can of sardines. Then the passenger beside you suddenly arrives at his or her destination, and you just lit up and think “yes, luluwag na rin nang kunti sa wakas”. BUT. The next person beside you decided to sit in a slanting position. Sitting pretty si ate while the rest of the passengers are prolonged with a suffering of discomfort since the selfish son of a gun dominated the newly-vacated space. There really is no issue IF the jeepney wasn’t full, right? Pero hindi e, nakakahiya sa prinsesa. 8.The Clingy Lovebirds This seems a bit obvious, eh? A couple on-board seems like they’re glued to each other, nose-kissing and hand gestures become way too possessive that it causes an eyesore to the neighboring passengers. Your partner isn’t going anywhere. Like, *insert very awkward emoticon here* get a room. Ano ‘yan, hindi niyo afford ang hotel kaya sa jeep naghaharutan? Please, especially for the students, have a little decency—and respect. When fantasizing over your crush, emulsifying your patience and tension because you’re late for school, or just enjoying the ride, again,

have a little decency and respect for yourself and for your co-passengers as well. You’re travelling for a few minutes or so, but that doesn’t mean the short ride should rob you off your dignity. That’s social injustice right there and you don’t know it. The jeepney may be known to the country as the King of the Road, but you, as a simple passenger, are not the King of the Jeep.


“Sablay

na Pagtatapos

“Sablay”- isang kapirasong telang parihaba na hindi hihigit ang haba sa sukat ng pang itaas na bahagi ng katawan na babagtas mula leeg hanggang hita at isinasabit sa balikat ng isang mag-aaral sa araw ng kanyang pagtatapos. Ito ang kasuotang unang ipinakilala ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas bilang opisyal na kasuotan nito para sa lahat ng mag-aaral nitong nagsisipagtapos. Kulay maroon at berde ang gamit na telang kumakatawan sa kulay ng unibersidad, may bahid na ginintuang dilaw na simbolo naman ng mataas na pamantayan nito, at mayroon ding ukit na mga letra ng baybayin. Sa kasalukuyan, UP pa lamang ang natatanging unibersidad na gumagamit ng ‘sablay’ sa graduation day nito. Suot ang barong tagalong ng mga lalaki at bistida naman sa mga babae, ang sablay ay ipinapatong sa kaliwang balikat hanggang sumayad sa kanang laylayan ng pinagpatungang kasuotan. Ito ang kapalit ng toga na nakasanayang itim at mahabang kasuotan na may kapares na isang sumbrerong parisukat. Ngunit nito lamang nakaraang Oktubre sa kasalukuyang taon, tila naging UP ang Unibersidad ng Pangasinan na hawak ng PHINMA sa pagtatapos ng higit sa tatlong daan nitong mga estudyante. Kung mapapansin sa nagdaang graduation day, suot-suot nila ang telang parihabang walang iba bagkus ang “sablay”. At opisyal na nga! Siya na ngang ipinakilala sa atin ang paggamit nito sa graduation.

Ni Lorenzo Fabia Jr.

Ngunit tila naging malaki ang epekto nito sa lahat ng nagsipagtapos kamakailan lamang. Nasanay tayo sa paggamit ng toga bilang tradisyunal na kasuotan sa araw ng pagtatapos. Simula noong tayo ay nasa elementarya pa lamang ay ito na ang lagi nating nakikitang suot ng ating mga nakatatandang kapatid sa tuwing sasapit ang kanilang graduation. Simbolo ng matagumpay at matiwasay na pagwawakas ng isang bahagi n gating buhay at pagsisimula ng panibagong pagsubok tungo sa mas mataas na antas nito o ng buhay sa labas ng paaralan. Naging kalakip na ng makasaysayang araw ng pagtatapos ang kasuotang hinubog at sinubok na ng oras at panahon. Sa bansa at lipunang hindi pa gaanong mulat sa pagbabago, magiging napakahirap na pagsubok ang pagtanggap ng panibagong kasuotan sa ganitong uri ng okasyon. Marahil ay marami ang nanghinayang at nalungkot sa kadahilanang hindi nila ramdam ang araw na matagal nilang hinintay. Sa pagwawakas ng graduation ay magsisimula na ang tradisyunal na pagbato’t paghagis ng itim at mumunting parisukat na sombrero sa hangin na simbolo ng tunay na pagtatapos ng buhay-koleheyo. Makailang ulit na ba tayong nakakita ng paghagis ng toga sa bawat graduation na ating dinaluhan? Maging kayo man marahil ay ginawa ito noong kayo ay nagsipagtapos sa elementary at sekundarya. Naging adhikain ng pagsusuot nito ang pagpapakita ng pagkakapantay-pantay at pagkakabuklod ng

Ang ganda niya no? Tourism siguro?

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lahat ng mga estudyanteng dumadalo sa naturang pagtitipon, na sa simpleng itim o puting tela at parisukat na sombrero ay minsang nakikita ang pagiging iisa ng lahat ng nasa pagdiriwang. Maging ang ating mga magulang ay minsang nagsuot nito at marahil sa araw din na tayo ay magsisipagtapos, inaasahan nilang ‘toga’ ang suot natin kasama sila sa pag-akyat sa intablado. Magkagayunpaman, kung iisipin at mabuting kikilatisin, sa ikabubuti rin naman natin ang hangad ng ating unibersidad. Mas makakatipid ang ating mga magulang sa pagbili ng mumunting sablay kumpara sa pag-renta ng napakamahal na toga. Dagdag pa rito ang tuluyan mo nang pagmamay-ar ng sablay ‘di tulad ng toga na kailangan pang ibalik. Ngunit bilang isang mag-aaral, ikagaganda nga ba nito ang ating pagtatapos? Paano mo sasabihing nag-iba na pala ang kung ano ang nakasanayan? Na sa isang iglap nagbago na ang kasuotan sa araw ng iyong pamamaalam sa kolehiyo? “Ma, Pa, sablay po ang isusuot namin, hindi toga!”, sa pambungad pa lamang ay marahil hindi ka nila maiintindihan. Marahil ay malilito sila sa kung ano nga ba ang nais mong iparating. Sablay ang toga, hindi ba’t nakakatawang pakinggan? Na sa unang basa ay aakalain mong literal na sumablay nga ang pagsusuot ng toga? Kung tutuusin nga naman sa literal na pag-intindi ay totoong ‘sablay ang toga’, na sa unang pagkakataon ay hindi ka makakapagsuot nito, hindi dahil sa hindi ka magtatapos ng pag-aaral kung hindi

dahil iba na ang magiging kasuotan sa araw ng iyong pagmartsa. Kilala tayong mga Pilipino bilang mga taong kung hindi man takot ay marahil hindi handa sa pagbabago. Masyado tayong nasanay sa kung anong tradisyon ang mayroon tayo na sa simple man o malaking pag-iiba ng nakagawian nating kultura ay takot at mailap tayo. Aminin man natin o hindi, mahirap talagang baguhin ang nakagisnan. Sa lahat ng nagsipagtapos, nawa’y naging masaya ang inyong huling araw sa unibersidad at maging maliwanag ang inyong patutunguhan. At sa lahat ng mga sususnod pa’t malapit ng grumaduate, lahat tayo’y sabik na sa araw ng ating paglisan bagama’t sana’y handa na rin tayo sa pagbabagong hatid ng sablay nating kasuotan sa araw ng ating pagtatapos.

Hula mo, UNIFORM KO Ni Lorenzo Fabia Jr.

Naranasan mo na siguro to? Kung hindi man, malamang narinig mo na sa eskwelahan ninyo. Iyong noong minsang gumala kayo ng barkada ay ikaw ang taga-provide ng alcohol. Palibhasa nursing ka kasi, na kapag wala kang dala masisisi ka pa! Nakakahiya naman kasi no, sila na nga humihingi sila pa ang grabe makapag-demand! O noong minsang may naramdaman silang kakaiba at sa’yo agad nagtanong kung may sakit sila? At kapag di mo nasagot, aba mahiya ka na dahil siguradong walang ligtas ang kurso mo. Di ba nila naisip na nursing student ka at hindi doctor? At dahil lang ba naka-puti, nursing na agad? Di ba pwedeng Medtech muna o P.T na lang kaya? Palibhasa kasi may logo nga di naman binabasa! Try natin subukan minsang gamitin ang mga mata, libre yon walang bayad kaya pakisulit na. Kung hindi niyo man makita ung logo dahil maliit masyado, tandaang laging may microscope sa medtech lab ha. Dahil sa unibersidad na nagkalat ang nakaputi halos nursing lang ang kilala. Eh iyong mala-that awkward moment na napagkamalan kang tourism dahil sa angking kagandahang di mo inakala? Na hinayaan mo na lang din naman dahil sa totoo lang ay na-flatter ka. Kumbaga, naasar ka man siguro sa umpisa at mag-cocomplain ka na sana pero naisip mong pinuri ka na nga, mag-iinarte ka pa ba? Pero kung ito ang batayan hindi ba napakadaya naman? So dapat kapag tourism ang maging basehan e kagandahan? Samantalang kung tutuusin hindi naman talaga dapat iyon ang maging pamantayan. Madalas na mangyari at nakasanayan na ng tao. Maging ikaw man siguro at kahit ako, minsan sa buhay estudyante nakapanghusga ka na base sa kanilang kurso. Kapag daw HRM, dapat ang alam lang ay magluto, na dapat alam mag-bake at sa kusina ang laboratoryo. Na sa tuwing may get together, alam na! “HRM ka diba? Ikaw nang bahala!” Kaya sa kursong ito daw madali lang ang pumasa. Eh samantalang nagpapakahirap din naman sila sa kaaaral, may research din sila na di lang talaga alam ng marami. Iyong nasa milktea shop kayong magkakaibigan dahil may paasang nagsabing manlilibre, pero pagdating doon sa ambagan din pala ang bagsak! At heto’t nagtanong ka kung magkano ang contribution at dahil matino nga naman silang kaibigan ang sagot, “ikaw ang accountancy dapat alam mo yan!” Ang hirap naman ng buhay mo kung sa bawat lakad ng barkada ikaw ang calculator, idagdag ang pagiging instant treasurer plus taga abono pag kulang ang pera, langya lang diba? Uso naman ang cellphone, sabihin mo kayang magkumpyut din sila, malamang naman wala ng mga x at y sa pagbili ng simpleng inumin! Ilan sa madalas na bagsakan ng mga di kinaya ang accountancy. Dito lumilipat lahat ng di naabot ang kota pero gusto paring ituloy ang pangarap na maging parte ng pribadong sektor ng negosyo’t industriya. Di hamak na mas madali kasi dahil marketing at finance lang ang major subjects kaya ang alam ng karamihan, madali lang ang maging estudyante lalo’t BSBA ka. Di lang halata pero halos pareho lang naman ang hirap ng kinukuha nilang mga subjects mula sa kursong dati nilang pinanggalingan. Ang di kasi makuha ng iba e ang puntong kurso lang naman ang pinalitan pero nasa parehong department pa rin naman. “Gusto kong mag-architecture pero di naman ako marunong magdrawing.” Ito ang dahilan ng halos, kung hindi man lahat. Iyong tipong sa simpleng straight line lang bilib na bilib na ang iba pero ung mala 3D na draft kulang pa sa prof nila. Dahil sa pananaw nga naman ng halos lahat, kapag architecture dapat artistic na! Siguro dapat bata pa lang mala-Da Vinci na ang galing, di naman masyadong mahirap diba?! Bagaman tama nga naman at marapat lang na magaling kang gumuhit, ngunit di lang dapat siguro ito ang gawing basehan

dahil bukod sa mga plates ay puyat rin sila, gaya ng lahat ng estudyante sa unibersidad, sa thesis at defense na kailangan din nilang ipasa. Ito ang mga tinaguriang henyo sa larangan ng math, kinatatakutang kurso dahil ang hirap pumasa. Pero bukod doon ay halos hawig lang din naman ito sa iba, bukod siguro sa populasyon nitong binubuo ng mga nagtitipunuang kalalakihan, wala rin naman itong masyadong kaibahan. Na kung saan may thesis at defense na kailangang paghandaan. At dahil dito, alam kung marami ang sasaludo sa mga taong dedikadong kumuha ng ganitong kurso. “Computer.” Iyan pa lamang ang naisulat ngunit batid kong alam ninyong IT ang tinutukoy ko at wala ng iba. Sila ung mga naghahanap ng sirang flash drive na pwedeng ayusin o kaya chipset na pwede pang magamit. Hindi man siguro sila dapat ilimita sa bawat salitang may kinalaman sa device at teknolohiya pero aminin nating sa mga bagay nga namang ito sila lamang maiuugnay at dalubhasa. Dapat daw sila lang ang mag-faci, sa kadahilanang sila naman daw ang nakakaalam sa pagtuturo. Pero dahil lang ba doon sila lang ang may karapatan? Wala bang aalma? Di ba pwedeng magfaci ang ibang estudayante skolar at may kaalaman din naman? Di rin naman siguro tamang ipasa lahat sa kanila ang trabaho kung pwede namang hati-hatiin upang mas mapadali. Depende nalang din siguro kung gusto nilang sila lahat ang sumalo. “Ang daldal palibhasa MassCom…” yan ang kadalasang puna at sa tahasang pananalita may punto nga naman sila. Pero mahirap bang unawain na sa kurso nila kailangan ang pakapalan ng mukha dahil ito ang kursong di uso ang hiyaan? Kaya nga MassCom kasi broadcasting ang tatahakin, saan ka ba naman nakakita ng reporter na tahimik at walng imik? Ikaw nga na nagbabasa hindi kabilang sa kurso nila pero mukhang mas aktibo pa sa tsismis at balita, ngayon masasabi po pa bang may kakapalan ang kanilang mukha? “Iyong criminology na mas ma-feeling pa sa guard, palibahasa sa guard din ang bagsak!” Iyan ang daing ng ilan, may iba kasi talagang grabe makasita, iyong akala mo kung sino siya makapagsalita. Kaya madaming naiinis sa criminology ngayon dahil OA na daw minsan sa panghuhuli ng mga hindi sumusunod sa policy ng unibersidad. Pero bakit di na lang natin intindihin na trabaho nga lang iyon at walang personalan? Hirap naman kasi sa estudyante, siya na nga ang mali siya pa may ganang magalit. Pero kapag ung naninita may itsura, hala kulang na lang araw-arawin ang pagpapapansin! Aminin mo gawain mo to. Please, wag pa-demure di uso yan lalo na sa mga natatamaan. “Ui PolSci!” Ang kursong madalas iniiwasan dahil nakaka-intimida. Mahirap daw pakibagayan dahil na rin sa uri ng kanilang pinag-aaralan. Mahilig sa politika yan ang alam ng madla, seryoso at matalino? Oh yan question mark para di sabihing nagbubuhat ako ng bangko, gusto niyo salungguhitan ko pa para mas may tama o baka nakukulangan pa kayo’t dapat naka-bold para damang-dama? Sa panulat kong ito kayo na po ang humusga dahil ayoko namang magbigay ng motibo dahil ayokong may umasa, masakit yun alam ko. Napagdaanan ko na! At dahil dito na nagtatapos ang napakamakabuluhang sanaysay na ito, nais kong sana, walang pilitan ha! Nawa ay mapagtanto ng kung sino mang matiyagang nagbasa nito na hindi basehan ang pisikal na kaanyuan o kursong kinabibilangan upang mahusgahan at malaman ang magiging katayuan sa kasalukuyan. Na hindi lahat ng alam natin ay tama at madalas kung ano ang alam natin, ay pawang kung hindi man wala pa sa kalahati ay sadyang purong maling akala. Salamat sa pagbabasa sana lang talaga na-inform ka.


Literary

10 |

Kapirasong Papel Ni Ranzel Ubando

Isang kapirasong papel sa likod ay maraming saluobin, Hindi mo maipinta kung tunay o hindi ang mga postura ng bawat miyembro tila napaka perpekto ng bawat detalye, wala kang maisusumbat o masasambit sa kapirasong papel na nakasabit sa pader ng kanilang bahay, nagningilid at para bang nangangarera sa kabayo ang tubig na lumalabas mula sa aking mga mata habang pinagmamasdan ang mga ngiti sa kanilang mga mukha, nakaramdam ako ng matinding lungkot kasabay nito ang inggit na dahan dahang sumasaksak sa ang aking puso, damang dama ko ang saya na pinagsasaluhan nila kahit sa kapirasong papel lang iyon. Naghahalong emosiyon ang tumatakbo sa likod ng aking isipan di ko maipinta ang aking nararamdaman, para akong isang bomba na may orasan na sa luob ng tumatakbong oras ay sasabog nalang. Inilabas ko ang kaparehong papel na nakaipit mula sa aking bagong aklat, Ibang-iba ang bugsong naramdaman ko mas lalo akong naiggit at tuluyan nang rumagasa ang daloy ng luha mula sa aking mga mata hindi ko mapigilang masaktan dahil alam ko sa sarili ko na isa lamang malaking ilusyon ang kwento sa likod ng aking papel, hindi tulad ng kanila mahahalata mong tunay at walang bahid ng ng di katotohanan, samantalang ako ay patuloy parin sa pagtatago sa likod ng anino ng aking nakaraan at kasalukuyan, nagtatago mula sa realidad na hindi ako malakas kundi mahina, hindi ako kasintatag nila dahil wala akong sandalan, Masaya at ngiting ngiti ako dahil sa gusto kong makita silang masaya sapat na iyon kahit sa kaluob-looban ko ay halos mamatay na ako sa lungkot at inggit sa mga taong may kumpletong pamilya, hindi

tulad ng akin di maipinta. Bawat anak nangangarap yan gumigising sa kanilang pang araw araw na buhay na hinihiling na sana masaya at nakikitang kumpleto ang bawat miyembro ng kanilang pamilya na nagsasama at patuloy paring lumalaban sa bawat pagsubok ng buhay ang sarap marahil niyan sa pakiramdam diba? Kaso sa akin hindi, kabaliktaran gumigising ako sa araw araw ng buhay ko na puno ng lungkot at hirap dahil sa sitwasyong kinalulugmukan ko ngayon, Gusto kong may panghugutan ng lakas kaso wala, minsan pumasok na rin sa aking isipan na hindi na sigugo ako dapat namumuhay sa mundong ito, Buti nalang at nagising ako sa katotohanan na hindi dapat maging sagabal ang mga nagyayari sa aking buhay upang mag tatag ng mas magandang buhay sa hinaharap, nagpapasalamat ako dahil naranasan ko ang mga ganitong bagay dahil sa mura kong edad ay naimulat ako sa katotohanan at realidad na dapat magpasalamat ako dahil mas magiging matatag tayo sa hinaharap. Oo marami mang alaala ang nasa likod ng kapirasong papel na ito, pero itong papel na ito ang magsisilbing paalala sa akin na dapat mamuhay ako sa araw araw na walang pagsisisi at patuloy na tumayo kahit lagi tayong nadadapa, kahit hindi na kaya, Dahil ang buhay ay kailangan magpatuloy kahit ano mang mangyari hanggat nabubuhay ka kailangan nating magpatuloy at lumaban, taas noo dahil alam mong may inspirasyon ka at may pinagdaanan ka na alam mo at masasabi mo sa sarili mong “Kaya ko ito.”

LA LOLA By Kelvin Rioferio MAHAL KONG TATAY, Ang sulat kong ito’y ika-...ika-.... ikauna-- ito ang kaunanahang sulat na aking ginawa. Ako’y nagbabakasakali na ito’y iyong matatanggap at mabasa ang liham na saksi sa aking pangungulila. Simula nang nakilala mo ang aking nanay-- pagkatapos ng masasayang mga alaala ninyo’y ika’y lumisan, ‘di niyo man lang ako nasilayan pagkatapos ng siyam na buwan hanngang sa ako’y isinilang sa mundong ibabaw. Ako’y lumaki na wala sa piling mo datapwat kasama ang aking mga ibang kamag-anak. Hindi sila nagkulang sa pag-aalaga’t pagaruga sa akin, mga karapatan ko’y ipinagkaloob nila subalit kahit gaano ako kasaya sa tabi nila, may mga pagkakataon na natatanong ko sa aking sarili na “paano kung andito ang tatay?” Ako’y nagbabakasakali na sa pagbalik mo ay higit pa sa kendi, tsokolate at iba pang materyal na bagy ang pasalubong mo sa akin. Gusto ko kasing makausap ka ng personal at maitanong ang mga bagay-bagay at mayakap ka na sing-higpit ng aking mga sintas . Pero Tay, bakit ni hindi ka man lang dumungaw at tanungin man lang kung may naiwanan ka, ni hindi ka sumusulat o nagtetext man lang. Siguro may cellphone ka. May facebook account ka na rin siguro o kahit twitter. Kontakin mo man lang sana ako Tay, eh yun kung may paki ka pa. Nasaan ka nung mga panahon na kailangan ko ng isang ama na tatayo sa aming pamilya-- sa mga panahon ng mga pangangailangan? Minsan napagtanto ko na dapat ka nga ba talaga na bumalik o tama lamang na ika’y lumisan-- naitaguyod ng aking ina ang aming pamilya nang mag-isa-- ang akin lang, bakit tila para bang nagiwan ka lang ng kalat sa tabi na wala lamang pakialam kung ano ang magiging problema ng iniwanan mo. Makukuwento ko pala sa inyo, hindi mo ako nasamahan tuwing may family day sa paaralan- si mamang o ibang kamag-anak lang kasi sumasama sa akin- parang Mothers’ day tuloy. Hindi mo ako nakitang umakyat sa entablado na samahan sa pagtanggap ko ng sertipiko ng karangalan- naipagmalaki mo sana ako-- elementarya hanggang sekondarya, umakyat po ako ng intamblado na kasama lamang ang aking ina o kung minsan yung iba kong mga kamag-anak samantalang ang iba kung mga kamag-aral ay kasama nila ang kanilang ama’t ina. Mapapaluha na lamang ako hindi dahil wala ka subalit ako’y nagagalak na kahit na wala ka’y nakayanan namin ang mga pagsubok sa buhay. Madami nang mga nangyari-- naganap na ang lahat ay hindi ka pa rin lumilitaw. Natanong ko tuloy: Makikita pa ba kita? Marahil ay hindi kami importante saiyo. Pero alam ko hindi ganoon ang prinsipyo mo na gaya nang nasa isip ko. Dagdag lang, ako’y nasa unang taon na sa kolehiyo-- tatlong taon na lamang ay gagradweyt na ako-- sana kahit sa graduation ko man lang ay lumitaw ka-- kahit isang araw lang-- para masabi ko na “kahit ilang taon kang wala sa amin, mahal na mahal kita-- utang ko ang buhay ko saiyo. Maraming Salamat”. Kung ang pagkakataon na iyon ay mangyayari, iyon na siguro ang pinakamagandang regalo na king matatangap sa talambuhay ko. Iyan, marami na po akong naikwento sa inyo. Kayo naman ang magkwento Tay. Gusto kong malaman ang mga bagay-bagay tungkol sa iyo. Kung saan ka man po ngayon, sana ay matanggap mo ang liham na ito. At kasabay ng pagbukas mo ng sobre, lakipan mo ng ngiti ang iyong labi para maipabatid na bukas sa loob mo itong tinanggap. Ang iyong nangungulilang anak, Simbuyo Ni Charlmagne Christian Ramoso

Sa’yo naramdaman Pagmamahal na walanghanggan Kasama sa kasiyahan Maging sa kalungkutan Sa’yo natutunan Magmahal ng walanghanggan Iyong inalagaan ‘di man galing sa sinapupunan Sa’yong tabi Ako’y inilayo Ating mga hikbi Rinig sa kabilang ibayo Sa’yong mga yakap at halik Ako’y nangungulila Patuloy na nananabik Sa muli nating pagsasama.


The STUDENTS’ HERALD

Entertainment

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The Official Student Publication of PHINMA Education University of Pangasinan

SH COMICS SH COMICS SH COMICS SH COMICS SH C_OMICS Ang “T”

Ni Miguel Mendoza

SH COMICS SH COMICS SH COMICS SH COMICS SH COMICS COMI #whogoat #whogoat #whogoat #whogoat #whogoat #whogoat #whogoat #whogoat#whogoat #whogoat#whogoat #whogoat#whogoat#whogoat “ Buti pa ang feasib, ipinaglalaban.“ –Mark Christian Reyes “Bakit ba ang pagmamahal mas complikado sa calculus?!” – Frankie Cortez “Hindi naman ako answer sa exam na pipiliin mo lang kung gusto mo.” - Athan Tomagan “Mabuti pang multo nagpaparamdam , eh ikaw ?” – Rachelle Kaye Ararao “Ang pag momove on parang pagtae, kahit mahirap minsan ,kahit na pilit mong ilet go,

kahit masakit dapat kayanin mo. Kasi sa bandang huli ikaw din ang sasaya.” – Dyan Bernardino Quinto

“Sa panahon ngayon, bawang nalang ang marunong mag-mahal.” – Upang-Phinma Stolen Shots

“ Tuwing exam, may cheater. Kagaya ng pag-ibig mo. Cheater ka din.” – Arielle Ysabel Mendoza

“Mabuti pa ang anino hindi nangiiwan, eh ikaw, asan ka na?” – Genesis Marzan

“Parang LIBAG lang yan, kung kayo talaga, kahit ilang beses mo pang alisin, babalik at babalik pa rin!”- Ranz Ubando

“Kung iiwan mo ako para sa iba. Wait! bihis lang ako hatid kita! -Mark Davidson Nerizon

“Buti pa 8888, nagre-reply agad.” - JDV

THE PERSON BEHIND PHINMA

o

“Narasan kong magka-M.U., yung feeling na Manhid sya, tapos ako Umaasa,” – LDF

scar J. Hilado has been with PHINMA for more than 50 years since joining the group in August of 1964. Since 2003, he has been Chairman of PHINMA Inc.’s Board. He is also Chairman of the Board of PHINMA Corporation – holding company for the PHINMA corporation, Holcim Philippines, Inc., Trans Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation, PHINMA Property Holdings Corporation, Union Galvasteel Corporation, and of PHINMA Education’s Executive Committee. OJH, as Mr. Hilado is fondly called, is a Certified Public Accountant with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from the De La Salle College in Bacolod and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. OJH is also a director of A. Soriano Corporation, First Philippine Holdings Corporation, Philex Mining Corporation, Manila Cordage Corporation, Smart Communications, Inc. Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (DIGITEL), Beacon Property Ventures, Inc., Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation, United Pulp and Paper Co., Inc. and Seven Seas Resorts and Leisure, Inc. He has been a Director of the Company since 1969 and is also the Chairman of the Executive Committee and Nomination Committee of the Company. Married to Marilu, he is the proud father of three Mike, Patty, and David - and the even prouder grandfather of two girls, Angelina and Francesca. He enjoys playing and watching tennis and loves seafood especially the Diwal and Talaba of Panay Island, and Pigok, a freshwater fish from the rivers of Misamis Oriental in Mindanao.

“Kung hindi ka man nasiyahan sa prisensya ko,

paka tandaan mo, wala ka ng mahahanap na iba na kasing-flavor ko.” - Sir Hanz Sapitan “Buti pa ang pila for enrollment, pinapatunayan na may forever.” - GM “Buti pa ang chocolates and candies nilalanggam, eh ikaw mas mapakla ka pa sa mapaklang ampalaya.” - Rawwwwr “Sinara mo ang gripo ng pag-ibig ko, kahit alam mo ng umaapaw ito, dahil ayaw mo lang mag sayang” - Kutsara

P

hilippine Investment-Management Consultants (PHINMA) Incorporated, had humble beginnings. It was incorporated on November 19, 1956 with only P112,500 in registered capital. It was born at a time when foreign nationals in the country, and many Filipinos themselves, could not believe that Filipinos could manage large corporations, and do so professionally. Today, forty years later, the PHINMA Group manages more than 20 companies with combined assets of P23 billion. The bread-and-butter of the company had been cement. In 1996 PHINMA-managed cement companies had almost P18 billion in assets, with sales of P 10 billion. Aside from cement, PHINMA at one point in time made paper and polypropylene bags, engaged in oil exploration, galvanized iron sheets, mined aggregates to go with the cement, distributed equipment, traded coal, mined bentonite clay, had significant interests in commercial and investment banking, and provided consulting services. It managed an oil refinery and gas stations (Filoil), textile mills, plantations, fisheries, and a glass manufacturing plant. Today, PHINMA continues its legacy with a presence in a variety of industries – power, housing and development, roofing, hotels and hospitality, competitive intelligence, and education. From a company that produced the material our buildings, bridges, and roads are made of, PHINMA is now a company that produces that which our nation is made of, its people. But, the story of PHINMA is not only about how these products were produced as about its employees, its family. They made the story come alive. The cast of characters had the right chemistry. PHINMA’s engineers were studious and exacting. They absorbed technology from abroad and applied it in the Philippine setting. They developed rigorous management techniques to run a young firm in a tough environment. They fielded creative salespeople, and aggressively pushed their products to the market. The casting was completed by top management and the original band of consultants who in 1956 set the tone for the company for decades to come. The PHINMA story is a study of teamwork, blending, integrity, and patriotism. The three founders of PHINMA—Ramon (‘”Monching”) V. del Rosario, Don Filemon C. Rodriquez, and Ernesto (“Ernie”) O. Escaler—had different backgrounds, different inclinations, and different personalities. When they operated together, however , somehow it was synergy. The PHINMA story is about the development of the Filipino entrepreneur and professional manager. It is about good corporate citizenship and community building. It is about an enduring love for and belief and faith in the Filipino people. PHINMA changed the quality of life for more than just its 4,000 employees. It has and always will strive to make lives of all Filipinos better.

PHINMA Education Flying High 1.PHINMA AU College of Education 100% Passing Rate Fresh Graduate, January 2014 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) 2.PHINMA AU Valedictorian Mary Jane Samson National Finalist of the TOSP 2014 3.PHINMA AU College of Management & Accountancy Was Top 19 nationally in the Inter Collegiate Finance Competition sponsored by FINEX, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines and will compete in the national finals 4.PHINMA UPang Chino Paolo Top 9, March 2014, Medical Technologist Licensure Examination

Finalist in the World Summit Award- Mobile --- Dagupan Guide. The app was a coursework of BSIT students Joriel Fronda, Alvin John Tandoc, Patrick Villanueva, and 6.PHINMA UPang Nursing Irwin Dasigan. It was nominated 100% First Takers, May 2014, as one of the Philippines’ only Nurses Licensure Examination 8 entries in the World Summit Award- Mobile, and was eventually 7.PHINMA College of Engineering included by the contests’ jurors to & Architecture be among the finalists. Mark Andrew A. Araneta- Champion 9.CITE Dominic C, Tomelden – 1st RunFinalist in the UNILAB mobile ner up app development tilt --- Sugar-Less Region 1, National Civil Engineer- app. ing Student Quiz The app is among the 5 finalists September 27, 2014 in the UNILAB-sponsored app development competition. The 8.CITE development team consists of 5.PHINMA UPang Mark Melo D. Vidal Top 9, May 2014, Nurses Licensure Examination

students Dave Urbano, Beatrice Sta. Ana, and Jay Bryant Casilang. The results will be revealed by November 2014. 10.PHINMA COC Cherrilyn G. Dahan Top 8, April 2014 Criminologist Licensure Examination 11.PHINMA COC College of Management & Accountancy Topped the Mindanao Elimination Round of the Inter Collegiate Finance Competition sponsored by FINEX, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines. Was Top 3 nationally, third only to Ateneo and UP, and will compete in the national finals.


EXECUTIVE POWER. Cheers of ‘we bleed gold’ are extoled as the CMA Executives are declared as the overall champion of Flames Sports 2014 - Powered by USC, marking the college’s three-peat victory. Photo by Gail Mejia

Flame Sports 2014: Executives Retain Crown

►Ranzel Mae Ubando

This year’s renamed “Flame Sports 2014 - Powered by USC” version of Palarong UPang was ignited in its opening day on August 14, 2014 and detonated in its closing day on October 2 of the same year at the University Gymnasium with the College of

Management and Accountancy now as “Executives” slamming their way to their third year triumph. Powered by the University Student Council (USC), both the opening and closing ceremonies showcased the parade of college flags represented by

All around the UCAAP-PCCL tourney ►Ranzel Mae Ubando & Jan Marlon De Vera The Universities Colleges Athletic Association of Pangasinan (UCAAP) Philippine Collegiate Champions’ League (PCCL) Jimmy Fernandez Cup saw action with its opening day on September 18, 2015 at Dagupan City People’s Astrodome and championship-awarding ceremony on October 20 of the same year at Lyceum Northwestern University Salvador T. Duque Fieldhouse. The said tournament is an elimination phase that would send its champion to the PCCL North-Central Luzon battle where its victor would then be part of the PCCL “Sweet Sixteen” that would compete to determine the national collegiate basketball champion. Participating in the annual tournament were the eventual 2014 champion Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) Dagupan, first runner-up PHINMA University of Pangasinan, Pangasinan Institute of Maritime Science And Technology (PIMSAT), and Asian Institute of E-Commerce (AIE) from Dagupan City, Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) Urdaneta, International College of Excellence (ICE), and Urdaneta City University (UCU) from Urdaneta City, Philippine College of Science and Technology (Phil-CST) from Calasiao, and Pangasinan State University-Lingayen Campus from Lingayen. The annual tourney is a tribute to Mr. Jimmy L. Fernandez, the late father of Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez.

their college council, together with their players for the different events like basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, chess, scrabble, word factory and Ms. Flame Sports 2014. The battle of the colleges stretched for almost two months with the different

ball games and other events took place at the University Gymnasium and the different board games held at the University Library. The College of Arts and Sciences took the 2nd Runner-Up with 161 accumu-

lated points; the College of Social Sciences bagged the 1st Runner-Up with 166 points; and the College of Management and Accountancy taking the Overall Championship with 218 accumulated points.

And also Sports COLUMN boxer-miss universe? ►Jan Marlon De Vera Boxer. Actor. Host. Endorser. Pastor. Singer. Manager. Owner. Husband. Father. Billionaire. (Any other roles?) AND NOW A PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYER… AND COACH. Eight-Division Champion Emmanuel “Manny” Dapidran Pacquiao played his first pro-basketball game in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as a player-coach for the Kia Sorento in October 19, 2014 against Blackwater Elite where he only saw action in the first seven minutes of the first quarter and did not returned afterwards. He scored no single point with two turnovers, although tallying the first win for KIA, even placing in the top of the standings for a while. NOW. THE CONTENTIOUS POINT AT THIS PART OF HIS LIFE IS WHETHER HE HAS THE TIME TO FILL UP ALL HIS CHOSEN FIELDS. “Time management lang yan,” Pacquiao assured. “Disiplina sa sarili. Kaya natin i-handle yan.” (via Rappler) With his decision to play and coach Kia, his boxing coach Frederick Steven “Freddie” Roach is not a happy man. He wanted the boxer to focus on his bouts first before thinking about basketball. His promoter Robert “Bob“ Arum is not happy, either. He said that professional basketball is a rugged sport and a player can turn an ankle very, very easily. He added that Pacquiao could even have a try-out with the New York Knicks after his fight. (via washingtonpost.com) ASIDE FROM BEING A BOXER, HE IS ALSO AN ACTOR AND HOST. In his defense, other athletes also became celebrities in the Philippines, like Joey Marquez and Benjie Paras. Chris Tiu is a PBA player, an endorser, and a host of a weekly infotainment show. All of this should be well and good. Being a boxer, no problem. Being a host and actor, no problem. Being a professional basketball player, no problem even in that. That is his life. Who are we to dictate what he should and should not do? But what is the difference between the “Pambansang Kamao” and other athletes-turned celebrities? There is one. There may be another one, but this is the important one. There is a missing role in the first paragraph of this article that he is also currently playing in his life, and I hope you already got it. EVERYONE MUST REMEMBER THAT HE IS ALSO A CONGRESSMAN. HE IS ALSO A “PUBLIC SERVANT.” Article 11, Section 1 of our 1987 Constitution would

state that “Public officials and employees must at all times serve the people . . . and LEAD MODEST LIVES.” To lead modest lives means to live very simply (refer to the opinion article “…Lead Modest Lives” on page 5). House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, Jr. reminded him to be more active in his duties as Sarangani Representative. To say this is for the reason that in all the lists where the Pacman is in the first place, he is also the top one for something other public officials should not emulate. Pacquiao, alongside Negros Occidental Representative Julio Ledesma IV, racked up the biggest number of absences in the 15th Congress with 60 out of 168 session days. In his 60 days of absences, 23 is for constituency work, while the remaining 37 absences were without notice. (via newsinfo.inquirer.net) STILL, HE RECEIVED NO DECREASE OF SALARY AND BENEFITS. This is what most of the people are getting ravaged, for they pay their taxes that are a source of our public servants’ wages and benefits, yet the expected behavior in a public representative is not being fulfilled. This article does not intend to insult the “People’s Champ”. Surely, he brought pride for the Philippines of which we should really be proud of. But it must also be noted and remembered that being a public servant shall require your full time and attention to uphold your sworn duty to serve the public. Netizens joked, “Will he also joined the Miss Universe?” Who knows? The negative effects of his own “time management” may not be apparent now, but will they surface in the longer run?


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