The Trailblazer Publication Magazine Volume 31 No. 2 by The Trailblazer Publication

EDITORIAL

LAIROTIDE

Indeed a Leader

he challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not to be rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humour, but without folly. -Jim Rohn

A leader can bring minds a variety of images. Being a leader itself is neither about the power of your position granted by the people nor being arrogant and exhibit an excessive version of confidence. It is a selfless dedication of going beyond what lies behind your title. It is not just organizing events, but it is empowering people to have a part in decision making. It includes mapping out the things you and the people will go together. It is empowering people without compromising their right to decide. It is growing yourself first before you try to develop other people. Thus, when a leader cannot control himself in times of trouble, how can he even attend to his people? In a university, it is a big factor to have leaders who willingly accept criticisms along the way of leading people, it is a way to show how selfless leadership is. Learn to take criticisms constructively, not personally. Criticism only means that there is a call for attention to an unhealthy state of things. If there are no critics, it is likely that no one notice your existence or the other way around. Hearing and seeing sentiments and reproaches from people around the community you are leading cannot be controlled and should not be controlled. For this only means that there is something wrong with the system of the administration you are handling whether in a greater or smaller scale of student governance. The logic of bashing against the person complaining or calling his attention is actually a mediocre way of handling the problem. Why not focus on finding out what is wrong with the system rather than making a fuss out of personal statements? Sometimes, a leader wants everything to be perfect, that in the end it turned out to be the opposite. There are many leadership seminars being conducted, but is it not being ironic that only a few run for a position? What does this mean? Is it because the students are passive or they cannot find the drive to serve the stakeholders because they see no connection to the current administration? Intelligence holds a small portion of becoming a good leader, because there are â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;leadersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; who lack ethics and morals in dealing with other people and these people are apparent in the society today. Being a leader is never an easy undertaking. Sometimes, student-leaders can even compromise their studies just to do major preparations for a certain event, but all of these will never be valid reasons for superiority. All of us are not an exemption of mistakes, thus we will constantly commit slips. But we can always push harder to correct our actions. Yes you are the leader, but remember who put you in that position? It is the stakeholders.

About the Cover

Seeing beyond the facade, realizing a new perspective and comprehending a different understanding takes the mind to diverse dimensions. The depth of realities feeds the mind of the truthseekers aiming to unveil the gore veracities of the unbecoming current events. Unearthing the concealed exploring the buried expose the eeing beyond the and facade, wonders of varied realizing a new perspectivebreadth. and

and Concept: Jay Juniel R. Murcilla comprehendingCover aDesigndifferent Words: Christine Joy C. Baang understanding takes the mind Circulation: 7,543 copiesto diverse dimensions. Theto edit depth of for reasons of space, The Trailblazer reserves the right all articles realities feedAllthe minds of the clarity, and ethics. articles submitted hereintruthare considered The Trailblazerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seekers aiming to unveil the gore property. the unbecoming Ifveracities you have anyof comments and suggestions, current please address it to: events. Unearthing the concealed Trailblazerthe buried exposes the andTheexploring Door #1, Student Center wonders ofUniversity variedofbreadth. Mindanao Science and Technology

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www.issuu.com/thetrailblazerpublication

Editorial Board & Staff

Roshelle Novie L. Cabrido

S.Y. 2014 - 2015 Publisher Students of MUST Editor-in-Chief Roshelle Novie L. Cabrido Managing Editor - Finance April Rose T. Cahucom Creative Director Renz Marion F. Osa

Senior Staff Writers Christine Joy C. Baang Orejet T. Guerrero Ar-gie A. Longganay Official Contributors Jan Marie M. Algar Yellen Dianara C. Bacolod Daryl H. Bao Earl John L. Cabigon Luzsyl Niña I. Echano Datfel D. Felecia Jay Juniel R. Murcilla Anna Kristine B. Obina Cris Roger B. Olape Moderator Maristela Binongo-Sy, DALC

The Philippines Under His Self-serving Administrative Priorities

hilippines is now under a not-so ideal leadership of President Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III for over 5 years now when he was proclaimed as the President-elect last 2010. PNoy was noted not to have any interest as president, but when the sudden nostalgia to the nation painted the Philippine history as his mother died, he in no particular reason, ran and won the polls. As his term will end in 2016, does he ever attain the ‘matuwid na daan’ and ‘walang korupt, walang mahirap’ flagships he trumpeted in his SONA? Does he even have fair treatment for the poor majority in the country? Philippines has been accumulating social and economic problems over the decades of having almost 15 presidents now. And still the poor remain just a mere figures in statistics and corrupt officials remain in seat. Until now, only a few prosper and many are still living desperately poor. It only shows that majority of our leaders have their own self-serve priorities. One of the apparent loophole of PNoy’s administration is the widespread landlessness. Landowners continue to evade land distribution so having their own land to till remains elusive for farmers and farm workers of various haciendas nationwide including those in Bulacan, Tarlac, Batangas, Laguna, Bicol and Negros. Meanwhile, he remains silent over the Hacienda Luisita controversy. PNoy being the president ‘who wants to retaliate corruption’ is not even consistent in his promise of transparent and ideal governance. If he was, he would understood that Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill is vital for true transparency and did not rank it as 18 among the 26 priority bills. Indeed, there is no radical transformation seen under his regime. Another thing that he failed to address is the justice of the slained members of the press during the Maguindanao Massacre. This case remains unresolved unless he, as president, will do something. The government and its laws are too ideal to the point that it is theoretical in nature. The big downfall under his ‘matuwid na daan’ flagship is the issue about the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) which tagged lawmakers and the president himself as allegedly involved in the misused of public funds. Tension rose between the Supreme Court (SC) and PNoy when SC declared three Executive Acts of DAP as unconstitutional. PNoy in response defended the legitimacy of DAP as this program, according to him, corrects budgetary flaws. Among the pressing issues of Aquino was the January 25 Mamasapano fiasco that resulted to the death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members, MILF, and civilians. With this, he violated the ceasefire agreement. Reports even mentioned that Aquino tried to bring back the limelight of Purisima as he did not follow the chain of command. After the bloodbath and the unfortunate deaths, he now tries to disown the whole plan. Top officials then claimed that they do not have any idea of the plan when in the first place the targets were high-value. Though it is true that justice and peace in Mindanao need not be totally dependent on the enactment of Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), still, the incompetence of the commander-in-chief resulted to a further disagreement between the MILF and the government. This will not just affect the completion of the peace negotiation, but will also disturb the Moros and Christians residing in Mindanao as there was a call for an all-outwar. Despite of the mentioned downfalls, he still wanted to amend the constitution and seek a second term as president. There are still a lot to address in PNoy’s administration. I am hoping that the remaining year of his tenure will be enough to correct his mistakes. Otherwise, it calls for a resignation because if taken lightly, the Philippines will suffer under his self-serving administrative priorities.

What About His Other Jobs

tating how many fights he won, how many fights he defeated, and how many billions of money he earned in each of his fight is not the purpose of my piece. This is also neither about his scandals nor a money-making scheme of betting to his upcoming fight. This is about his another JOB waiting to be his priority to guarantee that his constituents in Saranggani will not be shortchanged. The boxing world hopes to see Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. as both were seen to be icons inside the ring. And that hope has now got into grasp as the two will soon have their fight that will surely be flooded with sensationalized news again. Pacquiao’s multimillion pants, his mother making a scene during his fight, his practices, and all other unimportant and meaningless news that mainstream media feed the audience, who also swallow what is being fed, are not new to Philippine television. Again, Pacquiao is an icon, what else do you expect. No doubt that Pacquiao shows an exemplary performance being a boxer, but has he ever been a good legislator? He, being elected for two terms as congressman of Saranggani province, is also a politician and not a boxer alone. Playing Coach The ‘pound for pound’ king has already proven his abilities as a boxer winning straight fights convincingly. But Pacquiao is not just a boxer, he is a playing coach as well. Pacquiao is the playing coach of the Kia Carnival in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). However, last year he left the coaching chores to his assistant while he was training for his fight with Cris Algieri. The outcome of Pacman’s fight was credibly good for he won against the American Algieri. But a contrary to Kia who experienced more losses than wins last November while its playing coach was out for his main job. Congressman Apart from being a playing coach, Pacquiao is also a legislator. However, there was a time that Pacquiao topped the House of Representatives in the number of absences during sessions. This lackluster performance is unpleasant to hear when you talk about a lawmaker trying to have all the careers in the world. If Pacquiao is another legislator, surely, criticisms about him would have been harsh, but since he is an iconic personality giving some sort of pride in the country, people usually let him slip from his responsibilities as legislator. I am not against him serving three or more masters in a row if he managed to balance it out pretty well, but he did not. Nevertheless, being an athlete is quite different from being a leader. It does not mean that he brought pride to the country, he is exempted to the things he must be responsible for as congressman. Prioritizing one over the other is unfair for the people in Saranggani as they casted their votes to Pacquiao believing that they will be taken cared of by their congressman, but what happened is they just became a part of Pacquiao’s ‘other’ career.

NMULOC

April Rose T. Cahucom

COLUMN

Renz Marion F. Osa

Tertiary Education: A Torture Chamber

hat is the difference between a teacher and an instructor? Upon entering college, you barely call your ma’am and sir as teacher, but rather as instructor. They say your teacher is there to teach while an instructor is there to instruct. However, does this limit the instructor not to teach his students just because he is there to instruct? Most say that college life is a 30:70 ratio. Thirty percent of the effort comes from the instructor while the remaining 70% is on the student. But what if this 30% suddenly drops to ten percent or worse, zero? MUST has been honing its students the best way it could. Providing fine facilities, well-built classrooms and a standardized level of education, MUST has made its way and become a established university when it comes to producing the best professionals in different fields. However, the notion of a higher standard of education sometimes is associated with so many confusions. Besides, how do you define standard quality education? Is it having graduates with excellent 1.0 grades, having no graduates at all because no one is able to meet such standard, or to have graduates that are fully equipped with knowledge and skills they need in their real life endeavors as they walk out of this university premise? Many think that a strict instructor and a tough curriculum will set the university’s standard high. However, having many students fail in a subject does not always mean that the subject is hard or the standard is too high. Sometimes it shows what kind of instructor and what kind of teaching is done. Yes, it might be true that grades are the inputs of students, but the process affects the inputs too. Is it not disheartening to know that almost half of the class failed in a subject? If this is the case, could it be that the subject being taught is just too hard that almost half of the class cannot comprehend? Or is it how the lessons are being relayed to them? It is a fact that a college student should never expect to get the same way of teaching the way they had in high school or elementary. But bearing this thought does not also mean that the 30:70 study ratio should decrease to 10:90 ratio where the students are just left in the classroom with their hand outs and prepare for a quiz the next meeting. The bottomline is, tertiary education does not always mean that instructors can just give students supplementary materials and expect them to get a perfect score on quizzes the next meeting. Students enter college because they believe that there are instructors who can help them in making their dreams a reality and not to force them into a learning process where learning itself can be torturous. In the end, the kind of graduate an educational institution produces is affected by how education itself is being delivered to its students. 5

N EWS

SW E N

PASUC 2014 Holds Cultural and Literary Competition Cris Roger B. Olape

ith the theme, “PASUC SocioCultural and Literary Competitions’ Impact towards ASEAN Integration”, the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) held its 6th Literary and Cultural Festival last December 10-13, 2014 at the main campus of MUST. The competitions were comprised of four categories: Musical, Dance, Literary and Visual Arts Competition. The following regions were hailed as over-all winners in this year’s PASUC Festival: National Capital Region (NCR) as the Champion; Region 6, Region 1, Region 5 and Region 9 as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th runners up, respectively. Region X State Universities and Colleges (SUCs): Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT),

One of the participating schools sings during PASUC Musical Category Competition Bukidnon State Universtiy (BSU), Camiguin Polytechnic State College (CPSC), Central Mindanao University (CMU), Northwestern

MUSTeans to Use New Facilities Earl John L. Cabigon

Mindanao State College of Science and Technology (NMSCST) coordinated with MUST as the lead host of the event.

NSTP Students Participate in Citywide Clean-up Drive

Daryl H. Bao

Newly acquired Smart Grid Equipment

USTeans will soon be using new facilities as the four colleges look to upgrade its facilities and equipment as part of the University’s aim to improve the quality of education. The College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) received new Smart Grid Laboratory equipment intended for the Electrical Engineering (EE) and Electro Mechanical Technology (EMT) students. This Smart Grid equipment is an addition to the other Smart Grids acquired from the previous years. The college also obtained additional computers for their Computer Laboratory in the Engineering Complex. These pieces of equipment are pre-installed with a Matrix Laboratory (MATLAB) program which is utilized by a number of courses in CEA. The college also plans to convert the old Engineering building to a laboratory building. The College of Policy Studies, Education and Management (CPSEM), on the other hand, received cookery and food processing utensils for their Culinary Arts program. As a major leap for the college the former Alumni building was acquired to be retrofitted as a new Culinary Arts Laboratory expected to be operational

by the opening of the next school year. The opening of a second Culinary Arts Laboratory is also part of the University’s plan of opening a Senior High School program as they will offer food and beverage electives to the incoming high school students. The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is about to open additional science laboratories to be situated at the 5th floor of the Science Complex. The restructuring of the old Physics Building is also part of the general scheme in making the structures fit for the new equipment that would come along. CAS also would open two laboratories each for Speech and Multimedia related programs. Also, students taking up Job Enabling English Proficiency (JEEP) subject will be looking forward to the upgrade of the JEEP laboratories. The CIIT students will also have an additional laboratory to be located in one of the classrooms in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) building. The equipment for this new laboratory will be expected to be operational early this June.

he National Service Training Program Educators Association in Region (NEAR) 10, Incorporated with the coordination of the local government of Cagayan de Oro City conducted a clean-up drive throughout the major barangays in the city last February 28. Students taking up NSTP from 12 colleges and universities in the city including MUST took part in the said event. On its second year of implementation, NEAR 10, Inc. Clean-up drive looks forward to inspire students to be more aware of their responsibility to have a clean environment and at the same time contribute in making the city a better place to live in. The activity commenced at Magsaysay Park Divisoria where the students witnessed a short program. A brief speech regarding the importance of environmental preservation was given by Mayor Oscar S. Moreno. Participants were assigned in different cleaning areas all throughout the city. As with the MUST students, they were assigned to clean the area around the Agora market.

MUSTeans handpick trash at Agora, CDO as City-wide clean-up commences

MUST Election Held

MUSTeans Reign in LDCU Dance Competition

Roshelle Novie L. Cabrido

annering the line, “Mark Your Vote, Choose proper for he has not attained the required General Your Leader, Yes to Pol-Mat”, Mindanao Point Average (GPA) by the COMELEC which is at University of Science and Technology least 2.5 and above. (MUST) had its election for academic year 2015 With this regard, COMELEC decided 2016 held last March 5 – 10. The election included that an individual must gain one third of the voting the participation of the three extension campuses population for him to be declared as winner. which had their separate voting schedules with that of the main campus. There were two participating partylists who ran in the positions for Supreme Student Council (SSC), LEGACY and CARE(Continuing the Advocacy for Resiliency and Empowerment) partylists. Kenneth Asuncion ran as president for LEGACY and Karl Dominic Fajardo for CARE, who was disqualified a Photo credits: MUST - COMELEC night before the election Tally of votes for major positions school year 2015-2016

Christine Joy C. Baang

epresenting MUST in the “Liceo U Pasikatan 2015” in an open-category dance competition during the Liceo de Cagayan University’s (LDCU) foundation day last February 25, 2015, Cliquepoint won over 15 competing dance crews from all over Cagayan de Oro City. Seizing the championship title, Cliquepoint received 10,000 Php worth of cash. According to Mc Zoren Baiño, one of the group members, winning in the competition was worth the hardship. “Best achievement kay first time niapil ang group sa open category and dili lang within MUST, champion pa gyud dayon ang result,” Baiño said. Other runners up include the dancers of “Class A” and “HD Crew”, both professional group dancers, landing on the 1st and 2nd places respectively.

SSC Unables to Acquire Signatures for CBL Upgrade

Earl John L. Cabigon

he Supreme Student Council launched a signature campaign that started during the span of the MUST days celebration last February 5 – 7 in their hopes of achieving two third votes to upgrade its Constitution to a Supreme Student Government type. The supposed shift would not only change the name of the SSC, but will also add more officers and a more defined student body structure; however, SSC was unable to acquire the required number of

signatures. In an interview with Jason Locsin - president of the Applied Physical Sciences Society and one of the student leaders who campaigned for the change, the move will add more student leaders within the hierarchy of the SSG. Each of them will have defined functions that will be iterated with the supposed new Constitution and By – Laws of the new mother organization. Locsin also added that it will refurbish the current

structure and create a student body with three main branches: the executive body, legislative body, and judiciary. SSC’s signature campaign was aiming for at least 6,000 signature from the students. This number represents the two – thirds of the school’s student population. According to Kenneth Asuncion the overseer of the signature campaign, currently, they have managed to secure more than 4,000 signatures.

MUST Celebrates National Women’s Month 2015 Daryl H. Bao

U S T e a n s witnessed the National Women’s Month celebration with the theme, “Juana, Desisyon mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat isa, Ikaw na!”, on March 11 at the University gymnasium. The International Women’s Month is a celebration of women’s achievement on gender equality through the years of repelling gender prejudice among different races and cultures in the globe. Dr. Jona Alegre, the University’s Dr. Jona Alegre speaks about women's achievements during the Women's Month 2015 talked about gender equality as well as tales of Gender and Development (GAD) Focal women who fought for their rights. person who also spearheaded the said event

“Every International Women’s day is the best time and the best opportunity to celebrate achievements of women and also to discuss issues and concerns on gender...”, Alegre stated in an interview. She further said that this movement should encourage every individual to be openminded on the issues of gender equality. The event concluded in the MUST Information Technology Building (ITB) where a movie was shown about women’s issues. Moreover, MUST faculty and staff also participated in a Zumba dance-off at the MUST gymnasium. 7

CAMPUS FEATURE

E R UTA EF S U P M A C

Daryl H. Bao and Datfel D. Felecia

Design by: Jay Juniel R. Murcilla

n its 78th year, MUST continues the legacy of producing quality and globally competitive graduates proficient in the various fields of Science and Technology. To be aligned with the latest standards in terms of training and education, MUST advances to transform itself to become a University of Science and Technology of the Philippines (USTP), but are we really ready for this? USTP: Its Insides and Outs Introduced by Representatives Rufus B. Rodriguez, Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr., and supported by Hon. Roman T. Romulo, Chairman of the Committee of Higher and Technical Education (CHTE) and Hon. Juliette T. Uy, the MUST Modernization Act embodies the major changes imposed in the University when it becomes USTP. It mainly features the involvement of industries in the learning process through the amalgamation of Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT) and MUST. In that accord, several factories will be built within the university grounds and will function as immersion centres for students, thus providing actual workplace experience. Moreover, the faculty, as well as, the students will have the chance to partner with the industries in project conceptualization, conduct and technology prototyping. As proposed by the bill, USTP will rise in a 300 hectare land in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental under the initial budget of Php 2 billion for the construction of the university’s infrastructures. Interested industries are permitted to build factories within the Alubijid and Claveria campuses provided that they enter into a long-term lease agreement with the governing board. Another feature the bill has is the socialized scheme of tuition fee and other instructional fees. In this system, the rate of tuition and instructional fees are collected on the basis of family income such that the less privileged students shall pay lesser fees than students coming from economically advantaged families. The brackets correspond to specific amounts that the students should pay for their school fees. Furthermore, Ricardo Rotoras, University President, stated that as much as possible, he seeks to have the lowest bracket pay zero tuition fee. “We desire to have a university comparable to that of foreign countries without 8

sharing the burden to the students”, Rotoras said. In addition, the fees that the students will be paying will still be under the subsidy of the government, thus those students that would be bracketed in high income-generating families would still pay a lesser amount of fees compared to most private colleges or universities in the country. USTFee With the current system, MUST students pay Php 325 per unit which is 27 times higher than the Php 12 per unit paid by the students of Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and six times bigger than the Php 50 per unit for the students of Mindanao State University (MSU). Also, an exorbitant amount on the miscellaneous fees that are redundant and vague are paid by the students. It only substantiated the fact that there is a greater chance for the tuition fees to proliferate during the establishment of USTP. Since, it is a modernized and a more technology centered institution, USTP would more or less require an enormous amount to sustain its schema. The Need for USTP By providing a university mandated and funded by the government to produce quality graduates in the field of Science, Agriculture and Technology, Filipinos might just be able to comply with what the world offers. “The change will be a welcome treat. It is something as a boost to this university in our desire to be internationally recognized…”Dr. Ruth Guinita-Cabahug, Vice President for Academic Affairs stated in an interview. These days, we live in a world where skills and knowledge are acknowledged through paper and schools with better stature and reputation known to produce supposedly topbrass graduates. If USTP becomes a reality, there is a good chance that our alma mater would gain a lot of attention, but is this what MUSTeans need? From the looks of it, the development is centralized in both the Alubijid and Claveria campuses and there was no mention whatsoever in the bill of what sort of upgrades would the present MUST have. Thus, it poses the question, what would MUSTeans gain then? To date, the MUST Modernization Act was already approved by CHTE and was referred to the Committee on Appropriations

and the Committee on Ways and Means with little amendments on the bill including the change of the name of the proposed university from USTP to the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTSP) due to the fact that the Commission on Higher Education concluded that the President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, might not agree with the university’s name. Moreover, Senator Sonny Angara already acknowledged his sponsorship in the senate for the bill along with several senators. According to Rotoras, if everything goes smoothly, MUSTeans will be called USTPeans by the year 2016. I MUSTay In Article XVIII, Section 61 of the bill entitled Academic Programs, it clearly states that all programs which are not in-line with Science and Technology will be phased-out within four years of the bill’s implementation. But according to Rotoras, “We don’t need to pull out any programs because all our programs are aligned with Science and Technology. It is just written there to provide emphasis on Science and Technology courses.” However, in another interview, Cabahug said that the University should only offer programs that are in its mandate. “…We can rationalize and improve the quality of education rather than offer all, and it cannot be supported with what we have…” According to Article XVIII, section 60, for purposes of smooth transition into USTP, the incumbent President of MUST shall serve a fresh first term as the President of USTP and the concurrent chancellor of USTP Cagayan de Oro campus while the incumbent President of MOSCAT shall serve a new term as the chancellor of USTP Claveria campus. Which means the tenure of several university officials will be extended until the allotted time ends. *** One cannot change his own title without proving that he is capable of sustaining that stature. Before MUST aims to compete with international standards, it has to be improved within itself first because no matter how many times the University tries to rename itself, it will face that same problem again and again. After all, it is the primary duty of any school to provide what its students need.

Back to Basics “Right now, we (Admin) feel that, that level of tuition fee, is alright. Dili pud kay cya taas, dili pud cya ingun nga mubo nga we are deprived of the laboratories, facilities nato.” In an interview with Vice President for Finance and Resource Generation Vanessa V. Ascaño, she explained the tuition rate of 325 Php. The Board of Regent (BOR) of MUST authorizes the university to set tuition fees since the national government gives a much too low subsidy as compared to other state universities and colleges. Thus, an augmentation to the tuition is tendered. In fact, the funds for the new buildings, VP Ascaño said, came from the students’ tuition and not from the national government. When asked of a possibility of an increase of tuition due to University of Science and Technology of the Philippines (USTP), she believed that there is always a possibility, but she assures that the national government will give funds as stated in the Bill for the consolidation so that the tuition will not soar that high. Clean Records At 250 Php, the registration fee encompasses all transactions with the Registry and Student Information Services (RSIS), from the enrolment process to the keeping of student records. Portion of the fee also goes to the salary of irregular RSIS employees. Request for Transcript of Record (TOR), Certificate of Good Moral Character and Certificate of Transfer Credentials which are released by the Registrar’s Office have corresponding prices and are not included in the registration fee paid during enrolment. Development Over Beautification The contemporary buildings of the University and its auspicious facilities require maintenance, repairs, and upgrades for their uninterrupted functionality. Capital outlays from the 750 Php Development fee assures the procurement of new laboratory materials and extension of University assets’ life cycles. Recent purchases like the new Smart Grid Laboratory equipment and cooking utensils for culinary students were made. Infrastructure projects like the construction of the three-storey Student Center and the completion of the drainage system in the main campus and school building renovations in Jasaan, Oroquieta, and Panaon campuses are under deployment. Meanwhile, Technology Communication Management (TCM) students have a higher Development fee because of their capital intensive needs in equipment. “They’re supposed to have,… multi-media equipment, communication equipment, the TV, the radio “, enumerated VP Ascaño. Connecting to Server WiFi all over the campus, faster internet connection, convenient access to student, faculty, and non-teaching staff information systems are some of the services the 600 Php Information and Communication Technology Development fee takes account of. Currently, there is an expansion of Fiber Optic Cables on the Wide Area Network (WAN) and Local Area Network (LAN) of the University. One of which is the

E R UTA EF S U P M A C

most talked about WiFi connection that will be enjoyed by all MUST campuses. The 20 mbps of the main campus will become 40 mbps, the 2 mbps of Jasaan campus will be doubled, but the speed at Oroquieta campus will remain at 2 mbps while the Panaon campus will only get 512 kbps because of poor signal range in the area. Under The Prince Technologies Integrated School Management Systems (PRISMS) is the in-house brainchild of the ICT Office, the Student Information System (SIS) where students may access their grades, class schedules, and accountabilities. Engr. Alex L. Maureal, Director of ICT, and his team are developing a better SIS where online payment can be done and actual payment through banks or Bayad Centers is achievable. Out With the Old, In With the New Ms. Florencia D. Galacio, Circulation InCharge explained that the 500 Php Library fee is distributed among the Undergraduate, Graduate, and Technology, Engineering, and Architecture (TEA) libraries for the preservation and updating of books. This coming school year, 10 M Php worth of books are expected to occupy the library shelves and aid the students in their studies. Waiting in Vain For 20 hours a semester, MUSTeans can use the E-Library. Known to all is the opposite polarity of its subscribers. On one end are those students who seldom or never consume their hours, while on the other, are those students who use to the full extent of their 400 Php fee. To address these extremes, the E-Lib provides its users the option of sharing their prearranged hours with others. However, 100 computers against approximately 7, 000 students is a far cry ratio. Amazing Ventilated Rooms MUST has two audio-visual rooms (AVRs). The 150 Php lets students experience having their classes in an air-conditioned surrounding where the discussion in class may be projected on a bigger surface. Since it can accommodate quite a number of audiences, the AVR is common venue for seminars and orientations. The features and usage at the gymnasium and the Performing Arts Theatre (PAT) are also included in the fee. Trust the Funds The RSIS collects the 45 Php Miscellaneous Trust Fund of students and casts it to the Supreme Student Council (SSC) for its proper expenditure. This fee is generally intended for the well-being of MUSTeans through the involvement of the Guidance and Counseling Office and Student Affairs and Welfare Office (SAWO). Seminars, forums, counseling sessions, fire and earthquake drills, and usage of the SSC projectors offered to MUSTeans come from the trust fund. The Doctor Will See You Now While it is true that some students complain of the 300 Php Medical and Dental fee that is rarely benefitted from, the University physician Dr. Socesa M. Saquilayan stressed out that when time comes a student seeks health attention, then will the payment be reckoned. The clinic render initial consultation, followups, referrals, and hands students with the full course of medication intended for their full recovery. Last year, 4, 549 students were given consultations. In the MUST Annual Procurement Schedule for 2015, an estimated 3.5 M Php will be expended for drugs and medicines, and medical and dental equipment and supplies. Break in the Arts The Sanghimig Chorale and Gintong Amihan Dance Troupe (GADT) are two of MUST’s pride in

the performing arts whether in inter-school or even international competitions. The Socio-Cultural fee of 200 Php aims to furnish the expenses not only of these two groups, but also that of all the contingent of the University who will represent its name in contests. In occasions of financial shortage, especially unprecedented ones, Arts and Culture (ARCU) Division Coordinator Mr. Marc John C. Bacayo remarked that the University administration backs the money for it. ARCU also supports their performers with scholarship privileges extracted from the fee. Sporty, But It’s a Secret Similar to the Socio-Cultural fee, the 200.00 Php Athletics fee is spent for the expenses of the University athletes during Intramurals and meets outside the campus. But MUSTean athletes are seldom seen practicing unless they are challenged by a coming competition. We Lab It There is a Laboratory fee of 250 Php and a JEEP (Job Enabling English Proficiency) Laboratory fee of 1, 000 Php both per class session paid by students whose course prospectus calls for the use of these laboratories. Students who have their classes in JEEP Laboratories will soon have upgrades in their English proficiency periods. Ignorance of the Rules and Policies Obliviousness of the governing rules and policies of an institution one attends in is improper. As an MUSTean, an elementary consciousness of the University’s principles and imperatives are often asked. Every first semester of the school year, a 25.00 Php fee for the Student Handbook is paid, but no official and complete handbook was ever grasped by the students. During freshmen orientations there are bits of the handbook reproduced for discussion; however, this is not what was paid for. The idea of a refund for the fee was not entertained because according to VP Ascaño, “You’re supposed to receive (a handbook) jud gyud”. How can MUSTeans even defend themselves without the so-called “Bible” of student conducts, behaviors, and liberties? Who We Are Perhaps the most distressing cut during first semester enrolment is having ones picture taken for the Student Identification (ID) card which is worth 85 Php. . With an approved budget of 1, 189, 100 Php for supplies and materials in ID printing for the first two quarters of 2015, hopefully the long queue of MUSTeans waiting for their turn at the Printing Office will be lessened and no printer breakdown be reported. *** Based on the Statement of Appropriations, Allotments, Obligations, Disbursements and Balances of MUST as of December 31, 2014, the approved budget for that fiscal year was 174, 990, 000.00 Php while the allotment received from the national government reached 228, 124, 929.00 Php. With the re-adjusted budget and the tuition fee collection last school year, there are varying feedbacks to the efforts of the administration in aligning the University standards to become USTP or establishing global competitiveness through Learning Express (LEX) in preparation for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Integration. At the end of the day, the monetary value of these fees earned through the hardwork of every parent, student-worker, or benefactor shall point toward the attainment of quality education and embodiment of the core values promised by MUST.

Design by: Renz Marion F. Osa

CAMPUS FEATURE

Orejet T. Guerrero o become an official student of MUST, an aspirant takes the entrance examination and complies with the required documents to reserve a slot in the Orejet T. Guerrero program he is piqued in pursuing. Ultimately, he is then subject to the payment of fees prescribed. The items found in the Certificate of Registration (COR) paid during enrolment are revisited after being featured in the Trailblazer magazine Vol. 29, No.1-August 2012 issue to introduce to the students, parents, and shareholders of MUST the breakdown of the fees they are paying.

DISCLAIMER:

The positions of the Editoria l Board and Staff do not nec views, comments, opinions essarily reflect the and artworks of the writers/ artists.

indanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) undertakes the importance of moral uprightness and high quality education in order to keep pace with society’s demands. As a state university, the progress of the institution is persisting through the evolution of MUST to University of Science and Technology of the Philippines (USTP). The transformation indicates the development of the community especially to the students as it will provide opportunity that will help them perceive the significance of putting the name of the school in the peak of excellence. That is why the institution is removing the existing shortcomings in order for the students to hold of this perceived excellence.

Rules for the BETTER Public Display of Affection (PDA) is an act of inappropriate behavior and must not be tolerated in our institution which sets to the standard of right morality. In order to address this, SAWO released an advisory last October 7, 2014 to stop PDA. The said office, had observed that some students, still in their uniforms, show extreme affection of love to their partners in public utility vehicles and in malls, which had created a bad impression to the onlookers. Hence, according to the advisory, inappropriate actions such as kissing, touching, fondling and cuddling should be strongly avoided by all MUSTeans. As students of this institution, we are expected to follow certain rules of etiquette depending on where we are and who we are with. Students of MUST shared their stance about PDA. According to Dawn Fuentes, a third year education student, “Naa man jud ta sa eskwelahan dapat disente ang mga estudyante, college na baya ta dapat kaibalo nata mo-control”. Students have the freedom to express, but there are restrictions to delve with in order to maintain proper behavior. Let us not forget that freedom is not absolute and there are limitations to ponder on. To manifest such decency is to give due respect to ourselves, family and the university. BEWARE of what you WEAR The dress code policy demonstrates the importance of representing the university awareness to follow appropriate dress decalogue. The policy has been exercised in accordance with the 2013 Edition Student Handbook p.81 and was implemented last June 10, 2014. Wearing of tattered jeans, see-through, short pants, backless, earrings (for male) and rubber slippers are strictly prohibited inside the campus premises. Nowadays, students are not only vocally expressive of what they feel, but also in the way they dress up. However, it would be degrading to oneself if grooming will be taken in exaggerated extents like the case of cross-dressing. Definitely, how the students dress will affect their appearance and sooner, will define who they are. Furthermore, we are not to compare the institution to the other universities for every school has its own way of organizing and disciplining the students. Wearing of school uniforms can give a sense of belongingness to every MUSTean. Imposing these rules does not benefit the institution and its name alone, but for the students to be guided on what appropriate grooming and behavior should be followed. The Essence of Unselfish Dedication It is a fact that MUST is one of the leading universities in Mindanao in the field of Engineering and Architecture. The school standard aims to achieve the expertise and excellence in all areas of specialization and soon be applied to all colleges. In the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA), their Dean, Dr. Ambrosio Cultura will implement a new curriculum with the approval of Board of Regents in accordance with the provision of Republic Act No. 7722 known as the Higher Education Act of 1994 in the Circular Memorandum Order No. 37 issued by CHED last 2012. The new curriculum that will be practiced by the engineering instructors is the Outcome-Based Education (OBE). This will allow the students to be engaged in intellectual exchange and instill learning with the facilitation of the teachers. According to Dr.Cultura, there will be a curriculum review before 2016 to match the vision and mission of the institution to the objectives of the reformed program. In addition, Cultura said that before the administrations will completely initiate the curriculum, it will have to entirely change the course syllabus of the educators’ teaching process. The engineering instructors will undergo a series of trainings, seminars and workshops to prove that the university is ready to plunge into high level education. Indeed, the reform program of CEA will allow the students to actively create, interpret and reconstruct knowledge based on their learning capacity. Apparently, it aims to achieve quality education that will counterpart the industry. The theory applied for this reform program is constructivism, where it would surely help the students in retaining all the knowledge they have gained, through hands-on trainings and let them discover their learning style. It does not mean that the teachers will do their job passively because they will still facilitate their students’ performance based on their hands-on activity. Additionally, teachers have their assessment strategies to evaluate the progress of the students learning process. The implementation of new policies and programs proves that the university provides what the vision, mission and core values are conveying. Hence, it is very clear in the university core values that students must manifest the virtue of moral uprightness, which means that students must be honest in all their dealings, hold total respect for humanity and abide by what is right. It is the obligation of the institution to develop and fix the existing shortcomings by formulating solution to repair the craters of issues. Rules are not just for concealing the mess of each recurring issue, but reconstructing it by implementing policy to have a smooth-sailing environment. Consequently, the implementation of policies and curriculum would mark that the institution is working through globalizing the educative process of the university and not to conceal the mess of each recurring issue that directly concerns the students. 10

become the reflection of its ABOUT THE ARGUMENT: USTP is molding students to goal of e into a national institution –

conveys the ideal Along with MUST’s plung ” of Yellen Dianara C. Bacolod g the Mishaps Toward Excellence other hand, Anna Kristine B. the On ess. progr excellence. The article “Eradicatin uing contin changes towards the institution’s university and the plight of an imposing policies and adapting ted essence of being a state , Are We?” recognizes the defea . name rsity’s Obina’s “Filling in the Loopholes unive the to dignify is and should be with the shift of paradigm just that every deal of the university ordinary student in coping up purpose which is to emphasize relate yourself with? you Both articles contain the same can oints viewp two the of As one of the stakeholders, which for the benefit of the students.

s Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) gears toward its conversion to University of Science and Technology of the Philippines (USTP) by eradicating its academic and infrastructural shortcomings, turning its name and its image picture-perfect continuous to be its major thrust. This is done by lavishly promoting and implanting its core values in the minds and hearts of the students, who, in turn will reflect the imbibed values to the public. Being the primary stakeholders, students take heed of their responsibility by abiding every rule and regulation the university imposes on them. Straight down, it begs to answer the question: Is imposing such rules limit the students in their expressive acts that diminish the shortcomings, or does it otherwise create deeper craters? What is Pretty Darn Annoying? Generally, Public Display of Affection (PDA) is one of the gestures which the culture suggests to be romantic in nature, and where it usually happens in public areas and even online. PDA comes in wide variety, and only the specific public can affirm or negate its acceptability. MUST expresses its concern regarding the said issue by campaigning advisories for couples to limit their display of affection in public areas. At a glance, the integrity of a university can never be measured only by the affectionate gestures of its students. Perhaps the university also has to consider other things that might ruin its name. Morality, considered to be the measure of accepted principles of right and wrong, is not limited within the bracket of romantic gestures. This can also be attributed to the acts of non-transparency, despotism, inequality, and other acts that are considered unethical not only done by the students, but by some school personnel as well. Perchance, rules sojourning intentional acts that are considered unethical and immoral be strictly campaigned and advised even more than how this university deals with PDA.

Teachers No More Outcome-based Education (OBE) is a teaching curriculum that as demanded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), must be practiced and adapted by the state universities and colleges including MUST. Generally, a change in the style of teaching and classroom setting will be experienced by the students. The instructors will only facilitate the students and more effort of understanding the topic will be exerted by the students as the facilitators will no longer do spoon-feeding. This style is adapted from the agreement of international institutions to attain an equivalent standard, the OBE, among their graduates. The graduates from these institutions shall be mutually recognized to have meet the said academic requirements across countries. With the CHED Memorandum Order No. 37 released last 2012, the shift to OBE system with its full implementation by the end of the academic year 2016-2017 will soon be felt. Although this change encourages the students to exert more effort in learning the lessons in their own way, the negative upshot is that the classroom interaction between the students and instructors through discussions are eased off. In effect, students who cannot easily grasp the lessons end up with uncertainty and difficulty of the subject. Given that the revised and imposed curriculum may increase global competitiveness of its graduates, does it ensure a relative increase in the number of graduates? If this change does not increase the number of graduates who will soon be professionals, the realization of the university’s vision to be the leading provider of scientific and technological knowledge is still beyond reach. Through its instruction and not the title of international equivalency must be considered. *** As this institution takes a big leap to become a national institution from a humble state university, may the rules it will implement focus not only to impress the public, but more importantly to cater what its primary stakeholders deserve to have as a way of ensuring that it practices the last of its four core values - total quality management. Such rules may be good enough to compensate the shortcomings, but MUST must still consider that such loopholes can never be eliminated unless craters exist. At a glance, even the Student Handbook which is supposed to be the students’ guide on what rules to be followed is not yet distributed although the fee for it had been collected regularly. May these rules be implemented and followed by the students to completely wrap the mishaps, and not to cover the deep craters.

Design by: Jay Juniel R. Murcilla

Fashion-less Fashion MUST encourages the regulation of the students’ way of dressing as a practice of its core value – social responsibility. Social responsibility is demonstrated by how students help one another, care for the other and consider others before their own. Wearing tattered jeans, sleeveless shirts, short pants, rubber slippers, earrings for males, see-through attire, blouses with plunging necklines, midriff blouses and even unnaturally colored hair do not necessarily point out that a person is no longer socially responsible. As this university prohibits its students the use of those apparels, it must also, more importantly, considers how it may extend itself to the students considering the freedom of its stakeholders. Social responsibility is not only about creating a wholesome image in the sight of others, but more importantly on how to prioritize what directly benefits the students, and not what benefits itself and its name alone. In fact, other state universities do not have school uniform.

CAMPUS FEATURE

E R UTA EF S U P M A C

Anna Kristine B. Obina

he student body was startled by the sudden disqualification of Karl Dominic Fajardo, presidential candidate from the Continuing the Advocacy and Resiliency and Empowerment (CARE) Party. Untold Stories: The Unveiling According to the COMELEC and Fajardo himself, he presented a document signed by his instructors, during the filing of candidacy that a change of his grades will be expected in a given period of time. The COMELEC in “good faith”, as stated in its resolution Order No. 002 series of 2015, “believes that the change of grade has been duly approved in document and is not reflected in the Student Information System (SIS) due to some observed protocols of the university.” Thus, he was still allowed to file for candidacy, given that he can submit a proof of his changed grade on or before February 28, 2015. The said date, as admitted by Fajardo was set by himself, believing that he could comply with the said time. However, Fajardo was not able to submit the required documents on time. With no response from Fajardo after the said date, Nicole John Cagadas, the VP-Internal of the COMELEC who was assigned to secure the qualification of the candidates, did inquire the

office of the Registry Students Information System (RSIS) regarding the legality of Fajardo’s certification when he filed for candidacy. This query led him to find out that the document stating the change of grades can only be considered valid if it is signed by Dr. Charito G. Ong, Director of the RSIS, and that only the instructor can request for the change of grade to be approved by the registrar. Thus on March 2, Cagadas, having the power to do so, released a memorandum prohibiting Fajardo to attend the Miting de Avance scheduled on March 4, unless he presented the needed document. The said memorandum was sent to Fajardo a day before the said event. Evening of March 3, the COMELEC made a decision to disqualify Fajardo. Around 11:00 am the following day, Fajardo appealed to the COMELEC for an extension. In a poll of 3 vs 8, with the latter in favor of Fajardo, he was given until 8:00 pm on that day to present the documents certifying that his grades were already changed in document with the needed signatories including Dr. Ong’s. However, Fajardo was not able to make it on time. He came, according to Cagadas, at 9:29 in the evening bringing documents that were not yet signed by the office of the registrar. He brought two forms for the change of grades; one of which was processed on February 24 and another on February 27, 2015. COMELEC Order No. 002, Series of 2015, officially stated that Fajardo’s ground for disqualification was the fact that his grades did not meet the required GPA of 2.5 prior to the filing of his candidacy. March 6, 2015, Fajardo posted a statement in his Facebook account that he stands and fully supports the fact that his qualification was considered inadequate to meet the abovementioned requirement prior to the filing of his candidacy. He also admitted and stood firm that the

mistake of misinterpreting the given protocols was honestly committed by him and the COMELEC as well. Moreover, he requested the public not to blame any other individual as no one else should be held liable with this case other than him and the COMELEC.

interview. With the consent of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Juana dela Rama and the cooperation of the current legislative members of the SSC and each of the college organizations’ presidents, the revision of the CBL of the SSC was realized. However, in order for these changes to push through, they need the approval of at least 6,000 students. That is why the SSC launched a signature campaign for the proposed bill and they have already gathered 4,000. The constitution is the embodiment of the people’s sovereignty, thus any changes must have the consent of the public, but SSC failed to do that. Tacbas disclosed that she talked with several chairmen of some courses who are expected to relay what they have discussed to the students, but it turned out to be ineffective. MUSTeans still do not have the full understanding about the changes. Despite of this, SSC continued the signature campaign and sadly, some students blindly complied. The Leadership Empowerment and Development Seminar (LEADS), an annual SSCinitiated leadership program, aspires to form leaders who are dependable, responsive and dedicated to their duty. The College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA), had the highest number of participants in

the LEADS camp 2014, but ironically, CEA only had one party during this year’s election which means nobody stood against them. Therefore, how can adding more positions help the students if in the first place nobody is there to fill it in? Although the constitutional change is due next year, many are still skeptical about its implication toward the quality of governance it would produce. For instance, during university elections, only a few run, up to the point that most of the positions in some of the college organizations are now entrusted to appointees. The new government offers more positions which are less likely to have students serve its purpose. The passivity of most MUSTeans during elections might just lead to a political dominion governed solely by an instigator. The constitution is the basis of a government in order to effectively serve the people. In this manner, any change made to the constitution is directly felt by the public. Hence, the new founded SSG may either help or break every MUSTean. Finally, is this the only way? Should we settle with having politically mature leaders manning new positions following the amended CBL or devoted individuals dedicated in serving the students?

Truth and Nothing but the Truth During a further interview with Cagadas, he admitted that in the orientation of the candidates, he announced that the required number of votes a candidate has to attain in order to win should be equivalent to 1/3 of the student population, including the extension campuses. However, before the election proper, the COMELEC had a meeting which clarified the required votes as 1/3 of the voting population, instead of the student population. According to Cagadas, the COMELEC considers the Student Handbook 2013 Edition, the Constitution and By Laws (CBL) of the SSC, the CBL of the Colleges and the COMELEC Code as the bases of the protocols imposed by the COMELEC. Since these gave no provision regarding the number of votes needed to be attained by a sole candidate, the COMELEC had to impose its own rule as long as it does not violate the given provisions of the above-mentioned documents. He also made it clear that the COMELEC has no documents stating provisions, and that it changes the rules it implements in every change of administration. The decision of requiring votes equivalent to 1/3 of the voting population was made by the COMELEC during the mentioned meeting, Cagadas clarified. However, it was only written in a document on March 9, after the elections in the main campus. Nonetheless, Cagadas also made it clear that every decision agreed by the body is effective and put into practice right away, even without the written document. The COMELEC also admitted their lapse of not being able to formally inform the candidates about the change.

Design by: Renz Marion F. Osa

Daryl H. Bao

he Supreme Student Council (SSC), the highest student governing body of MUST has the responsibility of protecting the rights and freedom of the students as well as to cater to their needs. This year, Danica G. Tacbas, the current SSC president, moved to change its governing body’s constitution from SSC to Supreme Student Government (SSG) to align to the advancements of the University. In the long run, would it really address the issues concerning the students? The amendment of the constitution features the reconstruction and separation of powers in the student governing body into three branches: the executive, legislative and judiciary. In line with this, a number of new positions will open such as senators and senate secretary for the legislative branch and college justices for the judiciary branch. Moreover, several names and titles of the officers will be altered in the new constitution. College Presidents will no longer be named as such, but college governors instead. At present, there are only 10 SSC officers serving more or less 7,000 students. Even though the SSC is doing its job to serve the students, the overwhelming number of students who are asking for their assistance can be daunted. “…they will have a better government, in what sense? Because ang 10 people working for the SSC for the moment kanang dili nila kaya buhaton ang tanan…” Tacbas said in an

CrisCris Roger B. Olape Roger B. Olape

Hashtag (#). Originally a symbol for the number sign, the hashtag, now denotes a way to search for current events or to share some common topics, and feelings in social networking sites. In status updates and tweets, you could not help, but notice that at the bottom of the text are words preceded by hashtags. Using this has become a trend to make a particular post viral. Selfie. A sign of narcissism or self confidence? Whatever it is, just do a pose, smile and click. Selfie is a new word in the dictionary that is meant for a picture usually uploaded on social media. Originally coined in Instagram, selfie has since then stormed the universe of netizens. Thowback Thursday (TBT). If you have ever dared yourself to post your old pictures on social networking sites on a Thursday, then it is a no brainer that you have done this. TBT is a hit as netizens go retro with their vintage collection. Rich Kid. Bringing your expensive things such as IPhone, Blackberry and laptops or offering your friends a snack is luxurious to hear; “Rich Kid” is what they would call you. Friendzoned. This is a relationship status that amidst all your effort in winning your crush’s heart, still, you remain ‘just friends’. Sad to say, you were friendzoned. Seenzoned. When someone sends a message on facebook and receives no response at all. The worse thing is, the message was obviusly viewed because of the word ‘seen’ at the bottom of the message. You Only Live Once (YOLO). Adventurous? Or hang out with friends without thinking your duties and responsibilities? Live like there is no tomorrow and say “YOLO!!” Alagang Retrica. This application is frequently use as a camera because of its filters that ameliorates original. Churva. Whenever you forget a word, name or something, use “churva” as a gap filler to that word you cannot adequately express or explain. *** Social media has gained astounding worldwide growth and popularity to the life of young people today. It is inevitable to ignore the fact that nowadays social network plays an essential role in teenagers’ lives. Even jargons are bound to be futuristic. But despite of the presence of these words, let us not compromise the fact that we must also be guided with the use of English language appropriately with our dealings be it in social media or in our day to day interactiont. Sources: http://www.urbandictionary.com http://www.buzzfeed.com/samstryker/words-teenagers-like-to-use-and-what-they-reallymean#.hgAjNyRGD

E R UTA EF L’TA N

Orejet T. Guerrero

“

e don’t have to ask him to step down. If he has the decency, then he would do it on his own,” voiced out Dr. Christine Cempron, the widow of Special Action Force (SAF) Police Officer 3 Romeo Cempron, in a militant protest in Cebu during the 29th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. An intensified call for the resignation of President Benigno Aquino III resurfaced following the horrific fate of the 44 courageous souls from SAF, the 17 Moro-Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants whose identities were later released by the group, and the 7 innocent lives that were lost in the infamous Mamasapano encounter last January 26. The President who is already in his fifth year of tenure as the head of state paradoxically steers his Mitsubishi on his “matuwid na daan” slammed by asphalts of disappointment and scapegoat pedestrians. An”Noy”ing Backstory The contemporary Juan dela Cruz has outgrown his reference to being “tamad” and is now pertained to the term “Noynoy-ing”. This mockery, coined by bashers of the Aquino Administration, describes the act of putting ones palm against a cheek with the arm steadied as support as if passive or bored. During the heat of the Pork Barrel Scam which uncovered the hocus-pocus transactions revolving the Priority Development Acceleration Fund (PDAF) of senators and congressmen, the President unbelievably endorsed on national television the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) which is ingeniously similar to PDAF, but under a different title. When super typhoon Yolanda struck, reports came out that President Aquino was off playing videogames with his nephew. Recently, he wiped his hands clean with regard to the fatalities induced by the encounter between SAF and MILF personnel making him not knowing of the said operation as excuse despite being constitutionally bestowed as Commander-in-Chief. The alleged involvement of American troops, according to residents who confirmed the presence of whiteskinned men in the area, stirred the interest of the government’s critiques and alluded the matter on the Visiting Forces Agreement between the United States of America (USA) and the Philippines. He even chose to attend the opening of an automobile company’s factory in Laguna over personally giving his salute to the Fallen 44 when their remains were brought to their respective families. Though Aquino made an effort to reconcile with the bereaved relatives by aiding them financially, their plea for justice exceeds than of monetary value. Aside from that, the President’s pride of a developing country and growing economic opportunities settle only at the top niche of the social ladder. Resign-Nation The list of personalities calling for PNoy to step down from his post extends with the accumulation of unsolved concerns within his leadership. Kinsfolks of the Fallen 44, former MILF spokesman Eid Kabalu, retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, as well as Filipino-American activists in San Francisco share the same stand. The National Transformation Council (NTC), with the involvement of former Senator Francisco Tatad, former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, former Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon, Davao Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla and representatives of various religious organizations, aims for reformation. In an assembly last October 2014, the NTC intends to pursue “all necessary and available lawful means” to compel the President to step down at the soonest possible time and to “immediately organize an alternative government, consisting of men and women of integrity and proven worth.” Where can these men and women of such characters be found? Youth-anasia Amidst the mess of Philippine politics lies the imminent heirs of this so-called circus. Youth leaders and student leaders sprout like mushrooms. With members of the academe planning to launch a signature campaign for the resignation of President Aquino, the young is yet again pulled to take a stance. Setting aside the biases of mainstream media and focusing more on personal turf, when is it deemed right for a leader to relinquish his authority and responsibilities? Does it have to be a question of decency or a final audacity to lessen the intensity of the situation? Sources: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2015/02/26/1427792/saf-widow-joins-call-pnoy-resign http://www.rappler.com/nation/82518-milf-fatalities-maguindanao-clash http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/02/26/15/new-and-old-faces-pnoy-resign-call http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/441338/news/nation/professors-students-ready-signature-campaign-calling-for-pnoy-s-resignation http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/02/26/15/fil-am-activists-call-pnoys-resignation

Design by: Renz Marion F. Osa

Common Jargons and Its Hidden Character

NAT’L FEATURE

n this world what remains constant is change, yesterday’s practices evolve because of nature’s inevitable force. Even in today’s youth, the generation is a contrast of the past. Across the nation, young people are now into social media interactions particularly on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. They spend an hour of pleasure in viewing their newsfeeds, tweets and blogs. According to research, 81% of people today particularly teens are now using social media. With this boom in social media, one is confronted with new ideas and facts that lead to the birth of new words or simply jargons. In this ever changing society let us come crossways with the jargons that are used by today’s generation.

Mga Pamati ni Maria Trailala

“Hello Philippines! And hello world! (Wave! Wave!) I’m baaaaack!” Tungod sa akong kagwapa, nalibre jud ko sa akong plite sa jeep, in short namokong, bwahahaha. Nadala rag smile si manong driver. I’m now walking towards the machine og pina-slomo nga gi-swipe akong I.D. Pakk! Nakasulod rjud ko nga wala nayayay akong pus-on. Samtang nagrampa ko sa covered walk, nakasimhot ko’g ngilngig nga baho. Wa-wait… Where is that smell coming from? Or, basin nagleak lang jud ang Illusyonado perfume ni angkol? Which is which? It really needs a truck nga Fuzo Negro ang brand! Anyways, I’ll head to ICT-AVR. Late nako sa among lecture. Inner Musings of Doone Mariano Today is the first day of MUST days and naa daw mi lecture.. It really proves that MUST is a school of quality education. Maulaw sila. Maminaw jud ko para madugangan pod akong stocked knowledge. Chada biya na ang daghan ta’g alam. (grin) Narrator: Pag-abot sa venue, nashakira dala kulba ang gibati sa atong bida kay tungod sa kamingaw, pildi pa ang kamingaw sa LRC 4th floor, maliban nalang sa naglanog nga tingog sa atong third party or shall we call her “The Intruder” nga si Dyanicha Patrisha y Valdemort de Gorzilla. Dyanicha Patrisha: (talking to the “napalaw” nga speaker) Sir, we sincerely apologize for the… Doone Mariano: (shock nga nadisappoint) Ha? I never thought nga possible diay nga walay mag attend sa lecture? Oh… I thought MUSTeans are mature enough to choose something productive over worldly pleasures. Maypa’g magtan-aw nlang ko’g event sa gym. (Ug sa gym nahitabo ang gitagna sa kapalaran nga pagtago sa atong bida.) Narrator: Samtang nagbaklay pasulod sa gym, nakuha ang attention sa atung bida nga laki sa usa ka matam-is nga tingog nga nakapatindog sa iyang balahibo, atay, lungs ug tanang pwede maapektohan. Mga Pamati ni Maria Trailala Maria Trailala: Why oh why do I feel this way? When I’m with you I feel so alaaaaaaaaaaaaaayb. Doone Mariano: Alive oy. Alayb ka diha. Maria Trailala: (nakurat) Uy! Meygash! Gapangkurat man ka uy. Ikaw man diay na. And, ikaw bitaw, mangorrection pa jud, ingna nlang jud nga namesmerize ka sa akong beautiful and sweet voice. (pacute) Haha. Doone Mariano: Dah, ambot nimo. Ali ta, tan-aw ta unsa tung gubot didto. (Dala bira sa kamot ni Maria) Narrator: Samtang pasekreto nga dumadamoves si Doone sa paghawid kang Maria, nakita nasad nila ang The Intruder nga si Dyanicha Patrisha. Ug puslan man nga naa na sya, naki’checka na ang atung mga bida. Dyanicha Patrisha: Nah, mga ter na DQ man daw tung si Idol nga nakaglasses kay wala daw syay ID. Doone Mariano: Diay? Is that a ground for disqualification? Mura’g shallow raman kaayo kay obvious naman kaayo students man jud na ang nangapil diha. Dyanicha Patrisha: Haha. Mao jud. Ambot nila oy, sayang nuon kaayo sya, chances of winning no more! Siguro mga insecure ang nagreklamo (kikay mode) Narrator: Samtang naglitanya sa pagcheka ang duha, wala nakabantay si Doone nga niadto nag laing dapit si Maria. Look here, look there ang show sa atung nabalaka nga bida. Ug sa dihang nakita niya si Maria tapad naglingkod sa usa ka laki nga sikat (daw) nga hitsuraan (daw) nga… Dili nalang magtell ang narrator kay basin ipa-shoot-to-kill ni Doone. Siya ang second Intruder nga si Alejandro Gwapito de KaMacho. Doone Mariano: Maria, naa raman lagi ka. Grabe nawala rman ka’g kalit lagi ? Maria Trailala: Nilakaw nlang ko oy, kay busy man mu ni Dyanicha. Kamu nlang uban kaw, kay murag daghan man mo ma’istoryahan. Sge. (mahay mode) Doone Mariano: Dili Maria oy. Basin ikaw nuon mas ganahan makigtapad ana ni Alejandro. (Selos gamay. Tago dako.) Maria Trailala: Ha? Excuse me. I’m famous already no. No need nako makipag’selfie sa iya just to increase my nilibo nga fans. Hmmm. (Flip dayun ang hair with all the confidence) Doone Mariano: Let’s not argue nlang, okay? This won’t lead to anything better between us. Ali, mag’shirogi nlang ta kay gutom. (dala bitad lay Maria) Narrator: Nabilin nga nag inusara si Alejandro while nag HHWW na ang duha ka bida. Ug nabantayan na ninyo nga aduna na gyuy spark between sa atung mga bida nga umaartista. Nahuman ang MUST days, nga busog sila dili lamang sa Shirogi, apan apil na sa- You know na. Nagngisi naka. Haha. 14

After sa MUST Days, back to reality nasad ang atong mga bida. Bilar2x nasad ang peg kay finals na ug lisod na mabagsak. When destiny works its power, nagkita napud si Maria og Doone sa mainit ug maigang nga cafeteria. Aron mapansin, gikuhit ni Doone si Maria sa iyang kiliran with matching pakurat nga panawag sa iyang pangalan. Doone Mariano: Huy Maria! Nag-unsa man ka diha? Mag-antos gyud ka’g linya diri? Mag Lawesbra ta ta? Maria Trailala: (Nakurat gyud to the Nth level) Diyos ko nimo dong! Generbiyos ko sa imong gebuhat. Bawal ang singit diri ha. Paglinya og tarong. Kapoy man mugawas sa school oi. Init og abog kaayo. Sa kataas sa akong heels, imo kung iparampa? Doone Mariano: (Nahilaw) Cge.. Hulatan nlang tika mahuman og linya. Nagbalon man sad ko. Papalit nlang kog Royalee nga Mismo og bola2x beh. Maria Trailala: Manugo pa gyud oy. Ambi imong kwarta be! (Mug-ot ang nawong) Narrator: Paghuman og linya ni Maria. At last! Mabahugan na gyud ni Doone ang gakutoy niya nga tiyan.Pero wala siya kabalo nga times two ang kagutom ni Maria. Doone Mariano: (Disgusted while gatan-aw kay Maria nga ge-ninja move pag atake ang iyang lunch) Hinay2x lang, mahina ang kalaban. Niay softdrinks oh, matuk-an unya ka. Maria Trailala: (Kebs sa gipangsulti ni Doone) Humana ka’g kaon? Ako nana imong kan-on be! (Dala punit sa nabilin na rice sa balonan ni Doone) Narrator: Paghuman og kaon ni Maria, agad2x nag-update siya sa iyang status sa FB or Twitter. Og sa dihang nalisang siya sa iyang nasinati. 30 ra kabuok naglike sa iyang selfie ganiha. Ang uban MUSTeans kay nabusy sa isa ka post sa MUST page. Maria Trailala: (While galingkod lingkod sa cafet paghuman nila og lunch ni Doone) What’s happening in FB? Kinsa’y salarin nga nagamay akong mga likers? Wait, hu’s dis pokemon? Kinsa maning Bb. Virginia? Doone Mariano: (Geinterrupt ang moment ni Maria while gascroll sa mga feeds sa FB gamit iyang Galaxy S18) Wala paka kabalo sa latest issue sa MUST page? God, where were you? (Pinabundak ang tingog). Ing ani daw ang nahitabo. Kuan daw. Si Ms. kuan bah. Gemalditahan si kuan. Maria Trailala: Unsa man gyud bess? Kinsa manang kuan? Doone Mariano: Kuwan man daw to. Naay warla ang press og ang highest governing student organization. Gepagtanggol man daw ni Bb. Virginia ang campus press ug nag minaldeta ang Bb. Virginia mahitungod sa ubang mga childish issues among sa students. MUSTeans nga naman. Maria Trailala: Ahhhh! K dot fine. Wala koy paki sa ila. Daghan pa kog fans nga dapat atimanon. Ali, selfie ta bi? (Ug gibira si Doone sa iyang tapad, daw nag’selfie) Doone Mariano: (Namula) As usual, wala man gyud kay pakialam sa world. All you care about is yourself and your selfies. Kung dili lang gyud tika lo… Maria Trailala: Unsa toh? Murag dili klaro. Talk to me! (Kumikeat) Doone Mariano: Ahhh. (Nagblush) Wala man. (Now playing: Afraid for Love to Fade by Christian Baustista) Narrator: Hantud karon, mga chui, in denial pa japun ang atong bida nga si Doone sa iyang feelings (char. Walter O’brien ang peg o Sherlock Holmes?). May pa si Maria kay dumadamoves. Og sa panahon sa election, nakurat si Doone Mariano. The Inner Musing of Doone Mariano May pa’g nidagan ko bai. Kung kabalo pa lang ko nga karun ang election diri sa MUST, nakafile unta kog candidacy og sayo. Tsk. Asa naman ang mga bulletin all over the campus? But, anyways, I do hope nga tarong ang mga managan karun nga election. I hope they will take their position to their heads, unlike others there nga mura nag si kinsa kung makaasta. (Sigh) Taysa, Lord! Si Maria na? Nganong lonely kaayo siya diha sa bench? Doone Mariano: Aherm. Maria (nagtunol og panyo) Maria Trailala: (natingala) Ha? Para asa naman pod ni Doone? Wala man ko gisunggo karun. Doone Mariano: Aw, hehe. Kanang, abi man jud nako nga naghilak ka. Why so lonely? Diba sge raman kag smile? Smile balik uy, nawala lagi ang sunshine ah. (Bumabanat si maninoy) Maria Trailala: Gabalak pa jud oy. Ali, tapad ta. Kuan, na’bother lang ko ba kay... Kaila man kang Alejandro no? Nidagan siya sa election, unya na DQ man diay. Tsk, siya raba unta akong bet. Ngano kaha no? Doone Mariano: (Nahilaw) Aw. Ah. Basin naa pod reason. Okay rana uy, okay man pod tu ang isa nga nidagan. Siya gali akong I’vote na. Narrator: Sa nadunggan ni Doone Mariano nga suportado sa iyang bet nga si Maria si Alejandro Gwapito de KaMacho, nakabati siya ug gamay nga tusok sa iyang dughan. Mao na ba ni ang ginatawag nga heartache? Unsa ang buhaton ni Doone, ug unsa gyud kaha ang pagbati ni Maria alang kang Alejandro?

Atangi sa sunod nga sugilanon sa kinabuhi ni Maria Trailala, Doone Mariano kauban si Alejandro Gwapito ug Dyanicha Patrisha dri lang sa ‘‘A Beautiful Affair in MUST.’’ Uiee. Excited cya. ble!

OPINION

NOINIPO

Ordo Ab Chao Earl John L. Cabigon

fter the New Year’s celebration in the Philippines, the next big thing everyone was looking forward to was the pastoral and state visit of Jorge Mario Bergoglio also known to the public as Pope Francis. The much anticipated Papal Visit thrilled the nation as several preparations were undertaken. The extensive groundwork done by both the government and the Catholic Church made the visit a success. Also, while the Holy Father was in our backyard, cooperation of the masses was evident as those who attended the pope’s talks were surprisingly controllable. Is this some sort of a miracle? Or is it just another passing trend?

Design by: Renz Marion F. Osa

On The Same Page Throughout history, the relationship of the Church and the government has been shaky. The two independent institutions are often seen clashing heads on issues involving morality. Considering that the Papal Visit is a pastoral and stately one, both parties had no choice, but to cohere this time around. Behind the façade of their press releases, they have no mission other than to make a good impression to the Vicar of Christ and the head of state of Vatican – even if it means taking a handful of informal settlers to a million’s worth vacation. It is not a bad idea though – taking the less fortunate people to a decent outing; however, the timing and the inconsistencies of the government’s reason were upsetting. Instead of plainly saying the main reason, they said a lot of limbo such as, “a normal practice for the government’s 4Ps beneficiaries” in an effort to hide the obvious. After all, they did themselves a great favor and made a number of individuals happy which happened to be a part of the “Mercy and Compassion” message of the pope. Welcoming the Shepherd of the Billion Lost Souls Red carpet, marching band, a loud crowd enticers, thousands of hands raising their tablets, digital cameras, and cellular phones, these were identical to the 1995 World Youth Day where Blessed Pope John Paul II visited the country. Like Jesus on Palm Sunday, Pope Francis strolled around the streets of Manila and Leyte, making occasional stops and blessed children on the street. To the faithful, it may be something that they cannot get enough off . The presence of the Holy Father means to the devout Catholics as the presence of Christ because, under Church doctrine, the pope is the Vicar of Christ – meaning God’s substitute, but this does not necessarily qualify him as holy as the Holy Trinity. Bear in mind that much like any other head of state, Vatican is filled with political agenda more than pastoral. These are evident in the history of their establishment. “We are all God’s children, we are all the same.” – the first line of the chorus of the official theme song of the Papal Visit goes. The song’s message is about being one and the same in reaching peace and prosperity by helping each other. Maybe we could say that we saw glimpses of it during the euphoria of seeing the pope, but what exactly happened after it? Apparently things here in our country went back to the way they were. See, it all has got past us now, just another empty promise of unison. Sources: www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/02/05/15/pope-francis-gets-abs-cbns-book-thanks https://ph.news.yahoo.com/what-moved-pope-francis-most-during-his-philippinevisit-012549858.html

Daryl H. Bao

he United States of America (USA) and the Philippines have a long standing relationship that stood through wars and conflicts. It started near the end of the Spanish era when the US acquired the Philippines from the Spaniards to give them territorial presence in the Pacific region, as well as, a profitable land to settle in. After some time, the Filipinos sought freedom from the American constrictors which was eventually given to them. However, we are not really free from their grasp, thus treaties were made to limit foreign power. The Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) is one of these treaties which recently has been signed for the strengthening of the Philippine’s defense capabilities. Again, is it really for our own advancement or for Uncle Sam’s own benefit? EDCA was signed on April 28, 2014 at the Philippine Military Headquarters in Quezon City after two years of preparatory discussions and 8 rounds of negotiations between the two countries. It is an agreement between the Philippines and the US which envisions the advancement of the implementation of Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty. The agreement was first entitled “Increased Rotational Presence Framework Agreement”, and was changed to its present name later on. EDCA features the rotational stay of US troops and temporary storage of their supplies, aircraft, vehicles and vessels in agreed locations without rental or cost. Basically, the US is granted land which they are allowed to operate provided that they confer it with the Philippine government. “With respect to the new Defense Cooperation Agreement that’s been signed, the goal here is wide-ranging. We’ve had decades of alliance with the Philippines, but obviously in the 21st century we have to continue to update that. And the goal for this agreement is to build Philippine capacity, to engage in training, to engage in coordination – not simply to deal with issues of maritime security,” US President Barrack Obama said in a joint press conference during his two-day state visit in the Philippines. Moreover, US may undertake the following types of activities in the territory of the Philippines: security cooperation exercises, joint and combined training activities, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief exercises and such other activities that may be agreed upon by both countries. Several agreements and treaties were signed before the creation of EDCA. The first of such treaties is the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) in 1951. It aimed to reinforce the peace framework in the Pacific region by formally adopting an agreement to defend each other’s territory in the case of external attacks. In accordance with this treaty, the US maintained military bases in the Philippines including Subic Bay Naval Base and Clark Air Base. However, the bases were closed in 1992 because the Philippine Senate rejected a treaty that would extend the rent of the bases occupied by the US troops. MDT, as promising as it sounds, does not necessarily mean that the US would directly come to the country when Philippines’ borders are threatened. The preamble to the EDCA refers to the obligations of the Philippines and the US, under both the Charter of the United Nations and the MDT, to settle international disputes by peaceful means, not to endanger international peace and security, and to refrain from the threat or use of force “in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the UN.” The West Philippine Sea is said to conceal 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 11 billion barrels worth of oil according to a United States Energy Information Administration report. For this very reason, several countries are attracted to this territory including the Republic of China and several other Asian countries. Given this, why would a first world country be interested in defending Philippine shores when in fact it is a thousand miles away from their country? There is certainly more to the agreement than making the Philippines a mere stockpile of their weapons of war. The US, as history could regale, has constantly siphoned Philippine resources for their own profit. Their sinister acts of theft towards our Inang Bayan has been a well-kept secret of their Filipino puppet officials all covered in mysterious wrappers called “agreements and treaties.” With the implementation of EDCA, the Philippines may just end up the way it has been treated before, a meager storage of weapons and an ignorant supplier to the US.

Sources: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/597859/what-is-the-enhanced-defense-cooperation-agreement-and-what-does-it-mean-for-ph dfa.gov.ph http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/77823-edca-west-philippine-sea-america

Yellen Dianara C. Bacolod and Anna Kristine B. Obina

ho cleans the mess students leave in sheds? Who prepares the classrooms for class? Who sweeps the scattered dry leaves in the university grounds? Who sanitizes the stinky comfort rooms? Who picks up garbage bin where women place their sanitary pads? Who brings the image of the university back as it used to after a devastating typhoon hits its premises and after every different events and festivals? Who, in a broader definition, are the janitors and janitresses we always see in their all-time-cleaning-ready attire, carrying in their hands nothing, but cleaning materials? Mr. and Mrs. Clean The school janitors play a very vital role in maintaining the order and cleanliness in the entire school community. Indeed, their job is considered noble for they work wholeheartedly to serve and provide the faculty and students the comfort they need to work harmoniously. Mr and Mrs. Clean pick up trash, cut grasses, vacuum carpets, mop floor and sanitize comfort rooms. These are how the school janitors work in order to keep the school environment clean. Moreover, if you are a student who goes to school very early in the morning, you would see many of these hardworking janitors who are busy doing their respective tasks for the students to sit and savour a conducive learning environment. Obviously, the school janitors’ passion toward their work had conveyed the essence of heroism for they serve the people by extending themselves through extraordinary ways. The janitors emblemize the vital aspects of loving a profession by making it a lifelong vocation, definitely, the fervor care toward firm progress and development of the school. Their unending service marks the nobility of their hard work to serve the school with passion and commitment. The Noble Job The absence of the utility staff in this university would be so much noticeable and felt. Ironically, their presence does not claim much of attention. Imagining the university without these people could be devastating - the dirty streets, the stinky comfort rooms, the messy sheds, insufficient learning environment and the entire university unworthy of its name. Imagining the mess the festivities such as the Intramurals, the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) and MUST Days left, to name a few, no one would volunteer to render eight straight hours of cleaning somebody else’s mess, but them. Their daily routine is beneficial to every student and staff as they make the environment conducive for learning and work. The university may have a lot of professional employees, but they could hardly imitate and play the roles and duties of the utility staffs. Calling this institution a national university soon, as it claims, would demand credit to the mostly unnoticed yet relevant and dedicated employees.

Design by: Renz Marion F. Osa

The Natural Powers According to Nilo Mabalan on his one year and 8 months of janitorial service said that, “ang among trabaho lisod usahay pero gusto man namo ang among ginabuhat busa okay ra.” His unselfish dedication toward his work really proved that loving a job is not based on the salary, but on the fulfilment of the work. Nonetheless, the salary of the utility staff in the university is php 322.00 per day. Moreover, the school janitors are requesting the students to observe cleanliness before leaving the classroom. “Kung magstambay, palihog ayaw pagsinagbot,” Bidal said. The university janitors also need the support from the administration because they do not have sufficient resting house for every cluster which is especially needed during rainy season.The unavailability of resting house had caused them to stay together on the study shed in which students are also utilizing. Because of this, they interact with the students and share their inspiring stories to motivate them. Their needs are not difficult to provide for their work is already worth the price. Indeed, their natural powers have created a great impact to the school, they do not just clean, but they also inspire. Their league is significant for they save the messy environment and the needs of students with their full might and natural powers. Who says that heroes are those who wear unique costume and possess supernatural powers? The real heroes are different. They are the one who holds mops and broomsticks, instead of swords. These heroes deserve to be honoured. Oftentimes, students have this practice of just calling them “Uncle”, “Auntie”, “Nong”, and “Nang” which is not appropriate after all. They, too, are part of the university faculty and staff. They, in one way or another, also deserve to be called “Sir” and “Ma’am” as sign of acknowledging their importance. This way, they will feel that their sacrifices are all worth it. Precisely, the job description of a person is not a basis on how they will be called, and the identity of an individual cannot be measured though his job. Showing respect to the university heroes is the only thing the students can give back to repay their immeasurable efforts. As the people in this university are preoccupied with different things that everyone considers critical, and are too focused on recognizing the famous people on top as creditworthy of their jobs, may this university and its stakeholders not neglect the true heroes in the rock-bottom that contributes a lot to making this university worthy of its name.

OPINION

NOINIPO

Design by: Renz Marion F. Osa

“

Wildflower

Jan Marie M. Algar

attpad? Failed literary attempts mana!” my professor once said. Not to be haughty or anything, but if you decide to read for entertainment, why chose the unpublished work, or otherwise? Present society fosters technology to its utmost usage. Moreover, society’s fruition to the different advancement brought great contentment to everyone. Everything was designed for that sole purpose in mind: keypads to touch screens; typewriters to printers; computers to laptops; books to eBooks. An electronic book (eBook) is a book-length publication in digital form, consisting of text and/or images that are both readable on computers or other electronic devices; example of this is the trendy Wattpad application. Most people in our generation take a favorable stance on Wattpad. Most of the specified generation’s smart phones contain Wattpad application; even telecommunications network markets Free Wattpad. There are also statistical results regarding the users of the Wattpad application which corroborates the claim about it being the largest community in reference for sharing and discovering stories for those aspiring novelists. However, improper use of English language like grammatical errors, misspelled words, etc. are the reasons why I develop a personal dislike on Wattpad works. Although Wattpad provides a refreshing range of ideas and complicated plot twists, which really entertain us, still it will not erase the fact that Wattpad works are not polished, making its quality dubious. There is something sensible about being qualitywise in every endeavor you want to traverse or the materials chosen for personal consumption. There is also a possibility that whatever mistakes made on the said application can be considered as right. Once the mind accepts what was written, it is hard then to erase that data stored, more if not corrected earlier. This is a crucial aspect to be considered adjudging that most readers are from their early teenage years, which undoubtedly do not have a clear foundation on what is right on the sense perceived. This is a legal consideration in the general public on the age group cited. There are substantial hardbound book that have electronic alternatives, if bringing an actual book is not possible and we had this urging to read, we can easily download an eBook version. We are on the age of technological revolution and the advent of eBooks is made possible. Why not do the above mentioned alternative, instead of involving in an unconventional application? If you are into reading, why not choose more reliable works? Why choose unproofread works? Reading can be very beneficial. But how can it benefit you if the jury on that certain reading paraphernalia is nil? I am sure it will become a liability. Whatever medium you chose to materialize your reading habit, one thing you should remember is to read GOOD books. As the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson go, “… if we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.”

Roshelle Novie L. Cabrido

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people. ” - Franklin D. Roosevelt rees provide two life essentials – food and oxygen. The ecological and environmental value of trees continue to increase as population continue to grow demanding the need for shade and shelter, medicine, food, fuel for cooking and many other uses. Trees deflect sunlight, improve air quality, moderates the climate and preserve wildlife. Hence, the importance of trees is expanding along with today’s modern way of living. However, as people continue to seek for a modernized existence in the world, forests on the other hand are shrinking due to the legal and illegal cutting of trees without replacement only to increase the land available for agriculture. Uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas to pave way for agricultural spaces is one of the most pressing environmental problems until today. Increasing the land available for farming and growing of crops is good, but depleting the trees to plant a hectare of pineapple and wool is not practical as it holds a self-seeking benefit to major companies and landlords. To save the forest and replace all the trees being cut in several parts in Mindanao, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) co-organized “TreeVolution: Greening MindaNOW” together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) all in an effort to hit the Mindanao target for the National Greening Program. TreeVolution happened last September 26, 2014 participated by 122, 168 participants who simultaneously planted 2,294,629 trees at 29 locations across the Philippines. “The most trees planted simultaneously at multiple locations is 2,294,629, achieved by 122,168 participants in an event organized by TreeVolution: Greening MindaNOW (Philippines) at 29 locations across the Philippines on 26 September 2014,” the Guinness World Records stated. According to Guinness World Records, the event included the planting of rubber, cacao, coffee, timber and mahogany trees, as well as a range of fruit trees and other species indigenous to the Philippines. Through the aforementioned initiative, Philippines had set a new Guinness World Record for the most trees simultaneously planted exceeding the previous record of India by more than 300,000 trees. Trees can supply oxygen to around 16 million people daily which is equivalent to 75 percent of the total number of population in Mindanao once these trees will fully mature. The world record achieved by the Mindanaons and the Filipinos in general is a motivating factor to allow programs all over the country that will help in improving the present state of the environment, but this will never be possible if only the minority will do the call. Beyond the World Record is the oneness of the Filipinos to save the trees and the environment as well.

Sources: http://www.gov.ph/2015/02/23/statement-the-minda-chairperson-on-the-guinness-world-record-for-most-trees-planted-simultaneously/ http://www.indexmundi.com/philippines/enviroadrnment_current_issues.html http://chadacdo.com/cdo-events/treevolution-greening-mindanow/ http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/02/24/1427041/treevolution-mindanao-breaks-guinness-record

The Strong Shall Live, The Weak Shall Die Article 3 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution protects its people from abuse. Similarly majority of the doctrines of other sovereign states like the country of France emphasizes the freedom of speech. Understandably, being a journalist sometimes requires putting one’s life at risk for your job. The case of the staff of Charlie Hebdo is no different from the problem of other journalists who are usually under ominous threat. Generally speaking, anyone can wield unjust force. However, perpetrating isolated incidents of aggression is not power. The “reign” of the rogue is extremely short-lived. It only lasts until the community recognizes him as the menace and

E R U TA E F L ’ TA N

N AT ’ L F E AT U R E

n the afternoon of January 7, 2015, two armed men barged into the headquarters of a French magazine Charlie Hebdo. Armed with high caliber weapons, the gunmen wreaked havoc to the headquarters leaving 10 staff and two police officers dead. The gunmen identified themselves as members of Al Qaeda and came to settle a score with the magazine as it released a comic issue mocking the prophet Muhammad whom the Islam extremists claim as blasphemy.

Earl John L. Cabigon

neutralizes him. Power is not simply about the exertion of unjust force. It is about what happens next, after the exertion. Systematically getting away with it—or impunity—is where power truly lies. Press Freedom with a Cost Exactly what is Press Freedom? It is the freedom of communication and expression. Mostly implies its preservation through constitutional or other legal protections. Relatively, the journalists of Charlie Hebdo have attained justice because a few days after the incident, a manhunt operation was conducted by the French authorities and the shooters were captured. However, on a global scale, a huge number of extrajudicial killing cases are still left unsolved. Much more in the Philippines where media injustice is evident; many accounts confront the unrestrained cultivation of impunity. Sealing the Lips of Those Who Care Campus journalists are protected by the Republic Act 7079 known as The Campus Journalism Act of 1991. However, even with the existence of this law, censorship to student publications is done by withholding the publication’s funds and the articles to be published by the school

administration or worst would be shutting down of the student publication and receiving of death threats to killing the members of the campus press. Rachelle Mae Palang, a nursing graduate and student journalist of Velez College in Cebu is an example. She was killed on an alleged “firefight” between the New People’s Army (NPA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Negros Oriental. A well known student leader and activist in the Visayas region, Palang used to be the vice president of the College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Visayas chapter. Until now her case remains unsolved. The news reports that are unjustly silenced usually the kind the public needs to know. Information in its deepest sense is quintessential to the best decisions being made in everyone else’s lives; be it economic or socio-political. This access to reliable and quality information is the cornerstone of democracy and good governance. Sources: http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/01/22/394279/Powers-abusing-CharlieHebdo-incident www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/charlie-hebdo-shooting10-killed-as-shots-fired-at-satirical-magazine-headquarters-according-toreports-9962337.html http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20080929-163569/ Campus-press-bewails-fund-lack-censorship-on-school-papers

Christine Joy C. Baang

Injustice Prevails: Case Unclosed! Desaparecidos (The disappeared) as commonly known are people abducted and presumed murdered by armed services and law enforcements with ties to the government. Abdullah Ala, abducted in the heat summer month of April nearly 12 years ago and five other Muslims seized in almost the same way by armed policemen still have not surfaced up until now leaving their families in grief. Journalists and media ties are also one of the primary targets for heinous crimes involving forced disappearances, tortures and executions. Since murder is considered to have the highest form of censorship, media is the only hope the nation could be informed of how little humanity is left with the politics in the country yet they are silenced and pushed to

the edge if not to take a step backward. Human Inhumanity An estimated quantity of 60,000 to 100,000 children and 400,000 women, all of which are Filipinos, are victims of human trafficking every year, according to a report by International Labor Organization. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are being mistreated and forced into labor along with sexual exploitation in other countries. A Filipina, let us call her ‘M’ who sought protection from Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) received treatment in a hospital disclosed how she was maltreated by his employer. One time when she made a mistake , her employer placed a knife in her genitals and poured Clorox all over her and put crushed chili peppers in her wounds which made her decide to come back in the Philippines. Damsel in Distress “He pushed me onto the bed and nitry ko ug sukol pero kusgan kayo siya nga lalaki and I thought sex was the only way to get out of this room,” Miss ‘A’ said during my interview about her unfortunate case of rape. She completely hid the matter to her family and friends. In fact she was already raped before and to think it could happen twice made her consider suicidal

attempts at that time. Now, she lives with her 3-year old son and decided to move on despite of what had happened. Miss ‘A’ came from an ordinary family residing here in Cagayan de Oro and is currently a student of our University. According to her, she receive no sign of love and care from her mother that is why she became wild seeking for an attention. She goes out to bars partying. This is, according to her, the reason why she was forcibly engaged to premarital sex. Rights to Being Human! Redeeming the right of each person mean justice served, criminals put behind bars and punished for the wrongs they have done to others. Understanding the concept of the beginning of restrictions and end of freedom may aid not only the government but all people to surrender into the realm of peace and order.

Sources: http://www.bulatlat.com/news/3-43/3-43-hr.html http://www.humanrightsphilippines.net/tag/human-rights-violations/ http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/human-rights-violations http://www.hrw.org/world-report/2014/country-chapters/philippines http://www.youthforhumanrights.org/voices-for-human-rights/humanrights-abuses.html

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eople are born free. They breath, they live and they exist in a world where it is impossible not to interact with other several billion more free men. Ironically, these same free creatures are bound by countless rules and laws stripping them of the freedom they were born simply because of exercising liberation the wrong way. Many have forgotten to ask the most thought-provoking question: Where do restraints begin and to where does freedom end?

N AT ’ L F E AT U R E

E R U TA E F L ’ TA N

September 5, 2014 While watching TV with my family, a news flash about “Tanda” Enrile pleading not guilty in the graft and plunder cases hurled at him came up. I remember his exact words: “I have not committed any crime toward the court.” Personally, it feels like a total lie. Enrile together with his secretary, Gigi Reyes, amassed 172.8 million Php in commissions and kickbacks from Napoles and her representatives Ronald John Lim and Raymund De Asis from 2004 until 2010. They are not deceiving the court, but the Filipinos and themselves! September 17, 2014 At the school library, I came across the newspaper stacks where an article on the Daily Inquirer contained an update on detained Sen. Jinggoy’s plea for bail. In yesterday’s court hearing, whistle-blower, Benhur Luy, stood witness and disclosed that two years ago in a party an endorsement letter was signed by the senator for Napoles. The senator denied the accusation and pointed his finger back at Luy claiming that he is “adding more to his tales”. He said that he never remembered ever meeting Luy, much more speak to him. So how could Luy have him signed an endorsement in the first place? Sometimes I wonder if their blaming game would end. Politics is full of stuff like that. October 21, 2014 I can only empathize with Senator Nancy Binay for callously calling on the Blue Ribbon Committee to release the necessary documents needed for the case proceedings. Knowing that it has already been a year since the senator made the request, why take so long? Or is it yet another tactic to prolong the hearings and provide a sweet escape to the ones who are really involved? I can only tell the obvious. October 30, 2014 I heard from my mother while she was preparing dinner that Senate President Franklin Drilon was charged with plunder. Former Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada filed the complaint saying that Drilon’s Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) project funded by his Pork Barrel Fund was overpriced and “an avenue for corruption”. Drilon called the allegation of Mejorada as ridiculous when in fact he is not active with the project bidding. Costing 488 million 22

Php, the design was praised by President Aquino as unique with its sail-like appearance. I looked it up on the internet and found myself amazed with the ICC that could even be in par with the world-renowned Sydney Opera House. Drilon claimed he did not nominate bidders and that the Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Secretary Singson were in-charge of the project’s realization. November 3, 2014 The alternative of sending Luy to jail just like “Tanda”, “Sexy”, and “Pogi” is still an impractical move planned by the Supreme Court (SC). Yes, it’s true that Luy has great participation in mishandling the pork barrel funds, but knowing that he also has big participation in revealing the involvement of many lawmakers makes him an asset of the court. All those years of secretarial work for Napoles have taken their toll. Now, Jinggoy is calling on the court to include Luy in the series of trials. My confidence on Luy has been shaken. November 7, 2014 I was glad to know that the SC was quick to deny the appeal of Jojo Lim, Napoles’ brother, to recall the arrest warrant issued against him regarding his illegal detention of Luy. I really thought it would again take months before the high court could decide what fate they will put on the appeal of Jojo Lim. Since Mr. Lim was also dragged into the graft case against Napoles for his participation in the ghost deliveries of Kevlar helmets to the military, the authority should also keep an eye on him. November 13, 2014 I wonder why Justice Secretary Leila De Lima is taking so long to file a case against Acting Health Secretary, Janette Garin. I think the 300 million Php that she allegedly misused is enough ground to sue her along with other legislators involved in the scam. De Lima is not even sure if an investigation team has already been working on Garin’s case. I’m afraid if no one takes the initiative to look at the possibility of Garin’s involvement, it would be no surprise if she has already flown to the US to avoid the issue. November 18, 2014 For almost 5 months, Senator Jinggoy Estrada who was imprisoned turns out to be living

in a lavish condition at Camp Crame. He has his own bungalow with spacious rooms, each with toilet and bath, single bed with foam mattress, kitchen sink with cabinets, and a ceiling fan. It has been a trend for some prisoners to enjoy special treatment in correctional facilities if they have the money and power. December 2, 2014 President Aquino still believes that his Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) will be given back to him after the verdict of its unconstitutionality. Just this day, he filed another motion for reconsideration to the SC asking the reversal of their decision. I am afraid that if PNoy continues to intimidate the High Court, the latter will finally give in and again, many Filipinos will be dismayed by the notion that only the richest in the land hold the neck of Justice in the Philippines. December 17, 2014 Right after Simbang Gabi while enjoying a hot steaming Puto Bungbong, a girl my age approached and asked me if I could be one with them in their call for the abolishment of the Pork Barrel System in the Philippines. She turned out to be a member of the People’s Initiative Against Pork Barrel (PIAP). Since I am quite grounded about the issue, I signed to support the cause. Annie, when she formally introduced herself, said that if the petition gathers at least 10% of the total registered voters nationwide or approximately 6 million Filipinos, it will support the People’s Initiative Bill which seeks to outlaw all forms of lump sum funds in the national budget. Roughly half a million voters have already affixed their names for the cause. Well, I must admit that she is confident and knows what she’s doing. As we exchanged goodbyes, she assured it won’t be the last time that I will see her because her group will be around until the last day of Simbang Gabi. January 1, 2015 Another 365 days off the calendar and right now, another 364 to cross out. I vividly remember, in my resolution last year, pledging my awareness to the issues of my society and participate for action. I suppose my signing up in the PIAP counts. Though my scholarship from our city congressman was transferred to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), my fight for

January 21, 2015 11-3 in favor of the Ombudsman! The Office of the Ombudsman won over Estrada’s petition to void the charges filed against him. The senator’s argument that the Ombudsman “grievously ignored, trampled upon and violated” his right to defend himself from the allegations against him failed to impress the Supreme Court according to the Court’s spokesperson, Theodore Te. Talk of “grievously ignored, trampled upon and violated”! Shame on his condition! Isn’t it a more rightful description for his countrymen whom he has amassed billions from? February 5, 2015 I have been in steady communication with Annie and I learned from her that Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in his press conference last month, was displeased with the low turnout of signatures in some parishes there because of political interference. That was not because the citizens lack understanding, but because families with children under a politician’s scholarship funding refuse to take part in the signature campaign. From our exchange of texts, I noticed a fierce sense of nationalism in Annie. I hope all Filipinos have that attitude and not remain passive of the cancer-stricken society in the Philippines. February 17, 2015 Birthday parties. It’s more fun in the Philippines. Two photographs of Senator Revilla at the 91st birthday celebration of “Tanda” showed him partying at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital. This was further confirmed by former Finance Undersecretary Milwida Guevara’s column in the Manila Bulletin today where she said she personally saw Revilla in the event. The younger senator, in defense, stated that he was taken that day to the said hospital due to high blood pressure. He said that he was not there to visit Enrile for he does not even know where the latter’s room was. The officials of the Headquarters Support Service (HSS), headed by Chief Superintendent Alberto Supapo, were relieved and even charged with criminal raps after an investigation of their lapse. These shrewd politicians can make really good excuses. Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas even discovered from Dr.

Raymond Santos, the chief of the emergency unit of the PNP General Hospital, that he never saw Revilla in the emergency room that day while he (the Doctor) was there. The same goes to Senator Jinggoy Estrada who complained of headache and asked to be taken to the hospital. Their little excursions there were publicized, but they did not actually go to where they claim to be going. February 18, 2015 A second batch of arrest orders was issued by the Fourth Division of the anti-graft court of Sandiganbayan today. The list included the names of former Benguet Representative Samuel Dangwa, former Cagayan De Oro Representative Constantino Jaraula, and former Agusan Del Sur Representative Rodolfo Plaza to name a few. The list swells rapidly with personalities allegedly involved in the brainchild scam of Janet Napoles. I hope to hear the successful arrest of these people sooner or later. February 26, 2015 Elderly people must be given the attention they are meant to enjoy. However, I feel queasy toward Enrile’s state as a detained elder. Senators urge the present administration to show more kindness to Enrile who was earlier rushed to the Makati Medical Center due to pneumonia. While some senators pray for his fast recovery, Senators Vicente Sotto III and Juan Victor “JV” Ejercito find it best to allow him a house arrest “for humanitarian considerations”. The nerve! Senator Antonio Trillanes; meanwhile, believes that a hospital is still the best place to take care of his fragile health. On the brighter side, former APEC representative Edgar Valdez surrendered to the Ombudsman today. He was recently announced for an arrest warrant and now he’s voluntarily turned himself to the Sherriff ’s office. March 6, 2015 What’s so funny?!!! I could literally and figuratively strangle that Pork… Barrel Queen! How could she even have the guts to giggle, laugh, clap her hands, and make faces during the testimony of whistleblower Merlina Suñas? Suñas was Napoles’ employee who helped transact ghost projects with fake recipients with Enrile. In the hearing, the whistleblower divulged how they came up with all the names of the ghost beneficiaries from telephone directories

and newspapers. She added that her employer ordered them to forge the signatures of those beneficiaries and withdraw millions of senators’ PDAF from the bank accounts of Napolescontrolled Non-government Organizations (NGO). After the hearing, Janet Napoles managed to call Suñas “sinungaling” which according to her lawyer Stephen David was the basis for her laughing in court. Oh, come on! March 20, 2015 Grabe, na jud ning mga Napoles! Now, it’s her daughter Catherine making a scene by asking the Court of Appeals to delay the issuance of her own warrant of arrest because of tax evasion. She is liable to pay 17.887 million Php basic tax deficiencies for her properties in California and Pangasinan for the taxable years 2011 and 2012, respectively. She’s been in the country since September with no record of leaving the country after the date. That is why Secretary De Lima put her on the lookout bulletin at the Bureau of Immigration. She should be arrested at once like her mother who is facing five counts of plunder, 74 counts of graft, and 14 counts of malversation. March 28, 2015 This entry is dedicated to all the graduates. Here are two of them: one who graduated with the presence of his father and the other without. The first of the two is that of Senator Estrada’s. The detained politician was allowed to attend his son’s graduation for reason that “the child may be traumatized” by his father’s absence. The second, on the other hand, is that of Senator Revilla”s. After seeing his fellow detainee allowed, Revilla then pleaded the Sandiganbayan for “compassion and understanding” so he could also be at his daughter’s graduation rites. In the motion filed before the Court, he disclosed how proud he is of her daughter who will be receiving three awards and how he wanted to share that “momentous” occasion with her. The Court, however, did not give way to his plea stating that it would be mockery to the justice system. For all the hardwork, handwork and headwork of graduating class 2015, congratulations and good luck! To all the scholars, like me, may we all have a wonderful journey throughout college. Salig lang! 23

Design by: Jay Juniel R. Murcilla

justice continues.

N AT ’ L F E AT U R E Design by: Jay Juniel R. Murcilla

E R U TA E F L ’ TA N

edia sets the standard that turns an ordinary event in an isolated corner into a hitting paranoia stretching throughout the globe. For a significant reel of time, some of the news that have shaken our minds will remain for quite some time. However, not all news coverage live to see another day in the recesses of memory.

Winning Strikers Only “PUSO” was all it took that made the Philippine National Basketball Team, popularly known as Gilas Pilipinas, to secure a historical feat in the 27th Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) Asia Championship as they finally tamed archrival South Korea in 2013 and ultimately giving the world a good fight in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. Even though the team lost against Senegal’s squad, which stopped them to move to the final rounds, their stint had ended with pride and honor for their home country. For many boxing fans around the world, Manny Pacquiao, is one of the most popular Filipino athlete who had topped the news charts in sports. This was proved by no less than him winning in two boxing bouts in 2014. One was against Timothy Bradley in April 2014 and his most recent fight with Chris Algieri last November. Despite his busy schedule representing his home city, General Santos, in the Philippine congress, being a boxing champion and a TV personality, he was able to join and become playing coach of the KIA basketball team which debuted this season in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) events. In Sochi, Russia where the Olympic Winter games was held, the literal ice cold environment, succumbed to the intensifying heat between competing teams from the different parts of the world. Commenced on February 6 and ended on the 23rd of last year, the Olympic Winter games highlighted one match in figure skating in which a seventeen-year old Filipino figure skater, Michael Martinez, left the crowd in supreme awe with his fluent ice gliding and intricate spin combinations. Though, he did not make it to the championship rounds, he was applauded by the different nationalities around the stadium and the judges commend him for his act. Shifting to a warmer climate in Brazil, the 2014 FIFA World Cup championship for football was held from June 12 to July 13 2014. Only Argentina and Brazil from Latin America and two European countries, The Netherlands and Germany, the championship match winner, got into the top four. The greatest performances on the field were delivered in by James Rodriguez from Colombia who earned the Golden Boot award, Germany’s Manuel Neur with the Golden Glove award and Argentina’s Lionel Messi secured the Golden Ball award. Politicking at Best Senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile were the first lawmakers in the Philippines to have been indicted for plunder by the judiciary for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Act. It is no more news to many that the judgment of the court was still anchored on the issue of the Pork Barrel Scam in which evidences for the mishandling of the tax payers’ money by the three senators were strong. This resulted to Sen. Revilla rallying in the street before giving himself to the authorities, getting ahead of the arrest warrant that was supposed to be delivered to him on that day. On a lighter tone, the confidence of the Filipinos to the Philippine justice system may have increased by the turn of events. Given his position as the second highest-ranking government official of the Republic of the Philippines, Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay has not escape the controversies regarding his involvement in the issues of an overpriced parking and school building in Makati where he was formerly the city mayor. He was also currently facing a series of Senate hearings, in which he did not attend, probing the legitimacy of his supposed Batangas estate. With those issues keeping Jojo Binay busy with, it was a year packed of surprises for the VP. A fugitive no more, the former Major General Jovito Palparan who was the alleged mastermind in a number of media killings during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was arrested last August 12, 2014. Tagged as “berdugo” with the national media popularizing him, his whereabouts were traced by a single ATM transaction that led to his arrest at his humble hide-out at Sta. Mesa, Manila. One thing that many claimed he employed to be able to dodge the police for three years was his facial hair 24

disguises. War Stars and other Unfortunate Events Aside from the glamour and other positive turn outs, 2014 had also been a year equally inundated by the recurring and new unfortunate events. These include the news about the hospitalization of TV host and actor Vhong Navarro after he was allegedly beaten by a Ar-gie A. Longganay group of another showbiz personality, Deniece Cornejo and businessman, Cedric Lee. Footages of the incident went out and became a defining tool to the proceedings of the case. And like most anticipated TV programs, the entertainment that it gives to the viewers went beyond TV and social media and for them, the ongoing case has much more to be awaited for. Boarding 239 passengers hours after it took off from land, the mysterious disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 on March 8, 2014 was also a shocking incident. After a year of searching, the probing teams of almost 26 countries are not yet capable of giving an exact location to the crashing site of the plane. Conflict of ideals between and within states is almost an indispensible trait of international affairs. One of which is the IsraeliPalestinian land dispute over the West Bank and Gaza Strip. What makes it one of the most read and heard news of 2014 was the infamous “child sacrifice” of the terrorist group Hamas which was the support given by the group to the Palestinians insurgents. Despite its strict policies and assertive powers, China was not able to prevent a national revolution in one of its two special administrative regions, Hong Kong, from September 22 to December 11, 2014 in protest against to what most of the protesters considered an unjust and monopolized nomination of political candidates by the government of the main land China. What made the uprising interesting was that most of the protesters were university students. The rallies and class boycotts only ended when police forces insisted on dismantling the city’s main pro-democracy site. Nevertheless, their fight for democratic policies under the Chinese government continues. Another of the same extreme was the jihadist/terrorist group “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” otherwise known as ISIS. Inheriting a striking resemblance to the terrorism crafts of its former boss, al-Qaeda, ISIS wreaked havoc to different parts of the world- from public beheadings to the destroying of national artifacts. Recently, they reported to have abducted 150 Christians and paraded them in cages February this year. *** Taking a look back at last year’s chart-topping buzz makers, which of them made a big impact on the state of international and national affairs or even in the course of customary and mundane paths? Sources: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/sports/2014/09/05/gilas-pilipinas-writes-history-earns-world-respect-363857 http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/366541/news/nation/sen-bong-revilla-surrenders-to-sandiganbayan-files-motion-for-bail http://www.rappler.com/nation/63651-court-suspends-jinggoy-estrada http://www.rappler.com/nation/59826-enrile-jpe-jinggoy-charged-plunder-pdaf-scam http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/06/14/plunder-cases-vs-enrile-jinggoy-bong-filed http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/354958/news/nation/ombudsman-to-file-plunder-charges-vs-enrile-revilla-estrada-overpork-scam http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/373395/news/metromanila/vhong-navarro-won-t-settle-cases-vs-deniece-cedric-lawyer http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/59296-vhong-navarro-not-open-settlement-dismissal-rape-c http://www.pep.ph/news/43223/nbi-denies-cedric-lee-and-zimmer-raz39s-claim-that-they-vountarily-surrendered/1/2#focus http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-11103745 http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/20/israel-palestine-conflict-religious-war

ELYTSEFIL

LIFESTYLE

lot of things are inherent in life; change, birth, death, aging, illness, accidents, calamities, and losses of all kinds- but these events don’t have to be the cause of ongoing suffering. Yes, these events cause grief and sadness, but grief and sadness pass, like everything else, and are replaced with other experiences. The ego, however, clings to negative thoughts and feelings and, as a result, magnifies, intensifies, and sustains those emotions while the ego overlooks the subtle feelings of joy, gratitude, excitement, adventure, love, and peace that come from Essence. If we dwell on these positive states as much as we generally dwell on our negative thoughts and painful emotions, our lives would be transformed.” - Gina Lake A positive person anticipates happiness, health and success, and believes he can overcome any obstacle and difficulty. Many tend to ignore this and think of it as nonsense, a sort of superstitious belief, but there is a growing number of people, who accept positive thinking as a fact and believe in its effectiveness.

When a person thinks positively, all of the things he will be doing will reflect to what he thinks about. It even affects his attitude and lifestyle. The more he gives importance to optimism the more positivity he attracts. Optimism is the tendency to believe, expect or hope that things will turn out well. Even if something bad happens, like loss of a job, an optimist sees the silver warning. Take for example is the story of Adam. He is comfortable in his twelve-year job. In a company that is good with the pay that is decent Adam was not very ambitious. In fact, Adam had decided that he would retire in his job, taking whatever promotions that came his way naturally. One day, the unexpected happened. His job was outsourced to some Asian country. Adam was stunned. He was totally unprepared for this situation. There followed a period of depression and later, blame game. However, Adam had the good sense of seeing through the situation. He realized that he does not have control over the situation, but

he can control his reaction. He did have some savings to fall back upon. He immediately enrolled in an adult education course in his field of expertise so as to gain additional qualification. Simultaneously, he accepted a lower paying job to keep himself occupied. After gaining his new qualification, a confident Adam was ready for a new job and that was what he got because of his changed frame of mind. With a positive attitude, we experience pleasant and happy feelings. It motivates us to think positively towards others and to every situation we encounter. This brings brightness, energy, and happiness to our lives that broadcasts our whole being with good will and success. Thus, protons can definitely attract protons.

“There are so many aspects of the virus that are still unknown,” said Berhe Tekola of Saudi Arabia’s Food and Agriculture Organization in a report. As of now, vaccine for cure of MERS is not yet available. For the record, there are already 356 deaths from MERS patients since 2012 according to World Health Organization (WHO) and the most recent death reported at Saudi Arabia are aged 91, 89, 60 and 45 years old who are all foreigners. Advanced studies are being conducted to learn more about the MERS mysteries.

after passing tests. Acting H e a l t h Secretary Janette Garin stated, “With her recovery, the Philippines no longer have an active case of MERSCoV.”

Sources:

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/positive-thinking http://www.successconsciousness.com/positive_attitude.htm

SCITECH

Christine Joy C. Baang

ickness comes in our lives often with petty colds and several non-lethal diseases. It is not every day that we get cases as bad as contracting a disease the other day and then the next couple of days it gets terminal and then you die. We get news from the television where we are suddenly faced by some unknown and just-named illnesses caused by a deadly virus with no vaccine yet and you hear preventions along with cautions of it. Lately, we are faced before the horrors of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) where a condition reported to have been contracted by Filipinos through travelassociated cases. MERS-CoV MYSTERIES Known to have originated in the Arabian Peninsula in 2012, MERS is actually believed to have come from a camel. Crown-like coronavirus (CoV) that is capable to infect humans rise to six identified classifications, the 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Considered as a relative family of MERS, coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), had caused medical and health upheaval 12 years ago same as MERS today. People with MERS-CoV show symptoms of fever, cough and gastro-intestinal illness.

WARNING: VIRUS HAS BEEN DETECTED! A Filipina nurse who contracted the disease from the Middle East arrived in the Philippines last February 1. It was on 12th of February when it was formally confirmed that she is MERS-CoV positive. Onboard Saudi Airlines Flight 860, the woman at that time did not display the symptoms but developed MERS afterwards. All 225 passengers she was with in the flight were traced for testing of MERS-CoV especially those of whom she was closely in contact with. She was confined at the care of Muntinlupa City’s Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. Fortunately, her husband was already cleared of the said disease. After her quarantine, she regained her health and now discharged from the hospital

FORTRESS OF SAFETY Given the active existence of MERS in the Middle East and in other countries, let us help pray for their safety and protection. Many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are in the Middle East regions working and they may be in danger of the spreading MERS. It is much of a relief though to know that the Philippines is MERS-free, but in the outside domains, everyone is cautious and left with unsure safety from a life-threatening illness. Again for the nth time, “Prevention is better than cure.” Sources: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/ www.who.int/csr/disease/coronavirus_infections/en/ www.cidrap.umn.edu/news.../saudi-mers-deaths-reach-400-cases-surge www.gmanetwork.com › GMA News Online › News › Nation http://globalnation.inquirer.net/118603/filipina-nurse-from-saudi-arabia-is-phs-first-merscov-case-doh/ http://www.rappler.com/nation/55945-philippines-mers-free-enrique-ona

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HCETICS

Luzsyl Niña I. Echano

Licensure Examination for Electronics Engineers Examination Date: September 28-29, 2014 National Passing Rate: 35,24% MUST Passing Rate: 43.24%

Licensure Examination for Teachers BSED- Mathemetics Examination Date: National Passing Rate: 34.40% MUST Passing Rate: 85.00% 1. Rafe John M. Apuya 2. Stephany B. Bartiana 3. Annie Cabilao 4. Al T. Colarte 5. Jennylyn G. Dalman 6. Ranell C. Fernandez 7. Marjury R. Gallardo 8. Mary Grace P. Gerarman 9. Angelyn T. Golosino 10. Diza M. Hallazgo 11. Emilou A. Handayan 12. Ellson A. Juntilla 13. Edson Mae S. Lazon 14. Stephen Edd T. Navarro 15. Sherwin D. Oranio 16. Keno D. Solis 17. Jeannie M. Tagocon

1. Engr. Phoebe F. Apalle 2. Engr. Sheila Mae Arbuiz 3. Engr. Isidro R. Baang Jr. 4. Engr. John Jeremy E. Borres 5. Engr. Harrel June C. Ceniza 6. Engr. Frances Mi Dawn T. Gabot 7. Engr. Herald G. Labial 8. Engr. Bon Juvan A. Loquellano 9. Engr. June Birth Y. Magoncia 10. Engr. Jed L. Moldez 11. Engr. Kennon Montalba 12. Engr. Wilmart Victor B. Namoc 13. Engr. Ferdinand M. Salazar 14. Engr. Ricky G. Tagalog 15. Engr. Charmaine G. Rafols 16. Engr. Rodolfo L. Vento Jr. 17. Engr. Cassandra Marie M. Zacal

Licensure Examination for Certified Plant Mechanics Examination Date: October 2014 National Passing Rate: 54.24% MUST Passing Rate: 52.38% 1. Jay Miguel M. Alacha 2. Armando D. Alvarez 3. John Ernest R. Banac 4.Jeoffrey Niño A. Ellevera 5. Mark Vincent S. Estillore 6.Clark M. Genita 7. Isagani B. Langot 8. Isagani L. Lumonsod 9. Eddie R. Ognir Jr. 10. Kevin A. Santos 11. Ivy V. Valenzuela

Licensure Examination for Mechanical Engineers Examination Date: October 7-8, 2014 National Passing Rate: MUST Passing Rate: 93.33% 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Engr. Engr. Engr. Engr. Engr. Engr. Engr.

Erwin Z. Amoy Jervin Bong B. Canoy Ronald S. de la Victoria Hero Franco E. del Rosario Hector Kim B. Espadilla Harold B. Jumawid Jaylord N. Lumpayao

8. Engr. Brian Adam P. Mabanta 9. Engr. Jardin C. Macaslang 10. Engr. James E. Napiñas Jr. 11. Engr. Noel M. Romy 12. Engr. Marvin V. Rosales 13. Engr. Andy D. Sabunod 14. Engr. John Ronald A. Seno

Licensure Examination for Electrical Engineers Examination Date: September 2014 National Passing Rate: 79.91% MUST Passing Rate: 90.91% 1. Engr. Wilbert Rey Abrea 2. Engr. Jay S. Abrogueña 3. Engr. Gee Maverick S. Alojacin 4. Engr. Hermilo A. Apugan 5. Engr. Raymond E. Añasco 6. Engr. Beth Joven H. Babiera 7. Engr. Jerrome Peter E. Baclig 8. Engr. Jeric A. Caasalan 9. Engr. Hansel Vincent L. Caldoza 10. Engr. Jamyr M. Carreon 11. Engr. Ike T. Casiño 12. Engr. Leonardo S. Cimacio 13. Engr. Lorenz Jan C. Crujido 14. Engr. Riavianca Cuizon 15. Engr. Czar Johnvic G. Dajis 16. Engr. Lendon Estaño 17. Engr. Fritz Marjun O. Jabines 18. Engr. Patrick R. Jariolne 19. Engr. June Peter Mico T. Ligason 20. Engr. Nhel Marc R. Lolo 21. Engr. Harvejay Y. Lorono 22. Engr Rey Kevin P. Maglunsod 23. Engr. Mark James C. Manong 24. Engr. Nolly B. Morales 25. Engr. Edwin M. Murillo 26. Engr. Joemarh B. Nabong 27. Engr. Dikaiosune Hesed B. Rebuta 28. Engr. Melchor M. Relacion Jr. 29. Engr. Beljohn Lee T. Salceda 30. Engr. Christian James L. Siglos

Licensure Examination for Architecture Examination Date: January 2015 National Passing Rate: 60.71% MUST Passing Rate: 81.82% 1. Arch. Kirby S. Ablanque 2. Arch. Jeeran B. Almendrala 3. Arch. Maria Geda C. Gadian 4. Arch. Bjorn Dan S. Didaagon 5. Arch. Kristianne Marie V. Liscano 6. Arch. Ferdinand G. Macas 7. Arch. Angeleth P. Monsanto 8. Arch. John Paul S. Sarda 9. Arch. Regie Lord T. Soriano

Haluu! :) To all girlush, ekal, butch, yoya! .. Need mi ug Writers and Layout Artists. Yeko lng waz background sa journalism :) If bet ninyu mag artist, pasa lng art portfolio sa amung sanktwaryo der sa SC. Habs na ang application form sa amo enchanted kingdom. Kuha na langga, NOW NA! Door1 , Student Center Gorabels! LAB LAB!

On the article titled “Press Freedom: Padayon nga Pakigbisog Alang sa Matuod nga Demokrasya”, page 22 of The Trailblazer magazine Volume 31 No. 1, the fourth year commemoration date of the Maguindanao Massacre has been erroneously stated as “July 22, 2009” instead of “July 22, 2014”. On the “Newly Hired Instructors” section, page 25 of The Trailblazer magazine Volume 31 No. 1, Cariel Montalban, instructor from the College of Arts and Sciences was mistakenly given the title “Ms” instead of “Mr” Cariel Montalban. We apologize for the inadvertent error.

Leadership Empowerment and Development Seminar (LEADS) December 20-24, 2014 Emeralda Beach Resort, Initao, Misamis Oriental Participants: Orejet T. Guerrero, Yellen Dianara C. Bacolod, Daryl H. Bao Sibya Communicator’s Forum February 28, 2015 SM City Cagayan de Oro Participants: Roshelle Novie L. Cabrido, April Rose T. Cahucom, Renz Marion F. Osa, Orejet T. Guerrero, Ar-gie A. Longganay, Earl John L. Cabigon, Daryl H. Bao, Cris Roger B. Olape, Jay Juniel R. Murcilla, Dr. Maristela Binongo-Sy The Trailblazer Community Outreach Program March 8, 2015 Balay Canossa, Tablon Participants: Roshelle Novie L. Cabrido, Christine Joy C. Baang, Orejet T. Guerrero, Ar-gie A. Longganay, Jan Marie M. Algar, Yellen Dianara C. Bacolod, Daryl H. Bao, Earl John L. Cabigon, Luzsyl Niña I. Echano, Datfel D. Felecia, Jay Juniel R. Murcilla, Anna Kristine B. Obina, Dr. Maristela Binongo-Sy

Dali ra daw magkasakit ang gwapo, bright, ug sweet nga tao. Kajot lang, naglain lage akong ginhawa … #feelingon

Boy2: Wala man, sa answers man ko naglisod

Boy1: Bai naglisod ka sa exam ?

Ang babaeng ‘di makapaghintay madaling maging nanay. Holding hands pa more! unya uyab muh?!

OB -madalas OFFICIAL BUSINESS -minsan OLI BALAY

Walay pulos akung ngalan kay kada labay nakuh sa dalan puro ra ‘REGARDS’ akung madunggan. Sometimes trespassing is not bad, kay ang TRES passing na !

Girl : Ug kinsa ingon nga gusto ko ug laki sama nimo ?

Boy : Wow Maulaw sad ta ! Gwapa kay ka jah. haba ng hair mo abot Cogon xD

Girl : Strict akong parents and I don’t entertain manliligaws.

Connect with us www.facebook.com/thetrailblazerpublication thetrailblazermust.wordpress.com

Fathers of PAMUGAS, salamat po! Mr. MARLON VALLEJOS and Mr. ANACLETO VALLEJOS

A thought to ponder : Abnormal is short term for “ABOVE NORMAL” #beABNORMAL

#K2Bears #81614 #AuroraBorealis #SilentWish

maka beki na daw tanan pagkaon nga naay sagol BEKING powder.

Kung gusto mong gumawa ng makabuluhang bagay, bakit hindi ka na lang magpari ?

Sa Wakas Graduate Na, Kodus Batch 2015!

Boy : Kung mawala ko, di naka kakita ug laki sama nako.

Kung si crush ang naa, lupig pa ang telescope kung mag zoom in ang mata !

– Eat And Run !!

Unsay tawag sa tao nga muhawa’g walay pananghid human kaon ?

#PreMoveLagiDayun

Maypa ang bata kabalo mag sorry, pero kanang amigo nga nakasala na siya pa’y masuko , Anyare ??

#Pamamaalam ng Madam at Direktor

Maypa ang picture, sayon i-throwback. Ang feelings,lisod kaayo.

Unsay bisaya plural form sa rice? – Extra rice.

Dili lage ko gwapo para apas-apason, pero naa koy personality nga mag-lisod ka’g move on

Buti pa ang Roma may Papa

Dear crush, mamansin ka ? o ipa – kidnap tika para ma ako lang ka ?

– kana manang naibug ka niya pero siya layo ra kaayo maibog sa imo. #whogoatpamore

– unsa nang Long Distance Relationship?

Kapag plastic na spoon and fork ang nahulog, plastic din ba ang darating na bisita ?

Use NAIA in a sentence: - Wla imuh NAIA

Porket single pangit agad?! Ngano tanan naay uyab hitsuraan ba diay ? #bitterlhungz

#6YearsAndCounting

Ok ra mabagsak , basta daghan ta ! xD

Pagbutihan nyo trail, salamat MUST!!!