years TOWARDS A PROGRESSIVE CAMPUS PRESS | VOL. LXXXV NO. 02 | WEDNESDAY, 15 AUGUST 2012
BOOTH BUILDING. Carpenters start bulding booths at the Ravello Ball Field as Silliman University’s 111th Founders Week Celebration is fast approaching. The opening of the Hibalag booth area is scheduled on August 21. PHOTO by Alexandra Iso
Elman: ‘Tell us who these guards are’ Students bag gold, bronze in Hong Kong By Susanah Jane L. Lapa THIRD YEAR HIGH school student Anchelle Grace Ho bagged gold in the Grade 7 level category in the 1st Asia International Math Olympiad in Hong Kong. Ho is one of the four Filipinos to win gold in the recently concluded Olympiad. Being unable to participate in the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild (MTG) training in Manila, she studied the materials sent to her by the organization and did a self-review. Over 200 students faced off in this year’s tournament which is considered one of Asia’s major competitive events in mathematics. Despite being just originally considered as an alternate, she won her first gold in the tournament. She won silver when she was in first year from a competition in Singapore and a bronze from China in elementary. Meanwhile, a third grader at the Elementary Department of the School of Basic Education also bagged a bronze medal during the 8th Asia Cup Stars of the Olympic Math Finals held July 26 in Hong Kong. After finishing third in the final round for his category, Jose Marco Antonio contributed to the 57 medals that the Philippine delegation won in the five-country math tournament. Antonio, along with his twin brother Jose Miguel Antonio, underwent the In-House Intensive Training, where the screening of trainees was conducted to choose who was to join the Philippine
Delegation Team. He qualified for the final stage which was the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Training conducted last April 15 to May 15 before qualifying for the competition. The training consisted of classes and exams that covered topics beyond the classroom setting. “[In the summer training] We only got breaks on Sundays for one month [We] trained from 9-5 in the afternoon.” said Antonio. When asked about his keen interest in the subject Antonio answered, “Math allows you to think. It’s challenging and sometimes when you solve problems, you have to think hard.” His twin, Jose Miguel Antonio added: “Everything you do is Math. Like when you pick up two objects, you already do math. Like when you count how many people are there in the office.” The Antonio twins are children of Institutional Advancement Officer Jose Mari Antonio and Jovito R. Salonga Center for Law and Development Director, Atty. Myrish Cadapan-Antonio. “We raised them to just try anything out. Since they were young we would buy them cheap activity books and they easily finished them. They started reading novels at five and completed all kinds of series” said Atty. Myrish Cadapan-Antonio Jose Miguel Antonio, together with Francis Roy Albina, received an Excellent Prize in the same category. Albina and the Antonio twins competed against participants from Singapore, Indonesia, China and Hong Kong.~
ANNOUNCEMENT The Committee on Student Organizations (ComSo) would like to remind everyone of the following events: Torch Parade Hibalag Booth Area Opening Miss Silliman Pre-pageant Cheering Competition Miss Silliman Pageant Night Parada Sillimaniana Founders Week Closing Ceremony
August 21 August 21 August 22 August 23 August 24 August 27 August 29
By Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND Security Office (PASO) chief, Dr. Nichol Elman, challenges students to report names of security guards who selectively check IDs, in order to facilitate an investigation. This was prompted by an alleged incident that took place on Aug. 4 wherein a carpenter had been granted access by a security guard to the booth area without prior clearance from PASO. The guard, Elman revealed, had already been endorsed back to the security agency contracted by the university. As of press time, the said guard has not been back to his assignment on campus. Elman said that it is not his role to dismiss anyone of the guards. Imposing sanctions is within the jurisdiction of the contracted security agency. Even before this incident, students have already observed how guards selectively check the IDs of those entering the campus. “It’s not good that we do a half-baked job,” Darrell Bryan Rosales, sophomore
AB Speech and Theater student said. Rosales is one of many Silliman students who observed the inconsistency of some guards in the campus in terms of checking students’ IDs upon entry. He added that the guards seem to be firm at certain hours of the day. Lorie Jayne Soriano and Christal Faith Javier, sophomores from the College of Mass Communication, said that since the guards are strict in checking them in the morning, they should be consistent throughout the day. “It’s unfair for others who are not allowed to get inside the campus, missing their classes while others have the chance to get in because the guard on duty is not strict,” Soriano said. For PASO’s side, Elman explained that while they are doing their best to ensure the security of the students,
PASO cannot do it alone. He added: “I need assistance here. This is now the proper time for them [students] to tell us who these guards are so we can clean our ranks.” He asks full cooperation of Sillimanians since the issue is of safety within the university premises affects everyone. “Students should know their responsibility. They have to validate their IDs on time if they don’t want to face the consequences,” Elman said. Elman said that guards go through routine orientation daily before they start their shifts. If there is any protest on the guards’ actions, PASO performs an investigation before carrying any action.~
Sillimanian ranks 10th in PT licensure exam; SU places 2nd in Agriculture board exam
By Kriztja Marae G. Labrador and Jairah Sheila Joy F. Hernani LOVELY APRIL CAMELLE A. Dy, a fresh graduate of the Silliman University Institute of Rehabilitative Sciences, placed tenth with 83.20% in the Physical Therapist Licensure Examination given by the Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Manila and Cebu this August 2012. Dy graduated cum laude last March. Out of the ten examinees, Silliman University (SU) produced nine physical therapists, garnering a percentage rate
of 90%. Out of the 884 examinees nationwide, only 469 passed the examination, according to the website of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). SU’s percentage rate is above the national passing average of 53.05%. Dy’s fellow passers are: Julliane Dean G. Alolod; Jerald John D. Demerre; Melissa Anne M. Martin; Zoe Emilea A. Menguito; Val Tyrone N. Omandam; Millecent Hope S. Quinan; Arrabella R. Tantengco; and Marie Febra Claire E. Te. Meanwhile, 49 out of the 112
examinees nationwide passed the Occupational Therapist Licensure Examination, which was also given this month. Another success goes to Silliman University College of Agriculture which ranked second among schools all-over the country with at least 30 examinees at the 2012 Agriculturist Licensure Examination. Twenty graduates who took the examination last July 29 to 31 accumulated a passing rate of 70% greater than the 37.9% national passing rate. continued on page 4
‘A botanist father’s love raised me’ –Poet By Samantha L. Colinco
FOR A 4-YEAR-OLD girl, who lost a mother to breast cancer in the middle of World War II, a father’s love would be more than enough to survive and someday, even excel. Dumaguete-based poet, Myrna Peña-Reyes, former faculty of the Department of English and Literature and coordinator of the National Writers Workshop, was that little girl. Even at age 74, Peña-Reyes said during the Creative Writing Center (CWC) lecture last Aug. 9 that she remains thankful to her father, the late Alfredo Y. Reyes, former SU botany professor, after whom the A.Y. Reyes Zoology and Botany garden at the Center for Tropical Conservation Studies (CENTROP) was named after. “He made it possible for me to be what I am. I do what I do well to acknowledge the love and trust he had for me to honor his memory,” she told 180 students and teachers at the Dioscoro Rabor Lecture Hall (SC 110).
During World War II, Peña-Reyes and her twin sister, Lorna, along with their father and sick mother, fled to the mountains to evade the Japanese. A year later, her mother died, leaving her father to fulfill both mother and father roles. “It was father who stayed and took care of us, protected us and provided for us. It was he who gave us answers when we had questions,” she said. Peña-Reyes is an author of two books of poems, The River Singing Stone (1994) and Almost Home (2004). However, her “very reticent father who could not express his feelings openly” had not always understood her poems. “He would complain to my sister, ‘Unsa man na ang gisulat-sulat ni Myrna? Bisag unsa man lang? Why doesn’t she write like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow who wrote very clear and verbally-inspiring poems?’” Peña-Reyes recalled with a smile. She added that her father was a loner who did not make friends easily and would not really tell his children when he was pleased with something.
“Ours was not a touchy-feely, chummy-chummy, warm kind of relationship. We never said ‘I love you’ to each other,” Peña-Reyes said. To remedy the situation, she wrote more “accessible poems” about him such as “To My Father” and “Homecoming”. Other poems she wrote about him were “Breaking Through” which is about receiving the wedding present her father mailed to the United States, and “Across the Date Line” which she wrote when she found out, while in Oregon, that her father had died. Peña-Reyes added that she had written about her twin sister and her mother but focused more on her father because of his sacrifices for them. “My father was just a special person because he never remarried. Imagine that during the war, he took care of us, his children, all by himself,” she said. An A.B. English graduate of SU, Pena-Reyes is the third lecturer of the Edilberto K. Tiempo and Edith L. Tiempo CWC lecture series named after the two founders of the SU National Writers Workshop. ~
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the weekly sillimanian 15 august 2012
the weekly sillimanian 15 august 2012
OUR business
SOMETIMES, THE HEAVIEST burdens come with the lightest things. The simplest issues amplify complex dilemmas. Ordinary troubles trigger great actions. Sometimes, it’s an ID controversy that points us to the bigger picture: the culture of leniency and safety in our university. The Silliman University Public Assistance and Security Office (PASO) reinforced their security policies for the SY 2012-2013. Last week, a security guard was “shipped back” to his agency because he allowed a carpenter (for the Hibalag booth building) to enter in the university premises without proper identification documents. This incident tells us that after two months of “irregular checking of IDs”, PASO means serious business. Let’s set aside the “Why just now?” question and focus on “What does this say of us?” and “What can we do to improve?” To the students The number of students who waited outside the gates last week implies that the receivers of the reinforcement weren’t ready for the overnight change. Many were not allowed to enter the school premises because they didn’t have their IDs with them. Most of them said that they weren’t informed of the sudden shift from cushion hands to iron fists. However, this paper would like to point out that the person who bears the greatest responsibility for your safety will always be you. If we feed the “ID checking irregularities” with our own indifferences, the people who plan to endanger the safety of the university will succeed. Safety cannot be plotted in retrospect. Think ahead. Sans reinforcement, we should always treat our IDs like your lip balm and motorcycle keys – we must bring them wherever we go. Aristotle once said that we are what we repeatedly do. We should practice following simple instructions while we are still students, so that when we leave the halls of Silliman, we will know how to set rules and which ones to break intelligently. However, this does not say that the students ALONE should be more vigilant now. It takes a good system to follow to make good followers. To PASO the Weekly Sillimanian is one with PASO in strengthening the security system of our university. However, if PASO is really getting the gray areas out of the picture and emphasizing the line between black and white, it needs to do more – more than just checking IDs meticulously. One of the critical points in the campus is the Laguna gate. It is the portal of non-dormitory-but-inside-the-campus-residents. When students return to their boarding houses late at night, they are asked to sign the logbook while the guard checks their IDs. The security guards do not allow students who do not live inside the campus to enter the university late at night, the same way that they do not allow campus residents to go out of the school beyond 10 pm. So what’s wrong with this system? If you want to prevent thieves from doing what they plan to do, you must think like one of them. Some non-campus residents might lie to the guards so that they can enter the campus, the same way that some campus residents might also lie, so that they can get out of the campus. tWS suggests that PASO should get a master list of all dormitory residents and private boarding house residents inside the campus. If PASO is determined not to be “half baked”, the cake should be topped with icing, as well. This suggestion will ensure that whoever the guards are allowing inside and outside the campus are really allowed to do so. The issue on safety is everybody’s business – not just PASO’s, not just the students’, but OUR business. There’s always a room for improvement. We challenge everyone to knock, open and enter that room. ~
By Shadid R. Sidri
I
Here come the ladies
t’s that time of year again. The colleges roll out their streamers and banners to support the women who represent their college. Students run out to cheer their college representatives. Once more, it’s time for Miss Silliman! The most prestigious pageant in Silliman is ready for its 66th installment. This year, twelve lovely ladies set out to embody this year’s theme: “Changing Times: Women as Forerunners of the World”. Join the Weekly Sillimanian as we get to know these women.
editorial
sillimaniansspeak Compiled by John Lee D. Limbaga
“Do you think that points should be given to student organizations in the university, or do they defeat the purpose of volunteerism and service?” “The point system among student organizations is nothing but a catalyst for hypocrisy to set stage.” Ken Marcelle V. Palomar, BS Medical Technology IV "I think they do deserve it, because they put a lot of effort in gaining these points. This is not an easy task for them to handle both academic and co-curricular activities at the same time." Alton Dela Torre, BS Information Technology III "Yes, I do think it defeats the purpose of being a volunteer. However, it also depends on the situation as well because at the end of the day we always ask one thing: ‘What did I get from that activity? Experience? Fame? Or fortune?’" Darrell Bryan Rosales, AB Speech and Theater II “No, because it is not the point system that endangers the aspired ideology of service and volunteerism, but the perception of the student organizations for the activities that they create and facilitate.” Kimberly Mil T. Flores, BS Medical Technology I ** Next issue's question: “PAG-ASA reported that two storms are coming to PH this month. How will you prepare for them?” For your answers, just text the Circulation Manager 09265304941 and indicate your full name (with middle initial), course and year.
Editor-in-chief Maya Angelique B. Jajalla Associate Editor Mariella S. Bustamante News Editor Katrin Anne A. Arcala Features Editor Michiko Je M. Bito-on Business Manager Justin Val R. Virtudazo Senior Writer Samantha L. Colinco News Writers Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia, Kriztja Marae G. Labrador, Paulo M. Lim, Susanah Jane L. Lapa, Jairah Sheila Joy F. Hernani, Roselle Louise L. Publico Feature Writers Roberto Klemente R. Timonera, Julia Andrea C. Abrenica, Shadid R. Sidri, Royanni Miel M. Hontucan Photojournalists Melissa Alexandra B. Pal, Karin Louise Q. Nietes, Alexandra Diane L. Iso Cartoonist Rea Samantha P. Migullas Circulation Manager John Lee D. Limbaga Office Manager Princess Jezrael A. Frondozo Web Manager Federico B. Martinez VII Layout Artist Jae Jireh P. Nejudne
The Weekly Sillimanian is published every week by the students of Silliman University, with editorial and business addresses at 1/F Oriental Hall, Silliman University, Hibbard Avenue, Dumaguete City 6200, Philippines. SU PO Box 24. Telephone number (35) 422-6002 local 243. http://wwww.facebook.com/ towardsaprogressivecampuspress theweeklysillimanian@yahoo.com Opinions expressed in the columns are those of the columnists and not of tWS or of Silliman University. Comments, questions, and suggestions are highly appreciated. All submitted manuscripts become the property of tWS. Manuscripts will be edited for brevity and clarity.
A student tries to get in the campus without his ID. The guard stops him and asks him to proceed to the PASO office and present whatever convenient excuse he could think of. This is all for security purposes. The guard returns to his job, checking IDs and again, reprimanding those who could not comply; while the student walks towards the office bothered about missing his exam. Hurray to the guard for ensuring that the campus is free from outsiders who might disrupt classes and destroy university properties. Hurray to PASO for reinforcing the rule of checking school IDs. However, at the same time as one may kiss the feet of PASO for being firm in implementing safety policies, one may bite it as well for being insufficient. While other students rummage inside their bags before entering the campus, others opt to just give the guard a smile and say “Nabilin boss. (I left it)”. If not, some appear to have a hard time embracing their books and start complaining “nagkalisod ko, di nako
ID, Miss!
makuha sa bag”. Then walk off proud of their grand escape plan. It could be noticed that only the vehicle passes are inspected. Once the red sticker is seen glued to the wind shield, then VOILA! The driver could drive smoothly inside campus – regardless of whatever apparatus he may be bringing with him inside his car – not to mention dangerous weapons, illegal paraphernalia and even an outsider who hitched for a ride to have a tour around the magnificent and beautiful Silliman campus. Right. Beautiful with
In the scale of black and white Katrin Anne Arcala
the packs of empty cigarette packs lying everywhere. Apart from vehicles which may serve as the stock house of many smuggled materials by the students, even big bags could act as cozy and portable carriers of alcohol, cigars and prohibited articles.
These bags have always been overlooked. And the evil which these contents have brought and constantly brings has been, more often than not, winked at. This is not to overdo the already imposed policies within the school. This is only to declare that checking the IDs alone wouldn’t mean the security of the university. Perhaps they have focused so much on this little red card which the students have, to the extent that they forgot the core reason of the act. If PASO were to be strict on the IDs, they better be mindful about vehicles and articles which pass their very eyes as well. If they couldn’t do all these flawlessly, then forget doing even one of them. It would be both impractical and useless. Too elementary. Too immature. To the student who left his ID, be responsible next time. To the student who persists on smuggling, go home and forget about being a Sillimanian. To the guards, learn and enhance your system. Silliman University is also a school for you, after all. ~
Via, Veritas, Vita: Daan sa Katotohanan Una sa tatlong bahagi ng serye para sa Buwan ng Wika
Sinabi sa kanya ni Jesus, “Ako ang daan, at ang katotohanan, at ang buhay: sinoman ay di makaparoroon sa Ama, kundi sa pamamagitan ko.” – Juan 14:6 Kamakailan lamang nang muling buksan ang Villareal Hall (VH) upang malayang madaanan muli ng mga magaaral mula sa iba’t-ibang kolehiyo ang unang palapag ng gusali. Ilang linggo rin itong isinara ng administrasyon ng College of Law sa dahilang nais nilang mapanatili ang katahimikan sa unang palapag. Para sa maraming mag-aaral at mga guro na pumapasok sa main gate patungong Science Complex (SC) at Ausejo Hall (AH), ang iilang metro ng daanan sa VH ay isa sa mga bagay na nagpapagaan sa buhay nila sa unibersidad. Ang pinakamalapit na distansya sa pagitan ng dalawang punto ay isang tuwid na linya. Kung ikaw ay papuntang City Pharma mula sa AH, lalabas ka pa ba ng Katipunan Gate o dadaan ka na lang sa lagusan sa pagitan ng Portal West at ng Hibbard Hall? Ganyan kahalaga ang pagpapasya ng tamang daan patungo sa nais mong pupuntahan. Makatitipid ka ng oras at enerhiya kung pipiliin mong mabuti ang daang tatahakin. Noong nakaraang linggo, ramdam ng mga kababayan natin sa Maynila at iba pang lugar na nasalanta ng baha ang kahalagahan ng mga daanan. Habang ilang araw sinuspinde ang pasok sa mga paaralan at opisina, maraming mga kalakal ang hindi naihatid sa kanilang mga destinasyon. Maraming mga biktima ang
nangailangan ng tulong mula sa mga balsa at helicopter upang makalikas sa kalunoslunos nilang kalagayan. Bahagyang naapektuhan ang ekonomiya at inaasahan na din ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin sa mga apektadong lugar. Maraming makakapagsabi na mahalaga para sa kaunlaran ng isang bayan ang pagpapagawa ng mga daanan. Sa pamamagitan ng mga kalye at lansangan, mas madaling naipararating ang mga produkto mula sa mga taniman papunta sa mga palengke. Mas napagtitibay ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng bawat mamamayan kahit sila ay magkakalayo. Nahihikayat ang mga mamumuhunan mula sa ibang lugar na magtayo ng iba’t-ibang negosyo dahil sa maayus na kalsada.
Malayang Sillimanian Earl Paolo Jaculbe
Ngunit hindi lamang limitado sa pisikal na aspeto ang kahalagahan ng mga daanan. Umaalingawngaw ang pamansag na ginamit ng Pangulong Aquino ng huling eleksyon. Ipinangako niya ang isang tuwid na daan salungat sa baluktot na daan na tinahak ng nakaraang administrasyon. Sa perspektibong pulitikal, ginamit ang konsepto ng daan upang bigyang hugis ang pamamalakad ng mga nakaupo sa pwesto sa gubyerno. Ikinumpara ni P-Noy ang katiwalian ng administrasyong Arroyo sa isang baluktot na daan. Mula sa
paghahambing na ito, ikinampanya niya ang isang tuwid na daan na tatahakin ng Pilipinas kung siya ay mananalo. Higit sa dalawang taon na ang nakalipas mula nang ipinangako ni P-noy ang tuwid na daan. Bagaman mayroon mga pagbabagong naganap sa kalakaran ng gubyerno, marami pa rin sa mga mamamayan ang hindi kuntento at naghahanap sa tuwid na daan. Sa pisikal man o pulitkal na aspeto, likas sa ating mga tao ang paghanap ng tuwid na daanan. Gayundin ang dinaranas ng mga magaaral, guro at kawani ng unibersidad. Mayroong mga daang matuwid at baluktot na dapat pagpilian ang bawat Sillimanian. Kadalasan, ang batayan ng pagpapasya ng bawat isa ay kung saan ang masmadaling tahakin na direksyon. Kung sa pisikal o heograpiko na aspeto, maaaring tama ang batayan na ito. Ngunit maliban dito, ang tuwid na daan ay mahaba at mahirap tahakin. Ang pagunlad ng bayan sa aspetong pulitikal ay hindi makukuha sa dalawa o tatlong taon. Ang pagunlad ng indibidwal sa aspetong espirituwal ay hindi makakamtan sa kahit anong paraan liban sa iisa. Ang tuwid na daan sa kahit anong aspeto ay ang siyang nagpapagaan ng buhay ng bawat isa. Hindi tulad ng pisikal na aspeto kung saan lugar ang nais natin puntahan, ang nais natin makamit sa espirituwal na aspeto ay ang walang hanggan sa piling ng Maykapal. At walang kandidato o pulitko ang makapagbibigay daan dito liban sa katotohanang matatagpuan sa Juan 14:6. ~
twsfeatures 3
Lyle Rose Chua from the College of Engineering and Design is one dedicated girl. She was about to change schools when her college asked her to compete in the pageant but she stuck around to be her college’s representative. A big part of Lyle’s personality is her love for music. Using her own talent in singing, dancing, as well playing guitar and piano, she hopes to help the youth form better values. She advocates the improvement of individuals to make society better.
Being the bubbliest girl in the pageant, Jovy Anne Daigle, represents the College of Computer Sciences. Out-of-school youth and teenage mothers concern her greatly and she aims to help them. As a computer science student, Jovy wants to help the less fortunate children become computer literate. From the College of Nursing is Harlee Jell Tia. She was reluctant at first to join the competition. However, after so many of her batch mates encouraged her, it brought out her inner beauty queen. A humble girl, she says that if she wins, she will not let the title go to her head. Harlee believes that while women are becoming more and more powerful in our society, they are mothers first and foremost; and family should always come first. “It has been my dream since I was in high school to be a part of Miss Silliman,” says Chezka Mae Sygaco from Institute of Clinical and Laboratory Sciences. She immediately joined the pageant which she described as “once i n a lifetime.” An environmentalist, she advocates planting not only lumber trees but also fruit bearing trees for reforestation. In line with her advocacy, she would like to help the outof-school youth plant trees to give them a sense of belonging and purpose in society. In her spare time, Chezka loves read- i n g fiction. She also loves blogging about
her thoughts and dreams. Some contestants might feel pressured when they are compared to former contestants. There might be a little more pressure when one of those former contestants was your sister. Lissa-Patricia Duch from the High School department said that comparisons are unavoidable. “I take it positively and use it as my guiding principle,” she said of the comparisons to her sister, Glenna (Miss Silliman 2009). Lissa turned to her own experiences in choosing her advocacy. A victim of bullying herself, she wants to fight against it and help those who are preyed by bullies. From the School of Medicine is Isabel Alcantara Tabasa. While initially reluctant, she decided to join the pageant when she realized that not all future doctors have the chance to be part of a beauty pageant. A volunteer of Gawad Kalinga herself, she advocates nation building through volunteerism. “While I was digging holes and working on construction, I felt a kind of fulfillment that I never had before,” she said of her volunteer work. Hannah Saycon is no stranger to pageants. Already a winner of the title of Miss Mass
Communication, she has the responsibility of representing her college in the Miss Silliman pageant. Women’s rights are her main concern in our society. Her advocacy, the Magna Carta for Women awareness, pushes for women to have their rights known to all and prevent the violation of these rights. Hannah’s message to women everywhere is to “be bold and stand tall, know who you are, know your rights.” Already in her fourth year, Frances Claire Vintola from the College of Arts and Sciences wanted to try something new. She joined the Miss Silliman pageant so she could have an avenue to express herself. As a psychology student, she feels it’s important to instill values in our youth today. To relax, Frances enjoys playing the guitar since it’s her own little way of expressing her emotions. Hallona Ember Segundina Jiddah from the College of Performing and Visual Arts took the chance to join the pageant when it was presented to her, saying that “it’s an opportunity.” True to her course, Ember advocates the development of children through theater arts. She wants to address the shifting values of children in society through artistic ways. When not busy, she reads and even writes her own theater scripts. To Jyl Rae Ramirez from the
College of Business Administration, joining Miss Silliman is a chance to meet new people. Jyl once interviewed a couple who were both prostitutes who inspired her to come up with the advocacy of women empowerment. As a future teacher, Krystel Mendez from the College of Education is headstrong in her advocacy of being a volunteer faculty in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in Silliman. She explained that this project benefits not only out-of-school youth but adults who have no proper schooling. She is fond of reading and playing the guitar. Coming from the School of Public Affairs and Governance, Mary Ruth Risma joined the pageant to “serve as an inspiration for people who are in the shadows of everyone’s success” and to serve as a source of hope for those who are discriminated for who they are. She calls her advocacy the C. A . N. D. L . E . advocacy which stands for Christian initiatives, academic aid, nurture initiatives, discrimination abolition efforts, life initiatives and environmental action. The grandiose tradition of Miss Silliman continues this year and from what we’ve seen from these girls, this year’s pageant promises to be a great show. With so much at stake, the girls will give it their all to win the title of Miss Silliman 2012! ~ Photos from Miss Silliman Committee
The Campus Knights By Royanni Miel M. Hontucan
T
his year’s Mr. Hibalag candidates are not just pretty faces, they are the chosen few who best represent the theme: “The Paragon of a SilliMANian Retooled”. So, how closely do they personify excellence and uphold the values of a true Sillimanian? The only way to answer this question is to hear it directly from them. Manuel Sayson III - DuScian Sillimanites When asked what he would do if he wins Mr. Hibalag, Manuel answered that he “would be a good example to students.” His advocacy is to fight rare diseases through community awareness. This brainy guy, who attained a QPA of 3.8 last semester, loves hanging out in the library and studying Math and Physics. Manuel’s favorite fictional character is Iron Man because “he is a billionaire, an engineer, has a good sense of humor and created a suit of armor to protect the world.” Godwin Alf Ciriaco – Silliman University Physical Therapy Students Association (SUPTSA) Godwin loves anything to do with art. He advocates art education for children since “art teaches them discipline and creativity.” He likes to customize shoes and headphones in his free time. He defines a SilliMANian by saying that only God is perfect but “we can be excellent examples” despite our imperfections. The fictional character who influenced him greatly is Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah from the movie “Last Holiday”) who taught him how to live life to the fullest every day. Michael John Velasco - Silliman
Junior Business Executives (SJBE) Michael looks at the Mr. Hibalag competition with a good perspective. He said: “I’d rather not be a person whom people look up to. I’d rather be a person who supports others. If they need help or advice, they can always come to me.” He believes that to get ahead in life, society needs good leaders with good foundations. Besides be-
spiration from Batman, The Dark Knight. Lawrence Laurel - Silliman University Medical Student Association (SUMSA) Lance (as his friends fondly call him) wants to change people’s opinion that medical students are apathetic and unattached to university activities. In introducing his advocacy, he quotes Pres. Ben S. Malayang III:
said, explaining his reason for joining the pageant. He believes in empowering the youth of Dumaguete by honing their talents for the progress of the city. He proudly enjoys watching anime, playing video games, reading manga and cosplaying. If he were a fictional character, he said he would be Kamina of “Gurren Laggan” since his manliness is something that both men
PHOTO by Jerick Orlov Hernani
ing in the volleyball varsity team, Michael also plays the drums. He looks up to the fictional character Ash Ketchum (from “Pokemon”) because of his confidence and perseverance. Ken Anthony Danlag – SUGBO Ken wants to show Sillimanians what a true Cebuano is. He promotes the rights of persons with disabilities. He believes that the disabled deserves “care, love and respect.” He loves eating, basketball and taekwondo, and reading history books. He believes that the ideal Sillimanian should “live a life of a Christian”. He gets his in-
“A sound mind lives in a sound body”. He wishes to give students the opportunity to do healthy activities. In his free time, Lance does weightlifting and jogging. His image of a true Sillimanian is a man who “rises to the task, assumes the role, and stands for the right things.” Ivan John Paltingca - Silliman University Manga, Anime and Gaming Enthusiasts (SU MAGE) “If you look around Silliman, you see socially awkward people like geeks and nerds – they don’t have a voice, and I wanted to represent them,” I van
and women can look up to. For Ivan, the paragon of a Sillimanian is being a good Samaritan. Nhel Elwynd Uy - Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) Elwynd’s advocacy is on creating green machines for the environment. As a kid, Elwynd has always enjoyed playing basketball and watching action movies. His favorite fictional character is Batman because of his selflessness. He believes that the paragon of a Sillimanian is someone who is able to participate in everything, even though there are a lot of
activities. Justin Paul Roa - Kadugong BolAnon (KADBOL) Justin shares that being a member of his group is all about “helping each other and pushing to the top”. He promotes interreligious peace saying that “it is necessary to avoid future violence and to cultivate camaraderie despite different religions”. He loves playing sports, singing and studying. He is a fan of Uzumaki Naruto for his determination and love for others. For Justin, winning the title of Mr. Hibalag means “having a good attitude and staying humble”. Bagani Cabrera - Silliman University College of Nursing Association (SUCNA) For Bagani, joining Mr. Hibalag is coming out from his comfort zone. He promotes a healthy lifestyle among people of all ages. He likes running, swimming and weightlifting. His favorite fictional character is Phineas from Phineas and Ferb because he believes he “can make the unimaginable, with the unpredictable.” For Bagani, the paragon of a Sillimanian is someone who embodies “Via, Veritas, Vita.” Keanu Bart Medalla - Medical Technology Society Keanu explains that his reason for being a contestant is to “show the SU community what a true Sillimanian is—with competence, character and faith.” For his advocacy, he wants to stress the importance of hand washing and the vaccination of children. He enjoys spending time with friends and playing computer games. If he were any fictional character, he wishes to be Spiderman since he believes that everyone has capabilities, as well as responsibilities in life. ~
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the weekly sillimanian 15 august 2012
SU obsesses over Miss Silliman and Mr. Hibalag, let’s take a look at some of the weirder pageants out there. Not all of them have to do with the conventional glitter n’ glam:: RANDOMspace: While (Source: Source: http://www.oddee.com/item_96662.aspx) Compiled by: Roberto Klemente R. Timonera
the
The Miss Landmine
pageant in Angola is targeted towards women who lost limbs in landmine explosions. In it, 10 women compete for the title and a prosthetic leg.
Ms. Senior Sweetheart
roundup
Sillimanian ranks... from page 1 The results announced by PRC last August 6 showed that 1,334 out of 3,518 passed the licensure examination given by the Board of Agriculture. The new licensed Silliman University agriculturists are: Amahit, Jan Mark A., Baybay, Dana Mae, Bajenting, Paul Milser D., Bohol, Reyneza G., Cabual, Monshyne D., Carampatana, Jake
Miss Jumbo Queen. Joining
seems you can never be too old for anything--Ms. Senior Sweetheart is a American national pageant for women aged 58 and up. It is held every year in Fall River, Massachusetts.
the Miss Jumbo Queen in Thailand doesn’t mean you need to have a “36-24-26” figure. This pageant awards the title to the girl who best exhibits the qualities of an elephant.
Miss Navajo Nation is strictly for members of the Native American Navajo Nation. Its Tribal skills area involves making contestants do tribal routines such as butchering sheep, and are judged according to their neatness and efficiency.
Goodie the Goldfish E.,Disor, Marjorie B.,Fetalvero, Isel A.,Handumon, Glenbert G., Humabad, Bryan John A., Lapac, Joy Carmelli L., Mamac, Jo Camille, Montejo, Mary Ronville C., Pacionela, Everette D.,Pandac, Jeruel Llyod S.,Remolano, Rochelle Ann E.,Salatan, Mark P.,Tubat, Kenneth A.,Udjaji, Franklin Keith A.,Vidal, Reynaldo Niño L..~
Discuss with Gus Gilbert Augustin Ganir
Gilbert Augustin Ganir is a first year student at the Silliman University College of Law.
Hi, the Weekly Sillimanian! I have this problem concerning me and the class that I belong to. No one has done anything about it yet, but this matter really bothers all of us. We have this teacher who RARELY or never comes to our MWF classes because he’s a lawyer and he’s busy with his cases. Instead, he wants us to come to his class every SATURDAY. (Expletives deleted*) I mean, seriously? He should have set his priorities straight! Does he even want to be our teacher, or to be a lawyer? - Mojo23
Editor’s note: The letters sent for the advice column are edited for brevity and clarity.
Hello, Mojo23! I will try to respond as best as I can in light of the information you had given me. Basically, you said that your teacher, who is also a lawyer, is meeting you on Saturdays instead of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays because he is supposedly busy with his cases. You find this disconcerting because you believe that he has not set his priorities straight. You said: “...does he even want to be our teacher, or to be a lawyer?” implying that he should just stick to one job. I think you may have unconsciously set a false dilemma on your teacher. We live in a country where people are generally given the freedom to work in as many jobs as they need. Because of this, your teacher does not strictly have to be either a teacher or a lawyer. He is allowed to be both. Otherwise, all of my law professors should also be made to choose between teaching and practicing law. I think it was with the reasonable belief that your teacher could carry out both jobs satisfactorily that he was hired in the first place. Of course, it would be reasonable for him to drop one or the other if his performance as either a teacher or a lawyer has been compromised; however, the presumption is that they are capable of doing both. From what I gather--and you may correct me if I am wrong--it seems like you have been meeting on Saturdays since the beginning of the semester, almost more than two months ago. Since you have allowed it to happen for such a period of time, I presume that this arrangement was made with the consent of the class. If you consented to this,
then I think the Saturday arrangement is legitimate, so long as the session is 3-hours long (as required of a 3-unit subject) and you are getting back your money’s worth. When you consented to it, you practically accepted that it is alright to meet on Saturdays instead of the normal schedule. If you and your classmates did not consent to it and you are merely being forced to obey, you may very well report that teacher to the college dean supervising him. If you no longer find the Saturday arrangement acceptable, there is nothing stopping you from asking your teacher to meet on MWF. The only catch is that it would probably leave a bad taste in the mouth though if you revoked your consent two months after agreeing to the arrangement. This is because your teacher would have probably thought that you and your classmates, as young adults, understood well enough what you were agreeing to. It would not be difficult to perceive you as indecisive. There is nothing necessarily wrong with pushing through with your complaint though. As per its policy of catering to students’ needs as much as possible, the university would most likely side with you and your classmates if you demand that you revert to the MWF arrangement. One step you can take is to talk to the teacher’s department chairperson and college dean. You can also try asking for support from the SG Students’ Rights and Welfare Committee or the Dean of Students to see if something can be done.
111k run opens Founders Celebraton By Paulo M. Lim THE 111 KILOMETER Run Relay opened the 111th Founding Anniversary celebration of Silliman University last August 10 to 11. The relay had 19 teams with 8 runners. One runner from each team ran one leg of the race course. The baton was passed to another team member to continue to the next leg until they finish the 111 – kilometre course. The course had eight legs: SU Amphitheatre to Amlan, Amlan back to the Amphitheatre. And then uphill third leg of the race was run from the amphitheatre to Valencia. The fourth leg of the race was run from Valen-
cia all the way down to Dauin while taking the Bacong route. Next stop from Dauin, the fifth and sixth leg, was through the outback of Zamboangita. And then they proceeded to dauin for the seventh leg. And from there, the eighth and final race was back in the amphitheatre, where it was concluded. “It is unique because it has not been done before,” said Event Manager Prof. Irma Faith Pal of the College of Mass Communication. The run started at 6pm and went on without interruptions until 9am the next day. In partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the runners’
safety was assured from every station and checkpoint they came across. The mayors from Amlan, Dumaguete, Zamboanguita and Valencia ordered their area’s police officers to set up outposts to the respective race stops. Event organizers required runners to wear “reflectorized running gear or light-colored shirts”. Headlamps and blinkers were also advised in order to improve the runner’s visibility during the night. Two major organizers are the Metro Dumaguete Runners Club (MDRC) and the Dumaguete Amateur Runners and Striders. The race was directed by Paultom Paras. ~
SG president attends confab in Japan By Roselle Louise L. Publico SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT Government President Marian Vanslembrouck attended the World Youth Meeting (WYM) in Japan from August 1 to 10. Vanslembrouck, a fourth year Nursing student, participated in the WYM in Nagoya Japan together with around 700 university and high school youth leaders from China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Cambodia, Taiwan and the Philippines.
Nihon Fukushi University (NFU) regularly hosts the said meeting. It is headed by Prof. Makoto Kageto, Dean of the Faculty of International Welfare and Development at NFU. WYM provides the opportunity to youth leaders in select universities to collectively discuss with fellow leaders the issues that affect the region and the youth’s role in addressing them. It also functions as a venue for the promotion of intercultural experiences and understanding. Vanslembrouck, whose projects
include environmental protection through proper waste segregation and the use of bicycles around the campus, also served as a resource person on issues that shape Philippine society. Part of the WMU is a homestay program with a host Japanese family. The Education Ministry of Japan and NFU supported the travel of Vanslembrouck.~
Yours, Gus.
BLOCKING THE WALK WAY. Students sitting on the stair case at Ausejo Hall make it difficult for others with classes to pass. PHOTO BY Melissa Pal
MORAL SUPPORT. Banners and tarpaulins are displayed outside the College of Business Administration building to show support to their college team. The question still remains: How will these be recycled? PHOTO BY Melissa Pal
SILLIMAN WEEKLY SURVEY Sillimanians are very fond of eating combo meals and snacks. So we ask:
Q: Do you think that the kiosks around SU are providing quality service to students? SILLIMAN IDOL. 15 hopefuls sing their hearts out during the 1st elimination round of Silliman Idol at Robinsons Place Dumaguete last August 11. PHOTO BY Alexandra Iso
Ten representatives per college served as respondents of this survey. Survey conducted by Julia Andrea Abrenica