The Weekly Sillimanian - October 1, 2012

109 years TOWARDS A PROGRESSIVE CAMPUS PRESS | VOL. LXXXV NO. 08 | MONDAY, 01 OCTOBER 2012

I PLEDGE. Two hundred sixty six newly registered Sillimanian nurses took their oath last Sept. 21 at the SU Church. Hon. Leonila Faire, memeber of the PRC Board of Nursing conducted the said ceremony. PHOTO BY Darrell Bryan Rosales

HRD: Report smoking teachers

by Samantha L. Colinco

Text message: I would like to address my concern regarding an employee, who used to be a dean of a college, who smokes around the campus. The city already has a regulation against smoking and the university has a strong stand against it as well. What do you think should the administration do about this since people can actually see him around campus smoking even in his office?

(P.S. I’d like to take a picture of him but I’m scared since he walks around like a dragon, blowing smoke instead of fire.)

ACCORDING TO ATTY. Fe Marie Tagle, Human Resource Department (HRD) Manager, the university has a standing No Smoking Policy (BOT Action No. 2008-05) that seeks to penalize “employees caught smoking in public spaces and facilities of the Silliman University campus. Public spaces and facilities also include publicly used rooms and toilets.”

She added that anyone, i.e. student or not, who sees an employee of the university smoking inside the campus should immediately report the violation to any authority such as the security guards.

Furthermore, the complainant can ask a statement from a third person who has seen the violation or any other acceptable proof like pictures

taken by the complainant and send them to the offender’s dean or unit head.

The penalties are as follows: first two violations – verbal warning by unit head or HRD; third violation – written reprimand by unit head or HRD; fourth and subsequent violations – suspension to dismissal depending on the gravity of the offense.

Tagle added that students should not be intimidated to report teachers who they catch smoking inside the campus.

“It is the duty of teachers or employees as role models to uphold the rules of the university. They cannot use it against the student if he or she was merely doing it out of (concern). How can they expect compliance from the students when they, the role models themselves, do not comply with the policies?” she added.

Although the department has not received any reports on the violation of the No Smoking Policy so far, Tagle said the HRD is open to any inquiries and complaints on the matter. ~ Editor’s note: This news article is the paper’s response to a text message from an anonymous student, which was received by the tWS Circulation Manager last week.

Music against apathy: Looking at two sides of the coin

by Susanah Jane L. Lapa

THE SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY Student Government’s (SUSG) biggest battle is fought not through words and swords, but with music.

For two administrations now, SUSG has been campaigning for awareness and proactive participation among the youth concerning current events and issues. To promote the advocacy, they organized a set of musical events to draw the students’ attention.

SUSG president Marian Vanslembrouck said: “It was more of a necessity that we came up with the campaign. If you have students who are less apathetic towards the advocacies and causes that you are pushing for, then the chances of that program or activity succeeding are much higher.”

“The campaign against apathy also

includes, actually looking at the problems, needs and services that the students really have, because we believe that apathy is in part because the students are not adequately informed of what goes on around them and secondly is because they feel they have no connection to the activity that you are pushing for.”

Music instructor Prof. Mark Ian Caballes said that the level of youth apathy has worsened and has gone beyond what could be predicted 30 years ago. “[The young generation] is living in a world where everything is noisy that they forget to listen to their inner voice. They have no more time to stop maybe because of the demands of school, the demands of society, the fast-paced life where everything is at the tip of their finger. It’s sad because I know young people who don’t even [take time] to talk to their parents at all,” said Caballes.

“Values in the home is something you carry around with you when you grow up. We have to look back and trace where this being apathetic came from. People always try to adapt and change with time but they forget that there is what we call human spirit. They forget to feed their souls and that is why we lose our humanness. If that is the kind of environment a child grows up in, then that is what naturally happens.”

SUSG finds an ally as Caballes affirms, “Music is very powerful; you can use it in anything.”

Among the activities that endorse the movement is Rock Against Youth Apathy (RAYA), which aims to encourage young people to take an active role in solving the various social ills that plague our nation.

First side: Not all are ‘passionate’ about music On the other hand, some students disagree of the method of the continued on page 4

Mining bill is people’s bill – Solon

by Jairah Sheila Joy F. Hernani

BAYAN MUNA PARTYLIST Representative Teddy A. Casiño discussed the proposed Philippine Mineral Resources Bill last Sept 20 at the Silliman University Church as part of the Peace Week Celebration.

Casiño prefers calling House Bill 4315 as the “People’s Mining Bill”. He said that the bill “affords more rights, control, ownership and jurisdiction to Filipinos employed as miners.”

The forum’s theme was “A Step Towards Ecological Justice and Peace: Making Sense (Or No Sense) of the Existing Mining Laws in the Philippines”. It was part of the Peace Week activities which ran from Sept

16 – 22.

“We focused on mining because right now, there’s a lot of discussion about mining,” Dr. Myra Luz V. Waddington said.

Waddington added that though mining puts a lot of help to every individual, it still damages the earth.

“What we want to focus on this year is how to balance that [mining] in such a way we will not wholly damage nature. But sometimes, the idea behind the conservation is for our own good. We are trying to focus on giving justice to every ecosystem on earth.”

Apart from the forum, “Badminton for Peace” was also held.

Sillimanians, particularly students having their badminton classes,

participated on the said event.

“Badminton is one of the sports that we can use as a means for peace,” Asst. Prof. Manolito Saldivar said.

“We (in badminton) have no umpire, no referee, no line judge, no scorer.

They (players) are all by themselves.

It’s exercising their honesty system, trust system, following the rules of integrity, and respect to their opponents and to the sport.”

The events were in line with the annual International Day of Peace held every Sept 21. The Justice and Peace Center, the Divinity School and the Religious Studies Program organized the series of events under the theme “Peace and Ecological Justice.”~

rights.

“Sex is not a dirty word---but ignorance is,” Santos said.

Santos explained that as a sex columnist, she was troubled by questions about where to get tested for HIV or AIDS. “If we want to change our thoughts about sex, we need to change the way we view it. You should be able to get

information about it, regardless of your age, sexual orientation, race, or social class.”

She reminded students about positive sexuality, which involves “acknowledging that we are sexual beings, and that sex is natural.”

Ana, who grew up in San Fransisco, admitted to being shocked at how Filipinos reacted

Mulat Pinoy. Students from the different universities attended the Mulat Pinoy Forum by the Probe Media Team last Sept. 27 at the Silliman Hall. The forum enlightened the students about sex education, sexual health and the social media. PHOTO BY Alexandra Iso.

Columnist: ‘Sex not a dirty word, ignorance is’

by Mariella S. Bustamante

COSMOPOLITAN COLUMNIST ANA Santos discussed about the many misconceptions on sexual health last September 27 at the Silliman Hall.

Her lecture entitled“Puro nalang sex!” focused on sexual and reproductive health and women’s

to sexual issues when she visited the Philippines years ago. “It made me want to educate others. People need to know these things,” she said.

“Studies show that when women stay in school, they make informed choices and delay pregnancy and marriage.”

Santos pointed out that having

a dream to strive for is the best form of natural contraception. “Sex morality is not about how long you wait. It’s about how you treat yourself and those around you.”

She ended the lecture by saying that she gives out condoms, not to promote sex, but rather, to promote safe sex. “Other people see a condom, but I see a choice,” she continued on page 4

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the weekly sillimanian 01 october 2012

Smoke-free

WHEN THE TALK is good, the walk is harder.

Silliman University’s anti-smoking policy inside the campus holds a great potential for the students to adhere with health precautions and observe proper public decorum.

There is no question on the intention of the said policy. The question, however, lies greatly on the effectiveness of its execution.

How are they – the administration – serious in implementing the said policy? And how are we, the Sillimanians, responding to it?

First concern: There are a number of students smoking outside and even inside their dormitories.

As students pass by the Ravello Physical Education Field, we can’t help but notice the alarming number of dormers smoking outside of their respective dorms.

Question: Is the Student Housing and Residence Division (SHRD) doing something to monitor the smoking activities of their residents?

We believe that this issue is still under the jurisdiction of SHRD and the Dormitory Management Council or DMC. As much as dormers share the responsibility of following the campus policies and house rules, it should be the implementing body that should be more vigilant in guarding the followers.

Smoking students near the campus field don’t speak of us well. It somehow portrays the kind of discipline or lack of it that the university imposes on its independent, intelligent and free-spirited students.

Hence, we urge the SHRD and DMC to extend their ears and widen their eyes for rule breakers.

The family – the dormitory family in this case – after all, is the basic foundation of the Silliman campus life.

Second concern: Smoking students near the university gates are being left unpunished or even bothered by security guards.

Yes, they may qualify that the said policy is only effective inside the campus and that any smoking activity beyond the university gates is acceptable.

However, security guards should not easily be persuaded and blinded by the “inside the campus” clause.

The waiting shades along Hibbard Avenue are still part of the university area. And even if theoretically they aren’t, the security guards must still remind the students not to smoke in public places.

The world outside the school is an even more important area for this rule to be followed.

Aside from ensuring the safety of the students, the guards must also ensure that policies are carried on efficiently. If the Public Assistance and Security Office (PASO) feels that this is too much for them, the university then must come up with a monitoring body that would ensure the strong implementation of this policy.

Policies are just mere words if they aren’t acted upon properly.

Last concern: The teachers. Some students find it hard to follow the no smoking policy in the campus since some teachers are also defying this said rule.

As models and mentors of the students, the teachers must be one with the administration in promoting a smoke-free university – a conducive place for learning.

In a nutshell, there are many beneficial policies in our land and in our university.

The greater challenge then is making those written words come to life.

Sillimanians, live those words. Walk the talk. Walk harder. ~

editorial

sillimaniansspeak Compiled by John Lee D. Limbaga

“Do you agree with Senator Sotto’s lawyer when he said that plagiarism is a common practice and is okay in the Senate?”

Yes, I see lots of foreigners and tourists around Negros Oriental especially in Dumaguete. I can feel that it is again the city of gentle people. Michael P. Alvarez, BSMT II No, tourism campaign must be developed and enhanced more especially for young ones who are focusing on this field. There are still beautiful places and wonderful things that we should promote here in Negros where tourists love to experience the origin and simple way of life with good service, clean facilities, and lies expensive for them to say. Eugene E. Jamandron, BMC I Yes, so far so good. I’ve noticed that the city tourism is improving by the renovation of distinct cultural places. It attracts foreign tourists. Moreover, beaches and resorts are mushrooming around Negros Island. Two thumbs up! Gillian M. Rosales, BBA Mgmt. III Yes, because I’ve seen a lot of tourist spot being visited and I think Negros has everything to offer about tourism. Liliane Jiz de Ortega, BMME - IV

God bless on your final requirements and exams, Sillimanians!

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, 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 Hontucan Photojournalists Melissa Alexandra B. Pal, 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 Adviser Warlito Caturay Jr.

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. www.weeklysillimanian.com 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.

Member: College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Focus What is it that you do in order for you to fully continue on doing what you’re doing? Do you have the fundamental attitude needed that can help you carry out a certain task? Do you have what it takes to persevere and endure hardships that will come in your way? And do you have the hammer that can smash these obstacles so that you can get through?

According to Robert Kiyosaki in his book entitled, Rich Dad Poor Dad, there are three kinds of people in this world in which I can attest: those who “make it happen”, those who “watch it happen” and those who say “what happened?”

Let’s discuss the people who say “what happened?” Clearly, you can tell these people are extremists of procrastination which is never a good thing to begin with. Normally, they’d lie on their beds and do nothing for 365 days, waiting for a miracle to happen. If you are this kind of person, then you are missing the most important meaning in your life. One of the reasons divine providence created humans is to explore life, find its meaning and enjoy it. A suggestion from my part: do something worthwhile that will equal its value to your once in a forever given life.

Let’s move on to the ones who “make

it happen”. If you observe carefully the questions above and consequently said yes to all of it except the first one, then congratulations! You have what it takes to become the person that’s needed in society. In my twenty years of existence, I encountered people who have what it takes to conquer the world for they are equipped with skills, knowledge and talent that by far surpasses others. However, when it comes to passion and work, these people are divisible by two.

Not all people begin with competent talents. Some improve slowly over the years with high hopes that they can be worthy of recognition for the

YOLO Advocate Federico B. Martinez VII

upcoming years to come. Let this person I know online be of good example. She (I presume), had a very horrible drawing before. Not one of it was worthy of being neither favorited nor viewed. But as she kept on drawing over the years, she learned various techniques and strategies on how to improve, slowly applying them, thus were improving. Come 2012, her page views in DeviantArt reached more than million viewers, along with alluring praises in her

drawings flooding her comment box every now and then. She served as an inspiration to most neophyte artists who couldn’t draw well, telling them that they can improve no matter what, which is for me, the most perfect meaning of living life - being an inspiration to many people.

Output does not matter. How you did it matters. If you lack the necessary virtues needed to finish what you are doing, then you are doing everything wrong. You may have the talent but if you don’t have discipline and attitude, there is no way that you can help inspire nor be of reliability to other people. Skills go side by side with personality in terms of development. As long as a human being breathes, nothing is impossible. You make it happen!

Command yourself to focus and commit yourself to what you’re doing.

There is a saying that goes, “Love what you’re doing and it will love you back”. Don’t just sit there and “watch everything happen” in front of you.

Society needs hardworking citizens, and they are needing you - the very person who is reading this column.

All people can do sorts of things but only few know how to do it properly.

Don’t stop improving. You’ll eventually become the person you want to be sooner or later. Now then, what kind of person should you be?~

Wall of Bitterness!

Of all barriers that discourage someone in committing to a new lover, the wall of bitterness is the most deadly. From time to time, we meet people along with stable relationships; others remain single and focused, while some suffers from heartaches. Moreover, thoughts came up to me that those who became heartbroken took an extensive time to recover and they commonly shared the same feeling of bitterness. Why is this so? Maybe they have to nurse this feeling because buried beneath is the hurt which will eventually heal. Unlike in fairytales, the love journey of two people may not always end with a happily ever after sealed with a kiss.

Relationships fall and wither because someone stops trying and it doesn’t feel the same anymore. The first two couple of months or even years may be the best thing you ever

wished for, but eventually someone loses feelings, gets too busy, gets annoying or doesn’t even bother to try and reach out. It does not imply that all break-ups causes bitterness but under some circumstances, as cupid misfires an arrow, it would create such undeniable feeling of being bitter. More often than not we would painfully cry, shout at the top of our lungs with matching pillow

Animal Bird!

John Lee D. Limbaga

hugged tight and locked in our room or curse among the sorrowful mysteries of life the person we once love and keep as the apple of the eye. If you ever meet again, I’m enormously sure that the “crazy little thing called love” is replaced

by heart-pounding and despicable thought of sending him/her to hell.

But as usual, you’ll stay physically calm and revere the moment of awkwardness despite the fact that mentally and emotionally, you despise them. Perhaps being single now is an act of being a public temptation.

Breaching the wall of bitterness is like superman taking in kryptonite.

It ain’t that easy son, because it’s a lie to say you’ve let go of the past. Each tear is an unforgettable memory, each smile is an undeniable mark and each heartbreak is an undying scar because you can’t easily forgive and forget, you have to accept. Don’t let angry thoughts consume you or dictate your actions. If you have tried to love a bitter person then you are very well acquainted with their legitimate reasons for their ongoing affliction.~

the weekly sillimanian 01 october 2012

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Negros Oriental through Kaleidoscope Eyes PHOTO FROM panoramio.com

by Julia Andrea C. Abrenica

A

knot of travelling students crowd the hallway and stairs that lead to the exit of the Montenegro vessel. From a distance, you feast your eyes on the enchanting lights cheerfully brightening the entire length of the Boulevard. A few minutes more, the clanking of metal and the chugging of the engines come to a stop. With your luggage in hand, you make your way through the crowd and along the stalls selling instant noodles, piaya, and other local delicacies. A few steps to the highway and you see people seated in little plastic chairs and gathered around make-shift tables enjoying a round of balut and tempura. You take a deep breath of the salty air once more, you hail a pedicab and you disappear into this miniature slice of urban life.

Welcome to Dumaguete. Welcome

to Sidlakang Negros, the Sunrise Province. In your first few minutes in the capital, you get your first glimpse of this 2,079.4 square miles of beauty and wonder. From the beautiful beaches to the breathtaking view of the serrated mountains, the vivid urban life and more, Negros Oriental is certainly a little tourist paradise in the heart of Visayas.

Fast forwarding its colorful history, Negros Oriental today still possesses the idyllic charm that never fails to lure tourists all over world. Just last September 16 – 21, the province celebrated its Tourism Week, organized by the Tourism Educators Council of Negros Oriental & Siquijor (TECNOS). The week-long celebration had magically transformed the Main Atrium of Robinsons Place into a life-size three dimensional scrapbook filled with academic booths and destination

exhibits, fashion shows, flair tending, exhibitions and more – reminding us just how awesome Negros Oriental is, one photograph and one taste bud at a time.

If you missed the weeklong celebration, here’s a quick kaleidoscopic tour through Negros Oriental for those of you who are still cooped up in the classroom. Instead of flying all the way to Luzon to see the gigantic aquariums of Manila Ocean Park, dive into the underwater spectacle of living colors in Apo Island, Dauin. Kick off your flip flops and feel the powder-white sand of Lag-it Beach and White Sand Reef in Bais City; or during low tide, come to the White Sand Bar of Manjuyod, which is a kilometre-long strip of white beach in the middle of the North of Bais Bay. Nestled all over the province are breathtaking lakes and waterfalls such

as in Valencia: the Casaroro Falls, which is centrally located amidst a virgin forest, and Pulangbato Falls, a large cascade of seemingly reddish water; Twin Lakes Balinsasayao and Danao in Sibulan and Lake Balanan in Siaton are also ideal for boating adventures. Spread throughout the province are some notable cultural and historical sites such as the Church of St. Augustine Hippo and Pipe Organ in Bacon, the Bellfry and the Rizal Boulevard in Dumaguete; and the Fil-Am-Jap Amity Shrine Located in Valencia.

Negros Oriental is also a province full of year-round fiestas. Few of the 24 fiestas celebrated all over the province are: The Sandurot Festival in Dumaguete City, Tawo-tawo Festival of Bayawan City; Yag-yag Festival in Sibulan; and to top it all off, the Buglasan Festival, the mother of all festivals in Negros Oriental, which

usually takes place in the second week of October.

For your cravings, indulge in some of these mouth watering native delicacies: Orient Food’s “Energy Food,” which is a combination of ampaw and dehydrated fruits, bayebaye, and the famous budbud of Tanjay.

So, when you’re finished with your exams and other requirements and have a little extra cash in your pockets, take off those snickers you wear to school and go exploring Negros Oriental. Go diving, trekking, biking, running, swimming, climbing, and camping. Take a break from all the hustle and bustle in school and go on an adventure. Negros Oriental is not just where you go to school, it is a paradise imbued with magnificent landscape and waters, unique architectural landmarks and, best of all, an interesting assortment of people. ~

To Kill a Cram-a-Thon

by Roberto Klemente Timonera

H

ere’s a guess: as you read this, your final exam study material is either waiting at your desk or lying scattered in some bus, since you went to Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte to visit your family. In any case, you haven’t set to work. Maybe after you watch The Perks of Being a Wallflower, you say, even if it isn’t out yet, because Emma Watson in 2D is just too darn good. Or after you finish one more chapter of 50 Shades of Grey. Or better yet, after the exams. Now there’s something to look forward to.

No one can blame you, of course.

Who would rather do schoolwork when there’s a host of more interesting things to busy yourself with? Heck, a lot of the people we look up to were chronic procrastinators; for instance there’s Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, who was said to be “legendary” at avoiding writing.

It took Leonardo da Vinci almost twenty years to finish painting the Mona Lisa. And think about it: if Sir Isaac Newton was in a hurry that fateful day, the apple would have simply fallen to earth, and it would have taken a few more centuries before anyone could explain gravity.

But not everyone is a Leonardo da Vinci. And we all know that just like skateboarding to the peak of Mt. Everest, conquering procrastination is so much easier said than done, if not downright impossible. However, there are a few things you can do to at least make it a bit more do-able. And so: 1. Follow deadlines. We start working only at the last minute because deadlines always seem so distant, like taho vendors at the other end of the street, until you’re an inch away from them.

Trying to beat deadlines actually does make you come up with something, even if

it ’s a little sabog. After staring at a blank screen for hours, it’s extremely rewarding to see a solid chunk of text, any text, and to know that you wrote it (author’s note: this article was written three days after it was due).

2. Just do it. Take the hint from Nike. When we do anything that

involves producing an output, we tend to imagine said output as possessing a greatness beyond description. That is, we visualize it as the most sublime piece of genius in human history.

But living up to that vision can be pretty daunting,

a n d m o r e often than not, results in total unproductiveness.

3.

Break the big task into smaller pieces.

Think of work as a huge bar of Toblerone. If you try to shove the whole thing down your mouth, you will most likely rip your cheeks, dislocate your jaw, and choke. It’s better to eat it one sweet triangle at a time. Imagine the honeyed chocolate melting on your tongue, the ground nuts slightly sticking to your teeth. Work should be pleasurable. Stretching the simile: too much Toblerone can give you diabetes.

4. Reward yourself. You know that feeling when you’re on a really long road trip, and you have to go to the

bathroom, but you can’t because the the wind hasn’t blown your exam notes next bus stop is a few miles away? Yes. into a puddle yet. Good luck! ~ In a sense, working is like holding y o u r b l a d d e r.

So, long In its constant effort to promote and before the uplift student-press interaction, The paper wants to know the pressing isdeadline, sues faced by the students and how work at your their fellow students would respond to assignments bit by them. For: bit, and give yourself a treat at the end of each POLITICAL, PHILOSOPHICAL AND LEGAL MATTERS working period. It can be Let’s “Discuss with Gus” anything: a movie, an extra (Gilbert Augustin Ganir) hour on the Internet, a new toothbrush. Whatever makes you feel HEALTH AND MEDICINE-RELATED your efforts were worth it.

INQUIRIES Address your letter to 5. Distract yourself in moderation.

“Clinica de Bianca” You’ve probably tried this before: you (Bianca Camille Bulaybulay) buy a cup of brewed coffee in some café, sit down, and take out your laptop. The MATTERS OF THE HEART AND night is young. You are going to write TEENAGE DILEMMAS Your questions will be answered in a brilliant paper about how short life is, “Love, Stephanie” you’ve decided that much. One minute (Stephanie Denise Martin) you’re pecking away at your keyboard, and then, a bunch of friends come TROUBLED FAITH AND SOULS and sit with you, and then you realize “Letters of Pol to the Sillimanians” will help you in your struggle. life isn’t that short after all. Until you (Retz Pol Pacalioga) remember your deadline anyway. The point is, your mind needs a break now Send your questions and problems in and then, but when it’s time to work, a three to five-sentence paragraph to it’s time to work. Limit your off-time theweeklysillimanian@yahoo.com. We will only feature one letter per week. to around 15 minutes max. Then, fire away.

Write to us. We hope to hear from you.

There you have it. We hope this article made work sound a tad more pleasant and, more importantly, that

ADVICECOLUMN

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the weekly sillimanian 01 october 2012

has surely made Negros Oriental a paradise to live in. For this reason, anyone can definitely say, “its more fun in Negros Oriental!”: Compiled by Royanni Miel M. Hontucan RANDOMspace: God (Source: http://daui.wordpress.com/tourist-spots-negros-oriental)

the

CASARORO FALLS, Apolong, Valencia Trekkers access Casaroro Falls (right) via three hundred concrete steps which descend into a scenic site surrounded by steep rock walls. A single column of sparkling water plunges almost a hundred feet into a chilly caldera. Are you brave enough to try swimming in it?

MABINAY CAVES, Mabinay The prevalence of limestone rock and extensive karst phenomena secures Mabinay’s claim to being the Cave Town of Negros Oriental. These are Bulwang, Odloman, Cayaso, Baliw, Mambajo, Kabugan and Panligawan and Pandalihan.

WHITE SAND BAR, Manjuyod A 7-kilometerlong strip of white sand beach found in the middle of North Bais Bay is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The area is submerged at high tide.

Manjuyod is 58.2 kilometers from Dumaguete City.

MT. KANLAON, Canlaon CityMt Kanlaon, the tallest peak in Central Visayas and among the highest in the country, rises 8,050 feet above sea level on the boundary between the two Negros provinces. The crater is approximately 9.5 kilometers from the Canlaon City center.

roundup Music against... from page 1 campaign. AB Political Science student Mariel Nobleza expressed her disapproval of RAYA.

“The event is inconvenient for me. As a resident living nearby the Hibalag area, it is a source of disturbance for it disrupts my sleep, and it is difficult to concentrate in studying with all the noise. Not all students are free during Founders.

Some actually have to study for upcoming exams and do their homework, but they are left with no choice than to abandon that or go somewhere else. They could’ve had it in a more appropriate place or time.”

“It is not that I dislike music but I’d rather listen to it in a more leisurely time. I don’t think using it as a medium is effective because not all are passionate about it. They have to look at both sides of the coin: it may be fun for some but it may also be inconvenient to others. If the goal of the campaign is to convince students to take action, then how will that be achieved when the students themselves do not like the campaign?”

“If the issues directly affect or benefit the students, then the students will listen. The reason why we’re battling apathy is because we need to unite the students to take action and make a bigger impact.

But that can’t happen when only part of student body is interested and being catered to.”

Second side: Singing preferred than talking Albert Rashid Babaylan, a BS Medical Technology student who participated in the RAYA sees it as an opportunity to do his part in battling apathy. “I think apathy is the state of the youth neither participating nor caring for the current issues in our society, when teens tend to isolate themselves from the on-going problems or events in the world. I believe music is an effective weapon against apathy simply because music is the universal language we all speak.”

Also being a member of Indievided Movement—a local program based in Dumaguete promoting local artists— Babaylan believes that “music not only entertains, but it also sends a message. As what my brother

always says, ‘music is not just about playing good music, it is also about sending a message and how that message can affect and change the world.’”

On music’s influence on teens, he adds: “Music is what we teens crave for, we listen to it day in, and day out and we tend to mimic our musical idols. It’s the same here: we send a message through music, people would listen and appreciate it, absorb its message, and take action.

Music is only one way in battling apathy. I’m not saying it is the only remedy—there are a whole lot more actually—but I do think it is effective as a medium.”

Vanslembrouck emphasized the need to secure the youth’s attention.“For a campaign to be effective, you have to speak the language of those who you intend to be recipients, nowadays, with the youth, that is music. It helps in the sense that once you get the students interested, once you have caught their attention, that is when you inject the advocacies that you want them to be aware about and not only aware but to also encourage them to act on these advocacies.”

Caballes backs up the reason explaining that “music is sublime” and that it “goes beyond the norm.”

“Scenario: listen to somebody talking about something or listen to somebody singing something, which would you rather do? Just think about it that way,” he added.

The most recent campaign which used music as its tool is SUSG’s partnership with MATA and Visayan Forum for the MTV exit held last August. The campaignwas about Human Trafficking. Some plans to improve [the campaign] include actually showing videos of the reality of the cause that you are pushing for as well as constantly repeating important points for the campaign that you are pushing for, especially since repetition fosters information retention,” said Vanslembrouck. ~ Editor’s note: This is an in-depth article intended to check the trationale and effectiveness of using rock music in SUSG’s campaign against apathy.

NegOr celebrates Tourism Week

by Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia TO STRENGTHEN ITS tourism campaign, Negros Oriental celebrated its Tourism Week last Sept 16-21.

Tourism Educators Congress Negros Oriental and Siquijor (TECNOS), one of the main organizers of the week-long event, is composed of 10 major schools and universities from the province and Siquijor. The group has associate members who are college students from different universities. These students helped in organizing the celebration.

Freshmen students from Silliman University College of Mass Communication, Queenie Maria Guibao and Clint Chiefe, were elected president and vice-president respectively..

“Tourism can help in poverty alleviation and providing job

opportunities,” Rafael Duhaylungsod, TECNOS founding president said.

He added: “But we have to think about the carrying capacity of our province. We will not expect too much on technical side. We have to protect the nature and the beauty of the province.“Having the exhibit can be a great contributor in the tourism industry of Negros Oriental because it is one way of showing to the people that we have these…tdestinations.”

A Tourism Fun Walk marked the opening of the celebrationAcademic booths and destination exhibits were also displayed at Robinsons Place Dumaguete for the entire week. The Tourism Quiz Bowl was also held last Sept 19 wherein all the questions were related to tourism. Representatives from St. Paul University Dumaguete won out of the seven universities.

Negros Oriental Tourism Summit co-organized the event.~

Music against... from page 1 said. “What do you see?”

The forum also included a lecture titled “Responsible social media use” by Michael Josh Villanueva from Rappler. com. He talked about the use of social media for information dissemination and social change.

Both topics are part of the Social NetWorth, which began as a fourday workshop for college students last February 2012. It was created to educate the youth and promote development through the power of social networking websites, such as Facebook and Twitter.

The event, which was open to the public, was hosted by Silliman University’s College of Mass Communication. ~

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Fresh grad ranks 9th in Chemist Licensure Exam

by Jairah Sheila Joy F. Hernani

A FRESH GRADUATE from the Silliman University Chemistry Department ranked 9th in the 2012 Chemist Licensure Exam given by the Board of Chemistry in Manila this Sept 2012.

Febby T. Diabordo, who graduated cum laude last March, is one of the 292 takers in the licensure examination.

Among the total number of 14 takers from Silliman University - 11 first-takers and 3 repeaters - there were 7 who passed the examination, giving the university a percentage rate of 63.64%.

Dr. Paulina Aspilla, Associate Professor in the Chemistry Department, said, “[The performance] was not bad. Actually, we were doing

good.”

Aspilla shared that there are only 45 schools offering Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program nationwide.

Only 16 of these schools, Silliman University included, gained above 60% passing average.

As for the three repeaters who did not pass the examination, Aspilla said, “It was expected that the old graduates (the repeaters) would not pass the exam because the exam gets harder, and we are expecting an addition of one subject to the total number of subjects covered in the exam.”

Newly registered chemists are: Bangalando, Milburn B.; Dejelo, Carlo Jay R.; DelaPeña, Nesil M.; Flores, Stanley Bernard Val B.; Pacaro, Loida B.; and Zerna, Christine May S. ~

ICLS celebrates Nat’l Med Tech Week

by Roselle Louise L. Publico IN COLLABORATION WITH the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc., Dumaguete Chapter and its President, Asst. Prof.

Gemma Kitane, a faculty of Silliman University, the Medical Technology Society (MT Soc) of the Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences celebrated the Medical Technology Week.

A series of activities were organized by said collaborating team.

Gabriel Paulo Orosco, president of the Medical Technology Society said: “In line with that, the society

orgainzed: poster making contest, essay writing, quiz bowl and photo contest. The quiz bowl and poster making are inter-high school while the essay writing and photo contest are inter-org.”

For the success on the recent board examination, ICLS also held a motorcade last Sept 21. It served to present the newly registered medical technologists of Silliman University. It was primarily for the 4th placer, Ms. Alyssa Camille Ablaza. However, Ablaza was not able to attend.

“The motorcade was mainly to give credit to

SILLIMANWEEKLYSURVEY The Gangnam Style music video has reached a record high of more than 270 million YouTube views in the last two months.

Psy, the Korean rapper behind the song, now plans to perform topless if it reaches number one in the Billboard Chart. Now, we ask Sillimanians:

Q: What do you think of the song “Oppa Gangnam Style”?

Ten representatives per college served as respondents of this survey. Survey conducted by Shadid Sidri.

the board passers. However, it also showcased the accomplishments of the Medical Technology Society in other events such as the Hibalag Booth Festival,” added Orosco.

Also in honor of the board passers, the Dean of ICLS, Asst. Prof.

Teodora Cubelo and other faculty organized a thanksgiving dinner at the Angelo King Bldg.

This year’s Medical Technology Week theme is “Strengthening ASEAN Cooperation for a Cleaner Laboratory Environment”. ~