The Weekly Sillimanian - November 23, 2012

109 years Towards A Progressive Campus Press | vol. LXXXV No. 10 | FRIDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2012

MORALSUPPORT. StudentCoachMiguel Duqueleaps hightoencouragethecrowdofsupportersto keep oncheeringfor their team,theCollegeofBusinessAdministrationWarriorsduring thefirstsetofthesemi-finalsagainsttheCollegeof Arts and Sciences. CBA advanced to the second set of the semi-finals after an overtime with the final score of 80-78.PHOTO BY Melissa Pal

‘Emotions via social media spark revolution’– Ressa

by Samantha L. Colinco

EMOTIONS, PUMPED UP by social media, triggered crucial events such as the Arab Spring, the London riot and the Occupy Wall Street movement, said journalist Maria Ressa in a lecture last Nov. 16.

“Every single dot on a [digital] map like this is a person. And every single person can spread an emotion through three degrees. If you keep that in mind, then you can understand how real world events like these can come out of social media,” said Ressa, CEO and executive editor of the online social news network, Rappler.

Ressa added that although many ideas spread in social media, emotions are far more. She cited the book Connected by Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler, which says emotions and all behavior spread on social network through three degrees.

“If I’m feeling lonely, my friend has a 51% chance of feeling lonely because I do. And my friend’s friend has a 25% chance of feeling lonely because I do.

And my friend’s friend’s friend, my third degree friend, has a 15% chance of feeling lonely because I do. That is how things spread,” said former chief of the CNN Southeast Asia bureau and the ABS-CBN News Department.

In her lecture entitled “Social Media for Social Change,” Ressa said that those uprisings in 2011 were spurred by social media, which hit a tipping point in 2009.

In the same year, social media overtook pornography as the number one activity on the Web. She said this

is because social media doubles the amount of pleasure-causing chemicals in the brain compared to porn.

“A study done at Stanford University took brain scans of students while they were on Facebook and Twitter. They found out two things: one, being on Facebook literally played with your emotions and two, it was rewiring your brain,” Ressa told approximately 300 students and teachers at the Silliman University Hall.

Ressa added that the pleasure comes from the body’s secretion of dopamine, a chemical that causes mild addiction.

“When you talk about yourself, you get a dose of dopamine. When your friend responds and they ‘like’ you and they comment, they retweet, they ‘favorite,’ they reblog what they’ve read, you get another dose of dopamine,” she said.

Ressa also added that another hormone that increases when a person is on social media is called oxytocin or “the love hormone.”

“If you hug someone for longer than six seconds, you will start to feel better because oxytocin will increase. . . So tweeting is like hugging,” she said.

“We can do this together if we decide to do this. We combine our surplus free time and we can only do that when we’re given the right opportunity. That’s how Rappler came to be,” Ressa said.

Other speakers of the Rappler Move.

PH Chat Series, Dumaguete leg were SU President Ben S. Malayang III and Rappler staff Chay Hofileña, Natashya Gutierrez, Michael Josh Villanueva and Patricia Evangelista.~

RAP AND RIPPLE. (L-R) Michael Josh Villanueva, Social Media director; Chay Hofilena, CitizenJournalismcoordinator;MariaRessa,CEO;andPatriciaEvangelista,MultimediaReporter, answer questions during the open forum of the Rappler Chat Series. PHOTO BY Melissa Pal

Main campus shows decrease in inhabitants

By Roselle Louise L. Publico

A DECREASE OF inhabitants in the Silliman University main campus was recorded due to a low number of plant species, high human disturbance and few habitats, researchers say.

It has been identified as the least inhabited for wildlife among the areas in the 62-hectare campus, according to a study by Dr. Ely Alcala, Abner Bucol, Reynaldo Tababa and Ella Mae Balancar of the Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management (SUAKCREM), Negros State College of Agriculture and the Biology Department, entitled “Wildlife Habitat Assessment of the Afforested Campus of Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines.”

The population of green frogs and green tree skinks (a species of lizards) which lived in the campus in moderately high numbers according to previous studies in 1950’s and 60’s,

severely declined. The main factor contributing to this effect is the disturbance and change on habitats which resulted in the loss of their food source.

“The frogs and the skinks are species that are considered to be indicators of climate change. While they are vulnerable to human inducedhabitat change, they are also vulnerable to climate change. If these two factors are put together, they increase the probability of extinction,” said Dr. Alcala.

He added: “We have recommendations on how to reduce the disturbance knowing that they require certain conditions like not draining the pond dry or removing too much vegetation… which are practical applications on the results. These studies have been done in the past so we try to encourage the students and professors to continue the study by monitoring. This is the only way we will know if we are doing harm to the

Lib Science pioneer batch registers 100%

by Jairah Sheila Joy F. Hernani

THE FIRST BATCH of Silliman University’s Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) Program garnered a 100% passing rate in the November 2012 Librarian Licensure Examination.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) posted on their website that out of the 812 takers nationwide, only 379 passed the examination. Among these passers are the four graduates from Silliman University.

“When the results were already in the internet, we (the faculty) gathered here (in the library) early in the morning and we hugged each other.

It was reallty joyful for us,” Mrs. Rosalina Dinoy, BLIS Coordinator,

said.

College of Education Dean, Dr. Earl Jude Paul Cleope, took a close monitor of the takers’ study habits.

The BLIS faculty also gave the takers an intensive review class for free.

“After the review, they studied [even] harder. [They had] more sleepless nights. It was really a pressure for them. I told them (BLIS students) that this is a challenge for you. You should do good in your studies because nowadays the students don’t read books anymore, they rely on the internet and copypaste,” Dinoy said.

Silliman University’s new licensed librarians are: Dela Cruz, Jaime Jose S.; Gallego, Budelia Ruth S.; Miramar, Crescenciana T. and Susada, Irmalyn L.~

New BOT action approves parking fines

The Office of Student Affairs issued a campus advisory informing the Silliman community of BOT Action No. 2012-128 on Parking Violation Citations approving the policies on traffic/parking citations and violations together with the corresponding monetary policies.

The policy shall be implemented fifteen (15) days after publication in the Weekly Sillimanian.

VIOLATION

Unauthorized parking (not in accordance to color-coded pass/sticker) Removing,tamperingwith,changing,mutilatingordestroyinganytrafficcontrolsign, barricade, University marker, and other devices incidental to parking regulations

FINES

200 500 (or at cost of replacement)

Driving or parking in areas not meant for vehicular use Parking in a controlled area without displaying proper permit Parking in an area with a “No Parking” sign

200 200 200

Taking up more than one parking space

100

animals, by monitoring their numbers and population.”

Alcala said that another aspect of the study is the possibility of replicating the biodiversity in the forest in campus conditions.

A complete inventory of the trees in the A.Y. Reyes Zoological and Botanical Garden and in the Mangrove Garden at the Dr. Angel Alcala Environment and Marine Science Laboratories was also conducted. The Botanical Garden was found to be the most habitable for wildlife due to its high plant diversity which attracted more animals.

The study, patterned after a former inventory of the University of the Philippines, Diliman on birds and bats, involved three campuses: Silliman University, Central Philippine State University (formerly, Negros State College), and Central Philippine Adventist College.~

CBA Dean is new VP for Development

by Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia

SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY BOARD of Trustees appoints SU College of Business Administration Dean Jane Annette Lupisan-Belarmino as the new Vice President for Development, whose post takes effect November this year.

Belarmino will oversee the operations of the university in the areas of physical plant development, linkages and donor relations, revenue augmentation and marketing.

“I see it as an adventure because I’m going to uncharted waters,” Belarmino said. She added that she is happy because the people that she works with are very supportive in guiding her in the new assignment.

The position was vacant for about 15 years. It was last handled by Roberto Montebon, currently the president of Silliman University Medical Center (SUMC) Foundation Incorporated.

Belarmino said that the position was filled this year because of “so many educational reforms” like the K+12. She also mentioned concerns on the tertiary level such as the typology of schools and colleges and global demands. In addition, it is also due to the recognition of Silliman’s growing relevance and reach, and the administration’s commitment to carrying out its strategic plan.

Belarmino will end her term as the CBA dean by the end of Mtay next year. She said that she is glad because she can already concentrate on the new position that she has. “I am only here for a season,” she said, accepting the fact that her position as dean will end soon.~

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the weekly sillimanian 23 november 2012

Relevance

Does the Intramurals have any relevance to your life?

We “pause” for almost a week to value the court – one of the 5 C’s of Silliman education.

For five days, the university expects us to learn outside the classroom: on the court, the track, the field.

Sports have always been used as a metaphor for life. It is said to be essential for the holistic development of individuals. All work and no play makes a Sillimanian silly, after all.

The Weekly Siitllimanian is one with the university in pushing through “holistic education.”

We believe that being book smart is not enough to get you through life successfully.

Exposure to everything else is what living is all about.

We do not see a problem with the intention and vision behind this “one week break.” We do, however, see a problem with how the vision is being realized.

First, several spectators have noticed that the proper rules on substitution weren’t followed strictly in some games. Some players switched places even without the referee recognizing the act. The substitutions were poorly monitored. Although this may not have the greatest factor when it comes to result, but it says a lot about what matters most: HOW one plays the game.

The university has annual events like the Intramurals so that the student body can exercise the supposed ideals of the activities. If we practice the antithesis of these ideals, our vision meets defeat. “We are what we repeatedly do,” Aristotle once said. So what exactly do you repeatedly do? Does your “team” substitute “players” without the “referee’s” recognition?

Second, other students think that Intrams accentuates the sporty Sillimanians and puts the non-sporty ones at the backstage. The sporty becomes sportier. The non-sporty looks non-sportier than ever. For the eyes of the not-so-involved, this scenario creates a divide between these “types” of students. Intrams then amplifies the difference between the two.

Hence, the indifference of the non-sporty populace.

But that doesn’t have to be perceived that way because in the first place, that’s not the purpose of the event at all. However, the management becomes responsible for the effects of the activity towards the people, regardless of its intentions. tWS suggests that additional games be included in the next Intramurals. Cosplay, liveaction Plants vs Zombies and Angry Birds, Chinese Garter Tournament, Patentero League, perhaps? Or we can have an afternoon of “Larong Pinoy”. Other than being the required cheerers and Food Committee members, students should PLAY. The management should make MORE people MORE involved. Make games that anyone can play – not just for the swift and sharp, but also for those who don’t know anything about the “standard sports” in today’s Intrams. If such games do not exist, then let’s make them! Creativity, ladies and gentlemen, is what apathy fears. Let’s scare it.

This, however, does not mean that students should not try harder to be involved, given that the status quo does not change. We hold Intrams during recitation days. Hence, we should make most of the tuition fee that our parents are paying. If we’re not going to have classes, we might as well cheer, learn and enjoy.

Now we ask the more important question: Do you have any relevance to the Silliman Intramurals life?~

editorial

sillimaniansspeak

Compiled by Maya Jajalla

“Do you think that videos like the AMALAYER incident deserve to be sensationalized over the Internet?”

“No. Certainly, most people would never want to be in the position where their worst moments are caught on cam. One thing I’m certain of is that we should never be in a position to judge any person, whether if he/she is a celebrity or just your average citizen. We’re ordinary people who make mistakes.

We really don’t know the AMALAYER girl that much.We don’t know what really happened that made her lash out at the security guard like that. Maybe she lashed out because she felt the security guard wronged her in some way. Maybe she was having a bad day that day and took it out on someone who probably made it worse. Who knows?” Irene Frances Mae Cabrera, JD I “No, that video does not deserve to be spread out in the Internet because not only does it destroy the reputation of the one involved, but it also destroys the reputation of the video sender. Yes, the Amalayer girl may have raised her voice, but it does not need to be captured on video, nor uploaded and spread it like wildfire. There was an issue, yes, but it can be solved within the people involved. That video sender is embarrassing because he showed us how to lower one’s self just to embarrass another.”

Rene Maverick B. Martinez, BSPT III “Yes, because she was in a public place. She had no‘reasonable expectation of privacy’. It’s a lesson. You can never go wrong if you treat guards and other people with respect. Respect and be respected back.”

Mac Edsel Florendo, BMC II “No, because the video is a total non-sense. It only displays the wrong acts of man. And besides, cyber bullying should be stopped man sad. It’s a form of cyber bullying. It may have happened in a public place but people should have just minded their own business. In the case of the Amalayer video, the conflict that arose between the guard and the student need not have public scrutiny in the form of the Internet because it could have been settled by the LRT management and staff only.”

Yamee Escobia, BSN IV ** Next issue's question:

“Like Ateneo’s ‘Blue Eagles’ and DLSU’s ‘Green Archers’, what do you think should be SU’s team name?”

For your answers, just text the Circulation Manager (09265304941) or tweet to us @tWS12_13. 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

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.

Senior Writer Samantha L. Colinco News Writers Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia, Jairah Sheila Joy F. Hernani, Roselle Louise L. Publico Feature Writers Roberto Klemente R. Timonera, Julia Andrea C. Abrenica, 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

www.facebook.com/ towardsaprogressivecampuspress

Adviser Warlito Caturay Jr.

theweeklysillimanian@yahoo.com @tWS12_13 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

Another clichéd sem-starter column

The first semester of the school year 2012-2013 has passed: a semester of success - or maybe disaster. The grades of the subjects that we took during the first semester might satisfy us or not.

Grades depend on the effort exerted and interest shown on the subject.

Many students might have done their best to achieve high grades or they were just complacent and thought that passing is enough. Even I did not do my best because I was JUST aiming for a passing grade.

A teacher in college once told me, “Do not aim for a passing grade; instead, aim for a grade of 4.0.” Then she asked us, “Why?” No one answered.

She then told us, “If you aim for a passing grade and you don’t get that, there is a big chance that you’ll fail. But, if you aim for 4.0 and don’t get a 4.0, you’ll be hitting on somewhere not far from that grade.”

Aiming for something is not easy, especially when you are not willing to sacrifice time and effort for it. There are some factors to consider if you want to exert effort in a subject. I have my own

factors that affect how I exert effort in class. First is the teacher. If that teacher makes me want to learn, I work harder and show him/her my interest in the subject. Second is the classmate. It depends on how they make me feel.

On the Move Ramon Luis Ang

When I was still a freshman, I felt like there was a competition in the class. So I studied. Now, I don’t feel it. Instead, I compliment them for achieving high marks during our exams while I feel mad about myself for not preparing for the exam. Third, is the course itself.

If I think the subject is important and useful to me, then I will work hard on it.

But in real life, if you want to excel, you should not only think about the factors mentioned above. Instead, face things that you do not like so that you’ll be ready to face anything in the future.

College is the so-called preparation stage for most people before they start struggling out there in the “real world.” So you should exert effort in all the subjects whether you want it or not. You and even your parents will be happy when they see your “decent grades” after finishing the subject. The fruits of your efforts are your grades.

Your parents will also somehow be assured that you’re being sharpened for the challenges that you may face when you are on your own.

Ask this question: “Did I do my best in my previous subjects?” And when you have answered yourself, ask yourself another question: “Will I do the same in the next subject or will I do better?”

Each semester is a time for change.

Sem break was the time to decide to stay the same or do better. But do not wait for summer break if you already have realized what you need to change.

It’s never too late to change your performance in school. Always aim for the top; if you don’t hit it, you’ll hit something that is not far from it. ~

Stranded on the same ground I hate idle time. Past hurts resurface.

You experience again what you have felt before.

If I could choose lines from a song that best describes how I feel right now, it will be: “It’s hard…leaving her the way when I never wanted to.

But because I have learned that love is beyond what human can imagine – the more it clears, the more I have to let you go. I do not understand why I’m feeling so bad now when I know it was my idea. I could have just denied the truth and lied.”

I will never forgive myself for being so dumb. I feel so rotten. Maybe the only good thing that came out from the break up is this article I was able to write for her. But I’d gladly give up writing good articles if it would make her come back. What good do articles do if they are inspired by heartbreak?

Damn, I miss her so bad. I miss her smile. This was what drew me to her.

She has that perfect smile that could make anybody melt deep inside. I miss the way she talks, the way she laughs, the way she surprises me with her texts and calls, the way she calls my name, the way she holds my hand, the way she teases me, and the way she loves me.

I have my share of not being able to hold the other end of the line and I definitely have my regrets. I know

I could have given more. I know I could have showed her more. I was too scared. If only I believed more and loved more, maybe she would not have decided to leave. Maybe.

In the end, all I had were regrets and apologies for my lack. I am sorry for making her feel not enough when she was more than enough. I am sorry for I was not all that imaginative in thinking of things to do for her. I am sorry if my love was not enough. And

Rubbing the Lamp Alfie F. Calingacion

I am sorry that I realized all of these a bit too late.

I desperately hope for things to go back to how it was. I hope to wake up from this bad dream. But of all the people I’d expect to give me a wakeup call, it was her. I know she has the right to decide. But I was hoping for a miracle. I do not want to throw away all those memories that easily.

However, it was easy for her to move on – that was the last nail that shut the coffin of hope.

Now what? I am here writing about a love lost as if it would do me good… or would it? I have thought of giving

up. But as they say, “While there’s breath, there’s hope.”

It’s so hard to forget someone who already became a habit. I pray that our paths may cross once again. When that day comes, I hope we never have to part again. Right now, I will just have to wait and see. It hurts to be away from her and hoping is not easy as it is said. It is really difficult to have to hang on to uncertainty…when every time the phone rings, whenever someone sends me a text message or chat me on Facebook, I’d wish that it was her. I’d wish so badly for it to be her.

It would have been easier to let what happened pass if she does not mean anything to me or if love was not something that I strongly felt for her.

But she was my world. She was my everything. And I was happy. That is why it isn’t easy at all.

Now, I sit here, unable to move on and simply hanging on to a hope that is quite unsure. Until my prayers are answered, my heart would be an empty vessel. Because one Tuesday evening, I lost the world. And my life has never been the same. ~ Editor’s note: the Weekly Sillimanian wants to read your thoughts on anything under the sun - even the sun itself.

Express yourself. Send your articles to theweeklysillimanian@yahoo.com

the weekly sillimanian 23 november 2012

Outside the Court

don’t know how much truth is in this statement, but I heard somewhere that there are only two major events that every Sillimanian looks forward to: Hibalag and the Intramurals (Intrams), mainly because these words are synonymous with our favourite announcement: “no classes.” But apart from that, these events hold some of the most memorable college moments for certain students. It’s not just a break from the ever-demanding classroom anymore.

For performers and musicians, Hibalag is their golden ticket to the stage where they can finally have their 15 minutes of fame. For athletes, Intrams is another chance to prove which college is the best. For others, it’s an opportunity to play w h i c h , regard less of winning or not, is a pleasure all on its own.

Intrams is certainly a big deal for the players. Case in point: practice for the basketball teams started on the first week of November. And this is only because practice before or during first semester finals is prohibited. Of course, there are a number of teams that join the games purely for the fun of it. But for any college that reaches finals, there is a certain amount of dedication that is to be expected. You can’t beat 15 colleges out of pure luck after all. These players are undoubtedly talented. And with the inspiring prospect of their

college being declared champions, The most noticeable group in any students should expect some pretty game are the “cheerleaders.” I say the term cheerleader loosely. We don’t intense games within this week.

But this article isn’t about the players, as have a coordinated dance group with interesting as they are. This choreographed flips and chants like is about the the general use people on the side.

It is given that the athletes get most of the attention during Intrams.

U p o n

a team’s victory, one has to deal with fans, groupies, interviews from tWS , things of the sort. But it would be wrong to say that it’s all about them.

A performer needs his audience, doesn’t he? It might even be appropriate to say that it’s the people outside the court that make Intrams happen. Truth be told, it’s just a game, isn’t it? But it’s the gym and the leagues of adoring fans that make the spectacle.

o f the term implies. Our cheerleading squad consists of classmates, friends, and girlfriends of the players screaming their lungs out and waving their handmade banners “Go (insert name here), Go!” Apart from altering the decibel level of the game with their screams, they also serve as moral supporters for the players. They are

an integral part of the whole Intrams However, the most peculiar group is fever. Without the presence of a well- everyone else. These are the people caffeinated cheerleading section, the who don’t go to the games. Maybe ambiance of the gym would be that of they will, but at most they’ll be seeing one or two. Some of them are too a chess game. busy with schoolwork and things of the sort. Others see Intrams as a week without classes. The fact remains that this is a week in which the last long vacation before Christmas break occurs. It is not surprising for some students to indulge in something which doesn’t involve the school. I really don’t know how this particular group fits into the Intrams paradigm, but it is interesting to note that these people make up a great number of the Silliman population.

Intrams is an event that indirectly affects everyone in Silliman.

When someone mentions the list of and Mel Pal Photos by Alex Iso champions, it’s hard not to get The second excited, or at the very least interested. group is It gives you a sense of communion the food with the university. It almost feels like c o m m i t t e e . you had a part in the results. And in As their name a way, that’s true. Intrams isn’t just suggests, they about the trophy. The players are doing are a committee this for their college, for their name in charge of immortalized (for a year) on a tarpaulin, the food. Some for the students who sees that and feel people join the more proud of their college. ~ committee since November 10, 2012 it has “excused from classes” [I thought Intrams is synonymous with No Hi The Weekly Sillimanian, Classes! Why “excused from classes?]

I’d like to ask for advice on how written all over it. A few of the guys to deal with teachers who sort of violate basic human rights of join because it just so happens that the students. cute girl from Spanish [in Silliman context?] is on the volleyball team.

This morning, a certain teacher harassed some of his students by Whatever impulse that brings people kicking and shoving them out of in doesn’t really matter. They’re there their seats. A few visitors came to our class this morning and my male for the team.

From All Over The World

by Royanni Miel M. Hontucan

S

illiman University is socially acclaimed for giving the best accommodation to international students.

That goes with the fact that its population as of this year is over 300. We are indeed lucky to have given the opportunity to embrace such democracy being exercised— ranging from the no-uniform rule, to the acceptance of diversity of religion. Just imagine how colorful the interactions we can have with students from all over the world.

“It’s fun here in the Philippines.

People are so warm in welcoming some people who come from a different culture.” Adesoyejo Yetuude from Nigeria, who is currently taking up BBA Management, stated her appreciation for the Philippines in the simplest yet warmest compliment heard by the ears of any Filipino.

Also, the environment plays an important role why international students are drawn to study here, as what Myung Jin Cho said. Cho

is from South Korea and is taking up Physical Therapy. She said: “The first time I came here, I really liked it because of its natural beauty...like the bay view and landscapes.

I find the people here very friendly and cheerful every time but sometimes some things get messy but I think I’m [sic] adjusted to it right now.”

A n y foreigner who has experienced Filipino hospita l it y will surely spread the word of its legendary qualities.

Laura Lim L. Coosemans, from Belgium and a current BSMT student said: “People b e Ali are very welcoming and friendly.

Philippines is a beautiful country with its multitude of foreign attractions from Iran

and its natural resources bound ever y where.

The culture is great, as well.” Another foreigner who hails from Australia named Elana Joy Bartlett, an AB Political Science student said: “The

Philippines is diverse. There are different cultures that are interesting and everyone seems to so warm to us.”

Eftekhari

and a student from the Graduate School agreed. She said: “People in Dumaguete are fast learners and are interesting. Studying the English language here became comfortable as well. At home, we only speak Persian but in here, I have to practice English to communicate so it’s great to exercise my proficiency on it through talking to people.”

Truly, the university is bound with so many students who come from different backgrounds, cultures, races and religions. We are naturally diverse in all aspects of our everyday life not just because we’re Sillimanians, not just because we’re united through the four-walled classrooms that enclose us for hours and not just because of our perfectly insane mainstream longing for eating cheesebread but because whoever we are and from whatever place we came from, we will always be welcomed by each other and accepted as being just ourselves with the same pride as being Sillimanians. ~

LETTERTOTHEEDITOR

by Jaizer Jim R. Nadal

I

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classmates who were seated at the back did not offer their seats to the visitors. They probably did not feel obliged to offer their seats to strangers so they just ignored them. This teacher then suddenly got angry at his students and began kicking and shoving some of them out of their seats so the seats can be given to the visitors.

He physically assaulted his students and embarrassed them in front of many people - classmates and visitors.

I guess the teacher just wanted to show hospitality to the visitors, but was his harassment of the students justified by his good motives?

Thanks, The Backseat Boy* *real name withheld upon request of the sender

___________________________________________ Dear Backseat Boy, People think highly of Sillimanians.

That’s a fact. We are somehow expected to behave properly and treat others well – especially in public. These, of course, are traits that we should practice.

However, we believe that a “lapse” on the part of the students does not deserve public humiliation and physical “pains”. These only contradict the “expectations” of the society since teachers are Sillimanians as well.

To better guide you in handling this matter, a special story discussing the university policies regarding student-teacher relationship will be published on the next issue. Thank you for sharing your concern. More power and May God bless us all!

Note: We encourage our senders to use their real names. Expressing your concerns is never a crime. You shouldn’t be afraid of taking the credit for change.

4 twsbackpage RANDOMspace:

the

the weekly sillimanian 23 november 2012

Intrams week na pud! To help ease the anxiety, let’s take a look at some of the weirder sports out there. : Compiled by: Roberto Klemente Timonera

(Source: : http://www.topendsports.com/sport/unusual/)

Chess Boxing Brain meets brawn in this game invented by the Dutch event artist Lepe Rubingh, where a four-minute chess round alternates with two minutes of boxing. A checkmate or knockout decides the match.

roundup

Dwarf Throwing You and your mates take a Velcro-clad midget each and throw them as far as you can over a soft landing space.

Don’t worry, they won’t mind.

CCS faculty present papers in nat’l confab

by Jennis Miranda TWO FACULTY MEMBERS of the Silliman University College of Computer Studies (CCS) presented papers at the 10th National Conference on Information Technology Education (NCITE) under the “Information System and Policy” category.

Dr. Dave E. Marcial’s paper on “Information System Strategic Planning in Higher Education Institutions (HEI)” ranked second in its category. The paper addresses how HEIs prioritize and implement programs regarding information systems.

Marcial said, “I tried to merge two different interests which are IT (Information Technology) education and educational studies.”

The college dean also added that the results of his study would establish a standard for HEIs such as SU. “There are still many things that Silliman University needs to know although we are moving into the right direction,” he said.

The top three problems that HEIs have are lack of computers, no Internet connectivity and limited knowledge to manage information systems.

Marcial recommended a followup study for the next six years if there would be an improvement on implementation in the programs of HEIs. On the same event, Percival Gerard M. Genove, systems developer at the Management Information Systems (MIS), presented a paper entitled “Network-driven Budget Preparation and Monitoring System” which automates budget allocation.

Genove explains that this program is accurate since it runs on real-time and speeds up the budget allocation process. Although the program has been tailored for SU, it is a generic system, which means that it can also be used for the benefit of other companies.

He added that there are also plans to improve the program by creating additional features that can execute budget approvals online. The program is currently having a test-run at the SU Business and Finance Office.

The conference, which was sponsored by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators (PSITE), was held at the North Western University, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte last Oct. 18 to 20 with the theme: “OutcomesBased Education.”~

PHOTO BY Melissa Alexandra Pal

SILLIMANWEEKLYSURVEY The famous Mahatma Ghandi once said that we should be the change that we wish to see. We ask:

Q: Are you now a registered voter for the 2013 elections?

Sillimanian netizens served as respondents of this survey. Survey conducted by Jae Nejudne.

Wife Carrying Competition An

annual event in Finland in which a bunch of men carry their wives across a 253.5-meter obstacle course. The winner gets a mobile phone and his wife’s weight in beer.

Extreme Ironing The sport’s official website describes it as “the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a wellpressed shirt.”

sPOORts

New info office makes SU accessible

by Elana Joy Bartlett A NEW INFORMATION office has been erected in place of what once was a waiting shed situated near the Katipunan Hall.

The office will be manned by campus ambassadors, to answer inquiries about the school.

“There is no other office that can cater to visitors,” Engr. Edgar S. Ygnalaga, one of the project heads, said.

The original plan for the location of the office was the empty structure near the SU cafeteria because of its accessibility to the public. This spot, however, was already turned into one of the ATM branches of the Philippine National Bank.

Before the construction of the office, the waiting shed used to be a smoking area. But because of its strategic location, the administration decided to make the shed useful to the public.

The information office is only awaiting the installation of airconditioning units.

The overall cost for construction was around P190,000 . It was designed by the SU Buildings and Grounds.~

SUCCESS! Graduates of the Elements Song Writing Camp raise their hands in victory yesterdayattheLuceAuditorium.RenownedartistslikeRyanCayabyab,OgieAlcasidandYeng Constantino graced the event. PHOTO BY Darrell Rosales

US Embassy Sponsors ‘Writing from the Heart’ Workshop From the Office of Information and Publication

The Embassy of the United States of America in Manila is sponsoring a creative writing workshop for selected students from around Dumaguete City on November 27 to 29 at the Sidlakang Negros Conference Hall.

Dubbed “Writing from the Heart”, the three-day workshop forms part of the ongoing workshop series of the Edilberto and Edith Tiempo Creative Writing Center of Silliman University.

Facilitating the workshop is acclaimed novelist, poet, and playwright Mr. Tony Perez.

Mr. Perez is one of the 100 Filipino recipients of the 18981998 Centennial Artists Awards of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He is also recipient of other prestigious awards, such as the 13 Artists of the Philippines,

the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas from the Writers Union of the Philippines, four National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle, and three prizes from the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, among others.

He has also published books, among them are the “Albert N.: A Case Study” and the five volumes in the Cubao Series titled “Cubao 1980 at Iba Pang Mga Katha”, “Cubao Pagkagat ng Dilim”, “Cubao Midnight Express”, “Eros, Thanatos, Cubao”, and “Cubao-Kalaw KalawCubao”.

The workshop is co-sponsored by the Province of Negros Oriental and done in coordination with Foundation University, Negros Oriental State University and St. Paul University Dumaguete.

For inquiries, e-mail silliman. cwc@gmail.com. ~

The Weekly Sillimanian joins the media industry in commemorating the 3rd year anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre today.

Ninety-two suspects may have held the pen that wrote 30 on the lives of 58 slaughtered bodies. But like the rest of the Journalism Community, this paper shall move forward - towards a progressive campus press. #JusticePrevails Follow us on Twitter @tWS12_13 Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ towardsaprogressivecampuspress