110 years TOWARDS A PROGRESSIVE CAMPUS PRESS | VOL. LXXXV NO. 9 | TUESDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2013
BREAKING CONVENTIONS. Hopeful gay candidates gush over the upcoming Miss Supra Silliman 2014, a pageant exclusively for gay representatives. Miss Supra Silliman Committee says, “it will be better, brighter, and bolder than Miss Silliman.” PHOTO BY Dylzaree Recentes
Intramurals to go virtual this year SUSG presidentless; Namacotcot to be expelled By Kristine Felva P. Licup
THE SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY Student Government (SUSG) is doing a snap presidential election on October 12, 2013 as it bids goodbye to former SUSG president Rowna Namacotcot. Instead of being a candidate for graduation, Namacotcot is now candidate for expulsion after the university found out that her twin, Lowra, has been pretending to be her and attending a lot of her classes during the semester. Dean of Students Carloss Mugtawlees said that the decision of expelling Namacotcot is final and there is nothing that could be done about it. “The university’s decision is irrevocable. It is clear deceit, what she did. It is only right that she be expelled. With her dishonesty, she doesn’t deserve to be the student government president. She doesn’t even deserve to be a Sillimanian,” said Mugtawlees. During an exclusive interview with the Weakly Sillymenien, a crying continued on page 4
By Samantha L. Colinco
AFTER DECADES OF tradition and face-to-face sports battles, this year’s intramurals will undergo a major change after the Silliman University Athletics Department introduced Monday a new format of competition for this November’s event. All sports will be played using the Nintendo Wii. Head of the SU Athletics Department, Meriam Macho, said that the decision was made primarily to address the concern towards the harmful effects of the sun - one of which is skin cancer - due to the worsening climate
change. “We cannot anymore allow our students to swim in the pool or play in the outdoor basketball court, ball field and tennis court where they are exposed to the harmful rays of the sun. Preserving our skin is more important than any physical activity,” she said. A home video game console released by Nintendo, the Wii uses a remote controller that serves as a handheld pointing device and which detects movement in three dimensions. Wii Sports offers five sports simulations namely tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing. Consequently, only the
THE HELMET LAW. Dumaguete City now strictly implements the Helmet Law even requiring car drivers and their passengers to wear helmets. PHOTO BY Nel Dableo
No more feasibs and intense research – Admin ByKatrin Anne A. Arcala
SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY VICE President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), Dr. Sexy Joy Tan, confirmed Tuesday that feasibility studies and intense research papers will be relaxed for the semesters to come. The decision, which created a huge surprise among faculty members and other graduating students, was an upshot of a recently concluded study by psychology majors. The paper entitled “Exploring the effects of heavy research” proved that feasibility studies and other intense researches have been creating an unhealthy lifestyle for most Sillimanians. Findings confirmed
that those who are currently enrolled in research-related subjects have more tendencies to sleep late and skip meals. The lack of nutrients and proper rest consequently contributed to memory loss and shifting focus. “Silliman University is centered towards the holistic education of every Sillimanian. The lack of time for sleep and meals does not mirror this principle,” Tan said. Aside from its physical ill effects, the study also discovered a trend among the students. First, coffee consumption has evidently increased. An average of seven out of ten members in a group consume at least a cup of coffee a day to ensure that they will finish their required outputs on time. Second, the use
of social networking sites as a live feed diary doubled as well. Posts and tweets (and even photos) of students either complaining on how tired they are or rejoicing how near they are from finishing their work were trending for the months of August to September. “We are creating a very unhealthy lifestyle for students. I don’t think this is the way to train the next generation leaders,” she added. The university administration sees the modification as a risk. Faculty from several colleges will meet within the month to review their curriculum and to find other means to substitute researches. ~
said sports will be played in the intramurals. A 2012 study by Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas found that the energy used when playing Wii Sports is not of high enough intensity to consider it actual exercise. But Macho remained unconcerned. “It doesn’t matter if the students really exert energy or not in playing them. This year, it will be more fun because we get to play new sports such as golf, boxing and bowling. We just have to be adventurous and try new things,” she said. The Athletics Department
needs at least 30 Wii consoles at P6,500 apiece along with widescreen television sets to accommodate the 14 competing colleges and departments. Macho added that they are not worried about the additional costs because of the heaping revenues the university has incurred this semester alone. “It’s a good thing we now have surcharges, income-generating projects like the columbarium and not to mention the various grants. Because of these, we can surely afford as much consoles as we need to make this year’s intramurals a success,” she said. ~
By Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia
two later reasons for rescheduling the finals week were just added since he wanted to present not only a single reason to the university’s constituents. In this way, he said that, “at least people will get convinced. Shhh… don’t tell them. This is off the record okay Ms. Elvinia?” “Sure sir,” I said. However, Nalaya said that it is really important to develop teacher-student relationships. He said that sometimes some students really get bored with their teachers during discussions or even the whole duration of the class. “I thought that lengthening the span of time can give some teachers some time to improve their style and techniques in teaching and at the same time prove themselves to the students that they also have the ‘k’ somehow,” he said. Nalaya said that during the final examinations, students only have to bring themselves. Ball pens, papers and snacks will be provided by the university. ~
Finals week moves to last week of October
FINALS WEEK FOR this semester is moved to the last week of October 2013. “We decided to move the finals week because we [administration] can sense that not all students can pay their tuitions on time. By doing this, it also gives students a longer time in doing their final requirements such as research papers and thematic papers. It’s also the best way to strengthen teacher-student relationships here in the campus,” Silingan University president Bentong Nalaya said. Nalaya said that in the past weeks, a lot of students aired their concerns regarding the tuition fees. “They said that Silingan’s tuition is too big an amount. Most of them even said that they really need enough time especially their parents to look for money. And since I have a kind heart, I told them that I will find a solution about their concerns,” he said. The president added that the
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the weakly sillymenien 9 october 2013
Wii care for you AMONG THE CHANGES during the second semester is the imposition of Nintendo Wii in replacement of the annual university intramurals. It is then another commendable action from the SU administration that they now focus on the development of physical performance and competence of the students with the dynamic innovations of technology. The decision gives the opportunity to the nerds and computer geniuses in the university in order for them to be finally noticed and so now, they have the chance to showcase hidden and absurd talents and skills. It also supports the statement of Vice-President for Academic Affairs Sexy Joy Tan to relieve the students from physical exhaustion and focus on the well-rounded hi-tech activities instead. The admin plans that the transition would place stereotyped personalities in the spotlight this time and would not stress the athletes since they can now be given the chance to experience the responsibilities outside the court and be assigned to different committees. (While they grow buy-on, which is actually trendy these days.) The Weakly Sillymenien believes that the budget allocated for the intramurals which came from the surcharges would diverge into students engaging in a more techy way of living through launching this game. The amount also that they get from the students will be justified, at least. It feels very touching to know that the Head of the SU Athletics Department, Meriam Macho, is very concerned of students regarding the effect of skin cancer due to the worsening climate change since intrams are held outdoors. Once again, we believe that a true Sillymanian is flexible enough to handle the changes and cope up with the innovations implemented. This would be for the betterment of everyone whether they sporty or not. The transition would become a good exposure provided by the school to the students and everybody would become protected from all the harmful rays and promote healthy and fabulous skin. ~
editorial
roundup
SUSG President-less...
NOW AVAILABLE. Sillyman University vending machines are now offering research papers. This is the solution of the Sillyman administration to lessen the increasing number of students who keep retaking their BC25 subject and for graduating students who are having a hard time finishing their thesis. PHOTO BY Yuys Escoreal
Wide Awake
from page 1
Namacotcot said she never expected that love could do her harm: “I only did that because I love my job too much. I dedicated my whole sem in being president and I figured I can’t just be the full-time student anymore so I asked my twin sister to cover for me. I didn’t know wanting to give my all to the student body is subject for immediate expulsion.” She added, “I did it for love. I just loved the student body so much. Ni minsan, di ko inakalang mali ang magmahal.” The Namacotcot twins’ secret was exposed by Lowra’s exboyfriend Paoluh Ohngub after Lowra broke up with him because of not bringing her comfort food when she asked for it. The only precinct for the snap presidential election is at the house of Siliman University President Bean Malayoung. As it is a snap election, voting is only from 12:30 p.m. to 12:31 p.m. ~
sillimeniensspeak twsfeatures Sillyman University’s New Course Offerings
Compiled by Nectarina Catada
“What do you regret not doing this semester?” “HUHUHUHU. :( I did not know the name of my classmate in BC25. He’s my Physics major crush. Hey, someday my eyes will meet yours.” Eda Sheeroi, AB Eng II “I regret not memorizing my talumpati. Good luck to my grades.” Fritz Gordon, BSN I “I regret not going to the amphi. I’m afraid that Hibbard will talk to me. I’m afraid of large and long objects, really.” Rayana Harona, BS ComEng IV “I never enjoyed Founders week. I just stayed in the dorm and listenend to the songs I used to sing. If only I can turn back time.” Rana Tabon, BS Chem II
See you next semester!
Editor-in-chief Michiko Je M. Bito-on Associate Editor Royanni Miel M. Hontucan News Editor Keren Ann V. Bernadas Features Editor Danica Grace B. Gumahad Business Manager Justin Val R. Virtudazo Senior Writer Samantha L. Colinco News Writers Katrin Anne A. Arcala, Jelanie Rose T. Elvinia, Kristine Ann M. Fernandez, Kristine Felva P. Licup, Princess T. Abellon, Nova Veraley V. Grafe Feature Writers Roberto Klemente R. Timonera, Maya Angelique B. Jajalla, Michael Aaron C. Gomez Photojournalists Dylzaree D. Recentes, Nelly May S. Dableo, Yuys Fatima L. Escoreal Cartoonist Nicky F. Maypa Circulation Manager Nectarina M. Catada Office Manager Honey Grace A. Suello, John Lee D. Limbaga Web Manager David Mupe 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.facebook.com/ towardsaprogressivecampuspress theweeklysillimanian1314@gmail.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
By Michko Je M. Bito-on
T
o address problems regarding the declining number of enrolees and to improve the quality of education it is giving to students, Sillyman University has decided to open three new course offerings starting this second semester of school year 2013-2014. These new courses aim to provide enrolees with new academic choices which they cannot find in any other university. Bachelor of Arts Major in Photography Minor in Photobombing Forget about food and water. The internet is the life source of the Selfie Generation. It acts as the real-time diaries of most of the youth today: giving us the latest lowdown of what they’re eating (foodporn), what music they’re listening to (causing one an eargasm) and even how good or bad they’re feeling even if they don’t know you personally. As the label implies, the Selfie generation’s trademark of flooding one’s newsfeed with pictures of themselves doing the most nonsensical things has become a very alarming problem as more and more people suffer from nausea and vomiting from viewing repetitive images of selfie addicts. (Like dude, seriously, we do not want to know what you do inside the comfort room. Is taking a sefie while you’re sleeping even possible? Pag-sure oi.) As a solution, Sillyman University will be having a new
course offering entitled Bachelor of Arts Major in Photography Minor in Photobombing as a deterrent to the negative practice. Students will be receiving units on how to sneak up on random people who are about to take selfies. They will also learn the art of “Face Contortion” to momentarily scare the living daylights out of people viewing the photos. However, course directors wish to warn persistent selfie takers to report photobombers who join in their photos in the middle of the night because they aren’t students of the new program but paranormal entities or psychotic stalkers. Master of Arts in Gay Lingo To better support the LGBTQ community, Sillyman University will soon launch its Master of Arts in Gay Linggo program. Like in all other language subjects, students will be taught how to conjugate verbs and how to translate everyday sentences into gay speech. For example, tanders (meaning “old”) + -um= tumanders (meaning “to grow old”). Another is the use of familiar places and people. Bangladesh does not denote the Asian country in gay lingo; rather, it means to “deposit in the comfort room”. Used in a sentence, one can say: “Fret, gora na ta kay mag-Bangladesh ko!” There are many other lessons that aspiring students can get from this course offering. For more information, students can proceed to KH (Keribells Hall). The office is open from 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM.
Bachelor of Science in Liberal Human Kinetics This course offering is a step higher than your Physical Education subjects. Students are not only expected to dance, but also to surpass the likes of Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga. Twerking, a dance characterized by the vigorous shaking of a person’s buttocks and popularized by Miley Cyrus, will be one of the main lessons in the program. Students will also be encouraged to dress up in avantgarde clothes made up of exotic materials like coconut husks and dental floss. However, students of the new program are still not expected to perform outside their classrooms as their professors have yet to secure a permit from PASO (Public Alarm and Scandal Office). In addition, since the course will only be having its pioneering batch next semester, it still has limited funding. Instead of getting real celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga, students will be having professors appropriately named Melay Citrus and Lady Gagita. These are the new academic developments for next semester. We hope you are as excited as the Weakly Sillymanian and that you remain as optimistic like this beautiful quote: “When life throws you lemons, don’t make lemonade. Di ka matingala nganung gilabayan ka ug lemon? Calamansi is cheaper.”~