Today's CAROLINIAN - June 2014 Issue

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GENERAL SERVICES EMPLOYEES UNION STAGE STRIKE Kerstein Kylle Despi

General Services Employees Union (GSEU) of the University of San Carlos (USC) staged a strike outside Talamban Campus last May 20 to protest the administration’s layoff of General Services Office (GSO) workers.

Picketing workers barricaded the entrances of Talamban Campus forcing anyone from entering the university; causing heavy traffic along the street and prompting a temporary suspension of classes.

The picket followed the closure of USC-GSO on May 15 as the administration’s costcutting measure to outsource its maintenance and utility services in preparation for the

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implementation of the K+12 program this 2016. With the anticipated drop of college enrollees on the academic years 2016-2017, long-range cost-cutting measures had to be implemented to bring down operational expenses said USC’s legal counsel, Fr. Ernesto M. Lagura, SVD. USC administration explained that all affected GSO personnel were granted reasonable offers more than what is mandated by labor laws. 61 of 77 personnel have accepted the separation benefit.

GSEU President Jovirito Contratista said, however, that the compensation was not enough. He stated that laid-off employees have worked for 15-22

years in building maintenance of campuses and that removing them is unjustifiable.

The National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) issued a notice of conference between the two parties to appear before Conciliator-Mediator Gemma Poloyapoy on May 21 to find a solution. Contratista said negotiations ended in deadlock. According to him, the administration’s measure is equivalent to union-busting and K+12 was just an alibi The administration stands firm on its decision as remaining workers who have not agreed to the negotiations continued their strike. TC

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Today’s CAROLINIAN

NEWS

JUNE 2014 | Vol. 2 No. 1

Anti-China Protests Go Out of Hand Athena Grace Orque Amidst unresolved territorial disputes between China and neighboring Asian countries, riots broke out in Vietnam last May 14 which marked the worst anti-China protest in decades. The upsurge from the locals was caused by Beijing’s deployment of an oiling rig near contested territory.

20,000 protesters targeted industrial zones.

More than a dozen factories were on fire including business establishments not owned by Chinese nationals damaged in the affected areas in Binh Duong province, Hanoi 4 Chinese nationals were killed and over 300 others were injured. The riot caused heavy property losses and led to an evaculation of

3,000 Chinese nationals.

Two days later, Filipino protesters, including a few politicians, and members of the Vietnamese community in the country joined to support Vietnam against China demanding the stop of the oil drilling in the Paracel Islands, the territory in question. Protesters carried placards that read “We support Vietnam” and “Vietnam-Philippines join hands to kick off China.”

More recent conflicts have also risen since the May 14 riots such as the issue of China accusing Vietnam of ramming its ships 1,400 times in the disputed South China Sea last

U.S, Philippines Sign EDCA Alvin Apolinar U.S. President Barack Obama arrived in Manila as a conclusion to his four-country visit over Asia last April 28, 2014.

and use of facilities and areas will be at the invitation of the Philippines and with full respect for the Philippines Constitution and Philippine laws.”

The importance of this state visit came to light hours before the arrival of the president as Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Left-wing Filipino militant activists staged protest against the new agreement and the visit of Obama, saying that EDCA will only let a “bully” to replace another “bully”. “We should stand by our territory against incursions but that does not mean that we will fight China, and let U.S. enter the scene,” Bayan Muna Representative Nerry Colmenares said. Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes also left a comment regarding the issue and said, “The US military and economic agenda will only reinforce the status of the Philippines as an American neo-colony, and President Benigno Aquino III as Obama’s cheerleader and puppet in Asia,” said.

EDCA is an executive agreement between the two allied governments which allows the stationing of U.S. military forces, and supplies including U.S. fighter jets and naval ships on military bases throughout the Philippines. Its preamble refers to the obligation of U.S. and Philippines to settle international disputes by peaceful means, and to refrain from the threat or use of force.

Regarding the issue of the Philippines losing its sovereignty and having its territory being invaded, the Preamble states that “all United States access to

But despite the divided and mostly negative reactions from the mass, the Philippine government remains optimistic about EDCA’s contribution towards the country’s stand against China regarding the disputes in the West Philippine Sea. TC

#CebuAgainstPork Coalition Celebrates Independence Day Through a Rally Athena Grace Orque The Cebu Coalition Against the Pork Barrel System organized a rally for the abolishment of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), also known as the Pork Barrel System at Fuente Osmeña Circle last June 12.

The interfaith rally had an estimate of 3,000participants from various sectors, partylists and religious groups, including the Archdiocese of Cebu, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and other denominations.

The Movement for Livable Cebu, the academe, and other organizations represented the private sector. The Carolinian Political Science Society (CPSS) and Student Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (STAND) from USC were also present.Theparticipants of the rallies held up banners and placards reading “No to Aquino Cover Up, Pork Barrel King Panagutan” and “Batukan ang Charter Change.” The rally’s primary call was to: “Jail

Protesters from different sectors of the community rallied together last Independence Day to express their sentiments about the PDAF scam

the Guilty. Those charged, resign now. Act now, file the cases.” Members of the youthsectorwore masks of those involved inthe scam.

Representative speakers, Typhoon Yolanda victim, Ranolfo Galliardo, Dr.Shawn Espina, a doctor from the

Yang Jiechi and Pham Binh Minh are going to ‘exchange views on issues concerning bilateral relations’

June 8.

Beijing, which claims the most parts of the contested waters in the South East China Sea, remains at odds with its Asian neighbors and refuses to abide international arbitration from the United Nations (UN) based on the United Nations Convention on the Lawof the Sea (UNCLOS). TC

‘Napolist’ Tags 108 Solons Paolo Louis Manghihilot Alleged pork barrel scam ‘queen’ Janet Lim Napoles included 108 former and incumbent senators and congressmen in her affidavit submitted to DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima last May 25 regarding the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

In the expanded affidavit of Napoles, submitted by the DOJ to Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman, Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, she tagged at least 8 former senators, 16 incumbent senators and 88 former and incumbent congressmen and their agents in the scam.

Amidst the denial of some senators of their involvement, Napoles also acknowledged that she had provided campaign funds for former senator Manuel “Manny” Villar, and incumbent senators, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, during the previous election.

Moroever, the Ombudsman has already indicted Janet Lim Napoles and senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla together with Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, Enrile’s former Chief of Staff; Richard Cambe, Revilla’s Chief of Staff; Paulene Therese Mary C. Labayen, Estrada’s Deputy Chief of Staff; John Ronald Lim, Napoles’ fugitive brother; and John Raymond de Asis, Napoles’ driver and bodyguard, in the Sandiganbayan for three sets of “Information for Plunder”. TC

private sector, and Ken Ecarma, USC Supreme Student Council president and STAND representative, were among the many speakers who presented issues in the gathering.

The program for the rally ended with the call for participation inthe signing of the People’s Initiative, a law formulated by the people seeking to fully abolish the Pork Barrel System and any program with a similar nature. A National People’s Congress,is expected to be held on August 23, 2014 to address the graft and corruption in the government. TC

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MAIN OPINION

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BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL: TUITION INCREASE

Illustration by Marc Abuan Ah, another tuition increase. Money will never cease to become the least of our problems.

be observed, as well as new and advanced equipment and facilities.

There will always seem to be this unending struggle for students to fight against the tuition hike and every one of us can take part of it.

The tuition hike is a manifestation of a greater problem in society. This problem spirals down and affects not only the majority of the country’s youth sector but also everyone rendering their service to institutions.

However, we all know that these changes could equate to employees getting laid-off from work.

The recent strike that transpired early Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at the Talamban Campus was the result of the removal of the General Services Office (GSO) after rendering years of service to the University of San Carlos (USC). The GSO employees have been retrenched and replaced by an outsourced agency in order for USC to make way to cut back on expenses and save much out of the tuition increase of the students.

The university is, basically, looking into what needs to be done on their part to sustain the status of the institution as a whole. However, the administration has yet to settle the issue with what must be done justly as the compensation left for the employees won’t be enough to sustain their futures.

Since the implementation of the Republic Act 10533, or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, more popularly known as K +12, both public and private Higher Education Institutions (HEI) have been placed on the pedestal. It is a heavy blow on the HEIs concerning the period of time where no freshmen students will be entering the schools in 2016-2017 and 2017-2108. More so, the numbers of college entries will also drop by then since jobs will be open to anyone without a college degree. Consequently, institutions are obliged to adjust to the requirements of the transition management plans as early as possible. However, this affects all the people involved in the institution: administration, faculty, staff, students and their families as they make way for change in the curriculum and improvement of the overall quality of education.

In this process, the faculty may be asked to go further into their studies to finish their master’s or doctoral degrees to continue teaching tertiary level students otherwise they may opt to render their service in secondary school or, perhaps, pursue another career. This only ensures that the quality of teaching is well restructured and updated. Structural improvements may also

of the K+12 was going to be one hell of a ride; like a rock generating a hundred ripples affecting our country’s future and working class. But this burden has already been well underway and while there seems to be this losing fight to beat what has already been done, we can only beg to question: How well will our money be allocated for the improvements of the institution?

So, with this noted 7.39% tuition increase, we realize that the bigger burden is left on us students. Every student enrolled next semester carries the burden of all these changes for the university. Although it calls for the improvement of all educational sectors, we cannot argue that the price of acquiring a college degree already costs more than the average citizen is earning today. This has been a constant problem for many Filipinos to the extent that some hinder their studies to keep up with the rising cost of education. This denies a student’s right to education and robs off the opportunities of a greater future.

Every student has the right to acquire information and has the responsibility to disseminate what he knows. After all in USC, what we have, we share; and what we do not know, we seek to learn. So, dear Carolinians, question everything and be vigilant in the following weeks to come; question the quality of education, are we getting our money’s worth? We can look at the situation in different angles and be critical about how we can poke through the loop holes of the tuition increase. As one student body, we can all help look at the little things that affect us most directly. We are entitled to feel the expected improvements, upgrades and new equipment and facilities in our environment. What are we really paying for exactly? Have our classrooms been fixed up? Do we have competent teachers to teach us what we need to know? Do these teachers show up on time or at all? Are we being treated justly? Is the curriculum justifiable? Are we using the books we are required to buy? Are we safe in school? - These questions can size up to our constant fight for the tuition increase.

If we can’t beat them to the increase, we can strike them at what is expected of this change with which can only be done through a collective effort.

Of course, we all knew that the implementation

We fight for what is right. TC

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Today’s CAROLINIAN

OPINION

JUNE 2014 | Vol. 2 No. 1

ISMISery Again With the growing prominence of the internet, establishments have begun to offer online services for convenience. The University of San Carlos (USC) is not exempt from such institutions.

Cesar Carlos Heyrosa

On August 24, 2012, USC officially launched the Integrated School Management Information System (ISMIS). According to Engr. Rosanna Ferolin in the USC website, ISMIS is a computer-based archive managed by the Information Resource Management – Academic Computing Services (IRM-ACS) Office. This online service enables students, faculty members, parents and administrators to access information on grades, schedules, program courses and assessments. It can also be used for other services such as faculty evaluation, submission of grades and enrollment.

Though the objectives of ISMIS are noble, this online service is definitely not doing its job well, especially in terms of its enrollment services.

Since the inception of ISMIS, students recurrently express their frustrations during enrollment period, as the website runs very slowly or

is entirely inaccessible. This delays the supposedly more convenient enrollment process.

In addition to this, the problems with ISMIS are not only limited to its enrollment module. Often, information and services from the website are inaccessible due to server errors.

Furthermore, ISMIS seldom prevents its users from gaining access to information, citing not enrolling, or not settling their dues as a reason, despite already having done so. This was the experience of many in the most recent enrollment period.

ISMIS may also become a significant inconvenience when shifting from one curriculum to another, as evidenced by a first-hand experience. The constant disruptions in the online service may ultimately cause the undoing of the shifting process.

Additionally, the IRM-ACS Office may only reason out that this is due to the records not being up to date, which is actually a problem in itself.

These problems may be caused by the internal server of the ISMIS website. With many students logging in simultaneously in peak times such

as during enrollment, the website slows down as the server attempts to accommodate all these users.

Making matters worse, the current software framework of ISMIS is not the updated stable version.

However, the problems in ISMIS can be remedied as long as the USC Administration is willing to do so. According to Conrado Geromo Jr., who studies BS ICT, together with a BS IT student and a BS CompE student who chose not to disclose their names, ISMIS can be improved significantly if its server is upgraded or overhauled completely.

Furthermore, the BS CompE student suggested that the employment of more competent website developers and managers may also contribute to the online service’s enhancement.

Though the objectives of ISMIS are indeed noble, is it acceptable that we are given a bug-ridden website to accommodate our needs? Is this the service we deserve with what we are paying for? Is the offering of a mediocre service, such as ISMIS, not a contradiction to the value of excellence institutions must embody?

TC

GSO: Aftermath Sans Union According to the University of San Carlos (USC) Administration, their decision to close the General Services Office (GSO) and switch to agencybased services was in order to reduce expenses in the preparation and the transition period of the K-12 program.

Wayne Lorenz Tandingan

The administration has the right to do so. However, while one of the basic rights of workers is the security of their jobs, they may still be dismissed from work when the purpose of doing so is retrenchment or cutting down of expenses to avoid losses. In addition, the application of an agency-based service benefits the university as the contract of agency workers may be terminated at any time at the beckand-call of the hiring organization.

This connotes the absence of worker benefits which are added costs to the school. Agency workers cannot form unions. What follows is logical and is something that may have not been given attention to by the public.

With the closure of the GSO, the USC General Services Employees Union (GSEU) dies too.

With the termination of a union, the

administration can do away with bothersome issues and proposals such as salary hikes, better working conditions, or whatever made in the name of labor rights that the higherups can swat off as nuisances – at least which are what the employers who benefit from this busting might say.

Struggles for power over decisionmaking always exist between the union and the administration – the union desires better conditions at work, the administration wishes to minimize costs and maximize gains. An agreement after tedious negotiation can only be made if it satisfies both parties. With this, the dissolution of a labor union will always be viewed as something in favour of the employer side.

There won’t be much fuss over the aftermath of the power struggle though if re-employment is the only thing that matters to the fired employees. Perhaps the fires of conflict may have died down with the administration giving a chance for the terminated employees to be rehired by the university as electricians and

plumbers given they will undergo skills training at TESDA and prove competent for the work.

Whether this will be a happy or sad ending to the employees is still uncertain. One thing is for sure, however.

The administration maintains its stand to avoid unions in the university. Why? Is this because the employees are assured by the most holy that their rights will be safeguarded at all costs?

Or is there fear of backlash because there’s something shady going on in the first place?

This is not to say that the administration does not respect the rights of its employees. However, we wish that the movements of the higher-ups are made in good faith.

It’s rude to doubt intentions but the possibility of true intent allows each one of us to question further.

We will not take any chances. The eyes of vigilance will always be upon those seated on the throne of power.

TC

OPINION

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A King without a Kingdom A year after the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs fought a downto-the-wire seven-game series in Basketball’s inarguably most prestigious stage, the NBA Finals, the two heavy-weights were at it once more.

Who would ever forget that Heat comeback in Game 6 with 21 seconds left? That Allen corner trey still lingers in the mind of every Spurs fan. That that remarkable comeback eventually cost the Spurs the chance of having their fifth title as the Heat went on to win Game 7 in that series.

Karl Benedict Sayson

The recently concluded 13-14 NBA season, we saw a motivated Spurs team that immediately made their message clear right from the get-go that a second consecutive trip to the Finals is what they were eyeing on, adding key players to their roster in the names of Italian sharp-shooter Marco Belinelli and Australian Patty Mills, plus the consistent improvements of Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter.

Throughout the season, the veteran Popovich-led Spurs team have taught teams that fundamentals beat talent, earning the team the league’s best record of 62 wins with only 20 losses during the season.

On the other hand, I have always been a fan of LeBron’s game, but not really

a fan of the Heat squad. The only time I hated LBJ was during 2011 when they faced my Mavs and how he mocked my Dirk having a flu prior to Game 5.

LeBron’s ever-improving game with emphasis on his shooting percentage and minutes-points ratio, Dwyane Wade’s fairly healthy condition all throughout the Playoffs, and Ray Allen’s game-saving repertoire told a story that the Heat may be too much for the Spurs to bear, but throughout the duration of that series, the Spurs have wanted the series more, beating the Heat blowouts after blowouts after blowouts after blowouts. Yes, the Spurs just destroyed Miami in four disastrous games.

In Basketball, skills and talent will always reign supreme and Miami had the edge on this one. But just so we know, our beloved game is a team game, thus, ball-rotation, screens, communication are keys and easily, San Antonio had the edge in this one.

Right from the start I kept on saying that the only way the Spurs could beat this Heat squad was really ballrotation and yes, it was exactly what happened.

lest we have forgotten, they did not really have to run side-by-side as they consistently managed to set the tone and let their mojo of ball-rotation dictate the game instead of letting the Heat imply their game-plan.

In sum, it was not really that great of a NBA finals rematch, as competitive as what was advertised, all we saw was a Bird without wings, the Flash who lost his speed, and a sharp-shooter who kept on missing. Yes, LeBron is still king, but he rules in a kingdom he does not own anymore and that he merely lives in it. This is how my uncle described the series and the king.

Momentous it is to crown the Spurs with a fifth title -- one championship to put the icing on the cake for a tremendous franchise run that started with coach Popovich and Duncan way back 1997 which was later surrounded by key players headed by Parker and Ginobili. What better way to conclude a 17-year Spurs run with a championship. Congratulations to the 2013-14 NBA Champions, your San Antonio Spurs! For all those who rooted for the Spurs, sweet cheers for a sweet revenge!

Say whatever you want about the Spurs may have been too old to play run-and-gun against the Heat, but

P.S. Kawhi became the youngest NBA Finals MVP, surpassing his own teammate Tim Duncan who held the same title way back 1999. TC

logo. To be a witness means to stand and speak in truth and defend it. The “Word” that is referred to here is, of course, the Word of God. What of our non-believing Carolinians?

the God of the Christian Church but rather any higher power. Simply put, it could mean different things to different people depending on who you ask.

In the same way, a Carolinian could adopt his or her own meaning on what it is to be a witness to the Word. Whether it is in the belief in a higher power or a simple notion that whatever they do should matter, a Carolinian surely has something they hold in high regard. This is why wherever they go they have a way of carrying themselves.

It has been said that Saint Charles Borromeo, the namesake saint of our university, was – for others he still is – a patron of learning and the arts.

He was called a reformer and was greatly influential. It is possible these traits we have inherited. One way or another, a Carolinian is one who comes off as self-assured of himself and his abilities.

Perhaps we can follow with how the Preamble of the Philippine Constitution was handled. There seemed to be a contradiction with the mention of “God” and there supposedly being a separation between church and state. This was resolved with the statement that “God” in our preamble is not explicitly

The funny thing about having a shared identity is that despite the absolute uniqueness everyone has, it is in the harmony and mutual benefits out of everyone’s uniqueness that really matters. It is one of life’s most basic lessons. After all, university does mean unity in diversity. TC

Recall the Witness Last month, the Philippine Star released an unofficial list of the country’s top universities with the University of San Carlos ranking as the country’s 6th best university.

Based on the list, USC is also ranking the highest in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, backing up its claim to be the premier university of the south. This elicits a sense of pride in all of us at USC.

Gerald Owen Franza

When looking at the other well-known universities, an image easily comes to mind of the kind of students they produce. There are some fairly well known stereotypes – some of them unfair and one-dimensional – but, truth be told, there is always somehow that shared and collective identity and it is only fitting Carolinians have one too.

As a starting point, it has been said that a Carolinian is a witness to the Word like what it says on our university

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Today’s CAROLINIAN

OPINION

JUNE 2014 | Vol. 2 No. 1

From Corsets and Laces The brain is the central organ of all bodily functions. It manages and filters everything you do from speaking and listening to sleeping and sports. It is a mass of nerves that controls every body part you have. It manages your cognitive functions. In short, it is the main computer of your body.

The brain is also the main organ that we bring to school so we function properly in class. It is the organ that we exercise the most when we’re in school-other than our legs, of course, since we are going to the University of San Carlos.

Raynielle Beatris Lacson

The main purpose of going to the university in the first place is to learn and thrive in the knowledge that it has to offer. We pay good money just to be lavished upon with USC’s boasted decades old wisdom.

We go to college to learn and better ourselves toward our paths as professionals.

Why, then, does the school have limiting dress policies that seem to

get more and more restricting as the years come and go?

As we step into the University gates, we are taught and cultured that to bare skin is wrong since we are entering a sacred foundation of learning and knowledge. We are taught to blend in by being issued uniforms that massacre any individual’s form of individuality. Our haircuts are monitored and controlled .

I cannot fathom why these things would hinder our learning process.

Although these things we’ve learned to accept, just recently, the school dress policy has seemed to reach a new low. Male apparel is now restricted for the female half of the university populace. The newly issued dress code policy states that ladies are not to wear baggy pants and male shoes.

Clearly this is some subliminal propaganda by the University to implement gender roles. It could also be some form of silent protest against

the growing LGBT community and this is just USC’s way of trying to put genders into their correct places.

While it is understood that in a patriarchal society that effeminate men are frowned upon and made fun of for cross-dressing, it is a little curious as to why USC has banned its female students from dressing like men. Skin would not be shown.

Tempers would not be tested. Is this USC’s way of being sensitive to the homophobic part of the student body?

While I could hypothesize over and over regarding this new implementation, it still does not disregard the fact that it is complete ludicrous to ban the female populace of the university from the comfort of loose clothes and shoes. Though the administration clearly have their reasons for implementing such a shallow, superficial rule, the rationality of their reasons is still pretty much questionable. An explanation would be nice. TC

NEW COURSES OFFERED IN USC Jet Cenia

The Academic Year 2014-2015 introduces different departments in the University of San Carlos (USC). With the growing trend of educational development in the country, the university must meet the demands of globally competitive world. The country must produce individuals who are fully equipped with the skills needed to endure a greater society. The new courses offered are a manifestation of how the university instills their support to the country’s cause. Fortunately, the Departments of Physical Education, Mechanical Engineering and that of Languages and Literature enlightened us concerning the new courses offered under their respective departments.

Dr. Charity Tecson-Turano, Chairman of the Department of Languages and Literature, gladly shared some information concerning the new courses their department is offering Bachelor of Arts in Communication which spans with two tracks: Media and Corporate Communication.

The department had it separated to avoid the misconception that mass communication is media.

Corporate Communication is one of the newest programs offered only by USC here in Cebu. The course focuses on managing and orchestrating all internal and external communications which aims creating a favorable point -of -view among stakeholders that companies depend upon. Furthermore, the course offers topics on

entrepreneurship, press relations and events organizing.

Media, on the other hand, focuses on broadcasting, journalism, radio and television production, press relations, and fundamentals in mass communication. The department offered these courses because of the rising demand of individuals with great communication skills that are highly needed in companies and to meet the needs of the growing media industry. In addition, Dr. Tejano revealed that there are new faculty members in the department who are professional media practitioners that will be mentoring the students enrolled in the said courses. Through this, the students would be able to appreciate and grasp their lessons more with teachers who can share their personal experiences.

Similarly, the Department of Physical Education is also offering a new program: Bachelor of Physical Education major in School Physical Education (BPE-SPE). According to their Department Chair, Mr. Marlon T. Bojos, the new program was offered because of CHED Memorandum Order No. 23 series of 2011 which was a mandatory requirement for schools to offer the new program in replacement of the old curriculum, BS-ED MAPEH. Basically, the course is about producing PE teachers for elementary and high school levels.

The course gives an in- depth emphasis on one major which is health. It also gives the students an advantage by allowing them to concentrate on

the licensure exam for teachers, a requirement of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).

The faculty is expected to apply the OutcomeBased Education (OBE) curriculum. The faculty also assures that the students will be taught by teachers who are PRC licensed and those who are master’s degree holders.

Last year, the Mechanical Engineering Department offered their new program Manufacturing Engineering that is centered on Metal works. The University of San Carlos and De la Salle University the only schools offering this course The only difference is that La Salle has specializations in Mechatronics and Biomedical engineering.

Dr. Edwin Carcasona, former chairman of the department, said that manufacturing engineers are in demand because of the numerous export processing zones and industries of food, drink, oil, plastics and pharmaceuticals found in the country.

Conclusively, these new courses are of great help for students who are following a certain career path. Since the demand of specialized professions is increasing each year, schools must introduce new courses and programs fit for the needs in the labor industry. While the cost of college education is increasing, finding a high paying job is equally hard because of the stiff competition. Still what remains important is to earn a college degree, find a job and pursue a successful career. TC

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FEATURES

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THE BAYANI CHALLENGE Gabriel Ramon Arcenas

The Bayani Challenge is a yearly event organized by the Gawad Kalinga organization where volunteers from around the globe come together in an effort to help build better communities in provinces around the Philippines in cooperation with the local governments in different provinces. This year, the target of the Bayani Challenge was to help rebuild the municipalities affected by Typhoon Yolanda. Spearheaded by the Gawad Kalinga – Cebu chapter, thousands of volunteers, local, national and international, applied and flew in from out of town; some even flew in from another country in order to lend a helping hand.

The Bayani Challenge contains a number of different activities each day: school refurbishing and painting, footbridge making, crab nursery making, mangrove planting, street and coastal clean-up, and the paraisong pambata, where volunteers can interact with children. The

paraisong pambata allows volunteers to play games, read stories, and teach the children.

One of the goals is to help those children affected by Typhoon Yolanda recover from traumatic experiences.

more are also given by the national and international volunteers. The locals are also taught about unity, helping one another, and how to protect the environment and keep their areas clean.

The challenge lasts for five days. Volunteers gather in a base camp where they eat, sleep, and interact with one another. The opening of the challenge is held at a gymnasium or a sports complex. Here, members of different barangays of the municipalities can gather as different speakers welcome them and give them an idea of what events will be happening.

The duration of the events in which volunteers participate vary from half a day to a whole day. The day ends with a culminating activity at the base camp where local volunteers from the different barangays are invited for a talent showcase. Inspirational talks about brotherhood, friendship, strength and many

On the last day of the Bayani Challenge, all the barangays come together one last time with the other volunteers, and together, they have one big celebration. The volunteers show that by working together, big differences can be made. It shows us that the term Bayanihan is not dead. Communities are still working together as one and with the help from neighbouring towns and cities, more work can be accomplished. This shows that the Filipino spirit is still strong and alive in thousands. TC

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Today’s CAROLINIAN

FEATURE

JUNE 2014 | Vol. 2 No. 1

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUMMER Emmanuel Alquizola & Mariya Lim

School may have been out for the summer but Carolinians still came to play and kept their A-game at a good level. The first of many achievements was winning the Bombo Radyo Philippines-Cebu: Lantugi sa Bombo, a Carolinian team bagged the title of grand champion, who will then represent Cebu in the regionals. Karl Sayson recounts the experience, “One of our teammates just arrived from Manila a day before the debate, so we basically just practiced for less than a day, slept at 3 in the morning and woke up at 7 the day after since the debate started at 10 and we had to be at the City Hall by 9.” The topic was all about the Juvenile Delinquency Act, and Sayson credits his team’s success-despite-the-odds to the practical training of the Political Science program.

The accolades don’t end there though. USC came in at 6th place in the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) list of the top ten universities in the country. The rankings were based on which schools in the Philippines had the most Centers of Excellence (COE) and Centers of Development (COD). The Big 4--which includes the University of the Philippines Diliman, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo de Manila University--garnered the most points, preceded only by UP Los Baños at 5th place with twenty points. The University of San Carlos was the only contender from the Visayas. With two COE’s in chemistry and teacher education and ten COD’s in different departments from engineering, business administration, and philosophy.

Moreover, in this year’s National Student Press Convention held in Davao City, Today’s Carolinian won 3rd place in the Magazine category of Most Outstanding Student Publication. Today’s Carolinian’s Writing Head, Lesley de los Santos, was appointed as Deputy Secretary General for the Visayas. Regarding the experience, she said: “Today’s Carolinian has always been for the students. Its history has been filled with the pursuit

of truth. Being awarded with the GAWAD Ernesto Rodriguez Jr. 3rd place award for best magazine means that Today’s has not strayed away from its creed even after 8 years of silence. Lots of students may not understand and appreciate what we do and the content of our writing but we will continue to fight for their welfare and end campus repression. Our Commitment. Your Paper.” Miko Paolo Mangubat, Associate Editor for External Affairs says: “The 74th NSPC and 34th BSPC was quite a blast. Not to mention the great choice of venue and city which was able to cater the delegates from all over the Philippines, CEGP was able to show its best in leadership and teamwork. I have learned a lot in the convention and I am really looking forward to apply most of it in the future and serve my fellow Carolinians.”

On an international level, the Carolinian is not one to shy away either--the World Architecture Festival, a yearly event that serves as a competitive platform for architects across the globe, invited the University of San Carlos to participate. This after last year’s winning design entry came from the College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) students Jon Medalla, Kathleen Canlas, Keshia Lim and Jorge Rocha. Not only were they the first team from Asia to win, but previous victors hail from some of the most prestigious universities in the world like Harvard and MIT. While others were busy soaking up the sun, some Carolinians made the most of their summer by spreading good will through outreach activities or community services.

In the same way, the University of San Carlos Warriors had an outreach activity at St. Bernard, Southern Leyte wherein they extended a lending hand to their fellow brothers and sisters in the area by giving away goods to the residents of St. Bernard.. According to their Facebook page, doing these acts allows them to practice what

they were taught. They added that they are not just “Witnesses to the Word” but they also live by it. The USC Warriors surely proved that they are not just warriors in the basketball court but also soldiers in the community as well.

Likewise, USC Chemical Engineering Council together with Chemistry Students’ Association (CHEMSA) joined Paknaan National High School’s Brigada Eskwela 2014 wherein they helped in painting the walls and flower pots of the said school. The two organizations also went to a summer concert for children at San Carlos Seminary, organized by Sistemang Pilipino. After the concert, a team-building activity was prepared for the children and the two organizations were the ones who coordinated for the said activity.

They organized groups for children to play games including “Crocodile River”, “No Strings Attached” and “U Sack.”

Some Carolinians were also active in joining boot camps, summits, and attending talks and lectures during the summer. Our entrepreneur students and some students from the Department of Industrial Engineering and the Department of Computer Engineering joined the 1st Entrepreneur’s Boot Camp held at the Wrocklage Yard of USC Downtown Campus. The boot camp was filled with a series of talks, workshops, and lectures to guide young entrepreneurs for the undertakings and challenges in the business world. The goal of the lectures and activities was to create a mutual relationship among the students and allow them to share their ideas about business. Undoubtedly, the students were ready to face the crazy world of business after the camp.

With the several activities that happened during the summer raising the expectations of the students it would be safe to say that the events for the upcoming academic year would be highly anticipated. TC

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FEATURE

Today’s CAROLINIAN

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DASIG MANUNUWAT! Lesley Cara P. Delos Santos

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers.” – Universal Declaration of Human Rights The Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Freedom of Information, and the Right to Information have always been a problematic issue within semifeudal and feudal countries like the Philippines, where wealth and status offer power to the privileged few who then exploit the people they consider to be expendable commodities. The Press and the Media are journalists who belong to the mass media and the newspaper industry that embodies the basic rights mentioned above.

Their duties include reporting, investigating, and uncovering the anomalies and crimes that citizens of its country commit to the greater majority of the people. The information they gather will considerably help improve the lapses of the country politically, economically, socially, and culturally which is why Freedom of the Press exists.

Freedom of the Press or Press Freedom, refers to the right to circulate opinions without censorship from the government or by any entity which connotes that journalists are to be protected at all times. However, in the Philippines, journalists are continuously harassed, threatened, killed, kidnapped, and tortured by entities who abuse their power in order to protect their image. In fact, the state of Press Freedom in the Philippines has been plunging down the ranks of the World Press Freedom Index; denoting that journalists in the Philippines are never as safe and protected as they should be and this phenomenon goes on even within the tertiary level of education, which is why the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) exists.

CEGP, one of the active youth-oriented organizations, is an intercollegiate alliance of student publications in the country that has been fighting off campus repression, advocating for press freedom, and promoting student welfare for 82 years together with over 750 student publication members from 500 schools in 68 out of 78 provinces and cities nationwide; making it the oldest and broadest alliance of student publications ever.

In a rotating pattern between Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for its venue, CEGP holds its annual fiveday National Students Press Convention (NSPC) where student journalists from all over the country are invited to listen to lectures, workshops, and conferences on basic, intermediate, and advanced journalism skills provided during the convention.

Socio-cultural and political classroom discussions on the situation of the Philippines, as well as the situation of the youth and the educational system, are included in its yearly itinerary together with a Basic Masses Integration (BMI) to contextualize these discussions. Additionally, assessment of campus press freedom for each student publication is done to continually update the current national status of campus press freedom within universities and colleges in the Philippines.

The Most Outstanding Publications are given the GAWAD Ernesto Rodriguez Jr. Award for major (Magazine, Tabloid, and Broadsheet) and minor (Website, Alternative Form, Literary Folio) categories.

The 74th NSPC is also coupled with CEGP’s 37th Biennial Student Press Congress (BSPC).

The BSPC elects the national president, national vice-president, the executive vice-president, and vice-presidents of the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and appoints the national secretary general, the deputy national secretary general, and the secretary generals per group of islands.

The officers will oversee the success of CEGP

operations for two years before another election and appointment ensues. Both the NSPC and the BSPC are endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

This year, CEGP celebrates its 74th NSPC with the theme, “Dasig Manunuwat: Uniting Campus Journalists for Genuine Press Freedom and Social Change” in Davao and was held last May 19–23. Dasig Manunuwat is a Visayan term which means “inspired writer” with general topics such as Fork in the Road: A Nation in Crisis and the Way Forward for a short course on the National Situation, Selling Out: Neo-Liberal Policies in the Philippine Education System, On Cultural Change for enlightenment of the Educational Situation, Campus Press Freedom and Press Freedom Situation rePRESSed and exPRESSion: Social Crisis and the Implications for Press Freedom for contextualization of the situation of the press in the national and collegiate level, and The New Media and Culture in Crisis for an eye-opener on how social media is affecting an already questionable culture. The participants were also grouped. They shared each other’s experiences of campus repression and to assess each other’s press freedom.

The amount of information that is allowed for the public to scrutinize, debate upon, and investigate is an impeccable factor of progress. Problems in society extend to even the campus level.

And, therefore, Freedom of the Press, even at the campus level, is a determinant of corruption and good governance and plays a role in curbing corruption. Thus, the CEGP and the NSPC do not only serve as a chance for campus journalists all over the Philippines to create ties but also serves as a campus press freedom monitor where universities are considered the country and its students are its people. TC

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Today’s CAROLINIAN

VOX POPULI

JUNE 2014 | Vol. 2 No. 1

Do you think it is justifiable for the USC Administration to lay off GSO workers who have been employees for more than 20 years?

Definitely no! USC administration should have first thought of the effects of their actions towards laid off workers especially that they’ve been employed for more than 2 years. It’s not a justifiable reason that they’re doing it just because of the K-12 program. In fact, they’ve increased the tuition fee to a certain percentage and all along, their reason for increasing it for the sake of the employees.

– BSA 2 Yes, some of them don’t even work properly. I mean, does it take 2 weeks to fix an arm chair? Besides, if the school doesn’t prepare for the upcoming K-12 program, would it not cause more problems?

Increase in tuition or something? I’m not being selfish here, just being realistic.

– BS PHARM 2 Its survival of the fittest, i think USC’s part here is to provide some credit for the 20 years of service. YES. – BFA AA 3

In my own opinion the USC administration cannot and will not justify the actions that they’ve taken. They will take any course of action in order to capitalize what resource they have and one of it is laying off these employees that have been in service for them in over a decade or so.

– AB POSC PTS-ECON 3 I think that the USC Administration has just reasons to lay off GSO workers but it is unnecessary for the fact that these workers have been working in USC for a long time.

These workers know the school inside-out and they have been working hard for the school with probably meager wages. It is known that the K+12 program would create a huge gap in the school’s income because graduates from various high schools will be produced longer than expected and the necessary tuition increase to cover up these losses. I think that this is one of the reasons why administration would lay off some workers but I believe there are better solutions than this.

– BS EE 3

I understand that the laying off of GSO workers is for the K+12 program. Now, the school is implementing a tuition fee increase because of the same reason. I don’t think it is justifiable for the administration to lay off the workers since they already are asking for a tuition fee increase to compensate for the loss of incoming first years. I would understand if they implement the increase because they have to maintain the same number of workers. Also, it would be a burden to the students as well.

– BS AcT 4 There is a certain way of computing the compensation. But I cannot say for sure if the compensation given to the laid off GSO employees enough.

– AB LL 3

In your opinion, is the compensation given to the laid-off GSO employees enough?

I believe it’s not the compensation that is making them stage a strike but what they will do in their lives after spending twenty years in USC. Maybe the workers have no other options upon lay-off. I don’t think it’s all about the money.

– BS PHARM 4 The amount is basically more than the salary they earn. It can keep them financially secure for the time being while they search for other sources of income.

The administration is not Red Cross, so financial compensation is the most they can do for now. We can’t expect them to give free housing and free food.

– AB LL 2 No I do not, it’s not about just having the money. It’s about having a stable job to last you the years.

– BFA FD 4 I think the compensation is just and

humane. From the given information above: “plus ten years worth of salary to be installed a year worth per month”, that wouldn’t be so bad. I mean, would they rather get nothing from the university?

Though considering this economy, it would be hard for them to get another job.

– BS ChE 3

start a business or something. It’s all winwin.

– BS CpE 4

We can’t always generalize what is ‘reasonable’ for people. For some GSO employees, it’s more than just the monetary incentive but it is that sense of job security that matters to them, that guarantee of being able to sustain one’s self and dependents by being stable as an employee. Even with the compensation, it’s still a win-lose situation.

– BSBA Marketing Management II

Certainly, the administration has not overlooked on this matter since they have provided the employees with a form of compensation for their years of service.

Contractually speaking, they have upheld all the rights vested upon their relationship as employer and employees.

It would be fair on these terms but if you would consider the personal rights of the employees then there would be several conflicts with regards to the matter.

– BSA 3

I think, yes. As what I’ve read, USC even paid them more than what they deserved. They could use the money to

Yes, I think the compensation the Administration gave to them was enough.

A teacher of ours even thinks it was more than enough.

– BS Psych 2

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VOX POPULI

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Do you think it was justifiable for the GSEU to barricade the gates during the strike and ask for support from students by not enrolling in the university?

No, but maybe they don’t have any other way to catch the attention of the Administration.

– BS PHARM 4

and that may have affected USC for a bit but that’s nothing compared to what they are suffering.

– BED – SPED 2

No. I am also a student and I think GSEU does not have the right to prevent us to enroll in the university. We may be involved in some matters but we also seek education and they can’t prevent us to be doing that. Despite these issues, USC still deserves to be respected by not doing what GSEU happened have done.

– BSA 2

I respect the GSEU’s way of having their concerns heard. I’m sure there are many others who have been affected by it as it gave some of the students a difficulty in attending their classes. Moreover, I have heard that days after the barricading of the gates, they also had a candle light thing. This just shows that they do not only settle for the kind of guarded and loud ways but they also know how to be in their kindest and gentle ways in having their concerns heard.

– AB POSC - PTS 3

We all have freedom to express our feelings and what they have done may not be justifiable but I would like to respect how they’ve expressed their opinions and feelings. What the administration has taken away from them is their source of living and people can’t just give up on that, that easily. It only happened once,

They had the right to have a strike on the issue and there’s no problem with asking for support from the students but to hinder people from enrolling in the university is another issue in itself.

-BFA-AA4 I BELIEVE that it was not justifiable.

If they want support, they could ask properly and not barricade the gates. It really interrupted the classes that day and although we are indirectly involved in the issue, it was just really improper.

Also, there really is nothing we can do about the enrolment because whether we like the admin or not, USC offers quality education and that cannot be denied. We would have nowhere to go if we don’t work hard for our futures.

Although we did HOPE that we can pick up some VALUES on the way, seems like the preachers don’t practice them anyway so we shall find other means to cultivate our spirit and morals. Anyway, if the good teachers were the ones being laid-off, then it would be BYE-BYE USC Hah! – BS ChE 3

Do you think the administration respects the rights of its laborers and employees? Why or why not?

No for the reason that this event was so sudden and led leaving 77 people jobless.

– BS BA-FINC 2

plans for life. Informing them ahead of time might change the present happening on an extreme level.

– BSA 2

No. Because given the time table laid to them by the administration, the employees are having a hard time adjusting to this trend. These employees also have their long-term agenda and

No, they don’t have any respect at all.

If they did, they would’ve handled this maturely.

– ABPOSC-PMD II

Yes. If they didn’t respect the rights of their laborers and employees, they wouldn’t have given any kind of compensation.

– BS IT 4

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LITERARY

JUNE 2014 | Vol. 2 No. 1

Nasaan Ang Hustisya Sa Hustisya?

Song of Corners

by Alvin Apolinar

by Kerstein Kylle Despi

Iluto raw ng tama’t itakal sa batas Subalit pag-asa ng mahihirap, masahol pa sa sunog na bigas Milyones ang katumbas ng pagpapakasasa sa gatas Hustisyang pinagsamantalahan, kalian pa ba magiging patas?

Song of corners, song of dead Song of people who aremislead Why, dear child, do you sing not?

Of same ol’ tuneyour life hastread Of mournful pianissimos, those fingers bled It is your song of corners.

Malalamig na rehas paghandaan mo nang yakapin Kung isa ka lamang sa mga Pontso Pilatong pipitsugin Wala ka bang nagniningning na alahas o ekta-ektaryang lupain?

Puwes, marahil mga mata ng hudikatura ng ‘Pinas, marahil ‘di ka man lang sipatin.

Subalit kung kayamanan sa mga kamay mo ay tahan Huwag mangangamba’t may ospital kang matatakbuhan Wikain ang ‘yong karamdaman at hintayin ang de-gulong na upuan Ituturing kang wari’y isang hari na nagkasala sa lipunan.

Ito nga ba ang hustisya na ipinagmamalaki nila?

Kung saan wala raw pobre at walang mapera Datapwa’t nakaririndi na ang paikut-ikot na pagkukumpara Uupo na lamang ba tayo at tatangong parang aso sa pinatatakbo nilang sistema?

Parang aso, oo, parang aso Na puwersahang pinakakain ng sunog na iniluto Kailan nga ba ang masa ay ituturing na tao sa harapan ng batas at mga hacienderong katoto?

Nakakasuka na ngang kainin ang tutong na isinusubo kay Juan Nakakauhaw na ang gatas na hindi matikman ng pinagkaitan Ganito na nga lang ba ang magiging takbo ng lipunan?

Pipiliting ilunok itong mapait na katotohanan?

Song of corners, song of blue Song of men with troubles like you Why, dear child, do you try best?

To leave,bid this corner adieu To force yourself in their necks of red; eschew!

It is their song of corners.

Song of corners, song of fear Song of darkness you try not hear Why, dear child, d’you not return?

Back here ‘tis your place, my lost dear Backwhere me, your solitude, and you, feel queer It is our song of corners.

Song of corners, song of night Sing your song, dare unearth the light Why in this corner d’you see?

The morningon every twilight The rays of the Suns – here, has no promised right.

It’s just this song of corners.

Song of corners, song of mine Song unpleasant, song divine Why, my child, you’re just like I! You sing the quiet song of thine You listen; my whispers, t’your ears entwine.

It is my song of corners.

This is the song of corners – Your song and mine.

COMICS

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Today’s CAROLINIAN

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HUROSKOP NI NANG PASING ARIES

CANCER

LIBRA

CAPRICORN

Gukdon kag iro. Pero pagukod lang para exercise. Kung wala naka gukda, pangita pag laing iro.

Samukan ka sa mga tao sa imong palibot.

Para way samok, pang-haplasug usa ka botilyang efficascent. Siguradong way muduol, ug wagtang sad ang mga pamaol.

Mauwanan ka karon unya ma-late pa jud ka, mao nang di ka maka-take sa test. Mag-away pa jud mo sa imong migo/miga tungod sa loom band. Busa ayaw nalang sa ug sud sa klase.

Makuratan ka karong adlawa. Mao nang ayaw pag-sige ug panamin. Di na maayo sa kasing-kasing.

TAURUS

LEO

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

Paghinay-hinay kay dako ang chance nga mapandol ka karong adlawa. Kung mapandol na gani ka, ayaw na kabalaka.

Pagmatngon sa imong mga butang kay basin dili na imo. Pagmatngon sa imong dagway kay basin gwapo/gwapa ra ka para nimo.

Pagmatngon kay basin snatcher lang jud ka.

Di lalim ang anghit ug ilok. Kung makamatngon ka nga nanimaho na, ingna ang mga tao nga stressed ka. Makasabot ra na sila.

Gwapo/gwapa kay ka karong adlawa. Ikaw na jud, as in. Wa nay lain. I-push nalang jud na kay karon sa ra sad na. Ugma kay chaka napud ka. Sorry.

GEMINI

VIRGO

SAGGITARIUS

PISCES

Magkuyog mos imong crush ron. Actually, imo siyang gisundan unya murag nakamatngon na siya. Okay ra basta ayaw lang pirmiha.

Ayaw kabalaka kung wa pa kay uyab. Ayaw nalang sad pagdahom. Pagtarong nalang ug skwela.

Tarunga ug usap imong pagkaon kay basin matuk-an ka. Busa, ayaw nalang tunla. Pag tubig nalang.

Makadawat kag dakong kwarta pero dako sad imong utang. Pareharang storyaa. Ikatog nalang na, at least maka pahuway kag ginagmay.

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Today’s CAROLINIAN

JUNE 2014 | Vol. 2 No. 1

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Photographed by Marben Kristian Lawas

“Instead of a national curriculum for education, what is really needed is an individual curriculum for every child.”

Charles Handy

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SPORTS / ETC

Today’s CAROLINIAN

The University of San Carlos will be hosting the first ever TEDx talk in the city and region on Friday, August 20, 2014, at the College of Architecture and Fine Arts theatre.

TED talks (Technology, Entertainment, Design talks) are an international community of individuals who are dedicated to ideas worth spreading. These events constitute of several short talks which feature fresh and forward ideas from foremost individuals from different sectors; Education, health, design, architecture, lifestyle are few.

TEDxUniversityofSanCarlos features talks that delve on the Butterfly Effect- unlikely relationships and effects, stories told by surprising storytellers. The event itself will be covered and made available via live streaming in both campuses, and will be available online through the TEDx Youtube channel. It is organized by a group of Carolinian volunteers from different university organizations dedicated to ideas worth spreading.

Follow TEDxUniversityofSanCarlos at facebook.com/TEDxSanCarlos and tedxuniversityofsancarlos.com for updates and information on the first TEDx event in the city.

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JUNE 2014 | Vol. 2 No. 1