Photo by Samantha Batalla
EDITORIAL:
Misfortune Ricochet see p08
vantagePOINT THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSLETTER OF BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY DINALUPIHAN CAMPUS | VOLUME 5 | JUNE - SEPTEMBER 2014
“Do not allow fieldtrips if they are too risky” – CHEd BPSU pulls the reins to enhance security in all student-related activities The death of seven students from Bulacan State University (BulSU) who drowned in a river in San Miguel town in Bulacan province during a schoolsanctioned trip served as a wakeup call to Bataan Peninsula State University to suspend all student activities outside the six satellite campuses of the school effective last August 22. For the optimum security and wellbeing of the students and faculty members of the university, all activities, including educational tours and fieldtrips, are suspended until the student service group have designed guidelines and policies regarding holding of student affairs within and outside the campus during school days, weekends and holidays. Dr. Maria Fe V. Roman, Campus Director of Dinalupihan, clarified that all studentrelated activities will not be pushed thru and even tours that have been permitted before the memorandum was released will not be allowed to transpire until further notice. “May naka-schedule na field trip ang BSHRM, and they are supposed to have the trip on September. Ang place nila ay sa
Manila, but an accident involving students of BulSU happened”, Dr. Roman said. Dr. Delfin O. Magpantay, University President, confirmed that the university memorandum with regards to the suspension of activities was anchored to the Commission of Higher Education (CHEd) Memorandum and all other activities will only be permitted if the organization has complied with the requirements. “Gusto nating makasiguro na nakapagcomply tayo sa lahat ng mga requirements ng CHED bago tayo magsagawa ng mga activities outside the school. Lalung-lalo na, kitang-kita doon sa mga nangyari sa BulSU sa nangyare na kahit pala ‘yung parent’s permit, hindi ‘yun magwa-warrant na walang obligasyon ‘yung eskwelahan”, Dr. Magpantay stated. Under Article 2180 of the Civil Code and other provisions, school authorities are liable if they fail to exercise the due diligence of a good father of a family. However, as verified by Atty. Julito Vitriolo, CHEd Executive Director, CHEd would not ban school field trips as these contribute to curriculum enhancement and would help broaden the students’ learning
BPSU-DC celebrates CoEd day through Blood Typing and Donation
on page
06
on page
18
Embracing the LGBT Community
Flood Capital ng Bataan on page
by Jan Adams Magtanong
opportunities. According to CHEd CMO 17, all higher education institutions shall provide quality educational tours and field trips relevant to the acquisition of the necessary knowledge, skills and values for student welfare and development. CMO 17 defines educational tours as “extended educational activities involving the travel of students and supervising faculty outside the school campus,” usually lasting for more than a day. Field trips, meanwhile, are out-of-school activities usually lasting for only a day or less. Schools found guilty of violating CMO 17 will be subjected to varying sanctions, ranging from written warning to disapproval of application for new fees, revocation of permits and filing of criminal charges “‘Di ba dapat matuwa ang mga estudyante kasi nireregulate natin ang ganon [suspension of field trips]? Lahat ng ginagawa natin, para sa mga estudyante. Before anything else, before the fun and enjoyment, we would like to assure na hindi pa man sila nakakaalis ng bahay, ay lahat masayang makakauwi sa pamilya nila,” Dr. Magpantay concluded.
26
What’s Inside? on page
38
The Zumbattle is on!
VANTAGE POINT
NEWS
BPSU certifies pre-service teachers Lingad shares the right formula to success Four hundred two second year education students were endorsed to different cooperating supervisors and principals in Hermosa and Dinalupihan districts during the annual Field Study Investiture held at the Bataan Peninsula State University – Dinalupihan Campus covered court last July 11. The event was intended to recognize the pre-service teachers through the pinning ceremony and to orient them about the real teaching-learning situations inside their respective cooperating schools. Mr. Ruel D. Lingad, principal of Dinalupihan Elementary School, served as the guest speaker of the said program. “We want to produce globally competitive learners. Therefore, we need globally competitive teachers”, Lingad said in his speech. This statement emphasized the role of a teacher and challenged the pre-service teachers to study harder to cope with the learning situations brought about by the influence of several factors such as modernization. Moreover, Lingad also encourages the future educators to find the right formula to
by Jenalyn Garcia and Samantha Batalla
success flavored with positive attitude and strong determination for them to achieve triumph and provide quality education for future learners. “I started my search [key to success] when I was still a student like you, dreaming of becoming a teacher, I also dream of becoming a principal”, Lingad shared his story. Furthermore, the pre-service teachers were endorsed by Dr. Celia M. Lapid, Field Study Supervisor, followed by the pinning ceremony led by Dr. Maria Fe V. Roman, Campus Director and Dr. Glenda C. Magno, Dean of instruction. Meanwhile, in her opening remarks, Dr. Roman congratulated the students for taking education program as their bachelor’s degree for teacher has an important role in building up our nation. Dr. Susan M. Talavera, Associate Director for Student Affairs, concluded the event with her closing remarks. Photo by Lizette Christine Dulo
79 candidates hurdle to be elected as CoSC officers CoSC election finally becomes automated
Aiming to expand the grasp of student services of the Campus Student Council, 79 candidates from nine parties competed in this year’s College Student Council (CoSC) elections for the five different departments held last July 23. The Commission on Student Election (COMSELEC) headed by Mr. Ferdinand M. Santos applied the Automated Student Election System (ASES) for College Student Council elections. Two computer laboratories to accommodate the voters from various departments
opened at exactly 8 o’clock in the morning and ended by 4 o’clock in the afternoon. “It so happened na medyo rush na tayo that time, supposedly ang ACT-COSC lang ang magco-computerized pero unfair naman ‘yun sa ibang department na marami din naman, kaya we decided na i-adopt na din ‘yung ASES para sa COSC para mas mapadali na din ‘yung pag-announce ng mga nanalo”, Santos explained. Composing of the regular set of officers led by the governor together with the vice-governor, secretary,
BSED Governor Vice Governor Secretary Treasurer Auditor Business Manager P.R.O Program Coordinator
BEED
by Aldrin Guevarra and Erwin Mallari
treasurer, auditor, business manager, public relation officer and program coordinators, the aspiring student leaders were given five days to conduct campaign in every class. Moreover, after the voting period, all candidates along with the commissioners, watchers and COMSELEC members were gathered to witness the announcing of winners. “Mas maganda namodernized ‘yung ating election, sigurado din naman na one hundred percent ‘yung accuracy pagdating sa BSHRM
counting ng votes at hindi na din mahihirapan ‘yung mga teachers at CSC sa manual counting,” Dr. Glenda C. Magno, the Dean of Instruction said in an interview. The developer of the software used for the CoSC elections was developed by the COMSELEC vice chairman, Mr. Joseph Ross E. Cortel collaborating with the Associate in Computer Technology instructors, Mrs. Cynthia Nuguid and Mrs. Maribel Palpalatoc. Here are the names of the newly elected College Student Council Officers:
BSCE/EE
ACT
Frederick O. Gonzales
Demi Jam R. Nodado
Angela Shane David
Kathlene Faye B. Jupio
Kristine L. David ACT
Renz Paolo N. Tumanguil
Billy Joel P. Palo
Raven Renz Tibero
Aaron B. Arucan
Dazzel Joy D. Talento
Cj Harvey R. Valdez
Sheryl Joy G. Belmonte
Emmanuel Pesquisa
Ennelyn S.Macalino
Josel S. Peralta
Bonifacio S. Cesumicion
Ferdinand V. Fajardo
Rowena Balingit
Dyanne Isabel L. Juanta
Edmar L. Lingad
Mark Angelo A. Yabut
Marlon D. Paguio
Rachel Dela Cruz
Tricia Mae N. Dimalanta
Ralph Christian E. Navarro
Andrea A. Gallano
Ronald Jayson S. Paragas
Randred Martin
John Deric R. Dilig
Hannah Iris T. Mendoza
Aries M. Tapang
Divina S. Morillo
Aileen Dijamco
Juliene A. Miranda
Ronn Monrylle A. Galang
Jherome M. Santeno Shane Ann D. Timpung
Patrick N. Rodriguez Rose Ann P. Garin
Nikko Buensuceso Kaselyn Paule
John Michael R. Romero Mikaela Diane S. Nicor
John Vince A. Morota Hydie R. Reyes
[ 2 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
NEWS
VANTAGE POINT
Dr. Roman: ‘Education is the springboard to success.’ Admins and university officials orient new college students
by Jan Adams D. Magtanong and Candy P. Laxamana
Photo by Jay Mark Sinag
Due to the increase of enrollees in the academic year, Bataan Peninsula State University – Dinalupihan Campus held a four-set orientation to freshmen and transferees, different from the usual orientation held only for a day, at the covered court of th e campus last July 29-30. Dr. Maria Fe V. Roman, Campus Director, emphasized in her opening remarks the significance of education to an individual’s success in life and highlighted her expectations from the students as they are now in tertiary education. “We are expecting three things from you now that you are enrolled in our university. First, you must pass all the subjects that
you are enrolled in. Second you must finish your program. If your course is four years, finish it in four years. Third, after you finish your program, you graduate, then, be hired right after”, Dr. Roman stressed out. Furthermore, Dr. Susan M. Talavera, Associate Director for Student Affairs, heartily welcomed the new student of the university: “Mga kapuso, kapatid at kapamilya na namin kayo ngayon. Welcome sa BPSU-DC.” Dr. Talavera also accentuated in her discussion the academic concerns, rules and regulations of the university in the different aspects, which is anchored in the student’s handbook. In addition, other university
officials talked about the different areas of the school: Ms. Kris Anne Razon, Student Council President, for school facilities, Mrs. Maribel Tolentino, Engineering, HRM and ACT Coordinator, for the introduction of the teaching and non-teaching staff, Ms. Mylene R. Samaniego, Guidance Office In-Charge, for career guidance discussion, Mr. Billy Alipio, Sports Coordinator, for athletics and sports education, Mr. Roy Banez for security area, Mr. Redentor Banez, Student Council Adviser, for the different student clubs and organization, Mr. Jan Adams D. Magtanong, Editorin-Chief of Malasimbo, for the publication and campus press, Mrs. Candida S. Punla for Gender
and Development and Dr. Perla B. Estrella, Associate Director for Research, Extension and Auxiliary Services, for food and safety, Ms. Maricris David, school nurse for medical health. The program, which aimed to acquaint the new breed of students of Education, Engineering, Hotel and Restaurant Management and Associate in Computer Technology in familiarizing themselves in their new school environment and preparing them for their transition to college life, was organized by the Office of Student Affairs spearheaded by Dr. Susan M. Talavera with the help of Ms. Mylene R. Samaniego and Mrs. Arianne Dabu.
Considering the circumstances of today’s generation,
OSA-CSC collaborates with DPS for drug awareness seminar
by Dexter Flores, Mary Jean Domingo and Samantha Batalla
Photo by Mary Jean Domingo
The Office of the Student Affairs of Dinalupihan and Campus Student Council worked together with the Dinalupihan Police Station to give a comprehensive lecture about prohibited drugs and its possible hazards occurred last July 30 at BPSU-DC covered court. Dr. Glenda C. Magno, Dean of Instruction, encouraged the selected student leaders who attended the said seminar to explain their duty since they can benefit a lot from the guest speakers thus, enabling them to share the knowledge that they gained to their fellow students. Police Superintendent Lailene J. Amparo, Police Inspector Jennifer
Cruz and PO1 Glicerio Dizon gave lectures anchored to the theme “Kalayaan sa Droga, Tungo sa Matatag na Republika”. “Ang concern lang namin kaya nagsasagawa kami ng symposium ay dahil alam naming malaki ang epekto nito sa kabataan. Kabataan ang pagasa ng bayan, well, patunayan ninyo! Hindi lahat ng kaibigan dapat samahan, kailangan piliin ang ating kaibigan, dahil ang tunay na kaibigan hindi ka dadalin sa kapahamakan. Once na na-hook ka na sa isang bisyo, mahihirapan ka ng makaalis”, Amparo emphasized in her talk. Amparo was the newly assigned and first female chief of police in Dinalupihan Police Station and she was awarded as Most Outstanding Female Police in Malacañang. She also emphasized the importance of the symposium wherein she further explained that sometimes
the drug users were only curious at first but as they come to be tempted with the prohibited drugs they become addicted. On the other hand, Dr. Susan M. Talavera, Associate Director for Student Affairs, awarded the guests lecturers a plaque of appreciation for their determination and dedication in sharing their knowledge about illegal drugs. In lieu with the drug symposium, the Campus Student Council spearheaded slogan writing, essay writing, poster making and jingle competition wherein Mary Joy Matala of BEED 1A ranked first place for slogan writing, Benhur Cruz of BSCE 1B grabbed first place for essay writing, Arnel Cabilangan of BSCE 2 for poster making and the group of Loomband prevailed in the jingle competition. The event was ended with the awarding of winners.
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 3 ]
VANTAGE POINT
NEWS Proving its place as the leading educational institution in the province,
BPSU – DC’s population booms with 26.46% increase by Jan Adams D. Magtanong
LANGUAGE TEAM. English and Filipino teachers as they pose with the research presenters. Photo by Amegail Bentic
BPSU proposes change in English Language and Literature Landscape English Cluster highlights education and research
by Jan Adams D. Magtanong and Barthea L. Tenorio
BLOCKBUSTER. Freshmen studes as they patiently wait for their turn to enroll. Photo by Samantha Batalla
Bataan Peninsula State University – Dinalupihan Campus, verifying its worth as biggest university in the province, marked major increase in its population for the first semester of the academic year 2014-2015, from 1779 students to 2419. The College of Education remains as the most populous department with 15.76% increase in the Bachelor of Elementary Education major in General Education and Early Childhood from 668 to 793 aspiring educators. Furthermore, Bachelor of Secondary Education kept its ball running which garnered 37.10% increase from 543 to 849 students with its five majors: English (24.63%), Biological Science (34.11%), Mathematics (25.53%), Music, Arts and Physical Education (48.30%) and Social Studies (46.45%). “It’s not surprising that the population of our two programs, the BEED and BSED including the two majors of the former and the five majors of the latter, have been increasing for the past years. Probably, the reason is because of the new curriculum which is the K to 12 system”, Dr. Glenda G. Magno, Dean of Instruction, stated. In addition, the Engineering Department listed a major increase as the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering marked 39.50% increase and 57.14% in the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Moreover, the Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management marked 15.42% from 181 to 214 future hotelier and restaurateur and the Associate in Computer Technology garnered 10.07% increase from 241 to 268 students. “The increase of students from the Engineering, BSHRM and ACT was expected primarily because of the increase in the demand for Engineers, HRM and ACT graduates”, Mrs. Maribel Tolentino, Coordinator for Engineering, BSHRM and ACT, explained. Additionally, the administration ensured that the university is prepared to accommodate all the students. “All students should not be apprehended with the sudden increase of the population of our campus. The administrators and all the staff, as well as the facilities of the school, are all prepared to accommodate all of you [students]”, Dr. Magno assured.
[ 4 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
Through the effort of the Faculty Development Program organized by the Bataan Peninsula State University English Clusters spearheaded by its chairperson, Prof. Cynthia Ronquillo, and the convenor of the event, Prof. Rowell de Guia, in cooperation with the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs, BPSU accomplished its First Language and Literature Colloquium held at the Crown Royale Hotel, Balanga City, Bataan last August 28. With its theme “Mapping the Landscape of Language and Literature Education Research in BPSU”, eight featured papers were presented by selected faculty members from the six campuses of BPSU. US Peace Corps Volunteers, presided by Mr. Philip Spacio, served as panelists for the said paper presentation. Dr. Roman M. Bantugan discussed his research paper where he analyzed the content, language style and media effect of two novel-based Filipino Films and linguistically investigated the dialogue styles of the motion pictures. Prof. Susan Laggui, on the other hand, presented her thesis entitled “The preservation of Ibanag Socio-Cultural Identity thru Language: Basis of Curriculum Development” which aimed to augment the program of MTBLB-K12 program for Ibanag tribe of Region II and the migrants to the different places and to qualitatively preserve the traditional practices of the Ibanags then be made part of their daily discussions inside their classrooms. Meanwhile, Prof. Neil D. David laid his ethnographic study of the Magbukon Literary Arts which is designed to preserve the language and preserve the oral heritage, which have the same impact, of significance, and has received a great deal of attention and support from many civilized countries. Prof. Monica R. Cabanding of Dinalupihan Campus, explaining the stylistic analysis of Ernest Hemingway’s “A Clean Well-lighted Place” in the light of Leech and Short’s model of Speech and Thought Presentation put forth the simplicity of the plot and the limited modes of speech and thought presentation utilized by the author. In Addition, Prof. Jaime M. Forbes expounded his research entitled “Factors Affecting the Reading Performance of Freshmen College of Education Students of Bataan Peninsula State University” which served as the basis of development of a reading program that aims in improving fluency, accuracy, and critical thinking among students. Prof. Digi Ana M. Enriquez, a graduate of Master of Arts in Teaching with specialization in English Language Arts, cited her study entitled “Development of Handbook of Language Learning Strategies for Second Language Learners” which is primarily dedicated in helping the students to increase their language learning strategies and will groom them as selfcapable students. Furthermore, Dr. Emmanuel C. Macaraeg, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Keynote Speaker of the seminar, elucidated that outcome-based research has societal impact which affects the learning of the students. “BPSU must learn to embrace the research culture”, Dr. Macaraeg, uttered in his keynote speech.
NEWS
VANTAGE POINT Guidance Office preps Peer Facilitators, echoes 6 modules by Samantha F. Batalla “Share, care, support, facilitate.” In order to fulfill those goals, the Guidance and Counseling Office held its 6th Peer Facilitators University Wide Training Program at the Farmers Training Center at Bataan Peninsula State University – Abucay Campus last August 13 and 14. Seventy-two newly selected peer facilitators from the six BPSU campuses joined the said program, 10 from Dinalupihan campus. There are six modules lectured to the attendees comprising of Creating Our Personal Mission Statement, Being at Peace with oneself and with others, Overview of Peer Facilitation and the Peer Facilitators’s Organization, What is Peer Counseling and Peer Facilitation, Effective Listening and Communication and Psychological First Aid. “Pagkatapos nung training, ganap na talaga silang mga peer facilitators pwede na nilang i-apply ‘yung mga natutunan nila para mag-coach sa kapwa nila estudyante”, Ms. Mylene Samaniego, Guidance Officer In-Charge, stated. The organizers of the said training program also gave the PFs team building activities which aimed to develop camaraderie and build friendship among them. These skills and experiences are believed to be needed to become more effective peer counselors. The seminar was spearheaded by the guidance counselors of the six campuses, Dr. Rachel C. Reyes-Laureano and Ms. Lorena G. Zapanta of Main, Ms. Rowena R. Mamangon of Bagac, Ms. Mylene R. Hualda of Balanga, Ms.
UNIFIED WALK. The new set of Peer Facilitators as they prepare to walk together. Photo credits to the Office of the Student Affairs
Lady Fatima T. Dianco of Orani, Ms. Icelle B. Soriano of Abucay and Ms. Mylene Samaniego of Dinalupihan. Dr. Laureano, Ms. Zapanta, Ms. Mamangon and Ms. Hualda also served as the lecturers provided the PFs activities and discussions that focus on techniques on counseling. “Bilang isang PF, ikaw ‘yung magiging ate o kuya ng mga kapwa mo estudyante at ikaw ‘yung pwede nilang lapitan kapag may problema sila at pwede mo sila i-coach o bigyan ng payo tulad ng isang kaibigan”, Aries Tapang, one of the new Peer Facilitator, commented.
DC, nakiisa sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika Mga lakan at lakambini, binigyang kulay ang kasiyahan
nina Pearlyn Olaes at Joyce Sanico
KARIKTAN AT KISIG. Si Dimalanta at Corachea habang ninanamnam nila ang tamis ng tagumpay. Larawan ni Hadjie Dagami
Sa kalagitnaan ng mainit na sikat ng araw ay lumabas ang nagkukubling ganda ni Tricia Dimalanta mula sa departamento ng mga Inhinyero at ang tikas ni Loren Corachea ng departamento ng Associate in Computer Technology dahilan upang sila ay tanghalin bilang kauna-unahang Lakan at Lakambini sa ginanap na taunang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika na may temang “Wikang Filipino, Wika ng Pagkakaisa” noong Agosto 27. Katulad ng nakasanayang mga patimpalak sa pagandahan, sumailalim din ang sampung mga kandidato’t kandidata ng iba’t ibang mga departamento sa pagalingan ng talento, pagandahan magdala ng kasuotang pang-etniko at pinaka-inaabangang tanungan na kung saan sinukat ang kanilang kaalaman na may kaugnayan sa tema ng pagdiriwang. “Sang –ayon ako na ituro sa wikang Filipino ang mga asignatura sa kolehiyo sapagkat hindi lahat ng nakatapos sa elementarya at sekondarya ay lubos na nakakaunawa sa asignaturang ito” ito ang isinagot ni Dimalanta na naging dahilan upang siya ay magningning at umangat sa mga katunggali. Sa kabilang banda, ang sagot ni Corachea na mapag-iisa niya ang mamamayang Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng pag-gamit ng ating sariling wika ang nagbigay sa kanya ng mataas na puntos upang tanghalin siyang Lakan ng taon. Bukod pa rito, hindi pa rin nawala ang mga nakasanayang mga patimpalak katulad ng
Isahan at Dalawahang pag-awit, Paligsahan sa Pagluluto, Pagguhit gamit ang Uling, Paggawa ng Paskil, Paggawa ng Sanaysay , Talumpating ‘di handa at Tagisan ng Talino. Sa saliw ng musikang “Basta’t Maghintay Ka Lamang”, nasungkit ni John Rey Santos ang unang pwesto sa isahang Pag-awit. Ang tamang tempo, melodiya at magandang kombinasyon ng boses nina Abby De Guzman at Jaymarc Buan ang nagbigay daan upang sila ang magkamit ng unang gantimpala sa Dalawahang pag- awit. Samantala, nanguna sa Paligsahan ng Pagluluto ang departamento ng ACT matapos ipamalas ang kanilang husay at galing sa pagtimpla ng tamang lasa ng ulam Pinoy na “’kare-kare”. Nakuha naman ni Evangerline Tamayo ng BSED 2D ang unang pwesto sa Pagsulat ng Sanaysay, si Jamella Regala ng BSED 3A naman ang sa Pagguhit gamit ang Uling at si Arnel Cabilangan ng BSCE 2 para sa Paggawa ng Paskil. Dagdag pa rito, nasungkit rin ni Maria Crisella Tala ang unang pwesto para sa Talumpating ‘di Handa at si Angelo Layug naman ang may pinakamataas na nakuhang puntos sa Tagisan ng Talino. “Masasabi kong matagumpay ang naging pagdiriwang dahil sa mainit na pagtanggap ng mga estudyante at ang ating faculty, nasulit ang hirap at pagod ng lahat“, pahayag ni Ginoong Redentor Banez, tagapayo ng Konseho ng mga Mag-aaral.
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 5 ]
VANTAGE POINT
NEWS BPSU-DC celebrates CoEd Day through Blood Typing and Donation
BSED Booths and Gandang BEED give color to the festivity By Samantha Batalla
CELEBRATING A PURPOSE. Future educators donate bloods to prolong others’ lives. Photo by Samantha Batalla
For the first time in the history of BPSU – Dinalupihan Campus, the College of Education (CoEd) pronounced their pride as a team through a one-day beneficial activity materialized on September 5. The College Student Council (CoSC) Officers of the Bachelor of Elementary Education Department in collaboration with Red Cross Bataan Chapter and Mayor Gila Garcia, settled a blood typing and donation with regards to the celebration of the first CoEd day. “Nakita namin na ‘yung program namin, parating nagco-contest lang, dito lang sa school. Naisip namin itong project na ‘to [blood typing and donation] dahil gusto namin na ma-extend din ‘yung help natin sa labas, maliit man o malaki”, Demi Jam Nodado, BEED Governor stated. According to Mr. Valeriano Lagarit Jr., Red Cross Staff, most of the time Red Cross should pursue a blood donation campaign to meet the increasing demand for blood and augment the national blood requirement. Moreover, Miss Joy Maria Frances Bantog, Donor Recruitment Team Leader - Red Cross (RC) Bataan Chapter, shared the many benefits of donating blood and its role in promoting the advocacy of the Philippine Red Cross through blood services. She further explained that blood donor recruitment can be done anytime simultaneously with whichever school activities. “Pang-anim na beses ko na magdodonate ng dugo, kasi may benefit ito sa katawan natin. Sa mga hindi natin inaasahang pangyayari, kapag nangangailangan sila ng dugo sa Red Cross, makakatulong ‘to. Kapag blood donor ka, madali kang makakakuha dun sa Red Cross”, Jay Paul Selosa, Campus Student Council Senator shared his thoughts about his experiences. On the other hand, all the field majors of the Bachelor of Secondary Education Department prepared different kinds of booths which entertained the education students and teachers for the morning activity. Lastly, for the afternoon session of the said event, Gandang BEED took place wherein Maria Teresa Crystal of BEED III-B was hailed as the title holder and Lady Twinkle Bonga and Reinalyn Retondo as the runners-up.
[ 6 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
Neuclipierean and Earth Savers connect for a school fair By Jenalyn Garcia and Adrian Jaramillo Quiz Bowl
Carnay and Juan Paulo Sahagun
Singing Contest
Janeth Tolention
Essay Writing
Hark Herald Sarmiento
Slogan Making
Charline Camba
Poster Making
Edward Aggalut
Jingle Singing
BSED 1B
Math Quiz
Kristine May Laspinas
Rubics Contest
Kenneth Ongkengco
Math Trail
BSED Second year
Priding themselves as productive academic organizations, the Neuclipierean and Earth Savers Club organized a school fair held last September 30 in BPSU-Dinalupihan Campus to keep the awareness of the studentry about the significance of Mathematics and Science in our daily lives. The two clubs, spearheaded by the Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Biology and Mathematics students, successfully conducted contests such as quiz bowl, essay writing, poster making, slogan making, singing contest, jingle singing, Math trail, rubics cube and Sudoku contest. Students from all the departments joined the said contests, the mechanics was done to let the students from all the programs share and showcase their skills about Math and Science. “Activities were held successfully, we put all our efforts for this fair to let the students be involved in school activities such as this”, Mr. Julito Seranno, Neuclipierean Club adviser stated. On the other hand, the Earth Savers Club kept their motto “Once a member, always a member” even if they experienced a lot of struggles before they met success of the activities they had prepared. “Science fair keeps the students to become aware of science, our environment and for them to have a knowledge about science and technology”, Mrs. Sunshine Talavera, Earth Savers Club adviser said. The fair was ended by a closing remark from Serrano in which he thanked all the participants, officers and supporters of the activity.
RACE TO WIN. Math Quizzers as they raise their answers
NEWS
VANTAGE POINT
Neon colors flag Acquaintance Party
2014 by Marilou A. Bugtong
Photos by: Alan Kirby Salenga
Bannering the theme “Journey through the Lights,” Peninsulares jam-packed the BPSU-DC covered court with their vibrant attires at the Acquaintance Party 2014 transpired last 22nd of July. Through the unwavering endeavors of the Campus Student Council officers, supported by Mr. Redentor Bañez, CSC Adviser, another night of fun and entertainment which aims to welcome freshmen occurred. “This event was made possible because of you, freshmen. So, seize the moment, build bridges and enjoy the night,.” mused by Dr. Susan M. Talavera, Associate Director for Student Affairs, in her inspirational speech. The vibrance of the students’ neon apparels illuminated the night. Certainly, Peninsulares have their say when it comes to trends and fashion as they arrived in a well-groomed ensembles. Yet, with every event, one has to stand out. Thus, Paul Oliver S. Limin and Queeny Grace V. Buan outshone the rest as they bagged the title Mr. and Ms. Fashionista. Limin came in wearing a striking orange undershirt topped with a faded denim light polo and brown pants while Buan wore a black lacy, see-thru longsleeve and orange flowy skirt magnified by her distinct maroon laced highwedge. Furthermore, Sinners and Saints debut their newbies and enlivened the crowd as they showed their grooves and moves in their dynamic intermission
numbers. Whereas, the Music Society made the mob sang in unison when they took the center spot. Another peak of the event was the “Pasikatan” where groups of students coming from four departments (BSEd, BEEd, BSEE/CE, HRM, ACT) showcased their talents. Each department showed their overflowing support to their representatives. Amidst the heat of the competition, “Mapeh Angels” comprised of students from BSED department took the fame in their icebreaker dance number. “If there’s another party, I will definitely attend, again. Super fun and enjoying ng first party ko sa DC! ” exclaimed by Benhur Cruz Jr., a freshman student. As the winners of “Pasikatan”, the BEEd department went wild as they won first place, followed by Engineering department. HRM, BSed and ACT came next, rank in order. Beauty also emerged and was recognized in the event as Emarson Bedruz and Angel Aguila were hailed as the Faces of the Night. Additionally, as a warm-up, Zumba dance instructors ignited the dance floor as they shook their bodies accompanied with wild and contemporary music. Afterwards, the crowd excitedly crammed the dance floor and the party started.
Community News
Alay Lakad, muling isinagawa
Mga out of school youth, makikinabang sa nakalap na pondo ni Samantha F. Batalla Bilang isang non-profit organization, at sa pakikipagtulungan ng Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) isinagawa ng Dinalupihan Lions Club ang taunang Alay Lakad noong Septyembre 27 sa Dinalupihan Civic Center na may layuning mangolekta ng pondo upang magbigay ng tulong sa mga kabataan na hindi nakakapag-aral. Ang Alay Lakad ay nagsimula noong taong 2002, ito ay isa lamang sa mga taunang proyekto na isinasagawa ng Lions na kung saan nilalahukan ng mga paaralan, ahensya ng gobyerno at mga barangay sa buong bayan ng Dinalupihan. Ang parada ng mga kalahok sa nasabing kaganapan ay nagsimula sa iba’t ibang barangay
ng Dinalupihan at ito ay nagtapos sa Dinalupihan Civic Center para sa isang munting programa na sinundan ng paglalaban-laban ng mga Drum and Lyre Corps ng bawat paaralan sa elementarya at sekondarya. “Kung mapapansin ninyo nagbebenta kami ng ticket na may halagang 10 kada isa sa mga paaralan at barangay sa buong bayan ng Dinalupihan, nagsimula ‘yan mula sa piso na ibibigay ng bawat participants na maglalakad, pero that was long long time ago”, paliwanag ni G. Alfredo Aure, tagapamahala ng proyekto. Samantala, ang paniningil ng bayad sa ticket ay hindi pwersahan lalo na sa mga malalayong barangay at depressed areas, ngunit ang mga nakolektang pera ay nagagamit pa rin ng organisasyon upang makapag-sponsor ng mga
training sessions. “Ang gusto talaga naming mangyari umpisa pa lang is to raise enough funds para makapagestablish tayo ng brass band dito sa Dinalupihan na pwede rin maging source of profit ng munisipyo. Pero dahil masyadong maliit ‘yung nakukuhang solicitation, hindi pa nagma-materialize”, dagdag pa ni Aure. Sa kabilang banda, maraming kabataan na ang nabigyan ng pagkakataon ng Lions na magkaroon ng mga training mula sa pondong nakakalap sa taunang proyekto. Ang Dinalupihan Lions Club ay isa lamang sa libu-libong miyembro ng Lions Club International na naglalayong maglunsad ng mga proyektong makakatulong sa komunidad.
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 7 ]
OPINION The Official Student Publication of Bataan Peninsula State University Dinalupihan Campus
Jan Adams D. Magtanong Pearlyn P. Olaes Jay Mark D. Sinag Marilou A. Bugtong Alan Kirby R. Salenga Samantha F. Batalla Candy P. Laxamana Lizette Christine L. Dulo Joshua Gabriel Muñoz Barthea Rosetta L. Tenorio Erwin M. Mallari Jeffry O. Santos Arnel D. Cabilangan Paul Oliver S. Limin Marie Estela S. De Guzman Miguel Keanu C. Batara
Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Managing Editor Managing Editor Layout Editor News Editor Features Editor Literary Editor DevCom Editor DevCom Editor Sports Editor Sports Editor Art Director Multimedia Artist Circulation Manager Circulation Manager
Reportorial Staff Amegail T. Bentic Glaiza K. Gagui Mae Anne A. De Vera Camille Anne C. Geronia Paul Andrei E. Sereno Evangerline Tamayo Mary Jean Domingo Roselie Valencia Nierisa Bilbao Benhur Cruz Jr. John Paul C.Yason Doreen Grace U. de Leon Dexter Flores Aldrin Guevarra Angelika Kyra Tasic Zaldy De Leon Jr. Hadjie L. Dagami Rollyn Flores Jerome Tandoc Adrian Jaramillo Japhet T. Mendoza Dianne Castillo Miko Pangilinan Jenalyn Garcia Joyce Sanico Randy Angulo
Peter Dinglas Jr.
Contributor
Jethro Jake Sampang
Moderator
Susan M. Talavera, Ph.D.
Assoc. Director for Student Affairs
Delfin O. Magpantay, Ed.D.
University President
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL BOARD 2014-2015
VANTAGE POINT
Cartoon by: J.Paul Yason
Misfortune Ricochet Due to the case of the Bulacan State University, where a tragic field trip took the lives of seven BS Tourism students, all campuses of Bataan Peninsula State University were bothered enough to suspend all student activities outside the school as they submit unto the order of the higher. As a response to the incident, trips outside the school are cancelled until guidelines and enforcement during tours are sealed and made effective for better security of the students' welfare, and for assurance that BPSU wouldn't be flashed on the news with incidents as such. Recapping Dr. Maria Fe V. Roman's statement, she stressed out that all student-related practices outside the school radius, whether approved earlier or still in process, shall not progress to avoid mishaps because of unawareness and lack of knowledge in handling the responsibilities that may come in the future. As expressed, many students now who are affected by the linking incident blame the shortcomings of those in the management of the school involved, which has driven their anticipated wonderful experiences into nothing. On the other hand, the University President, Dr. Delfin O. Magpantay, stated that the agreement was in accordance to the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) and all other activities will only be approved once they have complied with its requirements; no compliance, no approval. A regular student would just shrug this issue off and say that he shouldn’t be the one to suffer the consequences of the incident. Smart mouths would also point out that every student should be responsible enough because they are old enough to fend for themselves. But in fact, blaming only makes matters worse without really resolving the issue at hand. Now, look. If accidents are really triggered by some guy getting too happy and careless on an educational trip, you wouldn’t really get much news about accidents. Sometimes, the blames are unnecessary. Some might not see it, but there’s no telling what would happen next. And taking extra measures wouldn’t really aggravate those who are affected by the changes, until the time the extra measures become suffocating.
[ 8 ] Volume 5 |June 2014 - September 2014
Accidents during field trips are never new in our present time, that's why waivers and any forms of parental consent are distributed to be signed days before departure. However, those written permissions aren't that clear and detailed, or worse, instead of seeking permission from their parents, only the students sign it. It might look petty at first until you get surprised by seven deaths in the middle of a happy field trip. Who should blame who? Although no one wanted that to happen, the school also had a shortcoming on the said trip for they should've chosen a better and safer place to go instead of a raging river. Now that these happened, there must be a lesson not only for them but for everyone; a policy where safety is first before anything else. Not only are the educational tours restricted for the moment due to amendments in guidelines. Also, other recreational activities and team buildings are no longer allowed to be held outside as students are now encouraged to just do it inside the campus. In that case, what are the students supposed to do inside the school? Play games to build their teamwork in the middle of the covered court while the rest of the university sat as audience? We cannot foretell what misfortunes might happen in a certain place at a certain activity on a certain day. Any day is a possible day for accidents of any sort; even a normal day walking to the school can be as dangerous as any other day. In consideration to our university’s safety measure, it is understandable that some activities should be put on hold for the time being as necessary, but restricting every action a student body should be undertaking for its growth is an inch short of depriving the org off its rights. And how long should the restrictions last? What good is safety measure if the chance to grow is compromised? And what good is getting burned up with all the work and responsibilities if you forget to breathe for a moment and balance it out with play? As some might say, “all work, no play makes one a dull boy.” Then all these are definitely making our future leaders as dull as a faceless barbie doll.
OPINION
VANTAGE POINT “...ang pinakamahalagang natutunan ko ay ang pagsisiwalat ng katotohanan at ng kung ano ang tama. Sa huli, h’wag kang mapapagod gumawa ng tama.”
adams apple Jan Adams Dabu Magtanong Editor-in-Chief janadams27@yahoo.com.ph
Gumawa ka ng mali, huhusgahan ka. Gumawa ka ng tama, huhusgahan ka pa rin. Iyan ang minsan nang winika ng isa kong kaibigan. May punto nga naman siya. Kahit anong gawin mo, hahanapan at hahanapan ka pa rin ng kamalian ng ilan sa mga taong nasa paligid mo. Gumawa ka ng mali at isasampal nila sa mukha mo ang pagkakamaling iyon. Sundin mo naman ang tama at gagawa sila ng paraan upang makahanap ng butas upang ang tama mong ginawa ay maging mali sa huli. Ganyan ang buhay ng isang journalist, ng isang press. Hindi madali. Apat na taon na akong nagsusulat sa Malasimbo. Ito na ang huling taon ko at masasabi kong ito ang pinakamahirap na taon na naranasan ko bilang isang student journalist. Bukod sa ako ang punong patnugot ng ating publication sa taong ito, ito ang pinakamahirap dahil sa mga problemang iniwan ng nakaraang taon at dahil na rin sa mga kritisismong tinatanggap ng Malasimbo hindi lamang sa mga administrasyon at kaguruan, pati na rin ang mga kritisismong nanggagaling sa mga kapwa estudyante namin. Kung kritisismo nga itong maitatawag… Malaki ang pagkakaiba ng kritisismo sa paninira. Tandaan sana natin ‘yan bago tayo nagbibitiw ng mga salita. Ang kritisismo ay paraan ng pagpapahayag ng hindi pagsang-ayon sa isang bagay o pangyayari sa pamamagitan ng maingat na pagsasabi ng mga kamalian nito at pagbibigay ng ilang suwestyon upang ang kamaliang ito ay maitama. Sa kabilang banda naman, ang paninira ay pagsasabi ng mga ‘di nakatutulong na panlalait sa kapwa. Ito ay pawang walang saysay at walang basehan na akusasyon. Sa mundo naming mga miyembro ng school press, partikular sa mundo ng Malasimbo, sanay na kaming tumanggap ng mga kritisismo. Sabi nga nila, walang perpekto sa mundo. Gaya ng mundo, hindi rin perpekto ang Malasimbo. . Minsan, may mga balita kaming nagkakaroon ng kaunting maling detalye. Minsan, may mga technical errors na hindi namin maiiwasan sa pagpapublish ng dyaryo. Sa mga patuloy na sumusuporta, sa mga masusugid na mambabasa ng aming mga dyaryo, sa walang sawang nagbibigay ng papuri at mga kritisismo upang mapahusay pa namin ang publication ng university,buong pusong nagpapasalamat ang buong tribong Malasimbo Sa mga patuloy na naninira sa Malasimbo, kahit papaano’y nagpapasalamat pa rin kami sa inyo. Kung hindi dahil sa walang sawa niyong pagpansin at pagpapalaki sa aming mga kamalian, sumisikat kami sa ating paaralan. Sa mga gumagawa ng issue at kung ano-anu pang pang sabi-sabi sa publication, bakit hindi niyo subukang maging parte namin, maging isang school press, maging isang Malasimbo staff. Nang maranasan niyo kung anu ang nararanasan namin. O mas mabuti pa kaya, bakit hindi kayo gumawa at magtayo ng sarili niyong publication? Nang mailabas niyo rin ang mga hinaing niyo sa buhay. Gaya ng mga nakaraang taon, ilang mga issue na naman ang nagsulputan patungkol sa ilang mga bagay sa publication. Ang iba ay may basehan, ang karamihan ay wala at pawang mga gawa-gawa lamang. Bakit daw pinuno na naman ng mga litrato ang school magazine? Bakit daw hindi one is to one ang lahat ng release ng publication? Bakit daw may free access ang mga student journalist sa iba’t ibang mga bagay na may kinalaman sa mga aktibidad na nagaganap sa ating unibersidad? Hayaan niyo kong sagutin ang inyong mga hinaing. Naging isang malaking usapan noong nakaraang taon ang magazine issue ng Malasimbo dahil sa mga litratong nakapublish dito. Bakit daw puro mukha ng mga staff ang magazine? Bakit mas marami pa ang mga picture kaysa sa mga article? Bakit ganon? Bakit ganito? Bakit nga ba? Ang gusto lang naming iparating ay ito; magazine ang inirelease namin. Kasinghalaga ng mga salita ang mga larawan na ipakikita rito. Naroon ang mga larawan na mas malalaki pa kaysa sa mga artikulo
Wala kaming sweldo, puyat pa at abonado...
Realtalk tayo!
upang ipakita ang kaibahan ng naunang diyaryo sa ikalawa. At hindi ko rin naman masabing kalabisan kung naroon ang mga larawan ng staff ng diyaryo dahil hindi rin naman namin tatawaging kalabisan kung ang mga mukha ng estudyante ang nakalagay rito. Parehas lang naman ng bigat; kayo ang ngumiti sa camera; kami ang nagsulat, nastress, at napuyat. Isa pa, manunulat o hindi, estudyante din kami ng BPSU. Napakarami din naming natatanggap na reklamo tungkol sa hindi nakatatanggap ng ilang mga kopya ang ilang estudyante at ipinipunto na dapat ay 1:1 ang makakukuha rito. Hayaan niyong ilista ko ang gastusin ng Malasimbo. Screening sa simula ng taon, sabay ng ilang ulit na meetings, mga events na kailangang i-cover saan mang campus ng BPSU. Ilang beses ba naming kailangang magpakain, o magbigay ng pamasahe, o mag-overnight presswork para lamang makatapos ng ilang release? Sa tuwing overnight presswork, de lata lang ang nagpapaandar sa mga sikmura namin hanggang madaling araw. At sa kalagitnaan ng taon, handa kaming mamiss ang major exams maibandera lamang ang husay ng mga estudyante ng BPSU-DC sa mga eksperto kapag contest na. Hindi obligasyon ng mga staff ng diyaryo na gastusin ang pinabaon sa kanila ng kanilang mga magulang para samin. Obligasyon ito ng Malasimbo. Kaya’t gustuhin man namin na bigyan ang bawat estudyante ng kopya ng isang diyaryo, wala kaming choice, lalo pa’t ang isang piraso nito na masuwerte nang hindi mapupunta sa basurahan sa unang araw na irelease ito ay nagkakahalaga na kaagad ng halos P100, na ilang raan ang kailangang ipa-imprenta. Lalung-lalo pa’t ngayong taon ay apat na uri ng diyaryo ang balak naming irelease, ilang araw na walang tulog at buong sembreak na puyat at masakit ang batok. Lahat ng ito laban sa P140 na ibinigay ng isang estudyante. Hindi namin kaya. Maintindihan niyo sana kami. Sa issue naman ng free access ng press sa mga aktibidad ng school, natural, kaya nga kami tinawag na press ay para ihatid sa inyo ang mga balita na nagaganap sa ating paaralan. Paano namin mako-cover ang isang event kung wala kaming free access? Common sense. Maraming nag-aakala na masarap at madali lamang magpublish ng isang dyaryo, na madaling maging isang Malasimbo. Oo, masarap maging isang press lalo na kung naa-appreciate ng mga kapwa mo estudyante ang mga isinulat mo. Masarap maging isang student journalist dahil naipapahayag mo ang iyong mga hinaing sa paraan ng pagsulat. Pero sinasabi ko sa inyo, hindi ito madali. Hindi madaling tumapos ng isang dyaryo. Hindi madaling magovernight ng isang buong linggo, hindi umuwi ng bahay at pag-uwi mo ay abutang nakasako ang mga damit dahil pinapalayas ka na ng nanay mo, para lang matapos ang tabloid issue. Hindi madaling isakripisyo ang pag-aaral mo at magabsent sa ilang mga subject para lang mabuo ang newsletter. Hindi madaling makipag-away sa mga guard para lang papasukin sa school dahil kailangan nang ipublish ang magazine. At hindi madaling lumusong sa baha, bagyuhin at abutan ng delubyo sa bahay ng isa mong staff dahil deadline na ng literary folio. Hindi ko sinasabi na purihin niyo kami dahil sa ka-martyr-an namin sa publication. Hindi ko hinihiling na pagawan niyo kami ng monumento dahil sa pagpapakabayani namin bilang university press. Ang hinihiling ko lang ay pang unawa at konting appreciation. *** Sa nalalapit na paglisan ko sa Malasimbo, ang pinakamahalagang natutunan ko ay ang pagsisiwalat ng katotohanan at ng kung ano ang tama. Sa huli, h’wag kang mapapagod gumawa ng tama. Hanapan man nila ito ng butas, basta alam mong tama ang ginagawa mo, h’wag kang titigil sa paggawa nito. Salamat sa masusugid na tagabasa ng Malasimbo. Hindi rito nagtatapos ang serye ng aking pagsulat. Asahan niyo ‘yan. Fierce and Love, Jan Adams.
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 9 ]
OPINION
VANTAGE POINT “Sapagkat ang taong marunong mag-isip bago sumunod sa kahit anong mga bagay- bagay ay ang tunay na nagtatagumpay sa buhay.”
Mag-isip ka, Dora Isang araw inutusan akong bumili ng toyo ng nanay ko pampalasa sa paborito niyang lutuing ulam dahil ito lang naman talaga ang kaya niya, ang adobo. Kinuha ko ang pera. Tumakbo sa tindahan ni Aling Nena. Bumili. Naghintay ng sukli. Bumalik sa bahay. Tinikman ang adobo. Sa madaling salita at sa totoong buhay, ako ay isang masunuring bata. Pagpasok ko sa BPSU, naroon ako at ibinalandra ang I.D. ko at ang nakapuyod kong buhok, sapatos na bagong Kiwi, at bumati sa mga gwardiya sa gate. Hinintay kong tumunog ang bell, pumasok sa klase, dumaan sa opis at nagsulat ng article, umuwi ng maaga, nagsaing, kumain, nagpray, natulog. Palakpakan natin ang isang napakamasunuring bata. Bigyan ng jacket at 5,000 pieces. *** Nasa dugo na yata nating mga Peninsulares ang pagiging masunurin. Okay, posibleng joke ang dating nito sa ilan, pero base sa mga nakikita ko, halos kalahati naman ng populasyon ng BPSU-DC ay marunong sumunod. Marami ang mga sumusunod sa ilang mga panuntunan na ipinatutupad ng unibersidad, sumusunod sa ilang bilin ng ating mga guro, sumusunod sa mga iniiiyak ng ating mga guard, sumusunod sa payo ng mga itinuturing na mga kaibigan, at, madalas pa nga, sumusunod nalang sa agos ng buhay. Para kasi sa karamihan, safe lang pag sumusunod ka sa agos. Chill lang, sa madaling salita. Ang pagtataglay ng ganitong uri ng katangian ay masasabi kong magandang pag-uugali ng isang indibwal, ngunit may hangganan din ito. Papaano kung ang mga bagay na ating mga sinusunod ay hindi naman pala wasto? Papaano kung sa mga bagay na ito ay hindi natin namamalayang inaagrabyado na tayo o natatapakan na ang ating mga personalidad? Papaano kung sa mga bagay na ito ay unti-unti na tayong nalalayo sa tunay na kahulugan ng pagiging isang mahusay na tagasunod? Puro paano ang tanong para naman mag-isip ka, Dora. Katulad ng sinabi ko, SAFE ang sumunod, pero kung bibigyan ka ng pagkakataong mamili, ano ba ang pipiliin mo? Susunod ka ba kung ang ipinag-uutos sayo ay alam mong mali ngunit ito ay nagmula sa palasyo ng mahal na reyna at hari ng lipunan na iyong ginagalawan? O susundin mo ang iyong sarili dahil alam mong tama ka ngunit kapalit naman nito ay hindi kaaya-ayang resulta. Maaaring maranasan mo ang lumuha ng tatlong baso dahil masakit sa paningin ang itsura ng iyong mga marka, o ‘di naman kaya ay luluha ka sapagkat ikaw ang laging bida sa klase niya na sumalo ng init ng ulo niya sa buong maghapon. Ngayon mamili ka Dora. Mayroon kang tatlong segundo. May ilan kasi sa institusyong ito na masyadong madaming dine-demand sa buhay, kung anu-ano ang inuutos at ni-rerequest. Akala yata Genie ‘yung mga estudyante na ‘pag kinutos ng tatlong beses ay magkakaroon siya ng tatlong kahilingan. Ang mga bagay na gustong makamtan, madalas ay sa mga estudyante kinukuha. Kahit isang kilometro naman ang layo sa subject na pinag-aaralan, ipipilit na ipaproject ang isang bagay na kahit anong magic ang gawin ay imposibleng maikonekta. Pero wala tayong magagawa kundi ang sumunod sa gusto nila. Ganyan kasi tayo; mga dakilang tagasunod. Mayroon pa nga tayong instructor na tuwing simula ng semestre, mangongolekta ng tig-lilimang piso sa lahat ng kanyang mga estudyante pambili ng electric fan. Sa loob ng isang semester, mga limang galon ng pawis ang iniluha ng kili-kili pati narin ng singit ng mga estudyante pero wala parin ang electric fan... hanggang sa matapos na
[ 10 ] Volume 5 |June 2014 - September 2014
kontrabidang negra Pearlyn Paule Olaes Associate Editor
pearlyn_olaes@yahoo.com
ang final examination. Mainit. Walang bagong electric fan. At ang tanging makikita mo ay ang kanyang bagong wedge na iba-iba ang kulay at may kristal na kumikinang-kinang pa. Totoo, may ganito. Isa pa, ‘yung tipo bang tinatanong mo sa kaibigan mo at pinipilit intindihin ng utak mo kung mayroon ba talaga kayong course na tungkol sa USB at sa paggagawa ng Tarp gayong ang program mo naman ay walang kinalaman sa IT. Kasi madalas, kapag umabot na ng 13 at ½ ang absent mo humanda ka ng maghanap ng bagong USB dahil ito ang kailangan mo para maisalba ang buhay mo. Sa estudyante ba dapat magmula ang tarp ng BPSU Hymn o sa school? Sa kanya ba ang hymn o sa school? Siya ba ang nagcompose nun kaya sa kanya pinaprint? Pagkatapos ba ng school year maiuuwi niya ito at maisasabit sa kwarto nya katabi ng graduation picture nya noong elementary? Pero hindi lang ‘yan. Parte na rin ng ating institusyon ang mga student leaders na ginagawang bisyo ang pagkakaluklok sa posisyon. ‘Yung tipong dahil sa matatawag na kapangyarihang taglay ay inaabuso narin ang kanyang mga nasasakupan. Sinasamantala ang kahinaan ng mga estudyante. Totoo ‘to. Nandyan ‘yung tipong ipapanakot ang pagpirma sa clearance kapalit ng bayad sa mga tickets at ilang mga fund raising na nagmumula sa bulsa ng mga ka-departamento. ‘Yung tipong kailangan mo talagang bumili ng department shirt para mapalabas ka ng campus kapag OJT na. Bagong requirement para madeploy ka kumbaga. Aba’y mahusay. OJT, may department shirt? Pero sige; sino ba naman ang maglalakas loob na sumuway sa mga ‘to kung alam mo na maaaring ang kinabukasan mo ang maapektuhan. Wala kang magagawa kundi ang sumunod. Kahit pa limang milya ang layo ng OJT at department shirt. Lakas maka-uniform, hindi mo naman isusuot. Ipapasulat pa sa’yo ang size mo, pagkakuha mo naman, bitin. *** Masasabing ang pagiging masunuring estudyante ang isa sa magandang kaugalian na dapat taglayin ng bawat indibidwal. Sabi nga ng isang speaker sa seminar na pinuntahan ko: “ang marunong sumunod ang siyang nagtatagumpay sa buhay”. Pagkatapos ng mga salitang ito, tuldok. Pero napaisip ako. Masasabi mo bang matagumpay ka kung ang mga sinusunod mo ay mali at taliwas sa alam mong tama? Masasabi mo bang isa kang kapakipakinabang na indibidwal kung wala kang ginawa kundi ang sumunod sa mga pinag-uutos na ikaw mismo sa sarili mo ay diskumpiyado na may halaga at patutunguhang matino? H’wag sana tayong manatili na lang na palaging tagasunod. Hindi ko sinasabi na balewalain na lamang natin ang mga bagay at h’wag bigyang pansin ang mga batas na ipinapatupad sa ating pamantasan. Ang sa akin lang naman, bago tayo sumunod sa kahit anong mga utos, subukan muna nating mag-isip. Idaan natin ang lahat ng bagay sa masusing pagtitimbang, kung maaari bulatlatin natin ang mga ito hanggang sa marating natin ang pinakamaliit na hibla. Sapagkat ang taong marunong mag-isip bago sumunod sa kahit anong mga bagay- bagay ay ang tunay na nagtatagumpay sa buhay. Tutal naman may backpack ka at may map at may loyal na unggoy na kasama, sana naman hindi ka lang puro lakwatsa. Susunod ka ba sa direksiyon ni Map at sa mga amazing na paandar ni Boots na wala namang kinalaman sa pag-aaral mo? Aba, teka. Teka, teka, teka. Mag-isip ka, Dora.
OPINION
VANTAGE POINT “Nauunawaan ko naman na may sinusunod silang utos pero may mga simpleng bagay na hindi na dapat pinapalaki.”
tradeMARK Jay Mark Dela Peña Sinag
Managing Editor (Administration) demonkram_13@yahoo.com
Kung kabawasan ng pagkatao ang hindi pagsusuot ng tamang school uniform at I.D, ang pagsusuot ng hikaw ng mga lalaki, hindi proper haircut at pagkukulay ng buhok malamang marami na sa institusyong ito na kakapiraso nalang ang tingin nila sa kanilang sarili. Ngunit, kung minsan kasi may mga taong sadyang “over-acting” sa pag-portray ng kanyang bigating role na parang gustong maging sikat na artista sa institusyong ito, kaya walang duda wagi sya, ikaw na. Pangatlong taon ko na sa institusyong ito, isang taon nalang ay maririnig ko na yung DANDANDANAN at maabot ko na ang aking pangarap na maging isang magaling na doktor ng mga isip ng mga mag-aaral na pumapasok lang para sa kanilang mga siyota at para sa kanilang mga baon na mas gusto pang tumambay kaysa sa mag-aral tapos ang alam ng kanilang mga magulang ay nag-aaral silang mabuti, sa madaling salita konti na lang ay pwede na akong maging isang Teacher. Pero hindi ko hawak ang buhay ko, maaaring hindi ako umabot sa susunod na taon at makaakyat sa entablado, maaaring umulit ako ng taon at umabot pa ako ng hanggang limang taon na kapag nagkataon ay matagal-tagal pa akong makakasama ng institusyong ito. Maaring mangyari lahat ng ‘to kung may maiinis sa katabilan ng dila ko at ibagsak ako o kaya naman ay magtangka sa buhay ko at ipapatay ako dahil sa topic na ‘to. Medyo takot na ako, promise. ‘Yung totoo, may konting drama na ang buhay ko kaya’t wag na nating patagalin ang usapan. Alam kong kating-kati na ang mga isip mo sa bagong impormasyong hatid ko. Kainis. *** Sa totoong buhay lang, hindi ko ugaling hindi magsuot ng tamang school uniform at kalimutan ang I.D, hindi rin ako naghihikaw dahil nagmumukha kasi akong adik, walang kulay ang buhok kundi itim lang at hindi humahaba ang buhok ko na hanggang bewang (medyo O.A), hindi rin ako nagtsitsinelas sa pagpasok dahil bukod sa bawal ay parang luya ang paa ko at baka pagluksaan ng mga makakakita ang mga patay kong kuko, nakakahiya. Basta ang pagkakaalam ko sumusunod ako sa school policy. Ang pagsunod sa mga batas, alituntunin at school policy ay tama. Ito ay upang maiwasan ang mga hindi pagkakaunawaan sa pagitan ng mga estudyante, administrasyon, kaguruan at lahat ng kasapi ng insytitusyong ito. Walang problema dito. Alam kong hindi lamang ako ang nagpapakabayani sa pagsunod at pagsusuot ng tamang school uniform. Batid ko rin na mahigpit ang Dinalupihan campus pagdating sa mga polisiya dahil binansagan itong “Campus of Discipline.” Pero may mga bagay na sobra na minsan, O.A na talaga. ‘Yung tipong nakalimutan mo lang ‘yung isang bahagi ng pagkatao mo bilang estudyante ay sesermonan ka. Take note, minsan sa harap ng madaming tao. Pero may iba na nakakaligtas at nakakalusot tapos deadma lang sila. May mga pagkakataon din na ‘yung tipong may kailangan kang kunin sa loob ng campus ay hindi ka makakapasok kasi utos daw ‘yun, pero nung isang kasamahan ko ‘yung pumunta, pinapasok. Nahiya ako bigla at tinanong ‘yung sarili ko na kung ano ‘yung pinagkaiba na ’yung isang kasamahan ko sa dyaryo ‘yung pumunta. Alam ko rin na may bagyo nun, cancelled ang pasok at walang tao sa school. Nautusan kasi ako, saglit lang naman talaga at may kukunin lang kasi
It doesn’t change anything. para ‘yun sa Publication. Wala akong balak mag-stay sa loob ng isang taon, lalabas din ako agad. Pero, wow talaga. Nakakabigla. ‘Pag sa iba pwede, sa akin hindi. Hindi ba pwedeng i-apply sa lahat ‘yung utos ng nakakataas? ‘Yung para bang ‘pag maganda at sexy ang papasok at kaclose, welcome agad. Agad agad, nanginginig pa. Naawa ako sa sarili ko dahil parang pinagdamutan ako ng pagmamahal. Parang gusto ko tuloy sisihin ang Publication na ‘to, utos ng utos. Simula yata pumasok ako ng institusyong ito at maging bahagi ng pahayagang ito ay gabi na ako kung umuwi. ‘Yung tipong mas madami pa ang oras na nilalagi ko sa school kaysa sa bahay. Hindi ko na tuloy nakakasama ang pamilya ko sa hapag-usapan. Pero, hindi ito tungkol sa pamilya ko at pag-uwi ko ng gabi. Minsan kasi hindi namin maiwasan ng mga kasamahan ko sa publikasyong ito na magtagal sa office namin dahil sa mga articles na pilit naming tinatapos. Ngunit, parang may time bomb sa loob ng campus dahil pilit kaming pinagpa-panic ni kuya at kailangan na daw namin lumabas dahil alas 9 daw ay sasabog na ‘yung galit nya este yung bomba. Kakaiba kasi, parang mayroon lagi kaming gagawing masama at parang balak namin sunugin ang buong school. Wala naman po talaga kaming balak tumigil ng matagal sa loob ng school, nagtatagal lang po kami upang tapusin po ang obligasyon namin bilang isang manunulat. May ilan din naman na estudyanteng matigas ang ulo kaya napapagalitan. Alam na kasing bawal ginagawa pa din. Paulit-paulit na ngang pinuna, sige pa rin sa pabibo. Minsan nga nagulat ako, biglang may sumigaw. Si ateng nakatambay pala sa katabing full house ‘yung sinisigawan kasi nakaupo sa lamesa. Napatingin lang ako kay Manong. Iba na yung itsura nya, galit na ata. Agad galit? Ramdam na ramdam ko naman na bahagi ako ng institusyong ito kasi minsan naranasan kong maghintay sa may gate kasi bawal pa daw pumasok kasi wala pa ‘yung adviser namin. Praktis yata ng sayaw namin ‘yun kesyo daw baka madulas kami habang nagprapraktis. Ano kasi e, malambot kasi ‘yung mga buto namin tsaka para kasi kaming nag-iceskating ‘pag sumasayaw. Dulas agad? Alam kong hindi lamang ako ang mga nakakaranas ng mga ganitong bagay. Nauunawaan ko naman na may sinusunod silang utos pero may mga simpleng bagay na hindi na dapat pinapalaki. Natuto na ko, minsan talaga may mga pagkakataong hindi talaga sasang-ayon sayo ang panahon. Minsan naguguluhan na din talaga ako. Bakit kailangan na proper ang lahat; proper ang Uniform at proper ang Haircut. Bakit minsan kailangan maghigpit at kailangan iparamdam na hindi fair sa institusyong ito. May magbabago ba? May mababawasan ba? Kung ipo-portray ko man ang role ko dito sa mundo at sa institusyong kinabibilangan ko ay ‘yung tama sa paningin ng lahat. ‘Yung tipong mag-aaral akong mabuti para sa pamilya ko, magiging mabuting ehemplo ako para sa lahat at magiging isang mabuting tao. Kikilos ako ng tama. Sa totoo lang hindi ko ugaling maging overacting. Wala ring magbabago at hindi kabawasan ng pagkatao ang mga maling bagay na gagawin ko. It doesn’t change anything. Kems.
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 11 ]
OPINION
VANTAGE POINT “Maybe it’s just me, but isn’t it too early to be looking into that aspect when so many issues are swarming over our government like a vulture?”
The Game of Thrones
Usurping the Inefficient by the Ineffective
The 2016 Presidential Election is just around the corner, and some of our presidential hopefuls have already expressed their desire to gain the supremacy and grandeur accompanying the position. Maybe it’s just me, but isn’t it too early to be looking into that aspect when so many issues are swarming over our government like a vulture? Our government is supposed to not only be concerned with solving external issues but should also be involved in internal disputes like the longsensationalized Pork Barrel Scam and the most anticipated list of the whistle blower, Benhur Luy. The transparency and accountability of government officials are being questioned. Yet, some of the culprits square their shoulders and choose to enjoy their cup of coffee while sitting in their seats, as if THERE IS NO PROBLEM at all. I guess it is a cycle. When the election comes, our candidates are everywhere, flashing their brightest smiles and speaking their sweetest words of promises. Some steps down from their comfort zones and mingle with the people to obtain sympathy. But how about when they get the position they ran for? They are nowhere to be found. Maybe or maybe not, they are behind the huge gates guarded by men in barong. And when the Election Day is near, expect them to come out of their shells, and the rest, as I have said, is a cycle. Most promises sworn by our BELOVED officials are still invisible. Come to think of it; in less than two years, national election will be held again but the platforms given in the previous elections are still beyond grasp. And the ridiculous fact is that they already plan to run AGAIN like the election is not a serious race and somewhat NOT A BIG DEAL. I remember having some small
chitchat with my friends. Out-of-the-blue, our topic wandered into the 2016 election. They were anticipating the money they would be getting from simply casting a vote, and, frankly, I am too. That’s when I pondered on the idea of money. Some believe money as the root of ALL evil and personally, I would believe otherwise had it not been what I see on television and what I hear from the news. Because of the idea of a happy wallet, people tend to forget the importance of that one single vote. I cannot blame them, of course. For some, getting a considerable amount of money in exchange of simply choosing one name is a one-way ticket to fill their grumbling stomach. But is it decent enough for the elected officials if they, say, labor thru their job if they cannot do it with fervor? Could they just concretize their platforms as a sign of gratitude? And last; how could they even face the mass for the second time when at the first place, they haven’t even done anything yet? Seriously. And before you know it, there they are again, shaking the hands of those on the streets and waving a hand to the cameras in big halls wearing their finest suits. Well, some of us are apprehensive of the presidential candidates. Media have projected some of them. But I wonder that when the moment their names are disclosed, they are faced with issues. Focus on this; when Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla stated his desire to run for the presidency, he was punched with an issue, defaming his name and credibility for the position. Another politician who became trending in flash reports and news programs is Vice-President Jejomar Binay. Currently, his son and the mayor of Makati City, JunJun Binay, have been dealing with the questions thrown at the fund spent on the Makati Municipal Hall. One by one, they are put in the hot seat. We could not tell who plots this political plan but we are
[ 12 ] Volume 5 |June 2014 - September 2014
pilosopong tasya
Marilou Aquino Bugtong Managing Editor (Finance)
marilou_bunny@yahoo.com
sure of one thing: naturally, he or she is not their ally. Alliances have been built. Support has already been pledged. But the progress we put at stake every time we vote seems to still be a few too many decades away. Due to the forthcoming elections, some politicians overlooked the problems that greatly need attention. Issues clamor for solutions. Problems that might have lessened if given one single glance magnify through wasted time. Politicians who should be driving our country towards progress nail our country on a static position instead. We are still considered a third world country. Even though our president had expressed his pride with our tiny progress in his past years of service, and our country has been hailed a “Rising Cub”, still, we are still one of the world’s poorest countries. That’s what politicians do best: dwarf the problems and enlarge even the smallest developments. We cannot deny the fact that we are still being looked down by other races. We are still one of the countries to finish last in the economic race. Basically, elections are made for the people to choose who their leader would be. However, as time goes by, its core significance is being replaced by the idea of gaining supremacy, fame and power when it should be leadership, dedication and the drive to success. They would not be where they are if not for us. Thus, in our hands rest the responsibility to make the right choice: we have to garner our logical thoughts before shading the oblong. The cycle is just around working but the question is would you just go along with the flow or would you struggle against what is accustomed?
OPINION
VANTAGE POINT “Kasikatan na ba ang pamalit sa kagandahan? Sa totoong buhay lang, mas simple mas maganda. At least totoo diba?”
AL-ttitude
Alan Kirby Ramos Salenga Layout Director
Colorblind. Anong nagbibigay kulay sa buhay mo?
alancareboy@rocketmail.com
Paulit-ulit na lang ang isyu sa ating pamantasan. Ilan na ba rito ang nabigyan na ng solusyon? Marahil, mayroon ng iilan ngunit hindi lang natin namamalayan. Hindi lang siguro natin napapansin ‘yung ilang mga maliliit na bagay na kahit papaano ay may pagbabago. Hindi lang siguro natin naaaninag ‘yung mga bagay na kahit lantad na ay hindi parin makita dahil hindi kumikislap. Bilang isang artist, siguro masasabi ko na kahit papano ay hindi naman ako nahuhuli pagdating sa pagtingin kung ano ba ang maganda sa hindi. Napakahalaga nito dahil ito ang aming pundasyon sa aming larangan. Halimbawa, dapat ay alam mong timbangin ang kulay upang masabi mong maganda ang isang bagay. Kumbaga, natural na itong kwalipikasyon upang magkaroon ng kariktan ang isang bagay. Kung walang kulay, walang buhay. Maraming kulay, mas maganda. Subalit iba pa rin kasi ito sa napapansin kong mga taong bigla-bigla na lang kikislap at magniningning ang mga mata makakita lang ng kung anong bagay na may touch ng napupusuan nilang kulay. Na kahit wala naman talagang silbi at hindi naman makakatulong sa pag-unlad ng Pilipinas ay iba ang saya at kilig nila. Out of the tune. Pero dyan nila masasabing maganda ang isang bagay. Kung opinyon nila iyon, kaya kong galangin. Minsan nga lang, may mga nakikita ang mga mata ng ilan na hindi naman na dapat silipin, at may nalalampasan na kailangan namang pagtuunan ng pansin. *** Off topic muna tayo. Nais ko lang maglabas ng ilang komento tungkol sa mga napapansin ko sa ilang mga estudyante dito sa ating campus na hanep sa taas ang confidence at pagmamaganda. Dapat kasi, kung iba ang nakikita mo sa iba, at wala kang pahintulot na magsalita, sarilinin mo na lang ang mga opinyon na ito at igalang ang inyong pagkakaiba-iba. Tuwing araw ng Miyerkules o wash day ay naglipana ang iba’t ibang pormahan sa ating campus. Pansin ko lang, may mga estudyante tayo na bilib ako kung pumorma dahil nakukuha nilang ipilit ang paborito nilang kulay sa kanilang kasuotan. Minsan pa nga ay nakukuha pang mag color combination kuno na para bang kabisado nila ang color wheel na kulang na lang ay gawin nilang oblong. Alam ko paborito mo yun, pero kahit na ba. Hindi naman kasi tama na pagternuhin mo ang yellow shirt sa red pants with matching green shoes. Hanep noh? Hindi nga naman kasi malabo ‘yun. Makulay nga eh. Colorful! Para ka lang nagbasketbol ng nakatakong. Bukod sa hindi bagay, hindi talaga pwede! Pero matatawa ka kasi sila ang mga
pinakamalakas manlait panay ang akyat-baba ng mata. Isa pa. Sa panahon ngayon, lahat ng mga hindi masyadong sinuwerte sa hitsura ay may pag-asa nang gumanda dahil sa teknolohiya. Pero pa’no mo nga ba masasabing maganda ang isang bagay. Kapag ba balot ng makeup. Kapag ba kakaiba ang haircut. Marahil ay naranasan mo na ang mangapa kung alin ba talaga ang tunay na maganda. ‘Yung tipong sobra ka ng humanga, edited lang pala. Madali kasing mapaniwala ang tao. What you see is what you get lang ang peg. Sa totoo lang nakakalungkot isipin na madalas natatakpan ng kasikatan ang masasabi kong tunay na kagandahan. Naalala ko nga, isang umaga nakaonline ako, kamuntik ko na ngang laslasin ang wire ng mouse na hawak ko habang ina-update ko ang aking sarili sa kung ano ng kaguluhan ang nangyayari sa mga kaibigan ko sa Facebook. At ang makikita ko lang ay kung anu-anong posts at pictures na umaani ng sandamakmak na likes na may halong comment pa. Samantalang nagpost lang ng “good morning” at may kasamang picture na may muta pa. Nang dahil lang sa araw-araw syang online at naging friend na siya ng karamihan ay madalas na sila ang napagpipiyestahan. Ganyan kasi ang labanan ngayon. ‘Pag mapaglike ka, madami ka ding likers. ‘Pag most likes ka, famous ka. ‘Pag famous ka, maganda ka. At iba ka na ngayong maglakad sa kalsada; taas ang noo mo, at nakashades ka na kahit na medyo umaambonambon pa. Kasikatan na ba ang pamalit sa kagandahan? Sa totoong buhay lang, mas simple mas maganda. At least totoo diba? *** Nasaan na nga ulit tayo? Lahat tayo ay may mata. Ewan ko lang kung saan nilagay nung iba. ‘Yung iba meron nga kaso hindi ko lang alam kung pa’no nila ginagamit. Madalas may nakikita ang iba na hindi nakikita ng ilan. Simpleng bagay. Kumbaga, napapakinabangan nila ang mga mata hindi lang upang makakita kundi upang mas makita nila ang tunay na halaga o natatanging ganda ng isang bagay. May kapangyarihang taglay ang kanilang mga mata. Totoo ‘yan. Makapangyarihan ang iyong mga mata pero depende naman sa’yo kung paano mo magagamit ng maayos ang kapangyarihang taglay nito. Seryosohan naman tayo. Hindi ko pa rin malaman hanggang ngayon kung bakit bulag pa rin ang iba sa reyalidad ng buhay. Isang simpleng halimbawa nito ang paraan ng pagpapasa ng mga proyekto sa paaralan. Oo, alam ko naman na isa sa mga kwalipikasyon na dapat ay presentable at hindi masakit sa mata. Minsan pa nga punong-puno ng kung
anong mga design na hindi naman talaga bagay at akma sa topic. May palagay-lagay pa ng gold na glitters para mas kapansin-pansin kasi nga nangingibabaw sa kinang kahit na ang topic nila ay tungkol sa Recreactional Sports. Paastigan ba ang labanan? Kung paastigan lang, bakit hindi mo tingnan ang nilalaman. Minsan nga, bongga ang harapan, mukhang ewan naman ang laman. “Don’t judge the book by its cover,” ika nga. Makita lang na makapal ang pahina dahil sa pitong patong ng iba’t-ibang kulay ng construction paper, maganda na. Mataas na ang marka. Hindi ko naman sinasabing huwag ng maglagay ng kung anong gusto mong ilagay. Proyekto mo ‘yan eh. Anong paki ko, ‘di ba? At hindi ko din naman sinasabing hindi na binabasa ng mga instructor ang nilalaman ng mga pinapasa mo. Iba pa rin naman kasi kung may dating ang gawa mo. Ito nga naman kasi ang nagdadagdag ng kulay, makakapanghalina sa mga makakakita, nakakapukaw sa paningin. Sapat naman na panatilihin natin ang aesthetic value ng isang bagay. Ngunit sapat pa rin ba kung ito lang ang gagawing basehan ng kagandahan. Uulitin ko, tingnan mo ang nilalaman. H’wag nating gawing basehan ang panlabas na kagandahan. Alam nyo ‘yan. *** Napag-uusapan na rin naman ang kagandahan. Masingit ko lang. Likas naman sa atin ang manghusga at tukuyin kung ano ang pagkakaiba ng maganda sa hindi. Pero minsan kasi, may mga ilang tao na mas gusto ‘yung black and white lang ba, basta maipakita lahat ng anggulo at detalye. Alam kong walang maling obra, dahil ang makagawa lang ng isang obra ay sining na. Gawa mo ‘yan e, wala talagang mali riyan. Kahit simpleng stick lang ‘yan ay may sense depende na lang kung hahanapan ka ng tema sa likha mo. May mga magagandahan, pero hindi rin natin maiiwasan na may hindi makakagusto nito. Iba-iba ng pananaw sa bagay-bagay. Kung ayaw natin, mas maayos sana kung wala na lang tayong sabihin kaysa sirain natin ang kumpiyansa sa sarili ng artist, hindi ba? Pansinin nyo na lang ang ilang exhibit ng mga contest. Basta makulay panalo ka na. Basta may dating sa mata nila kahit malayo sa tema, sa’yo na ang korona. Kung puso at utak ang paiiralin, lahat ng bagay ay may dating. Pagtuunan mo lang ng pansin. At nang makita mo ang gustong ipahiwatig ng sining. Alam ko na iba-iba ang pananaw natin sa buhay. May kanya-kanya tayong batayan kung ano ba talaga ang maituturing natin na nakakamangha. Ang tanong ko lang, nakikita ba natin ang lahat ng dapat makita sa isang likha? Maliban sa kabuuan, sinisilip ba natin ang mga malilit na detalye na bumubuo sa obra?
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 13 ]
OPINION
VANTAGE POINT
“No one would like to admit or announce to everyone his weakness.”
“It’s okay, I’m used to it.” Victim Not all the things that make you happy are right. This sentence supports my favorite line, “for every rule there is always an exception.” What’s the point? Everyday, students come and go along the hallways of our campus. Some are keen observers while some are not. Recently, we can see new advertisements posted around our university. I know that many of us are not fond of reading, but this one sheet of paper that I am referring to is a MUST-READ ad. It is the PLEDGE TO PEACE BUILDING. Before anything else, I want to ask my readers this question: are you aware that some of our ‘typical actions’ are actually improper or undesirable? Ironic, isn’t it? As college students, we are supposed to act like our age. It was just last September when the Campus Student Council conducted a seminar on Peace Building and Anti-Bullying, wherein selected students attended. They agreed into one point at which all the student must be aware of this issue. Let me expose this incident that happened inside our campus last June. It is a typical day until three of our college students filed a case in which a high school student from a school nearby threw a bottle of soda on the head of our studes. This is just one of the recent cases of bullying that happened inside our academe. Is everyone aware of it? No. But such issue is obviously sensitive enough to draw an eyebrow up and initiate some unlikely comments. There are so many cases of bullying inside and out of the campus. Big or small, they both have a negative effect. Most victims are afraid of seeking help from campus officials such as guidance
Samantha Fernandez Batalla News Editor
counselors and teachers for they somehow believe that it will have no effect on the part of the bullies, with that case they choose to hide rather than helping themselves out of the situation. Bullying victims often think of having a fear of being embarrassed again if they will report their case. No one would like to admit or announce to everyone his weakness. The many sides of the bullies occur anytime. Best teasers only want to seek attention from people that revolves around them because they have hidden problems at home and it is what causes them to do such nasty actions. Sometimes they are just trying to express their feelings through making unpleasant actions but in some ways, it has a very ruthless effect on the part of target person. As of September dated last year, 80 percent or 1,165 out of 1,456 cases of child abuse was reported here in the Philippines for the school year 2012-2013. The remaining 20 percent or 291 cases include other child abuse incidents including sexual abuse. According to Google Trends, the fourth highest searching country worldwide for Cyber bullying is the Philippines. In line with their report, the term was searched comprehensively all through 2013, this goes to show how Cyber Bullying in the Philippines is becoming an issue. Additionally, a 2008 study of Britain-based Plan International revealed that one in two school children in the Philippines are bullied or suffer from other forms of abuse caused by peers or teachers. Most incidents go unreported due to fear of vengeance. As stated by Republic Act No. 10627, otherwise known, as the “AntiBullying Act of 2013, “Bullying” refers to any severe, or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal
[ 14 ] Volume 5 |June 2014 - September 2014
unashamed rinoa_sam21@ymail.com
or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or damage to his property; creating a hostile environment at school for the other student; infringing on the rights of another student at school; or materially and substantially disrupting the education process or the orderly operation of a school. The definition given can justify and explain the answers to my questions. Some of you will say that there is nothing wrong about doing what makes you happy because we have the freedom to express ourselves. As for the victims, especially those who have fear on bullies, they can say that it’s okay because they are already used to it. But on the other side, verbal bullying is harder to heal and the effect is more severe rather than physical bullying for it affects the self-esteem and emotional aspect of a person. How can we become peacebuilders if we don’t have peace on our own self? How can we strive for absence of violence if we build walls instead of bridges? Try to take time in reading the advertisement just once. As students, we see fun in naming names, spilling statements without considering other people’s feelings and talking about embarrassing moments because it makes us laugh. Rendering what is stated in the pledge, it is quantified there that “God has called us to be peace-builders”. One time in our life, let us put our shoe to the victims of bullying and internalize the feeling of being bullied. If you are on their part, would you have inner peace?
OPINION
VANTAGE POINT
“Walang llamado walang dehado. Kung nagtataka kayo, ganito kasi yon...”
puting liwanag
Lizette Christine Lomibao Dulo Literary Editor lizettechristinedulo@yahoo.com.ph Ang pag-unlad at pagbabago ay hindi lamang na iisasakatuparan sa pamamagitan ng isahang hakbang, ito ay isang prosesong mahaba, mabusisi , at nangangailangan ng madaming pasensya at matalinong pag dedesisyon at mga epektibong pag aksyon at OO. Alam naman natin na kailangan ng mahabang panahon para maramdaman ang pagbabago. Ngunit gaano dapat kahaba? Gaano dapat katagal? Isang taon? Apat na taon? O habang panahon? Sa tingin mo? Gaano? *** “Lagi nalang may ganito pero wala namang nangyayari.” Napatingin ako sa dalawang estudyanteng nag- uusap sa may room 201 habang abalangabala silang nag-sasagot ng evaluation form. Kung iisipin, may punto naman ‘yung sinasabi nila. Paulit-ulit lang naman talaga. At dahil mahirap magpaligoy-ligoy, idi-diretso ko na ang nais kong sabihin. All CAPS ko na din para intense ang labanan. EVALUATION. Ganoon. Ginagawa ang Evaluation bago matapos ang kada semester, ibig sabihin dalawang beses sa isang taon. At ibig sabihin pang pito ko na ito ngayon . Magaling, magaling. Mag- ingay! Matagal tagal na rin ako sa institusyong ito, pakiramdaman ko nga, eh, close na kami ng mga damo sa may garden malapit sa SC. At bilang sanay na rin naman akong nagpifill up ng evaluation form, hayaan niyo akong ilatag ang nilalaman nito. Hayaan niyo akong magsiwalat at hayaan niyo akong bulatlatin ang katotohanan sa likod nito. Maraming mga bagay bagay sa ating paligid ang binibigyang pansin sa tuwing mag eevaluate tayo, nariyan ang walang kamatayang usapin tungkol sa maintenance ng iba’t ibang facilities ng school. Tulad ng inaasahan, laging nangunguna sa listahan ang CR; mapa-male man ‘yan o female iisa lang ang sitwasyon nila: HARD. Sa tuwing magagawi ako sa CR napapansin ko na parang hindi naman nasa ikakatuparan ang resulta ng evaluation. Bakit? Iisa pa rin naman kasi ang hinaing ng mga estudyante; ‘yung tipong parang sirang plaka na lang sila na paulit-ulit. Basa ang sahig, walang flush, walang lock at ginagamit pa nila ang panyo nila o ‘yung mismong kaibigan nila parang lang mai-lock ang kawawang pinto at kung anu-ano pa. Kung makikita mo sila, ‘yung itsura nila na sobrang galit, ay galit na galit na galit talaga sila. Kasi naman, ano pa bang silbi ng pageevaluate at pagpu-push sa mga students na sagutan ang evaluation form kung wala namang improvement na nagaganap at kung hindi naman nabibigyang pansin ang iniiyak ng mga estudyanteng halos sa CR na nakatira tuwing vacant nila. Sa tingin ko naman hindi naman kataasang marka ang binigay ng mga estudyante dahil sila mismo ay ramdam nila ‘yun. SUPER. Tanungin mo pa ‘yung isa sa mga cubicle dun. *** Kunware, nung binabasa ko ang evaluation form, nabasa ko ‘yung chapel. Tapos, kinalabit ko si Pearl sa tabi ko. Naghahanapan kami ng chapel. Ang hula niya, nasa gitna ng covered court. Ang hula ko, nasa munisipyo. Sa totoo lang, wala naman talagang nakakaalam kung
Bakit ba kasi madilim ang labas ng bintana?
nasaan ang chapel. Imaginary, kumbaga. So, ano ang ilalagay kong score? Pinakamataas? O pinakamababa? Heto pa ang ilang mga katotohanan na hindi lang naman ako ang nakakakita pero mas pinipili ng ilan na magbulag-bulagan na lang. Isang gabi – umuulan noon, with matching thunderclap and lightning – naalala ko ‘yung eksena nung umuulan na may pasok. Nakapagtataka, kapag umaakyat tayo ng building, 2nd floor ba bago 1st floor? Kasi may baha na agad sa 2nd floor, e, samantalang ‘yung 1st floor, nabasa lang dahil sa mga basang sapatos. At hindi ko na rin nakikita ang teacher namin tuwing gabi dahil sa maling puwesto ng ilaw sa loob ng classroom. Hindi naman sa nagmamaganda ako pero noong una naming makita ang mga ilaw sa 2nd floor, napagkamalan naming ospital ang college building. Totoo. Dagdagan pa ng usaping Services. Isa rin ito sa mga bagay na laging kabilang sa tuwing nag eevaluate, bukod kasi sa kailangan pa nating maglakad ng pagkalayo-layo at hingalin ay maghihintay pa sa pila na tanaw na hanggang sa canteen? Kamakailan lamang ay nagkaroon ng abirya sa pagbabayad ng tuition para sa semester na ito, ramdam ko iyon dahil nandun mismo ako, nakita ko kung paano na ang bawat estuyante ay hapong – hapo sa pagpila na umaabot na sa Social Hall ng high school at sa may gate ng dating library at kung papaano na ang mga magulang na nakapila sa Window 2 ay sobrang galit na galit na galit na halos kalasin na ang bakal sa Cashier at punitin ang papel na hawak nila. Napakaraming bagay ang narinig ko noon mula sa mga estudyante at maging sa mga magulang. Sabi nga nung isa noong pagabi na siguro mga five o’clock na noon, Subukan nilang mag-cut off pasasabugin ko ‘yang cashier at kukuha ako ng permit pagkatapos susuot ko ang shades ko sabay exit. Natawa ako dun. SOBRA. Sabi naman nung isang magulang bakit ganito ang sistema dito? Ang bagal! Ibang iba sa ibang campus. Hindi matatakpan ng mga katatawanan na na gaganap sa tuwing pumupila tayo sa mga opisinang ito ang katotohanan na may mali sa sistema , may problema at kung bakit ganon nalamang kabagal ang pag usad ng proseso. Maaring sabihin ng iba na bakit noon lamang kami pumila ngunit naniniwala akong may dahilan ang lahat. Kung tauntaon ay nage-evaluate naman tayo ng offices na ito bakit parehas pa rin ang scenario na tumatambang sa mga estudyante sa tuwing ganitong mga panahon? At kung dadako naman tayo sa usaping patungkol sa pagiging “APPROACHABLE” gaano na nga ba kalaki ang ipinagbago ng pagtrato ng mga staff ng Registar at Cashier sa mga estudyanteng mageenroll kada sem? O sa mga estudyanteng mag babayad ng tuition bago mag test, o sa mga etudyanteng kukuha ng permit? At maging sa mga magbibigay at makiki- usap na tangappin ang promissory note nila?. Friendly na ba sila tulad ni Casper. Sa tingin ko naman pagdating sa aspetong ito, nakikita ko naman na nagsusumikap sila na matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga estudyante ng may
SAYA at GALAK sa kanilang mga puso. ‘Di ba? At ang pang huli ang pinakamatindi, TADAAAAHH ang page-evaluate sa mga teachers. Ito ang isa sa pinakahihintay na mangyari ng mga estudyante. Ang makaganti! Iyan ang kadalasang tingin ng mga estudyante sa tuwing magkakaroon ng evaluation pero hindi talaga iyon ang silbi kung bakit natin iyon ginagawa kung hindi upang malaman kung anu-ano pa ang mga bagay na maaring baguhin, pagbutihin at isa ayos pa para lalong maging makabuluhan ang institusyong ating ginagalawan. Siyempre para patas ang laban bilang estudyante ibigay naman din sana natin ang markang nararapat para sa kanila at sumagot sa bawat tanong ng walang pag-aalinlangan. Buong klase naman ang nage-evaluate ‘di ba? Kung baga patas na laban na iyon sa parehong partido. Walang llamado walang dehado. Kung nagtataka kayo, ganito kasi ‘yon, may mga ilanilan kasi sa ating mga kaguruan ang nakatangap ng markang hindi naman dapat para sa kanila. Nasabi ko ito sapagkat ayon mismo sa isang estudyanteng nakausap ko sa may stall habang hinihintay naming maluto ang paborito kong turon ‘yung mainit at malutong sabi niya noong minsan daw na pumasok sila sa klase ; na-ikuwento ng kanilang professor na “may nagbagsak” sa kanya noong evaluation period. Nagulat ka ba? Nagulat din ako ng malaman ko ito. Dahil sa pagkakakilala ko sa guro na ito masasabi kong hindi lang siya mahusay masipag pa at sinisigurado niya na sulit ang bawat minutong ilalagi mo sa loob ng classroom . Totoo. Pero! Alam ko rin naman na may ilang guro ang nakatanggap ng bagsak na marka hindi dahil sa pinaghihigantihan sila, kung hindi dahil sa palagay ko eh na pagtanto nga mga estudyate na nararapat lamang ang markang ‘yon sa kanila. Masisi mo ba sila ? Lalo na’t kung sa buong period na pagi-stay nila eh wala ito ginawa kung hindi mag pa reporting? O kaya ay magpa-essay sa loob ng isang oras? O kaya naman ay parang gamot two times a week kung pumasok? *** Ito na ang huling taon ko rito sa ating pamantasan. Masasabi ko naman naging makabuluhan ang aking buhay lalo na dahil na kabilang ako sa Tribong Malasimbo . Simple lang din ang nais kong ipunto sa column na ito. Na hindi dapat natatapos sa kapirasong evaluation form lang ang pagbabago sa BPSU, na ang kaakibat ng bawat aksyon ay dedikasyon. Umaasa ako na sana hindi man maisasakatuparan ang mga isinulat kong opinyon sa ngayon, sana pagdating ng araw na muli akong bumalik sa aking mahal na Alma Mater ay makita ko na na nasulit pala at nagmarka ang bawat letra at pangungusap at ang kuryenteng nasayang habang ginagawa ko ang kolum na ito. Sana mahanap na ang puting liwanag upang matanggal na ang piring na patuloy na nag dudulot ng kadiliman sa mga mata ni Elsa.
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 15 ]
OPINION
VANTAGE POINT
“We are certainly taking a risk here, but the thing is, if we don’t take this chance, we will be stuck in what we are used to.”
Make up your mind, dude!
sweet thought Candy Placente Laxamana Features Editor laxamanacandy@yahoo.com
We all want the same thing, and that is PROGRESS- a word that summarizes every little thing that we are aiming for. In order to achieve progress, we have to do one thing: take a step forward. In the school year 2012-2013, DepEd’s K to12 program took effect and from then on, a great change in our country’s system of basic education started – a big step for our country indeed. After almost two years, the program had earned various comments, and – naturally – criticisms. While supporters strongly believed that this is the key to quality basic education, some say that our country is not prepared for this change yet. The lack of classrooms, facilities, and even teachers, which is already a scenario since who-knows-when, is what others are pointing out as one of the main reasons why the program should be suspended. Furthermore, additional expenses due to a longer education cycle are anticipated as an added burden to the parents. Allowances, transportation, school supplies, and other schooling necessities are still to be shouldered by the parents, which, eventually, may lead to higher dropout rates. K to12 curriculum added kindergarten school in the basic education system where a child would not be admitted in first grade unless he/she had finished pre-elem. He/ she should also undergo six years in elementary, four years in junior high school and two years in senior high school. The two years of senior high school aim to provide time for students to strengthen acquired academic skills and competencies. The curriculum will allow specializations in science and technology, music and arts, agriculture and fisheries, sports, business and entrepreneurship. However, the intention of
K to 12 is not just to add two years of schooling but more importantly, to enhance the basic education curriculum. Teaching guides, learning guides, and modules are already provided. Lesson plans would not be a problem anymore. The teacher’s focus would be on how they will teach the lesson and what strategies and materials they are going to employ. Changes in assessment like using rubrics and descriptive values are also one of the highlights of the new curriculum. The students will also be able to have sufficient time to do subjectrelated activities which makes them more prepared and well-trained on that subject. Not only that they will graduate at the legal age, they will also be employable and equipped with the required competitiveness at the workplace. As we are all aware of, we are the only country in Asia and among the three remaining countries in the world that uses a 10-year basic education cycle. Almost all countries around us had already adapted this curriculum which, in the education field, makes our country a little left behind. Our country is not yet ready for the K-12 program; that is a fact. The new curriculum requires more classrooms, facilities, and teachers. The retrenchment of college professors and employees would also be a problem. We are certainly taking a risk here, but the thing is, if we don’t take this chance, we will be stuck in what we are used to. Are we just going to stand and watch how other countries progress by focusing on their system of education? If we want change in our society, we must start it with our education system. Education is the key to success, as we always say. It is our gateway and the first step to take towards progress.
[ 16 ] Volume 5 |June 2014 - September 2014
Our capability and efficiency in the workplace are already a proven fact. Filipinos are known to be competitive in the international community. We always have a lot to offer to the world because of our innate skills and abilities. This is already proven by how in-demand our people are around the globe. Our current education system just gets in our way into becoming more competitive, or perhaps dominating, among other countries. With K to 12, graduates don’t have to study again and spend more time and money to qualify with the standards practiced by other nations. They will be recognized as professionals already and will have an easier time getting jobs abroad. For example, a high school student here in our country will graduate at the age of 16 which is not yet employable for the reason that an employee should be at legal age. Aside from the fact that he is still a minor, we can expect that he is still not competent and equipped yet with skills he will need in the actual workplace. With the K to 12 curriculum, senior high school students are given the time to strengthen their competencies and skills that are needed at work even without a college degree. It will also give way to being able to work abroad and compete globally. Given the proper education that we deserve, we will go a long way. We just have to take a step forward. Taking a step forward requires change and that change is what we need. As Henry Commager once said, “Change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress requires change.” So… are we going to take a step back or continue moving forward?
FEATURES
VANTAGEPOINT POINT VANTAGE
“Things happen not because we want to but because it has to. We will never know what will happen tomorrow so we must appreciate every day that we are alive, for somewhere in this world, others are struggling to survive.” It has been exactly six years, one month, and fifteen days since I found out that you were coming home. It came like a surprise, an unexpected news. I was shocked. It’s not that I didn’t want you to come. I just had the feeling that it wasn’t the right time. I guess it was too late for you to come around. Nonetheless, I tried to make it seem like everything was alright, that I am alright. It’s funny how I am making a confession here since it happened way back then. Well, I just want to be true this time. I want to clear things between you and me. Days turned to weeks then months, I became insecure. Fine, I admit it, I was jealous. It felt like everything is starting to slip away from my hands. All the attention, care, trust and love were on you. I already have a little of those things and I might lose that little bit of everything because of you, that’s what I had in mind. I didn’t want to share. Am I being unfair? Maybe. But believe it or not, even I don’t want what I feel. I just keep on harboring feelings that I’d rather not feel. I don’t want to hate
you, not that I do. I don’t have the right. I don’t have any reason to. I avoided m a k i n g conversations with you. I even started avoiding Mama because she keeps on talking and asking me things about you. They were all delighted with just the thought of you. I was the only one who rejected your presence. I acted like you were nonexistent. It was a clear Sunday morning; Mama and I were talking about some random things like the way we used to a few months ago. We were laughing that time when suddenly, you barged in and started moving around as if letting us know that you were also listening to our little chitchat. I saw the warm smile pasted on Mama’s face as she looked at you. It was the same heart-warming smile that she usually has every time she looks at me. “I think she likes you,” Mama said. That moment, I felt something shifted inside me. I felt a certain connection between the two of us. As I gathered my thoughts before I went to sleep that night, I realized how selfish I am and started cursing myself for letting it take over. It was like I was building a wall between you and me. I keep on pushing you away from my life. Instead of being grateful for a very wonderful gift, that is you, I resented it. I resented you. As days passed, I became fond of you and we developed a bond that grew stronger everyday, so strong that at first, I didn’t notice but you became a big part of my unmade plans. All doubts, insecurity and envy evaporated and vanished into thin air. It didn’t matter to me even if there would be nothing left for me anymore. I didn’t mind sharing all the things that I have with you because nothing is more precious than having you as part of our family. Anticipation subdued selfishness. I was looking forward to having you, I bet Mama and Papa felt the same way, even more than I do. Two months from now, you’ll be brought to life. You might have our mother’s curly hair but I’m sure you’ll have our father’s brown eyes like I do. With a smile like Mama’s and dimples
Fate
When
by: Candy Laxamana
just like what my younger brother, your Kuya has, long eye lashes that we both have, you’ll be beautiful, more than any other. It never occurred to me that a small bump would mean so much. But with just a tick of the clock, my unmade plans dismantled and scattered into pieces. The small bulge unborn for two months was torn from life. You, our angel who was supposed to accompany us through the journey of our lives bids goodbye and we were left wondering why. *** Now, I can say that we have moved on. I can still remember what Mama told me the moment she learned that her baby, my sister, was gone.
“Things happen not because we want to but because it has to.”
Though we’re still unaware as why, I settled for the thought that this is what life is about. A status on facebook reads like this, “Kahit ilang beses pa nating itanggi, life is still unfair.” Maybe that was it. Life is really unfair and there’s only one thing we can prepare for-- uncertainty. Who would have thought that it would end like this? There was only two months left to wait and in the most unexpected time, she was gone, forever, just like that. She came like a surprise; she went away without saying goodbye. Her chance to live the life that I am living today will never come. She will never be able to sleep next to me, go shopping with me, listen to the same music that I love, watch movies and anime, and read books that inspires me. She will never be able to experience the endless support that Mama gives and taste her not-sogood cooking. She will never hear Papa’s corny jokes and banat. She will never witness how over protective and hot-headed her kuya is. I planned to share with her my secrets that no one knew about but that won’t happen, ever. I will never be able to show how much she means to me. I will never be the best sister to her. But, yesterday remains a yesterday. It’s just that, I never had the chance to say what I have to say. While I was sitting on one corner of the “PBB house” and everyone is fast asleep, there’s only one thing that goes through my mind as I write this whole article, “I never hated you. You are my one and only sister and you will always, always be here, just above where the beating tells me of you.”
Barges i n… A Declaration of Guilt June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5[ 17 ]
Community: Embracing LGBT A March for Equality the
I
Photos by: Jay Mark Sinag
t was during the mid-summer and the sun scorched up in the azure sky. The children were busy playing. Suddenly, Totoy went missing in action amidst the heat of their game bangsay while Nene escaped their Chinese garter match. Minutes ago, Nene was found keenly protecting their home base and Totoy was gracefully hopping over the rubber. And there, they exchanged courses In our culture, we grew up in a society where Totoy was once a boy and Nene was once a girl. And today’s world, if not the entire world, has gradually developed an understanding towards their existence. They are now known to be the LGBT Community. For those unfamiliar with the term, it means Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender. When we hear the term, a constant idea always flickers in our mind. When we hear the word ‘gay’, a picture of a loud, witty, cross-dresser effeminate male was -usually- projected in our mind. Likewise, with the word ‘lesbian, we commonly think of a brusque cross-dresser female. That’s how we describe them, if not all of them. But behind their infectious smiles and laughter hide stories left untold. Because only few of us take time to sit by them and listen. Hardly ever do we dare to flip the pages onwards. Now, it is our time to drop by and lend our ears. Their stories are of cry and glee, ups and downs, give and take, and a rollercoaster ride… on a ferris wheel.
March Has Just Started
Getting to know who they are, lesbian refers to women who are attracted romantically, sexually, and/or emotionally to another woman. A gay man, on the other hand, is he who is romantically, sexually and/ or emotionally attracted to men. A bisexual person is someone who is romantically, sexually and/or emotionally attracted to people of both sexes. Not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender-typical will identify as a transgender person. Transgender is a term used to describe people whose internal feeling of being male, female and/or gender expression, differs from that usually associated with their birth sex. The Philippines is one of the first countries in the Asia-Pacific region which accommodated gays and lesbians. As early as 1990s, groups for gays and lesbians which started as social groups were formally created. In fact, the first-ever gay pride parade in the entire Asia took place here in our country and continued since then. This shows that the Philippines is the first to acknowledge members of the homosexuals, making us known as a gay-friendly country. We were the first to show tolerance towards them,
[ 18 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
by Marilou A. Bugtong
if not acceptance. As the research shows, 10% of our whole population belongs to the LGBT community. Therefore, if we are 70 million, there are 7 million of them. In our campus, their number is noticeably increasing. “Mamasitas” is one particular gay group that we see in a day-to-day basis; arm-inarm, elegantly walking in the canteen, hallways, or fullhouses. They are students coming from the BEEd department: Orlan “Mama Chi” David, Alan Joseph “Opang” Ibasco, Paul Andrei “Polly” Sereno, Orly “Leng” Tala and Jerwin “Wheng” Waje. More than being a sireyna, they said they have dreams. Like any student, they cram when a paper is due, they huddle when there is an activity, and they burn the midnight oil and do what other students do.
The Making of Sireynas. are.
Perhaps, some curious minds question how they became who they
For some of the Mamasitas, being a gay was not innate in nature but for some, it is. In fact, Mama Chi admitted that he had a crush on some girls way back his early years of elementary. In later years of his elementary then he confirmed he is a gay. Whenever they have group activities, he preferred to be with the boys. Yet, it was a little different with Opang. His father as he narrates, repeatedly insisted in his mind that he is a boy, the reason why he just revealed his identity the time he reached high school. Polly, on the other hand, was seen as effeminate right when he was just a toddler. Whenever his uncles and aunties give him robots, he ignores it for he thought of them as antagonists of her favorite heroine, Sailor Moon. Unanimously, they confirmed social environment also plays a great role. Some of them agreed it runs in the blood for their families, on both sides, have homosexual relatives. However, Polly disclosed he is the first in their family. His father was working overseas. Therefore, he was left and raised with the love and care of his mama, grandmother and aunties. Other would kid about how they boom in numbers when they don’t have the womb to carry a baby to start with. Their answer is: they will exist for they ought to exist.
The Entourage.
We have heard of gays and lesbians frequently beaten by their family members. This is the reason why some of them leave home and rebel. It is one thing that pushes them to be that way. When they sought for
L
acceptance, they got discrimination. Some would think that they are the menace of the society, but the truth is those people who refuse to give them a little understanding are the real monsters. Statistics shows many of them are maltreated due to their sexual orientation. Hence, the fear of rejection hinders some homosexuals to reveal their real identity. But to some fortunate homosexuals, they are welcomed with arms-wide open. As Mamasitas divulged, the time their family noticed that they are soft as a girl, they are instantly welcomed. No prepared announcements. No drama, only acceptance and understanding. We may say they are lucky to have people around them who accepted them whoever they are. That only matters for them, they emphasized. They proudly uttered they were beaten because they were stubborn when they were little, not because of their gender preference. Moreover, they are glad that BPSU shows recognition and appreciation towards them through the programs it conducts like the upcoming Super Sireyna. For them, it is one of their duties in the society, that is… to shower people happiness.
when asked about if being a gay is permanent. They answered it with the mantra, “Bakla kang isinilang, bakla ka ring mamatay!” Shortly after, they join in a contagious, loud and crisp laughter. Tough people they are, really.
LGB T Sireynas in Defense.
“Karma knows your address”. This is the statement Mamasitas stated in unison. In the Philippines, there are no laws criminalizing homosexuals. In fact, people who discriminate or demean a person based on his gender identity and sexual orientation can be sued. It is one way of violating human rights. Still, there are open-minded persons who understand them, and there are close-minded people who do not. In this case, discrimination arises. It is just around the corner. By the way they dress, talk and act; they are being ridiculed and marginalized. Oftentimes, they are subject of embarrassment. Some throw jokes at the expense of them. Truly, our LGBT friends are not safe with the piercing eyes of other people. Nonetheless, they exist and will exist with and without a n y b o d y ’s acceptance. They said in a firm voice that as long as they are doing the r i g h t thing, then they won’t g i v e even a dot of care. Furthermore,
Sireynas in Love.
Teenage years are the era of storm. It is when we feel extreme happiness and extreme sadness. Like any other youngsters, our homosexual brothers also had experienced love and heartache. Majority of the Mamasitas have engaged themselves in a serious relationship. They admitted that gays like them are easy to fall in love. With just a little care and with a little sweetness, their heart softens and tickles. In fact, one of them confessed that he came to an extent that he stalked the boy he loved out of intuition. Like a typical girl, they also feel jealous. They know relationships may end in just a snap. So, it makes them feel restless and possessive with their loved ones. They have been hurt. But they arrive at the idea that “It is better to be loved and to be hurt than to never feel loved at all.” For the rest of his life, one of them adamantly decided to just enjoy flings and no more complicated relationship, As a gay, they are fully-aware of growing old alone. They know their incapacity to bear a child even if they wish it fervently. For the future, all of them have one similar plan, and that is to adapt a child that they could raise as their own, or some of them opted to nurture their nephews and nieces so that they may be nurtured, as well, in the future. Like all of us, they fear to be left behind.
March Done.
Let us admit it. Once in our life, we raise our eyebrows out of irritation towards them. But, let us also accept that we often run to them whenever we have problems. I often do. They are good listeners and advisers. They make us forget our sadness. They teach us that laughter is indeed the best medicine. We have witnessed the years they had to endure because of mockery. Even though life has not completely favored their side, still, they stand and shower us happiness at all times. They are our brothers, our confidantes, our best friends. I must say, we are just the same. We seek for only one thing, and that is—love. Everyone is worthy to love and be loved. A s one gay said in a pageant, “if God doesn’t want us to exist, then God would not have created us in the first place.” Wouldn’t you agree?
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5[ 19 ]
LITERARY
Escaping From Anonymity by Candy Laxamana Is this reality? I’m at the edge of insanity. Flashing image with purple rays, Tainted with absurdity and irrationality; Memories that fade, tarnished by disgrace. Aghast by the veracity of things; Blasted by the ample truth about beings; Gone were the days of erudition and sagacity. Transitions of the mind turned elusive to idiocy. As the luminous lights grow fainter, Engulfed by darkness and obscurity; Ardor blazed dimmer, mistier, While physique grew frail and meager. Before the fire of reasoning loses its flicker; A foretaste of yesterday flashes to the mind. As I talk freely on this page, creating a relic of the ancient, The humanity of our times.
Illustration by: Arnel Cabilangan Medium: Soft Pastel on Cold Press
[ 20 ] Volume 5 | August 2014 - September 2014
Monster in the Dark by Lizette Christine L. Dulo Hey there friend, it’s been a long time since you last saw me I have been lurking in this darkness for a long time now, Saw how those filthy creatures suck my blood? Huh? Stop trying cause it won’t help and oh, please don’t play pity!
Kinakapang Liwanag ni Erwin M. Mallari
Listen, have you ever heard something so pleasing? Well then here, I have been vainly suffering All I know is that, I trusted you, but you deceived me You even once told me that, “Just wait and you’ll be free”.
Sa pagbalot ng dilim, Mga lungkot ay lumalalim. Umiihip sa matang nilalamig, Ang pag-asang kulang sa tinig.
I should have just gobbled your lights off! And didn’t let you take me here, for once. Enough with those deep sighs and inside thoughts We both now who’s to be blame, right?
Tahimik na naman ang sandali, Dahil sa lungkot na hindi na nasauli. Konting liwanag lang naman ang hinihingi, Bakit pinagmamaramot pa ng mga bingi?.
Once, I have been on your side We both shared the same dreams and wishes As I slowly loses my dimming light Could you just bare with me, If you don’t mind?
Kami ay mga dukhang uhaw, Na pag-asa ay naliligaw Nang mga taong ayaw gumalaw Dahil sa perang nakakasilaw.
Guess, I have reached the darkest hours of my short life, Don’t’ get tired of “seeing” me that’s my last wish; Please? Till then my jolly old friend, till then And I thank and curse you for all these! Witness’s Eye by Marilou A. Bugtong
Kaya sumulat ako sa kapirasong liwanag, Sana’y makita ng mga bulag. Ako isang hamak na gumawa ng obra, Sa dilim katabi ng lampara.
Granny enters the muted crib, At first, her face broke with eerie scowl Touch baby’s forehead, hum an alien song, Tap his back and unclothed him. Momma saw granny, asked inaudibly. Granny snarled, flashed an evil eye. I tremble in fear, sweat flows. Momma rushed out of the room. Baby’s giggles turned into cry, As granny peeled off his scalp then his hand, The flames in me glints, waned. If only I could cry, I would. June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 21 ]
NEWS DEVCOM A downpour by Pearlyn Olaes
S
and a halt
he was the apple of her family’s eye. Everyone in school and in church adored her, as she was very pretty and had the good virtues and manners to match. She was graceful, intelligent and believed that letting her hair fall down to her chest in curls was the best part of being woman. Nobody ever saw her cry, and everybody believed that she was strong. Whenever she talked, everybody listened. Wherever she led, everybody followed. Her laughter was infectious and if there was one thing that came really close to perfection, everybody would have said it was her. But on the day of her 18th birthday, August 13, 2013, they found her suicide note on the last page of her diary, and it read, “I’m sorry, because I just can’t continue living on this make-believe world where I get to be happy at the expense of the people I love. I’ve hurt them, I know. I have failed them, for when they needed someone to care, nobody did… because it was always me they wanted to be happy.” The entries were all torn out except for 13 pages. March 23: Harry gave me a rose today. He is the number one campus crush, everybody thinks, and I think he looks good, too. He’s been giving me a rose every day for 2 months without fail. Last week he stood up in the middle of the gym court and screamed my name, followed by the words, “I love you.” My friends were blushing more than I did, but I swear I felt my cheeks getting hot. A good kind of hot, I suppose. Yesterday, he and his friends were singing in the hallway that led to the Library, and when he saw that I was about to pass by, he grabbed his friend’s guitar and blocked my way. Then he sang a love song, and people were crowding around us. He didn’t falter; he wasn’t shy. And I knew deep in my heart that I wasn’t, too. I think he’s really sweet, and I think I’m starting to like him. December 25, dated last year: Uncle Rob got me a gold necklace earlier! It was the prettiest thing in the world, I swear! Then he requested that I danced ballroom with him in front of the family, and I was more than grateful, I actually think I was dancing better than ever. Mom and Dad were retelling Aunt Helen how I won the regional ballroom competition three years in a row. They were very proud of me then, that up to this day they remember even the smallest details. Aunt Helen smiled sweetly at me. Suze was looking at me from a distance. She was smiling, too. I think she loves to watch me dance, and I thought that as her older sister I should teach her how to dance when vacation comes. Anyway, she is a very good singer, but she only sings in front of me. She doesn’t like to show Mom and Dad. I wonder why that is. Yeah, I forgot to ask her what she got for Christmas. I’ll ask her tomorrow. June 10: Riza was really thoughtful. I was touched when she skipped four of her classes to take care of me because I got doomed inside the clinic. I reached almost
[ 22 ] Volume 5 | June - September 2014 [ 22 ] Volume 5 | August 2014 - September 2014
VANTAGE VANTAGEPOINT POINT V 40. Imagine, 40? The nurse called Mom and she got all panicky, but said it got down really quick so she didn’t have to leave work. I was actually feeling better, and Riza tended to everything I asked of her. She even made my assignment. February 17: I visited Aunt Helen yesterday because Dad told me I ought to drop by and tell her the good news. She hasn’t seen me since Christmas. When I arrived I saw her body draped all over the floor. I called Dad and hours later she was transferred to the hospital. She drank some drug, Dad said, but he didn’t want to go into the details. I had pretty much an idea of what that meant. Aunt Helen tried to kill herself. January 2: I just found out what Suze got from Uncle Rob for Christmas. I didn’t know what to say. I was so guilty I wanted to cry, but I didn’t. August 4: Riza and I don’t speak anymore. I see her sometimes in a distance and she always avoids making eye contact. I wish I didn’t find out. I am now regretting why I had to intrude into her privacy. I wish she could still keep it her secret. I know she was embarrassed, and ashamed, but I don’t understand why she had to stay away from me. I miss her terribly. February 18: When I got to the hospital, Aunt Helen was already awake, and she spoke. “I knew what you wanted to tell me. You are one of the delegates of your university to represent them in an international competition. And I’m very proud of you. You know what, Rhian, when your niece was still alive, she was also a good dancer. She was my only child, and I was proud of her, too. But she passed away. I don’t blame you for what happened, but I can’t hide the fact that I’m hurt. I didn’t know what she was talking about. I didn’t know, but I was cold and my hands felt numb. April 28: I found Riza’s old notes when I went to sleepover in her house. It was stacked just beside her wardrobe. When she went out to prepare sandwich, I quickly snatched one, and a picture fell down in mid-air. It was Harry’s picture. Harry and I are already dating; we’ve went out twice already after we got off school. He has also introduced me to his parents. But it wasn’t the point. Riza has Harry’s picture! I flipped the notebook open and saw everything written on it was about Harry. I almost jumped when Riza caught me, but I swear I felt like I was underacting, because I witnessed how the blood drained out of Riza’s face and how she turned pale so much. And then she was crying, and her body was rocking and she was wailing and I didn’t know how to make her stop. I wanted to make her stop. It was hurting me. But I couldn’t cry. It just wouldn’t come out. March 1: I visited Aunt Helen. She was okay now. She was laughing harder than ever. I thought it was strange, but with her laughter, I thought everything was already fine. May 10: Suze was crying, and she wouldn’t talk to me. I asked Mom and she told me that Suze was jealous of me, because she overheard Mom and Dad
NEWS
VANTAGE VANTAGEPOINT POINT
DEVCOM
Jan Adams D. Magtanong
Shackled
Pigeons, they fly away again, Freely under the sun, along with the air. And he who kidnapped a rich man’s daughter Feels bereft. Butterflies, they flutter gently, And glide towards the flowers too pretty. While he who robbed a poor man’s shanty Nests envy. Bees, they hum ever so discreet, Go out and about without missing a beat, As he who did not think twice of massacre Is dreamy. Cattails, their wishes float where the wind blows, But they who reaches out behind the cold bars wish, Their freedom back, which equaled their repentance On shackles.
LITERARY
talking about getting me my own car as a graduation present, when she’s been requesting the latest of Apple for her birthday for a whole month but got something else instead. I told her it was really unfair, but she answered that it was Dad who was insisting it. July 30: Harry was devastated. He looked really restless, and there were black circles around his eyes. All my friends told me that he’s been drinking too much lately. So this afternoon I approached him. I wanted to explain why I had to stop seeing him, but he walked away before I even had the chance to speak. Before I went home, Jeremy, his friend, told me that he was in an empty playground near school, so I decided to go there and talk to him. But in the distance I could already hear him crying like a child. I didn’t have the face to proceed. August 12: I’ve already received many advanced gifts. There was that latest of Apple among them, I decided to give it to my sister after the party. Aunt Helen went to the house to help with the preparations for my 18th Birthday celebration. She and Mom were really sweet to each other, I wonder if Suze and I will ever restore that kind of sweetness after everything. I shrugged that sadness away and decided to unwrap the presents. I’ve received, so far, 14 gifts. People are really nice to me. At 11pm, just an hour before my big day, I felt I was hungry and decided to make myself something to eat. I paused just as before I set foot in the kitchen. Aunt Helen was crying and Mom was trying to calm her down. I remember what she said. “I just can’t forget, Agnes,” Aunt Helen croaked through her rough throat, “no matter how dear Rhian is to me. You don’t know what hell I’ve been through, what hell I still am going through, whenever I see your daughter with her curly hair. Denise used to have that kind of hair. Denise… my daughter…” “Nobody wanted that to happen,” Mom cried, too. I had to make an exit. August 13 (12am): I was 3 years old, and Mom said I always enjoyed walking around and jumping. One Saturday morning, I saw the door open and walked out of the house into the streets. Denise was 8 years old then, and she dropped by to deliver some cookies Aunt Helen baked for Mom. Then she saw me standing before a speeding car. I wasn’t doing anything. Denise came running. She jumped and knocked me out of the way. I am now in my room. My head feels cloudy and I feel like I’m hitting a wall that isn’t there. My heart will not stop. My eyes cannot see anything. The pain was so great… so great… but the tears just won’t come.
Illustration by: Arnel Cabilangan Medium: Water Color on Canson
June - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 23 ] August 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 23 ]
VANTAGE POINT
DEVCOM
T
heir chalk-dust sprinkled hands represent devotion. The rasping voices lubricate the flow of wisdom on raw minds. Uniforms knitted of thread and dedication is what they wear as a battle gear in their part of a daily revolution. Yet so unnoticed, so invisible to some the gravity of contribution they share within the society. They say that the familiarity of a luxurious life is beyond reach in the teaching profession, there are discriminations such as that a teacher occupies a very low position in the professional ladder and that engaging in the teaching field constitutes of a martyr, from the regular income in profit for a whole day of teaching to the not so “classy” chalk-dust covered office which is the classroom. Hence, a teacher is a professional, one might say, not of even comparison next to someone dressed in a business suit. Moreover, there is this one-sided truth that teachers are sometimes looked down by a few and, as teachers themselves would say, is definitely not prioritized by the society. The catch here is that culture and time somehow made it inevitable that whatever the circumstance is, teachers, not only as employees but even as individuals are only taken for granted.
A for Apple, B for Ball… E is for Evident
Teachers have taught as greatly in history up until now. Ever wondered how the world would progress without a ma’am or a sir? Imagine the twelve apostles without Christ, or Rizal without Doña Teodora, or maybe even his own antagonists who are the Spanish teachers? Or would Plato influence with his philosophies without a Socrates? Well, to wrap this idea up, the world would be envisioned full of people deprived of education without a teacher’s presence, so to speak. Fortunately, they exist and are always present just like signing your attendance sheet. Teachers prove their worth by patiently driving the chalk on the board as molders of generations. They are the people spending utmost effort delivering lecture, discussion, or sermons in order to provide quality education to prep us for a harsh future. Learning is something we undergo without a classroom, but let’s face the reality that formal education is what gears us to become one with our dreams. Education is priceless, a gift only a teacher can professionally and willingly give. Probably, some token of appreciation to keep them going are more than what they deserve. Unfortunately, it is the opposite. Same with how the chalk brittles when used, so is on how the society bypasses our educators. Do their sacrifices and devotion been favored with the society beforehand?
Tales of the
Chalk,
Lesson Plans pay slips.& [ 24 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
by Pearlyn Olaes and Joshua Gabriel Muñoz Illustration by: Arnel Cabilangan
VANTAGE POINT
DEVCOM
Did their numb hands and restless voices been reciprocated with the recognition fitting for those who shape the future? Well, maybe; in praises and recognitions and other things pleasing to the ears and warming to the heart. But a hard pang of reality says no: our teachers also have families to feed.
Breaking it down like Chalk
There are a lot of things to discuss with when we talk about the down-side of the teaching profession. But one of them is the concern of having to pay costly taxes, and, lately, there has been wide-spread news and rebellious posts on the social networking sites solidifying the issues of having government employees, teachers in particular, paying high amount of taxes compared to other professions which weighs them down in terms of financial status. Furthermore, the small wage they profit in an almost whole day of work leave our educators helpless, clinging to a mantra “more of the devoting rather than the yapping”. ”Dahil government employee kami nade-deduct talaga sa amin kaagad ang tax. Kami kasi naka-payroll ‘yung mga sweldo namin. Unlike noong sa mga ibang mga propesyon katulad halimbawa ng sa doctor o kaya ‘yung mga bussinessman hindi tiyak ng nasa gobyerno kung magkano talaga ang sinusweldo nila” stated Mr. Dennis Casabal, a public school teacher. To an estimated P8,000 up to P10,000 monthly gross or wage of public teachers, there is a P2,000 deducted every month which serves as a tax fee for the government. Aside from this fact, there are still other visible forms of fees which are subtracted to the income of teachers. “Sa totoo lang, kami talagang mga teachers ang pinagkakakitaan ng gobyerno, kasi ang pagbabayad ng buwis depende sa gusto mo, pwedeng quarterly, pweding yearly at monthly. Sa case namin, dahil nga sa monthly kami nakakakuha ng payroll, monthly din kami pinapakinabangan ng gobyerno,” he added. No wonder why some teachers and members of the society pleaded cries in forms of rallies for an increase in their monthly salary, given the fact that aside from the low gross income, is the presence of deducted fees on it. In some part of the country, an organization consisting of 3,000 public school teachers known as The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) have conducted a massive rally marking what they called the “National Day of Teachers’ Protest” at the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila, the same day the ‘World Teacher’s Day’ was celebrated to emphasize the call for proper compensation. In addition, the group came upon pressing across-the-board increase in the salaries of education personnel for an an amount of P10,000. TDC
National Chairperson Benjo Basas said that the group continues to appeal to President Benigno Aquino III to consider the request by our teachers. The “National Day of Teachers’ Protest” is a simultaneous event with protest actions in Visayas and Mindanao. “This event is both a celebration of the nobility of teaching profession and a condemnation of the government’s neglect and exploitation,” Basas quoted on a national newspaper. As the situation heats up, the rally was also attended and intensified with the influence and attendance of representatives of the National Employees Union (NEU) of the Department of Education (DepEd), ATING GURO Partylist, Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) Federation, and private workers and employees’ unions who are supportive of TDC’s call for salary increase. Unfortunately, the rallies and demands we’re still unapproved by the government, specifically, The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) But people are still waiting and pleading for the lawmakers’ approval.
Scribbling it on the board
Our country is developing and it continues to be, the country developing its citizens as how it has always been done, but as long as how biased the system works, equilibrium on professions would not exist. Shouldn’t the government be doing anything about this? Would teachers always end up enduring one whole day delivering the right amount of education in exchange for a partial monthly remuneration? Maybe in the future someone will write it down; maybe someday someone will have to raise a voice. The chalk disrupts dramatically upon teachers trying to write down on the firm line on the board. Maybe it’s time to erase the flaws and corrections. And when all of this is done for the good, then teachers can finally say “Class Dismissed”.
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 25 ]
DEVCOM
S
a isang tipikal na tao, ang pagsikat ng araw sa silangan ay ang umpisa ng bagong araw at ang paglubog naman nito sa kanluran ay ang pagtatapos ng araw at pagsisimula ng gabi. Para naman sa mga taga-Almacen, kapag tirik ang araw ay lubos ang paghahanda, at ang pagbuhos naman ng ulan ay isa naming pakikibaka sa maghapong pamamangka. Iba ang imaheng aming nadatnan ng Almacen sa larawan nito sa telebisyon na halos lagpas sa mga kabahayan ang tubig dahil sa baha tuwing nababalita ito. Hupa na ang baha nang kami ay pumunta. Maputik ang mga daan. May marka ng tubig sa mga dingding. Nagkalat ang mga basura na tinangay ng tubig. Madalas mang lubugin ang kanilang barangay sa t’wing sasapit ang tag-ulan, tila normal na lamang ang ganitong senaryo para sa mga tao rito, nasanay na kumbaga, kaya’t maituturing na nilang parte ng kanilang buhay ang paglangoy at pagsagwan habang nananatili sila sa kanilang lugar. Aminado silang kakabit na ng salitang “baha” ang kanilang barangay. Ang madalas na pagkakasama ng Barangay Almacen ng Hermosa, Bataan sa balita sa telebisyon taun-taon ay naging dahilan upang pukawin nito ang aming atensyon. Minabuti naming magsiyasat tungkol dito, kung paano kinakaharap ng mga mamamayan ang suliranin ng kanilang lugar at papaano ang pamumuhay ng mga taong naninirahan rito.
Pag-apaw ng Ilog
Mula pa noong araw, kilala na ang barangay Almacen kapag sinabing lugar na bahain, kung saan halos lumalagpas ng kabahayan ang baha kaya’t tinaguriang “Flood Capital of Bataan.” Kung ang dahilan ng pagbaha sa ibang lugar ay mababa ang lupa, ang Almacen naman ay may mas malalim na sanhi Kung kaya’t madalas na itong lumulubog tuwing umuulan. Sa pagputok ng Mt. Pinatubo noong 1991 malaki ang naging epekto nito sa Bataan na karatig probinsya partikular sa Almacen. Ayon kay Gng. Efipania Muli, dahil sa matinding ash fall at pag-agos ng lahar ang dahilan ng pagbabaw ng ilog ng Almacen. “Maliban pa doon, tuwing malakas ang ulan, kasunod agad ang baha dahil natatangay rin ang lupa na galing sa matataas na lugar papunta dito kaya kahit anong paghuhukay ang gawin namin sa ilog, mababaw pa rin,” dagdag pa niya. Sinasabi na “umihi lang ang palaka” ay lubog na agad ang lugar ngunit nilinaw ito ng kagawad na sadyang mabagal lang talaga ang paghupa ng tubig kaya’t minsan, hindi pa man nawawala ang baha ay may kasunod na naman na pag-ulan. Malaki ang epekto ng problemang ito para sa mga tao rito lalo na sa kanilang kabuhayan. Ngunit, paano kaya hinaharap ng mamamayan at ng gobyerno ang suliraning ito na matagal nang humihingi ng solusyon?
Pagharap sa Signos ng Kalamidad
Sa pagdaan ng mga araw at paglipas ng mga buwan, hindi naman nawawala sa isip ng mga tao rito kung ano ang maaring gawing paraan upang mapabuti na ang kanilang kalagayan. Sa tulong ng Pamunuang Bayan ng Hermosa, gumagawa sila ng mga aksyon upang masolusyunan ang problemang kinakaharap ng isa sa mga barangay ng Bayan ng Hermosa. Sa pinalabas na memorandum ni Mayor Danilo C. Malana, Punong bayan ng Hermosa, si Konsehal Lou Narciso na konsehal ng Bayan ng Hermosa ang naatasang mamuno sa Municipality Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), kung saan nakapaloob ang evacuation, intelligence, and monitoring na nakatuon sa pagplano at pagaksyon sa pagsimula ng tag-ulan. Napag-alaman namin na may nakalaang pondong umaabot ng 150 milyon pisong pondo para sa life-saver boats upang mas madali ang paglilikas at walang masaktan, ayon kay Konsehal Lou Narciso. Ngunit hindi pa sa pag-aksyon sa pagbaha natatapos ang problema, nararapat rin daw na bigyang pansin ang patas na pagbabahagi ng Relief Goods o anumang tulong mula sa pamahalaan. Kaya naman itinalaga ng Pamahalaan ng Hermosa ang Municipal Social Welfare and Development o MSWDO bilang tagapamahala sa pag-dissemninate ng mga supplies. Tunay raw na naging maagap ang kanilang bayan dahil sa kabila ng mga sakuna sa bayan ng Hermosa at Almacen na madalas na binabaha ay kinumpirma nilang zero casualty ang Hermosa. Sa pabago-bagong panahon at ilang karanasan na nagpapalubog sa kabuhayan ng mga tagaAlmacen, patuloy pa rin silang umaahon upang muling makibaka sa mga susunod pang panahon at pagdating ng mga ‘di inaasahang pagkakataon. Sa kabila ng mga ito, paano kaya ito nalalagpasan ng mga pamilyang nakatira sa Almacen?
Sa Pagbayo at Pagsagwan
Iba’t iba man ang katayuan ng buhay ng mga nakatira sa Almacen, tila walang makakaligtas sa problemang kanilang kinakaharap. Pangunahinng hanap-buhay ng mga taga rito ay pangingisda at pagpapalaisdaan upang makakain at matustusan ang kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailngan. Ang pagdating ng bagyo ay hudyat ng muling pag-apaw ng ilog ng Almacen, pagbaha ng lugar at sunod na ay ang paglubog ng kanilang kabuhayan ayon sa isang residente ng lugar na si Ginoong Conrado Muli. Isa si G. Muli sa mga residente ng Almacen na napapatayan ng hanapbuhay pagdating ng baha. Kung minsan nagkakasya na lamang ang tulad niyang mangingisda sa pamamasada gamit ang kanilang bangka. Minsan, sa kakapusan ng mga kabarangay ay wala silang maiabot, nagsisilbi na lamang itong tulong at pagmamalasakit sa kanilang kabarangay.
Bukod sa pangingisda, karaniwang kabuhayan din dito ay pagsasaka. “Kung minsang wala kaming mahuling isda, nakikigapas kami sa mga kakilala naming may-ari ng sakahan na hindi binabaha. Mga 15-20 na sako ng palay din ‘yon kung susumahin,” ani G. Muli. Sa kabilang dako, may ilang taga rito na madalang ambunan ng grasya mula sa gobryerno dahil malayo ang kanilang lugar at kailangan pang tumawid ng tulay katulad ng magsasakang si Mang Adolfo Ronquillo. Si Mang Adolfo ay nangungutang lang ng kanilang itinatanim na palay, kapag nasira ay mangungutang silang muli. “Kapag ‘di kami nangutang, walang mangyayari samin,” may panghihinayang na salaysay ni Mang Adolfo. Hindi lamang sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda umiikot ang buhay sa Almacen, may ilan ding residente na dumaraing dahil naapektuhan pati ang kanilang pag-aaral. Si kalagayan ni Arby Joy Regala, estudyante ng BPSU-DC, makikita rin ang hirap na dinudulot ng kalagayan nilang ito sa gaya n’yang mag-aaral. “Minsan tatamarin ka na ring pumasok kasi bago ka pa makarating sa school, mababasa ka na. Pero syempre may pangarap ako kaya tuloy lang,”ani Regala. Tunay na mahirap ilagay ang ating mga sarili sa kanilang kalagayan. Kung titignang mabuti, masasabi nating kahanga-hanga sila sa kanilang pakikipagtuos sa ganitong sitwasyon.
Pag-ahon sa Kalagitnaan ng Baha
Hindi man maganda ang nangyayari sa kanilang lugar, patuloy ang paniniwala nila na may pag-asang makatago sa likod ng bawat pagbaha sa kanilang barangay. Hindi alintana na gaano man kataas ang baha o gaano man sila nahihirapan sa kanilang sitwasyon, ang mahalaga sa ngayon ay tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang kanilang buhay. Bumabangon. Lumalaban. Dala man daw ng pag-apaw ng tubig ay kalungkutan, “may konting saya pa rin kahit na walang trabaho basta’t sama-sama kami tsaka nagtutulungan,” positibong paglalarawan ni Gng. Muli sa kanilang kalagayan. Kung ang pagbuhos ng ulan at ang pag-apaw ng tubig sa kanilang ilog ang nagpapalubog sa kanilang kabuhayan at mga ari-arian, ang diwa ng pagtutulungan at pagmamahal sa kapwa naman ang nag-aahon sa kanila. Walang dahilan upang hindi harapin ang problema, ang paglubog ng araw sa kanluran ay hindi lamang sumisimbolo na tapos na ang araw. Sa paglipas ng gabi, muling sisikat ang araw para sa panibagong buhay, panibagong pagkakataon para sa lahat upang muling bumangon para harapin ang kinabukasan, baha man o wala.
ng” l Capita “Flood Mga uumapaw na istorya sa Bataan“ nina Marilou A. Bugtong at Benhur V. Cruz Jr.
[ 26 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
a P a ng s
a b k a Ha
Mg
. d a l g-un
Photograph by: Jay Mark Sinag nina Evangerline Tamayo at Joshua Gabriel Muñoz
Ang lumalagong ekonomiya ng bayan ng Dinalupihan
I
sang higanteng nagmulat mula sa tahimik na pagkakahimbing at nagsimulang kumilos para gumawa ng pangalan at magpakita ng natatanging galing. Lugar kung saan nagmistulang kulob na silid na nagdudulot ng nakakabinging katahimikan. Bayan ng bayani. Bayan ng nagtutulong-tulong para sa pagsulong. Sinadlak man ng samut-saring kalamidad, hindi nagpatinag at patuloy na nakikibaka sa unos ng buhay ang bayan at mga mamamayan. Binisita ng ibat-ibang krisis ngunit patuloy na lumilikha ng solusyon. Saksi ang mga punong pumapaligid dito kung paanong ang lugar na ito ay pinagtibay ng panahon. Sa pag-usbong ng bayan ay dala nito ang pangarap ng mga Dinalupiheno sa pag-unlad at sariling pagkakakilanlan. Tunay nga na nagsimula na ang bagong siklo para sa lugar na ito na batid ng panahon ang mga pinagdaanan. Bumabangon. Sumusulong. *** Sa paggalaw ng daliri ng orasan ay kasabay ang malawakang ebolusyon. Nagsulputan ang mumunting pag-asa at tulay para sa kasaganaan. Naglipana na ng mga establisimiyento, lumawig narin ang espasyo ng daan. Luminis at mas naging kaaya-aya na ang bawat pamilihan, dumami nadin ang pagpasok ng mga mamimili kalakip ang pagtaaas ng koleksyon at kita ng ilang mamamayan. Hindi na din problema ang pagbaha, marahil dahil sa mga aksyon na isinagawa at pagpapabuhay ng kailugan. Ang mabilis na reporma sa pagpapalakad ay maayos na naitaguyod. Nakakatuwang isipin na kumikilos ang bawat isa lalo na ang pamahalaan para makaulagpos tayo sa kahirapan. Sa pagbukas ng ibat-ibang uri ng pamilihan kasabay ang pagbukas ng pintuan para sa tao at mga opurtunidad na naghihintay, ito na ang naging hudyat ng unti-unting ginhawa ng pamayanan ng Dinalupihan.
“Hangga’t maaari ang kukuhaning manggagawa ay mga taga-Dinalupihan, para mapababa ang unemployment rate ng ating bayan”, ulat ng Spokeperson ng Mayor ng ating munisipyo. Sa pag-unlad ng bayan ng Dinalupihan tunay kayang nararamdaman ng mga mamamayan nito ang kasaganahan? “Nararamdaman naman ang paglago ng Dinalupihan base sa dami ng mamimili na dumarating, syempre kapag may pera ang tao dun mo masasabi na may Improvement ang Dinalupihan,” paliwanag ni Aling Lina, tindera ng itlog sa Dinalupihan Public Market. Para naman kay Joel, ang pagpapalawak ng mga daan, at paggawa ng mga ruta para sa katulad n’yang drayber ay isang malaking tulong. Sa ganitong paraan ay mas magiging mabilis ang kanilang pamamasada at paghahatid ng mga pasahero. Ito daw ay indikasyon na may pagbabago dahil nabibigyang solusyon maging ang katulad nilang mga pedicab drayber. Mula sa regular na trabaho, si Ginang Evelyn isang Teacher sa pampublikong paaralan mabagal man daw at hindi gaanong kabilisan ang pag-unlad ang importante ay may pag-unlad na nakikita. “Ramdam everyday ang pagbabago, tsaka kung mapapansin mo madami ng mga tao ang namimili sa palengke, sa mga supermarket at lalo na t’wing sasapit ang martes tapos ay bargain, siguro meron mang naghihirap parin pero nasa sa kanila na yon, kung tamad sila walang mangyayare” salaysay ni Ginang Evelyn. Isang patunay na ang pag-unlad ay makikita sa pamamagitan ng pagsulpot ng mga gusali at mga investors. Sa ganoong paraan kasi malalaman na maunlad ang isnag lugar. Sa kwento ni G. Rosario Nayug “Ang mga economic indicator katulad ng Jollibee, McDonalds at Puregold ay hindi itatayo sa isang lugar kung hindi yun maunlad”. Patuloy man nating nakikita ang mga
pagbabago, may mga layunin pa rin na nais ipatupad ang pamahalaan ng Dinalupihan. Sa katunayan may mga nakahanda ng mga plano para sa susunod pang mga araw na pipilitin nilang magawa. Sa “Future Plan” ng Dinalupihan nakasaad ang mga hakbangin mula sa pag-momodernisado ng ating agrikultura hanggang sa pagsasaayos ng mga tourist spots at pagiimbita ng mga investors at paggawa ng ibat-ibang establisimiyento. Dito, magpapagawa sila ng Post Harvest Facilities at pagkakaroon ng Sentral na bilihin ng mga gamit ng mga magsasaka. Isasaayos din nila ang Market Road at ang mga kalsada. Lalabas narin ang mga Hotel para sa mga turista at magsisi-sulputan na din ang iba’t ibang malalaking establishimento. Bibigyan na rin ng pansin at muling lalagyan ng sigla ang mga Tourist spots ng Dinalupihan, nang sa gayon ay mas maakit natin ang mga turista. Sa ganitong paraan maipapakita natin na nasa Dinalupihan na lahat. Ang lahat ng bagay ay nagsisimula sa maliliit na aksyon ng pagbabago, di man natin masasabing tuluyan maunlad na ng lubusan ang Dinalupihan ngunit malinaw na malinaw na mapapansin ang malalaking pagbabago nito. Sa ganitong paraan nabibigyan at nabubuhayan ng pagasa ang mga taong kapos, bagamat hindi na mawawala sa atin ang paghuhusga sa kakayahan ng pamahalaan dahil sa paulit-ulit na pangakong malabong natutupad ng iilan. Gaano man kahaba ang iyong pagkakahimbing, may tamang oras pa rin upang ikaw ay gumising at bumangon. Sa muling pagbangon, haharapin ang umaga at tatapusin ang maghapon ng may pagbabago. Sa patuloy na pag-akyat ng pag-unlad, mabagal man ang bawat pagtapak nito sa baitang ng pag-ulad ang importante ay may marating at makamit ang tunay na kaunlaran. Dahan-dahan.
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 27 ]
Kung maririnig
K
“
mo ang salitang
”
Mental…
ung maririnig mo ang salitang “Mental”, ano ang maiisip mo? Riot? Wrong Turn 4? Mabibigat na kandado at tatlong patong ng bakal na pinto? Sa paglalakad namin sa corridor, wala sa nabanggit ang naisip namin. May naririnig kaming nagsasalita sa di kalayuan. Hindi klaro ang sinasabi niya. May mga salita at pangungusap na hindi nagtutugma-tugma sa isa’t-isa. Magulo. Walang matinong ipinupunto. Mga salita sa hangin, humahabi sa hangin, para sa hangin. Napako ang tingin namin kay Mang Rod na nasa harapan namin, isa sa mga utility workers sa Mariveles Mental Hospital dito sa Bataan. Nakaupo siya sa isang makutim na monobloc katapat namin habang may hawak na walis sa kanang kamay. Ang kaliwang kamay niya ay isang stick ng umuusok na Fortune. “Sa totoo lang mas nakakatakot sa labas ng mental kasi sa labas hindi mo alam kung sino talaga yung totoong baliw, ‘di tulad dito sa loob alam mo kung sino yung baliw,” pabirong pahayag niya. Napatango na lamang kami. May punto siya. Sa ilang taon na rin niyang pananatili dito sa ospital, batid namin naiintindihan niyang mabuti ang kanyang sinabi. Napalingon kami sa koridor na ito ng ospital. Dito, kay rami nang dumaan na pasyente, marahil ang ilan ay nagpupumiglas sa pagkakatali, ang ilan ay nagsasabi-sabi. Hindi lamang ang makapal na populasyon ng Mariveles Mental Hospital ang tunay na pagsubok para sa mga iilang manggagawa sa loob ng Mental. Higit pa roon, papaano mo magagamot ang mga pasyenteng naagawan na nga ng bait ay tinalikuran pa ng pagmamalasakit? Bawat hakbang namin sa loob ay sari-saring kwento ang aming nalaman. Kakaunti lamang ang may alam, dahil kakaunti lamang ang nagbibigay-pansin.
Halina sa Mental Hospital
Sa pagpasok ng mga pasyente, una ay kakapanayamin ang isang kasamahan ng pasyente upang malaman ang
[ 28 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
by Jay Mark Sinag
mga inpormasyon tungkol dito. Matapos kumuha ng ideya, magdedesisyon ang doktor kung tatanggapin sila sa loob, simula sa ward 1. May prosesong sinusunod ang mental upang maging maayos ang kanilang pagtanggap sa mga pasyente. Kung sa palagay nila ay nagkakaroon ng pagbuti ang kalagayan ng pasyente, ililipat naman sila sa ward 2 hanggang sa makarating sila ward 4 kung tuluyan na silang magaling. Simple lamang ang prosesong ito habang pinagdadaanan. Ang mahirap ay ang pagbangon sa oras na malampasan na nila ang lahat ng prosesong iyon. Ayon sa kwento sa amin, hindi lahat ng gumagaling sa kanilang pagamutan ay may pamilyang binabalikan. Ang ilan, susunduin at yayakaping muli ng kanilang mga pamilya. May mga magbibiyahe mag-isa upang harapin ang isang bagong buhay nang hindi nila sigurado kung paano at ang puhunan ay lakas lamang ng loob. Ang ilan, natatagpuan ang kanilang mga sariling nakatulala at wala nang lugar na mapuntahan. Walang tahanang mauwian. Humithit ng sigarilyo si Mang Rod.
Ang mga kwento sa likod ng pagkalinga.
Si Mang Rod ay 30 taon nang nagtratrabaho sa mental kung saan alam na nya ang mga proseso, kung paano asikasuhin ang mga pasyente at ang ilang istorya ng mga pasyenteng nanatili sa loob. Hindi daw madali sa umpisa. “Pwede silang wala nang bantay kung medyo magaling na sila. ‘Yung bang may mga pagbabagong nakikita. Minsan, kung kapapasok pa lang nila lima ‘yung bantay nila.” Taliwas sa paniniwala ng ilan, walang pinipili ang sakit na ito. May mga taong kalye. May ilang pasyenteng mayayaman sa loob, may pinag-aralan. May mga nurse at engineers. Katulad na lang ng magkapatid na engineers. May ilan ding pulot lang sa kalsada, ‘yun naman ay ‘yung mga dinadala ng mga barangay opisyal. Kapag nagdala yung mga barangay officials magsasama sila ng DSWD.
Si Alyssa Geronia, dating Nurse Attendant sa mental, ay nagbahagi ng kanyang mga karanasan sa loob ng MMH. “Yung sa mga pasyente, kapag may mga sumpong sila namamalayan na lamang namin na may humahabol sayo tapos kapag naabutan ka, babatukan ka o kaya kakabugin ka na lang. Yung iba naman tatapunan ka nga mga dumi nila. Lalo na sa mga nasa ward 1 doon kasi kahit nakatali na sila hindi pa rin maiiwasan na masaktan ka nila,” pagsasalaysay ni Nurse Alyssa. Noong una ay may takot raw siyang nararamdaman, dahil iba ang impresyon niya ‘pag naririnig ang mental ngunit ito ay binago ng kanyang mga naranasan. Binago ang kanyang pananaw na hindi dahil mentally impaired sila ay wala na silang mga puso. “Kung araw-araw kang makikisalamuha sa mga taong mentally impaired dapat kilala mo ang sarili mo, dapat emotionally detached ka, dun namin iaapply ‘yung salitang hindi sympathy kundi empathy at dapat malawak ang pag-iisip mo, hindi ka dapat judgemental,” dagdag pa ni Nurse Alyssa. Para naman sa mga taong kumakalinga sa mga pasyente at mga pasyenteng gumaling na, mahirap man daw ang kanilang trabaho ngunit kung kapalit naman daw nito ay ang makitang bumalik na sa katinuan ang kanilang mga pasyente na isang kaligayahan para sa kanila. Gayunpaman, sa kabila ng pagtalikod ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay ng ilang pasyente ay may oportunidad na pa rin na sa kanila ay humaharap. Hindi man sila muling balikan sa kanilang paggaling sila naman niyayakap at kinakalinga ng mental.
Gabay Patungo sa Kapirasong Liwanag
Sa paglipas ng mga araw ay kasabay ang paggaling ng ilan sa mga pasyente. Kadalasang nakikitaaan ng pagbabago ay ‘yung mga nasa ward 4. Papunta na sa full recovery, kumbaga. Ilan sa mga ito ay mga nauutusan na at nakakausap na ng ayos. Kung minsan sila ang mga inuutusan ng mga doctor at nurse na maglabada, mamalengke, maglinis ng bahay tapos babayaran sila ng mga nag-utos sa kanila. May ilang pasyente dito na kahit papaano ay hindi nakakalimutan ng kanilang pamilya, binibigyan sila ng pera, dinadalahan ng damit at pagkain. Kinakalinga sa kabila ng kanilang sitwasyon. Ngunit hindi ito ang sitwasyon para sa lahat. Si Roxanne hindi niya totoong pangalanan, isang pasyente na gumaling na at mas piniling manatili sa loob ng Mental, ay isa sa aming mga nakausap. “Mas gusto ko na dito sa loob, wala naman din kasi akong ibang mapupuntahan. Saan pa ko
DEVCOM
pupunta? Hindi na ako naalala ng mga nagdala sa akin dito. Pero, ayos na rin ako rito kasi kahit papano mababait naman ang lahat ng nandito. Tsaka nasanay na din ako,” kwento ni Roxanne. Si Roxanne ay magdadalawang taon ng nananatili sa loob ng mental. Tumutulong siya sa mga gawain at kung dati ay siya ang ina-assist, ngayon ay siya naman ang gumagawa nito sa mga papasok na pasyente. Hindi nag-iisa si Roxanne na piniling manatili at gabayan ang mga taong pinagdadaanan ang mga pinagdaanan nila. Si Marie, hindi rin niya totoo pangalan, ay katu-katulong din ng mga doctor dito. Taong 2011 nang siya ay dinala sa MMH. Ang kwento ni Mang Rod nabaliw ito dahil iniwan ng asawa at ng mga anak. “Noong unang pasok n’yan, grabe halos hindi namin maawat. Lima na kaming nag-aassist. Parang matindi ‘yung epekto ng pangyayari sa kanya. Pero hindi nagtagal, unti-unti gumagaling hanggang sa ayan katulong na namin sya. Talagang may awa ang D’yos,” kwento ni Mang Rod. Nakausap rin namin si Marie. Noong una ay ayaw niyang magsalita ngunit nagpaubaya na rin ng kalaunan. “Lahat ng nangyari sa akin noon, gusto ko nang kalimutan. Ang hindi ko lang makalimutan ‘yung mga anak ko. Kahit ‘yung asawa ko noon, hindi ko na makita, basta ‘yung mga anak ko makasama ko lang ulit. Pero nawawalan na ko ng pag-asa. Matagal na ako dito, pero walang nakakaisip na dumalaw sa akin. “Kahit na ganun, sabi nga habang may buhay, may pag-asa,” malungkot na salaysay ni Marie. ‘ Nakakalungkot man daw isipin na hindi sila binabalikan ng kanilang mga kamag-anak ay masaya na rin sila sa pananatili sa loob. Kung minsan ay nakakalimutan na rin ang mga nakaraan sa kanilanag buhay. Masaya silang nagtratrabaho kasama mga nurse at mga utility sa loob, at ito na rin ang kanilang tinuturing na pamilya. Sa gitna ng kanilang pangangapa sa dilim, may mga kamay na gumabay sa kanila sa liwanag. Hindi man ito kasing-liwanag ng nakaraan na kanilang hinihintay, kuntento sila. ***** May mga bagay na tumatakot sa atin kung minsan. Ngunit, alam ba natin ang istorya sa likod ng mga pangyayari sa mga bagay na ating kinakatakutan? Ito ang magsisilbing daan upang magbago ang pananaw ng mga taong may maling persepyon t’wing naririnig ang salitang mental. Ang mga tao dito ay hindi nag-aalaga na mabababang uri ng tao, kundi ng mga taong naghahanap ng pagkalinga at pag-unawa.
MENTAL HOSPITAL
VANTAGE POINT
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 29 ]
FEATURES
VANTAGE POINT
Kwento ng
Ikatlong Mata S
inasabing sa kahit saan mang lugar ay may kwentong hindi natin maipaliwanag. May mga pangyayari na hindi natin maintindinahan.May mga bagay o nilalang na hindi pa natin lubos na nakikilala. Nagkukubli. Nakatago. Nakatingin. Sa paglobo ng populasyon dito sa BPSU- Dinalupihan Campus, hindi maiwasang magpatuloy ang mga klase hanggang sa pagsapit ng dilim. Masaya ang manatili sa campus, totoo ‘yan. Kulitan, hampasan, mga tawanan kapag nabasa ang slacks ng kaklase mo habang umiihi sa takot dahil ginulat niyo siya, mga eksena ng takbuhan sa hallway kapag may isang iinom sa drinking fountain. Para sa iba ang gabi ay isang magandang pagkakataon para ilabas ang kulit at kasiyahan. Maaring gawin ang mga bagay na nagagawa lang paglubog ng araw. Ito ang “ghost-hunting”. Ngunit papaano kung sa panahong halos mahimatay na kayo sa kakatawa ay ang pagtahimik ng kapaligiran. Papaano nyo ulit susubukang itawa ang ingay na ginawa ng pagbagsak ng libro sa kabilang kwarto? Papaano kung may naaninag kang tumakbo, lilingon ka’t isang basurahan lamang ang makikita mo sa malinis na hallway? Papaano kung habang nakatayo ka sa corridor ay biglang mamamatay ang mga ilaw, ngunit kasabay nito ay maaaninag mo ang isang imahe. Nakatayo, papalapit ng papalapit sa kinatatayuan mo, hanggang mapapahinto ka at mapapalunok dahil naririnig na ng iyong mga tenga ang papalakas na buga ng hangin. Maibabalik mo ba ulit ang isang masayang tawanan?
Photograph by: Erwin Mallari
[ 30 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
nina Marie Estela De Guzman, Amegail T. Bentic at Joshua Gabriel Muñoz Haplos ng aparisyon
Marami na ang mga kwento at sabi-sabi patungkol sa mga establisyimento katulad ng mga paaralan, hospital at mga morgue. Ito raw ang kadalasang napagtitripang gawing tambayan ng mga kung ano-anong anyo ng kababalaghan. Dito sa DC, maraming mga kwento ang umaalingawngaw tungkol sa babaeng humihimig sa 2nd floor ng college building, isang babaeng tila tumitipa sa keyboard ng computer sa CSC, mga dribble ng bola sa covered court tuwing alas dose ng gabi, mga dumudungaw sa bintana ng registrar office. Mga batang duguan na pasulpot sulpot at mga nagtatakbuhan hindi lamang sa Engineering Building kundi mismo pati narin sa aming office, ang Malasimbo Office. “Gabi non. Sakto demo namin kasi magsisilbi yong final requirement sa SOCSCI subject namin. Hindi namin expect na ganon nga ‘yung mangyayari”. Pahayag ni Rosslyn nang inilahad n’ya ang nakakagulat na pangyayari noong gabing iyon. Isang section ang napilitang magklase ng Sabado para matapos ang kanilang demo teaching bilang final requirement sa isang subject. Sa simula ay maayos pa ang takbo ng lahat, normal na senaryo sa loob ng isang klase: kasatan, kwentuhan, palitan ng kanya-kanyang sariling komento. Nagsimula ng magsilim, ang lahat ay kinakabahan. “Hindi ko alam bakit nagkaganon, okay lang ‘yung lahat eh. Everything was going well, when suddenly sumigaw ‘tong si Anthony sa fullhouse sa ground floor,” wika ni Bea. Ang paglagay ng ketchup bilang pekeng dugo para takutin ang isang kamagaral ay hindi naman isang “below the belt” na bagay para gawin. Ngunit hindi isang nakakatuwang biro ang nasaksihan ng isang estudyante ng dumungaw siya sa asoteya. Nagkusot siya ng mata. Natahimik. Tila nabalutan ng semento ang kanyang katawan sa hindi pagkakagalaw ng makita ng kanyang dalawang mata ang kakulangan sa isang bahagi ng katawan ng kaklase. Nasaan ang kanyang ulo? Wala. Nagkakagulo ang lahat nang makapasok na ito sa klasrum, napansin nila ang pagiging malikot nito; tila wala sa sarili, wala sa kanyang katinuan. Iniiikot niya ang bawat sulok ng kwarto. Tila may hinahanap. “Katabi niya,” sabi ng isang kaklase ng nakakagimbal na makita niyang kasama ng kaklase niya ang isang matandang lalake na yukos, nanlilisik ang mga mata’t nakahawak sa balikat nito. “Nakita ko din s’ya kaso sa kabilang rum,” dagdag pa ng isa. Malikmata Madami dami na ding mga kwento ang nailahad sa araw-araw na pakikipagkomunika ng tao sa isat-sa. Marahil ung iba ay gawa-gawa lang o di kaya’y binuo lang ng mga ating ninuno upang magbigay takot sa mga kabataan hindi marunong sumunod sa mga sumasakop sa kanila, mangilan-ngilan din naman ay inaako na totoo ang mga maligno, multo, engkanto at marami pang ibang katatakutan sa kadahilanang ito raw ay kanilang naranasan. Bakit nga ba nabuo ang mga ganitong teorya at paniniwala? Isa sa mga impormasyong aking nakalap ay ang sinasabing “Ikatlong Mata” ng tao. Madaming nagpapatunay na ito raw ang isa sa mga pinakadahilan kung bakit ang tao raw ay may kakayanan na makaramdam, at sa ibang okasyon kapag “nabuksan” ay ang posibilidad na makakita ng mga bagay na hindi normal na nasasaksihan sa mundong ibabaw. Ano nga ba ang sinasabing “Third Eye?” Ayon kay Teejay Centil, isang blogger, ang “third eye” ay ang nagsisilbing tarangkahan natin sa espasyo ng ulirat at sa mundo ng kinalolooban. Nakikilala rin ito bilang “sixth sense”. Nasa gitna ito ng utak, sa likod ng pituitary gland. Matatagpuan ito sa likod ng mga mata at naka-kabit sa third ventricle. Pinaniniwalaan na lahat ng tao ay mayroon ng “third eye”, ngunit hindi lamang nakabukas ang karamihan. Dagdag pa dito, ayon kay H.P. Blavatsky, labing-walong milyon taon nakakaraan, nag-iiba ang anyo ng mga tao. Ang pag-usbong na ito ay sinamahan ng pwersa sa loob ng ulirat na sumama sa matter para mabuo ang sikolohikal na aspeto. Nakikipag-trabaho ang aspetong ito sa pisikal para paganahin ang mga senses. Ang mga ito ay umusbong kasama ang balat. Ang ating utak lamang ang nagsisilbing koneksyon sa langit at panlupang katauhan. Lumulubog ang araw, yan ay hindi mababago. Darating ang kadiliman at sari-saring mga kababalaghan ang pwedeng ibungad nito sa buhay ng tao. May third-eye man o wala. Ang takot ay parte ng isang tao. Nasasa-atin ang paraan kung paano ito panghawakan at manipulahin para sa ikakaayos natin. Wala namang masama kung tayo ay maniniwala. Nasa sa iyo na lang kung magpapadala ka sa mga nakikita’t nararamdaman mo. Minsan kasi tayo mismo ang gumagawa ng mga bagay na ikakatakot natin. Ano? Tapos ka na bang magbasa? Siguraduhin mo, Baka ‘yung katabi mo, hindi pa.
FEATURES
VANTAGE POINT
I
was rushing to my first class that morning and before I finally reach the door, I already had a vision of what might be waiting for me inside the room. I imagined our instructor’s face glowing with rage, ready to give me a lecture about being a more responsible college student and I was like, ‘Whoa, I’m dead.’ But to my surprise, I came to a classroom far from what I had in mind. I heard suppressed screams, giggles, and laughs. That’s when I realized that my classmates were all deeply engulfed by Wattpad stories or Ebooks, as what others call it. I thought, ‘What’s up with those stories really? Fairytales that we grew fond of, nursery rhymes, riddles, and those pocketbooks that had won the support of many hopeless romantics are all part of literature. Engraving footsteps on the sand. When our country was colonized by the Spaniards, Philippine literature also took flight as Jose Rizal started the revolution through writing his two most famous literary works, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. His works sparked the desire of the Filipinos to release their tabak and revolt against the Spanish colonizers. He is an exceptional and the only author to have written an entire nation to being. His writings are appreciated not only by Filipinos but also by other countries. Unfortunately, after Rizal successfully paved his way and secured his rightful place in the pantheon of great world literature, less and less Filipino writers succeeded in curving their names in Philippine literature. Though many institutions and organizations offered
Alamat ng Gubat (2003), Stainless Longganisa (2005), Macarthur (2007), Kapitan Sino (2009), Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan (2010), and Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin in 2011. Bob Ong has revolutionized Filipino literature. Like Dekada 70, Bob Ong’s works is written in Tagalog which simply makes it more accessible to many more people. While many of his books may have an element of comedy in them, they reflects the flawed set of values that makes us true Filipinos which is the main reason why his writings are considered as true Pinoy classics. Arrival of Mr. Watty. Now, modern technology takes us to a whole new level of drama, comedy, suspense, mystery, and of course, romance. More and more people are now being hooked by stories that are readily available with just a click or
writing grants, workshops and awards in literary competitions in attempt to liven Philippine literature, it still seemed that these were not enough to carry on what Rizal has started. Treading with the unknown. After Dekada 70, written by Lualhati Baustista which is said to be the bestselling book in Philippine history, the six books published by a contemporary Filipino a u t h o r under the pseudonym B o b Ong have surpassed a quarter of a million copies. Bob Ong is known for creating humorous, satirical, and reflective depictions of the everyday life of a Filipino in a kind of language people speak right now. He writes about real things and real people in an entertaining but somewhat philosophical manner. After quitting his job and becoming a full-time writer, he sat down and wrote ABNKKBSNPLAKo? in 2001. This was followed by Bakit Baligtad Magbasa ng Libro ang mga Pilipino? (2002), Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas and
tap on their phones. You might have come across with that girl walking around the campus with eyes glued on her phone. Maybe you are already tired of your seatmate who is too occupied with her phone. Or maybe you are one of those, who would rather sit on a corner, gaping on your phone’s screen for almost a day just to finish reading an online story. Without a doubt, Wattpad stories have made its way to the hearts of teen and young adult audiences. It had gained many fans and turned what pocketbooks had established in the lives of teens and even teens at heart. It became the ‘modern day pocketbook’ of someone who hankers for a book to read or to those who simply wants to add a little color in their tedious afternoons. Sci-fi, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, fan fiction, teen fiction, thriller, classic novels and even poems, Watty got it all. Probably by now, you are familiar with Diary ng Panget, She’s Dating the Gangster, Talk Back and You’re Dead, and many more. These belong to the heap of different stories that started online and have touched the hearts of many readers all over the country. Authors like HaveYouSeenThisGirl, Alesana_ Marie, alyloony, Helenaelise, BlackLily, SGwannaB, aril_daine, and Girlinlove are among the most popular Filipino writers in Wattpad. From online, their stories have reached the shelves of different bookstores nationwide and were labeled as one of the best-selling books. Some of the Wattpad stories were also adapted into teleseryes and are now starting to conquer the big screen. Certainly, these online stories have touched the lives of the young generation. It offered a chance for many to escape from the monotony of their everyday routines and pressure caused by exams and deadliest deadlines. Apart from this, Wattpad had opened the door for new and young Filipino authors to have their works recognized. It gives way for undiscovered and published works to have their chance to take on the world of literature. This serves as a proof that there is far more room for Philippine literature to grow and develop. Through Wattpad, we can say that it has found its voice. The real question is, will there be enough real talents to continue soaring to hit in the world of literature? Whether they make it big or not, let’s wait and see. Cheerios!
The Revival of Philippine Literature
SS cribbler’s journey by Candy P. Laxamana
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5[ 31 ]
ENTERTAINMENT
VANTAGE VANTAGEPOINT POINT John Paul Yazon
EXAM
[ 32 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
Japhet Mendoza
VANTAGE POINT
SPORTS
EDITORIAL Glory in Name or Glory in Gold? Pointing the limelight on sports that can generate Filipinos more feats... are we willing to give up the big leagues for more Gold? The whole Philippines was left crumbled when our team of basketball prides, Gilas Pilipinas, tasted defeat in the 2014 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup, leaving the undying hearts of this basketball-crazy country lose its beat. Until the Philippines National Basketball Teams’ performance left our country with disappointment, we, even with our “Puso” have never beaten the first world countries at any level. What is the reason for this? We view ourselves as a basketball playing nation, yet countries like Iran wherein Gilas lost against a total of four cups, consistently beat us. Sports, not only in our generation, has affected our culture greatly; it gave us heights unimaginable like entertainment and accomplishments, giving our athletes the fuel and courage needed in participating in these events. The Philippines, a country where its people are highly supportive of its athletes, have proven that given the genetically not-so qualified bodies can also excel in various sports exploits. Our physical attributes have limitations and this ensnares Filipino athletes the disadvantage in particular sports. We, from the beginning, have been given the handicap. In addition, a country who will be persistent in fighting this defying endeavors and just because of our love for sports would synchronize themselves with the mainstream in collection of fame and sympathy. We have become blind of the fact that some aspects just cannot be shot around the perimeter. However, our incompetence has not yet dissolved all medals within our homelands’ reach, there are still sports in which we triumph the most even with the absence of demi-god like abilities and sports-based physique which victory in some of the brackets in world competitions
require. The finish line was crossed once more by our country when our Philippine Dragon Boat team bagged 5 gold medals, 3 silvers and 3 bronzes in Poznan, Poland, ICF Dragon Boat World Championships. What’s more surprising is the birth of another gold medalist in the form of Michael Martinez skating his way in the Senior Men’s Division in the Winter Olympics on Triglav trophy ice skating tournament in Jessenice, Slovenia. In collaboration, the Azkals the country’s own soccer team has also proven that third world countries like the Philippines can also compete in the big leagues, resulting in a quick breakthrough. This type of sports are unfamiliar with some of our citizens and have only been noticed and appreciated lately when athletes from our country like Martinez and the Dragon Boat team brought home the gold for the Philippines. As we rejoice the victory of our athletes, our university team, BPSU Stallion, is envisioning the same goal. The performed intramurals, in comparison with the nationals have also been prioritizing sports like basketball wherein we find difficulties in terms of height and other necessary tools to win it single handedly. But in standpoint of our athletes’ achievements, players from each department raised as they competed in various sports in which their capabilities match like Sepak and Table Tennis. This only proves that we Filipinos, even deprived of whether the long arms and heights like posts for dunking or agility and flexibility in smashing the tennis ball can also prevail in our own forte. As long as the peg fits in the hole, the gold we so crave is right in our hands. Would we let the world dictate our victory? Aren’t we going to play the game by our own strategy? Is it that much of regret if we lose fame and sympathy yet loss the gold too? Then it’s buzzer time for BPSU and the Philippines to give up the big leagues focus our strong point and grab that gold!
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5 [ 33 ]
SPORTS
VANTAGE POINT “Maglakad ka ng may marating ka, dadalin ka nga sa malayo ng kakayahan mo ngunit lalakad ka pa rin at madadapa pero sa bawat pagdapa mo ay malalaman mo na ang suliranin ng buhay ”.
Paggawa ng pangalan:
Natural o libong sampal?
AirWIN
Erwin Manuel Mallari Sports Editor airwind0910@yahoo.com
Sa paubos na tinta ng aking huling panulat sa paaralang ito, tila nangusap ang isang papel upang ilathala sa mata ng mga mambabasa, kung kaya nga bang sumulat ng isang baguhang tulad ko para mapangiti ang mga pihikang mata ninyo. Pawis: isang normal na salita sa isang atletang pursigidong umangat ang pangalan sa larangan niya. Tila nakikipagkompentesya sa lahat maging sa katawan niya upang higitan at makuha ang pinakamatamis na tropeyo ng papuri. Sa umuusbong na pahina ng mga batang atleta, tila hindi nabago ang mga tinatawag na “super rookie”, sa paglitaw ng mga ito para bang natuyuan ng pawis ang mga atletang malayo na ang tinahak kaysa sa mga kadadating lang. Totoo nga na “marami pa ang dadating na mas magaling sa iyo” ngunit paano naman ang mga tinakbo at hinulma ng panahon nilang mga pangalan. Mawawala na lang ba ito ng ganun-ganon na lamang tulad ng pagpunas ng pawis sa basang mukha ng isang manlalaro? Papayag bang maungusan ang mga batikan ng mga mahuhusay na baguhan? Kung sa talento ay magaling ang isa pero hinulma naman ng panahon para sa larangan ang kabila, ano nga ba ang mananaig? Kakayahan o karanasan? Ano nga ba ang tutulong sa iyong pagtakbo tungo sa hiyawang inaasam? Para sa akin, karanasan ang kayang bumuhat sa mga sitwasyong magbibitaw na ng hatol ang mga huling sandali ng bawat laro. Oo nga at malaking tulong ang kakayahan ngunit sapat na ba ito kung kulang ka sa kaalaman kung saan hindi mo pa naranasan at kayang bigyang desisyon ang mga kritikal na sandali sa pagkuha ng papuri. Kung ako ang tatanungin, malaking puhunan nga ang kakayahan. Ito ang nagdidikta ng mga indak sa awit ng laro, mga galaw na guguhit sa tropeyo ng papuri. Sa aking palagay maraming atleta ang likas na ang husay lalo na at ang dugong dumadaloy sa kanilang mga ugat ay galing sa kilalang mga atleta. Minsan din, sa sobrang pagtingala nila ay ginagaya nila ito at nakukuha nila ang bawat indayog ng mga ito. Kaya’t nakakabigla ang mga bagong usbong ng mga atleta dahil sa kakaibang husay ang pinamamalas sa bawat larangan na
kanilang ginagalawan . Ngunit paano ba susukatin ang magulong takbuhin ng mga atleta kung ang mga batikan na ay matagal nang lumalakad ay isasantabi sa pagsulpot ng mga potensyal ng mga bagong magdadala ng bandila? Sino nga ba ang dapat pahalagahan? Kanino dapat isulat ang salitang TIWALA? Sa pagtakbo ng bawat segundo sa bawat larangan, may isang taong dapat mag-ahon sa kanyang pangkat upang makamit ang inaasam na palakpakan o ang matamis na pagbati sa bawat taong nagtitiwala. Sino nga ba ang dapat bigyan ng pagkakataon upang dalhin ang bawat letra ng pangalang pinagtatanggol? Magaling na BAGUHAN o maalam na BATIKAN? Kaya nga bang kontrahin ng galing ang kasanayan at ang planadong pangontra sa bawat bato ng kanilang pag-indayog. Oo nga, napakalaking bagay ng galing, tila ba nagkaroon ka ng baril sa suntukan kung sumibol sa’yo ang natural na talento, walang duda pangingilagan ka sa iyong laro. Para bang nakikipaglaro sila sa sarili nila ngunit ang laban ay sila laban sa dalawa. LUGI: salita na lagi nalang sasambitin kapag kalaban ka ngunit paano kung makatapat ka ng atletang batikan na sa kaparehas mong laro, ‘yung tipong hinubog na ng napakaraming laban. KARANASAN: isang salitang napakatagal buuin, makikipag-away ka muna sa panahon upang malasahan ang kada letra nito. Isang sandatang nakakabulag dahil sa iba’t ibang gamit nito, parang nakabili ka ng all-in-one na sandata dahil hindi lang dahil sa alam mo na ang laro kundi pati ang mga strategies at iba pa. Umiyak ka man ng pawis, pupunasan pa rin ng tiwala ang luha mo. Madapa ka man sa pagkatalo, ibabangon ka pa rin ng aral ng kahapon. Sa laro namang pangkatan, may isang salita na mangingibabaw. TEAMWORK: susi sa napakadaming selyo ng buhay. Sa laro, umaangat talaga ang may mga karanasan, karanasang bumubuhat sa mga dagok na hinaharap sa bawat sandaling ang hinahangad na palakpakan ay lumalabo dahil sa pawis ng pagkakataon. Sa pagmamasid ko sa bawat laro
[ 34 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
na aking nasaksihan, tila totoo nga na lamang ang mga pangkat na may Super Rookie o ‘yung mga baguhan na kayang sumabay sa mahuhusay na manlalaro na hinulma na ng panahon ang kakayahan, ngunit hanggang saan nga ba nila kayang dalhin ang kanilang indak? Kakayanin ba nilang magdesisyon sa mga sandaling luha at papuri ang pinagpipilian? Sa isang larong pangkatan ang labanan, mas mahalaga ba ang husay ng ng isang tao, o ang pagtutulungan ng isang grupo na hindi man kagalingan ay maalam sa mga paano? Sa mga sandaling ang karanasan ang humahatak sa nalulumpong sandali, napakalaking bagay ng karanasan lalo na kapag nasa mga huling hinga ka nalang ng patimpalak. Pag-uusap ng mata, at kutob lang ang puhunan ng pangkat na batak na sa karanasan at paghamak sa kaba. Tila ang pakikipagtungali ay ginagawa lang katuwaan dahil sa kada bato ng dagok ay alam na alam na ang galawan ng mga atletang sanay na sa ganitong mga sandali. Napakalaking bagay nga ng karanasan dahil parang alam mo na kung gaano kadami ang butil ng pawis na iyong ilalabas. Sa laro kailangan mo ng sandatang hindi lamang magpapanalo sa iyo kung hindi ay magpapayuko pa ng tao dahil sa respeto. Ngunit sa kabilang banda, hindi natin masasabi kung gaano kabaliw ang sandali dahil sa bawat laro may emosyon ang sandali, kahit gaano ka kahanda dadating ang oras na mabibingi ka dahil sa magulong pagkakataon. Ang pagkabihasa ay hinuhubog ng libo-libong tanong na nagbibigay ng iilang letra upang mabuo ang salitang tagumpay, kasabay ng panahon ang paglakad ng mga bagay na dapat matutunan upang makakuha ng papuri. Simple lang din naman ang batas ng panahon: “Maglakad ka ng may marating ka, dadalin ka nga sa malayo ng kakayahan mo ngunit lalakad ka pa din at madadapa pero sa bawat pagdapa mo ay malalaman mo na ang suliranin ng buhay ”. Ikaw ba saan ka papanig: KAKAYAHAN O KARANASAN?
VANTAGE POINT
SPORTS
Photos by: Jay Mark Sinag
Eng’g, BEED make history,
Balderas, Olaes conquer Mr. and Ms. Intrams MMXIV
by Jan Adams D. Magtanong The conclusion of Mr. and Ms. Intramurals MMXIV confirmed the maxim “history repeats itself” as the results of 2014 pageant mirrored the outcome of the last year’s pageant when Karl Michael A. Balderas from the Engineering Department was crowned as Mr. Intramurals and Cherrylyn J. Olaes of the Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) Department took home the circlet of Ms. Intramurals last September 25 at the covered court of BPSU – Dinalupihan. The Engineering Department proved its worth as the powerhouse of male beauty titlists as they conquered the Mr. Intramurals title for two consecutive years (2013 and 2014) while the BEED Department established itself as the capital of beauty queens capturing the Ms. Intramurals three times in four years (2011, 2013 and 2014). In addition to Balderas winning the title, he was also conferred with four awards including Best in Talent, Mr. Petron, Mr. Fashion Avenue and Photographer’s Choice while Olaes was awarded as Ms. Fashion Avenue. Furthermore, Allen Puno of the Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) Department was hailed as the first runner-up and took home the awards Mr. Fashion Avenue, Mr. Redline and Mr. Congeniality, Erwin Bestil of the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) Department was the second runner-up and Mr. David Salon, the early favorite Elizhar Daquil of the Associate in Computer Techcology (ACT) Department was the third runner-up, Mr. Purple Comb, Mr. Photogenic, Best in Swimwear and Best in Formal Wear and Jurist Baranguita of the BEED Department captured the fourth runner-up position. In the female category, the underdog from the High School Department, Andrea Mendoza secured the first runner-up position and the awards Ms. Petron, Ms. Redline and Ms. Workoutworks, Mia Glendelle Cabagbag was
second runner-up and Guiao Optical choice, Ennelyn Macalino was third runner-up and Simon Choice and the frontrunner from the BSED Department, Shane Anne Timpug, held the fourth runner-up title and was awarded as Ms. David Salon, Ms. Photogenic and Best in Talent. Moreover, Trisha Dimalanta of the Engineering Department took home the Ms. Fashion Avenue award, Simon Choice Award went to Ennelyn Macalino from the Engineering Department, Abegail Joy Adriano of the BEED Department was awarded as Ms. Purple Comb, Khina Quintanilla of the High School Department was Miss Congeniality and Photographer’s Choice and Chriselle of the HRM Department was conferred with the awards Best in Swimwear and Best in Formal Wear. Additionally, Arjay Montemayor of the Engineering Department secured the Simon Choice Award while Vernel L a g m a n from ACT Department was Mr. Workoutworks. For the last time, Demi Jam Nodado, Ms. Intramurals 2013, graced her final walk with an emotional speech.
SMUG. Olaes and Balderas as they were hailed as the new Queen and King.
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5[ 35 ]
SPORTS
VANTAGE POINT BSEd wagi kontra HRM, 75-73. ni Erwin M. Mallari Malapader na depensa at pagkudkod ng karanasan ang naging susi ng Bachelor of Secondary Education upang maguwardiyahan ang titulo sa kampeonato ng Basketball laban sa mahigpit nilang karibal na HRM sa nakaraang BPSU INTRAMURALS “BELIEVE” sa DINALUPIHAN CAMPUS noong September 23, 2014. Lumagari ang bawat manlalaro ng BSED sa loob ng court upang ipamalas ang matinding depensa na gumiba sa determinsayon ng HRM sa unang quarter ng laban, tila hindi binigo ni Dylan Peña ang kanyang koponan matapos magpasok ng 20 puntos at magbahagi ng mga salitang gumabay sa team. “Teamwork lang at focus ang naging susi naming para manalo. Ginawa namin ‘yung lahat para manalo kami”, pahayag ni Dylan Peña ng departamento ng BSED. Mga sigaw ang bumuhat at nagpalakas sa determinadong team ng BSEd na naging mitsa upang linlangin ang HRM sa mga nakakabulag na pasa mula kay Peña na nagselyo sa ilang mahahalagang puntos upang lamangan ang katunggali. Umarangkada rin ang sophomore na si Jomari Sabangan na kumudkod ng 14 na puntos na nagpahirap sa Team ng kalabang departamento ngunit hindi nagpaawat ang beteranong si Sacdalan na nagpumilit idikit ang kanyang team katuwang ang ace guard na si John Mon Lingad na nagmaneho upang hindi makalayo ang BSED.
Dito nagpamalas ng bangis ang ace guard nilang si Lingad na siyang nagpasigaw muli sa natutulog na hiyawan ng mga HRM at nagbigay ng kaba sa BSED dahil sa paglamang ng ilang puntos. Ginisa ng hoteliers ng maiinit na tirada ang educators sa unang sandali ng huling quarter ng laro, binura ang ngiti ng mga educators matapos lumamang ng isang puntos ang hoteliers sa pamamagitan ng isang nakaw na sandali galing kay Lingad na nagdulot ng malakas na kabog sa dibdib ng mga educators. Sa pagtakbo ng huling mga sandali ng huling quarter ng laro sadyang naging mailap ang swerte sa hoteliers matapos magmintis ang mga huling tirada ng kanilang mga beterano na naging daan upang gumawa ng sunodsunod na puntos mula sa sophomore nilang si Renz Neil Bautista na nagbaon ng 15 puntos na siyang tumuldok sa mga ngiti ng mga hotelier at upang maibulsa ang kampeonato. Sa kabilang banda, na nasungkit ng departamento ng HRM ang ikalawang pwesto, sinundan ng Engineering Department, nakamit na man ng BEED Department ang ika-apat na pwesto at High School Department ang huling pwesto.
Sa unang paghahari ng BSED, umahon at nagpamalas ng tapang ang mga hoteliers at unti-unting pumanig ang sandali na naghudyat sa isang mainit na bakbakan.
Photograph by: Jay Mark Sinag
[ 36 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
Photograph by: Erwin Mallari
SPORTS
VANTAGE POINT
BSED, sinupalpal ang Eng’g sa Volleyball Dizon, dinala ang buong koponan
by Jan Adams D. Magtanong Ginimbal ng matatalim na tirada at matayog na determinasyon ni Darwin “Betty” Dizon ng departamento ng Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) sa ikalimang set ng bakbakan para sa Volleyball Championship ng Intramurals MMXIV laban sa departamento ng Engineering noong ika-26 ng Setyembre sa open ground ng Bataan Peninsula State University – DC. Ipinagpatuloy ng departamento ng BSED ang kanilang tagumpay na matatandaang pinagharian ang larangan ng volleyball sa mga nakaraang taon. Upang angkinin ang kampeonato laban sa nanggigigil at mala-pader na depensa ng Engineering Department, dinagit ng BSED Department ang unang dalawang set ng maaksyong laro. Sa kabilang banda, hindi pumayag ang mga future engineers na maselyuhan ng mga future educators ang titulo na kumamada sa ikatlong set, dahilan upang kabahan ang BSED Department at pabagain pa ang kanilang mga palo. Pinangunahan ng freshman na si Richie Esparaguerra ang departamento ng Engineering upang masilat ang ikaapat na set sa pamamagitan ng kanyang matatalim at bumubulusok na palo at sa tulong ng kanyang buong grupo. “Nahirapan kami sa laro laban sa BSED Department dahil halos mga freshman kami sa team pero ginawa namin ang lahat para mabigyan sila ng matinding laro”, wika ni Esparaguerra ng Engineering Department. Pinilit gibain ng Engineering Department ang matatag na determinasyon ng BSED Department ngunit nabigo
sila sa pinagsama-samang lakas ng buong koponan na nagdahilan sa paglubog ng Engineering department. Muling ibinangon ng departamento ng BSED sa pamamagitan ng ilang tira at ilang beses na pagbasag sa matinding depensang inihanda ng departamento ng Engineering na nagdulot ng isang mainit na ikalimang set. Sumiklab ang mitya ni Dizon sa huling yugto ng laro matapos magpakawala ng mga nagliliyab na mga palo na naging dahilan upang makakayod sila ng kalamangan laban sa kabilang koponan. “Hindi namin inexpect ‘yung pagkapanalo namin dahil matinding kalaban ang Engineering [Department]. Sa buong laro, hindi namin nasigurado kung ano ang mangyayari dahil bilog ang bola”, sabi ni Dizon ng BSED Department. Nagtapos ang maaksyong laban sa iskor na 15-8 pabor sa BSED Department at itinanghal na Most Valuable Player si Dizon. Photograph by: Jay Mark Sinag
Pageant repeater confirms favoritism
Esmeralda owns QD crown
Winning the crowd’s cheers and whistles by his earth-shaking dance moves and swings, Godfrey Esmeralda, also known as Isabelle Daza, proved that he’s more than just a pretty face with his sparkling persona and heavy-weight sense of humor as he conquered the most recent “Super Sireyna: Queen of Dreams” held at BPSU – DC covered court last September 26. Esmeralda represented the Bachelor of Secondary Education Department and was memorable to the crowd as he was a top contender at last year’s pageant but failed to win the crown and ended in the Top 5 place. It is through his sophisticated poise and insuperable talent that made Esmeralda shine among the rest, giving him the secured slot for the title and also garnering the Best in Talent, Best in Production, Miss Congeniality and Miss Close-up Smile awards. Ten enchanting candidates from the different departments of the campus showcased their glamour and elegance to capture the heart of the jam-packed crowd. All the candidates showcased their grace, elegance, confidence and wit as they parade in the four major categories of the competition: Recycled Costume, Sports Wear, Talent and Evening Gown. Dexter Flores, also known as Julia Baretto, was awarded with the first runner-up poisition together with the awards Best in Sports Wear and Best in Evening Gown while Alan Joseph
Photograph by: Jay Mark Sinag
by Hadjie Dagami and Jennifer Bernal
Ibasco, also known as Bea Alonzo, was conferred as second runner-up and Miss Workoutworx. Meanwhile, Jovie Paguio, also known as Janina San Miguel, was the third runner-up and Jobert Danan, also known as Kathryn Bernardo, was the fourth runner-up. The five finalists were, then, announced and battled in the question and answer portion. Esmeralda was asked the hypothetical question “Kung buhay pa sa Rizal ngayon, ano sa tingin mo ang mararamdaman niya, magiging masaya ba siya o malungkot?” and he answered “Siya po ay masayang masaya at proud na proud sa aming mga Sireyna dahil kami po ay naitayo ang aming mga sarili upang patunayan na hindi dapat kami tuksu-tuksuhin dahil may purpose po kami sa mundong ito. His answer secured his position as this year’s Queen of Dreams. He will represent Dinalupihan Campus in the pageant Queen of Queens later this year. Lastly, Mark Joseph Reyes, Super Sireyna 2013, together with his court, Ronald Manalansan and Orlan David, were honored to pass the crowns and titles to the new winners.
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5[ 37 ]
SPORTS
VANTAGE POINT
Photograph by: Jay Mark Sinag
BSEd pinaso ang EE, 21-12,21-15 ni Evangerline D. Tamayo
Ginulantang ng naglalagablab na sipa ni Sherwin Lopega mula sa Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) ang kanyang mga katunggali upang masilo ang titulo ng unang puwesto sa Sepak Takraw noong Setyembre 25 sa DC Open Court. Pinaulanan ng matutulis na spike at kombinasyon ng magkakasunod na sipa ng SCUAA player na si Lopega ang kampo ng Engineering dahilan upang tuluyang mapaluhod ang mga ito sa huling set ng laban. “Tiwala sa mga teammates at s’yempre tiwala na rin sa sarili. Tsaka confident naman ako dahil pinaghandaan namin ‘to”, taas noong sabi ni Lopega. Sa isang banda,walang takot naman na sinangga ni John Paul Arceo mula sa departamento ng Enhinyero ang kagilagilalas na tira ng BSEd para makahulagpos at maisalba ang laban, katulong sina Joseph Sta.Maria, Noriel Castro,
[ 38 ] Volume 5 | June 2014 - September 2014
Mark Angelo Lim at Aaron Arucan. Gayunpaman bandang huli ay nanaig parin ang husay ng mga manlalarong BSEd. “Magaling sila at madaming experiences, ‘yung iba sa mga player namin wala talagang background sa sepak.”, ayon kay Arceo. Gamit ang malabakal na paa at malapader na depensa ni Lopega katulong sina Joven Baldesa, Daniel Caipan, Kenjie Serrano at Francis Deleon mabilis nilang napatumba ang mga kalaban sa dalawang sunod na set. Samantala, naibulsa ng Engineering Department ang ikalawang pwesto, nakamit ng Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) ang ikatlo, sinundan ng Bachelor of Secondary Education (BEED) sa ika-apat na pwesto, ang Associate of Computer Technology at High school Laboratory ang nakasungkit ng panglimang pwesto.
SPORTS
VANTAGE POINT
The Zumbattle is on!
Newsbit
ni Pearlyn P. Olaes
Battle of the Bands muling inilunsad
by Pearlyn P. Olaes and Alan Kirby R. Salenga
Bogart the Explorer, nangibabaw
Where fitness and fun comes together, the BPSU community would surely gather. Combining exercise with the grooves and sways of Dance sport, Zumba surely made it as a crowd favorite when it comes to the choice of physical awareness activity with its simple yet effective way of maintenance for the healthconscious. BPSU-Dinalupihan Campus surely recognized it as a revolution as the Zumbattle was proven to dazzle hundreds of spectators when the music echoed last September 26 at the campus open court. Reflecting healthy and fit through the synchronization of steps and blazing energetic moves, the battle would surely be listed down as BPSU’s one of the most raging success. The Hotel and Restaurant Management dominated the dance floor as they emerged winner, followed by the Bachelor of Secondary Education. Coming in third is the Bachelor of Elementary Education, Engineering Department ended up fourth, while the Associate in Computer Technology and Laboratory High School tailed close behind as fifth and sixth placers.
Kasabay ng naglalakasang dagundong ng mga instrumento, niyanig ng “Bogart the Explorer” ang buong social hall matapos paindakin ang mga manonood sa ginawang Battle of the Bands noong ika-22 ng Setyembre. Pinamalas ng grupo ang husay at galing matapos patikumin ang mga katunggali sa kanilang rumaragasang tugtog ng awiting Elisi at Ulan ng Rivermaya, dahilan upang tuluyan nilang mabitbit ang tropeyo. Pinangunahan ang nasabing banda ni Kevin Pangilinan (vocalist), Alexis Agosto (bass guitarist), Bryan Reblando (lead guitarist) at Kevin Louise Susi (drummer). Samantala, nakamit ng grupong Biohazard sa tugtuging Summer Song ang ikalawang pwesto at sinundan ito ng Huling Sayaw ng Gegel and the Quickquaks sa ikatlong pwesto.
Eufemio-Layug inutakan ang mga Future Educators Checkmate ang inabot ng mga “Future Educators” na sina Fernan Roncal at Mikee Legaspi mula sa BSEd matapos gamitan ng panalong istratehiya nina Micko Eufemio ng BSCE at Jymden Layug ng Laboratory High School sa campus library noong Setyemre 23. Matibay na binantayan ni Roncal ang kanyang trono subalit napasuko pa rin siya at naagawan ng titulo ng baguhang si Eufemio. Sa kabilang dako, walang takot na inangkin at inutakan ni Layug ng Laboratory High school ang katunggaling mula sa BSEd na si Legaspi, dahilan upang mapasakamay ang ginto sa women’s division.
DEPENSA. Sinapo ni Lopega ang mga tirida ni Arceo
June 2014 - September 2014 | Volume 5[ 39 ]
SPORTS
vantagePoint
The Official Student Newsletter of Bataan Peninsula State University DINALUPIHAN CAMPUS | VOLUME 5 | JUNE - SEPTEMBER 2014
“KAMI ANG WAGI.” F. Gonzales habang tinatanggap ang tropeyo mula kay Dr. Magno at Dr. Roman
IV X M M ls ra u m a tr In g n a a in m BSEd dino
ni Pearlyn P. Olaes
N
amayagpag ang Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) laban sa limang departamento ng matapos kumolekta ng 14 ginto, siyam na pilak at pitong tanso, dahilan upang maiselyo ang kampeonato at masungkit ang titulong Over All Champion sa Intramurals 2014 noong Setyembre 2226. Gamit ang determinasyon bilang sandata upang magapi ang mga katunggali, namayani ang husay ng isang atleta sa kabila ng isang malaking pagbabago sa nakagisnang pamamaraan. Sa kabila ng paghihiwalay ng Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) at Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) sa tatlong sunodsunod na pagiging kampeonato, pinatunayan ng BSEd na kaya parin nilang maiuwi ang tropeyo. Sa epektibong pamumuno
ni Frederick Gonzales nagawang makahakot ng 575 puntos dahilan upang maghari ang departamento sa larangan ng palakasan. “Kampante pa rin naman ako na makukuha namin ang championship. Kasi naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ng players at syempre ‘yung suporta ng buong department”, pagmamalaking pahayag ni Gonzales. Pinaharian ng mga future educators ang Group Games Category matapos paluhurin ang Hotel and Restaurant Management sa kampeonato ng Basketball Men at pakainin ng matitinik na mga tirada ang mga katunggali sa Volleyball men at women’s division. Hindi rin nagpatinag ang BSEd sa Individual and Dual Games Category kung saan iniuwi nila ang titulo sa Badminton, Sepak Takraw, Table Tennis
[ 40 ] Volume 5 | June 2014- September 2014
at Athletics. “Commitment sa isa’t isa lang naman talaga ang sikreto para manalo, kailangan kasi parehas nagkakaintindihan, ‘yung mga players, ‘yung mga supporters at syempre pati ‘yung mga kadepartment. Nakita ko naman na masaya at contented ‘yung mga estudyante ng BSEd ,” dagdag pa ni Gonzales. Samantala, nasilat ng Engineering Departmenrt ang ikalawang pwesto na nakapag uwi ng 401 na puntos , ang Laboratory High School sa ikatlong pwesto na nakapag-ipon ng 359.5 puntos, ang departamento ng BEED sa ika-apat na pwesto na may kabuuang 328 puntos, ikalima ang HRM Department na may kalahatang puntos na 245 at Associate in Computer Technology (ACT) na may 146 puntos sa ika-anim na pwesto.