The Bicol Universitarian - Volume XLVI Print Issue 1

Universitarian The Bicol

Vol. XLVI June-November 2018

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Official Student Publication of Bicol University | Fairness . Accuracy . Genuine Student Service

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COMMEMORATING 11.23. Marking its 9th year anniversary, BUeños look back on the tragedy of the November 23 Maguindanao Massacre with a candle lighting spearheaded by Bicol Organization of Neo-Journalists at BU College of Arts and Letters. (Photo by Lynn Oliquino)

BU to adopt new academic calendar starting 2019

By Fatima Rozen Mirabueno and Jose Joseph Ongonion

Bicol University (BU) will foster academic calendar change to aid the existing glitches in the university’s funding and to breach the gap among other higher institutions, effective next academic year 2019 to 2020.

From the usual months of semesters, the academic calendar will fall under August to December as the first semester, January to May as the second semester, and the summer vacation slates on June to July.

Changing the academic calendar also aligns the university’s budget calendar according to the fiscal year. The budgetary calendar starts during January to December on

which the proposed academic calendar was also aligned to.

According to Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Helen M. Llenareras, budgeting processes have been difficult due to the academic calendar we currently have. The management of the internal funds of BU presents strain in budgeting and planning, not to mention the delay of reimburse-

ment added by the free tertiary education imposed by Commission on Higher Education.

Meanwhile, University Student Council (USC) Chairperson and Student Regent Brian Mitchel Dela Rama stated that this shift will have more advantages than disadvantages.

Academic Calendar/ p3

ORS urges BU studes to enroll online

By Denise Marie Flores

Instead of the traditional way of enrollment in colleges and campuses, Bicol University (BU) has implemented an Online Registration System (ORS) effective for the second semester.

The aim of ORS is to provide an easy access for students to enroll without needing to go to their respective colleges, addressing particularly those students who resided far away.

Campuses were evaluated through student conferences in which students were introduced to the rules and regu-

lations regarding the new system. Each student was given accounts with respective passwords that they could use to access the BU website.

Moreover, students can access the site on which they can pick their subjects and desired schedules, as it can save more time compared to the personal enrollment.

The site provides three servers through which students can perform their registration. In addition, the students can also use the site for evaluation purposes and to view their grades.

Online Registration/ p6

HANDS ON. Freshmen studes access the server provided by the Information Management Office as an alternative to the system crash on October 31, 2018 at College of Science Building 2. (Photo by Nelson Villaflor II)

2 NEWS

4 NEWS

6 DEVCOMM

Free WIFI donated in CBEM

BU reaps 20 board topnotchers in 2018 exams

Finding New Hope in the midst of the Drug War

Leaping towards learning innovation, College of Business, Economics, and Management (CBEM) now have access to unlimited WIFI connection under the Free Wifi Program of PILO Movement.

Bicol University (BU) ended the year with 20 topnotchers in various national licensure and board examinations this 2018.

A program being implemented in Legazpi City gives hope of a renewed life to thousands of surrendered drug users through a step-by-step rehabilitation program.

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 1

16 ENTERTAINMENTT

Change has come

BUeños: 7/10 thumbs down for federalism

By Cyrelle Nuñez Majority of Bicol University (BU) students scrapped welcoming the shift to federal system of government, according to an exclusive survey by The Bicol Universitarian.

Only three out of 10 BUeños voted in favor of the change of government system, the rest rejected the proposed plan. In the same survey, it was found that one out of 10 students has no idea what the federal system is.

In order to widely disseminate the better understanding of federalism among Filipinos, the Consultative Committee (ConCom) conducts public consultations all over the country.

ConCom led one in the Bicol Region last July 5-6 at Albay Astrodome. It was attended

by Undersecretary Ephimaco Densing III and Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya of the Department of Interior and Local Governance (DILG), and Commissioner Susan Ordinario.

However, the public consultation has rooted a false report stating that over 6,000 at tendees of the event pledged support for federalism. The report was from PTV News titled “Over 6k Bicolanos pledge support for federalism.”

Thumbs down/ p5 19 SPORTS CENG secures seven-peat, defeats CSSP 25-17, 22-25, 25-13 CENG Men’s Volleyball Team rendered its towering defense and striking offense to secure their sevenpeat championship against College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), 25-17, 22-25, 25-13 victory, during the 49th BU Foundation Week

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2 The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Studes face delay of IDs, seal patches, PE uniforms

By Jobert Mercadero and Jose Joseph Ongonion

As the academic year welcomed the first batch of freshmen students from Senior High School, Bicol University (BU) encountered several problems with the distribution of identification (ID) cards and Physical Education (PE) uniforms and the seal patches.

The PE uniforms and IDs were distributed during the last week of September and the first week of October spontaneously and some PE uniforms were also distributed during the second semester.

According to Dr. Babyboy Benjamin Nebres III, Dean of Office of Student Affairs and Services, the main cause of delay was the procurement of the materials needed to print the IDs. He also further shared that since BU is now under the free education law, students no longer pay for tuition and miscellaneous fees including the ID. Meanwhile, University Student

Council (USC) Chairperson and Student Regent Bryan Mitchel Dela Rama expressed his sentiments with regards to the issue: “Ang freshmen nasa 7,000, hindi naman kaya sa isahang upuan ang printing. Ibinibigay na sa college deans and directors nila, kasi ‘yung deans, sila ‘yung bahalang magdistribute.”

On a different note, the PE uniform was expected to be released before the Hataw presentation last September 18, 2018 as part of the BU week. However, the supplier was not able to meet the target deadline of releasing the uniform.

According to Active Wear Admin staff Janice Luna, the reason behind the delay was due to the unsettled accounts of some students. She said they have to collect the payments first in order to produce the clothing materials that are used in production.

Also, the supplier encountered problems while producing the uniforms. They were not able to get the total number of sizes which could be helpful for them to easily produce the required sizes of the said orders.

USC Chairperson Dela Rama claimed that there was really a delay in the distributions of the seal patches and it was due to unforeseen circumstances.

“Yung first batch, meron kaming initial na 6,500, hindi naman na-anticipate na dumoble ‘yung number na ‘yun, so doon nagkaroon kami nang delay,” he said.

Moreover, the interruption was not solely because of the unanticipated number of orders, Dela Rama further stated that there were students who did not comply with the pre-order they imposed.

PE UNIFORM’S DESIGN Other than the delay in distribution, the PE uniforms also received complaints from students regarding the design.

“Para sa akin po, hindi naman sa nag-eenarte, masyadong maiksi lang po talaga ‘yung sample ng bagong PE uniform na ipinakita po sa amin,” Rechelle Marcaida, a Bachelor of Elementary Education student said.

Incorporating blue and white

Ang freshmen nasa 7,000, hindi naman kaya sa isahang upuan ang printing.

Ibinibigay na sa college deans and directors nila, kasi ’yung deans, sila ‘yung bahalang magdistribute.

Brian Mitchel Dela Rama USC Chairperson and Student Regent Bicol University

color shade combinations, the PE uniform was designed as a T-shirt bearing the seal of BU on the left side and shorts for male while skirts for female which were inspired by makarina style. “‘Yung design kami talaga gumawa. For the girls it was makarina.

Shorts na, palda pa. Pwede sa dancing, pwede sa sports,” Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation (IPESR) Director Carina Sales said.

She also added that the issue with regards the length of the shorts was due to communication failure and miscomprehension of the supplier, the Active Wear.

Meanwhile, the IPESR Department removed the jogging pants so that, according to them, it would be uniformed during PE classes.

“At saka, ‘pag naka-jogging pants, ‘yung iba hindi naman daw gumagalaw. Then, ‘yung uniform ngayon is personalized’ unlike dati na kahit sino even the outsider ay nakakabili kung saan-saan,” Sales uttered.

Free WIFI donated in CBEM

By Jessie Hermida

Leaping towards learning innovation, College of Business, Economics, and Management (BUCBEM) now have access to unlimited WIFI connection under the Free Wifi Program of PILO Movement.

PARTNERSHIP DISCUSSED. President of National University of Kaohsiung Dr. Leon Shyue-Liang Wang and other visitors discuss their educational collaboration with Bicol University President Dr. Arnulfo Mascariñas and college deans at the Office of the President last September 26-27, 2018. (Photo by Austine Dominic Bellen)

BU, NUK partnership to promote disaster risk reduction

By Denise Marie Flor, Mary Joy Peñaflor and Fatima Rozen Mirabueno With the aim of furthering international linkages, Bicol University (BU) welcomes representatives from the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK), Taiwan in an open table conference held last September 27.

The open table conference was joined by NUK President Dr. Leon Shyue-Liang Wang, Disaster Prevention Research Center Director Dr. Min-Hao, and Civil Engineering Professor

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 2

Dr. Chau-Cho Yu. BU President Dr. Arnulfo Mascariñas, along with the officials and faculty members welcomed the visitors to the meeting.

The talks between the two universities mainly revolved around research, extension, and instructions in Science and Technology.

In the meeting, NUK pledged to provide BU the system to improve its disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) system. They also discussed plans to build an earthquake-proof building.

A student exchange be-

tween the two universities was agreed upon, thus participants can earn their Master’s degree in Applied Sciences.

“The sandwich program would enable our students to attend classes in other universities abroad, so for one semester, they will be attending classes there,” Mascariñas stated.

BU and NUK also agreed that College of Engineering students will be having exchange programs for research and DRRM related to engineering.

Through BU Extension Management Division, the two institutions will also have joint

academe-industry extension projects.

Due to its inclination towards research, science, technology, and environmental education, NUK was found ideal

by BU to build partnership. The partnership between BU and NUK dated back to March of 2017.

“We want to expand the frontier of Bicol University, not only within the country but also outside the country. We also wanted to learn from other universities,” Mascariňas concluded.

During the turn-over ceremony on October 12 at BUCBEM E-Hall, BU President Dr. Arnulfo Mascariñas has made agreement to PILO Movement Founder Atty. Teofilo “Pilo” De Lumen, CPA. “With technology being one of the factors that separates a first world country from a third world country, it’s also a factor that separates top-performing school to a poor-performing school,” said BU President Dr. Mascariñas.

A recipient must only need to sign up and register to access unlimited data usage, enough for an hour-session of surfing. The students can also re-log in if they wish to ensure its free connectivity.

“Ako personally nakakapag-download ng PDFs about certain topics instead na magpa-load pa ng P50.00,” BUCBEM College Student Council President Jero Nacion stated as he explained how effective the free WIFI is in downloading learning materials.

CBEM Dean Dr. Eddie See said that CBEM is very fortunate to have a private partner to provide a free WIFI installation without pre-conditions.

He is also glad due to the fact that President Mascariñas approved the initiative of PILO Movement in setting up the free WIFI connection in the said campus.

PILO Movement is a private initiative spearheaded by Atty. De Lumen. One of their goals is to provide zero-cost internet to the people of Daraga which branches out for students to be mitigated for their studies and other related social benefits.

On a private interview with Atty. De Lumen, he said that he is very supportive of the academe as it resides within the town of Daraga.

The movement is also planning to provide free WIFI connection across the university not only in CBEM. They said that they will need full cooperation with the university and will also be timely as it is costly and partakes a wide scope of area to be given free WIFI access.

“The free WIFI was planned four years ago pero under certain circumstances, hindi siya tinanggap by some deans and professors. If all the deans would be in harmony, then our group is more than willing to install the free WIFI across the university” he said.

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Engineering courses cut to 4 years

By Mary Joy Peñaflor and Evonrey Latagan

Engineering courses are now shortened from five to four years as a result of having two additional years of high school under the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum.

According to the Dean of College of Engineering (CENG) Engr. Amelia Gonzales, all the engineering courses are now adopting the new curriculum as mandated by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 19, series of 2017.

CENG is currently offering six degree programs, namely, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geodetic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Mining Engineering.

Following the memorandum, CENGadded some subjects to meet the required academic components of CHED and enhanced the new curriculum for the better learning of the students under four years.

The four-year mandate is also applied to all engineering courses from both State Universities and Colleges and Private Higher Educational Institutions and became effective as the first batch of SHS graduates entered theAcademic Year (A.Y.) 2018-2019.

CURRICULUM DEFLECTION Implemented in 2012, the K to 12 Program has revised the basic education

curriculum that now covers Kindergarten with 12 years of Basic Education, making six years of Primary Education, four years of Junior High School and two years of Senior High School (SHS).

In the SHS program, one of the tracking is theAcademic Track, whereas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand has provided enough focus of advanced concepts and topics to students who wish to take engineering courses in college.

However according to Engr. Rolando Dacillo, CENG Associate Dean, he foresees the new curriculum substandard than the latter, due to the quality of STEM teaching is basic for preparatory subjects.

“Medyo humina ‘yung curriculum sa college, personal na rin na opinion pati na rin ng ibang faculty na mas weaker ‘yung new curriculum compared to the old curriculum,” he said.

Engr. Dacillo also mentioned that although Bicol University is prepared for the new curriculum, there are freshmen who are not prepared enough to embrace the new curriculum in terms of learning the subjects of Mathematics particularly Calculus, Analytic Geometry and Trigonometry.

“Mapapansin mo halos dito sa amin 40% ng mga estudyante sa first year, hindi sila STEM tracking, so lalong mahirap para sakanila ang mag-engineering,” he stated.

Furthermore, CENG proposed the implementation of classes for Math Plus, similar to the English Plus,during summer break as an alternative solution this

incoming A.Y. 2019-2020. Students who did not take STEM as their strand in senior high are required to take the class.

With the support of BU President Arnulfo Mascariñas, CENG areplanning to make necessary revision of the new curriculum as early as this incoming A.Y. 2019-2020.

Medyo humina ‘yung curriculum sa college, personal na rin na opinion pati na rin ng ibang faculty na mas weaker ‘yung new curriculum compared to the old curriculum.

Engr. Rolando Dacillo Associate Dean BU College of Engineering

“Normally ang revision ng curriculum ginagawa ‘yan minimum of three years para magkaroon ka ng time nai-evaluate ang nangyayari,” Engr. Dacillo said, “but this time, ang sabi ni Pres . Mascariñas h’wag na hintayin ang three years kung nakikita namin sa ngayon ‘yung malaking kakulangan ng curriculum” he added.

BUGC encounters Phase 1 issues Sets boarder against informal settlers

By Mary Jane Velasquez

Phase 1 of the new building of Bicol University Gubat Campus (BUGC) faces difficulties with informal settlers at Buenavista Gubat Extension Campus.

The extension campus is located near

the surf camp where several families reside. Problems are rooted to the protests of the informal settlers and the conflicting establishments permitted by the governor according to Engr. Ulysses Bello, Director of BU Physical Development and Maintenance Office (PDMO).

“Ang kalaban namin doon, squatter

ON GOING. One of the buildings of Bicol University Gubat Extension Campus on its Phase 1 construction at Buenavista, Gubat, Sorsogon. (Photo by Jobert Mercadero)

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 3

at saka gobyerno mismo. Kasi ‘yung governor ang nagpatayo ng sa land bank na area doon sa surfing, and at the same time nilagyan nila ng bar, [so] meron ng parang mga motel,” he said.

Engr. Bello further explained that with these hitches getting in the way, it will be a hard time reclaiming the land and developing it into public works.

Moreover, in order to deal with the issue, BUGC and PDMO are planning to make a border to intimidate the informal settlers not to enter into the land again.

Bello said that the university will spend an estimated amount ofP1 to P3 million on the fencing.

Julius Edna, the College Student Council President of BUGC, also said his opinion with regards to the settlers in the area.

“May mga nagdi-defend, pero siguro ‘yung hinahanap lang nilang kapalit is ‘yung lilipatan na bahay, na may mag-provide,” he said.

Instead of finishing by January, due to recurring rains and bad weather, the construction of the buildingshas been extended and is likely to be finishedby February or March, and will be turned over by May – just in time for the start of academic calendar shift on August.

There are two buildings for Phase 1 done on the site; Bello estimates that the big building costs P50 million, and the small one costs P45 million. For the completion, another budget of P30 or P50 million will be given.

Furthermore, the buildings were the first ones to be built for the utilization of students. Solar power will be used for thrifting purposes.

The interior and exterior design of the buildings were patterned from the architectural design of College of Business, Economics and Management building located at Daraga Campus.

Academic Calendar/ p1 “‘Yung edge ng calendar shifting is ‘yung sa funding, para maayos ang flow ng funding … So, kung magchange na ang calendar natin, matatapos ang first semester December, so maganda ‘yung expenses, ‘yung flow nung pera.” Said Dela Rama.

Through syncing the academic calendar with the ASEAN countries, the semestrial gap among BU, American, and European program partners is hence be resolved.

Moreover, student’s mobility among universities will be much easier once the new academic calendar is implemented. With this as the bridging gap, it connotes to the notion of less disturbance for universities sending students to other universities.

“Ang isang effect din naman nun [academic calendar shifting] is ‘yung sa international relation, kasi international field, ‘yun din ang kanilang schedule. Also sa Manila, ‘yung ibang schools sa Manila, ‘yun din ang kanilang schedule. So, kapag nagkakaroon sila ng mga conferences, hindi tayo nakakasali – kasi iba ‘yung ating academic calendar natin.” Dela Rama stressed.

Meanwhile, as April and May being included in the second semester, the university admits that there is a need of infrastructural changes across BU especially that despite of climate change, the aforementioned months are always tagged as the warmest months of the a year.

VPAA Llenareras stated that the construction and conversion of the existing classrooms into green class rooms will be the solution of the raising issue.

“Perhaps, we can open and have more or wide windows for the class rooms so that they will become fully ventilated … or we can have electric fans.” Llenareras added.

Since the first semester will be on August to December, semestrial break and Christmas break will coincide together in a two-week vacation on December.

INCLUSIONS AND EXCEPTIONS Academic calendar shift will be across all the colleges of Bicol University, including the satellite campuses as well as the Bicol University – College of Education Integrated Laboratory School (BUCEILS) except for the Senior High School (SHS) unit alone.

According to VPAA Llenareras, the SHS unit is a special project of BU, hence the faculty members are not regular associates of the university.

In addition, Llenaresas stated that they are not expecting all the students of BUCEILS-SHS unit to enrol at Bicol University “If we are going to include them in the new academic shift in the calendar, nali-late po sila sa pag-enroll nila sa ibang mga private

schools.” Llenares stressed.

OPERATIONAL CONCERNS Despite of having educational calendar anew, BU College Entrance Test and the college registration will be as scheduled.

“This will be even more advantageous for our incoming freshmen because there is a four-month break, if they come from DepEd because DepEd will not change their academic calendar.” Llenaresas stressed.

This will allow them, the incoming freshmen, to look for scholarships or to put in place some enhancement programs in the university.

On the other hand, the academic units for field activities, clinical, and internship will be rescheduled as to which it will be incorporated.

Moreover, this action has been already done in the revision of the curriculum.

Nevertheless, the activities such as the foundation anniversary which always slated on September and other activities according to Llenareras is flexible and hence the administration can find appropriate time to celebrate such occasions.

USC Chairperson Dela Rama stated that since next academic school year will also be the 50th Foundation Anniversary of BU, intramurals of each college might be scheduled during the first and second week of September.

“And then, as of now, ang dapat gawin ng mga student council ng mga officers, is to think of a new tradition,.

Since magchi-change na tayong calendar, let’s make a new tradition naman. Hindi naman totally removing the old, pero giving something new to our traditions.” Dela Rama further stated.

LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS The university does not foresee any problems with regards to licensure examinations which is being held twice a-year.

According to VPAA Llenaresas, there will be problems for some licensure examinations which are only given once a year. Also, for those licensure examination that is scheduled during the months of June and July.

As per the USC Chairperson Dela Rama, BU will only be piloting the academic calendar shifting and sooner or later, the other State Universities and Colleges across the Bicol Region will thereafter follow the said modification.

“Unti-unti na kasingnagchi-change ang lahat eh, so pag nagchange ang lahat, siyempre ‘yung PRC can also change the schedule of examination. Para mag-adjust doon sa mga academic institutions.”

Dela Rama concluded.

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4 The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

Serrano, Deanna 2nd Place, NLE 87.20%

Bernarte, April 5th Place, SWBE 82.90%

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

BU reaps 20 board topnotchers in 2018 exams

By Lea Mae Boringot Infographics by Joshua Isaiah Codorniz

1st Place, EELE 93.05%

Pamplona,

Cedie

5th Place, EELE 90.80%

Bolanga, Jesica

Baranda, Mhenbert

Malagueño,

Deocareza,

10th Place, EELE 89.90%

7th Place, NLE 82.70%

Julius

Gizelle

8th Place, SWBE 82.60%

5th Place, CTBE 90.00%

Osial, Norejun

Estinor, Genevive

2nd Place, CELE 96.50%

Agripa,

Santiago Jr. 10th Place, EMLE 92.90%

De Guzman, Homer 10th Place, EMLE 89.05%

Bandolla, Alyssa 10th Place, EMLE 89.05%

Nares, Gene

8th Place, GELE 86.00%

Miraflor, Carl Angelo 9th Place, GELE 85.80%

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 4

Dacer, Niño

6th Place, CTBE 89.50%

BU once again secured its spot from the top performing school rankings this 2018, producing more topnotchers and acquiring good passing rate results in various national licensure and board examinations.

Twenty of the top 10 passers from eight board examinations are coming from colleges and campuses of the university, namely, College of Engineering (CENG), College of Nursing (CN), College of Science (CS), College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), and the Tabaco Campus (TC).

BU College of Engineering (CENG) yielded the largest number of topnotchers with nine young engineers bagging top spots in different engineering licensure exams.

Santiago Agripa Jr. bested the roughly 300 other takers last August 2018 when he topped the Mining Engineering Licensure Examination (EMLE) with a rating of 92.90%. Homer De Guzman and Alyssa Joyce Francia also made the list sharing tenth place with an 89.05% rating.

Earning top spot as well, Niño Boy Dacer placed first with 96.50% in the September 2018 Registered Electrical Engineering Licensure Examination (EELE). Cedie Pamplona with 90.80%and Mhenbert Baranda with 89.90% landed on the fifth and tenth spots, respectively.

In the October 2018 Geodetic Engineering Licensure Examination (GELE), Gene Loyd Nares gained the eighth spot with 86.00% while Carl Angelo Miraflor placed ninth with 85.80%.

Meanwhile, out of 13, 887 takers in the November 2018 Civil Engineering Licensure Examination (CELE), Norejun Osial notched the second spot with 96.50%.

CS produced seven topnotchers in the October 2018 Chemical Technician Board Exam. In fifth place was Julius Ceasar Deocareza with 90.00% rating, Genivive Estinorin sixth with 89.50%, Julius Macinas with 89.00% on the seventh spot, Wilhelm Ted Mandac and Diana Montecastro both on eighth place with an 88.50% rating and lastly, Jershwin Hermel Sayenga and Shelomyl Patty Tubeo in tenth with 87.50%.

In the July 2018 Social Workers (SW) Board Examination, April Grace Bernarte with 82.90% and Gizelle Gaye Malagueño with 82.60% from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy secured fifth and eight spots, respectively. Jesica Bolonga from Tabaco Campus landed on the seventh spot having an 82.70% rating.

Deanna Corinne Serrano from the BU College of Nursing ranked secondout of 9, 873 examinees in the June 2018 Nursing Licensure Examination with 87.20%.

TOP PERFORMING SCHOOL Based on this year’s PRC’s top performing school results, BU once again proved its excellence in the national level as it became one of the top universities in the Philippines in five board examinations.

BU still remains the number one school for Social Workers after the July 2018 SW Board Examination. TC with 91.07% and CSSP with 90.60% passing rates were hailed first and second top performing schools, respectively.

Meanwhile, CN prevailed as the third top performing school in the Philippines with an 89.19% passing rate, while CENG was hailed as the second top performing school nationwide for the October 2018 GELE having an 88.24% passing rate.

CS ranked fourth for the October 2018 Chemical Technician Board Ex-

amination with 97.70% and during the October 2018 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination, the College of Business Economics and Management ranked fourth with a 73.53% rating.

ROAD TO SUCCESS In an interview with The Bicol Universitarian, Engr. Norejun Osial and Deanna Corinne Serrano, RN shared their experiences and their journey to topping their respective board exams.

“The preparation for the board examination is a privilege and a sacrifice,” Engr. Norejun Osial stated.

He added that not all board exam takers are given the chance to enroll in a review center due to financial constraints which was why he worked and strived hard to learn as much as possible to not waste the opportunity and support that his family has given to him.

“It took a lot of willpower at first but with discipline and consistency, it eventually became a habit,” Osial said referring to how he developed a good study habit during his six-month review for the Civil Engineering Board Exam at Sampaloc, Manila.

Meanwhile, Deanna Corrine Serrano claimed that the NLE was difficult but asserted that it was her desire to do good in the exam that lead to her results.

“Indeed, when you put your heart entirely into what you are doing, you will get good results or even better ones,” Serrano added.

On the other hand, Osial mentioned that he graduated without a Latin honor and did not even excel in college which was why no one really expected him to top the board.

“However, I did not look at the grades that I got but the learning that I acquired,” he said.

Macinas, Julius 7th Place, CTBE 89.00%

Mandac, Wilhelm 8th Place, CTBE 88.50%

Montecastro,

Diana

8th Place, CTBE 88.50%

Sayenga, Jershwin 10th Place, CTBE 87.50%

Tubeo,

Shelomyl 10th Place, CTBE 87.50%

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Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Sen. Loren Legarda donates 5M to BU theatre acts

By Bryan Jacinto

A budget total of five million pesos was awarded by Senator Loren Legarda to College of Arts and Letters (CAL) to stage the Velada: Duyan Mobile Theatre for Peace and Development and Sa Pamitisan Kan Bulkan.

Dr. Rañeses, a former Dean of Institute of Communication and Cultural Studies (ICCS) which is then the CAL, started this initiative by soliciting to Senator Loren Legarda last year.

After several meetings and agreements, the budget has been finally granted and downloaded to President Arnulfo Mascariñas which was later transferred to CAL. “It was shocking at first because there are a lot of options in the university and it was us, the College of Arts and Letters was selected by this allocation. It was truly unexpected from the senator and even Dr. Rañeses,” CAL Dean Dr. Leticia Lopez

expressed her gratitude towards this budget grant.

Lopez explained that the budget has been finalized already into proposals this June and now available to fund trainings and workshops by the Speech and Theatre Arts (STA) Department.

STA Department is now preparing “Sa Pamitisan Kan Bulkan,” a big musical theater production that celebrates the strong spirit and resiliency of the Albayanos. The said theatrical show is set to stage on December 10 at College of Engineering Gymnasium.

Meanwhile, the Velada: Duyan Mobile Theater for Peace and Development aims to showcase stage performances with free-entrance tours to Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and more parts of the region.

Along with these areas, they were also given a shot to perform the theatrical play in the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City this December 20, 2018.

ONSTAGE FOR CHANGE. The performing arts students stage “Velada: Duyan,” a theatre act for peace and development which was first staged on September 28, 2018 at the College of Arts and Letters Amphitheatre. (Photo by Lynn Oliquino)

BU delegates attend Int’l Summer Camp

By Christelle Ong

BU REPRESENTS. The ASP participants (L-R) Joseph Vince Claudio, Dr. Shirley Maloles, Dr. Herbert Rosana, Lynn Oliquino and Jovelle Duana of Bicol University deliver their chant to formally introduce the university during the opening ceremony of ASP 2018 on July 9, 2018 held at Dongseo University in Busan, South Korea. (Photo Courtesy of Lynn Oliquino)

To further understand the diverse cultures of other Asian countries, Bicol University (BU) students joined the International Summer Camp at Shih Chien University (SCU), Taipei, Taiwan, and the Asia Summer Program (ASP) at Dongseo University (DSU), Busan, South Korea.

Through the shared venture project of the university’s Interna-

Thumbs down/ p1 In an article published by Rappler, it was stated that DILG regional director Elouisa Pastor sent an invite to BU President Arnulfo Mascariñas to “enjoin a minimum of 200 personnel from the academe, composed of teachers and students, to participate in the said event.”

The 6,000 counts were based from the attendance logged during the event. There were no specified instructions that signing the attendance sheet meant confirming support for federalism.

OF STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE AND ADVANTAGE During the two-day consultation, students of AB Political Science of BU

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 5

tional Relations Office and SCU Office of International Affairs, fifteen BU students and one faculty travelled for a two-week learning camp, as the first batch of delegates sent for the 2018 USC-BU International Summer Camp, convened last July 8-21at Shih Chien University, Taipei, Taiwan.

The activity was intended to familiarize the participants with

the diverse cultures and tourism of Taiwan alongside with learning and practicing the Chinese Language.

BU University Student Council (USC) Internal Vice Chairperson Cristephanie May Siapno and 14 other student participants took part in the learning camp.

From the Main Campus, namely, Ronald Lou Dellosa of College of Arts and Letters (CAL); Emily Dawn

College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) were mandated to attend the event.

Even though there were no prior information about attending and pledging support for federalism, they were asked to sign the attendance sheet when they entered Albay Astrodome. “’Yun ang concern namin because that attendance pala implies support to federalism na,” said CJ Ivanne Dichoso, a fourth-year political science student.

Moreover, students who voted no in the implementation expressed their opinions.

“I think hindi ready ang mga Pinoy sa ganon na kalaking pagbabago. Hindi ko din ito papaburan kasi wala pang klarong details ang ating gobyerno kung ano ba talaga ang mangyayari kapag na-implement ang federalism sa bansa

Ordinario, Viktoria Shaine Chua and Rio Sabao of College of Nursing; Jelvin Mujar of College of Industrial Technology; and Gene rose Andes of Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation.

Moreover, Joshua Carl Barcelon from the College of Business, Economics and Management and Benito Naz III from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, were the delegates from Daraga Campus.

Coming from the East Campus were Victoria Noreen Abo of Institute of Architecture; and Fahye Malano, Caroline Drew Macariola and Ivan Ian Baria of College of Engineering.

Lastly, Jhune Fabricante and Precious Elaine Reoveros were the delegates from the College of Agriculture and Forestry and Polangui Campus, respectively.

Attending with the students was Prof.

Mary Joy P. Canon, a faculty member of the Information Technology department of BU College of Science.

“USC-BU International Summer Camp has not only opened doors for the university but also for us who came from different colleges. We were able to see the art, beauty, and the fascinating culture, Taiwan has to offer. We were able to see that, despite the language barrier, the smiles and the memories were all the same.” Chua stated.

Dellosa from CAL also stated that it was enlightening to observe the discipline of the people, their pride and love of their culture.

“Nakakapanibago ‘yun sa isang Pilipino na hindi pa nakakatungtong sa ibang bansa,” Dellosa added.

There were around 125 participants

natin. The government should educate the people first,” Joseph Vincent Claudio, BU College of Arts and Letters College Student Council president said.

Another student, who refused to be recognized said that President Rodrigo Duterte himself is not fit for federalism. The student believes the power that would be vested in the President to suspend Congress, if whenever he wants.

“Not to mention na ang kanyang political interests are in line and really in favor of the Marcoses. Plus, ang magiging bagong preamble natin ay: We the sovereign Filipino people … in order to build a just and ‘perfect’ society … wala namang perfect na society,” the student claimed.

Meanwhile, DILG Region V Cen-

from around the world who participated in the event, with representatives coming from Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Guatemala and the United States of America.

Meanwhile, the ASP was participated by CAL College Student Council President Joseph Vince Claudio from the Print and Broadcast Media Department, and two other students; Jovelle Duana of Speech and Theater Arts Department, and Lynn Oliquino of the Communication Department, last July 9-28, at DSU, Busan, South Korea.

The students have undergone through screening from their respective departments before they represent BUfor the three-weekprogram.

The ASP is a three-week summer program, which aims to promote and build linkages between Asian countries, as it brings students from all across Asia to develop global leadership talents by allowing its participants to partake in the international community.

The program began in 2012, through the five founding universities and its hosting countries: Bangkok University, Thailand; Dongseo University, South Korea; Josai University, Japan; Petra Christian University, Indonesia; and University Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia.

In 2013, the ASP became affiliated with the Asian University Presidents Forum which greatly extended its scope.

Since then, students from universities in 18 countries have participated in the program.

This event so far has been held annually in the countries of its founding institutions. This year, DSU is the first university to host the event for the second time.

ter for Federalism and Constitutional Reform (CFCR) Operations Group Regional Project Officer, Marco Bellen believes that through federal form of government, students can easily tap for help in the regional state.

“Kasi ngayon lahat ng address natin pupunta muna tayo sa taas.

Pero ‘pag may regional government na tayo na tinatawag, regional state dahil malapit na ang gobyerno, may right na sila para gumawa ng batas para sa’yo.

Pwede mo nang i-tap mismo ang regional government,” Bellen stated.

A student from the BU College of Engineering, Billy Joe Brazal who favored federalism said, “I’m okay with it, though magastos lang siya sa una kasi magdadagdag na regions. Pero kung for the long term naman yung effect nun which is to improve our econo-

my, why not ‘di ba?”

Furthermore, the government still has a long way to go when it comes to the awareness of the Filipinos about the federal system, since there are seven out of 10 Filipinos who know little or have no knowledge about the 1987 Constitution according to Pulse Asia.

CFCR is now planning to do more conventions to promote awareness and disseminate information about federalism.

“Nag-oorganize muna kami ng mga plano and trainings para sa mga magiging speakers namin, para makatulong sa pag-disseminate. Training of trainers for this year. Naghihintay lang ng [go-signal] from the Central Office,” Bellen finished.

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NEWS

6 The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

CN adopts new curriculum

By Trisha Kayle F. Frivaldo

In line with the enhancement of quality assurance in the higher education system, College of Nursing (BUCN) adopts a new curriculum framework in accordance with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 15, series of 2017.

According to this memorandum also known as “Policies, Standards and Guidelines for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program,” the BS Nursing program will shift from Competency-Based Standards to Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) curriculum.

From the guidelines for the implementation of CMO No. 46, the curriculum provides ample space for higher education institutions offering BS Nursing program to innovate such curriculum in line with the assessment of how best to achieve learning outcomes in their particular contexts and respective mission.

During the university academic council meeting, OBE curriculum was affirmed as the new academic landscape replacing the ladderized curriculum in BUCN. Hence, Midwifery will no longer be offered.

“So hindi na kami nagooffer ng ladderized. Nakalagay sa academic landscape na wala nang Midwifery. Purely BSN curriculum. All campuses ‘yan,” Dr. Maria Bernardita Palacio, Dean of BUCN stated.

Palacio also added that one of the reasons why Midwifery will no longer be present in the new curriculum it is already a Bachelor’s degree.

By the removal of Midwifery course in the new curriculum, the Dean worries the reputation and performance of the school in terms of Midwifery Licensure Examination.

The shift from ladderized to outcomes-based education curriculum can brought about drastic changes that may require time for adjustments.

Moreover, the pursuit of this learning paradigm shift is also with accordance to the K to 12 Basic Education Program.

LADDERIZED vs OBE Under the ladderized curriculum program, it institutionalizes a ladderized interface between technicalvocational education and training (TVET) and higher education (HE).

Embedded in the ladderized nursing degree program, BS Midwifery education is being offered as students will

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 6

undergo two years of technical-vocational courses such as which could be attained with the first semester of the program.

According to Dean Palacio, “’Pag sinabi mong ladderized, ipapatong mo ang mga required subjects sa midwifery. Tsaka, first year palang ng second semester, usually nagdu-duty na sila kasi may requirement sila na number of deliveries na required ang Midwifery para sa licensure.”

The school will then issue an institutional certificate to the students as a graduate of their desired technicalvocational course. A national certificate will also be issued

by TESDA, once the graduate pass the mandatory competency assessment.

Inclusive of this two-year technical-vocational course is a licensure exam which adds to the credentials and possible job platform a student wish to pursue employment in local or abroad.

Moreover, this curriculum provides graduates of Tech-Voc course an opportunity to decide on whether to pursue a parallel degree course or stick to the TechVoc course they have attained.

On the other hand, Outcomes-Based Education is an educational system preparing students to meet the highest standards of a particular profession.

Moreover, OBE is designed to match education with actual employment based from the standards aimed for program outcomes, competencies, and converted into instructional goals and objectives.

These same components serve bases for selecting what topics to teach and assess them at the highest standards required by the actual workplace.

Meanwhile, there are students who foresee BUCN will uphold a greater height in terms of its performance in the licensure examinations and will give way to more competent passers and topnotchers in the future.

According to De-Ann Micah Ortiz, RM, a fourth-year nursing student, “Generally, the new curriculum is a huge progression in the academic aspect of BU especially in BUCN. Together with its implementation is the strict enrollment of qualified students in the BUCET which paved way to a more competitive era in the College of Nursing.”

Furthermore, CHED mandates the implementation of this academic landscape in order to prepare students for global integration and competitiveness towards a transformative education.

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Online Registration/ p1 STUDENTS’ CONCERNS Different sentiments were raised in relation to the new enrollment system. Some affirmed that this would make way to a less hassle registration.

Majority of which that came from distant places found it agreeable that enrollment should be done online.

Meanwhile, some students were not in favor, as the new system would lead to re-blocking based from the number of students that selected their desired schedules.

Prior to that, General Education Curriculum courses will be attended by students from different courses de-

pending on their chosen subjects and schedules.

“Di maganda ang system dahil maraming bugs and madali siya mahack,” a Computer Science student shared his sentiment regarding the matter.

The servers provided by the site were also not secured and difficult to access resulting to data malfunctions.

Furthermore, the overwhelming number of people simultaneously accessing the site forces it to jam, hence another three servers were added to accommodate the traffic. “[The] online enrollment gave me a stressful time knowing the fact that the slots are limited, systems are down, web page errors, and the sites are not

that accessible. They even blamed that students’ internet connection for the problem,” ReyAnn Ran Cortez, a Bachelor of Elementary Education student, said.

On the other hand, students still commended the new innovation and suggested more preparations to prevent errors.

“Siguro marami lang talaga ‘yung gumagamit ng server that time kaya minsan nagda-down ‘yung system. But anyway, maganda din naman ‘yung online registration; it’s something new and it will help us in the future kapag na develop pa nila lalo yung system,” Gene Lhynelle Abrigo, a BS Social Work student, said.

BLIND TWINS. Joshua and Jerome Nelmida from Muntinlupa City poses on their modified bikes in front of the finish line after computing at the 2018 ASTC Paratriathlon Asian Championships held in the Legazpi Boulevard last August 10 2018. (Photo courtesy of Vynce Opena)

IPESR in 2018 Mt. Mayon Triathlon

By Jobert Mercadero and Justine Mirandilla Bicol University Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation (IPESR) grabbed the chance to be one of the facilitators of the 2018 Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC) Mt. Mayon Triathlon Asian Cup in Legazpi City on August 10 and 12.

Through a letter sent by the new administrator of IPESR, Prof. Carina Sales to Ms. Tin Paulino, one of the overall event organizer of the Asian Cup, the department was granted to facilitate the annual triathlon.

The event organizers and the City

Government of Legazpi settled a meeting with 100 students including the fourth-year IPESR students with two advisers for the orientation of the event.

According to Sales, since it was an international event, it could be once-ina-lifetime experience for them as student-facilitators.

“Although Bicol Region has already hosted this kind of events before, it is the first time that BUIPESR is involved,” Sales said.

Moreover, she added that this opportunity was an exposure for the students in order for the realization of their major subjects such as Sports Tourism and Management of Sports.

On the other hand, an IPESR professor Robert Madraso also participated the event as a triathlete.

Meanwhile during the Mt. Mayon Triathlon 2018, persons with disabilities were able to compete in a special event which is the Mt. Mayon ASTC Paratriathlon Asian Championships.

2018 ASTC Mt. Mayon Triathlon Asian Cup was organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in partnership with the City Government of Legazpi and Cyborg Entertainment, Inc. and sanctioned by the ASTC and the International Triathlon Union.

2k scholars to enjoy scholarship grants

By Fatima Rozen Mirabueno By the Republic Act 10931 known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, students of Bicol University will not just enjoy free tertiary education, but with scholarship grants to offer.

A total of 2,285 scholars from these grants funded by the government and private agencies and institutions are in the university for the first semester of school year.

“In the past, these scholarships’ sponsoring agencies or individuals cover the miscellaneous and tuition fees of the students. Now that there is a free higher education, these financial aids will be in a form of allowances, for

example, book, uniform, and dormitory allowance,” said Dr. Evelyn Oliquino, Director for Institutional Student Programs and Services Division of the Office of Student Affairs and Services.

According to Dr. Oliquino, there are three types of scholarships in the university: the internal scholarships, to which the fund is from university; government grant scholarships that were funded by the government; and externally-funded scholarships which are given to students by private individuals and institutions.

Aside from these scholarships, there are also technical education scholarships which are provided for students who belong to marginalized sectors, persons with disabilities, students in

households supported by the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program, and victims of areas in conflict.

The requirements differ depending on the type of scholarship but the main prerequisite is a scholar must be a bona fide student of the university and must have a good academic standing. Moreover, students are also entitled to one scholarship only.

“We now don’t require students that they must belong to a family whose income is below 150,000 pesos [annually], or they must provide certificate of tax exemption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Now, as long as you are enrolled to a tertiary education like BU, you can enjoy this privilege,” Dr. Oliquino added.

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FEATURE

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The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Behind the lives of

Campus Watchdogs

By Elyssa Kristine Ella

Tons of movies and television shows have portrayed characters with small means facing big challenges. The characters are easy to root for and we often find ourselves hoping they make it to the end of the story because let’s face it—we all love a good underdog story.

But, fiction is often just a retelling of reality, a metaphor to explain things to us in a different perspective, and usually, they are a lot more real than we think.

In the biblical tale of David and Goliath, there is a David.

In state universities, there are college publications.

When the Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act was signed, students rejoiced and parents were relieved because higher education in state universities is now completely subsidized by the government—not just the tuition fees but everything listed on a student’s receipt upon enrollment.

It just so happened that included among these subsidized payments is the publication fee. Listed under ‘development fees,’ this would mean that the campus publications in state universities could no longer collect their fund from the students.

The government will still provide funding for the university publication as it is written into law that all schools must have one. In a less complicated world, this would have been fine.

However, this is not the case.

In Bicol University, the colleges and campuses also have individual publications separate to the university publication. This has been the culture in colleges for many years and although some have ceased to exist due to lack of support and participation, many have endured and continued to serve as the dissemina-

tors of information to the student body.

The ‘no collection’ rule was a hard hit to college publications. In the face of the law, the campus journalists had to abide. Unable to collect fees from the students, college publications turned to other options to fund their operations and printing costs.

PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES Jhoan Villanueva, the chairman of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Bicol chapter, cited the problems encountered by campus publications in the region and other places in the country.

“In the guidelines for the free education program, publication fees are listed among the other school fees that will not be any more collected from the students. In PUP Sta. Mesa, college-based publications were prohibited to collect their publication fees. Same complaints were also received from Himati of University of the Philippines-Mindanao and university and college publications of Bicol University,” Villanueva stated.

Kreizel Bojero, Editor-in-Chief of Budyong, the publication of the BU College of Arts and Letters published a Facebook post regarding their publication’s challenge to release a tabloid, newsletter, and literary folio in spite of the lack of funding.

“We have no money and we are not authorized to collect for the next five years. We think of so many methods, and some of them work but their results only generate small solutions,”

Bojero said.

To augment the costs of their operational expenses, they tried finding advertisers but many businesses had hesitancies to invest in a campus publication. She added that although there were willing donors, the amount accumulated was not enough.

“We [asked] for the administration’s financial assistance but we are faced with the fact they are also operating on small money, therefore little to no financial assistance can be given to us,” Bojero stated.

Ian Llaneta, the Editor-in-Chief of The Appraiser, the publication

only used for the printing of the newspapers but for the other operational expenses as well. Aside from donations, he stated that they had to use their personal money to augment the other costs.

Furthermore, he noted that due to the free higher education law, the scholarships of students serving in publications had become obsolete.

“Because of RA 10931, students are not motivated to serve publications because they think there are no benefits to joining one. Though not all students think that way, incentives are still a factor in keeping publications alive,” he said.

of the College of Business Economics and Managemnet, affirmed that their main problem was also the same with Budyong.

“Like other college pubs in BU, we are not allowed anymore to collect fees. Even though we have been given many options to consider, we still struggle to print hard copies because offset printing is so expensive,” Llaneta said.

He added that their publication fund i s n o t

INDEPENDENT MONITOR OF POWER Bojero’s Facebook post also included the administration’s suggestion to make publications as organizations so that they may be allowed to collect fees.

However, this is in conflict with the quality of publications being independent from any form of regulation.

“I fear that repression in campus papers might intensify if campus papers were regulated, especially by the

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school admin. Campus pubs are made to serve the interests of the students. Exposing the truth and uncovering stories can change the course of the future but censoring and intervening the campus press threatens such change,” Villanueva said.

Campus journalists voiced their concerns over this suggestion as becoming an organization would mean they would be obliged to submit to accreditation.

“I’m not in favor of the possibility of regulating publications because they are independent bodies. If ever, it may threaten campus press freedom,” Llaneta stated.

In the The Gearcast, the publication of College of Engineering, Kenru Barasona said that the freedom of the press is the purpose of the publication.

“If a publication is regulated, it won’t be a publication anymore,” he said.

When David fought Goliath, everybody thought he was going to die, that he would be defeated by a force

greater than he was.

Like the biblical charac ter, campus publications still remain active in state universities in in spite of the greater challenges.

Llaneta said journalism is not just to inform but also to inspire and influence others. Although not everyone may care about the articles they have written, they know that there are students who continue to rely and depend on their publication.

“After all, it is more than just releasing a [newspaper] but it’s about leaving a mark to the readers. Even though sometimes it is difficult to achieve total independence, publications will continue to exist to serve the community and the students,” he concluded.

Publications such as Budyong, The Appraiser, The Gearcast and many others representing state universities alike remind us that to simply persevere may be enough. To simply exist may be enough. In the story of David and Goliath, let’s not forget that had David failed to try, he would not have beaten the odds.

“The idea that campus journalism exists in our college is already a relief to most people. It is because the maintenance of a campus publication relays a message that the fight of the press is still on-going,” Bojero said.

1/10/19 11:43 AM

COMMUNITY

8 The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

United People’s SONA,

Jovenes Anakbayan leads protest

By Jose Joseph Ongonion

Jovenes Anakbayan on Monday, July 23 spearheaded a protest rally all the way from Ibalong Centrum for Recreation to Pinaglabanan Monument, Legazpi City, just before President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Appealing to every Filipino citizen’s right, the United People’s SONA disputes any social injustice of policies from the government.

“Nabuo ang United People’s SONA para pagkaisahin ‘yung iba’t ibang sector ng lipunan na tumindig laban sa mga anti-mamamayang polisiya ng pamahalaan at (upang) ilantad din ang krisis na nangyayari sa ating lipunan,” Jovenes Anakbayan Regional Chairpeson Chris-

tian Zorilla stated.

Being the chapter of Bicol Region, Jovenes Anakbayan is classified as a comprehensive mass organization that fights for “trabaho, Lupa, Edukasyon, Karapatang Sibil at Politikal, at Serbisyong Panlipunan.”

“Simbolo din kasi ‘yung United People’s SONA na ang tunay na makakapagsabi ng kalagayan ng Pilipinas ay ang sambayanang Pilipino, hindi ang president.” Zorilla added.

Alongside with the event is the presence of sector groups such as Kabataan Partylist, Bikolana Gabriella, Bahaghari, Kilusan ng Manbubukid ng Bikol, Kadamay, and other organizations. “’Yung Jovanes Anakbayan kasi ay nakikiisa sa iba’t ibang sector, bagama’t sinusuportahan din namin laban ng mga kababaihan, pesante, manggagawa, at urban-poor,” he explained.

Conferring to Zorilla, the protest was a multi-sectoral event. He also stated that it should not be a fight of a single sector, rather a fight of every sectors involved and affected.

Nevertheless, having numerous participants from different sectors of both youth and community, Albay province contributed over 2,000 out of more than 45,000 rallyist across the nation.

“Nagsimula ang pagkakaroon natin ng mga batayan ng karapatan sa mga ganito ng klaseng pagkilos … sa dami nung mga kumilos noong United People’s SONA, ipinakita nun na marami ang mga taong kayang tumindig at handang ipaglaban ‘yung [kanilang] mga karapatan,” said Zorilla.

RAISE YOUR FLAGS. As the main part of the protest rally, Jovenes Anakbayan on July 23 hoists flags of different sectors of Albay to show unity against the atrocities by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte at Pinaglabanan, Legazpi City. (Photo by Evonrey Latagan)

Bicolano youth groups hold protest action in Legazpi

By Christelle Ong

In the interest of unifying the youth of Bicol to appeal youth rights to the administration, different progressive youth activist groups of the region, organized a protest action in Legazpi, City last August 15, 2018.

YOUTH SECTOR UNIFICATION MOB. Different youth activists of Bicol perform a protest action on August 15, 2018 as they voiced out concerns of the youth to different government agencies. The march started from PNP Camp Ola to Commission on Higher Education Regional Office, Legazpi City. (Photo by Ariel Satparam)

In BU, ‘Yes For Peace’ caravan held

By Bryan Jacinto Raising the awareness of the Filipinos for its ‘Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Kasaganahan’ campaign, Yes For Peace Caravan visited Bicol University (BU) on July 30 to host a nationwide peace campaign.

Different delegates coming from the region visited the College of Engineering (CENG) Gymnasium as they witnessed projects and programs from the booths of different government agencies.

The Yes For Peace Caravan is an initiative started by the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) in partnership with the government to help bring peace and development to the na-

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 8

tion by informing and raising awareness to the Filipino citizens on alleviating poverty and uplift the lives of the poor.

The government showed their support by enforcing 80 government agencies who pledged their support towards this endeavor.

The caravan also seeks to increase the Filipino citizens’ awareness regarding these agencies and their efforts to combat poverty and address the needs of the people.

Ernesto Alcanzare, organizer of the Yes For Peace Caravan and Member of APO, believes that awareness of the Filipino people on the government programs is essential when it comes to development.

“Government programs are existing, to address the needs of the

people, to address poverty. The concern is, many people do not know about this,” Alcanzare said.

Although this endeavor is still on its early stage, Alcanzare hopes for the event to be institutionalized in a way that the event would be the approach to the problem, which is the lack of awareness of the Filipino citizens to development projects.

The caravan aims to broaden their audience and participants by September by adding newly elected barangay officials for them to know what programs they can avail to address the needs of their constituents.

The Yes For Peace Caravan is on its way to visit different parts of the country to spread awareness of peace and development.

The said activity deemed as the Youth Sector Unification Mob was composed of progressive youth organizations namely: Jovenes Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students, Bahaghari, Kabataan Partylist Bicol, Bicolano Gabriella, Aking Bicolnon Cam Sur including alliances such as Youth Act Now against Tyranny, Alliance of Nationalist Students Working for Educational Reforms and Democracy (ANSWERED), and individuals who have cooperated to the protest action.

The group of youths and individuals marched in front of the Regional Offices of PNP and CHED. Christian Zorilla, Jovenes Anakbayan Spokesperson and a College of Business Economics and Management student of BU said it is their aim to express to the administration, especially to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the current problems faced by the youth.

“Ito ay una, syempre, pinapatamaan ang administrasyong Duterte sa pagbibigay ng mga polisiya o pagpapatupad ng mga polisiya na sa tingin ng mga progresibong organisasyon ay hindi nagsisilbi sa interes lalong-lalo na ng mga kabataan,” Zorilla said.

“Nariyan ang K to 12, na kung saan, hindi naman talaga gumagawa ng mga globally competitive na mga estudyante, ito lamang ay isang instrumento upang patuloy na makulong ang mga kabataan sa cheap labor, at higit sa lahat hindi naman nito sinusolusyunan ang problema sa ating edukasyon.

Pangalawa, ang paggamit ng dahas ng

Philippine National Police at iba pang mga pwersa ng ating estado na kung saan ay nirerepress o pinapatahimik ang ating mga kabataang lumalaban,” stated by Zorilla, pertaining to whom the message of the rally is for.

Furthermore, Zorilla emphasized that his group intended to put forth the state of employment, land, education, civil rights and political rights, and social services in the country, with which his group advocates for.

“Malinaw pa rin na hanggang ngayon may mga problema sa trabaho, sa lupa maraming magsasakang mga kabataan ang hindi nabibigyan ng kaukulang pansin ng pamahalaan. Sa edukasyon, kahit sinasabi na may free tuition na sa ibang SUCs, marami pa din ang hindi nakakapunta o nakakapasok sa SUCs dahil nga sa mga admission tests, marami din na kabataan na malayo [at] hindi accessible yung paaralan,” Zorilla said.

Apart from these, in the aspect of civil rights, he added that there are students who are exposed to harassment due to rampant campus repression not just in Bicol but in other regions as well.

The protest action also remembered the murder case of Cris Hugo, a former Journalism student of BU, and a former national council member and regional coordinator of the League of Filipino Students in Bicol who was killed in 2006 because of his fight for liberalism.

“Kailangan kialalanin ng mga kabataan, yung reponsibilidad talaga na pagsilbihan nga yung ibang mamamayan, pagsilbihan yung mga tao na hindi makapagsalita, pagsilbihan yung mga tao na walang kakayahan para magtindig sa kanilang sariling paa,” Zorilla concluded.

1/10/19 11:43 AM

DEVCOMM

9

The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Finding New Hope in the midst of the Drug War

By Elyssa Kristine Ella and Cyrelle Nunez with reports from Neil Simon Echague and Bryan Jacinto

In every war, there is a chance to rebuild no less than with every affliction, there must be a process of recovery.

A program being implemented in Legazpi City gives hope of a renewed life to thousands of surrendered drug users through a step-by-step rehabilitation program.

For the past years since the extensive war against drugs started, more than 2,700 drug pushers and users have surrendered in Legazpi as of October 2018 according to the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD).

The CSWD tries their best to identify the causes of drug abuse and addiction of the users to counter them through trainings and education.

Constant drug abuse deteriorates a person’s wellbeing and if it becomes long-term, there are high chances for the abuser to become insane.

The Community-Based Drug Intervention Program of Legazpi was established specifically for the purpose of rehabilitating surrendered drug users.

Social Welfare Officer Nancy Perez highlighted that these people were victims themselves of the adverse effects of drug abuse.

“We don’t call them ‘addicts,’ we call them persons who use drugs (PWUDs),” Perez asserted.

The program is managed by a core team composed of multiple agencies namely; the City Health Office (CHO), CSWD, Philippine National Police, faith-based communities, and the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC).

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IMPLEMENTATION Prior to undertaking the program, the PWUDs are asked to sign a disclosure admitting to the use of drugs. After surrendering, they then agree to the terms of rehabilitation to ensure that they are willing to undergo the program.

The CHO then assesses the severity of the PWUD concerned.The assessment is categorized into four levels; low risk, mild, moderate and severe.

“We assess them by category to give them the proper intervention,” Perez said.

Patients evaluated that belong to low risk are given a two-day training or the general intervention. While for the mild PWUDs, they will undergo a four-day community-based rehabilitation training.

Moderate patients are moved to theintense outpatient program and it will last for six months. Lastly, PWUDs evaluated as ‘severe’ are directed to confinement at the Municipal Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (MTRC) for a year.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal initiated the conduct of the trainings at the AVP catering services in Legazpi City.

AFTERCARE PROGRAM To make sure that the PWUDs who ‘graduated’ are kept on the path towards rehabilitation, an aftercare program is set in place by the CSWD. After finishing the trainings and seminars with their core team, they will undergo aftercare for a specific amount of time depending on their assessments.

The low risk PWUDS are required to undergo three months of the aftercare program, mild patients are given six months, and moderate patients are given nine months of program with weekly sessions scheduled for the first three monthsandonly once a month for the fourth month onwards.

In addition, the aftercare program includes group and one-on-one sessions that are at least one hour per day.

Perez stated that the topics being discussed range from angermanagement, coping mechanisms, how to identify and control triggers and enhancing self-awareness of the PWUDs. It is also vital that the patients are provided with a support system from their families so the CSWD hands out waiver forms to family members to pledge that they will be supporting the PWUDs throughout the aftercare program.

The first few days of the aftercare

is spent on the paper signing and the ‘getting-to-know’ phase. The next meeting would be the commencement of the discussion of topics. The CSWD also gives out assignments to the PWUDs to help them make progress.

They are tasking the PWUDs to make a daily structure of activities throughout the duration of the training and rehabilitation. They encourage them to do this in order to distract them from their temptations.

They also do family counseling to check on the families.

In addition, they make it a point to ask feedback from the PWUDs about the rehabilitation they received from the government. They monitor themto know if they are consuming liquor or undergoing any vices such as smoking and gambling.

Perez further clarified that graduates of the aftercare program are not ensuredto be completely free from the watchlist of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and PNP. CSWD planned to group the PWUDs this November for sessions of the aftercare program during which four batches of 20 people, two in the morning and two in the afternoon, will be undergoing the last stage of the rehabilitation.

According to Perez, the CSWD is planning to reach out to 500 PWUDs in November.

“The family, the PWUDS, and the community would be the main beneficiaries of this program,” she said.

SECOND CHANCES In addition to rehabilitation and trainings, the aftercare program also offers a way for the PWUDs to resume their educationor study through the Alternative Learning System. Also, should they want to receive livelihood and vocational training, they are forwarded to TESDA. They also permit PWUDs who want to get back to their previous work if they ever want to. The CSWD encourages them as a way to put positive tasks in their daily structure of activities.

They continuously educate the PWUDs about the effects of drugs to their mind and body throughout the program.

Perez noted that the chances of going into relapse for drug users can be as high as 101%.It is a normal occurrence for patients to have relapses but CSWD and the LGU still believe that the PWUDshave a chance.

When looking at the aftermaths of a war against drugs, there is this question of what happens after capture or after the users and pushers have been identified. The rehabilitation program of Legazpi City is showing that recovery is possible and attainable and that this chance must be available to aid those who are in need of it.

The CommunityBased Drug Intervention Program of Legazpi was established specifically for the purpose of rehabilitating surrendered drug users.

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OPIN

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The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June-November 2018

EDITORIAL Global Competence To align with the country’s budget calendar and to better engage the global academic community, Bicol University (BU) will be shifting the start of classes from June to August and this will be effective this coming 2019.

The implementation of the free tertiary education caused delays in the reimbursement process thus the proposal for the calendar shift was approved by the Board of Regents (BOR) last November. This is so that the academic year is aligned with the country’s budget calendar, reducing complications with budget planning and management.

In many past discussions regarding the academic calendar shift, the primary argument of those opposed to the change has been the country’s climate which is significantly warmer during the summer seasons.

This brings into question how prepared the university is for this change. There are 15 colleges, institutes, and campuses in BU and there will be a need for structural changes in the facilities that are not yet attuned to hot weather.

Furthermore, several students and alumni have voiced their concerns with the new academic calendar being in conflict with the scheduling of some licensure examinations that take place in June. The graduates who will be taking June examinations usually require the months of April and May to focus on their review.

Being preoccupied with all of their classes and requirements due to their upcoming graduation may compromise their performances in their exams. BU has always prided itself with producing topnotchers and getting high passing rates and in order to maintain that, it must realize the students’ needs and how much the shift could affect them.

In addition to this, the shift also drew flak from concerned individuals regarding the synchronization of the academic calendar with most ASEAN, European, and American universities. They argued that the school calendars must be designed to the convenience of the Filipino students and not to those of foreign students.

It is possible for Higher Education Institutions to be globally competent without having to synchronize with the academic calendars of other countries, some of which follow their country’s own climate.

The requirements of a world-class university, after all, transcend merely copying the calendar of other worldclass universities.

However, in spite of these disadvantages, the university is not in short of justifications to approve the academic calendar shift. It can potentially improve the reimbursement process and increase participation in student and academic staff exchanges. Furthermore, the combined Christmas and semesterly breaks will mean that classes will be continuous throughout the semesters.

The longer gap between high school graduationand the start of classes in August also provides freshmen students an opportunity to apply for scholarships, get a summer job, or more importantly, take bridging classes to better equip them to the course of their choice.

As such, the calendar shift is a welcome change on the path to internationalization. It is only a question as to whether the advantages can outweigh the disadvantages.

Additionally, we must consider the logic behind the traditional June opening of classes in the Philippines. Historically, the rice harvest or the ‘anihan’ is usually done twice a year during the months of May and October hence why semesters begin on June and November because the finances of farming families are better at those times.

There are many students coming from rural areas whose family income is dependent mostly on the harvest and who may encounter difficulties in resources come August. It is important to note that the free education law does not cover all the costs of making it through college.

As a state university, one of the factors that make BU worthy of acclaim is its commitment to making quality education an access to all sectors of society.

The academic calendar shift in BU undoubtedly brings a fair argument to the table. H.G. Wells said it best in his quote, ‘Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature’s inexorable imperative.’ True enough, the university must adapt to the movement of globalization however, it must do this without compromising what the students really need.

There will be many necessary changes to make this shift. In this case, it is imperative that the shift is accompanied by thorough planning and inclusive discourse regarding suggestions from all affected persons to ensure that the quality of service of every individual clientele is consistently observed.

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 10

ALAN SMITHEE Evonrey Latagan

In the medieval age, chivalric codes have put society into peaceful harmony. However, as time passes and the code of conduct is forgotten, that is the day when Alonso Quixano left his village, under the name of “Don Quixote de la Mancha,” to set on an adventure of bringing justice, undoing the wrongs, and reviving chivalry in the world.

Living in a contemporary world, the code of respect is no longer the privilege of many, rather a demand of any dominance to put everything under subordination. Policies, nowadays, are being imposed like fear of getting punished.

On August 17, Bicol Central Academy (BCA), a private school at Libmanan, Camarines Sur, had an event that required the senior high students to be in their business attire. As per instructed of the ‘no-bag policy,’ there were still belongings from students which were then confiscated and worst, torched down in the school quadrangle.

As seen on a viral video on social media, BCA school administrator Alexander James Jaucian was the one who initiated the bag burning. He even called out the students “stupid” for not following instructions.

This sparked an outrage from the netizens. Some Bicol youth groups even denounced the administration of the private school with a signature campaign of Manifesto of Unity.

Moreover, the case of BCA is just one of the manifestations of unkind culture in the education system of our country. It just shows that there’s a poor obser-

vance of the Republic Act No. 7610 or “Special Protection of Child Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.” Regardless of the Child Protection Policy, according to a study on violence against children in the Philippines conducted by the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), 14.3 percent of physical violence usually happened at school, while eight in 10 children and young people have experienced some form

The truth is, young people may sometimes act as irrational.

But what matters the most is that adults and authorities do not turn to irrational means when correcting their manners. of violence in their lifetime at home.

Corporal punishment has become a method of discipline throughout generations. In contrast to Pavlov’s Classical Con-

Elephant in the classroom ditioning, it signals to the child that a way to correct misbehavior is to inflict physical and nonphysical forms of punishment.

According to UNICEF, corporal punishment is a common phenomenon in the daily life of South Asian children, for it is necessary to their upbringing, to facilitate learning, and to instill the discipline.

However, for what’s deemed to be the purpose might be the root source of certain abuse.

According to Dr. Donald Greydanus, a Michigan State University professor of Pediatrics and Human Development, corporal punishment may lead to cases of mental illness. Such punishment also affects the academic performance of a child, increasing the tendency of school avoidance, school drop-out, and other evidence of negative high-risk adolescent behavior.

As Dr. Greydanus stated, it encourages children to resort to violence, as they see their authority figures doing it. Thus, it just creates a vicious cycle of abuse.

Indeed, there’s always a consequence in every choice we make. The students of Bicol Central Academy clearly violated a school policy, but then again, the incident could have ended calmly, if the school officials just evoked rationalization over pride.

If only the private school provided the students the right due process, for one of the students explained that many of them needed to bring bags as they did not live near the campus, had classes in the afternoon,

and also needed a wardrobe change.

No-bag policy is not really a new practice after all. In fact, the University of Arizona has reinstituted this policy since January 2018 as a safety measure that prevents theft and reduces the risk of accidental or intentional harm to students and visitors of the campus.

For safety measures, it is a must to uphold protocols inside a campus. But to prohibit common tools for necessities, a policy shouldn’t disrupt any law that protects the rights of the people.

Hence, there are still alternatives to maintain the safekeeping like maximizing the civil security or simply by bag checking.

Besides, any kind of corporal punishment is violence against children. As human beings, children should also be respected, as they also deserve the right to dignity and bodily integrity.

Instead of punishing their behavior, why don’t we show them the right way? By teaching them how to think, instead of what to think.

The truth is, young people may sometimes act as irrational.

But what matters the most is that adults and authorities do not turn to irrational means when correcting their manners.

When everything is going wrong and corrupted, the hope lies on the youth as future change agents like Don Quixote. For that, it’s the role of the school to nurture and equip them with the most powerful weapon to change the world: education.

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NION

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email us at thebicoluniversitarian@bicol-u.edu.ph

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

VERBATIM Elyssa Kristine Ella

The need to build more public libraries and local museums is a mission echoed by the vital role education plays in nation-building.

It is clear that the Philippine government places much value on education, as is observed through the efforts made to advance the quality of it such as the implementation of the K-12 curriculum, and to make it more accessible such as the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. As Filipinos, we have even sat through sermons from our parents telling us to do well in school and to finish our education for the sake of our future. They pray for their children to be learned individuals, and yet our cities and towns are chock full of malls and shopping centers.

We have this culture of putting education on a pedestal yet fail to commit to bridging all of our youth to the most notable icon of knowledge: books.

In 1994, Republic Act No. 7743 or ‘An Act Providing for the Establishment of Congressional, City and Municipal Libraries and Barangay Reading Centers throughout the Philippines’ was signed into law, mandating the establishment of more public libraries in the local level.

However, records estimated that roughly only 500 functional public libraries exist in towns all over the country, a statistic that contradicts the average Filipino family’s notion of education.

Last year, a survey was released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicating that 1 in 10 Filipino youth aged between 6 and 24 are dropouts. The PSA added that around 53% belong to the bottom 30% of families based on per capita income.

In this situation, either knowledge is going out of fashion or education and access to information are viewed by the poor as a form of luxury—a product that may only be readily available to those who can afford it—and not as a fundamental human right.

We have this culture of putting education on a pedestal yet fail to commit to bridging all of our youth to the most notable icon of knowledge: books. ested in books. However, for a student, a book is often not high on their list of basic necessities and to be able to afford a new one every once in a while, is a luxury not all Filipinos have. The rich are lucky to have the means to buy books and become avid readers but what about the poor?

What about those who can barely afford their school supplies, or pay for their daily commute?

If the government is truly hell-bent on making education a priority, it would certainly be a step in the right direction to encourage more learning by the establishment of public libraries.

Cyrelle Nuñez

We all had our fair share of social media.

We’ve posted, tweeted, shared, and commented countless times. This generation has completely gone mad under the influence of internet. I, too, am guilty of the severity of my social media use.

Even with the slugging 3.7 mbps internet speed here in our country, for three straight years, the Philippines secured the top spot in social media usage. Though transactions and businesses are made easier through the emergence of social media, there is and always will be a counterpart, specifically on the productivity and morality of Filipinos.

The online world has greatly influenced every person who is an active social media user.

That is why, contents of videos, photos, and posts should promote wellness and better understanding among all users. Clearly, the World Wide Web is as diverse and vast like the ocean, and we can all admit to that. Almost everything we need to know is just a keyboard typing away.

Nonetheless, there are pages and accounts that encourage substantive contents. Like raising awareness on important issues like HIV, violence against women and children, and even uplifting the humanity. We can go on a lifetime discussing all the good things that are posted online and the other things made to our advantage.

However, what still bothers me is how hate is exquisitely established online. And this question is bound to get raised.

No one is safe online, security is not guaranteed as well. Let me shed some light to all the hate, absurdity, and the toxicity of unsolicited opinions posted and viewed on the internet.

These social media platforms lack the system through which they can control, mitigate, and block hate speech, swearing, and nonsensical contents.

Everyone has the freedom to access and

IN BLOOM

Knowledge Crisis

What they may not know is that by law, they are entitled to have access to a public library in their neighborhood.

A 2017 Readership Survey by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) shows that an overwhelming majority of Filipinos — 80% of adults, 93% of children — continue to read nonschool books. However, cost is a major factor: about 72% claimed they are willing to spend only up to P199 for a new book.

It can be presumed that Filipinos are inter-

MALIGNANT

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Furthermore, when talking about the accessibility of information, people are sometimes quick to dismiss the importance of libraries because it seems easier to use Google within mere seconds compared to finding the right paperback on a shelf full of hundreds.

In this age of modern technology, almost all educational material has an online counterpart, an electronic equivalent that diminishes the need for scholars to consult books or visit libraries. This ease of access is the main reason why students opt for the Internet for research rather than a book, the main reason why there are so many Internet shops and so few public libraries.

However, the Internet is not always the most reliable resource, particularly for academic research. The poorly regulated dissemination of information renders it vulnerable to fabrications. Almost anyone can make an online post or edit a Wikipedia page if they truly wanted to.

By far, other than the costs of construction and maintenance, there are no notable drawbacks to having public libraries stationed in every municipality and city. In fact, making knowledge and information an accessible commodity—as it should be—can only be advantageous to the country in the long run.

In addition, putting up museums and art galleries promotes the culture and arts of a particular locality, potentially boosting their art programs and providing the youth and even older citizens an avenue for them to take pride in what is their own.

Throughout history, knowledge has been perceived by philosophers, scientists and the geniuses of the world as an essential gateway to success. In effect, it functions as a tool in nationbuilding, gearing the youth of the country towards a path of improvement.

Trend Malfunction

create. With the availability of the internet, anyone can publish pages or accounts, and create posts; there are actually no requirements needed in doing so. It is free to everyone who has the resources. What frightens me is the fact that anyone can generate negativity, hate, and immorality. And it is actually happening now.

More so, there’s no age limit in accessing social media. As a matter of fact, even six-year olds have Facebook accounts and it is only a matter of the usage literacy. And this is both-

It is a mere platform for communicating that failed its sole purpose - to connect. ersome, most especially now that the younger generation is welcomed and overwhelmed with the use of technology.

Social media is not television or the radio, there are no parental warnings or viewer discretions. Not all posts have their rated warning signs, sometimes there are plain captions with swearing that are very defamatory to another.

It is a mere platform for communicating that failed its sole purpose - to connect.

Kudos to the parents who impose control and discipline among their children, but still no one is guaranteed the immunity from the harms of the online world.

Facebook has become an avenue for gossip and fights. Some would even use it as a threat, if you do wrong and happened to mess with an ‘online keyboard warrior’ prepare yourself to trend online. That has become the order of business, rather than settling matters personally and formally, people fight and say mean things online.

On Twitter, as you dive deeper, there is this so called, ‘alterverse’ where people can go discreet through their ‘alter accounts.’ Pornography is hailed in these accounts, I am not condemning this sort, I am worried about the age limit of the audience because there is no such thing as age limit in Twitter. Just a couple of searching and tapping and you are welcomed to this alter world that is not appropriate for younger ages.

Moreover, Youtube has the same problematic issue, it is now bombarded with ‘vloggers’ and ‘influencers.’ There are no such things as interviews and applications to become one, you just need a camera and other stuff to create videos to post on Youtube. A three-year old can just mis-click videos and view violent, horror, or worst, sexual ones.

Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, and all the other social media platforms do not have the system where they can manage everything that is happening under their noses. We can’t say they are responsible for all the negativity online, because people will always find ways to cause toxicity.

Think about the eight-year olds dressing up like the Kardashians, wanting to have the latest apple gadgets yet shrugs off listening to their parents and disobeying house rules.

As the song, Love It If We Made It by The 1975 goes, “modernity has failed us,” we created modernity and it will keep on failing us, if we can’t simply be kind and modest with our intentions.

Neil Simon Echague

Modern Freak Show The rapid rise of meme culture has become the source of entertainment by everyone nowadays. As the Internet evolves, the memes have also become darker in humor, which has become the plague of the modern era; spreading its infestation in social media.

As coined by Biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene, the term “meme” is to describe a theoretical self-replicating unit of cultural transmission that spreads by imitation.

Memes are mostly created in the form of pictures and video clips. It is more often used as an object to ridicule or to point out something politically.

Some public relations, marketing, and advertising professionals have also used meme as a form of marketing strategy to create a viral trend of their products or service.

More than its social influence, ‘memetic marketing’ has become more acceptable to the market as it can relate to its content.

According to We Are Social, a London-based consultancy, Philippines again topped the globe in 2018 in terms of social media usage with 67 million active users.

Hence, social media has become part of the Filipino culture. It is one of the things that shapes the person’s mind and the memes that are posted on it are now becoming a manifestation of what the Filipino youth is turning out to be.

One of which that has been viral is the “taph-taph” meme, where most of Filipinos saw it as something hilarious as it easily became a source of laughter. But behind this

Laughter, as proven and tested, is the best medicine. But, if you habitually laugh at any jokes which are derogatory to any race, gender, age, or social class, you might consider taking some medicine. meme is the story of a person with Down syndrome.

Another that has gone viral is the “tomboy na mataba na naka-Mio” memes, overshadowing people from the LGBTQ+ community. While people find it funny, some lesbian people are now having

existential crisis because of the hate culture that the meme has created.

There are also memes like “Kilala mo ba si (insert letter of the alphabet),” where most netizens find it funny because of the faces in the pictures, some of which are people with physical disabilities. They even tag their friends in the comment section and share it to other people, without even thinking of the consequences of the actions that they are doing.

From the viral memes on social media, it just reflects that there is a poor awareness of the Republic Act No. 10175, otherwise known as the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.” Creating and sharing such negative, harmful, false, or mean contents about someone else online is a form of cyberbullying.

With the prevalence of dark memes shared by individuals on social media, it creates a social reputation in which anyone can be seen as potential subject of online abuse.

Most of the memes here in the country are not even educational. It does not give information that may become relevant to the youth. Instead, it focuses mainly on making fun and trying to ridicule people with physical deformities and disabilities.

Sadly, social media has become an avenue of freak shows where people can’t be dissuaded by their acts because if you did, you’re just a ‘normie’ or a conventional person killing the fun.

Memes are starting to revolutionize the country in an unsettling way. It has become evident that the contagious effect of memes has spread entirely and has slowly infected the Filipino youth. It has tarnished the morals that we have like a disease that devours the minds of the innocence.

Things done to make fun out of other people’s imperfections are not, in any way, a form of entertainment, rather it is by means of stealing their dignity as human beings.

Laughter, as proven and tested, is the best medicine.

But, if you habitually laugh at jokes that are derogatory to any race, gender, age, or social class, you might consider taking some medicine.

Despite of how memes have become toxic, there is still something that can be done. It is by simply understanding the sole purpose and function as to why the memes are created in the first place.

As the future of our nation, the need to step up and teach the essence of it to those who are ignorant of their deeds is a crusade worth starting for. Besides, social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have options for reporting such abuse and the easiest way to stop it is by clicking the report option.

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OPINION

12 The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

INCOGNITO

Usapang Artist

John James Doctolero

Kilala ang mga Pilipino sa kanilang likas na talento at husay pagdating sa larangan ng sining. Sa katunayan, hindi mapagkakaila na marami rin ang nakilalang mga sikat na Pilipino na siyang nagpamalas ng kanilang mga angking galing sa larangang ito, sumikat hindi lamang sa atin, kundi pati na rin sa ibang bansa katulad ni Fernando Amorsolo.

Kasabay sa pag-usbong at pagunlad ng teknolohiya sa ating bansa ay ang unti-unting pagpapamalas natin pagdating sa paglapat ng VFX o mas kilala sa tawag na ‘visual effects’ at ng CGI o ‘Computer-Generated Imagery’ na mga mahahalagang sangkap upang magkaroon ng kaayaayang pelikula. Isa lamang ito sa mga patunay na ang Philippine entertainment industry ay hindi nagpapahuli sa pakikipagsabayan sa mga banyaga at sa teknolohiyang mayroon ang mga ito.

Noon pa man hanggang sa kasalukuyan, patuloy na umaarangkada ang talento at husay ng mga Pilipino pagdating sa pagmamani-obra ng iba’t-ibang genre ng pelikula. Madalas, maliban sa pag-arte at maaksyong istorya ay talaga namang inaabangan din ang kalidad ng paggamit ng visual effects sa bawat eksena.

Kamakailan lamang, naging matunog sa Philippine TV ang primetime fantasy series na “Victor Magtanggol,” na pinagbibidahan ni Alden Richards ng GMA Network.

Marami ang naintriga at natuwa bago pa man ito umere dahil sa kakaiba nitong impresyon sa mga manunuod. Matatandaan din sa isang post ni Alden na siyang gumanap bilang Victor, ito raw ay ‘two levels higher’ at ‘something to look forward

to’ kung maikukumpara sa ibang tele-fantasya.

Ngunit, ito’y tila sumalungat sa kung anong naging kalabasan ng teleserye na umani ng samot-saring batikos matapos umere. Marami ang nadismaya sa ipinakita nitong visual effects. Kabilang na rito ang atungal ng sambayanan na ito raw ay may mababang kalidad na visual effects. Maraming netizen at mga manunuod ang kumuwestyon dito sa pag-aakalang magkakaroon ito ng mala-Hollywood na special effects na siyang maipagmamalaki sana ng ating bansa.

Sa buong kasaysayan ng Philippine Television series, ang ‘Bagani’ ang kasalukuyang may pinakamalaking budget na gumugol nang halos higit kumulang 300 milyong piso, habang pumapangalawa naman ang ‘Encantadia’ na naglaan nang halos 200 milyong piso. Malayo ito kung maihahalintulad sa sikat na fantaserye na Game of Thrones ng HBO na bumitaw ng tumatagingting na 50 to 60 milyong dolyares o 2.5 hanggang 3 bilyong piso.

Kahit ang Bagani na nagwaldas ng malaking halaga ng pera ay masasabing hindi pa rin lubos kaganda ang kalidad ng visual effects. Labis pa rin ang pagitan ng pagnanais na maabot ang mala-Hollywood na kalidad at pamantayan kung tutuusin.

Ayon sa isang post sa Facebook, nagbigay ng pahayag si Direk Boy Bardagol patungkol sa visual effects team ng ating bansa, kung bakit hindi pumapantay ang ating kalidad ng mga pelikula sa Hollywood. Ibinahagi niya rin ang mensahe sa kanya ng isang award-winning visual artist na kung saan ayon dito, ang mga Pili-

pino ay may kakayahang gumawa ng mataas na kalidad ng special effects, ngunit mas pinipili lamang nilang huwag gawin ito para sa kanilang sariling kapakanan.

Nakadepende pa rin sa kung gaano kataas yung presyong ibiniyad ay ganun din ang taas ng kalidad ng visual effects. Sa Hollywood, sa bawat galaw ng effects maraming tao

Nakakalungkot mang isipin na sa lipunang kinagagalawan natin, ang buhay ng isang artist ay nabibigyan ng lubos na pagpapahalaga kung ito ay patay na. ang gumagawa at binabayaran pa ito nang sobra, habang sa ating bansa, kaya lahat gawin ng isang tao na may isang makinarya lamang ngunit hindi pa rin sapat ang kanilang sahod.

Mula sa balita ng Philstar Global, sa Pilipinas, bilang isang pangunahing bansa na tumatanggap ng offshoring businesses, nagbubukas ng mas magandang oportunidad ang mga banyaga para sa mga Fili-

pino artist at nilalagay ang mga ito sa likod ng mga eksena ng mga kilalang Hollywood na pelikula.

Ang mga sikat na blockbuster movies tulad ng Australia, Watchmen, at G.I. Joe ay iilan lamang sa mga pelikula na kung saan ang ilan sa mga gumawa nito ay mga Pilipino, sa tulong ng Hirota Paint Industries, Inc., isang Cebu-based VFX company na pagmamay-ari ng isang Japanese-American artist.

Totoo na sa pagpapagawa ng may commission o bayad, likas na makasarili ang mga artist, sapagkat, para sa kanilang kabuhayan, dugo’t pawis ang itataya nila upang makabuo lamang ng obra maestra.

Nakakalungkot mang isipin na sa lipunang kinagagalawan natin, ang buhay ng isang artist ay nabibigyan ng lubos na pagpapahalaga kung ito ay patay na.

Marapat lamang na mabigyan ng maayos na pagpapahalaga ang mga artists sa Pilipinas. Alinsunod lamang ito sa prinsipyo na ‘production equals value,’ wala sa budget ang problema kundi sa tamang alokasyon nito. Ang potensyal na taas ng kalidad ng effects na manggagaling sa isang artist ay patunay lamang na nababayaran ng tama ang kaniyang talento.

Naglilipana ang mga talentado at mahuhusay na VFX artist sa Pilipinas, ngunit hindi lang nabibigyan ng magandang pribileheyo at tamang trabaho ang mga ito. Hangga’t nabubuhay, nawa’y bigyan ng respeto at halaga ang bawat isa sa kanila.

The Bicol Universitarian

OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF BICOL UNIVERSITY

EDITORIAL BOARD & STAFF AY. 2018-2019 Editor-in-Chief Evonrey Latagan Associate Editor Elyssa Kristine Ella Managing Editor Neil Simon Echague Senior Editor John James Doctolero Arts and Graphics Editor Vince Añonuevo Online Content Editor Bryan Jancito Copy Editor Cyrelle Nuñez Writers Jose Joseph Ongonion, Mary Jane Velasquez, Lea Mae Boringot, Christelle Ong, Denise Marie Flores, Fatima Rozen Mirabueno, Jobert Mercadero, Terrence Fulgar, Leslie Llovit Layout Artist Joshua Codorniz, Joshua Moca Cartoonists Ma. Rani Lachmi Dado, Angeli Marie Llaneta, Daryl Millena, Karen Claire Imperial Photojournalists Austine Dominic Bellen, Francis Jhan Rojas, Roma Joy Padre, Darlene Rogero Videojournalists Lynn Oliquino, Nelson Villaflor, Ariel Satparam Public Relations Staff Trisha Kayle Frivaldo, Jessie Hermida, Mary Joy Peñaflor, Justine Mirandilla, Krisna Villamor, Jona Bagayawa Webmasters James Andrew Co, Joshua del Puso Technical Adviser Felipe Jose Peralta

THE BICOL UNIVERSITARIAN

is located at the 2/F Bicol University College of Arts & Letters, Legazpi City

FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2nd Semester , A.Y. 2016-2017

CASH INFLOW 2nd Sem Collection

P221,072.00

(AY 2016-2017)

Remaining Cash

P149,195.94

(1st sem AY 2015-2016)

Bank Interest Total Cash Inflow

FROM THE DESK

THIS SPACE

is open for complaints, concerns, and grievances.

Submit your articles at facebook.com/ thebicoluniversitarian or e-mail us at thebicoluniversitarian @bicol-u. edu.ph Please don’t forget to identify your name.

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 12

With the start of academic year 2018-2019, there have been a lot of changes brought to Bicol University since the implementation of RA 10931 known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. These are indeed the glory days for students who will no longer pay higher bills for tuition and miscellaneous fees to become bona fide. From the Implementing Rules and Regulations launched by the Commission on Higher Education, 112 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) including Bicol University are now funded by the government, thus the mandate of no collection policy.

From the prescribed 13 fees to be subsidized by the CHEDUnified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), the twelve pesos (P12.00) publication fee of the Bicol Universitarian, commonly known as Unibê, has been included as the only recognized student publication billed by the university.

This alarmed some college publications by the fact that they are not recognized as student publications and will no longer collect such publication fees that

would fund their operating and printing expenses. Some measures have been considered just to find a means to an end, as passing a resolution urging the BU Administration through the Administrative Council to standardize the existing college publication fee to seventy two pesos (P12.00 for Unibe; P60.00 for the existing college publication) per semester.

However, it was later voided by the CHED-UniFAST as it might cause billing discrepancy among other SUCs. Hence, the question lies now on the college publications whether they will exist or not.

Meanwhile, similar to the case of college pubs, The Bicol Universitarian has nothing to lose but to uphold the campus journalism no matter what it takes. Even though the budget release of CHED-UniFAST is still in process, that did not discourage the publication to produce wall news posts and tabloid issue the first semester.

In compromising with the change, Unibê is now on its final phase of developing a website and will be launching it sooner for the easy access of information. In connection, the publication is also taking advantage of social media plat-

P19.82 P370,287.76

CASH OUTFLOW RTSPC

forms by posting constant news updates as well as featuring stories around Bicol University with twominute episodes of ‘BUdocs’ on the official Facebook page.

The fading existence of campus press freedom brought by the deprivation to collect fees from the students is a truth that every BUeño must be aware of. Above and beyond, the hope lies upon the responsiveness of the students to support campus press either joining their pubs, donating money, or just simply reading and sharing any published print issues.

Withstanding the test of time, the Bicol Universitarian is sincerely dedicated on fulfilling its duties as a university student publication, guided by its mantra of fairness, accuracy, and genuine student service. Having difficult times does not mean it is the end of our press freedom, rather it is just a start of a revolution that we’re all in this together.

P49,000.00

Digital Printing

P5,775.00

RAYTERISTA 9

P148,545.49

LHEPC

P57,267.00

HARAPAN 2017

P6,300.00

Editorial Board Screening

P1,444.40

Office Equipment and

P427,12

Supplies Press Work Expenses

P600.00

Transportation Expenses

P1,185.00

Operational Expenses

P3,600.00

Total Cash Outflow

P274,644.01

CASH INFLOW

P370,287.76

CASH OUTFLOW

P274,644.01

Remaining Cash

P95,643.75

(as of 3/28/2018)

Prepared by: (SGD.) CASANDRA BALALA

Managing Editor

EVONREY M. LATAGAN

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF A.Y. 2018-2019

Noted: (SGD.) PROF. FELIPE JOSE PERALTA Technical Adviser

1/10/19 11:43 AM

LITERARY

13

The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

Mandaranggit Lea Mae Boringot

Byahe

‘Sing tamis ng pulut-pukyutan kung makangiti sa’yong harapan, Tila bubuyog namang mangagat ‘pag kayo’y nagkatalikuran.

Panay ang bulung-bulungan, Hindi naman kayang humarap ng diretsahan.

John James Doctolero

Nakasakay ka na ba sa biyaheng binabaybay Ang kahabaan ng masalimuot nating sistema’t kasaysayan?

Biyaheng punung-puno ng lason At ang lason ay dumadaloy sa dugo ng ating kababayan.

Linalanghap ang hangin sa alapaap Ng lipunang may epidemyang lumalaganap.

Ito ang byahe ni Juan, sasakay ka na ba?

Pupunta sa ruta na hindi kabisa, Mabisa raw kasi ang mga salitang “pwede na.”

Kaya lang din namang gawin pero ba’t puro, “Mamaya na?”

Pagkatapos isisisi sa iba, Magbabaybay at magdurusa, “Bahala na si Batman,” ‘yan ang sabi mo ‘di ba?

Ito ang biyahe ni Juan, sasakay ka ba?

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Panatang makabayan, iniibig ko ang ibang bansa Ganyan mo sasabihin ang mga kataga.

Labis na ipinagmamalaki ang katagang, “Pinoy ako!”

Kung nilalason mo lang din naman sa kilos at salita.

Habang naglalakbay sa sistemang sanay Kapag may nagpapakamatay, sa wari’y agaw atensyon.

Mabuhay! Ito ang bansang ‘di kilala ang salitang depresyon.

Ito ang byahe ni Juan, sasakay ka pa ba?

Bitbit ang ugaling nakasanayan Sa lipunang nakakalimutan ang kasarinlan.

Ito ang paglalakbay na siwalat ang maruming hiwaga.

Liwanag at dilim ang siyang nag-alaga.

Tinahak ang Timog hanggang Hilaga.

Hindi hihinto ang biyaheng ito, kung hindi ka bababa.

Tao ngang naturingan, tao rin bang nakaugalian?

Sa lakas ng pang-amoy at talas ng mga mata, Dapat na mag-ingat ka ‘pagkat sa isang sulyap lang, Talambuhay mo’y itinahol na.

Humanda kang mahusgahan!

Alamin kung sinong peke sa tunay.

Sapagkat, sa lipunang may makitid na daan, Dapat matutong maglakad ng pahapay-hapay.

Sa ganitong sitwasyon, Paano aahon?

Kung ang utak ay nalulunod Sa dagat ng paninibugho’t ambisyon.

Ang kaugaliang napuno ng langaw Na nasilo sa sapot ng gagamba, Paano pa lilinisin Kung ito’y nakabaon na?

Matatalo ba ng sinag ng araw ang dilim ng nakaraan, Kung walang tuto sa talinghagang iniwan ng kasaysayan?

Makakaya bang hugasan ng ulan ang madungis na salamin, Upang kapintasan sa sarili’y maamin?

Self Obsession Neil Simon Echague

Every time I close my eyes, I see myself in front of me Reminding myself what I’m becoming to be Always looking straight into my eye And keeps on asking me questionsof why?

Why have I become like this A person so cold, someone so selfish?

All I could think about now is myself I really don’t know, I really don’t care.

Why do I disregard everyone else?

Is it because I want everything else?

All of my desires, I want it to be mine All of the things, everything on the line.

Why did I stop looking up to people?

Like everybody else I could step on like a pebble.

Is it because I could only see myself?

Without you or anyone else.

Why do I always want it to be me?

I and only I is all I can see.

If there’s zero for me, there should be zero for you If I have nothing, there’s nothing for you too.

All of these thoughts that I have deep inside Is overflowing, but I really don’t mind.

Because everything else is for me and nothing for you If I really can’t have it, neither can you.

Illustration by John James Doctolero and Angeli Marie Llaneta

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 13

1/10/19 11:43 AM

FEATURE

14 The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

By Jobert Mercadero Illustration by Rani Dado

After all, Filipinos craving for the BOL ask for peace. If this happens, possibly, there will be no reason for war, no victims innocently killed and no one will be afraid of the rumbling of bullets and bombs

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 14

She only hoped to have a joyful life with her family in Mindanao.

A life that denies the cruelty of war.

But that turned into one of the most painful experiences she has ever encountered. It was a gruesome realization of social injustice and inequity, and how it tramples your dignity and humanity.

Frustrated. Fluttered. And frightened. These are the feelings that unfortunately embraced her peaceful living as a Marawi siege crossed their lives last year. She is Mariam MaunanUsop—a civilian, an innocent, and a victim of the clash between the Maute group and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Undeniably, same with all Filipinos, she only wished to live a life without the rumbling sounds of bullets and bombs. Sad to say, she heard the bursts of guns and fire engines.

She witnessed the fighting of two parties as the munitions became unstoppable. The sky filled with disgusting fireworks. She witnessed Marawi City being torn little by little. The buildings collapsed while some were left standing yet already porous from the bullets and bombs.

The environment was already in the extreme. It was covered in dust and dark smokes that came out from the piping muzzles.

It was a tragedy on the part of the victims for they can’t even sleep at night, engulfed in a nightmare. This nightmare went on as she wakes up in the morning. The roaring of bullets and bombs continued to go on from sunrise to sunset and then sunset to sunrise.

Usop felt hopeless but they had strong faith and prayed for protection. She asked to bring this cruelty to an end. Fortunately, after five months, the violence of war finished as two brothers, Omar and Abdullah Maute, were

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

killed by the AFP. She realized the war hadended.

They started a new beginning as they fled their devastated home in Marawito live in the Moro Islamic Liberation Front(MILF) compoundnear Liguasan Marsh.

Their home with a small store sits in the middle of a resource—rich marshlands in Central Mindanao that is also a stronghold of the island’s largest Muslim armed group, the MILF. Although the government declared an end to the Marawi siege, clashes with the island’s militants continued in places like Liguasan Marsh where Usop family migrated.

Now, it was again a simulation of their horrible experience in their former homeland.

Liguasan Marsh which is a large swathe of mud, water, sandbars and lands, covers an area of 220,000 hectares that straddles the territories of South Cotabato, Maguindanao and North Cotabato. The land is very fertile for planting crops which makes it inviting for civilian occupation. It planted one of the best variety of corn and rice in the country.

Unfortunately, Liguasan Marsh was actually becoming the hub of bomb experts of another militant group, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). This became the primary source of improvised explosive devicesthat served as their weapons in their fight for their autonomy.

Of course, the government

took their moves to exterminate these bomb makers. That is why, unexpectedly, at the start of June 2018, Usop’s family seemed to have a rewind of the Marawi siege. The sullen image of war occupied their teary eyes. They witnessed the weaving of militants through canals on narrow canoes, speeding by patches of mangroves. The ghastly battle between BIFF and government soldiers rained upon civilians.

But after how many days, the Liguasan Marsh siege ended with the death toll from the continued military operation spanning North Cotabato and Maguindanoreaching 24 deaths—23 BIFF gunmen and one government soldier.

Usop’s family and other victims are the product of social injustice.

The poverty that war has created is a social injustice. Though Mindanao is believed to be rich in untapped mineral deposits and natural gas reserves, poverty rates in Moro Muslim areas hover over 50 percent, more than double of the national average, according to government statistics.

To resolve these problems, after several years of bloodshed, President Rodrigo Duterte is now on the cusp of signing the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), implementing the peace accord and granting greater autonomy and fiscal powers to a Moro Muslim homeland in Mindanao. This is actually what militants’ aggressiveness is all about—to attain a self-governing region.

However, local activists, displaced civilians, the MILF, and other mil-

itant groups warn of more violence to come. They hope for peace but brace for war. They said that further missteps in the peace process will only fuel extremism.

“When people are frustrated and the frustration is extreme, then people will go to extreme measures,” a senior member of MILF said.

After all, Filipinos craving for the BOL ask for peace. If this happens, possibly, there will be no reason for war, no victims innocently killed and no one will be afraid of the rumbling of bullets and bombs.

“We are already tired of moving from one place to another. I don’t think we can survive another displacement,” Usop said.

People are now worried should the government continue to fight these militants. Besides, war is always useless. It only brings deaths and these terrible stories of the victims should shake us to the core so that no one wakes up in the same story of Usop.

Now, Filipinos, young and adult, educated or uneducated, professionals or not, and even the students trying to build a better life for their future, are asking for love to win and not the piping muzzles reign!

1/10/19 11:43 AM

NEWS

15

The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

‘Biggest convention centre among SUCs’ to rise in 2021

By Lea Mae Boringot and Justine Mirandilla In 2021, Bicol University Convention and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center (BUCDRRMC) will rise, making itself the biggest convention centre in the country as far as all the State University and Colleges (SUCs) are concerned.

On August 10, 2018 the ground breaking ceremonies for the BUCDRRMC facility took place at Sitio Olag just inside the university Main Campus.

“You deserve nothing less but the best,” University President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas stated on his message before the actual groundbreaking ceremony started.

On the other hand, in an interview with Ako Bicol (AKB) partylist representative, Cong. Rodel Batocabe, he explained that the BUCDRRMC is a 100 meters in length and a 7,000 sitter convention centre.

“That is the biggest convention centre in the Bicol region, the biggest convention centre among State University and Colleges and the first

of its king among the SUCs,” he emphasized.

At present, there is already a P400 million allocated budget for the BUCDRRMC which is only a part of the P750 M total amount of investment for the said infrastructure.

Moreover, there would be a P250 M which will be an additional budget for this site development in BU that will include a road network connecting the university to the Bicol International Airport, drainages, sidewalks and bicycle lanes.

With this – a total of P1 billion allotted budget for this new site development in Bicol University, Batocabe affirmed that, “It will dwarf all the investments here in Bicol University.”

When asked about the purpose of the BUCDRRMC, he explained that it will serve as the “centre for all academic professional conventions not only national but internationally.”

Therewith, Mascariñas sees this latest innovation in Bicol University to pave way for new opportunities for both the students and the university itself.

INITIAL MOVE. The groundbreaking ceremony of the Bicol University Food Hall spearheaded by Albay 2nd District Congressman Joey Salceda and BU President Arnulfo Mascarinas along with the board of regents of the University on September 28, 2018 at the left side of the Albay Sports and Tourism Complex. (Photo by Lynn Oliquino)

Hataw kicks off 49th BU week

By Krisna Villamor and Jose Joseph Ongonion

After a two-year gap, the tradi¬tional ‘Hataw’ was performed once again by the freshmen students of Bicol University (BU) during the 49th BU founding anniversary.

Rain or shine, an estimate of 4,000 students coming from 10 colleges and institutes of BU together with the Senior High School Department danced vigorously along with the opening program at Albay Sports Com-plex.

Having a month-long preparation, the choreography was based from the collaboration of different figures from several in¬structors and professors of the Institute of Physical Education Sports and Recreation (IPESR).

“Sinabay namin sa P.E. class ang practice. Halimbawa, one hour na practice sa Hataw and then one hour sa PE lesson,” Robert Madraso, an instructor of IPESR said.

Madraso also said that he was satisfied by the performance of the freshmen in this year’s Hataw.

On the other hand, College of Arts and Letters

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 15

College Student Council President Vince Claudio stated that ‘Hataw’ this year seemed more extravagant compared to the previous performance in 2015.

“Alam mo yung pinaghandaan talaga kasi, ‘di ba sabi nila kanina na nagbabalik ang Hataw, so grabe yung preparation nila like alam ko na ginawa ng mga IPESR teachers natin na turuan nang mabuti ang ating mga freshmen students,” Claudio added.

ALMOST PERFECT The newly designed P.E. uniforms that were supposed to be issued days before the performance failed to be distributed on time. “’Yun kasi, ang naging problema doon ay ‘yung nagtahi ng uniform, actually nga nagalit na din ang director namin kasi kahit di pa natatapos ang mga tinatahi, may mga binibigay na sila na date kung kelan sila magrerelease,” Madraso said.

Meanwhile, the students wore white shirts and black shorts as the alternative attire for PE uniforms.

“Sabi ko sa mga students ko, ‘wag na tayo mastress sa PE uniform na

‘yan, gamit na lang tayo ng white shirt at black shorts kasi hindi naman lahat nabigyan,” Madraso added.

In view of the delayed distribution of the P.E. uniforms, CAL CSC President Claudio said that he cannot blame the IPESR personnel for the said conflict.

Claudio further stated that, as a council officer, he would not take the risk of having debts to a company in order to have a unified uniform for the students’ performance.

“Since kami nagpapaT-shirt din kami maraming kino-consider ‘yan eh, unang-una ayaw mong magka-utang sa distributor or sa pinagawan mo,” Claudio said.

Despite the lapse in the distribution of P.E. uniforms, students still lauded the performance in general.

“I think Hataw 2018 was another successful endeavor of BU. It was to show us how united every student of each course in BU was. What we wear was not important, it was what we feel,” Nomer Marco, a BS Chemistry student, said.

HATAW! A flock of freshmen performing the Hataw as it kicks start the opening of 49th Bicol University Foundation Week at Albay Sports and Tourism Complex.

(Photo by Roma Joy Padre)

1/10/19 11:43 AM

16 The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018 Maraming ganap sa loob ng ating pamantasan nitong mga nakaraang buwan. May mga bagong mukha; mga bagong pasilidad at proyekto; at mga makabagong sistema ng kalakaran sa loob ng unibersidad.

Ika nga, “change has come” na sa BU. Full implementation na ng ‘free education law.’ Syempre, isa ako sa mga natuwa sa pagpapatupad nito, dahil wala nang ‘tuition fees’ pati na rin miscellaneous. Dahil dito, mahahalatang mayayaman na ang mga kaklase mo sa high-end nilang cellphones, laptops, at pati makeups ng mga bakla, nagmukhang laptop na rin ‘yung lalagayan.

Ngunit, kaakibat din ng free tuition na ‘to ay ang mas lalong nakakatigang na student service ng unibersidad. Nagkukulang na ang pondo ng mga orgs at pubs, dahilan para mas lalong bumaba ang kalidad. Ulitin ko, mas lalong bumaba ‘yung kalidad ng mga events dahil wala nang collection.

Hindi lang siguro ako ang natuwa sa takbo ng mga pangyayari sa BU sa unang semestre. Pati na rin siguro ang mga security guards natin na walang habas ang pagkitil sa mga estudyanteng naka-ripped jeans at walang ID o CORs. Minsan may narinig ako sa Gate 5. “Eh sa wala ngang picture ‘yang ID mo. Asan ka diyan?!” sigaw ni Kuya Guard.

Kung makikita mo sa malayo, wala nga naman talagang laman.

Pero kung tititigan mo nang mabuti, mare-realize mong may pagka-racist din si Kuya.

Meron ka namang maaaninag na mukha, may kadiliman nga lang. Hanggang sa inilibas na ni Ate Girl ang flashlight niya mula sa kanyang bag. “Ayan po oh!

Ayan! Brownout po kasi nung nag-pictorial lahat ng estudyante sa OSAS!” Kaya naman pala, si APEC talaga!

Saaking paglalakad papuntang Gracianas sa CS, naalala ko ‘yung BU week, kung saan ang Hataw ay muling nagbalik!

Wait, ba’t ganto?! Bakit may mga pa-confetti at may pa-drone pa?

Bakit nung samin, wala? Pero in fairness, halatang napaghandaan talaga ang pagbabalik nito.

Bagama’t nakakalungkot at nawala ang pep squad, napalitan naman ito ng mass demo.

Speaking of pagpapapalit, may

KOMIKS

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 16

bagong PE uniform nang nirelease na parang pang-grade school ‘yung dating. Maganda naman siya. Ewan! Sadyang malayo nga lang siguro sa nakasanayan kong PE uniform na hindi labas-tuhod.

Naging maganda ang takbo ng BU week ngayon. Pero mas maganda siguro na gawing exciting ang lahat, hindi yung sa first day lang masaya. Hugot mga par! Basta kinukulang sila sa connection between student body, ‘lam mo ‘yun? Sabagay, sila-sila nga eh nagkaproblema sa koneksyon na ‘yan, kasi balita ko grabe ang miscommunication at misinformation during BU week. Hindi ko sinasabing USC ‘to pero parang ganun na nga.

Halatang naging mainit ang labanan ng bawat kolehiyo, dahil matagal-tagal bago nagkaroon ng awarding ceremony.

Wow! Grabeng deliberasyon sigurong naganap! At dahil paperless na tayo, sa Facebook na lang nila inabangan ‘yung results. Congrats sa flood-likes and reacts!

Balita ko next year maraming bagong magaganap sa BU. Natupad na rin ang pagpapalit ng academic calendar para umangkop sa vision natin na “worldclass university.” Bago na rin ang sistema ng pag-enroll. Kung dati, tatawid ka pa ng Mt. Everest para makapag-enroll, ngayon hindi na! Hindi ka na pipila, pero kailangan mo munang mag-open ng maraming domain sites para makapag-access.

Amazing!

At ‘eto pa, sa kabila ng pagkawala ng matrikula, patuloy pa rin ang pagdagsa ng mga proyekto na nilalaan ng kung sinumang mahabaging puso para sa BU, katulad na lang ng nasabing ‘pinakamalaking convention center sa rehiyon,’ ang BU Convention and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center.

S a susunod na taon din, may

ENTERTAINMENT

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

CHANGE HAS COME Ni Ishmael Pamintuan

Dibuho ni Karen Claire Imperial

Kabanata V:

Ang nalalapit na pagtatapos

bago nang gusali ang CAL dahil gagawin na raw na ‘administrative building’ ang MultiPurpose Building. Meaning, lahat ng opisina ng registrar, cashier, accounting offices, etc. ng Main Campus ay nandun na sa MP building. Sabi dito na raw ‘yung Law School next year. May nagsabi na magiging Heritage Park. Ewan! Kaya nga siguro tinawag na MultiPurpose Building. Buti na lang ‘di tinawag na BU International House hehe.

Hays, kay bilis ng mga pangyayari. Ilang buwan nalang ay Marso na, meaning may isang batch na naman na magmamartsa at pipila ng pagkatagal-tagal para lang masungkit ang diplomang kanilang pinaghirapan sa loob ng apat o limang taon na pamamalagi sa BU. Kung kalbaryo sa kanila ang apat na taon, pwes kalbaryo rin ang limang oras na seremonyang ito ng kanilang pagtatapos.

Naalala ko last year, isa sa mga naging trending sa social media ‘yung pagreklamo ng mga seniors nung pili lang ang makakasuot ng Alampay.

Ngayon kung saan lahat ng ga-graduate ay makaka-avail nito dahil sapat na ‘yung supplies, nagrereklamo naman sa presyo. Kaloka talaga ang mga BUeño. Kayo kaya mamitas ng pinya at gawin itong tela tas burdahan pa ng Baybayin characters tapos…basta 1200 pesos, ‘yun na ‘yun. Ang importante ‘pag pinost mo sa Facebook, sabihin mong sa pinya gawa ‘yan, saka mo na isunod ‘yung history ng pamilya mo at mala-MMK mong graduation post.

Speaking of Facebook, shoutout nga pala sa umuusbong na Bicol University Self-Confession page.

Lupet ng pangalan natin ahh. Buti hindi na BU Secret Files ‘di ba? At least, ‘di halatang 100% ginaya.

Magpi-pm din ako minsan at idedescribe ko

na rin kung sino si crush at kung saang college siya. Abangan mga ka-BUSC! Kaya sumagi sa isip ko ang graduation na ‘yan, nandito pala ako malapit sa Sports Complex.

Medyo mainit na rin dito kaya naisipan kong maglakad na pauwi. Sa daan ay na-appreciate ko ang ganda ng itinatayong University Library. Malawak ito at maganda ang pagkakadisenyo sa labas. Nakakatuwa rin na may itatayong Food Hall sa katabi nito.

Kaunting hakbang na lang ay palabas na sana ako ng CE nang matanaw ko ang isang napakagandang nilalang. Biglang tumigil ang mundo ko, para bang lahat ay naka-slow-mo. Para siyang anghel na bumagsak sa lupa upang pagpiyestahan ng mga bakla.

Unti-unting gumalaw ang kanyang mapupulang labi; sumilay ang makalaglag-obaryong ngiti; at lumabas ang mga ngiping kasimputi ng Perlas ng Silanganan. Nakikita kong palapit nang palapit na siya nang maramdaman kong lumalakas ang vibrato sa loob ng aking bag.

WHAT?! Huwag ngayon! Labag man sa loob ko ngunit dali-dali akong naghanap ng palikuran.

Mamasa-masa nang mailabas ko ang mahiwagang ballpen, pumutok na pala. Habang pinagmamasdan ko ang paglabas ng likido nito, naalala ko na naman ang pangyayari kanina. Gusto ko siyang makilala, ngunit ika nga ay ‘Call of Duty.’ Hindi ko maaaring ipagpalit ang responsibilidad ko sa paghawak nitong ballpen.

Sa aking pagtataka kung ano namang premonition sa BU ang ipinapahiwatig ng mahiwagang ballpen, bigla akong may narinig…”KRRRIIIK”.

Habang hawak ko ang ballpen, biglang bumukas ang pinto nang may lalaking pumasok tapos...WHAAAT?! ‘Yung lalaki!

Oh Thanos, mga kupal na sekyu, at anupamang kontrabida sa mundo, kunin niyo na ako! Nakita niya na ang malagim kong pagkatao. Wala na, finish na!

Paano ko ie-explain? Dapat sweet music ang mga gantong eksena, pero bakit ‘Directed by Robert B. Weide’ ang sound effects na naririnig ko?

Itutuloy…

ni Neil Simon Echague

1/10/19 11:43 AM

ENTERTAINMENT

17

The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

Etiquette for

“FRESHMEN” ni Bitter Ocampo, Dibuho ni Neil Simon Echague

Sabi sa akin ng nanay ko, college is the turning point of your life. Heto kasi yung pagtatapos ng maliligayang araw ng pagiging bata at simula ng pagseseryoso mo sa buhay.

Minsan din akong napagsabihan ng payo ng magulang ko na: “Anak, pagbutihan mo pag-aaral mo kasi ikaw ang pag-asa ng pamilyang ito.” Ang saya diba?

Ginawa ba naman tayong human investment at wi-withdrawhan na lang anytime in the future.

Anyway, nalalapit na naman ang pasukan. Madami na naman akong nakitang mga bagong pagmumukha, may mga gwapo’t magaganda, pero yung iba para na akong masusuka. Pagmasdan natin ang mga so-called 'freshmen' na third year na dapat kung ‘di lang na-traffic sa K to 12 na 'yan.

Yes, aking tatalakayin ang iba't ibang uri ng freshmen dito sa Bicol University, at ikaw na bahala kung feeling mo nasasaktan ka na, palamig ka muna.

BIDA KA, KID Paparapapa, love ko – ayy mali, iba pala 'yun. Laganap ngayon sa campus at sa bawat classroom ang mga freshman na dinaig pa ang pagiging pabibo ni Jollibee. Sila yung kulang nalang palitan yung trabaho ni Jollibee. Eto yung mga freshman na hindi nagsasawang magtanong sa mga prof nila kung ano 'to? Ano 'yan? Paano 'to?

Pa'no 'yan?

Sila 'yung mga self-centred na labis na nagnanais ng spotlight.

'Yung mga tipong sampung beses sila mag-recite sa isang araw, sakit na sa ears! Kung nakaka-relate ka, malaki ang chance na isa ka sa mga Jollibee wannabe. Super competitive ka, kaya trying hard ka mag-excel on everything. Wala namang masama maging bidabida sa klase o sa ano mang bagay, sana lamang ay bawasan ninyo ang pagka-show-off niyo. Nakakarindi kayo promise!

THE CABINET MEMBERS Gobyerno: Classroom Edition.

KOMIKS

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'Eto yung mga 'student-trapo' in the making with their mala-teleseryeng linya na “guys, respeto naman!”

They’re trying to keep everything well-rounded to the point na halos lahat galit sa kanila.

OOPS! Sino ba naman ang hindi magagalit kung binabara nila mga trip niyong magbabarkada? Like nakaka-ogag, brodie. “Guys, respeto naman!” your face!

Usually, binubuo ito ng presidenteng laging hinihingi ang atensyon ng sambayanan, 'yung kunwari ayaw pa niya pero gustung-gusto naman ma-elect, papilit ang tanga. Vice-President naman 'yung mga hindi alam kung para saan ba talaga sila. Secretary, 'yung napaniwalang maganda ang sulat niya. 'Yung mga treasurer ay 'yung walang makupit kasi walang nagbabayad sa kanila, katiwa-tiwala nga ba? Nandiyan din 'yung auditor na wala naman ma-audit kasi 'di naman talaga marunong kung pa'no. PIO na na-elect lang kasi it’s either maboka si baks or pabibo lang talaga, usually mayaman sa load. Mga business manager na magjowa, kininam na relationship goals yan.

Peace officers na napagtripan lang ng barkada nila. At paminsan, may muse and escort na either pinakamaganda at gwapo, o pinakapangit naman talaga.

Kung ganyan 'din naman ang mahahalal bilang mga student-trapo, isa lang ang masasabi ko, “GUYS, RESPETO NAMAN!”.

pa yan. Simply, alam mo kasi ang lahat “kuno”. Pero at least, friendly ka. Yung iba dito feeling nila kaya nilang sagutin lahat ng questions ng universe. They tend to look at every subject as if kayangkaya nila, pero in reality nga-nga.

Nagmamagaling.

But hey, hindi ko naman pinapamukhang masama 'yun, push lang. Baka sariling style mo 'yan para matuto ng mga bagay-bagay.

Wag mo gawing always, magiging selfish ka n'yan. Pero most of the time nilalayuan sila kasi napakatoxic ng mga taong ganito, bigla ka na lang papangaralan about sa isang bagay na alam mo naman talaga. "HINDI MO KINATALINO ANG PAG I-ENGLISH MO".

Matuto kang makiramdam boi!

SADBOI & SADGURL 123 One thing, depression is not a joke. Ayon kay pareng Google, “depression is a medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act”. Oh, gets mo? Medical illness daw mga bessywaps. Hindi yung porket pinalo ka ng nanay mo or nakipagbreak ang pinakamamahal na boypren/ girlpren mo ay 'feeling

Pero ito, regardless kung anong uri ng freshie ka, ikaw pa rin ang magdedesisyon ng mangyayari sa buhay mo, ‘di ba?

depressed' ka na. Sinasabing nakakapagpa-trigger din ng depresyon ang paggamit ng 2 o higit pang social media sites, kaya go lang nang go! 'Wag mo kasi gawing daily journal ang social media fren. Humihingi sila ng simpatya sa madla, pero kapag nakipag balikan ang jowa nila, eh okay na ulit sila. May times din na suicidal kuno sila.

Pero hey, hindi ko intensyon na maliitin yung may mga depression talaga. Naranasan ko na rin kasi 'to dati. Hindi laro ang depression na pwede mong salihan kapag want mo lang. Grow up!

Kung iniisip mo na isa ka sa mga nabanggit, well baka tama ka. Wag na tayong magmalinis, because in one way or another, minsan din itong naging parte ng ating buhay.

What matters the most is the 'journey-type' mindset ng mga isip natin. “JOB READY?” No! Nagsayang lamang kayo ng oras at pera, third year na sana kayo ngayon.

Pero ito, regardless kung anong uri ng freshie ka, ikaw pa rin ang magdedesisyon ng mangyayari sa buhay mo, 'di ba?

DAMING MONG ALAM It’s you, bes! Yes, ikaw na talaga lalong lalo kung included sa traits mo ang maki-osyoso, mapa-freshmen man o seniors

ni Angeli Marie Llaneta

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NEWS

18 The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

CS welcomes 40 met pioneers

By Cyrelle A. Nuñez

Pioneers of Bicol University College of Science (CS) Bachelor of Science in Meteorology are now kicking off their first year in the university and thriving like other courses.

“They are taken cared off in the department of Physics. They’re only 40 in the first batch and hopefully by next school year another 40 will be accepted again as meteorology students,” Prof. Jocelyn E. Serrano, CS Dean stated.

During the formulation of the curriculum, the Commission on Higher Education primarily requires 35 students per class. But since BU admin ordered to accept five more students in each course, all blocks per

course admitted 40 deserving students including BS Meteorology.

The BS Met class is housed in a newly renovated laboratory that used to be lecture rooms. It was recently turned over by the contractor to the college as construction took six months to finish, located at the CS Building 4.

The university also provided equipment that the students primarily need. Since, the course requires massive gathering of data, there are 35 laptops and hard drives to store large amount of data.

“The initial procurement of equipment that they need such as laptops and hard drive, which they only need to gather and store data large bytes from the satellites,” Prof. Ser-

rano cleared.

Moreover, a weather station is going to be purchased by the university soon, since it is one of the basic equipment that the course needed.

“Weather station should be purchased immediately because as their year level goes up the ladder, they will badly need that and [it will have] noninterrupted power supply and a very fast Internet,” Serrano added.

As the planning and implementation stage of the newly offered course in 2016-2017, the faculty was obtained from different academic areas but solely related to meteorology.

The chosen faculty members who have background in teaching related subjects were sent to the University of the Philippines Institute of

They are taken cared off in the department of Physics. They’re only 40 in the first batch and hopefully by next school year another 40 will be accepted again as meteorology students PROF. JOCELYN SERRANO Dean, College of Science

Environmental Science and Meteorology.

“What we did is to train faculty members who have the background like Agricultural Engineering faculty members. We have [also] Com Sci faculty members, Physics, Computer Engineers because meteorology basically deals with data so knowledge on computer programming, and data analytics is a must and also Math faculty, so they were trained in UP Diliman,” the BUCS dean affirmed.

Furthermore, the dean believes that when it comes to challenges, BS Meteorology will be facing the same trials with other courses in CS.

BU participates 2018 PACSA Mindanao Midyear Convention

By Mary Jane Velasquez

Eight student leaders from Bicol University (BU) on July 18-22 attended the Philippine Association of Campus Student Advisers (PACSA) Mindanao Midyear Conference held at Eden Nature Park and Resort, Davao City.

University Student Council Chairperson Brian Mitchel Dela Rama participated the annual event along with the BU delegates – Kurt Kelvin Borsigue and Jason Rafael San Andres from College of Nursing; Nielvin Llagas and Kimberly Mae Corpuz from Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation; and Julius Edna from Gubat Campus.

The participants were accompanied by Dr. Evelyn Oliquino from Office of the

Student Affairs and Services (OSAS) and Dr. Greg Olayres from Gubat Campus as campus student advisers.

Moreover, the 39th PACSA National Convention was attended by almost 120 delegates composed of campus advisers and student leaders from all over the country.

With the theme, “Think, Feel and Act on P.E.A.C.E: People, Economics, Academics, Culture and Environment”, the participants have witnessed a series of forum in the field of Student Services, Student Advising, Student Leadership and Governance, and Community Development.

In line with the event is the 23rd year for Philippine Association of Campus Student Leaders (PACSL) as Bri-

an Dela Rama was recently elected as the PACSL chairman.

According to Dela Rama, they also went there for a meeting to be informed ahead of time that BU is the host of PACSA Luzon Midyear Conference on August 30, 31, and September 1 at Casa Lorenzo Hotel and Restaurant, Tagas, Daraga, Albay.

It will be headed by the OSAS Dean Dr. Babyboy Benjamin Nebres III, the President of PACSA Luzon.

This year, the 2nd PACSA International Conference is inviting more student leaders and advisers from other countries which will be held in Teachers Camp, Baguio City on November 27-29.

CBEM studes learn Millennial Entrep

By Jessie Hermida 278 students of BU College of Business, Economics, and Managements (CBEM) joined the 5th Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Congress (RYEC) Summit last July 27-28, 2018 at Capitol Convention Center, Pili, Camarines Sur. According to Prof. Edna Mata, CBEM College Student Activities Coordinators, it was their second year to attend the summit.

Last year, 300 students joined in the RYEC. With the theme, ‘The Power of Millennial Entrepreneurship’,

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students were engaged into a series of plenary talks from big-time entrepreneurs and other fields of industry.

From the event, two of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Asia 2017, Carl Ocab and Shabab Shabibi gave lectures, joining with Ralph Layco, the Most Outstanding Young Entrepreneur of the Philippines 2016.

Other plenary speakers were Ian Fernando, an influential blogger and affiliate marketer; Alec Figuracion, a freelance filmmaker; Juan Miguel Alvarez, a topnotch web developer; Archie Florendo, a social entrepreneur and founder of Batang Negosyante Ako; Ms.

Natasha Bautista, Operations Head of QBO Innovation Hub; and Mr. Jay Bautista, Managing Director of Kantar Media.

The main objective of RYEC was to widen the entrepreneurial mindset of young individuals as the so called ‘millenials,’ imbibing in them the basic skills needed to thrive in today’s economy.

The summit was followed by a trade fair and fellowship night which was spearheaded by the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. in partnership with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur.

WARM WELCOME. Bicol University President Arnulfo Mascarinas gives his opening remarks during the Luzon National Mid-Year seminar-workshop and training of the Philippine Association of Campus Student Advisers (PACSA) and the Philippine Association of Campus Student Leaders (PACSL) at Casa Lorenzo, Tagas, Daraga, Albay. (Photo by Lynn Oliquino)

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SPORTS

19

The Bicol Universitarian | Vol. XLVI June - November 2018

Fairness · Accuracy · Genuine Student Service

CENG secures seven-peat, defeats CSSP 25-17, 22-25, 25-13

By Jose Joseph Ongonion, Jobert Mercardero and Jessie Hermida

SPIKING HIGH. Velasco of College of Arts and Letter Men’s Volleyball Team releasing an overhead spike against Polangui Campus. (Photo by Nelson Villaflor II)

College of Engineering (CENG) Men’s Volleyball Team rendered its towering defense and striking offense to defend and secure their seven-peat championship against College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), 25-17, 22-25, 25-13 victory, during the 49th BU Foundation Week.

Exhibiting a powerful spike followed by luck and blocks, CSSP started strong as Juan Verches executed dominance in the first play, 0-3. However, CENG’s Melvin Omibog, Feb Bruce Wayne Meulio, Kenneth Lutao, and Yoshiaki Sakurai poured dropshots that later on led to a rally controlled and broke by CENG, 7-3.

Despite of the scorching heat, CSSP tried to heave up their score while CENG continued in releasing jawdropping spikes and deadly drop shots that cause CSSP to

demand a break, 17-10.

On the latter part of the first set, CSSP was pinned with their strategies, causing for Ian LenvirMediavillo alongside with his CENG colleagues to widen the score gap sealing the first set at 2517.

Tuning to improved offense, CSSP clinched another good start through Verches and Loquinario’s prince whale spikes that sizzle the pits of two-handed block created Omibog and Lutao of CENG, 1-5.

Fired up game ignited on the second set as both teams played tough, CENG successfully raced up scores with CSSP as both of them released numerous of kills and deep digs that pushed the scores into a deadlock, 11-11.

Amidst the second set, the clash between two teams heated up as Meulio assisted

by Lutao failed three-times in out-breaking a kill in contrary to Verches and Matthew Lumabi’s two-handed

block 16-12.

Notwithstanding the in favors’ team score, Lumabi of CSSP played vigorously to send off his cut shot to their opponent’s court. Rally once happened as both teams answered every tricky dump and attempted kills. The fire ignited as CENG and CSSP exchange in logging scores that nailed twice on a deadlock, 21-21, 22-22.

Acing for an advantage at scores, CENG’s Sakurai assisted by John Rey Elona through receiving the ball flawlessly, failed in blowing a spike. Verches of CSSP, on the other hand, wrapped the set with a kill in an open space, 22-25.

CENG exhibited prowess as soon as the third and final set started by blocking every spikes by Verches of CCSP desired to pierce and through raging thriving shots pumped by Omibog and fiery kills sent by Mediavillo, 7-1.

Trying to capture a better score, CSSP modified

their offense, however, it was not adequate to narrow even the gap created by CENG, 13-4.

CENG’s Mediavillo and Meulio’s consecutive error alongside with a spike forcefully sent by Keith Justin Navea of CSSP added three points in the score post.

Regardless of errors created in the middle play, CENG expanded the breach in the score through line and cut shots, not to mention the blazing spikes of Mediavillo, 19-11.

Chances was blurred for CSSP during the last part of the game as Yoshiaki, Omibog, Meulio, and Mediavillo mercilessly dominated the combat sealing the game at a larger scale of lead, 25-13.

“It’s quite hard (defensing the crown) kasi bawal ka maging kampante, malakas lahat ng teams. May mga inaasahan kaming magsa-stand out na team and it just happen naiba ‘yung nangyari. So walang kampante” Meulio said.

BU PEP squad qualifies NCC 14 Pending for Nat’l; insufficient support

By Jose Joseph Ongonion and Jessie Hermida

Despite of having lesser support from the administration, Bicol University (BU) PEP Squad jumped their way inwards victory as they qualify for the National Cheerleading Championship (NCC) Season 14 last November 25.

Trailing behind the 212.5 and 191.5 scores accumulated by University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) and Lycans PEP squad respectively, Bicol University ranked 3rd with 180.5 total points.

Regardless of giving all their might, BU Pep Squad still failed to triumph in the first two categories ranking 3rd in basic elements and tumbling.

BU Pep squad did their best to race scores with the other teams in the stunt category, however they were one score lower down to UNC’s 43-point performance.

With almost flawless and death-defying tosses, BU Pep squad outclassed its competitors as they fly their way back to the stat sheet.

Pyramid category, however, snitched down their lead as they ranked 2nd from UNC, while Lycans ranked 3rd.

It was almost a sweet victory for the team of Bicol University, yet it ended into a tragedy as they were deducted 16 points due to penalties given during their performance. Meanwhile, UNC alongside with Lycans Pep Squad accumulated one and four deductions accordingly.

Nevertheless, members of the BU Pep squad Jaira Madrigale-

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jos was hailed as the “Heart of a Champion” while Ivan Ian Baria stepped up as the “Best Dancer.”

INSPIRATION AND DILEMMA According to Stephen Jaucian, most of the routines in their performance were inspired by the movements of the National University Pep Squad as suggested by their coach Noe Dichoso, a former cheerleader in BU Daraga Campus.

Moreover, Jaucian further shared that all of his current teammates are well disciplined and are in good condition “Ang talagang lagi ko sa kanilang sinasabi, tanggalin nila yung takot nila kasi ‘yun ‘yung naachieve ng DC pep squad na hindi na achieve ng karamihan ng cheerleaders ng BU.” Jaucian added.

On the other hand, inspirations were not enough to fully succeed the event even in mere wardrobe aspects as well as some of the technicalities.

Juacian shared that the costumes were delivered late, the male garments arrived a night before the contest while the female garments arrived just an hour formerly the competition proper.

Also, the team have not had suffice time to practice accompanied by the music they ought to perform.

LACK OF SUPPORT Not withstanding the ranking and the victory, the team admitted that the administration failed to bestow the support they utmost needed before and during the competition.

According to Jaucian, acting

BREATHETAKING. The Bicol University Pep Squad showcases their stunning formation as they compete during the NCC Season 14 at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation last November 24, 2018. (Photo by Francis Jhan Rojas)

team captain of the PEP squad of the university, he tried to connect with the administration through sending letters, however, he was questioned multiple of times due to the unaccredited team he was leading.

“Bakit ngaya sinabing ‘Bicol University PEP Squad Team Captain,’ parang self-proclaimed kasi wala akong pinanggalingan na office. ‘Yun ‘yung sinasabi ko minsan sa USC…sabi ko wala akong office, wala akong power.” Jaucian said.

He also added that cheerleading

was not recognized as a sport by the administration because it has no counterpart competition in the SCUAA. In addition, the utilized fund during the qualifying round was taken from the student development fund, petty enough to compromise the costume and the foods of the team at a minimum cost.

FUTURE OF THE PEP SQUAD Despite of all the hardships and lack of support, Jaucian is having a positive outlook about the future of the pep

squad along with his teammates, especially the freshmen who will continue what the original squad started.

As a fourth-year geodetic engineering student, Stephen Jaucian believes on the success of the pep squad next year.

With the right amount of support from the admin and the impending and relentless dedication of the squad towards achieving a desired goal of winning a national championship, it will surely be a new thing that Bicol University will be proud of.

1/10/19 11:43 AM

WHY WHY NOT NOT BOTH? BOTH? If there is a fine line between a human right and human life, it would be best defined by an authority that prefers common good over complete madness through upholding a system that ends the vicious cycle.

In his third State of the Nation Address, President Duterte lambasted the human rights advocates and church leaders over his “relentless and chilling” drug war campaign, saying “your concern is human rights, mine is human lives.” Such statement has thrown everyone into confusion.

Realizing the rationale behind the speech of President Duterte shows that he strongly cares for the large number being victimized by illegal drug trade.

However, a total of 22,983 cases of killings has been recorded by the Philippine National Police since 2016; some of the cases were classified deaths under inquiry. Definitely, human lives might be his priority, but are not those who sum up the numbers humans too?

According to Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, human rights have no conditions at all; no matter where you are from, what perspective you have, or how you choose to live your life.

True enough that there are people who violate such laws, but it should not be the cause to take away their human rights. If so, it should only be restricted.

If the war on drugs is one way of showing that his administration has positively changed our country, how come killing people has become a success? Invalidating human rights over human lives is his worst hypocritical statement tossed just so the people should believe on his campaign; to think that he enjoys his presidency because he was privileged with it.

In the scenario of our present society, we are like animals surviving in a jungle where fear is the law that applies equally to all and killing is the solution to end any types of problem.

The president should widen up his perspective in the midst of crisis. Not only ending the narco madness is the biggest priority that he must do to protect the lives of many. Consider the lives of indigenous peoples like the lumads and aetas who are suffering until now because their native lands have been compromised. Consider the lives of overseas Filipino workers who were suffering from labor abuse.

Consider the lives of those part of LGBTQI+ who still have to fight every day for the equality they deserve.

Preferring the common good is not the best solution if it is the root source of complete madness. Instead of eradicating the delinquents, why not just improve the justice system and give them the right due process?

After all, human life is also a human right.

Without human rights, there is no essence of living. Both human rights and human lives are the reason why we exist.

The Bicol Universitarian Vol XLVI.indd 20

Illustration by Angeli Marie Llaneta

1/10/19 11:43 AM