editor’s note
A prayer for the wild at heart that are kept in cages. - Tennessee Williams
changing patterns BREAK YOUR ROUTINES SO A NEW WORLD CAN EMERGE
We grew up in a society governed by laws, norms, and culture. These are our guidelines; the rules of conduct we abide by. In this issue of The Augustinian Mirror, we present to you stories and experiences of people who broke free— from expectations, norms, limitations, barriers, and even their selves.
The USA Publications put together this issue to remind you, our fellow readers, that to break free does not necessarily mean deviance, but also acceptance that you are different and you are unique; so many people let themselves be confined in a cage even when they’re holding the key. Before anything else, however, we also want you to see how your actions, good or bad, influence the world. Act wisely. The past year was a roller coaster ride for the USA Publications staff; we had to deal with the big shoes we were filling in, not to mention the pile of expectations we had to face from other people. We tried our very best to use every compliment and criticism to our best advantage and not to let the expectations of other people define our abilities as journalists—this magazine is a tribute to that statement. We dare you to free your souls and crush the walls that have been crushing you. Break free from the confines of this world, blur the lines, and play with the world’s colors.
Stephanie Kay L. Urquiola
editor-in-chief s_urquiola@yahoo.com
CO N T EN TS OPINION 5 Syr-villian War STEPHANIE KAY L. URQUIOLA
6 Blatant Hypocrisy KEVIN JERROL C. EREBAREN
SOCIETY
»» p.15
9 Maternal Instincts GIZELLE ANNE D. VILLA AND KRISTIN JOSEFF R. GAGAJENA
11 Sheer Determination and Wheel-power STEPHANIE KAY L. URQUIOLA
13 Perks of Being a Teenage Father RJ J. REMO AND PHILIP ROBERT C. ALABAN
»» p.11
15 Lighten Up WILKIENSON C. MURO AND PHILIP ROBERT C. ALABAN
17 Susi sa Kadena EDCEL B. FAJUTAG
religion 18 Believe It or Not RJ J. REMO AND KRISTIN JOSEFF R. GAGAJENA
»» p.22
MAGAZINE
CULTURE 20 Haunted to Enchanted FRENNIE M. TABABA
22 Bakero No More MARIE JULIENNE V. CABALLETE
24 Statement of Visibility JESSA MADELEINE P. GANGE »» p.12
SCI-TECH 18 Edutainment, the New Trend FRENNIE M. TABABA
CAMPUS 28 Dare to Go Down the rabbit hole? ErikA Danielle M. Pepito and jecel t. buenavides
30 On Top of the World »» p. 8
»» p.24
RESTY JOHN L. PALETE AND ANDREA NICOLE C. PARCE
fOOD & lIFESTYLE 32 Breaking a Few Eggs nicole ailice f. serisola
30 Pasta for the Soul »» p.30
nicole ailice f. serisola
rEVIEWS 36 Off the Charts AIMEE ANDREA D. GAJE AND KRISTIN JOSEFF R. GAGAJENA
Responsive • Developmental • Research-based The Official Student Magazine of the University of San agustin • iloilo City, Philippines
ABOUT THE COVEr
High above the sky amidst the clouds, a woman becomes one with her dream embodying the impossibility of negating gravity that only true freedom can bring. The cover opted for the most minimal effect possible, as its own interpretation of changing the patterns. The cover symbolizes the capability of human capacity to go beyond what is perceived by societal and scientific norms and set her soul free from the weight of the world.
StEphAniE KAy L. UrqUioLA KEvin jErroL C. ErEBArEn
THE AUGUSTINIAN MIRROR is the official student magazine of the University of San agustin. it is published once every semester by the USa Publications. Comments, contributions, and suggestions may be sent to the editors.
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
EdCEL B. fAjUtAg
no part of this magazine may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission and approval from the USa Publications and the authors of the articles.
MANAGING EDITOR
frEnniE M. tABABA EriKA dAniELLE M. pEpito triShiA MAE C. MoLinoS ASSOCIATE EDITORS
gizELLE AnnE d. viLLA EdCEL B. fAjUtAg LITERARY EDITOR
AnnE CAthErinE d. MALAzArtE ART DIRECTOR
MArA ELAizA A. fLorES PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
jordAn C. gALAChE CIRCULATION MANAGER
KriStin joSEff r. gAgAjEnA rESty john L. pALEtE MAriE jULiEnnE v. CABALLEtE gizELLE AnnE d. viLLA rj j. rEMo SENIOR WRITERS
MAy AnnE t. jAro MODERATOR
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STAFF WRITERS
Wilkienson C. Muro armie Therese C. Penuela Rochelle Mae M. Muzones Jecel T. Buenavides PHOTOJOURNALISTS
Mary Johsyen E. Pabalinas John Elmer J. Balan Clyde allen E. Sollesta ARTISTS
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aimee andrea d. Gaje nicole ailice F. Serisola andrea nicole C. Parce Melky B. arboleda Jessa Madeleine P. Gange Philip Robert C. alaban
COLOPHON
This magazine was artistically done in adobe indesign CS5, adobe Photoshop CS5, and adobe illustrator CS5. Typefaces used here are avant Garde, Caecilia, Gotham Rounded, and Museo for a modern minimalist look. COVER DESIGNER
anne Catherine d. Malazarte
MAGAZINE LAYOUT DESIGNER
Stephanie Kay L. Urquiola
Opinion
5
SYR-VILLIAN WAR
art by CLAriSSE t. jAro
People, territory, government, and sovereignty are the four elements of the state. What if one element isn’t present? Can the government stand without its people? Can the government on its own be called the ‘State of Syria’ or lead to a ‘State of Civil War’ without its people? March 2011 – the violence in Syria began; 200, 000 people have died due to the clash between the government of President Basharal-Assad and the rebel forces who want him out. More than 4 million people have fled Syria since the start of the conflict—most of them are women and children. Since then, it became one of the largest refugee movements to be recorded in history. It all began when the Syrian locals took to the streets to protest for the sake of 15 school children that were arrested and reportedly tortured for writing antigovernment graffiti on a wall. The protests were peaceful to begin with, calling for the release of the children, democracy and greater freedom for people in the country. But the government responded angrily with the army opening fire on protesters, killing four people. The government’s rage continues to afflict its people; rebel and insurgent groups have risen and European countries have entered the picture by accepting refugees who have fled their own country. “We’re just living on the edge of life. We’re always nervous, we’re always afraid” – a quote from Mariam Akash, mother of nine children whose husband was killed by a sniper. This statement about her own country should not be heard from a citizen because every citizen must submit himself to the will of the government to attain common goals and objectives designed to promote for their own general welfare. But how will this possibly happen if the citizens can only submit to their government with fear and anxiety? “There is no country in the world that uses a weapon of ultimate destruction against its own people,” the Syrian government said. As far as the Syrian war is concerned,
this statement is a fallacy. The citizens of a particular country who owe allegiance to the state are entitled to the full protection of the government. In the case of the Syrian government foreign intervention should not happen; but it is what’s happening. “Dura Lex Sed Lex,” a legal maxim, which means “The law may be harsh, but it is the law.” If this principle urges the Syrian government to make its own people suffer and flee its jurisdiction in exchange for power and dominion, then the essence of being a state is violated. If it is against their law to publicly promote anti-government propaganda, so be it, but if the children were the ones made responsible for the propaganda and the people actually used a democratic and peaceful means of protest, then, it is irrelevant to use force against them. It is not the law that is being harsh, but the government itself. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to reports, govern less than a third of the country; 12 million Syrians have displaced and more than 5 million have left the country. There is nothing left of the elements of the state. Some say that he remains as a ruler only because of his alliance with Russia and Iran. This is a time of great disruption and chaos; the unraveling of state systems in some parts of the world has left citizens in fear that they might be placed in the same boat. Now, more than ever, people should not underestimate the importance of a good leader. The State of Civil War has risen to curtail the Syrian government from its absolute dominion over Syria. When will this stop? When will Akash be able to return home? But the most awaited question is this: Will the State of Syria have the power to corrupt absolutely?
MELIORISM
By STEPHaniE Kay L. URQUiOLa Email s_urquiola@yahoo.com
The protests were peaceful to begin with, calling for the release of the children, democracy and greater freedom for people in the country; but the government responded angrily.
The AugusTiniAn Mirror
oCtoBEr 2015 Volume 83, number 2
6
Opinion
BLATANT HYPOCRISY art by hErod A. MontiEL
art by hErod A. MontiEL
“Isang matuwid na daan” became the banner quote of the Aquino administration claiming that their term would bring forth change illuminating the proper path for the country to follow. It was a grand statement, pure and true, promising with such gusto that their era would bring about the necessary change needed. Now that Aquino’s administration is coming to a close, have they really fulfilled their end of the bargain? I N D O M I TA B L E By KEvin jErroL C. ErEBArEn Email: kevinerebaren@yahoo.com
how come Arroyo is treated unjustly as she was singled out wholly for the perceived mistakes she made? how about those demons Aquino keeps close under his guidance?
The AugusTiniAn Mirror
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The most prominent achievement that the Aquino administration made was pointing their fingers at who is at fault, giving pathetic excuses for every difficulty their administration encountered. They claim that the damage that the Arroyo’s administration inflicted upon the country left deep seated scars preventing President Aquino to fulfil his promises. Arroyo faces plunder charges at the Sandiganbayan, which is a non-bailable offense. But even with this reason, granted that Gloria herself committed faults against the Philippine Government and her people, her subsequent treatment by the so called “Crusaders of the Right” of the Government violated her human rights while the Just and oh-so-fair government has become negligent and ignorant of the situation. In response to these events, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention with their subsequent investigations has established that the persistent detention of the former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is arbitrary and illegal under international law The UN body found Arroyo’s detention unlawful under international law because the Sandiganbayan has apparently failed to consider her individual conditions. Furthermore, the UN working group also found the “undue delays” in the legal proceedings surrounding Arroyo’s case an indication that her detention was arbitrary. Prior to these events, Arroyo has been under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City since 2012 for a plunder case in connection
with the alleged misuse of P366-million. The Aquino administration is quick to make major decisions, especially when its political opponents are involved, without even considering all sources of information. It is not in the matter whether the ones imprisoned are guilty of their crimes, but the main problem was that, why is it only the opposition who were tried and tested in court? In siding with Arroyo, the UN working group recognized that the charges against the former President are politically motivated since she was detained as a result of the exercise of her right to take part in the government. The UN body emphasized in particular the Philippine government’s insistence in defying court rulings removing the travel bans as proof that this is a blatant act of aggression against the former leader. As Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. affirmed that the Philippines is a signatory to international conventions on human rights, and as such, it ensures that all individuals undergo due process. Therefore, Arroyo has been accorded such due process and availed of the necessary legal remedies under Philippine laws. The Government noted that since there is an ongoing judicial process in the PH courts, it has sole jurisdiction to decide on such matters. If the Aquino administration claims that they are warriors of truth, how come Arroyo is treated unjustly as she was singled out wholly for the perceived mistakes she made? How about those demons Aquino keeps close under his guidance? Shouldn’t they be prosecuted too?
Photography and Words by Clyde Allen E. Sollesta
Maternal Instincts a story and a p icture o f lo v e By gizelle anne d. villa and kristin joseff r. gagajena Art by Ronnyl B. Bulahan
The Augustinian Mirror
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Society
It was a Monday morning when Kyle* found himself in front of his favorite breakfast meal. His fingers wrapped tightly around his utensils, eager to indulge in every bite of the dish. The sweetness of the Tocino and the warmth of the rice gifted him with a smile; the taste reminded him a whole lot of his home. Let’s eat, he signals. Laughter and stories are shared over his favorite breakfast meal. The sweetness and the warmth reminded him of this, a lot of his home: a nest with abundant love springing forth from his parents, Tots* and Cora*, the mothers he was lucky to have.
Crossing Over Tots, being the friendly and loud woman that she was, had a very extrinsic group of friends as well. It was a group of couples who were fond of sharing a few laughs over vices. Tots had a girlfriend who was working in Saudi Arabia back then. But this didn’t stop a friend of hers from introducing her to Cora who worked in a pharmacy. Her friend swore that it was only to keep her company because her girlfriend wouldn’t be in the country in the next two years. “I was scared because Cora was a very sweet and caring woman,” Tots spoke in Hiligaynon about their early years. “I knew I was into these types of women, and I was scared that I would fall for her.” Tots’ prediction was proven right — she knew that she was in trouble after days of spending time together with Cora. Two years later, the girlfriend came home from Saudi Arabia on an unexpected date and Tot knew she was in hot water. She couldn’t afford to lose either one of the persons she has learned to value. She also considered the possibility of being emotionally and physically battered after the truth unveils itself. Her girlfriend who was already suspicious of this “companionship” even before finding out about their relationship decided to call it quits. A year after, Cora and Tots decided to stay in common quarters despite not having the support of Cora’s younger sister, who, according to Tots, was the only person in both of their families with an obvious aversion against her and believed that she was not capable of supporting her sister.
Baby Steps Towards a New Life Kyle came into their lives on the 3rd of December. Tots was a playboy despite being with Cora. This caused many fights between the couple, and after years of strain threatening to break their bond, Tots
decided to find a new foundation for their love: a baby. “I spoke about it to one of the people among my barkada. She was willing to help me find a baby to adopt,” her gaze shifted to Kyle for a while, who sat with us during the whole interview, “Fortunately and unfortunately, the cousin of her brother’s wife had her hands full and was willing to let me adopt their youngest son.” On the 3rd of December, during work, Tots received word from her friend that the woman was now ready to give up her child, and was waiting for her in a particular location. Tots had no second thoughts; she immediately looked for a person to cover her shift. “I was so excited!” her hand gestures seemed to prove this emotion. “I grabbed a friend of mine in the office to take my shift, and rushed towards the location. I was finally going to meet our baby-to-be.” Upon arriving at the place, Tots was asked to sit down by the young mother who was carrying a small child. The baby was in
Trust, understanding, love, and respect. Without these, Cora and I would’ve separated a long time ago. a yellow shirt like the ones one could buy for a few coins at the street-sides. He didn’t even have a diaper on, and his knitted socks seemed too big for his feet. Worry came over Tots because this pale infant was going to be her baby. “I was worried because he looked really sickly and malnourished,” she described how small 5-month old Kyle was as she held him in her hands. “He was too tiny for his age,” she said. Kyle, despite being raised by a struggling family, had the vaccines he needed, according to the mother. This washed away the worries that were building up inside Tots. It was easy to see how this young woman could agree to give up her child; her family’s only source of income was selling salt because her husband, a tricycle driver, had an accident and got stuck with amnesia. He was too unfit to work. “Maluoy ka man sa akon, to,” the woman, who seemed too young to raise five children on her own, said then. “Ipa-adopt ko na lang ni sa
9
imo ang pinakabata sa ila. Indi na guid ako kasarang,” Tots remembered the start of their conversation clearly. She further explained how her saltselling business wasn’t enough to take care of her five children who only had 1-year gaps in between them. The only thing they ate were bananas and rice. Kyle wasn’t fortunate enough to feed on baby formula; he was living on rice-water. This broke Tots’ heart. “Tears started to form when Kyle began to accustom himself to my presence. I knew this baby was the one because as his mom shared her story, Kyle’s tiny hands kept on reaching out to me. I was so touched,” Tots smiled as she recalled the moment. “I immediately knew that there has been love in me that was waiting for that baby. I had a feeling that this baby was going to be lucky to me,” she added. Indeed, the couple loved him. He was legally adopted by Tots who had him renamed. Kyle was also smart for his age, refusing to use diapers at the age of one. He had potty-trained himself and had learned to help in whatever chores he was capable of.
A Family Discussion Nearing the end of our interview, Cora came over and gave Tots a little cuddle. This opened the topic for a discussion on relationships. “Trust, understanding, love, and respect,” Tots raised a finger for each. “Without these, Cora and I would’ve separated a long time ago.” Cora and Tots get into fights but these issues are usually resolved easily. “But honestly, I think Cora gets into arguments with our son more.” Tots nudged at the two. “He always locks himself in his room, but they cool down after a while. ” The end of our interview described itself in photographs. Kyle brought out a few picture frames of his family. Baby pictures, group pictures, solo pictures, and a lot more of pictures began to slowly fill the table in front of us. Despite the notions of what real families should be, we saw that they were — a family; the pictures proved they were. Each time a thumb glided over dust to reveal a face, it was embedded with a smile. They were happy. Theirs was not the usual kind of family, but that didn’t seem to matter at all — not to them. We smiled at the family who gave us a story for each picture, and we knew that each picture was a story of love. *not their real names
The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
Sheer Determination and Wheel-power A c h ie v ing success e v en w h ile sitting down By stephanie kay l. urquiola
Photography by Mary Johsyen E. Pabalinas
The Augustinian Mirror
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Society
11
They faced discrimination and exclusion for most of their lives; people who believed they were destined to fail even before they started. These Augustinian graduates tell their story, how they broke free from the cages of self-doubt, and proved everyone wrong. Graduates feel a sense of accomplishment after finishing a rigid course after 4 to 5 years—it’s a moment most students look forward to experiencing. For Marie Louise Kathryn Cerbas, 34 years old, a 2003 Psychology graduate from the University of San Agustin (USA), graduation means so much more than finally being done with the pressures of college.
If There’s a Wheel, There’s a Way Most babies who are born with cerebral palsy are premature babies. According to cerebralpalsy.org, cerebral palsy is caused by brain injury or abnormal development of the brain before birth, during birth, and after. It affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, and muscle tone, among others. “In layman’s term, daw wala ko tul-an.” Cerbas describes good-naturedly. She also relates how therapy helped her become comfortable using what motor movement she could as she was a quadriplegic. Quadriplegia refers to a form of spastic cerebral palsy in which all four limbs are affected and those afflicted with this suffer various physical and emotional struggles, as stated by the Brain Injury Center. Juben Hautea, a Commerce graduate from USA, jokes how he is still able to use his fists in case he ever gets into a fight. “I am paraplegic, I still have control over my arms. I can still use it to punch!” He adds with a laugh. An article published by Medicine Health states that paraplegia is one of the most common types of cerebral palsy, where the motor function of the lower extremities are affected. Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood where 4 out of 1,000 children are affected.
The Wheel Perspective “We are blessed to have classmates na very willing to help us. Kis’a sa Mendel laboratories on the 5th floor pa kami ga-saka. Marami na kaming nakaaway dahil sa stairs na ‘yan. [Sometimes, we have to climb all the
way to Mendel laboratories on the 5th floor. We made a lot of enemies because of those stairs.]” Cerbas relates in her native tongue. Hautea and Cerbas both agree that what they loved most about being an Augustinian is the fact that she was a completely normal student. They had expectations of themselves, but for the most part, they were able to really live out the life of a normal Augustinian student. “I am really proud of the fact that I was a normal student. I passed all my subjects. Psychology is no joke; because of my course, I got to know myself better, and learned to accept what others were going to say about me.” Cerbas solemnly shares. Queeny Montaño, a Third Year Bachelor of Science in Education major in Mathematics student from USA, also shares her gratefulness for an environment who treats her without any bias. “I had polio since I was 5 years old. I encountered people who weren’t very understanding, but people are more open in college. They treat me how they would treat any other friend, and they help me when I ask for it.” Montaño remarks. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Poliomyelitis or polio as a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children. The virus is transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle (e.g. contaminated water or food) and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and can cause paralysis
A Reel Winner Kate Cerbas is the Vice President for the Association for Disabled Persons – Iloilo while Juben Hautea is a founding member of the APCP or the Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy. They both continue to use their energy and time to be of service to other people. While they still have their ups and owns, knowing that these individuals were able to achieve what their dreams is statement enough that nothing is impossible to those who try. These Augustinians were dealt with physical barriers from the very start; their story proved how not even our own bodies can keep us from achieving anything and everything we want. Using sheer determination and willpower, these extraordinary people serve as an inspiration to us all.
I had polio since I was 5 years old. I encountered people who weren’t very understanding, but people are more open in college. The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
perks of being a teenage father teenage p regnancy in a di f f erent p oint o f v iew By Rj J. Remo and Philip robert c. Alaban Art by Anne Catherine D. Malazarte
The Augustinian Mirror
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Society
13
Falling in love is one of the most intricate things to experience especially at a young age; yet, it makes you feel alive and bring you to your wildest desires in life. But as it hypes your happiness, it can turn toxic and infect your life in the most unexpected way you think it can. Losing yourself and eventually taking you to a road that you are afraid the most — being a young parent; a young mind and heart is now expected to be the guide of another life in this tricky world of ours.
Time used to fly fast for the past four years. Seconds turned into minutes and minutes into hours as he spent time perched in front of his books but now, it couldn’t seem to tick fast enough as he stood in the eerie hallway outside the delivery room. With a few shaky breaths, he finally wrenched the door open and walked toward the 17-year old girl laid out on the hospital bed cradling a fidgety bundle of cloth and soft flesh. His world stopped for a while as he carried what he called his “little angel” in his arms.
The Road Taken Alcoholic drinks were perched on every available table-top and loud music reverberated through Gershom Billena’s house. It was March 11, the day that he celebrated his 17th birthday. He was feeling the upbeat vibe of the electronic music as it resonated from the speakers, but as alcohol affected his and his girlfriend’s consciousness, they didn’t notice that they have already gone to his room. A short kiss turned into a heated one, soft caresses turned into demanding clutches, and silent whispers became incessant groans. They started taking off their clothes until Gershom began slipping farther and farther away from reality until everything went black and he eventually spiralled into pitch black darkness. Right after his graduation, Gershom’s life revolved around spiffy hats and golden medals as he became a cadet in the Philippine Military Academy, but as he received that fateful phone call about his girlfriend’s pregnancy, he knew that his dreams would have to take a detour. “The first thing that came to my mind is the question ‘AM I READY TO BECOME A FATHER?’ Honestly, 10% of the possibility to abort the child crossed my mind, but my girlfriend told me that she will never do such a thing and she is holding to my promise of loving her no matter what happens. I then called my Mom and told her that I am becoming a father. She was shocked but her soft voice uttered the words ‘What can we do? It’s already done. Let’s just accept him.’ Those words of my mom cheered me up,” he shared.
“I went home and talked to my girlfriend’s family. They were also shocked, but they just accepted our decision to let our child live,” he added. Gershom graduated his secondary education at the age of 16 and his family is a smorgasbord of professionals. He is the sixth child. His siblings were doctors, nurses, and physical therapists. “I was the agot and they loved me that much that I didn’t feel any rejection from my family. They have full support for me. As my baby was born, they loved him more than anyone else.” There were times before his angel came into the world when he felt depressed. There were negative opinions about him. But that didn’t last long because his friends and family expressed their heartfelt support for him and for him facing the consequences of his act. “When I was one year old, my father died. I didn’t experience the love of my dad. That’s why I don’t want my child to suffer the same emptiness that I felt.”
Continuing His Journey Instead of giving up his dream to be a professional, Gershom continued where he left off. He went and took a nautical course, but it seemed that it was not his profession to take. In 2013, he took BS Electronics Communication Engineering; there were ups and downs in his road to becoming a professional but he didn’t stop. Now, he is continuing his journey to become a future engineer. “Being a student and a father to my child is quite a Herculean task. But with my family at my side, things become easy. I know my responsibility as a father. I have a few side lines to support my child. I engage in buying and selling of gadgets and I manage our catering services business.”
The Twist and Turns The picture of a perfect family became vague for his child when Gershom and his girlfriend decided to go separate ways after their son’s first birthday. “It was sad but both of us decided that
we needed to end our romantic relationship. Both of us fell out of love,” Gershom confessed. At present, their baby is staying with his ex-girlfriend, but this is not a problem for Gershom since both he and the girl have an unspoken mutual agreement of just being parents to their child. “My parents and I support my child both financially and emotionally. I visit him and sometimes bring him to our house. There are times that I sleep at my ex-girlfriend house and I get to experience being a hands-on father to Gelo. My ex-girlfriend and I seldom talk; it’s only her parents that are in good terms with me right now.” Now that their child is four years old, he explains to his son that it will be impossible for him to have mom and dad together again, but promised him that dad’s love for him will never change.
Master of Fate When asked about his learnings as he took his journey to early fatherhood, Gershom emphasized, “Don’t engage in premarital sex. Just focus on your studies. Don’t fall in love early for love can sometimes be the best thing in life but at other times, it can be the worst. For those young parents like me, being a father is a responsibility you have to take.” Gershom became a more responsible individual as he faced the reality of becoming a father. He is dreaming of giving his child a better future while working on his own dreams. “If there will be someone who would accept my child as her own, I’ll promise to love her and face the altar with her. But if not, I’d rather stay single with my child. Kumbaga dala na siya sa package,” he said with a happy smile. Love is strong enough to take you anywhere. But becoming a responsible parent especially at a young age is something that is more complicated than love. Apart from the many twists and turns that young romance has to offer, you also have to face the challenge of carrying another life’s burden upon your own shoulders.
The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
Lighten up black : t h e new h ue o f O p timism
May mga cellphones naman kami kag mga gakinalainlain nga mga appliances. Mga radyo kag tv kag mismo ang kuryente gid nga magamit namon.
The Augustinian Mirror
www.usa-pub.blogspot.com/theaugustinianmirror
By Philip Robert c. Alaban and Wilkienson C. Muro Photography by Mara Elaiza A. Flores
While wandering the street sides, parks, and plazas or even malls, you may see them at the nooks sitting and waiting to be given alms by people passing by them. You may wonder what their livelihoods are or if they even have houses to go home to after a stressful day. Sometimes, you must have reprimanded them for just waiting for the alms of people instead of working by themselves.
Society
long-dead family members, if we weren’t there. “Ukon galing kay hindi gid na malikawan ang mga panghikaw-hikaw sa isa kag kapareho mo, naghalin kami didto. Nagsaylo naman kami sa Pandak Diutay, Pavia. Didto nangamo kanday Nanay kag Tatay para mapaeskwela lang ko high school,” she seriously confessed to us her strong desire to finish schooling that was not granted by time to do so. On the other side of the coin, at that time, the nomadism in them was not totally diminished. Hence, one of their members was able to discover a place at the Northern part of Santa Barbara, Iloilo. Before reaching the place they hoped to make their home, they must have walked the land emblazoned with nature’s satiation. And before finally reaching their destination, they must have climbed the same mountain we climbed on — that was the time they had their feet set on the land of Leong, the town they presently inhabit and call home.
Letting the Sleeping Dog Lie
It was a fine day when we tramped on our journey toward the indigenous people, specifically, the Aetas of the town of Cabatuan, on September 27, 2015. Packed with our piclusting cameras and ink-drooling pens with matching paper and recorders, we laboriously climbed the mountainous part of Barangay Leong. On top of the mountain, appeared a woman that glowed in the radiance of hope waiting for us. She was Nanay Luzviminda “Luz’ Mateo, the chieftain of Tribe Leong Community Purposes, who, dressed in simple clothes, hospitably welcomed each of us to be toured around their so-called community compound. “Maayong aga sa inyo tanan!” they greeted us happily as we found their hidden place behind those bushes. “Maayong aga man sa inyo nga tanan. Ari kami para sa isa ka interview,” we replied to their enthusiastic welcome.
Living in the present time is never that easy. Their name has already been stained with dominative misconceptions on how they, the Aetas, are supposed to be living their life as striving citizens of our own nation, not enslaved by procrastination. Why this has to be a difficult process for them, coffee-coated skinned people, to be accepted and taken care of, is one of Nay Luz’s supplications to people who still could not see the changes that are happening in their life as Aetas. Nay Luz is also supported by various non-government organizations (NGOs) and religious groups of Cabatuan church – the Youth for Christ, Couples for Christ and the
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Charismatic Ministry. The local government unit (LGU) of Cabatuan is also involved in having them mandated by certain rules and regulations. Moreover, St. Paul’s University of Iloilo and the mayor of Cabatuan are also giving them medical care, financial assistance, and communal comfort rooms and other personal necessities. Their tribe is composed of 45 individual Aetas: 18 of those are already adults; 1 is a young adult who goes to college, 2nd year, under the scholarship program of their Mayor; 4 are high school students under the scholarship program of their Mayor, Vice Mayor and Presiding Patriarch; 11 are elementary students; 6 are in the Day Care; and 5 are still infants. “Tanan kami diri sa tribo gapasalamat gid kay ginabuligan gid nila kami. Ang mga balay namon nga ni, mga medical and financial assistance, kag labaw sa tanan ang pagpatinir sa amon diri sa duta namon nga ginaistaran,” Nay Luz said expressing her gratitude to those who help them now and then. She also proudly told us also that they are not outdated by present generation technologies. “May mga cellphones naman kami kag mga gakinalain-lain nga mga appliances. Mga radyo kag tv kag mismo ang kuryente gid nga magamit namon,” she said. She ended the interview with The Augustinian by expressing the view that no matter how hard it is to struggle for their hoped-future, as long as they know that everything will be worth the striving, they will always break a mountain apart. “Kung siling nga Ati matamad, hindi a. Gapangaingin, gapananum, galibod silhig. Hindi na kami parehos sang una nga galibot kag gapangayongayo lang, kag hindi na kami maging amo na liwat,” Nanay Luz expressed with conviction.
Digging Down the History Back in the day when Nanay Luz was born, it was not in Leong, Cabatuan where they originally settled downed. Through a deflection of the compass needle from the present to the past, Nay Luz told us that their family was not a pure-blooded Aeta. Her ancestors, particularly her grandmother, was an amalgamation of an Aeta and Bukidnon race. “Sang-una taga Maasin gid kami ya ni Nanay kag Lola. Didto una gid nagpuyo akon pamilya para magbinakas para sa adlaw-adlaw nga tanan. Pero wala kami didto nagdugay,” she told us with remarkable spark of reminiscence. She would have been crying, missing her
The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
SUSI SA KADENa ano ang kaya mong isakri p isyo p ara sa iyong kinabukasan ? Ni Edcel B. Fajutag
Grapiks Ni Anne Catherine D. Malazarte
Habang dahan-dahang bumubungad ang sikat ng araw sa nakatumpok na kulimlim ng mahamog na umaga ay handa nang pumasok sa eskwelahan si Mikaela*. May malaking ngiti ang nakaguhit sa kanyang mga pisngi habang hawak-hawak ang kanyang pinakaunang sahod na kanyang natanggap mula sa kanyang pinagtatrabahuhan. Si Mikaela, isang 17-anyos na dalagang ulila sa ina at naiwan sa puder ng isang lasenggerong ama. Naiwan siyang nakatali sa isang marahas na hamon ng buhay at sinubok ang isang bagay na nararapat ay nasa kamay ng kaniyang ama. Mistulang isang ina na may kaakibat na di mabilang-bilang na responsibilidad ang nakapaloob sa araw-araw na buhay ng isang estudyanteng ipinagsasabay ang pag-aaral at pagtatrabaho. Pansin ang nakalulugmok na pagod sa kanilang mga mukha na para bang may nakaakbay na isang malaking batong kamay sa kanilang mga ulo’t balikat.
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Ngunit, sadyang malakas ang kanilang mga loob at nagagawa pa ring ngumiti sapagkat nakalibing sa kani-kanilang mga balintataw ang kanilang pinakamahalimuyak na ninanais: ang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Ayon sa manwal ng Teolohiya 104 ng Unibersidad, ang mga magulang ay may responsibilidad sa mga pangangailangan at edukasyon ng kanilang mga anak, maging sekyular man o pang-relihiyon. Ngunit, sadyang hindi maitatanggi ang katotohanang hindi lahat ng magulang ay may kakayahang suportahan ang pag-aaral ng kanilang mga anak. Maging ito man ay
sa kadahilanan ng kahirapan o minsa’y dahil sa kawalan ng pagmamahal at pakialam. Bunga nito ay ang pagpupursige ng ilang kabataang makapagtrabaho upang masuportahan ang kani-kanilang mga sarili at walang pag-aalinlangang sinasalo ang sanang responsibilidad ng kanilang mga magulang kahit na ito ay may kaakibat na mala-higanteng responsibilidad na kung saan oras at pagod ang kadalasang kanilang kinakalaban. Ayon sa paunang resulta ng Survey on Children (SOC) noong taong 2011, mayroong 5.492 milyong kabataang nasa
SOCIETY Society
edad 5 hanggang 17 taong gulang ang nagtatrabaho. Ito ay sumusuma ng 18.9 na porsiyento ng kabuuang bilang ng kabataang nasa edad 5 hanggang 17 ng parehong taon. Tatlo sa sampung kabataan na nasa edad 5 hanggang 17 na taong gulang sa Northern Mindanao (29.6%) ay nagtatrabo samantalang sa National Capital Region (NCR) at sa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) ay may isa sa sampung kabataan ang handang subukin ang isang pamumuhay na nararapat na gampanan ng kaniyang mga magulang. Sa bawat sampung kabataan na nagtatrabaho, anim ay lalaki samantalang apat naman ang mga babae. Mayroong 46.7 na porsiyento ang nasa edad 15 hanggang 17 na taong gulang, 45.1 na porsiyento ay 10 hanggang 14 na taon, at 8.2 na porsiyento ay nasa 5 hanggang 9 na taong gulang. May iilang mga kabataan ang handang sumusubok sa mga delikado at minsa’y hindi katanggap-tanggap na mga trabaho matugunan lamang ang kani-kanilang mga pangangailangan at makatungtong lamang sa eskwelahan. Nakalalamyang isipin na minsan ay pawang dinudurog na nila ang kanilang mga maliliit na buto’t patuyuin ang kanilang mga dugo’t tubig sa katawan magkaroon lamang ng kita — salapi na minsan ay kararamput basta’t may maidadagdag lang. Ayon na rin sa SOC noong taong
2011, mula sa 5.492 na milyong kabataang nagtatrabaho ay mayroong 54.5 na porsiyento o tinatayang 2.993 na milyong musmos ang tinutukoy na nagtatrabaho sa mga delikadong sitwasyon. Sa ibang banda, ayon kay Matt Cowling, isang estudyante ng Antropolohiya sa Unibersidad ng Sussex na nagtatrabaho sa isang café, ang kanyang dahilan sa pagtatrabaho ay upang magkaroon ng ekstrang kita at pambayad sa kaniyang mga renta. Dagdag pa rito, ay nagkaroon siya ng pananaw na maliban sa pagkakaroon ng kita ay nabibigyan pa siya ng eksperiyensiya sa labas ng eskwelahan. Ayon naman sa pagsusuri mula sa 2,128 na estudyante sa bansang United Kingdom (UK) ay nakitang mayroong 45% ang may part-time jobs at 13% ang nagagawang magtrabaho ng full-time jobs. Karamihan sa kanila ay nagtatrabaho dahil sa kakulangan ng pambayad sa matrikula samantalang 58% ay nais na gamitin ang pera sa gimik o socializing at 55% naman sa pagkain at mga gastusin sa kanilang mga pamamahay. Mayroon ding 38% na nagsasabing ginagawa nilang magtrabaho para sa kanilang mga kinabukasan at 35% naman ang nagsasabing upang sila ay makaiwas sa pagkabaon sa utang. Dagdag pa rito, mayroon ding tumatanaw na dahil dito ay kanilang mas mapadadali ang paghahanap ng trabaho sa kanilang inaasam na pagtatapos.
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Karapatan ng mga kabataan ang makakuha ng isang kalidad na edukasyon. Ngunit, hindi lahat ay nabiyayaan ng ganitong klaseng pagkakataon; marami ang kinakailagang magsakripisyo mga prinsipyo Mayroon man silang iba’t ibang kadahilanan, ngunit tama bang umabot sa ganitong sitwasyon ang mga kabataan? Tulad ni Mikaela na isang simpleng dalaga na sumubok sa hamon ng buhay dahil sa kanyang nais na makapag-aral. Ito lamang ang kaniyang nakitang natatanging susi mula sa mahigpit na pagkakapit ng mabigat na kadena na sa kanya’y nakatali. Ikaw? Ano kaya ang ‘yong susi?
Ngunit, sadyang hindi maitatanggi ang katotohanang hindi lahat ng magulang ay may kakayahang suportahan ang pagaaral ng kanilang mga anak. The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
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religion
Believe it or not science e x p lains h ow , f ait h e x p lains w h y By Kristin Joseff R. Gagajena and Rj J. Remo Photography by Clyde Allen E. Sollesta
“I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.” This is the first line that many Catholics usually utter upon reciting the Apostle’s Creed. But how many people can really recite this line with pure honesty rather than blatant apathy? In the 2010 census of population recorded by the National Statistics Office (NSO), now Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 74.2 million Filipinos, which is 80.6% of the Philippine population are followers of the Catholic Church. We cannot really deny the fact that there are those among this large percentage that have different religious beliefs. Finding that what an individual wants to believe is real can prove to be challenging for some.
Now You See Him A Christian believer is someone who believes in Jesus Christ. He is a witness of Catholic faith. His actions and words are anchored in the teachings in the Bible. Ernie* , a sophomore college student of a state university, was a Catholic during his childhood but then his parents decided that their family be converted to Aglipay. Since then, they’ve been practicing the teachings of the Philippine Independent Church. As he reached first year high school, he began to question his faith considering that he was exposed to a school where most of his classmates were Catholic. He often went to the Catholic Parish Church every Wednesdays and Sundays upon the invitation his classmates. By December that same year, he made up his mind that it is time for him to confront his inner self and admit to himself that he still
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have some ties with the Catholic faith and that he needed to hold on to that. With a brave heart, he embraced once again the Catholic faith and explained everything to his parents. After all the arguments, his family accepted Ernie’s decision and respected his heart’s desire. “Everything is vague to me, especially when it comes to religion. I am not sure if I have really undergone baptism when I was still a child. One day, I realized that I needed to be officially baptized and to follow what my heart and soul dictates to me. With the help of my friends and our parish priest, I am finally in a place where I truly belong,” shares Ernie.
Now You Don’t “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?”(John 3:12). The difference between the agnostic and atheist is that agnostics are people who believe in truth values and adhere to scientific evidence while atheist are the ones who reject the belief in God’s existence. Today, there is what we call as NEW ATHEISM where advocates believe that religious truth should be countered and criticized. While Ernie appears to be happy after having found himself, there are those whose minds are swarming with questions that leave their personal challenges unsatisfied.
During his childhood, Nestor* grew up in a Catholic family and actively participated in youth ministries. He joined their parish choir and even served as sacristan in their church. As he made his journey towards becoming a professional, clouds of questions began popping in his mind. He never had any heartbreaking experiences in life that could weaken his faith but it was his own curiosity and doubts that made him become an UNBELIEVER. Although he is currently studying in a Catholic University, the unanswered questions about his religion left his faith hanging by a thread. He said that his confusion and frustration started with the question “Does God really exist?” The Catholic-well-oriented young man’s faith turned into dust in a blink of an eye.
“My family didn’t know about my decision, yet. It’s only my cousin, who is also a non-believer, and I that knew about my change of heart. Few of my classmates knew about it. If my family finds out about this, I know that they will be hurt but I will explain it to them.”
Digging Deeper Into Beliefs “I believe that there are three main reasons why a person loses faith. First is personal crisis and second is people’s curiosity of objective truth and lack of witnessing among Christians. We think that God is perfect so that when one is suffering, he begins to doubt the existence of God. As doubt sets in, more and more questions about faith that shaken a man’s faith, enters the mind of a person. The faith of some people also weakens when other
people cannot show one who is God and do not practice the virtues taught by the Church,” said Fray Rodel Magin, O.S.A., an Augustinian friar. When asked about his advice for those people who lose their faith he explained, “As a friar [it] is very difficult. They do not need advice. They need a listening ear from a Christian believer. Our first obligation is to listen to those who lose faith. A Catholic believer welcomes them with Christ’s love. Just like what Pope Francis said “We cannot judge them, they have their own stories to tell; by listening to them, we can proclaim the love of God.” Let’s include them in our prayers, be it personal or communal. As a church, it is our responsibility and commitment to pray for our brothers and sisters who lose their Catholic faith.
Captains of Our Soul If you do memorize the Apostle’s Creed by heart, you’d say by the end of the Creed, “I believe in the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.” But then again, do you really believe? The choice is yours. “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day that you will serve, whether the gods of your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15).
*not their real names
The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
Haunted to Enchanted R estoring and E n h ancing t h e O ld By frennie m. tababa
Photography by Clyde Allen E. Sollesta
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culture
I always feared that the old house would be full of creepy things, ghosts inside it and many supernatural beings staying there. I never wanted to go inside. I never wanted to see such things. And I never thought my mind would change.
Mansion Rediscovered Molo Mansion, a property of Don Estanislao Yusay, is an old mansion that faces the Sta. Ana Church. The mansion’s interior is stylish and very spacious. Its sofa, a silent witness to the gatherings of the local elite in the past, boasts of polished hardwood floors. Wood ornaments, decorative engravings and iron grilles adorn every nook and corner. Glass windows allow sunlight to penetrate the interior during the day while chandeliers provide light during the night. A wooden staircase leads to the second floor where one can find bedrooms, a receiving area and a semi-circular tiled balcony that offers a striking view of the famed church. “I was in awe about the structural designs that make me have a gist of the old times, which make everything else interesting,” Aldrin John M. Talledo, a nursing student of the University of San Agustin, commented.
A History Within a History Don Estanislao Yusay is a prominent judge from Molo who served as the first and last president of the Superior Court of Negros in 1899. He was also the first judge in Manila. The construction of their mansion started from 1924 and ended in the year 1926. His widow, Doña Petra Lacson de Yusay, supervised the construction of the house. The Yusay’s had ten children and one of them was Rosario who married Timoteo Consing Sr., governor of Iloilo from 1935 to 1937; Rosario and the former governor were the ones who lived at the mansion. “There were no hotels at that time so the houses of the known people where the ones being used for social gatherings. The mansion was said to be the place where President Manuel Quezon and Sergio Osmeña stayed during their visits in Iloilo,” Nereo C. Lujan, chief of Public Information and Community Affairs Office, stated in an interview with The Augustinian. The mansion was eventually passed on to the care of their son, Timoteo Consing Jr., a civic leader and a businessman, who once served as president of the defunct Passi Sugar Central. That’s why the later generations of Moleños, people from Molo, started calling the house as Consing Mansion, a name that stuck until these days.
People’s New Attraction SM acquired the mansion from the Yusay-Consing family and turned it into a showroom for Kultura, one of its retail affiliates, that offers heritage products and souvenir items highlighting Filipino artistry and craftsmanship. The Consing Mansion now known as Molo Mansion, after its blessing
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officiated by Rev. Fr. Espiridion Celis, opens to the public, not only to the Ilonggos but also to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) delegates. “This is to manifest Ilonggos love for heritage. By this, Molo Mansion was able to showcase to the other people in the world,” Troy J. Camarista, PR Manager, SM City Iloilo, said. Behind the mansion is an art gallery for visual artists, Uno Por Dos, displaying the works of Ed Defensor, Alan Cabalfin and Harry Mark Gonzales. On the second floor, products that includes delicacies, furniture and crafts from the various affiliates of Tinukib, an organization of local producers being assisted by the Taytay sang Kauswagan, can be found. There is also the Café Panay of Dr. Mae Tamayo Panes that offers tablea tsokolate, pancit molo, ibos, and turon, among other Ilonggo delicacies. At the left side of the mansion is the Sabor Ilonggo, which offers bite-sized Ilongo snacks and treats at affordable prices. At the backyard, there is a juice bar dubbed Table Matters of Mi Amor Iloilo and company where one can sip iced dragon fruit juice and other fruit drinks in open air, just beside a huge balete tree, and enjoy a lovely conversation with friends. “It’s the source of pride to the people of Molo. This mansion’s authentic design should be marketed and the store should be incidental. Those were some of our suggestions to promote the mansion as a tourist attraction,” Lujan added. The Molo Mansion was indeed an eye catcher. It is amazing to see how the mansion turned from being hunted to becoming a mecca. The people behind its restoration did not only erase fears that come from belief in the paranormal; they also dug the true meaning of the heritage.
It’s the source of pride to the people of Molo. This mansion’s authentic design should be marketed.
The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
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culture
Bakero no more At the first sound of the crowing rooster, he alertly stood up just like an obedient soldier. He surveyed his surroundings only to find that the sky was filled with the different shades of red and a little splash of the endless ray of pink. The giant yellow orb is rising from the ground. These soft glow of rays should have given comfort and warmth, but instead, it only reminded him of his sad reality. With a heavy sigh, he left his bed, prepared himself and finally took his provisions that would last a day. But of course, his battle gear will never be complete without his reliable buddy.
Ang gusto ko gid nga survive nila ang hiligaynon. Hindi nila pagbayaan kay amo na ang kultura ta.
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A C ow Herder ’ s J ourney into t h e W orld o f L iterature
By Marie Julienne V. Caballete Photography by Mara Elaiza A. Flores
Little Pio, now armed and ready, navigated the rice fields. Looking up, he saw a group of children with bags strapped on their backs. They were laughing and cheering excitedly. “They will probably go to school now,” he said. He continued to watch as the last of the children’s shadow disappear. With tears were starting to form in his innocent eyes, he looked away and said to his buddies, “One day, I will be able to go to school just like them.” And with that, he took his little notebook and pen and started scribbling. How many times did you hear your teachers say, “You should study well; after all, your parents gave you the opportunity to go to school?” This line has been a constant reminder that students should do good in school to compensate for the sacrifices of their parents. However, this was not the case for Pio Apil, a poet from Dangulaan, Anilao and one of the oldest writers for Hiligaynon Magazine.
A Distant Memory “My father gave me the task to herd cows; that was the reason why I was not able to go to school on time. If not for my own desire, I would never have had education,” he sadly shared. According to Lolo Pio, his passion for writing started when he was still in elementary. He used all his experiences while cow herding as the topics for his works. He would write about nature, the environment he is in and his daily experiences, and as young as he was, he wrote a lot of pieces about love. “Nagriligad ko nga pagsinarayo sa kahimtangan namon nga duro gid kami bi ka-imol amo to ya gina basehan ko. Nagpabilin sa pinsar ko gid [Our way of life was very difficult, we were very poor. I made that as my basis in writing all my works. Those experiences of mine are forever buried in my mind].” It was only when he reached high school that Lolo Pio, had his break in literature, when his work got published in their school paper, and he was already 21 at that time. After graduating from high school, Lolo Pio was able to step into college. He took up a one-year secretarial course at Lincoln College. However, that was short lived. Unfortunately, he had to leave school and start working again. “Nag-ubra ako kay Pat Jamerlan, Iloilo City tax consultant sang una. Gin hambalan ya ako nga diri ka lang sa akon ubra, maubra ka sa adlaw, eskwela ka sa gab-i. Tapuson ang komersyo pag ka tapos mo balik ka di sa akon kay tagaan ta ka sang mataas nga pwesto kag ang sweldo mo mataas [I worked for Pat Jamerlan, the Iloilo City tax consultant at that time. He told me that, I can work in the morning and attend the night school afterwards. He encouraged me to finish my studies and then go back to work for him when I graduate because he will give a high position and increase my pay].” He was inspired and viewed this offer as a stepping stone for him and his family.
His dream and hope was to send his brother and sisters to school. Unfortunately, the fates intervened yet again, and his dreams of sending his siblings to school never came true due to several circumstances. “May gin sulat lang ako nga istorya kung ano gakalatabo sa amon lugar sang tiempo sang martial law pero wala to ma-publish kay na sirado ang Hiligaynon [I wrote a story about the situation in our place at the time of Martial Law but it was not published because Hiligaynon was closed down].
It Ends With Him According to Lolo Pio, if one is to count all of his works from when he started writing, it is estimated to about 100 literary pieces — a testament of how dedicated Lolo Pio is as a writer. But then again, another sad reality entered Lolo Pio ‘s life. “Wala gid may na ka-kwa sang akon passion or talento sa pagsulat sa akon mga kabataan or mga apo [No one inherited my passion or talent for writing, not even my children or my grandchildren],” he sadly admitted. In this world of convenience, technology has become a commodity. Lolo Pio being used to the old world charm of using a typewriter finds it very difficult to adjust. He is currently writing for the Hiligaynon Magazine, which is owned by Manila Bulletin. His work cannot be published because his works are typewritten, which he finds difficult since, there is a regulation that every article should be computerized. “Naga gamit ako type writer; wala ko computer kay indi man ko kamaan mag-computer. Ga kadto pa ko sa Anilao para magpa-computer kag magpa-print [I am using a typewriter, I don’t have a computer because I don’t know how to
use it. I would travel to Anilao only to have my work computerized and printed],” he explained. Lolo Pio still remain true to what he knows and to what he is. To some, he can be considered as ancient. His is a person who is full of wisdom, which is probably why he still continues to write. “Ang gusto ko gid nga survive nila ang hiligaynon. Hindi nila pagbayaan kay amo na ang kultura ta. Kung wala na ko, mabilin ang akon sinulatan nga mabasehan nila or inspiration nila sa ulihi [What I really want is for the youth of today to revive the Hiligaynon; they should not take it for granted since this is our culture. When I’m gone, all of my works will be left, and they can use it as a basis or an inspiration someday],” he declared. Before ending the interview, Lolo Pio gave us a little piece of wisdom; that the youth of today should try to engage in writing, especially in using our very own language. He also shared that he is still dreaming that someday, all his works can be compiled into a book, which will be entitled Ang Pinugian nga Bahandi or Pinili nga Handumanan. He only wants to have limited copies of it for he only wants to see that his works are preserved and well-taken cared of. Some people would often think, whenever they see someone who is herding cows, that the person will always be doing the same thing. After all, how can one overcome such a hard life? But Lolo Pio is one of the few people who is an exception to this. Yes, he started from being a cow herder but he ended up as a poet, an envoy of literature. His dream of having his works published into book may hopefully come true because it is rare to see people nowadays give this much importance not for the fame, but just for the preservation of the culture. The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
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culture
Statement of visibility a tribute to t h e women o f ‘ su p er ’ By Jessa Madeleine P. Gange Photos courtesy of atmos.ph
Eli was walking along the streets of Iloilo City when she noticed the undertakings along the streets of the Public Market. With new profound curiosity, she decided to check what the commotion was all about. Super Fine (Arts) Some people think that the Iloilo Public Market is “only a place where we buy stuff” but for the Fine Arts students and faculty of the University of San Agustin, there is more to it than that. It was last March 31, 2015 when they conducted an activity inside the Iloilo Public Market, mostly known as Super. The Fine Arts program envisioned an integrated interdisciplinary curriculum that extends the wall of the classroom to experiential researchbased hands-on courses. “As part of a class project, I motivated and challenged my Fine Arts students to connect to a woman’s celebration that makes local women stories and faces visible,” Ma’am Lin-ay, faculty of the Fine Arts department said. What moved her to spearhead an event like this was a personal bias — to form a culture-based education of community engaging in art practices. “The classroom is The Augustinian Mirror
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a laboratory of ideas. We can only prove its worth when we apply it in the real world,” she added. The Fine Arts Major organization with other Ilonggo artists made the women of Iloilo Terminal Market as the highlight of Women’s Month Celebration. The center street of the Iloilo market turned into a public community museum with portraits of women whose lives are dedicated and cemented in the communal web of daily survival set up on the stores.
Super Team Getting ready for this big event requires a huge preparation. A team of Fine Arts Students in an Art Seminar Class conceptualized a community engaged research project. With a main theme of “A Tribute to Everyday Woman Heroes,” a first-round basis was conducted with visual visit and consultation with the Market Administration. Black and white photo installations of portraits of twenty women were printed in
tarpaulin and were mounted on their market stalls as a tribute. It was during the Women’s Day celebration, March 31, 2015, when a group of performing women artists in white attire and motif, staged a mocked fashion show in public spaces including our University Campus. Women in white navigated through the main road and the pedestrian in major intersections around the city streets. “This is a statement of visibility in holistic sense of beauty as opposed to sexualized media images of women,” Ma’am Lin-ay shared. “The white color meant for new beginning, new way of looking at the world, symbolizes the sacredness of the she, purity, boldness, and all the giving qualities of a woman, for the pure, wild woman who’s full of courage and kindness.” When they reached their destination, the Super Market, the cycling team parked their bicycles and danced their way in the market as they dispersed to honor each
woman vendor with poetry and a symbolic head scarf crown to show respect and appreciation to the local everyday women heroes. There, a candid exchange of gifts and generosity was displayed as vendors gave something in return such as eggs, vegetables, and candies as their way of showing acceptance and appreciation.
Super World? Marina Abramovic, a Serbian performance artist, has stunned the world with her sensational and sometimes ‘hardcore’ acts in public. Her performance piece entitled, ‘The Artist is Present’ has drawn an audience of 850,000, breaking the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)’s attendance records. Abramovic shared a minute of silence with each stranger who sat in front of her, including her ex-lover Ulay which led to a tearful and silent reunion. 5 years later, that one-minute silence between the lovers is still making its way around social media. Ulay and Abramovic created a total of 90 art pieces when they were still together. One of the most remarkable pieces was a piece entitled ‘Rest Energy’ where Abramovic holds the bow while Ulay holds the arrow on the other end. They each pull their half of the weapon until the arrow is more than ready to fly and symbolized the trust and fear that can be experienced when in a relationship.
This is only one example of how art interacts and influences life; some artists are bold enough to show us how we can take that first step. Art can no longer be confined in a canvas, and its ripples are now being felt more evidently across the world. As such, art has been used and created not only for aesthetic purposes but also as a form of expression. As seen by these people, art is definitely not a walk in the park. One must be able to take risks to share their art.
Super Statement Art performances by extremely talented team of students and other artist collaborators were made in several venues including the premises of the University of San Agustin Blanco Hall pavilion, Mabini-Ledesma streets pedestrian intersection, and inside Iloilo Terminal Market. Poetry reading, which was participated by Ilonggo artists such as Marrz Capanang, Kristine Buenavista and Noel De Leon, who read their poems that sum up the everyday experiences and the importance of women, was also included. For some time, women have struggled for equal treatment in society. They actually display extraordinary strength at home and in the workplace, but this is often overlooked. This was one of the reasons that this performance art was organized; it was a touching display especially for the women who were honored through this piece.
This is a statement of visibility in a holistic sense of beauty as opposed to sexualized media images of women.
Super Market is a gold mine of seasoned powerful women narratives, women portraits of power, hard work, determination, sacrifice, joy, enthusiasm, hope, love, and poverty. This is a favorable time to pay tribute to the heroic women who have helped advance the worthy cause of the silent majority in this society. It is time to make them visible.
The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
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sci-tech
edutaInment, tHe neW trend READY TO BREAK ThROUGh ThE MAZE? By frEnniE M. tABABA
Photography by Mara Elaiza A. flores
Hiding in the dark corner with my laser gun firmly held in my hand, I sighted my possible opponent. My teammates just got to their own positions, too. I just saw one; no, they were many. At the count of three, I aimed. “Well done,� announced the speaker attached to my vest. After fifteen minutes, my team was declared loser.
New restaurants, diners, and infrastructures are among the recent trends in Iloilo. Pasttimes have even presented themselves in the form of lasers, mazes, and friendly fire. Funatix Iloilo owner shares his story on being a volunteer during the wake of Yolanda, and how fate made him meet his team that would become more than just a group.
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Something More to reveal
Hobby Turned Business Yew Beng Kwan from Australia, President of Funatix Pte Ltd Co., Inc., volunteered for social work, but as business minded as he is, after a year of stay in the Philippines, he ventured on a unique operation that would leave a mark in the history of our city. The original idea was to put up a 3D art museum, but it was changed to a more techy kind of game, the laser tag. He has a 10-year old son who always tries playing the laser maxx game whenever there are birthday parties. With this thought in mind, and from the experiences he had during his travels around the globe, he set up this idea at the second floor of Barcelona building, Plazuela de Iloilo, with partners, 80% foreigners and 20% Filipinos, and with his team of 15, mostly aged 20-23 years.
The Game That Must Be Played “We wanted to create a trendy and at the same time, cool product,” Mr. Kwan stated in an interview with The Augustinian. With equipment purchased in Europe, the laser tag is played by teams that will be defined by colors on the vests, like red and green team. In the briefing room, a designated vest with a laser gun is prepared by the crew to be given to a player. Firing the laser gun is done by pressing the yellow button while pulling the trigger. You will get points by shooting the opponents, but you will lose points when you are hit by anybody from the other team. At hitting, you will be deactivated for six seconds and you will be supplied with valued information by the speakers and display on the vest. The special powers obtained can be spy color, invisibility, rapid fire and a shield. Places like Manila and Cebu also have laser tag games but theirs are still in the generation 2 compared to what we now have here in Iloilo that belongs in the generation 5. The difference between the two is that generation 5 is more accurate and based on some comments of the players, “There’s no delay. At the moment you point your gun to your target, that’s the same moment that the laser will hit them.” People were also impressed of the vastness of the battle area that is 560 square meters that will really test your strategies and endurance.
This is not the only game that Funatix want us to experience. In the tarpaulin posted in their studio, there were six icons, which denote something about their business. They also have the laser maze game that was launched together with the laser tag during their opening last August 29; the maze tests your flexibility and you can choose whether you will try the easier, average or harder one. In the process of building up their business, a bowls and bowels restaurant, mystery room, coffee shop and their original idea of the 3D art museum will be set up on the date to be announced by the company. Function rooms are also available to cater to birthday parties serving snacks unlike any other with clowns and magicians in the promo. “We want to level up our ideas. We don’t want our business to start that grand that will just make the customers get tired trying all those stuffs. So as of now, we are doing it step by step,” Nikki Espino, Marketing Officer, commented. Ideas about leadership teambuilding and management programs are also the things they want to create. They want to make their customers apply what they have learned during the sessions on the games, which they will be playing. “Funatix wants to incorporate education and entertainment. Here, we call it EDUTAINMENT,” Mr. Kwan said.
Costs an Arm and a Leg This kind of business is risky. You invest
You need to dare to try. Be bold rather than not do anything.
much of your money not making sure that this will make profit. Even though the employees are just small in number, they perform their task professionally despite the number of people, especially students, coming to try this new kind of techy thing. The good thing here is that, at the end of the day, you see people smiling because of the experience. Yes, even though I was wearing my school uniform when I tried playing the game, I enjoyed it. I didn’t mind losing the game but I just focused on the game itself. The worries I felt during the whole duration of the midterm examination vanished because of it. I’m not being biased here, considering that the two interior designers are alumni of the University, Jun Ray Canonicato and Fritz Vincent Campos, but it’s really worth playing. As Mr. Kwan said, “You need to dare to try. Be bold rather than not do anything.” And yes, the challenge in this game is: dominate the competition and break through the maze!
The AugusTiniAn Mirror
oCtoBEr 2015 Volume 83, number 2
Dare to go down the rabbit hole? t h e usa p ub p i p s in slumberland By Erika Danielle M. Pepito and Jecel T. Buenavides Photography by Mara Elaiza A. Flores
“Describe September 18, 2015 in five words: embarrassing, humiliating, terrifying, horrifying, overwhelming.” Let us get this straight — that was not an initiation activity. It was a form of social experiment wherein the five of us walked around the university grounds in our pajamas. The USA Pub photojournalists scattered within the vicinity of the university and hid in every nook and cranny they could find to capture the reactions of the Augustinians as our pajama-clad selves trotted along the hallways, barefoot. We, the subjects, tried to act as normal The Augustinian Mirror
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as possible. By normal, we mean that we were just doing our daily routines — buying food at the cafeteria, walking in the hallways, talking to friends. What made us different from the others was our preference of clothing for that experiment. We started the experiment by laughing
and talking as if there were mountains between us as we walked down the stairs of Blanco Hall. When the students realized what we were wearing, we could feel their stares boring holes at the back of our heads. At first, we wanted to just go back to the Pub office and end the experiment, right then and there.
campus
But we knew that we had to finish what we started. We even heard someone ask us if they can join in the fun. So, we just kept going. The cafeteria, packed with students at that time, somehow fell silent when they saw us enter and buy food. One of us saw her classmates at the other side of the Dolse Garcia Hall and started to call them, which attracted more attention on us. We crossed the grassy patch to reach them, and even sat on the grass, in the middle where everyone can see us, and took a bunch of selfies. We moved on to the Urdaneta and Mendel Halls. We had to sneak behind the security guard’s back stealthily so as not to be reprimanded by him for our choice of clothes. We passed by the Drawing Rooms rooms in the ground floor of the building and decided to poke some fun at the Architecture students. They made some remarks like, “Na ano ni sila ya man?” and “Ano’ng trip nila?” (which pretty much sounded like they were pissed off and amused at the same time) while we marched outside their classrooms. Our next stop was Blanco Hall. Students who seemed to fasten their attention to their teachers were suddenly disturbed by our presence. Almost all of them was hooked on watching a group of students in their pajamas splendidly march along their hallways. On the other hand, some students would just stare
at us blankly with their poker faces, as if they’re thinking that we’re having an unruly insanity. On the other hand, there were a few who acted as if it was just an everyday scene in the campus. We went back to the Dolse Garcia’s quadrangle and took some more selfies, then decided to head to the Library. We spent a few minutes lying on top of some tables in the Discussion Area. To say that the reaction of the baggage area-in-charge that time was too comical to capture, is definitely an understatement. He literally looked like a deer caught in the headlights, and it was hard not to laugh because we had to keep up with our acts. To ramp up our game, we entered the Library and gave the students there a show by roaming around the study area and eBook section. We somehow expected that the people inside (especially the lady guard) were going to reprimand us and it would bring our spirits down if that happened. Good thing was that they were entertained by our short spectacle (they even looked relieved to take a few minutes off from reviewing their notes and just watched us roam around the library as if we do not even give a flying furball). We waited for the bell to ring, signifying the dismissal of classes in Rada Hall. For us to be able to pick up many side comments and
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reactions from the students, we immediately put ourselves in a sitting position near the stairway, talking about random stuffs and acting wacky to the best that we could. The long wait was over, the bell rang repetitiously in our ears and students showed up. As to what we have already perceived to happen, students keenly passed us by, eagle-eyed with constricted eyebrows and squeezing mouths, obviously surprised by the out-of-the way acts they have witnessed.
When the students realized what we were wearing, we could feel their stares boring holes at the back of our heads. They say, “Save the best for last.” The highlight of this experiment was when we sat in the heart of the Student Center and played with the teddy bear we brought with us. Whenever someone would pass us by and see us blocking the way, they stepped aside and we surprised them by throwing the teddy bear in the air and catching it while making sure they see the stuffed toy, just to poke some fun. We stayed there for a long time, and pretty much, the eyes of the students there were glued to us the whole time. On Andrea Parce’s part, she found it embarrassing. “I felt like I was an alien and I was weird. I felt like I was a liability to the society.” Joseff Gagajena felt like a walking freak show but “it was still fun to witness the students’ hilarious reactions.” A loud rude laugh, the distinguishable faces of muttering group of students, the funfreaking-tastic reactions and students who appeared to be oblivious on what was going on — these were how students responded to our pajama parade. There were others who didn’t even bat an eye, as if it was the sort of thing they were used to seeing everyday. We acted funky and funny and in return, we were able to attest to the diversity of the way students respond to the stimulating social experiment. It offered us a glimpse of how society embraces the various changes in behavior, in preference, and even in sexuality. These are deviant experiments prove how society is now getting the hang of accepting what once was unusual before in the eyes of many. The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
On Top of the World U S A M S breaking f ree f rom p h ysical boundaries By Resty John L. Palete and Andrea Nicole C. Parce Photos courtesy of USA Mountaineering Society
Everyone opened their drinking bottles and filled them to the brim. Satisfied with the infinite craving for both the dripping water from the last falls and the intense need for a 30-second rest, they packed their bags again and prepared themselves for the worst yet to come. Packed with their survival kits, which included thick sweaters, canned goods, a bottle of water, and the courage to finish the climb, they set out on their journey to the wilderness and held on to the promise of going down with no one missing. For it was more than mere adventure. It was a battle between the thoughts of giving up and the courage to finish the climb. The University of San Agustin Mountaineering Society (USAMS) is a club organized by the students of the University that aims to promote physical fitness and environment consciousness through outdoor activities, such as mountain trekking and mountain climbing. Established in the year 1995, USAMS started with only 5 to 10 members and half of them, considered as official. It began with the University of San Agustin Architecture Department and was later introduced to the different colleges within the university as USAMS.
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Now, in its 20th year under the umbrella of the Iloilo Mountaineering Society, it has reached the mark it has been aiming for — twenty years of breaking the wall that the cities and malls have built, twenty years of proving capabilities beyond the extreme, and twenty great years of breaking physical boundaries. On its journey to the tough trail of public acceptance and the need for a sturdy future for the organization, it has faced not only a huge boulder of public criticisms and biased judgements, but also a number of short-lived mountaineers who failed to unlock the enigma mountaineering has brought. While others find it hard to unravel, surviving the tough trails is just easy when you know what to expect.
Survival Tip No.1: Man-up
“Once you decide to join the pack, make sure you’re committed,” Mary Francille Igtanloc, President of USAMS shared. You might think of mountaineering as a recreational activity or a venue for
environmental awareness. But you might as well think twice because taking one step towards the mountain is a risky move. “We have our own criteria and requirements before a member can be permitted to climb,” Igtanloc said. Basic Mountaineering Course is required for every member that are qualified for the climb, which includes finishing one minor climb and one major climb. According to Igtanloc, attitude is part of the requirement to become a bonafide member of the USAMS. One must possess certain characteristics for one to be able to find the true mountaineer in him. The challenge of membership is on how you behave and learn through your experiences during the climb, and it is where the applicants realize if they are in the right place. Those who were really fit for it stays, while those who were just there for the sake of “being there” would eventually cease participation. Another thing to consider is that
campus
mountaineering is a costly hobby. For those new in the climb, proper gear are borrowed from the alumni and clothes are discounted under the organization. “The organization soldiered on through the unwavering support of the alumni,” said Daffy Binobo, one of the pillars who kept on feeding USAMS the courage to maintain its pace despite the unstable status of the organization during his time. “Due to the unique nature of activities, which include exposing yourself to the elements and leaving the familiarity and comfort of your regular life, it was hard to encourage participation from the students, but a few number of people were persistent on the pursuit of adventure,” Binobo added.
Survival Tip No. 2: Bring Less, Expect More
Hours spent climbing is worth it when upon reaching the top, a breathtaking view from the nature is waiting. Unlike other organizations in the university, USAMS break free from the common misconceptions of students in the university. Climbing mountains is not the hardest challenge they face; it is their own existence within the university as one of the student organizations that proves as the highest peak to reach. “Climbing is a metaphor for life. It is through climbing where you learn that you can actually do more from what is expected. That you can overcome adversities and the challenges you meet along the way. That you can actually outwit the elements through proper training, preparation, sound logistics, the right attitude and a twisted sense of humor when suffering,” shared Binobo.
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Adventure and challenge are among the pursuits of the organization but security and safety are also intertwined with it.
Simply because the USAMS is a mountaineering club does not mean that its members can easily come and go to every mountain they wish to hike. Adventure and challenge are among the pursuits of the organization but security and safety are also intertwined with it. Before starting their climb, members must process legal papers to have a proper permit in entering mountains that are under the jurisdiction of respective communities. “Letter for the police, to the mayor and to the army are essential to continue the climb,” Igtanloc enumerated. Yes, adventure becomes “real” because of the possible NPA attacks or ambush in an isolated mountain is highly possible. Now, the true mountaineering experience starts here. Meanwhile, you might think of bringing your own house together with you, it is implausible to do so. Sacrificing comfort is essential to mountaineering since it requires extreme physical demands. Water and food are stored for long hours of climbing but climbing lightly is important. You must carry your own weight to keep the pace. Apart from that, you might as well think twice because chances of getting lost in the mountains will be your “beastfriend.” Unexpected journey may happen and leave you no choice but to deal with it or else you will lose your track. “We were divided into three groups and we were in the middle. We tried to trace our path to find the other group but we were left behind. It was already dusk and we’re scared. We cried and didn’t know what to do, but hope came when we were found by the group,” Igtanlok shared.
Survival Tip No.3: Save the Best for Last Half of the day climbing even days of hiking and reaching the peak can be considered as the final destination of the set goals. “When we reach the top of the mountain, we set our camps, cook for our dinner and enjoy the once in a life-time view of nature’s gift to us. We share jokes, stories and experiences that the climb created.” The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
Food & 32 lifestyle
bREAKING A FEW EGGS By Nicole Ailice F. Serisola
Photography by Clyde Allen E. Sollesta
Toasted English muffins, poached eggs, Prosciutto or Canadian bacon and Hollandaise – these are the fundamental ingredients for the favorite all-around Eggs Benedict. For the non-culinarians, many would likely scratch their heads trying to get past through the understanding of such ingredients. I can imagine how a conversation would go if it came to asking about this ‘peculiar’ Eggs Benedict dish. What did Benedict do to have his eggs under the limelight? It must have been something serious. Toasted English muffin halves, topped with a fine slice of ham or bacon, a perfectly poached egg, and some of that hollandaise sauce sprinkled with cayenne or ground black pepper – voila. An eggs benedict. Eggs Benedict, as Kitchen Riffs (website) had quoted, “it’s a rich dish, so most of us don’t eat it often and it tends to be a ‘restaurant
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dish’ for many people.” Well said. True enough, it tends to be labeled as a restaurant dish as prices of these babies range from P260 (a piece!) to P475. Won’t that make you take a step back? It’s JUST eggs, toasted muffins, ham and that fine hollandaise sauce, eh? How hard could it be to make? Sadly, despite innovation and technology, not all are well knowledgeable when it comes to food. I’ll admit that even upon first introduction of the eggs Benedict, I was bewildered on how I could possibly make it, not without spending a considerable amount of money and effort just for finding
(and making) its ingredients. In this version, hollandaise is replaced by the cheese sauce called Mornay sauce in the culinary world, if you want to get formal and English muffins for Filipino Pan de Sal. Also, did I ever tell you I made this extra weird/different by putting in some chocolate sauce? So I strongly advise you don’t omit the chocolate sauce. You’ll thank me afterwards. (Chocolate and cheese make a good combination, a fact I learned accidentally through food experimentation – but only after knowing a particular someone eat Milo and cheese.)
Toasted English Muffin with Eggs Benedict Here it is: Two or four slices of your chosen bread Two poached eggs Two thin slices of sweet ham, cooked Cheese (Mornay) Sauce Chocolate Sauce For the toast/bread: 125 ml Milk 1 large egg 2 Tbsp. White Sugar 1 Tbsp. Cocoa Powder A pinch of salt 2 medium (round) Pan de Sal, halved 3 Star bread, sliced with the star top removed
¾ Tbsp All-purpose Flour ¾ cup Milk 70 grams Eden processed-filled cheese Salt and Ground White Pepper, to season
Procedure: Melt butter (completely) in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in flour until the roux (pronounced roo) is smooth. There should be no lumps. Slowly incorporate in milk, whisking until mixed thoroughly. Put in cheese. Stir constantly, bringing to a low boil. Cook until the sauce is thick, having adjusted the taste with salt and pepper as desired.
Procedure: Beat all ingredients together except for bread. Heat a non-stick frying pan to lowmedium heat. Dip each slice of bread into the mixture until well soaked, twenty seconds per side or depending on how thick the slice is. Do not leave it too long otherwise it will get soggy and slippery to handle. Place in pan and cook on both sides until the center is no longer gooey and the bread is well toasted. Set aside. For the poached eggs: Two large eggs 1 Liter of water 1 ½ Tbsp White Vinegar
Procedure: Fill a saucepan with the water. Bring to a low boil. Put in white vinegar. Crack eggs individually in a small bowl. While the water is simmering, slowly make a whirlpool or tornado in the saucepan. Drop in egg in the middle, still maintaining the tornado. Cook egg for two to three minutes (if you want its yolk gooey, then two). When done, remove egg and dip into an ice bath until the egg has cooled. Remove egg and set aside. Repeat until both eggs are done. For the cheese sauce: 1 Tbsp (15 grams) Butter
For the chocolate sauce: 1/3 cup cocoa powder 3/8 cup (90 grams) white sugar 2 grams instant coffee powder (optional) ¾ cup water plus 1 Tbsp (15 ml) Milk
Procedure: Combine all ingredients in a medium thick saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, letting it boil until thickened, whisking well for about five to ten minutes, depending on the consistency you like. Remove from heat then cool. To assemble: (Basically just layer it) Place the chocolate ‘French’ toast first on the middle of a plate. Spread a SMALL amount of chocolate sauce on the bread. Lay the ham on top. Then, put egg on the top of the ham. Spoon a generous amount of cheese sauce to the egg. You can turn it into a sandwich by topping with another slice of toast like what I did, with its top side first having dipped in chocolate sauce. Also, this can be pre-made (just don’t assemble yet) then refrigerated to serve as your breakfast – just make sure to heat it through first. Sprinkle black ground pepper or cayenne. Garnish with chocolate sauce or as desired. Bon appétit.
What did Benedict do to have his eggs under the limelight? It must have been something serious.
The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
Food & 34 lifestyle
pasta for the soul treat your taste buds A N D indulge Y O U R I N N E R I T A L I A N
By Nicole Ailice F. Serisola Photography by Mara Elaiza A. Flores
Pasta Brava Pristine and a tad posh, the pasta piqued my curiosity as I repeatedly glanced at the crystalline glass doors – my eyes surveying the restaurant’s setting, smirking notably while taking note of the large painting of Mona Lisa. Crisp white and verdigris green walls, neatly arranged shelves stocked with selective wines - another lined with bottles of pasta, boxes of tea , assorted tableware, and a perceptible, hard to miss large mural of a monochromatic tree greeted its customers upon setting foot in the new pasta place in town. At first glance of the establishment, one would think keenly of a fancy café instead of
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Featuring “Build-Your-Own Pasta”, Pasta Brava gives patrons and pasta lovers choices on creating their own pasta without risking either quality or flavor. From linguini, Fusilli, to penne, your selected pasta is served al dente with a variety of sauces to choose from.
a restaurant serving pasta. Pasta restaurants often bear the breadth of Italian cuisine with its brightly atmosphere, complex setting, and accentuating degree of the upper class. With its simple yet elegant pristine motif, Pasta Brava conveys certain charm despite its humble appearance. Featuring “Build-Your-Own Pasta”, Pasta Brava gives patrons and pasta lovers’ choices on creating their own pasta without risking either quality or flavor. From linguini, Fusilli, to penne, your selected pasta is served al dente with a variety of sauces to choose from – alfredo, marinara, Bolognese and butter garlic – with distinctive meat choices of chicken, tuna, shrimp, Hungarian sausage and even the popular bacon bits plus a multitude
of vegetables – white onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, broccoli and corn to name a few. Additional cheese topping of either cheddar or Monterey Jack and slices of freshly made garlic bread are also served along with your ‘created’ pasta. Being an aficionado of creamy pasta, I went by Linguini with Alfredo sauce, paired with chicken and bacon bits, white onions and mushroom and a heaping topping of Monterey Jack. For my drink, I had chosen Strawberry Lychee and the Molten Chocolate topped with Vanilla Ice Cream as my dessert. Slightly dismayed afterwards by my hackneyed choice of pasta (instead of going wild and choosing perhaps an unusual/weird/ out of this norm combination such as Fusili,
marinara, tuna plus olives, broccoli, corn and carrots), my spirits were revitalized later on as my meal was presented to me by an ever affable server. The freshly baked garlic bread wafted the air with its fragrant, aromatic combination of garlic and various herbs – inciting the crustiness of the bread to my vision. Alluring to behold, the ambrosial creamy white pasta was appetizing – containing just the right amount of creaminess. Having cooled as I ate, the pasta had maintained its firm texture – al dente -throughout the entire meal. The white onions were too, firm to bite and did not have the sharp, astringent flavor usually expected from uncaramelized (achromatic or something similar – cooked but not browned) onions. Surprisingly, the bacon bits in my pasta had little to no fat, but instead mostly had meat that was savory and chewy. Chunks of chicken and slices of button mushrooms also adorned my meal – adding all to the flavorsome palatable taste of the pasta. Enjoying my meal, I took a sip of the Strawberry Lychee (Iced Tea?), the nectarous liquid leaving a gustatory sensation. Served in a tall footed Pilsner, the drink contained a bright prominent slice of lemon at the bottom and above was garnished with a sprig of mint
leaves. The saccharine Lychee prevailed in the beverage, while the evident strawberry highlighted the flavor of the late. Sweetly refreshing, aptly put. Finishing off my pasta, I moved on to the last but not the least eagerly awaited dessert - Molten Chocolate topped with Vanilla Ice Cream. Looking a kin to a rounded brownie a la mode, the dessert was decorated with neuron-like chocolate syrup at the sides and finished off with a maraschino cherry at the top. At first, the mousse appeared genuinely soft and a wee bit friable to look at, but upon taking a generous spoonful, I was taken aback by its rich flavor. Moist and luscious, the chocolate mousse tasted really well paired with the ice cream. Taking my time, I finished off the dessert with a smug smile of satisfaction. Dining at Pasta Brava might be a tad pricey for the average college student monthly allowance, having spent P430 total – but then again, the food was good for 2 pax – and it’s Build-Your-Own pasta, therefore you can have it the way you like it! Opened last eighteenth of September at the Shops at Atria here in Iloilo, the restaurant is eagerly accepted by clienteles – with bustling customers often at night time. The restaurant is open for business from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The freshly baked garlic bread wafted the air with its fragrant, aromatic combination of garlic and various herbs.
The Augustinian Mirror
october 2015 Volume 83, Number 2
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reviews
Off the charts
the usa pub hones in on these record-breakers INSIDE OUT (2015)
ANOTHER DAY (2015)
By KRISTIN JOSEFF R. GAGAJENA
By AIMEE ANDREA D. GAJE
11-year-old Riley Andersen (voiced by Kaitlyn Dias) has lived a happy life in her home state of Minnesota and like everyone else, she is guided throughout life by her emotions, personified in the forms of Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler), Sadness (voiced by Phyllis Smith), Anger (voiced by Lewis Black), Disgust (voiced by Mindy Kaling) and Fear (voiced by Bill Hader). One day, her family moved to San Francisco, California which causes Riley to feel homesick. This results in chaos ensuing in the emotions’ Headquarters leaving Riley in a troubled emotional state. Inside Out succeeds at entertaining audiences with its interesting premise and its screenplay shows a well written narrative along with good dialogue without making exposition too blatant. The movie shows good execution of mixing unique storyline with elements of a usual “slice of life” plot. Aside from its plot, it appeals to the audience with its masterfully done animation and talented voice cast. It’s also well researched in terms of psychology and the vast amount of research the film’s producers had to do can really be seen through the film’s execution (e.g. there being only five instead of many emotions is based on a psychological theory that there are six primary emotions which included the aforementioned emotions and Surprise although it was omitted because it was thought to be too similar to Fear). The characters also never lose their appeal as character development is really emphasized, though Riley has her emotions to thank for her character development and the emotions that do undergo the most significant character development are Joy and Sadness. Aside from having the qualities of a well executed film, the plot serves as an eye opener for the awareness of psychological disorders as it shows audiences a realistic portrayal of depression (from the outside at least; what goes on inside Riley’s mind is a fictionalized account of course but it tells viewers that something is definitely wrong when one falls into a depressive state). While it can be considered a family comedy film, it explores themes such as the hardship of growing up, leaving childhood, and dealing with new situations that many people, especially those who have experienced anxiety or depression, moved house as a child, or experienced any kind of emotional trauma can relate to making it appeal not only to children but to adults as well. It can also go without saying that another reason that adults can also enjoy the movie because of a few pop culture references that pop up every now and then (fans of the 1974 film Chinatown will likely recognize the line “Forget it Jake, it’s Cloudtown.”) All-in-all, Inside Out is a worthy addition to Pixar’s roster of masterpieces and it might have a strong chance at being the 4th animated movie to earn a Best Picture nomination. Not only is it another critically acclaimed movie that shows some the best of Pixar has to offer, it also leaves an impact on audiences with the lessons about emotional maturity one can learn from the movie.
Rhiannon didn’t know how much her life would change in just a single day. Just when she thought things were finally taking a turn to the good side as she and her boyfriend Justin spend a beautiful day at the beach – after spending the previous night fighting over petty things – her life does a complete 360. The next day, Justin returns to his old, ignorant self, not remembering much about his day together with Rhiannon. Making things even more complicated than they already are, Rhiannon finds out that it wasn’t really with Justin that she spent the day at the beach. It was with a wandering spirit named A who inhabited Justin’s body for a day. The first book Every Day, which was told in A’s point of view, definitely left me in shambles upon reading the ending. Reading Another Day – now written in Rhiannon’s point of view – provided me with a different perspective of their love story. It was beautifully written and incredibly refreshing, because I surely haven’t read anything like this book before. Somehow, I found it sad that A could never get too attached to anything in his life, because he wakes up in a different body every day. In this book, love broke free from the chains it was bound to, personified by A who never thought that he could ever fall in love because of his condition. But that all changed when he met Rhiannon, who made him want to defy the odds and try to break free from the chains of fate. Rhiannon made him want to be attached, to experience love and everything else that came with waking up as the same person every day. That was evident throughout the whole story, and I almost believed that he and Rhiannon could overcome their relationship’s obstacles and live happily ever after, but then again the ending was just another bitter reminder that happily-ever-after’s don’t exist. Still, their love had a raw vulnerability to it. They can see it in each other’s eyes even if they’re meters away from each other in the same room. They can feel the connection almost instantaneously even when they haven’t spotted each other, yet. And that’s exactly why I really felt like saying, “Excuse me, Sir, I think I might have to miss school today because a work of fiction has left me physically and emotionally distraught.” Their love was so beautifully fragile that I couldn’t even begin to imagine them looking for anyone else; but then again, instead, A programmed the memories of the last boy whose body he inhabited to remember only the day he spent with Rhiannon, so that she can finally settle with a guy who’s good for her. Because A will never be normal, and even if there’s a chance for him to inhabit the same body permanently, he wouldn’t want to do it. Not for himself, and not for Rhiannon. A had to deal with the fact that he was changing what he knew for most of his life, and he was ready to do it all for Rhianon. Do you have a love like that?
The Augustinian Mirror
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