SCI-TECH
The ABCs of the MIS By Andre Karl S. Faculin
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ver wondered how pieces of information in the University travel in split seconds? Have you imagined how grades and account balances are organized? Or have you figured out the way by which the University manages thousands of records everyday while maintaining order and confidentiality? Sending information from Mendel Hall to Herrera Hall is made easy by the Management Information System (MIS). The MIS ser ves as the information superhighway of the University, turning raw information on paper into a
pixilated, digitalized form. According to MIS Director Rev. Fr. Pederito Aparece, the MIS is “a system that provides the information needed to manage the University efficiently and effectively.” The MIS is the power that analyzes the systems applied in operational activities within the University. Establi shed in 2002, the MIS is analogous to the Universit y ’s Information Technolog y section. The software was originally created by former MIS director, Atty. Rey Ejes. Aparece says that the MIS has the sole responsibility of ensuring the accessibility of colleges and departments to the
Photo by KRISTINE LOUISE L. ANDRADE
MIS Page 6
By Ayah Danica V. Granada and Mia Rose V. Emboltura
SPECTACLE
Cheating Death
Photo courtesy of WARNER BROS.
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eath decides how, and fate decides when. What would you do if you found out just how your life was going to end? A life for a life. What tricks are you willing to execute to escape your predestined fate? The Final Destination movie series, with its first movie released in 2000, is still on a roll. In a span of eleven years, producers have managed to formulate many more gruesome, disastrous and out-of-the- ordinary deaths. In the fifth installation of the Final Destination series, its characters find themselves once again in a race against time - and death. The film begins with a gathering of coworkers for a company retreat. During their bus ride, Sam, one of the employees, becomes anxious about his surroundings as little by little, things start going wrong. The TV screen flickers and the melancholy tune of ‘Dust in the Wind’ plays
on the radio, and he cuts his finger on the seat in front of him. The bridge they’re on collapses and Sam witnesses people falling off the bridge and impaling themselves on the mast of a yacht, getting seared by hot tar, being whipped about by flying support cables, simply drowning to their death, and he himself being speared by a falling bar. Sam wakes up, revealing that all he has seen is merely a vision of a bridge collapsing. He warns his col leag ues about the misfortune that awaits them. Later though, his vision turns into a reality in which everyone dies except the eight members of their company. And just like the four previous movies, the film follows a formula: main character has more premonitions, the survivors of a massive catastrophe meet and discuss their fate as they realize they are all meant to die. Each time the lead character tries to figure out a way to make an
exception to death’s arbitrary rules, he fails anyway. As the fifth installment in the popular series, this film disappoints by not bringing anything new to the story. Someone who’s been following the series since the first movie sees no continuity for it follows the same plot formula - the only difference is that each character’s death scenario is more gruesome than the one before it. The fatal events are either disturbing, funny (yes, that’s true!), shocking, or a mix of the three. The special effects are excellent, particularly in the scenes showing a beheading , dissecting , squishing , crushing , and roasting. Just like in the previous chapters, this film employs the foreshadowing technique to show how the characters will die, though it has raised the suspense and unpredictability factors to a much higher level. For those who prefer inspirational, cheesy movies FINAL DESTINATION Page 6
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Ni hannah grace s. taba
Volume LVII • Number 2
NOVEMBER 28, 2011
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Panitikan nga ba?
Mga litrato ni RAY ADRIAN C. MACALALAG
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indi naman natin maipagkaila ang mababang pagtingin ng ibang tao sa Tagalog pocketbooks. Isang dahilan ay dahil madalas itong mabili sa mga tiangge at kung minsan naman ay narerentahan. Kahit makikita ang pagnanais na makamit ang paghanga mula sa mga mambabasa ng anumang estado ng pamumuhay, hindi pa rin maiiwasan ang pambabatikos ng ilang mga kritiko sa mga ganitong uri ng akda lalo na
ang hindi mamatay-matay na isyu tungkol sa paggamit ng Taglish sa pagsulat ng nobela na lalo lamang nagpatibay sa paniniwalang para lamang ito sa mga mababang uri ng tao sa lipunan. Ayon kay Gng. Judith Fresnido, isang propesor sa College of Arts and Sciences, kaya naman daw may mga ilan na ikinahihiya ang pagbabasa ng pocketbooks ay dahil nabibilang ito sa ‘low art’, o mababang uri ng sining dahil nakahiligan itong basahin ng mga yaya at atsay matapos gawin ang mga
gawaing-bahay na iniuutos sa kanila. Ayon kay Cami Geduque, isang 1st year BSBA student, tatlong taon na siyang nagbabasa ng pocketbooks ngunit kahit kailan ay hindi niya ikinahiya ang pagbabasa ng mga ito. “Hindi, dahil wala namang masama sa pagbabasa ng mga ito,” sagot ni Jennifer Santiago, isa ring 1st year BSBA student nang tanungin kung nagkaroon na ng pagkakataong nahiya siyang aminin na nagbabasa siya ng pocketbooks. Maaari ring maiugnay
ang salitang ‘baduy’ sa mga pocketbook sapagkat naglalaman ito ng mga simpleng kuwento na sumasalamin sa realidad ng b u hay ng tao ng u n i t hindi ito baduy sa mga taong maliliit lamang ang mundong ginagalawan, may payak na pamumuhay at paulit-ulit lamang ang pang-araw-araw na karanasan. “ S a a k i n g p a l a g a y, nahihikayat ang mga tao, partikular na ang mga kabataan na magbasa ng mga pocketbook ay dahil karamihan sa mga paksa nito ay tungkol sa pag-ibig,” ani Fresnido Dagdag pa niya, ito ay dahil mas naiuugnay ng mambabasa ang kanyang sarili sa mga usapin at diskors na nakapaloob sa teksto.
Nagbigay din ng komento si Fresnido sa mga pambabatikos sa mga pocketbooks bilang hindi isang uri ng panitikan. “A n g p a n i t i k a n a y panunulat na nakapag-aabot ng damdamin at kaisipan ng awtor sa mambabasa sa paggamit ng malikhaing pananalita. Hindi sagabal kung ito ma’y pocketbook, artikulo sa pahayagan o ano pa man,” wika niya. Hindi naman talaga ililimbag ang isang libro kung wala itong halaga dahil hanggang may halaga ang isang istorya, maituturing ito na panitikan. Nang tanungin si Fresnido kung anu-ano ang makukuhang benepisyo sa pagbasa ng mga pocketbook, hindi lamang daw maaliw ang mga mambabasa,
mapagyayaman din nila ang kanilang bokabularyo sa Ingles o Filipino depende kung aling medium ang ginamit sa pagsusulat ng mga ito. Para naman kay Hariette Depita, isang 1 st year HRM student, tatlong taon na rin niyang naging libangan ang pagbabasa ng pocketbooks at marami na itong naitulong sa kanya. “Nak akukuha ako ng leksyon at ang mga kuwento ay nagsisilbi ring inspirasyon,” sabi ni Depita. “Napagyayaman ng mga pocketbook ang panitikang Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng pagdaragdag ng makabagong anyo ng panitikan sa pag-usbong ng makabagong panahon,” dagdag ni Fresnido.
Volume LVII • Number 2
NOVEMBER 28, 2011
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Illustration by RAY ADRIAN C. MACALALAG
Religion » 3
By Genesa A. Buenafe
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e would wake up at 5:30 in the morning, restore order and promote punctuality in the University throughout the day and stroll down the hallways by 4PM, doing the rounds until 7PM. He kept constant watch over classes and offices. Despite his strict nature, he didn’t know how to get angry and despite his simple way of living, he turned out to be the father of the most grandiose festival in Iloilo - the Dinagyang. Some of us may have heard of his name in daily conversations. In the hallways of the University, we may have felt a part of him walking along with us. In the library, we may have felt his image and warm gaze watching over us through the years. Some of us may have glanced at his portrait, too, not realizing how much that person has contributed to our culture. Truly, this cultural legend was once the father of every Augustinian. He was one man, traveling one road that ended on June 12, 2011, but this one man made a great difference. We call him: Rev. Fr.
Ambrosio Galindez, OSA. The Voyage Thomas S. Monson says, “ W hen one holds the priesthood of God, he never knows when his moment of ser vice may come. The challenge is to be ready to serve.” Fr. Galindez was born ready to give service to his fellowmen. Encouraged by his brother’s life, he began his vocation in the priesthood in 1947 after he had graduated from grade school and entered a diocesan seminary in Cebu. Many events in his life tested him and his faith to make him discern if he had enough reason to continue studying in the seminary. But with God’s will, he became an Augustinian priest under the guidance and mentoring of his vocation director, Fr. Moran. Fr. Galindez was not exempted from the challenges that his calling brought with it. Numerous trials showed him the way along a bumpy road that he gratefully tread anyway as his search for truth and journey of faith continued. His quest took him to
Rome in 1956. He stayed there for four years to study Theology. He made history as the first Filipino-Augustinian to have been chosen for that. Mingling with the different races in Rome, he soon realized just how low they looked down on the Filipinos. In one of his past interviews, he stated, “We have to be brave, otherwise, people from other countries, will put us down.” Thus, he persevered in his studies at the International College of Sta. Monica in Rome until he was ordained priest four years later. From his many travels throughout life, he came to Iloilo City where he served as vicar of the Parish of San Jose and later, as president of the University of San Agustin. It was during his stay in Iloilo where he etched his mark and changed the life of every Ilonggo. The Mark “Fr. Galindez was a brother, a friend, not only to me but also to everyone.” recounts Cicero “Roy” Macalalag, a former professor of the University and one of the closest friends of Fr. Ambrosio Galindez. He
adds, “He never got angry. He didn’t even know how to be annoyed. Pero kung akig na siya, gapalamula lang siya.’’ Fr. Galindez did not only fulfill his duty as the Father President of the University but also did his responsibilities as a leader, a teacher, a priest and a good friend. His friendly attitude, humble personality and welcoming aura drew people to him who helped him out in his administrative duties as well as in his everyday life. “He was very nice to be with. Although, he was very strict, very organized and very particular about punctuality, he was a great administrator,” recalls Macalalag. “We would walk all the way to Fort San Pedro to look at [the statue of] the Blessed Virgin Mary. Before reaching our destination, I would buy him inasal nga pantat at the Central Market. It was his favorite.” Taking pleasure in simple things, Fr. Galindez lived his life not asking for fame or popularity. Living away from the lap of luxury, he believed it was the simple things that made his life in Iloilo City colorful in
every way. Fr. Gal indez himsel f discovered the worth of his employees as he engaged in afternoon walks and chatted with the personnel. Along the way, he also began to uncover the value of our cultural heritage. In 1968, with a heart full of hope, Fr. Galindez brought the replica of the Sto. Nino all the way from Cebu to Iloilo, inspiring the Ilonggos to strengthen their faith and to create a spectacular festival that they have celebrated every year since then - the Dinagyang. “Fr. Ambrosio Galindez was the father of Dinagyang. It is a [cultural] masterpiece, his masterpiece,” Macalalag points out. The Destination “When I heard the news of his passing, I was so upset. ... He was my friend and he was a great man,” recalls Macalalag. Not even a cultural legend could stop time or reverse God’s plan. After all, Fr. Ambrosio was human, except that he had a brilliant mind and a strong heart to serve his Creator until his last breath. On June 12, 2011, losing
his battle with colon cancer, Fr. Ambrosio Galindez reached his final destination – a place with our Maker. “He should be remembered, through the Augustinians and through the Dinagyang Festival,” reminds Macalalag. Truly, the body may have reached its end but the soul remains forever with the people. His body may have left us last June 12, but his spirit remains in the halls of the University of San Agustin, in the minds of every Augustinian, and in the heart of every Ilonggo. He st rol l s d ow n t h e hallways of the University throughout the day until 7PM, restores order and promotes punctuality on campus. He continues to do that up to now. W hile studying in the library, we may have felt his warm gaze watching us. We may have glanced at his image, too, finally realizing that he is still alive in us, breathing with blazing passion for his people. And as we glance at his image, we share in his smile, bidding him our heartfelt, “Thank you!”
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Volume LVII • Number 2
NOVEMBER 28, 2011
Feature
Kawilihan in Divertissement
Photo from KAWILIHAN-USA By Ric Martin L. Libo-on
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azing at the stage, you feel the innate fervor. Awed, you experience dancing that syncs with true passion and energy. Five decades of grace and artistry are compressed in a wide array of dances in divertissement ( orig. French - a minor entertainment or diversion)staged by the University of San Agustin Kawilihan Dance Troupe at the USA Auditorium, August 22. Since it was established by Fr. Nicanor Lana, OSA in the first semester of 1960, the Kawilihan Dance Troupe has never stopped dancing, innovating, entertaining and educating the Augustinians on the art of graceful, powerful expression in movement.
Divertissement received a warm reception from the Augustinian community as students flocked to see the showcase of dance talents, well supported by the University administration and faculty. The production strengthened once again our Augustinian pride. In 2003, with the assumption of Annie Divinagracia-Sartorio as the Artistic Director and resident choreographer, (She is also with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as the Visayas Ballet Sector representative - Ed.), the dance troupe soared to greater heights. It went through a metamorphosis with the infusion of ballet into certain “common” dances such as modern, folk and street dances. Moreover, the dancers were required to develop and
hone their technical skills by attending classes at the artistic director’s School of Performing Arts. With the changes and standards in place, the Augustinian community saw a Kawilihan transformed as it raked in countless accolades and recognition from respected organizations in the country, one of which is the Ani ng Dangal Award for Multi-disciplinary Arts Category which was given last February 2010 at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang Palace, Manila. The prestigious award honored the troupe for showcasing exemplary performances and for upholding Filipino excellence in the international arena. Even after fifty years, the troupe still continues to wow audiences with their high-caliber performances
worthy of all the encores and standing ovations they have received. “The idea of celebrating the golden year of the Kawilihan Dance Troupe was the catalyst in staging “Kawilihan in Divertissement...” The plan was for both the alumni dancers and current members to perform together. It did happen. Divertissement did not only feature an amazing repertoire that included flamenco, contemporary, belly dancing, hip-hop, jazz and LatinAmerican dances, but also brought together the present troupe and the alumni to perform.It was truly a celebration of artistic pride and dance excellence. “Introducing and bringing ballet and other genres of dance to the masses allowed them to watch, experience and appreciate this art form and love the beauty of dance.
The spirit that motivates the troupe on national tours is to bridge the gap and bring the level of dance up to par with that in Manila.” Sartorio adds. Furthermore, she envisions the USA Kawilihan Dance Troupe evolving together with the USA Performing Arts as the cultural ambassadors of the University, if not of Iloilo City and the Philippines. “The Kawilihan Dance Troupe is like family with many members literally growing before my eyes and eventually leaving to have their respective careers, yet continuing to grow, imbued with the commitment and discipline of their craft”, she says. Indeed, the USA Kawilihan Dance Troupe is set to conquer the international stage in the next fifty years.
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Stop Over: Artists on a Comeback By Febrielyn S. Tumines
Photo by KRISTINE LOUISE L. ANDRADE
ust as the issue of supposedly blasphemous artworks of Mideo Cruz and other artists became a hot topic on the TV primetime news, six Augustinian artists joined forces for a reunion exhibit, “Stop-Over”. Nil Capinianes, Mel Corral, Rey Denzil Gico, Arthur Jusa Jr., Arch. Bryan Loyola and Arch. Joe Vincent Militar, who were former production artists of the USA Little Theater and the Center for Culture and the Arts and alumni of the College of Engineering and Architecture, once again came together in a pro bono art exhibit which ran from August 22 until October at the Art Space, ground floor, Urdaneta Hall. “Their paintings are reflections of where they are now in their artistic journey, their current work… That life for them here on earth is a stop-over,
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5
Anyone Can Cook: the first Augustinian Master Chefs
Photo by KRISTINE LOUISE L. ANDRADE
Photo by MHARVIE CAPUNDAN
By JERSON E. ELMIDO
nce there was a young boy who dreamed of becoming a well-known chef. Every time his mother cooked in their humble kitchen, he would eagerly help her in the preparations. As young as eight, he thought it would be the right time to start. He thought of making arroz caldo by himself. So he did. The outcome...? Arroz caldo insipido. If you were to eat it, you would have to add a pinch or two of salt to it because insipido is a Spanish word which means tasteless or bland. Yes, this budding chef didn’t get the dish right the first time he tried it, but he did tell himself, “This is just the start…” And so the boy stirred, fried, boiled, basted, steamed, grilled, and simmered his way through the culinary intricacies of the kitchen until he became a man steeped in the
techniques and secrets of cooking, all of which he got from his mother. Spicing up his enthusiasm with determination and creativity, he eventually made it to the top of the amateur cooking summit here in the University when he was proclaimed as one of the two, first ever, Augustinian Master Chefs during a cook-off held in celebration of the Patron Saint’s Day in August 2011. Master Chef Dennis Pedrosa had to go through a hot broiler, so to speak, before he could convince the judges that he deserved the title. Together with his partner, Jerone Nievares, an Accounting Tech major like he is, Dennis prepared familiar dishes but tweaked them with surprising twists that grabbed the attention of the judges. “The Augustinian Master Chef was a new activity in the Patron Saint’s Day celebration; ... We thought it would give the Augustinians a
chance to express themselves through the art of cooking and prove that Augustinians are flexible in any form of art,” Irene Jeongco, assistant treasurer of the Student Council and chair of the event, explains. During the preliminary round, the Dennis-Jerone tandem planned on preparing the “Whole Chicken Estofado”. However, Pedrosa says, “We have not practiced making the dish. That was our first time to join such competition so we felt a whole lot nervous.” What made their estofado special was that Dennis added a bit of white wine while the chicken was boiling and enriched the sauce with liver spread. “White wine helps soften and sweeten the meat of the chicken while liver spread thickens the sauce. This is not usually done,” he reveals. For tunately, their “ W hole Chicken Estofado” impressed the judges enough to include them among
the three pairs of finalists. Dennis never expected that. Chef Ramlo Villaluna, one of the judges in the preliminary round was impressed with their teamwork. “In terms of authenticity, their team had an advantage. Although they worked under pressure, they seemed to be relaxed,” he observes. The finalists (from the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy an d Med i c a l Tec h n ol og y an d Pedrosa’s own College of Business Administration and Accountancy) were asked to prepare the Filipino dish, kare-kare. Dennis was more confident this time because he remembered a very treasured tip from his mother. Instead of using cooking oil, he used the fat from the pork instead. He simply laid the pork on a pan and heated it over medium flame, until it rendered its natural fat which he used for his own version of kare-kare. For the sauce,
he used the chicken stock that he had saved from a dish prepared earlier. Those two ingredients gave their dish a distinct flavor. The judges, all experienced chefs themselves, were so impressed after having tasted Dennis and Jerone’s kare-kare that they declared the two the first Augustinian Master Chefs. “Among all the contestants’ dishes, theirs was the most balanced in terms of flavor, texture, aroma and sauce consistency. The vegetables complemented the other ingredients,” judge Chef Rafael Jardeleza states. The first Augustinian Master Chef is definitely on the right path. “As an aspiring chef, I like to discover something new and create my own signature dish,” Pedrosa says. Although his chosen career is not quite related to cooking, still, he has been able to prove true the line from an animated Disney movie, Ratatouille, “Anyone can cook.”
it’s somewhere in between.” says Mr. Eric Divinagracia, Coordinator for Co-curricular Activities. Six artworks were featured“Solo,” “Memory Recall,” “Weapon of Choice,” “Happy Accident,” “Laro Tayo” and “Open Ended.” “Memory Recall” is Capinianes’ experimental art approach. Different symbolic graphite sketches were laid on red oil paint. Twelve frames with random sketches were hung, depicting different scenes. “My art piece is like my diary of sketches that reflects my personal interpretation of dreams, failures and hope,” Capinianes shares. Arch. Loyola’s “Laro Tayo,” which is acrylic on canvas, not just because of its name, is very playful and cuddly because of the neon and light colors used. “I just want to remind myself about childhood games, and let the new generation know that there are
games that can be played without spending money and they are free to enjoy,” says Arch. Loyola. With acr ylic lacquer spray, reflector sticker and metal knob, Gico creates a mini door with an inspirational text, “End Anger.” “My artwork suggests an illusion of a door symbolizing another place to enter and discover a different path. Opening the door is like taking a chance on change in your life. Stopovers are areas of refreshment for you to be able to continue having a pleasant trip to your destination, but these stopovers in life have a lot to offer. One must be willing to accept all considerations and ignore all rejections upon entering the door,” explains Gico. He is the only Fine Arts graduate among the six artists, five of whom were all Architecture graduates. Arch. Militar’s “Happy Accident” was acrylic on paint. Texturing and
putty created a dreamy, surreal effect. “Happy Life/ Accident is my daily experience on my way to what we call life,” Arch. Militar, a former USA Publications staff artist, shares. Creating a festive ambiance with different warm color combinations laid in abstract was Jusa’s “Solo”. He is currently one of Iloilo’s festival props and costume designers. Recently, he designed the set of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, a rendition of William Shakespeare’s famous play staged by Prima Galaw Inc. Corral’s awareness of what is happening to his surroundings has sharpened his sense of self and simultaneously accentuated his interest in modern popular culture. His art piece, “Weapon of Choice,” digital art manipulated in Photoshop, features the popular cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao in a baroness of GI Joe costume,
surrounded by different caliber weapons. “This newfound consciousness is the playground of my imagination; creating a linkage between my artwork and the world. The recent war between Libya and Egypt is just one of the many issues of great impact on our society. Raised a Christian, I feel it is my responsibility to stir people’s minds, call attention to issues through art, arouse the need to protect, preserve, and love God’s creation, the Earth, and man,” says Corral. These artists need not display some blasphemous works in order to get attention. “Stop Over,” more than just an exhibit, poses a challenge for artists to take up an advocacy while taking the path of artistic self-expression.
SIMs from Page 7
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but the player can never control them – very disappointing. Moreover the soundtrack of The Sims Medieval is far better than the previous soundtracks. Houses and community buildings are better and more realistic though only the interior of the building is seen. Out of 10, the Sims Medieval would be a 6 because the player has limited freedom in the actual lives of the heroes, making it less fun. The soundtrack is better although the physical features of the Sims are less emphasized. The wardrobe is very realistic but very minimal in terms of variety but overall, a challenging and exciting game. So take a glimpse of the past, discover the fountain of youth, fight a dragon and explore the open seas because in The Sims Medieval the fate of your kingdom is on click away.
Volume LVII • Number 2
NOVEMBER 28, 2011
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Illustrations by JERSON E. ELMIDO Photo by RAY ADRIAN C. MACALALAG
6 « Spectacle
MIS from Page 1
enrollment, information system and official website of the University. “It also maintains and secures the internet connection and its availability in the different colleges and the Internet Section,” he adds. With the advent of the digital age, the MIS ensures the proper maintenance and management of the intranet network system to offer quality service and convenience to the institutional clientele. Aparece believes that the MIS is essential in systematizing the myriad data circulating in the University. “Because of the abundance of information that goes around, we need a system that would organize it and facilitate the circulation efficiently and effectively,” he points out. In a previous interview with The Augustinian, University Registrar Gemma Hallili gave the importance of the MIS in allowing the Registrar’s Office, the Student Accounts Section and departments/colleges to efficiently and effectively generate reports on enrolment, student profiles, grade reports, faculty load, transcript of records, diplomas, class lists, class schedules, class sizes, admission and clearance slips, registration forms, dean’s lists, evaluation results and account balances. So how does the MIS work? Unseen by most people, the systems administrator, directly
managed by the MIS director, and composed of a few selected personnel with technical know-how and skills, steers the wheel of the MIS department. These personnel handle the various servers that are under the MIS. Think of it this way. The MIS is like the head of an octopus that controls eight arms of interest. These branches are the multiple servers making up the MIS located in the office previously known as the EDP Section. The multiple servers include the mail server, web server and database server, to name a few. “These servers are individually configured to suit their specific purposes or tasks for effective and efficient functioning.” Furthermore, Aparece says, “this is the reason why a wide range of skills is needed to properly manage and maintain such a system.” However, as a result of the server breakdown that happened last July 21, a widespread paralysis of services inflicted the University. The MIS then had to undergo repairs in the system to have improved security features and innovations installed to prevent future malfunctions. Aparece reveals that the new upgraded database server is already up and running 100 percent as of press time. “To minimize loss of data or backup, the new MIS Systems and Database Administrator have written a script that automatically backs up the database everyday at a specific time.”
Obviously, the MIS has its dark side. Two major downsides to this modern technology are considered disadvantageous, according to Aparece. One is the inconvenience experienced when technical problems arise because they hinder the smooth flow of the information cycle in the accounting section especially during enrollment. Another is the security threat to which the MIS is susceptible. “If any person is knowledgeable enough to hack through the system, then it would compromise all the data in it…,” he said. The last server glitch proved that machines are not a hundred percent reliable all the time. Thus, the MIS sometimes encounters difficulties that obstruct the workflow of data despite the maintenance. “The usual difficulty that the MIS encounters is the server downtime since it affects all the departments connected to it. Another difficulty is the conflicting IP configurations because again, they hinder the passage of information from getting to its proper destination,” Aparece said. In response, the MIS undergoes constant monitoring, periodic updates and regular security upgrades to ensure the integrity of all delicate information shelved in the system. Never t h e l e s s , d e s p i te t h e disadvantages, Aparece believes that these would not prevent the school administration from using such technology.
“The disadvantages do not outweigh the advantages which the MIS brings,” he asserts. The MIS truly makes life in the University easy as ABC. Though it seems the opposite when problems arise, the MIS is still very much helpful in information management. Without the MIS, the University may not even make it from A to Z. Final destination from Page 1
with feel-good endings, we advise you to watch another motion picture instead. If you’re a fan of brutal, grotesque, gory, cringe-causing death scenarios, this movie is definitely for you. You need to have a cast-iron stomach and a firm grip on reality before you could step back into the realities of normal life. A word of warning though: the scenes are very graphic and will have you covering your eyes through most parts of the movie; but anyone who has seen any of the previous Final Destination films should know that by now. It is the journey, not the destination that makes these movies so compelling. Final Destination 5 definitely makes one question his mortality, fate, and destiny. Finally, after a decade, death has reached the finish line. Death wins. “No matter where you run, no matter where you hide, you can’t cheat death... or can you?”
Volume LVII • Number 2
NOVEMBER 28, 2011
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Photo courtesy of EA GAMES
her world!
play with life, play with history By Genessa A. Buenafe
I
n the time of dragons ruling the sky, of kings ruling the world, and of bedpans being the “comfort throne”, life was simply a matter of survival. In the 21st century, we have technology - laptops, Blackberry phones, hybrid cars, and revolutionary machines - to help us through the twists and turns of modern life. Lucky us. But during the medieval times it was either ‘find-dinner’ or ‘be-dinner.’ To simplify the complexity of the medieval times, EA Games (creators of
the The Sims, The Sims 2 and The Sims 3) created the Sims Medieval intended to educate us on how people in the medieval past faced their challenges. The good thing about this game is that, it may be another world and another time, but it is definitely NOT boring. Yes, it’s bigger, it’s better, it is not futuristic, and it’s on a computer screen! It’s The Sims MEDIEVAL. Life’s a Quest This is not your ordinary or typical Sims game that almost everybody is familiar with. The Sims Medieval takes it a little further. The Sims’ daily lives
Gusting Ni Jerson E. Elmido
Agos Tino Ni Jerson E. Elmido
San Ag Espejo Ni Jerson E. Elmido
are quest-driven. They provide a host of storytelling possibilities (quests) from crafting a legendary sword to arranging a royal wedding, from protecting the kingdom from an evil sorcerer, to finding the fountain of youth. Every quest plays out differently depending on which Hero Sim the player is controlling. Unlike in The Sims 3 where needs and wishes direct the daily lives of a Sim, in The Sims Medieval, quests provide the player’s kingdom with EXP and gold. This enables him to upgrade his kingdom. He is, thus, free to direct the life of the heroes, and has all the power in his or
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Be the Hero Here, players are able to control and create several types of ‘heroes’, or professions. The range of outfits is limited compared to The Sims 3 but of course, it is logical because it’s ye olde days. Although the outfits are minimal, each character has different abilities and responsibilities that distinguish it from another. And who are the heroes? Let’s meet them. The Monarchs. Obviously, from their name, they control the kingdom and have duties such as hearing petitions and granting or rejecting them, making laws and looking after the people’s welfare. The Wizards. They can enchant or fight using their spells, which are learned from a large spellbook and include motions which must be memorized. The Spies. They don’t play cloak-and-dagger but formulate poisonous tonics. The Priests . As their modern counterparts do, they convert people and better still, perform miracles. The Blacksmiths. They not only produce armor and arms but also mine ore to make these weapons. The Physicians. Just like our modern doctors, they also keep people healthy, but they do this by using the “bloodletting apparatus”, leeches (shudder). The Knights. Who else but they protect the kingdom. The Merchants. Throughout the centuries and millenia, merchants have been merchants; thus they have access to foreign goods and trade opportunities. The Bards. Sure, no question about it, they provide the music. The player has a specific role,
too; that of being the Watcher. He is synonymous to the kingdom’s god or creator who helps the heroes in his quests. So play the Sims Medieval; It’s not every day that you get to play God!
The Medieval Sim Much like the first generation of the main series, The Sims, the characters in the game will not progress through life stages: Sims will still be able to procreate, and those children will only age to adulthood if one of their hero parents dies, in which case, they take up their parent’s place. According to Rachel Bernstein, the Sim’s senior producer, the game will be more dangerous for Sims, with death and failure a possibility during the game’s quests. Listed dangers included low focus on quests, plague, peasant revolts, wildlife, poisons, duels, and more. Although The Sims Medieval is different, it doesn’t mean it’s better. The lives of heroes are not yours; they belong to others so you get to play different heroes for each quest. In this version of Sims, the heroes can marry or procreate but the player can never control them – very disappointing. Unlike in The Sims 3 where a maximum of five traits are to be selected, in this game, each Sim needs to have two normal traits and one fatal flaw which can be turned into a positive trait through a quest.Although The Sims Medieval is different, it doesn’t mean it’s better. The lives of heroes are not yours; they belong to others so you get to play different heroes for each quest. In this version of Sims, the heroes can marry or procreate SIMS Page 5
Patron Saint’s Week ‘11 The show must go on Photos by KRISTINE LOUISE L. ANDRADE