The Augustinian, February 2009

Counter-clockwise

page 6

page 7

Dinagyang in the eyes of neophytes

issn 0115-9226

Eighty Years of Excellent Campus Journalism for the Common Good VOL. 54 NO. 5

In the 4 th issue of The Augustinian (November 16, 2008 – January 15, 2009), we have committed an error in commission in the 6th paragraph of our banner news headline by erroneously stating that the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology was yet to be assessed for PAASCU Level II re-accreditation this February. Please be informed that the University’s Medical Technology program has already passed the PAASCU Level II re-accreditation assessment during the evaluation conducted by the accreditation team earlier last September while the Pharmacy program has been recently reassesed this February.

In the same issue, we have also mistakenly announced that the research proposal of Claudine Navarra (BS FS 4) has been adjudged by the panel of the departmental Research Proposal Presentation of the College of Arts and Sciences as this year’s Best Research Proposal but the fact was no such statement on the said distinction had been announced.

Our sincerest apologies.

the Official student newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF san agustin iloilo city, philippines

Usa reaches semis in gma debate

By Donna Isabelle Fresnido

The University of San Agustin Debating Team has reached the semi-final rounds of the GMA IloiloIntergrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Debate Competition held in the SM City Activity Center on January 17 before it was eliminated by the University of the Philippines – Visayas (UPV).

Debating in Hiligaynon on the proposition, “Resolve that the Reproductive Health bill be enacted into law”, USA took the negative side against UP. The Augustinian debaters were Donna Isabelle Fresnido (BS Psych-2), first speaker; Ma. Jilyn Almendros (BS MT-3), second speaker; and John Paul Petrola (AB Philo-4), third speaker, along with their researchers: Jefferson Magbanua (AB PolSci-2), Edjelyn Jamolo (BSN-1) and Noel Sinco (BS FS-4). Almendros, who also assumed the role of rebuttal speaker for the negative side, bagged the Best Debater award.

According to Almendros, the debating team was challenged to explore a new approach in tackling arguments because UP’s style of debating was different from the usual debates here in the University.

“Right then and there, we were forced to be flexible, adaptive, and responsive to their debating styles.

Even if we didn’t win, we still put up a good fight,” Almedros added.

Headed by their coach and adviser Rodolfo Betito, Jr., the rest of the USA Debating Team who participated in the GMA-IBP Debate Competition were Daisy Dawn Macahilo (AB PolSci-3),

Shean Marie Castro (BS FS-2), Kristine Sanchez (AB Lit-3), Jeneil Dumancas (AB PolSci-3), Rynilyn Quichon (AB PolSci-4) and David Abraham Garcia (BS FS-3). Ramonita Pico, Edison Sicad, Khristopher Ian Magboo and Sedfrey Cabaluna served

THE College of Arts and Sciences dean, Dr. Nora P. Legaspi, was reelected president of the Association of Philippine Colleges of Arts and Sciences (APCAS) VI, Inc. during the said organization’s General Assembly and Conference held at the Educational Media Center of Central Philippine University, January 23.

Legaspi, whose first term of office as APCAS president lapsed early January this year, shall serve the association for another four years.

In her president’s report during

go up against St. Paul University – Iloilo (SPUI) with the proposition, “Resolve that the parliamentary system of government be adopted” but the latter backed out, making USA the winner by default with a slot in the semi-finals.

USA Conservatory of Music hosts ‘Handa...Awit!’

By Ronald Sorrilla

The USA Conservatory of Music, in coordination with the Teresian Association International, Inc. (TAII), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA) and Alumni of the University of the Philippines

By Jefferson Magbanua

the said assembly, Legaspi said that she’s geared to work for the very purpose of APCAS VI Inc. – to bridge member schools and to discuss and address the vital academic concerns in each of these educational institutions.

Right after the closing remarks done by Dean Leopoldo Millamena, member of the Board of Directors of the said association, Legaspi and the new set of officers went on with their first business meeting.

Moreover, Dr. Alex Facinabao, Mathematics and Physics Department Chair, was elected member of the Board of Directors.

The APCAS VI Inc. conference gathered teachers and student journalists from all over Western Visayas. The campus writers present in the convention formed the Campus Student Writers’ Association of Western Visayas and ratified its Constitution. The Augustinian was represented by its Editor-in-Chief Pietros Val Patricio; Associate Editor, Jefferson Magbanua; Senior Writer, Donna Isabelle Fresnido; and Staff Writer, Daisy Dawn Macahilo. Other schools which sent their campus writers to the conference were the University of Iloilo, Iloilo Doctor’s

as resource persons.

The USA Debating Team was awarded a cash prize of Php10,000 as well as a trophy for being the second runner-up.

In the quarterfinal round last December 2008, USA was slated to

HALA BIRA! The Kawilihan-USA dancers performed as a non-competing group before the crowd during this years’ Kasadyahan Festival (See story on page 3). Photo by Rev. Fr. Pederito Aparece, OSA

Legaspi re-elected APCAS VI prexy

Legaspi

January 16 - february 20, 2009

College, and Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, among others.

The Chancellor of the University of the Philippines-Visayas Miagao Campus, Dr. Minda Formacion, graced the event and gave a speech focusing on the gathering’s theme, “Culture of Creativity for Educational Transformation”. Formacion said that teachers, students, and administrators have individual roles to fulfill in transforming the Philippine educational system.

Also present during the event was the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Supervisor, Dr. Christy Laurente. Laurente and Formacion served as resource persons during the open forum.

In the open forum, it was discovered that the two most pertinent issues among the teachers were the lack of funds for their research work and the difficulty in revising a curriculum. Also, student journalists were encouraged to submit their annual accomplishment report to CHED. The assembly ended with the distribution of Certificates of Attendance to the representatives of the schools which participated in the event.

Madrigal Singers, organized a series of fund-raising workshop-concerts for the USA Choir and Troubadours entitled “Handa…Awit” held at the USA Conference Room and USA Chapel-Main Campus on October

18, 2008 and December 12 to 14, 2008.

TAII, the brain of the activity and the civil entity of the Teresian Association in the Philippines, put Continue to page 3

Fine Arts majors, Pubukad Artists Group launch exhibit

By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO

Initiated by the University’s Fine Arts students and Pubukad Artists Group, in cooperation with the Center for Culture and the Arts, an art exhibit showcasing the latest artworks of young Augustinian painters and sculptors was launched at the newly-renovated Ground Floor of the Urdaneta Building, February 10 to 20.

The event, entitled ‘Paghinugyaw sang Taliambong,’

was conducted as one of the main events of the 15th USA Arts Festival which coincided with this year’s University Week.

The art exhibit included several acrylic and mixed media paintings, pen sketches, as well as clay and metal sculptures crafted by students of the Fine Arts program. The occasion was graced by students, faculty members, as well as the artist community of Iloilo.

Spectators gaze at the respective artworks of selected young Augustinian artists held at the newly renovated ground floor of the Urdaneta building.

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NEWS

The Augustinian

January 16 - february 20, 2009

Editor: JEFFERSON MAGBANUA

Mountaineers conquer Mt. Napulac

By Daisy Dawn Macahilo

Augustinian research journal goes online

By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO

THE University Center for Research and Publications (UCRP) has included one of its research journals in an online research site earlier this year, making it the first and only university in the region so far to do so.

Augustinian, the official journal of the Villanova Institute for Social Research and Cultural Studies, is published annually for researches in education, languages, business and accountancy, the social sciences, and the humanities conducted by professional researchers in the region. Now on its 13th year, the URCP moved to have the 12th volume of the said journal published at the Philippines Journals online (www.philjol.info/ index.php/AUG), a website for university journals in the country under the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP).

Originally initiated by UCRP director, Jigger Latoza, last May 2008, the move was conducted to let the presence of Augustinian researches be felt in the worldwide web as well as a marketing strategy to promote the University of San Agustin as a regional center for research in Western Visayas.

CoEd mentors join national workshop

By Ronald Sorrilla

January 20 to 21 - USA College of Education mentors headed by Dean Nenita Quiñon participated in the recently-concluded National Consultative Workshop for NCBTS (National Competency-Based Teacher Standards)Based Licensure Examination for Teachers held at Ecotech, Lahug, Cebu City.

Dean Quiñon, presently the PAFTE Region VI President, spearheaded the training in Professional Educational Subjects. Joining her were Prof. Erwin Sustento (Filipino), Prof. Eva Zaldivar (MAPEH) and Prof.

Pilar Arguelles (Math). This activity is sponsored and organized by the Department of Education-Teacher Education Council, together with CHED, PRC, NCCA and DECS to improve the status of passing percentage in Licensure Examination for Teachers.

ELEVEN mountaineers of the USA Mountaineering Society (USAMS) trekked in a two-day trail at Mt. Napulac in Igbaras, Iloilo on January 10 to 11.

The trek aims to encourage passion towards adventure, promote the eco-tourism and environmental awareness among the new applicants of the group through camarederie, and educate the local community towards the preservation of their natural resources.

They were headed by their team leader alumnus, Mac June Hudtuhan, PhD along with other alumni Russel Tabang, Marlou Moduc and John Jerard Saul. The trekkers were Domingo Lee (CAS Faculty), Cyril Tabion (AB Pol Sci 3), Danica Basco (BSIT 3), Laurence Faulan (BSN 3), Phobie Khay Pilongo (Pharm 1), Daft Binobo (BS Psych 4), and Florence Valderama (BSIT 2).

Mt. Napulac in Igbaras is one

of the most prominent peaks with a height of 1200 ft, or 386 m, above sea level. It has huge rocks with limestone formations surrounding its lower portion. It is one of the most visited peaks, boosting the town’s tourism locally and internationally.

HURRAY! Augustinian mountaineers rejoice after reaching the peak of Mount Napulac in Igbaras, Iloilo. Photo by Domingo Lee

CPMT secures 2009 Language Olympics

By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO

THE College of Pharmacy and M e d i c a l Te c h n o l o g y ( C P M T ) emerged victorious as it bagged 1st place during this year’s Language Olympics held at the USA Conference Room on February 10.

The annual event, coinciding with this year’s University Week

celebration, was organized by the Department of Languages headed by its chair Nenelyn de la Fuente in cooperation with the University English Club and the Kapisanan ng mga Maga-aral sa Filipino.

The departmental academic competition was open to all first year Various contestants of the 2009 Language Olympics raise their answers as the compete for this year’s title.

CPMT holds medical mission in Alimodian

By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO

THE College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology carried out a medical/ dental mission in Brgy. Ginomoy, Alimodian on February 7 as part of its ongoing effort to reach out to the less fortunate in the rural areas.

The medical assistance program was led by the Apothecarian Council of the Pharmacy program, the Epsilon Chapter and the second year Medical Technology students. Free medical and dental checkups were given by guest doctors and dentists who volunteered to render their services to the needy.

A bloodletting activity has been conducted at the Student Center one day prior to the activity; proceeds were later donated to the community. Free medicines obtained from donations and fundraising activities were also distributed to the residents of the area.

Quiñon, Sustento attend 2009 TEDP-TWG

By Ronald Sorrilla

USA College of Education Dean Nenita Quiñon and Professor Erwin Sustento attended the national consultation for the Teacher Education and Development Program Technical Working Group (TEDP-TWG) at the Legenda Hotel, Subic, Olongapo City on February 9 to 11.

Dean Quiñon focused on Professional Education subjects while Sustento concentrated on Filipino subjects, respectively. The event was made possible through the efforts of the Department of Education in its Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda. It aimed to enhance the reform of Teacher Education through Licensure Examination for Teachers and Teacher Education Curriculum with the National Competency-Based Teacher Standards.

Tuman gid namon nga ginakasadya ang inyo nga pakigbahin sa USA Publications paagi sa paghatag ninyo sang mga suhestyon, pabor ukon komento. Kag para man sa mga Agustino nga may tinago nga talentong pangliteratura, sarang ninyo ma-kontak ang USA Pub Pipol sa numero 0918-2928245 ukon personal nga magpasa sa USA Publications office, 3rd floor, Gamboa Hall.

Amon gid kamo nga pasidunggan!

The USAMS is a recognized student organization in the University which was originally established

by Architecture students in 1995.

It is currently supervised by Prof.

Edwin Samis and Irish Jeongco as president.

bona fide students of the University who were enrolled in English 102 and Filipino 102 subjects. Each college was represented by three contestants who participated together as one team. The contest covered grammar, proofreading, vocabulary, listening, and comprehension skills. The teams were given 10 seconds to answer on their answer boards a respective question flashed on a wide screen.

Ranee Joy Bunda, Frances Japitana and Shiemee Schlieske of CPMT were declared as the champions of this year’s event after garnering an overall score of 89; Patrick Daniel Ladrido, Lady Ashiree Salvosa and AJ Gallenero of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy came in second with 87 points; and Gian Bermudo, Ma. Isabel Medez and Robanee Santisteban of the College of Arts and Sciences, third.

Atty. Lacson lectures in the University

By Karlo Christopher Cristales and Daisy Dawn Macahilo

ATTY. ALEXANDER LEDESMA LACSON delivered a lecture-forum entitled, “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country” held in the USA Conference Room, February 13.

The lecture-forum was based from the speaker’s book which was published last 2005 addressing our need for good leadership and good citizenship in regaining our country’s greatness.

The talk was divided into two concepts; “Part I: The Seven Secrets to Success” and “Part II: Small Acts of Patriotism” which included excerpts from the speaker’s book and other personal experiences which consequently had driven him in writing the book.

The highlights of Atty. Lacson’s talk included stories about Hilario Davide, who was his boss for two separate entities (government and non-government); The Battle of Saratoga ( New York, 1779), which was America’s War for Independence against Great Britain; the success story of Cecile Salarda of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental; Eric Liddel of the 1924 London Olympic Games; the Filipino maid incident of BBC’s Paul and Harry Primetime Show;

and Kevin Carter’s award-winning photograph at Sudan, Africa.

The speaker is a 44-year-old lawyer by profession, who hails from Kabangkalan City, Negros Occidental. He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines, College of Law Class 1996, and has taken post-graduate studies at the Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Nine years ago, Atty. Lacson and his wife, Pia, had discussions about migrating to the USA or Canada because the Philippines’ condition was getting worse year after year.

They wanted to know if they and their children would be better off staying in the country or abroad in the next 20 years. They realized that the answer is in us, as a people. The book, “12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country”, written by him and edited by his wife, is one of their ways of doing more for the country.

“If the Filipino is great, then how come his home is not great? It is simply not enough to be the best when you have the ability to be great,” Atty.

Lacson expressed.

Atty. Lacson ended the lectureforum by stressing one’s obedience

to parents, exemplifying patriotism towards the greatness of our nation and valuing of dream.

Atty. Lacson’s book’s proceeds currently sponsors a number of scholars from World Vision, an international charity organization. He encourages others to do the same.

He also urged the Filipinos to vote online for the Palawan Underground River as one of the New 7 Wonders, another way of doing more for the country.

The event was organized by the College of Arts of Sciences as part of its pre-jubilee anniversary in line with the University’s 105th foundation celebration and in cooperation with the 35 th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program, Association of Law Students in the Philippines, USA Student Council, USA Social Science Club, United Augustinian Students, Arts and Sciences Student Parliament, Political Science Club, Junior Diplomats Corps, InfoComp Te c h n o l o g y S o c i e t y, N u r s i n g Student Council, Iloilo Federation of Junior Philippine Association of Management Accountants and the Iloilo Red Lions.

Mark Borres served as the Master of Ceremonies.

NEWS

January 16 - february 20, 2009

The Augustinian

Editor: JEFFERSON MAGBANUA

Nursing stude places 2 runner-up in Ms. Iloilo Dinagyang 2009 nd

By Karlo Christopher Cristales

Miss Dinagyang 2009 winners: (from L-R) 3rd Runner Up Sheryl Maye Manalo, 1st Runner Up Stephanie Juanitas, Miss Dinagyang 2009 Natalie Grace Roberts, 2nd Runner Up Marie June Bebing and 4th Runner Up Ruby Claire Lopez. Photo credits: www.abs-cbn.com

Marie June Bebing, a 4th year nursing student of the University of San Agustin, captured the 2nd runner-up slot in this year’s Ms. Iloilo Dinagyang, January 14. She was one of the 11 candidates of this year’s pageantry which were first presented to the public on December 14, 2008 at the SM City Activity Area.

The candidates in the search for Miss Dinagyang 2009 had to submit their personal advocacy project in the village where their selected ati-atihan tribe resides. Pageant director Rowena Diaz said the candidates’ advocacy may focus on the environment, health, education and tourism potentials of

the selected village in the City Proper.

Bebing had chosen a tourism advocacy entitled “Environmental Preservation, Cleanliness and Beautification”, which won Best in Leadership Advocacy and overall 1st runner-up in the advocacy campaign competition.

“I worked (on) my T.A. (Tourism Advocacy) with La Paz National High School (LPNHS)’s Tribu Paghidaet but I represented Tribu Kasag, which is the tribe of my hometown, Banate, which was the champion during the Kasadyahan Competition. We personally chose our T.A. depending on the pressing need of the community where our tribe is residing. Since the

place was populated, cleanliness was really the problem,” Bebing said.

“I’m thankful for the effort of LPNHS and their principal Dr. Azucena Falales for helping me in my advocacy, our LGU in Banate and Mayor Carlos Cabangal, Jr. for their support, Dean Sofia Cosette Monteblanco for permitting me to join despite our schedule in school and my classmates in BSN 4B for boosting my confidence and cheering me up,” Bebing expressed.

Bebing also won Best in Talent and 2nd runner up in the Newspaper Gown Competition.

Kharesa Simoy, another fresh Augustinian graduate of the nursing course, was the second runner-up in the advocacy campaign competition.

Toursim advocacy was the highlight of the event because it comprised about 20% of their total score.

Natalie Grace Roberts of Central Philippine University was declared the Miss Iloilo Dinagyang 2009.

The search is one of the highlights of the Dinagyang Festival. Candidates have carried the social, cultural, and educational advocacies that showcase Iloilo’s beauty in diversity in a move to attract more tourists to the City’s premier tourism extravaganza celebrated every fourth week of January. The festival is a Hall of Fame winner after having been selected by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (Atop) as the best tourism event in the country for the last three years.

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USA Conservatory... from page 1

up this kind of activity in order to tap different choral groups in the country and also to promote the culture and the arts of the country through music. The most important objective of these workshop-concerts is the establishment of a Learning Culture Hub in Cebu which will be beneficial for the following: scholarships for talented musicians who can not afford to pay for tuition; regular training and workshops for choral groups; tutorial classes for children with learning disabilities; and training for poor public school teachers on alternative materials in teaching science and math.

The activity was divided into two parts. The first was “Handa”, which was a series of workshops for the participants. They were exposed to a choral-conducting workshopclinic which imparted standards and required excellence and musical

exigencies shared by UP Madrigal Singers, as criteria in international level of competitions. “Handa” aims to educate deserving choral groups from different schools, universities and churches in the country and to foster camaraderie among them. The second part was “Awit”, which was the output of the workshop where all the participants sang with the Madrigal Alumni.

The success of the event was made possible through the following persons: Gilda Salmo, WorkshopConcert Program Committee; Bu Villanueva, Executive Director of TAII; Elsie Eranista and Arwin Tan, University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers alumni who had been the trainers of the workshop-concert series as well as the Augustinian community through thr Conservatory of Music which provided the venue and other support.

Martin de Rada Human Rights Bureau presents ‘Conquering Violence’

By Allin Joy Emboltura

Kawilihan-USA cheers crowd in Kasadyahan Fest

By CARA UY

Kawilihan-USA entertained the crowd by showcasing repertoires in five judging areas around Iloilo City during Kasadyahan Festival on January 24.

The troupe, together with the Annie Divinagracia-Sartorio (ADS) School of Performing Arts strove to preserve and to uplift Philippine cultural dances through performing pop medley and Tinikling which were well-applauded. ADS dancers pleased the audience because kids aging 3 to 12 years, comprised the group who danced gracefully under the heat of the sun.

This is the second time that they joined Kasadyahan Festival as a non-competing group after they were invited by City Tourism Officer, Ben Jimena. They first participated as a competing group in 2004.

“We joined the Kasadyahan Festival in honor of Señor Sto. Niño as well as thanking him for all the blessings he showered us,” Sartorio said.

The troupe included the old and new alumni of the Kawilihan dancers who also convened to celebrate Sartorio’s fifth year as artistic director. They underwent three weeks of vigorous daily rehearsals and preparation from 6:0010:00 PM. The repertoires they performed were old but most of the Kawilihan dancers were new so they need to double time in order to meet the standard and quality.

Despite the lack of time for practice, Kawilihan-USA still made an impact. In fact, Joji Jalandoni, President of the Philippine Independence Day Council, was impressed with their performance so he invited the troupe to perform in New York on June 2010 in celebration of the Independence Day. “I hope that dance troupes which perform

Photo by Marcos Caratao Jr.

Photo by Rev. Fr. Pederito Aparece, OSA

cultural dances would be given attention. It would be great if we could promote our own (native) dances in the country and even up to the international level so that we could be proud of it,” Sartorio added.

The sponsors of the troupe were the University of San Agustin administration and community, USA Student Council, and Krystal Cool Purified Drinking Water owned and managed by Atty. and Mrs. Franklin Andrada. They were also supported by the different University student organizations during the street dancing, parade, and performance proper.

ADVOCATING WOMEN RIGHTS. School officials and administrators formally open the three-day exhibit with a ribbon cutting.

The Martin de Rada Human Rights Bureau of the University Center for Research and Publications (UCRP) – Institute for Social Development Issues and Initiatives of the University of San Agustin presented ‘Conquering Violence: An Exhibit on Women’s Rights’ on December 10 to 12, 2008.

It was held in celebration of the 60 th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 2008 and the launching of the 18-day campaign for the Elimination of Violence Against

Women and Children.

The three-day exhibit started with an opening program at the USA Chapel lobby on December 10, 2008 at 2:30 PM. The program included the opening remarks from Prof. Jigger Latoza, UCRP director and a poetry reading from the USA Little Theater.

Atty. David Bermudo, regional director of Commission on Human Rights 6, Atty. Juana Judita Nafarrete, USA-College of Law Dean and Fr. Edgardo Lazo, OSA, USA President also gave their messages.

USA Rotaract Club partakes in Dinagyang 2009

By PIETROS VAL PATRICIO

IN cooperation with the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. (IDFI) and the Rotary Club of Iloilo, 28 Rotaractors of the USA Rotaract Club took part in the crowd management and technical assistance of this year’s Dinagyang Festival, January 14 to 15.

According to its president Rey John Lorca (BS Arch 5), the endeavor was made possible through Lee Chuan, a Rotarian who currently presides over the IDFI. The club’s involvement in the world-famed celebration started two years ago when its members were tapped by the Rotary Club of Iloilo to assist in the judging and tabulation of the said event. Even up to this year, the Augustinian Rotaractors still continue

to execute their assistance for this endeavor.

Lorca further stressed, “As long as the Rotary Club of Iloilo would need our assistance in the festival, we will always be there to assist.”

The participating club members were given a VIP ticket to attend the acrobatic show presented by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and the awarding ceremonies of the affair which was concluded at the Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz district. A farewell party for this year’s batch of officers and graduating members was later carried out at the residence of Rotarian Roberto Pison after the awarding ceremonies of the event.

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OPINION

The Augustinian

Mindscapes

January 16 - february 20, 2009

The Dreamer compose affectionate tones and poets to create beautiful lines. The greatest dream of mine that ever came to reality is that of becoming a writer for change and for advocacy. Never in my slightest imagination had I ever expected to make it this far in the field of journalism and creative writing.

Pietros Val Patricio

Five years... for what?

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) had caused an uproar among indignant parents and students alike when it announced its plans of having a five-year college education. With its rationale of leveling the playing field with other countries in terms of college preparation and giving a “more economical” way to avoid review session fees from outside review centers, the Nursing and Education curricula shall be extended to five years and should this prove successful, all courses, whether board or non-board, will follow suit.

This is another attempt to improve the educational situation of the Philippines but it falls flat on its face. A longer stay in college will not necessarily be translated into a graduate with a higher level of competence. Does the quantity of years answer for the quality of education?

What we need here is an upgraded kind of college education, starting with cleaning up the clutter in our curriculums. Revise the curriculum by limiting minor subjects and giving more emphasis on major subjects. There are far too many redundant subjects being required, resulting to congesting the students’ schedule.

Furthermore, a better, more direct solution would be to strengthen the student’s foundation by giving much emphasis on the elementary and high school years. Our graduates are not fully equipped to enter the global arena if they have trouble with higher education subjects like English and Math, which have their basis in simple elementary foundation. Concentrate the so-called “minor subjects” in elementary and high school and leave the major subjects to higher education. If there are to be minor subjects in college, again, limit them. Once this happens, the four years of college would be more than enough for the student to learn much about the field or industry he/she has chosen.

But if the five-year college education will really be implemented, then the final year should only be for practicum purposes. This way, students will be given ample time to apply everything learned in theory.

The supposed end of the five-year college education is to create quality professionals. If that is the case, start with the root cause and do not just add an extra year to make up for holes created from the start of the students’ education.

In the past, I remember keeping a secret journal where I would write down my dreams every time I wake up in the morning. It was during my second year in high school and we were still living in Berlin at the time.

I called it my ‘dream diary’. I know it may sound stupid but I was amused by the thought of writing down the illusions that were playing inside my subconscious back then. The silvercoated journal lay on my desk beside my bed. Up to this day, I don’t really know what exactly prompted me to do this; maybe because I thought of it as a good outlet for escaping the anxieties I was facing in real life. I sought refuge in the dreamscapes I’ve created.

As I outgrew this habit years later, I slowly began to realize the value of dreams and memories and their importance in lives. Our human ability to dream is another phenomenon that sets us apart from all other beings on earth. It teaches us to foresee the future, reflect the past, and provoke inspiration. Moreover, it makes us realize our mistakes, discover our potentials, and even warns us from dangers that would come along. I suppose it’s the art of dreaming that has inspired many artists to paint beautiful artworks, musicians to

Black Rose

Editorial

THE

augustinian

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors Senior Writers

Staff Writers

Staff Artist/Photographer Circulation Officer Moderator

Pietros Val Patricio Cara Uy Paulo Moises Bayabos Jefferson Magbanua Jenny Castro Donna Isabelle Fresnido Allin Joy Emboltura Ronald Sorrilla Aljun Padisio Mario Ivan Gonzales Karlo Christopher Cristales Josh Von Iron Tondo Daisy Dawn Macahilo William Fusin Jr. Sheena Capindo Erwin Sustento

The Augustinian is the official student newspaper of the University of San Agustin.

It is published six times a year by the USA Publications with editorial office at Room 38, 3rd Floor, Gamboa Hall, University of San Agustin, Gen. Luna St., 5000 Iloilo City. Comments, suggestions, and contributions may be sent to the Editorial Board through the email address pubpipol@usa.edu.ph.

Sheena Capindo Hindi ko malaman kung matutuwa ako o mawawalan ng loob noong binigyan ako ng pagkakataong sumulat ng isang kolum. Pero mahina pa man ang loob ko sa takot na baka hindi ko maabot ang inaasahan sa akin ng aming editor, pinilit kong magsulat mula sa aking kayang sabihin at ipahayag. Inisip ko na lang na paraan na rin ito upang maipahayag ko ang mga kuru-kuro sa aking isipan at saloobin.

Noong pumasok ako sa unibersidad na ito, hindi ko naisip na mapapadpad ako sa loob ng apat na sulok ng opisinang ito at makilala ang mga maiituturing ko na ring pangalawang pamilya. Isa ang USA Publications sa mga nagbukas sa akin ng pinto para marating ang kung ano man ako ngayon. Totoong isa lamang akong Grant-in-aid scholar na noo’y kinuha ni Sir John, ang dati naming moderator, at ginawang circulation officer; pero kahit kailan hindi ko naramdaman na mababa ang tingin sa akin ng ibang writers. Hindi ko man inihahanay ang sarili ko sa kakayahan at pagkilala sa kanila ng ibang estudyante, ginagawa ko ang aking makakaya upang magampanan ang aking mga tungkulin.

Nasa hilig ko na noon ang pagsusulat ng mga tula at mga kwento

*** Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time with my Pub sister, Cara, talking about our personal love lives – even if it’s she who actually does much of the talking. For many months now, we’ve been discussing the so called ‘art of letting go’ and ‘acceptance of reality’ factor. And it’s just now that she has apparently seemed to have taken on full grasp of it. She began to understand the bitter truth that we cannot always get everything we want in life. And I’m really happy for her that she’s starting to move on now. To refrain from all the stress and frustration I’ve been experiencing, I decided to keep myself busy by seeking the companionship of friends outside the Pub for a change. Cara warned me not to engage too much in vices like drinking, skipping class, and flirting around with girls. She also told me not to forget my responsibilities as the top-ranking executive of the Pub. So I followed her sisterly advice. I’d like to share a few lines from a Japanese ballad that caught my attention while watching the anime fantasy flick Howl’s Moving Castle: Beyond these tears/my flickering smile/holds the promise of love/ from the beginning of time/even though I’m alone now/this day is born aglow/with the light of our

yesterdays/like the first time we spoke/somehow I lost you/among all my memories/you brush past my face/softly as the breeze/though we slipped apart/like sunlight through the leaves/we will live on eternally But what the heck. As teenagers, we learn late in life that everything we have, our success, our beauty, our physical abilities and wealth, including the wisdom that we possess are only borrowed from the Divine Providence; thus, everything will have its end. In our younger years, we would often think that we would remain young, happy, healthy, and strong forever believing to be as immortal as Superman, Spiderman and Batman. That’s why we tend to abuse ourselves with alcohol, drugs and cigarettes, and batter our own bodies by getting oversexed only to realize much later in life that everything will eventually take its toll and that the Hollywood superhero image does not even apply to the real world at all. We all age in time and the magic of our youth slowly fades away through the years as it is applied in the law of physics “What comes up must come down.”

I guess everyone in this country must begin to realize that our short existence in this world is very precious, so it must be invested in promoting justice and righteousness in our society. If only every Filipino had the strength and boldness to dream big and shape his own destiny without having any fear or negative thoughts, then perhaps it would not be impossible for us to attain a much higher degree of progress and improvement as a nation.

Lapis at Papel:Isang Pagbabalik Tanaw sa Pinanggalingan mula pa pagkabata pero ngayon dito sa kolehiyo, dapat ko nang palawakin ang aking kaalaman tungkol sa pagsusulat ng balita at sanaysay.

Maituturing baguhan lamang ako sa larangang ito pero sobra-sobra na mang tiwala at suporta ang nakukuha ko sa mga ibang manunulat ng Pub. Sila ang matyagang nagtuturo sa akin para mas malinang ko ang aking kakayahan kahit na sumasali rin ako sa mga workshops sa pagsusulat.

Utang kong lahat ito sa kanila, sa mga taong ito ko hinugot ang lakas ng loob hindi lamang para makapagsulat kundi pati na rin ang maging matatag sa mga unos ng buhay.

Kung maalala ko noon, umiiyak ako papasok ng opisina. Naabutan kong nakaupo ang mga kasamahan kong pubpipz na sina Allin at Pietros sa loob. Binati nila ako at tinanong kung bakit hindi maipinta ang mukha ko at bakit daw mamasa-masa ang mga mata ko. Hindi ko sila sinagot, tiningnan ko na lamang sila sa mata at umupo sa upuan. Tumahimik si Pietros at sinabi na lamang na sana makayanan ko ang nararamdaman ko ng mga oras na iyon. Kahit wala akong sinasabi, alam kong alam nila kung ano ang nangyari sa akin noon.

Ganoon ang madalas kong ginagawa sa tuwing masama ang aking loob o may problema ako. Mabuti minsan kung nasasabi ko sa kanila ang mga nararamdaman ko pero minsan, may yayakap na lang sa akin at sasabihing kaya ko ito. Sa kanila ko naramdaman kung paano ang may nag-aalala sa’yo na parang kapatid at magulang. Iba-iba man kami kung minsan ng pananaw sa buhay pero

alam kong sa oras ng problema, higit pa sa pamilya namin itong hinaharap na magkasama.

Maaring ang mga manunulat kung minsan ay wala sa kasulukuyang daigdig at mas ninanais pang lumabas muna at managinip ng mga magagandang bagay ng buhay.

Madalas hindi sila maintindihan sa kanilang hilig at prinsipyo sa buhay - na minsan mas minabuti pang magsulat na lamang kaysa sa maghanap ng trabahong may mas malaking kita. Hindi ka man makalanghap ng dolyares o milyones sa mga simple mong kwento at tula ay higit naman itong nakakasatisfy ng loob. Naiintindihan ko ang kanilang mga dahilan sa pagsusulat. Kung ako ang tatanungin, simple lang ang aking sagot. Sa aking pagsusulat, panandalian kong natatakasan ang malupit na mundong ito. Sa aking pagsusulat, nakikita ko ang mga magagandang bagay ng buhay at dahilan para ipagpatuloy pa ang aking paglalakbay. Hindi man ito ang sagot sa mga problema ko at paghihirap, nababawasan naman nito ang bigat at hapdi ng nasugatang puso.

Kung mayroon man akong sandata sa kalungkutan siguro, maituturing ko nang matalik na mga kaibigan at kakampi ang lapis at papel. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon at sa mga taong nakaimbento ng mga bagay na ito para makatulong sa mga kagaya kong nalulumbay at ang tanging tinuturing na kayamanan ay ang mga letra at konsepto na bumubuo sa mga likha nila.

OPINION

January 16 - february 20, 2009

Eye-Opener

Take the Lead

“With great power comes great responsibility.” – Spiderman

Jenny Castro I know it’s a cliché overused by other people. But it gives me a second thought; even if it has been overused, still it’s applicable to anyone. What I’m trying to express is that, with the power to rule, there comes along responsibilities – responsibilities which are expected to be done perfectly. But sometimes, things do not go with the waves of the sea.

This column is not about the movie “Take the Lead” or about dancing. It’s just that this year, I have been saddled with lots of responsibilities. And it was totally tiring. However, those responsibilities made me experience how to deal with people, how to manage time, and how to cope with all the pressure.

There were three things that I have experienced these past few weeks.

First, during the PMT Week, I really felt the pressure of time running out.

I’ve learned that time is gold. I really had fun during the PMT Week. It was more of activities and excitement. So far, it was the happiest PMT Week I’ve ever attended. But probably the saddest part during that time was that some of my efforts were not well-recognized in organizing the program. No matter how little a thing was, everything would have not worked if that little part was not accomplished. It would be like bacteria that can cause a severe viral infection to a huge population.

Nevertheless, it always feels good to have all your efforts recognized. When I went overnight to a friend’s house to make the materials for the exhibit,

Prodigy

Jefferson Magbanua THE higher education institutions, like our colleges and universities, have three co-equal and co-essential functions: to teach, to research, and to do community service. However, recent studies on the state of Philippine education have shown that most Philippine universities and colleges are purely teaching institutions. Research is given less priority. Many teachers have been well-nourished in teaching strategies, but are undernourished in research capabilities.

I believe teaching and researching are complementary; such that a teacher researches materials (books, latest internet surveys, and studies) so that he/she could use these materials for classroom instruction. Education is better done this way – a manner that permits the presentation of updated facts coupled with insights. But the Commission on Higher Education has bewailed the “sad state of higher education research” in the country. The Congressional Education Commission (EDCOM) of 1992 reported that the output of research produced by higher

my classmate and I were thankful that we at least had three hours of sleep.

Some were not so lucky. They did not get any sleep at all. We did not finish everything because we ran out of time and we needed more hands to help us.

I understand that some couldn’t make it for some reasons. It was very hard to finish things when there would be an insufficient number of helping hands even if many ideas are pouring in the mind. One would need to take the lead.

The second experience happened inside the classroom. My classmates will always remember that incident with this one girl. She was the first person who scolded me and later acknowledged me in front of the whole class. I was embarrassed and speechless at first. My ego was struck but I understood her point in the end because she had a lot of business to take care of, and then I added up to her concerns. I thanked her afterwards because she made me realize that things are not made easy but things need to be done the hard way. I’ve learned my lesson now and it won’t be the same next time. I just had to take the lead.

My third concern was the JS Prom. It’s very difficult to work things out when some of the persons you entrusted to help and to listen to you end up not listening at all. Listening for me is the highest respect you can give to a person who speaks. I know the feeling of a teacher who talks in front of the class but no one seems to be interested in a word he or she is saying. How can you manage things when you can’t even manage your team? In an organization, unity and respect are needed to have a harmonious group and a successful plan. Exhaustion is quite normal and not new to me. This is my feeling every time I think about studying and organizing the JS Prom. I felt all the

stress and pressure while preparing all the invitations, souvenirs and creating the program, and especially, everybody’s feedback on the final outcome. I really appreciated the big help of the officers in the council, the advisers and all the people who lent their hands. Without them, we would not have had a very unique invitation letter folded with love and souvenirs tied with love and creativity. I really had to take the lead.

According to the American writer Alvin Toffler, “Even the best strategies seldom take into account more than a few of the consequences that flow from them. In real life, the decision-maker must continually adjust to all those consequences, and, in doing them, deviate from the clear course laid out in advance.” Being a leader is not that easy. Yes, one becomes popular but leadership is not about popularity.

Leadership is about becoming responsible for the decisions one has made and accepting the consequences from the decisions. In order to become a good leader, here are some points to consider: First, be a good speaker so that everybody will listen to you and be a good listener so that you can learn from others as well; second, be a good and hard worker, not just the know-itall manager/commander; third, work out all your promises, do not break it; fourth, be a good planner, think of all the possibilities and be innovative; fifth, be patient because patience is a virtue, it always applies; sixth, never underestimate the power of other people’s ideas and recognize the ability of each member in accomplishing a task; seventh, be humble – “Humility is a virtue but ignorance is not”, a quotable quote from one of our teachers.

Being the leader, therefore, one needs not only to manage people, one also has to manage things, one would also have to take the lead in crucial times.

Research in Philippine higher education institutions education institutions are “repetitive and stereotyped” and are “below world standards.”

Among the possible reasons for the very poor research performance of higher education institutions (based on consultations made by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in 1998 are the following: inadequate public education, information and campaign on research results, low rate of public investments in research and development, inadequate allocation of funds, weak coordination among higher education institutions, inadequate or lack of research facilities and library resources and other logistics to support research, and conduct of research by students merely to comply with school requirements.

The miserable state of research among the Philippine higher education institutions is a major factor why for quite some time, there have only been four Philippine universities – UP-Diliman, DLSU-Manila, Ateneo de Manila, and UST - that made it to Asia’s best. This is also the reason why all others fell on the lower half of the list.

Obviously, there are many ways by which teachers can participate in research as a valuable task. But what boggles many teachers is the fact that many of them don’t have enough financial resources to conduct their research studies. Lack of funds for

research is actually one of the issues discussed during the Association of Philippine Colleges of Arts and Sciences VI, Inc. open forum. One of the resource persons, Dr. Minda Formacion who is Chancellor of the University of the PhilippinesVisayas, answered this issue by saying that schools which lack budget for research should seek partnership with companies who give finances for research. No wonder the UP System has been excellent in research because their administrators know how to outsource finances and ask external aid. To add to this, teachers in UP devote more time for research because their teaching loads are lessened to give them more time for research.

In effect, the researches of these UP teachers are usually incorporated in classroom discussions. In this way, Formacion said, UP has been creative to transform its educational system.

Financial constraints are not the only reasons why we don’t have a good culture for research.

Another major problem, I believe, is the students’ lack of interest for research. More often that not, we just comply with the thesis/research paper requirements because they are requirements. Without them, we could not graduate. Also, sometimes, we just select a topic for research because it’s easy for us. We tend to forget the very purpose of research or research

The Augustinian

5

Mistakes!

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in the stars, but in ourselves that we are underlings.” -William Shakespeare This is my recurring mistake: I keep on writing down anything without really clarifying the real score -- the silhouette is there, yet I choose to entertain myself with random thoughts, thoughts that were amusing to me then even though others find them to be taboo. When I did realize the gravity of my writings, it jeopardized me so much that I felt incapable of writing anymore. But after a while, the incapability fades away and I’m back on track. Lest I forget, it was those ideals which have fueled me all this time.

I’m no greenhorn to the world of writing. Simple write-ups as well as complicated ones shape me.

They create a little sphere in my many-folded brain directing my cutie neurons. They coordinate with the thoughts least picked up by my cerebrum; now, that sphere is too occupied. I wonder if I could come across my niche in the society should I allow myself to forge another persona which is contrary to my beliefs. That would be unacceptable and outrageous. What a personal disgrace, I presume!

Like any other writer, I have sought to become a writer with advocacy. That has been my first intrinsic motivation in joining the Publications family, apart from the fact that my dear Pietros kept on convincing me with a little spice of pangulit to give myself a try in the Pub qualifying examinations.

Yeah! I made it. The admission to the publications was really overwhelming. It changed my tendency to be one of those detached individuals; I have evolved into a more proactive and a more productive writer for the common good through responsible investigative campus journalism.

Along the way, I’ve followed so many complex signs and directions as a campus journalist. I’ve lost my track and am still struggling towards my very own salvation. I almost disregarded my focal point in joining the Pub. I became a stranger even to my own self. It wasn’t until Pietros, the persona who renewed and delivered me from the brink of deliverance, came. It was through his latest column that he made mention of my name, thus, enlightening me on the veracity of life.

In my past writings, I’m glad that somebody was able to rectify me. I think what’s nice about me is that I always subject myself to minor adjustments naman. It paves way to a better outcome, a better me.

As long as I discern that I’m on the right position and that a dialogue proposals - to serve others, especially future researchers and subjects of our researches. However, teachers could not totally blame students who come up with mediocre research outputs.

Many of us students are “loaded” and more often than not, we have no more time to go to the library and read books and other materials for research purposes. I believe this calls for a re-evaluation of each course’s curriculum. Like teachers, students should be given more time to research.

Nonetheless, even in simple ways, we should develop and nurture a “research culture.” Culture thrives in symbols. Hence, manifestations of a university’s or a college’s commitment to research work must be perceived by its constituents. This must be coupled

Predisposed

Daisy Dawn Macahilo could simply take place, why make a fuss? I can’t perceive the wisdom in other people complaining and then blaming others even if in the first place, those who are complaining are also subject to correction. They’re becoming hypocrites!

Regarded as one of the best publications outside Manila, we have been able to maintain the high standards set by our forepubpips.

We have never failed to expose the truth and air our fearless views.

Reaching and soaring on our eightieth anniversary marks a new dimension of campus journalism. We have been given rights, but we know that our right and freedom as a campus organ are not always absolute. We recognize every error committed, but to stop our circulation is another story. It’s already suppressing press freedom in the first place. The following is taken from the USA Publications’ reply letter to the one sent by CPMT Dean Victoria Sustento: “We, the USA Publications, do admit that there were factual errors in Mr. Sorrilla’s article in our fourth issue entitled ‘CAS, CoEd receive PAASCU Level III Accreditation’.

We sincerely apologize for them but we feel that these do not merit the withdrawal of copies of the tabloid in question.

Again, we recognize our error but we shall correct the problem in the best way we see fit. We hope that this would be a fitting response to your complaint.”

I am happy because of that letter and the conviction rallying behind it. I am happy because the freedom of the press, even in such a small scale as this, was upheld. I am happy because we were human enough to admit that once in a while, we stumble and unexpectedly expose mistakes that need correction. I am happy because it gave us a chance to fight for our ideals with concrete actions, not just empty phrases like “freedom of the press” and “our rights as journalists”.

I am happy and that’s probably another reason why I’ll keep on writing. with efforts to address a prevalent “research phobia” among many teachers and students.

Moreover, school administrators should put their money where their mouths are; this means that there must be a deliberate effort to allocate funds for research purpose. Compensation, publication, grants and the like, motivate educators and even students to go into research.

Lastly, for those who are already deep into research, the challenge is to go beyond purely academic research.

We should use research as a tool to boost advocacy for the improvement of the quality of human life. After all, research aims not only to pin down carefully-gathered facts on paper, but also to help man better himself and his community.

FEATURE

The AugusTiniAn

January 16 - february 20, 2009

Editor: JENNY CASTRO

eyes.

Say hello to Benjamin Button.

Loosely based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” revolves around the premise of one man being born old and growing younger by the minute. As such, this is as curious as curious could get.

The father (Jason Flemyng) drops baby Benjamin (Brad Pitt) off at a retirement home where Queenie (Taraji Henson), an African American caretaker who has been previously unable to conceive, takes him in. With his cataracts and arthritis, Benjamin The Curious Case of Benjamin blends in just fine with the elderly residents, Button: A Movie Review although biologically growing younger in

by Donna isabelle fresniDo the same pace normal IN the midst of merrymaking in people age. Even though his physical 1918 New Orleans, a new father self is practically old, his psychological rushes to the bedroom for an anxious and mental age still correspond to the peek at baby boy. The infant gives a actual number of years he has lived. piercing shriek and the father moves Thus, he also yearns for companions closer to the little bundle but recoils, his “age”.

This wish is answered when aghast to find a wizened old geezer with wrinkled skin and rheumy he meets Daisy (Cate Blanchett),

COUNTERCLOCKWISE

a girl visiting her grandmother in the retirement home. She is able to discern the kid within Benjamin, and they strike up a warm friendship which consists of secret midnight conferences under the table and tugboat rides in the chill of dawn.

However, they part ways; Benjamin continues his career on the tugboat and Daisy becomes a renowned ballerina in New york. He blinks past World War II with a single encounter at sea to remember, briefly resides in Murmansk and falls in love with Elizabeth (Tilda Swinton), a married Englishwoman. When Daisy and Benjamin meet again, Benjamin is taken aback with her burgeoning sensuality and liberated principles.

When he does woo her, she rebuffs him.

Then 1962 comes, and in her normal ageing and his freakish growing young coincide – they are of the same age and the stage of love, meticulously set before, is now ready.

For a few years, they live in bliss.

But what happens when the balance is destroyed, and both continue to move in opposite chronological directions?

Pitt is at the center of history’s eddy, not as a significant catalyst but as a passive spectator. His Southern drawl narrating events starting from the end of World War I onwards, we see history unfold before our very eyes, just like “Forrest Gump”, only subtler and quirkier – far quirkier.

The collective acting is superb,

with Pitt and Blanchett shining foremost, the former with restraint and the latter with a bon vivant attitude that is tempered (or is it replaced?) by self-sacrifice as the years go by. Taraji Henson, who plays Benjamin’s surrogate mother, brings about the right touch of motherly care that sometimes veers towards understandable hysteria, especially when Benjamin gets lost and when he throws up after drinking for the first time. Jared Harris is also amusing as the tugboat captain Benjamin works for, and Tilda Swinton’s Elizabeth seems like a contemporary extension of her role as Jadis the White Witch in the 2005 film “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. Elizabeth is certainly an ice queen, with her haughty accent and apparently detached gaze, but she thaws when sharing a drink with Benjamin as the witching hour approaches.

“Button” gives you an awed feeling as you journey with Benjamin through the historical and cultural landscape of America. It really makes you feel as if you’re actually immersed

A Trip to a Hidden Paradise LIVING in a highly-urbanized and polluted city where our daily schedules seem to be hectic, we often long for a new environment, untouched and abandoned places for the relaxation of the soul. Far from the vicinity of the urban filth and hustle lies a hidden place of lush rural greeneries, fresh air and countryside charm. It was the first time we’ve set out to the forests of Bucari’s mountainous hills. Blessed with a cool climate, cold springs and verdant pine trees, it is indeed, a haven for nature lovers, trekkers, mountain climbers and countryside explorers. It was during this day when we’ve also experienced eco-tourism at its best. heaven on earth Leon, located in the WestSouthwest part of Iloilo Province, has been labeled as the (Little) Baguio of Iloilo as it offers attractive scenery.

It is approximately 30 km away from Iloilo City and an hour ride (van as the means of transportation) ahead. Upon entering the town, its well-maintained, wide plaza is truly welcoming. It has a boulevard paralleled with tall green trees ready for people who want to saunter. The concrete benches on some areas of the plaza, meanwhile, provide a comforting zone for sojourn and

rest while looking into the colorful playground that appears enticing to the kids. At the bosom of the plaza is a pavilion which lobbies a binocular view of the town’s church, the hills, and the down town area.

Adjacent to the plaza is the century-old Catholic church built by the Spaniards in the 18th century.

It is made of big stones, doors with vertically carved last supper and two bells hanging symmetrically atop the church. Currently, it is under reconstruction.

The Municipal building seated in the Poblacion, as well as the old library constructed in 1963 which seems to be abandoned, is close to the plaza, too. Proximal to the building and across the plaza, is the jeepney stop stationed for hourly trips until 3:00PM, bound towards Bucari mountains which is 28 km away from the town and would take 45 minutes to 1 hour of travel.

The usual scenario when people travel in the highlands or in the far-flung areas of Leon is when they are positioned on the top of

sedative to a spasmodic contrast.

Sitio Camandag, on the contrary, where Imoy Falls lies, has been deeply affected by the typhoon. The rivers flowing down and across the Sitio has narrowed while the gushing of the waters which turned tranquil brings forth a memento of the pain it has encountered. The riverbeds now are being compounded and the big rocks find its safer grounds. Nonetheless, the falls with its natural spring continuously flood its community with abundance since it is considered to be the main source of water.

Native coffee is also produced in this Sitio. On top of the hills, numerous coffee beans have been dried up or binulad (being exposed under the sun’s heat). These coffee beans, which are being taken from Bucari mountains, undergo the process called sinanlag as claimed by community folks. Sinanlag is the native term for roasting the coffee beans. These beans are placed in a Karaha and are roasted for a couple of minutes until they turn dark or caramelized. Then the grinding,

photo by pietros Val patricio photo by cara uy

photo by Marcos caratao Jr.

a jeepney. Through this, one can soothe his eyes with a bosky scenic view of a seemingly Ifugao Rice Terraces upon moving up to the sloppy curves of the hills. When the jeepney descends, however, the cool breeze of the morning mist masks the basking of the sun, clothing one’s skin. Then the whispering sounds of the air along the way somewhat causes an embracing feeling of a

termed as pagbukbok, takes place.

Coffee grinding is significant to achieve quality and fine brewing of coffee. A cup of native Bucari coffee offered by the community folks really makes one exclaim aha! Additionally, sharing of the coffee brewing process and inhaling the aroma of their produce have evidently displayed hospitality among the people in Bucari, Leon. This is an indication that

this place is not only a paradise but a home to everyone.

On the other hand, another sanctuary is situated in Sitio Tabionan. On the way towards the place, it seems like one is trekking into a gateway of a sanctum.

A man-made forest, landscaped with tall green pine trees and with picnic areas, awaiting one to savor the grandeur of a typical Baguio City in a humid Iloilo City with only a trudge cost. By nightfall, fireflies serve as illuminating torches as they tend to light up one’s pathway back home.

Despite the wrath of typhoon Frank which left imprints in the mountains of Bucari, it never fails to let its captive visitors sing a sonata in requiem to a green sanctuary, a fine piece of heaven on earth.

Call of Nature U S A Tu r i s m o A g u s t i n o , enlivening the University’s aims to nurture the Augustinian spirit of community among its members and to establish community development programs, extended the University week celebration to a certain community.

Forty tourism students under the advisory of Bombette Marin, BS Tourism Faculty and Provincial Tourism Officer conducted an outreach activity at Sitio Camandag, Brgy. Bucari, Leon, Iloilo on February 13 as the aftermath of typhoon Frank brought a strong sense of repercussion to them.

The activity included initiating a series of fun games with the community’s pre-school pupils such

in the times, such is the beauty of the film’s cinematography. Kudos to the makeup and CGI effects as well, with their quality most seen on Pitt’s face.

A minor qualm though: Benjamin was raised by an African American during a time when racial discrimination was rampant, especially in the South. How come this doesn’t have any major impact on him?

The film explores life, death, and maturity in a different light, owing to Benjamin’s reverse ageing. Since he grew up in a retirement home, he has often seen daily fixtures come and go in tides of suitcases and funerals.

Death is no stranger to him. It gets one musing, often with a tinge of aching melancholia, the essence of relationships and how easily we meet people we can care about, only to lose them as swiftly. With the death and moving on of people he has loved or simply known, there is a fleeting quality to “Button, much like grabbing at butterflies and feeling your fingers enclose around them before they flit away.

by Cara uy and PieTros Val PaTriCio

photo by Marcos caratao Jr.

photo credits: www.yahoo.com

6

as Give Me What I Want and Hep Hep Hurray and giving of prizes, cooking pancit molo for the kids, eating lunch in the form of an Augustinian Salo-salo and turning over the collected clothes to the community folks.

On its primal attempt, this activity endeavors to recover consciousness not only limited to Augustinian tourism students but to a thousand people who slumbered to recognize the needs of mother nature and the damage caused by the devastation.

Roughly sixty households have been covered under mounts of mud after a landslide from the mountains one night after the wrath of Typhoon Frank of June last year leaving many residents homeless and countless infrastructures and countless livelihood resources completely devastated. Luckily, the tropical cyclone had no casualties in the community. Vital signs of recovery and improvement have been showing up in the past months due to the strong dedication of its public officials and the countless donations from generous citizens. Medical missions have been conducted every other month after the typhoon. Improvement of the Aganan River to minimize susceptibility of flooding and landslide is also being planned for the community in the near future.

FEATURE

January 16 - february 20, 2009

The Augustinian

Editor: JENNY CASTRO

7

Dinagyang in the eyes of neophytes: Our first hand experience

Photo by Marcos Caratao Jr.

There was a call for celebration to the Ilonggos, as thousands of people worldwide flocked to Iloilo City to witness the spectacle of the Dinagyang festival this year – a depiction of an aura of success.

Dinagyang festival has been a hallmark that defines Iloilo City not only in the local and national arena but even in the international scene. It is a cultural and religious event that happens every 4th Sunday of January, which expresses the Ilonggos’ tribute to the Infant Jesus, Señor Sto. Niño.

Likewise, it commemorates the

Dinagyang Rerouting We found ourselves aware of the rerouting only in the afternoon of that “unlikely” Friday, when the so-called fluvial parade was to commence. We sat in Batibot park, partly wondering why a stinking place would be named after such a sweet TV program while waiting for the clock to chime three (for the parade would start by that time, and we were supposed to take photos of the parade). San-Ag was “empty”. The day felt like it’s the day after the final exams or the first day of classes in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Jeepneys which travel Villa, Mandurriao, Baluarte, and the likes no longer passed by the University of San Agustin’s front gate, that is if the University is the point of reference.

The traffic scheme is simple: roads of General Luna Street, to Bonifacio drive, to JM Basa and Jalandoni Street to Ledesma were either closed or made one-way so everybody was expected to walk if they want to go malling (except when going to Robinson’s mall for jeepneys taking the route towards corner Ledesma and Jalandoni are sure to bring anyone near the mall), see the festival site, or go food tripping.

So we walked. But nobody seemed to mind for it has been said that walking and heat are part of Dinagyang itself.

A Taste of Ilonggo Food Culture Food booths, which mushroomed along Valeria-Delgado Streets where SM (Delgado) and Marymart Center meet perpendicularly, were indicative of an Photo by Marcos Caratao Jr. enlivening Ilonggo food culture that showcased the Ilonggos’ love for food.

The streets were slimmed by queues of masses thriving to paddle over a river of people who had been partying and merrymaking for a week long. We also had our first cruise to taste Ilonggo cuisines which abound in Photo by P

ietros Val P

Photos by Marcos Caratao Jr.

arrival of Malay settlers in Panay as well as the selling of the island to them by the Atis.

The event was a kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, and sounds.

Standing out were major events such as the Ati-atihan and Kasadyahan street dancing competitions, and the search for Miss Dinagyang, among others.

It also included merry making, food tripping and re-routing. The highlight of the festival dealt with the numerous tribes known as tribus, with members who painted their skin brown and wore indigenous costumes accentuated with some colorful blends. These tribus would then dance under the distinctive beat of the drums.

Tribus usually come from different local high schools while others represent certain barangays or towns. This year, 17 tribus vied for the championship.

We f e l t n e i t h e r excitement nor joy towards Dinagyang.

We couldn’t really be as excited as everyone for we had no exact emotional contact on the event (we’ve heard of its emotional forays on people, but we are much too cynical and assumed biases in their statements). We never really tried to take part on that “mass sunbathing”.

So, three it was. With a classmate, we marched towards the front gate only to be welcomed by a pavementyes, pavement! For if I were a city road, there should have been cars and jeepneys on it-and heat.

Walk. That’s the right word which connotes Dinagyang rerouting.

The scheme made the masses work their feet but at the same time entailed a seemingly unconscious equalization of statuses -- rich or poor; to walk is to be part of Dinagyang.

atricio

food booths plus the drinks and the cool bands jamming on stage. The Food fair (organized by the Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association) showcased the best recipes/delicacies or sweet treats like Lapaz batchoy, seafoods, chicken inasal, barquillos and biscocho among others. Through this endeavor, Ilonggo food culture has been brought closer both to the public and the tourists.

Indeed, those were the days and nights when we were able to satisfy our gastronomic cravings while experiencing the Dinagyang rhythm.

Flares in the Sky It started with a fuss; then, our

curiosity was triggered so we came to see Iloilo City’s Luces in the Sky part 1, fireworks display. We were not disappointed.

It was on the 23rd of January when we first witnessed how Iloilo City’s night sky flared with a spectrum of hues. We saw jeepneys and taxis fully-loaded and suffered the jampacked traffic from General Luna St., Iloilo to Diversion Road going to SM City, the venue of the display. Endless lines of multi-colored vehicles snaked through the streets in the vicinity of SM City in Bolilao, Mandurriao. For two days, a total of 19 participants from Iloilo and other places joined the event. Each participant was given 7 minutes for the showmanship.

Most of the display were applauded and some of the spectators even had their own score sheets for each contender. We heard people shouting excitedly out of fascination and blabbing off comments about the spectacle that was. The display, moreover, had an interlude of short spiels then the countdown continued.

The time intervals for the show were never boring.

The battle between the Iloilo City (Scorpions) entry and the Dumaguete City (DSS) entry, the defending champion, was the best part of the event. The Scorpions showcased a magnificent start off and progressed smoothly with more surprising variations and unique styles in the display entrance and exit. It ended to where it started. In writing, it was poetic and could be described as coherent and creative. However, DSS entry jumpstarted with a blast of lights and booming. Subsequently, the height of DSS’ display transcended higher on the night sky and occupied a wider range of illumination.

It also offered a variety of styles and colors and placed m o r e impact on t h e reverberations.

It showcased a very fine body of explosions with alternating swift and slow motion of display without gaps. The part we liked most was when a fountain of silent rainbows provided a short breathtaking pause for the viewers. The finale was melodramatic as a sort of rain shower flashed down gracefully.

Truly, on its 2nd year, Luces in the Sky event promulgated a taste of artistry to each delegation and thus, was triumphant in making people all over Iloilo and from different regions bond again as one. Kudos! source: www.exploreiloilo.com

Photo by Pietros Val Patricio

Photos by Marcos Caratao Jr.

By Cara Uy and Josh von Iron Tondo

8

NEWS/FEATURE

The AugusTiniAn

January 16 - february 20, 2009

Editor: PAULO MOISES BAYABOS

RIGYA TAKUN SA ANTIQUE:

WVPRISAA UPDATES

by ronalD sorrilla and alJun PaDisio

aLL sMiLes. augustinian dancers pose with their coaches after bagging a slot in the top three in their category.

IN the land where the mountains and the sea meet, the cradle of the Binirayan Festival and famous for its first Malay settlement- Antique, was flooded with close to 2,000 athletes and officials, and thousands of spectators to witness the 6th Western Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association (WVPRISAA) 2009 from February 3 to 7. St. Anthony’s College was this year’s host with the theme: “Filipino youth: Accepting the

challenges for change”.

The opening day (February 3) held at the Binirayan Sports Auditorium was focused on the Literary-Musical Contests. The Iloilo delegation stood out in the English and Filipino Oration categories (both Gold), Filipino Extemporaneous Speaking (Gold), English and Filipino Declamation (both Silver), English Extemporaneous Speaking (Silver), Binalaybay and Vocal Solo Pop (Bronze). John Jesner Perce Punsaran (AB Mass Com 2) bagged the Silver Medal in the Filipino Declamation category. Augustinan academians who served as judges in their respective fields of expertise were former USA Publications moderator, John Iremil Teodoro; present moderator, Erwin Sustento; USA PE Department Head,

Eva Zaldivar; Eden Deriada and USA Band trainer, Nelson Checa.

In the Philippine Folkdance category, the Iloilo delegation grabbed the silver medals for an outstanding Tinikling performance while bronze medals were nabbed for the Contemporary Modern Dance category with their concept paying tribute to the country’s Overseas Filipino Workers.

On February 4, the contingents took part in the parade held at the St. Anthony’s College (SAC) grounds.

After which, the Opening Ceremony was graced by senator Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano. She stressed the involvement of the Filipino youth in nation building through their active participation in sports. She was inspired by the story of the 16-

Field Study Exposé: Experiential Learning by ronalD sorrilla

TEACHING is a noble profession and no other profession would exist in this fast-changing world without mentors whom we face in every moment of our student life. Teaching is not an easy task but demands responsibility, patience, and genuine love for the students. A teacher then facilitates the cognitive development of the learners.

The Structure The Commission on Higher Education established a new and more effective way of enhancing the strategies of future teachers. This inclusion is in line with Teacher Education courses of subjects that will be beneficial to both the student and his/her experience. I’m refering to study courses in the new curriculum of Teacher Education which were already included as early as the year 2007 in the different institutions throughout the country offering Bachelor in Elementary Education and Bachelor in Secondary Education courses.

Students enrolled in this subject will be sent to different public and private schools and will be classified according to their majors. They will be having the Field Study Module that will help them theoretically understand the flow of the course.

This requirement may be an added financial burden and will extend the stay of the students in the course. A one (1) unit FS Course will be added every semester. But the bottom line is that the students will greatly benefit from these courses.

As early as their freshmen year, they will experience the world they

will be having in the future. It’s just like observing and eventually experiencing the life of how teacherlearner interaction takes place in the four corners of a typical classroom.

Field Study courses are divided into six (6) courses that feature different aspects of the learning environment - from the learners’ perspectives, from the teachers’ perspectives - the methods and strategies, the assessment of learners’ capabilities and so on. Equally, the end result is an improved passing percentage of Licensure Examination for Teachers as some of the board exam questions were taken from this subject. The table below shows the specific Field Study courses and the Professional Education Subjects as its counterpart: Field Study Courses Units Field Study 1: Learners’ Development and Environment 1 Field Study 2: Experiencing the TeachingLearning Process 1 Field Study 3: Technology in the Learning Environment 1 Field Study 4: Understanding Curriculum Development 1 Field Study 5: Learning Assessment Strategies 1 Field Study 6: On Becoming a Teacher 1 Professional Education Subjects Child and Adolescent Development Facilitating Learning Social Dimensions of Learning Principles of Teaching 1 Principles of Teaching 2 ICT Ed Educational Technology 1 Educational Technology 2 Assessment of Learning 1 Assessment of Learning 2 The Teaching Profession

(Source: USA Educators Magazine 2007)

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

These will also be credited to the Practicum course of the students in the last semester (4th year, second semester) for they will be in their practice teaching and with these experiential learning they will be better prepared to face the obstacles or challenges in the teaching arena.

The Package As an Education student taking this Field Study course, it will be a big help for me. It is not merely attending classes, answering assignments, and taking the exams but through exposure, I, for one, have realized the essence of being a teacher. Experiential learning makes me realize that it’s not only the theories of teaching that matter but more on how one takes part on the actual setting - observing and making reactions to the activity or tasks given by the module or teacher. The primary role of Field Study courses is to let the students embrace their profession,

year-old Filipino, Niño Alcantara, who is an Australian Open Grand Slam Champion in tennis. It was also Alcantara who gave her the idea of how a young athlete who can manage his time playing and attending school at the same time. Senator Cayetano has also been a sports enthusiast since her school days. Another person who served as the keynote speaker and has made significant contributions to the Philippine sports arena happened to be a full-blooded native of AntiqueGenaro Cabrera. He was a silver medalist in running during the 1954 Asian Games held in New Delhi, India and was considered to be the “Fastest Man of the 50’s”. He was the only Antiqueño to ever join in the Olympics.

After such speeches, the kick-off ceremony marked the start of the event.

Antique Governor Sally ZaldivarPerez, Mayor Rony Molina of San Jose de Buenavista, Fr. Jose Bantolo, President of SAC, and other prominent people of Antique delivered their respective welcome speeches. The guests were entertained by a number of dance performances given by SAC high school and college students.

In the evening, the Dance Sports Competition was held at the Bishop De Wit Hall. It was composed of two categories: Latin American (chachacha, rumba , samba, paso doble and jive) and Modern Standard (Viennese waltz, foxtrot, slow waltz,

tango and quickstep) dances. Dressed in their best suits and dancing in the rhythm of every beat, the USA Modern Standard Couple, Mariane Joy Mallorca (BSC MA 2) and Auros Jenulf Moneda (BSN 2) grabbed the silver medals under the traineeship of Noemi Surmieda-Sumagaysay whose contestants became consistent winners. The Latin American Couple contestants from John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime Universty-Molo also got two silver medals.

In the evening of February 6, the Iloilo candidate emerged as this year’s Ginoo ng WVPRISAA while his cocandidate landed 1st Runner Up for the Mutya ng WVPRISAA. Meanwhile, Augustinian athletes who emerged victorious in their respective events were Carl Vincent Cabuday (Gold-Basketball Men); Verdin Paul Deocampo (GoldVolleyball Men); Franklin De la Cruz, Elia Gulao, Aim Cezar Pineda and Eddie yap, Jr. (Gold- Athletics Men); Alexandra Nicole Catolico and Donna Jane Gaylon (GoldSwimming Women); Roxan Ofalia and Ruby Grace Oresco (Silver- Chess Women, Boards 2 and 3, respectively); Jackelyn Estoquia (Silver- Volleyball Women); Vina Gabito, Joy Ras, Jocille Sovilla and Charmaine Hallares (Lawn Tennis- Women); and Keela Descutido, Florence Arinos, Crystal Galvan, Mylene Pagdato and May Jales Tadlas (Silver- Athletics Women).

NSTP-CWTS coordinators, monitors conduct “Love Gift”

by Paulo Moises bayabos

ON February 8, NSTP-CWTS coordinators Larry Guatelara and Nestor Patrocinio, together with the University’s NSTP-CWTS studentmonitors and other volunteers, went to Alibunan, Calinog for their annual charity program, ”Love Gift.”

“Love Gift,” a post-Christmas and pre-Valentine activity, aimed to give the children of the said locale a series of amusement activities. The program started with a basketball and volleyball tournament for the children to show their skills to develop sportsmanship and to enjoy.

The Augustinian students who were present facilitated and looked after the games while residents watched and cheered for their own young athletic stars.

The highlight of the program was during noontime, when everybody gathered in front of a stage inside Alibunan Elementary School. Four hundred eighty pairs how they will be able to experience the responsibility they will be handling someday and at the same time, prepare them for the job. yet, there are no cut and dried strategies that will improve teaching skills; teachers are merely facilitators

of multi-colored slippers were arranged to form the words, “USACWTS Love Gift, February 8, 2009”. Approximately 100 children lined up to receive their new pairs of slippers.

The fund for the aforementioned “slippers drive” was taken from the Php 10 contribution of each NSTPCWTS student.

Augustinian students who assisted Guatelara and Patrocinio in this activity were Fidel yongque III, Gliza Jane Tandug, Alexa Therese Javellana, Athena-Kim Lamateo, Kim Bryan Diez, Anthony Quinn Quilla, Kyla Krista Hermo, all from the College of Nursing, and Jessa Mae Anaquita, a BS Hotel and Restaurant Management student.

“Love Gift,” has been conducted by the University’s NSTP-CWTS for several years now and is considered the actualization of the essence of this program – community welfare. of cultivating the young minds of their learners. It’s up to the students to learn how they will digest the subject matter given by their mentors. The teachers, on the other hand, have the power to enrich the learning capacities of their students.