The Varsitarian P.Y. 2017-2018 Issue 12

Volume XC, No. 12 • August 12, 2018 THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSIT Y OF SANTO TOMAS Manila, Philippines

New pumps eyed vs flooding in UST

By JOB ANTHONY R. MANAHAN UST officials have bared plans to improve drainage and pumps on campus under a two-year flood management project.

The Facilities Management Office (FMO) director, Fr. Dexter Austria, O.P., said continuous road elevation around the University is causing flooding inside the University.

Aggravating the situation is the difficulty of pumping out flood waters trapped inside the campus.

“UST was built to withstand certain flooding. What happened is the roads around it were elevated...

UST was unable to catch up,” Austria told the Varsitarian in an interview.

Austria said the University needs a mechanism that would ensure that flooding outside would be gone before the pumps drain flood water out of the campus. “[In the] previous years, we saw that we need certain pumps for the water, for the internal flood of UST to get out of the campus. However, flooding around UST was massive, we cannot pump out water,” Austria said.

FMO Assistant Director Albert Surla said the existing flood management system would be retained but would have enhanced RED RAINFALL WARNING. Three men walk on f looded Benavides Park in UST as heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm ‘Karding’ caused f looding features.

Flood PAGE 5 in Metro Manila on Aug. 11.

MICHAEL ANGELO M. REYES

SpecialReport

Wage hike, regularization soon for non-teaching staff — Rector

By LADY CHERBETTE N. AGOT and MA. CONSUELO D.P. MARQUEZ THE NON-TEACHING staff hired

by UST on a contractual basis will soon receive a pay hike from the freshmen tuition increase along with their regularization, said UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. Dagohoy revealed that UST’s Economic Council, which oversees financial policies of the University, had considered the situation of workers with no benefits and tenureship.

“As a matter of social justice, we have to look into the situations of some of our employees who are nonregular,” Rector told the Varsitarian.

The Economic Council is composed of the Rector, vice rector, vice rector for finance and five members of the Order of Preachers.

Some UST workers interviewed by the Varsitarian aired concerns regarding the status of the regularization plan of the University following the approval of the tuition hike for freshmen last June.

Some workers fear that the pay

Rector open to review of student handbook RECTOR Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. has said he was open to reviewing student policies amid criticism over the “conforme” document put online as a requirement for enrollment in the University this academic year.

Provisions of the Student Code of Conduct and Discipline uploaded to the MyUSTe Student Portal were posted on social media last month, triggering an online firestorm against UST. The University, being a Catholic institution, prohibits cohabitation without marriage, engaging in relationships that are “contrary to the principles adhered to by the University and the teachings

of the Catholic Church,” crossdressing, and organizing or joining assemblies that would create “unnecessary noise or disturbance.”

These offenses, which have long been in the UST Student Handbook, are punishable by suspension, non-readmission, expulsion or exclusion, depending on the gravity.

“Definitely [we’re planning to look into it like] the way we responded to cases in the past,” Dagohoy told the Varsitarian at the sidelines of the opening exercises for the new academic year.

Rector PAGE 5

raise taken from the tuition hike might be used as a “diversion” from the regularization plan.

Dagohoy, however, clarified that the regularization of contractual workers in the University has nothing to do with the tuition hike. “[Regularization of workers] has nothing to do with tuition increase because whether we would have a tuition increase, the salaries of those who will be regularized will be coming from the operation,” Dagohoy said.

Regularization PAGE 11

SHS principal named new Education dean FORMER UST Senior High School (SHS) principal Pilar Romero is the new College of Education dean, replacing Prof. Allan de Guzman.

Romero was the first principal of UST SHS, holding office from 2015 to 2018.

She had served as assistant to the Rector for administration and teacher of Christian Living in the Education High School.

Romero was a recipient of 18th Dangal ng Gawad Benavides Award for her 35 years of service in the University.

De Guzman served as Education dean for a brief tenure, from 2015 to 2018.

The Metrobank outstanding teacher awardee has been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to the Teacher Education Council of the Department of Education, for a three-year term from 2017 to 2020. SAMANTHA-WEE LIPANA with reports from CHRIS V. GAMOSO

Record number of freshmen join ‘Welcome Walk’ THE UNIVERSITY welcomed 16,827 first-year students for Academic Year 2018-2019 with the annual Thomasian Welcome Walk or march through the historic Arch of the Centuries.

As of Aug. 6, there were 12,866 first-year college students, 3,433 Grade 11 students in the Senior High School, 438 Grade 7 students from the Junior High School, and 90 Grade 7 students from the Education High School, records from the Office of the Registrar showed.

The new batch of college freshmen were the pioneer graduates of senior high school. The Faculty of Pharmacy admitted 1,627 freshmen, recording the most number of first-year students this academic year.

The UST-AMV College of Accountancy and the Graduate School ranked second and third in terms of the number of freshmen, with 1,331 and 1,305 students, respectively.

Welcome Walk PAGE 2

New Thomasians march through the Arch of Centuries in an annual welcome tradition for freshmen.

ENRICO MIGUEL S. SILVERIO

2 News

AUGUST 12, 2018

Editors: Maria Crisanta M. Paloma and Hannah Rhocellhynnia H. Cruz

Search for truth is search for God — Pope’s envoy

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Pope’s envoy to the Philippines, delivers the homily in the Misa de Apertura at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church last Aug. 1.

DEEJAE S. DUMLAO

CSC to press for passage of students’ code THE CENTRAL Student Council (CSC) is set to form a group that will help lobby the passage of the Students’ Code this academic year.

The Students’ Rights and Welfare (Straw) Coalition, the local equivalent of the national Straw coalition, will serve as a lobbying group that will assist the CSC in working for the passage of the Students’ Code in the University and the Straw Bill in Congress.

The Straw Coalition, a project headed by CSC President Francis Santos, will be divided into three committees: research, promotion and lobbying. “[In] research… we will present facts or studies regarding student rights… Promotion includes awareness campaigns para sustained `yung discussion and clamor for the passage,” Santos told the Varsitarian in an online exchange. “`Yong lobbying ay `yong magko-conduct ng dialogues and discussions with the deans and regents, this can be done with the help of the local student councils,” he added.

Students and recognized organizations of the University can join the coalition “as long as they’re an advocate of students’ rights.”

“We’re actually opening the doors to everybody as long as they’re Thomasians and recognized organization of the University,” Santos told the Varsitarian in an interview.

CSC PAGE 10

4 Thomasians top August 2018 pharmacy board examination THE UNIVERSITY was named the fourth topperforming school in the August 2018 pharmacist licensure examinations, with four Thomasians making it to list of top 10 examinees.

Patrick Joshua Galura led the new batch of Thomasian pharmacists, securing the third spot with a score of 91.35 percent.

Thomasian Biehn Beryl Que grabbed fourth place with a score of 91.30 percent, while Maureen Theresa Alexander and Krishna Dasha Corpuz placed fifth and sixth with scores of 91.20 percent and 91.07 percent, respectively.

UST posted a 91.56-percent passing rate, or 282 out of 308 examinees, in the August 2018 examinations, slipping from last year’s 92.50 percent or 296 out of 320 examinees.

Saint Louis University of Baguio was the topperforming school anew, posting a 98.69-percent passing rate or 151 out of 152 examinees.

The national passing rate rose to 69.20 percent, or 2,927 out of 4,230 examinees, from last year’s 54.81 percent or 2,784 out of 5,079 examinees.

SHERWIN DANE ZAURO C. HARO

APOSTOLIC Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Gabriele Caccia urged Thomasians to let the Holy Spirit guide them in searching for truth during the annual Misa de Apertura or Mass of the Holy Spirit last Aug. 1.

“We are all on the journey, we can go further and deeper, but what is important is [the] passion for truth and the passion for freedom which is the passion for God,” Caccia said in his homily.

Caccia said the search for truth should not be limited to bookish lessons but should be fulfilled through a life dedicated to God. He likened the search for truth to the search for God, which, he said, is a step closer to becoming and living like Jesus.

“When we stop looking or searching for the truth, we are guided by other interests, we are not free, we are slaves. Jesus said the truth will make you free... so if you are looking for the truth you are in the good way to be his disciple,” Caccia said.

Caccia officially opened the new academic year after the celebration of the Holy Mass.

Faculty of Arts and Letters Dean Michael Anthony Vasco delivered the traditional Discurso de Apertura or the keynote speech delivered by a professor for the opening of classes.

Vasco highlighted the importance of liberal arts in the development of society, saying the societal problems of today can only be solved through the collaborative effort of professionals from different disciplines.

He said Arts and Letters will continue producing globally competitive graduates who can excel in their own industries. KEVIN A. ALABASO

New Communications Bureau aims Welcome Walk FROM PAGE 1 to provide better media content The traditional rite of passage UST HAS merged the Social Media “Our proactive orientation Bureau with the broadcast unit of hopes to roll out content that is the Educational Technology Center informative, enlightening and (EdTech) to form a Communications inspiring to all stakeholders… who Bureau, in a bid to enhance and seek the truth, which is what UST maximize the University’s online stands for: Veritas,” he added. and broadcast content.

The Social Media Bureau was The new Communications introduced in 2014 to establish Bureau will build on the existing UST’s online presence as a roles of the Social Media Bureau response to the popularity of social and beef it up with technical media. and broadcast functions, said Fr. In 2015, QuacquarelliChristopher Aytona, O.P., director Symonds recognized UST’s of the revamped office. website, managed by the Social “The move was a proactive Media Bureau, with a Bronze Award strategy of UST to consolidate two for Best International Website. of its media production offices— EdTech will continue to be broadcast and online—in order to the University’s support unit in help ensure that there is one message handling the integration of digital and one recognizable brand across technologies into innovative various platforms,” Aytona told teaching approaches.

JOB the Varsitarian in an ANTHONY R. MANAHAN online interview.

Aytona said the office would also train Thomasian “social media ambassadors” to boost online and broadcast content through the “TigerTV” and “TigerRadio,” which comprise the Tiger Broadcasting UST Social Media Bureau and Educational Network.

Technology Center logos

was divided into two batches to accommodate all incoming Thomasians.

Freshmen from the College of Science, Faculty of Engineering, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Education, Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, College of Tourism Hospitality Management, College of Commerce and Business Administration and Accountancy celebrated the welcome rite in the morning.

The second batch was composed of the first-year students from the Ecclesiastical Faculties, College of Nursing, Faculty of Civil Law, Faculty of Arts and Letters, College of Fine Arts and Design, College of Architecture, Conservatory of Music, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Pharmacy and Institute of Information and Computing Science.

The Arch of the Centuries once served as the entrance of the old building of the Pontifical University in Intramuros, Manila before it was destroyed by World War II. It was in 2002 when the tradition of the Thomasian Welcome Walk was first launched as the welcoming rites for freshmen.

Discern ‘truth of God’ through Catholic education, Thomasian freshmen urged The Rector urged the new batch of Thomasians to discern

the “truth of God” through Catholic education offered by the Pontifical University.

Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. emphasized the University’s Catholic identity, which, he said, aims to “transform the hearts” of its students in the process of educating them.

“At the heart of Catholic education is Jesus, and everything that we do [in UST] leads to an encounter with the living God,” Dagohoy said.

Dagohoy encouraged the first-year students to “transform and transfigure” themselves as they journey into their lives in UST, echoing the story of Jesus’ transfiguration before his disciples in the Gospel of Mark.

Vice Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. said faith and prayer bolster the “undying spirit” of the Thomasian identity founded on the principles of Catholic education.

“Your Thomasian identity as students is now one of your most valuable possessions, though it will take years to form and to shape it into perfection, thereby do your best to protect it, to nourish it and to develop it,” Ang said.

The Eucharistic Celebrations followed the traditional Thomasian Welcome Walk or the passing through the historic Arch of the Centuries. MAREM A. DE JEMEL and SHERWIN DANE ZAURO C. HARO

Satisfy students’ hunger for holiness, Dominicans urged

Fr. Napoleon Sipalay, Jr., O.P., prior provincial of the Dominican Province in the Philippines, leads the Eucharistic celebration on the eve of the feast of St. Dominic de Guzman, the founder of the Order of Preachers, last Aug. 7.

MEMBERS of the Order of Preachers must promote dialogue between God and communities through education, the leader of Filipino Dominicans said last Aug. 7 during Holy Mass on the eve of the feast of St. Dominic de Guzman, the founder of the Dominican Order, at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church.

Fr. Napoleon Sipalay Jr., O.P., prior provincial of the Dominican Province in the Philippines, called on his brother Dominicans in the University to find the “way of holiness” and

share it through preaching and education.

“I hope [that] this University continues to satisfy the hunger of our many students; the hunger to have the answer to the questions they have in themselves [and] in the world that they’re going to enter… We have to lend our voices to be the voice of Christ in our time,” he said in his homily.

Sipalay reminded members of the order to emulate St. Dominic’s example of genuine brotherhood, which is a vital foundation of every community.

Dominicans PAGE 5

Patnugot: Jolau V. Ocampo

IKA-12 NG AGOSTO, 2018

Michael Coroza

Buwan ng Wika 2018, nakatuon sa pananaliksik “Hindi naman tatanggalin completely ‘yong nakasanayan na kasi naka-root ‘yan sa nationalism din naman e, dadagdagan lang at i-e-enrich.

Siguro, ito-tone down lang,” paliwanag niya sa panayam.

HINIMOK ng mga tagapagtaguyod ng wikang pambansa na ibatay sa kultura ng pananaliksik ang mga programa na isasagawa ngayong Buwan ng Wika at hindi lamang makulong sa mga nakamihasnang pagdiriwang.

“Huwag nating itali sa paimbabaw na pagpapahayag ng pagmamahal sa wika ang ating pagdiriwang. Hindi uunlad ang wika kung nakakulong tayo sa sabayang pagbigkas at sa mga walang kawawaang islogan,” wika ni Jerry Gracio, komisyoner para sa SamarLeyte ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), sa kaniyang Facebook post noong ika-22 ng Hulyo.

Dagdag pa niya, malaki ang pangangailangan sa pananaliksik lalo na sa kasulukuyang panahon sa paghahanap ng katuturan sa pederalismo at fake news.

Ayon naman kay Michael Coroza, tagapangulo ng Komite sa Wika at Salin sa Pambansang Komisyon para sa Kultura at mga Sining, hindi masama ang mga nakamihasnang pagdiriwang ngunit dapat ituon ang mga aktibidad sa paglinang ng wikang Filipino bilang wika ng karunungan.

“Hindi ‘yong lahat ay nauuwi na lang tayo sa sayawan at kanta, walang masama roon, gustong-gusto ko ‘yon, pero ang sinasabi sa atin ng KWF ngayon, linangin natin sa ating mga sarili ang kultura ng pananaliksik,” wika niya sa isang panayam sa Varsitarian.

Sabi naman ni Romulo Baquiran, Jr., tagapangulo ng Filipinas Institute of Translation, gawing mas intelektuwal ang mga aktibidad ngayong buwan.

Usapang Uste

Filipino 3

Paglinang ng wika sa pagtuturo Binigyang-diin din ni Baquiran na isa ring propesor sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, na gawing praktikal ang pagtuturo ng Filipino at hindi lang ituon sa panananda at pagtatama ng gramatika ng akda ng likha ng mga mag-aaral.

“Dapat ikabit sa pagiging creative ‘yong Filipino sa halip na routelearning, dapat activity-oriented. Dapat mas praktikal. Dapat naka-ugat din sa community. Hindi parang pagkakabisado lang, dapat mas practice sa language,” paliwanag niya.

Mainam na gawing dinamiko ang estilo ng pagtuturo sa wikang Filipino at ibatay ito sa kultura ng pananaliksik upang hindi lang lumutang ang wika kundi makita na bahagi ito ng lipunan, dagdag pa niya.

Ayon naman kay Gracio, mahalaga na magkaroon din ng kultura ng pananaliksik ang mga guro dahil hindi sila makapagbabahagi ng bagong kaalaman kung mismong sila ang hindi nagsasaliksik.

“Tungkulin ng mga guro na patuloy na mag-aral para patuloy ding makapagbigay ng mga bagong kaalaman sa kanilang mga estudyante. At hindi lang metodong pedagohikal ang tinutukoy ko kundi ang mismong laman ng itinuturo,” wika niya.

Iginiit din ni Gracio, nag-uugat sa kawalan ng wawa sa pagtuturo ang paniniwala na “madali lang ang asignaturang Filipino.”

“Drama dahil hindi natin nakikita ang mas malaking rason kung bakit kailangan nating gamitin at ituro ang Filipino labas

sa subject na Filipino na nakasanayan na natin. Dapat nating tingnan ang wika bilang instrumento ng katarungan, lagpas sa nasyonalismo,” giit niya.

Wika naman ni Coroza, ang mga guro mismo ang dapat magbigay ng pansin sa paniniwalang ito sa asignaturang Filipino.

“Pero kung ang tingin ng mga estudyante ay napakadali ng asignaturang Filipino, ibig sabihin no’n ay wala silang respeto sa wikang Filipino at dapat suriin ng mga titser kung bakit [at baka] may problema sa kanila, baka hindi sila nagtuturo nang husto,” wika niya.

Mababang tingin Binigyang-diin din ni Coroza na patuloy na mababalewala ang wika kung hindi ito magagamit sa mga intelektuwal na gawain at matataas na diskurso.

“Hanggang hindi sumasapit doon ang pananaw o ang pagtingin ng mga tao sa wikang Filipino, laging babalewalain ang wika.

Lahat ng mataas na diskurso ay puwedeng gawin sa Filipino na hindi pangtsismis lang o pang-tabloid lang,” wika niya.

Dagdag naman ni Baquiran na hindi sa wika nag-uugat ang mababang pagtingin dito kundi sa mismong pagRomulo Baquiran, Jr. uugali ng mga

Filipino. “‘Yong society natin is really anglophile or colonial. Nakaaapekto ‘yon sa pag-unlad o popularity ng Filipino as language of research in the academe at gano’n din sa Science kung paano ito i-conduct sa Filipino,” wika niya.

“Hindi na nag-i-snowball o hindi nagkakaroon ng momentum para tuloytuloy at well-developed, parang laging nagsisimula. Kasi ang daming reklamo, walang references ‘yong Filipino, and magpa-publish naman ng references [pero] hindi naman gagamitin,” dagdag pa niya.

“Filipino: Wika ng Saliksik” ang tema ng Buwan ng Wika ngayong taon.

“Adyenda sa Pagbuo ng Gramatika ng Wikang Pambansa” ang tema ng Kongreso sa Wika na idinaos sa Unibersidad noong ika-2 hanggang ika-4 ng Agosto sa gusaling Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P. JOSELLE CZARINA S. DELA CRUZ

Romulo, nagwika sa pananampalataya

Carlos P. Romulo, ayudante-de-campo- ni Douglas MacArthur sa Australia, taong 1942.

MULA SA LIBRONG GREAT LIVES: CARLOS ROMULO.

BINIGYANG-DIIN ni Carlos P. Romulo, Pambansang Alagad ng Sining, tanyag na mamamahayag at diplomatiko ang kahalagahan ng pananampalataya upang makabangon sa kahirapan at mapanatili ang kapayapaan sa Filipinas.

Ibinahagi ni Romulo sa kaniyang talumpati sa Holy Name Society of the Philippines noong ika-8 ng Setyembre 1940 na dapat pag-aralang mabuti ang batas at doktrina ng Simbahang Katolika upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan sa bansa.

Iginiit niya na matinding pagdurusa at paghihirap ang kinahaharap at nararanasan ng bawat mamamayang Filipino.

Ayon pa sa kaniya, malalampasan lamang ito kung iiwasan ang pagtatanim ng galit o paghihiganti sa kapuwa.

Dagdag pa niya, dapat iwasan din ang pagiging sakim at ganid sa kapangyarihan dahil nagdudulot lang ito ng kaguluhan sa bansa.

Mahigit 700 mga guro at mag-aaral ang dumalo sa pagtitipon kabilang sila Jesus Celis na pinuno ng Holy Name

Society, Jose Villa Panganiban at Eduardo Molano na pinuno ng Student Holynamers Unit.

Ginawad kay Romulo ang Pulitzer Price for Peace noong 1941 at nagsilbi siyang tagapangulo ng United Nations (UN) Conference on Freedom of Information sa Geneva noong 1941.

Naging tagapangulo rin siya ng UN General Assembly noong 1949 at nagsilbing embahador para sa Estados Unidos noong 1952. Kabilang din si Romulo sa UN Security Council noong 1956 at tagapangulo nito makalipas ang isang taon.

Binitawan man ni Romulo ang kaniyang hangaring maging pangulo ng bansa noong 1953, hindi roon natapos ang kaniyang pagsisilbi sa bayan. Naging tagapangulo siya ng University of the Philippines, secretary of education at secretary of foreign affairs mula taong 1962 hanggang 1978.

Tomasino siya Sa ikawalumpung anibersaryo ng UST Graduate School, kinilala si Ofelia

Malate-Mirando sa kaniyang natatanging ambag sa larang ng pagtuturo at agham sa loob at labas ng Unibersidad.

Nagtapos si Mirando ng Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering noong taong 1966 sa Unibersidad.

Kalaunan, nagtamo siya ng masterado ng Engineering Education sa UP Diliman noong 1978 habang nakamit naman niya ang kaniyang doktorado bilang summa cum laude ng Development Education sa UST noong 1996.

Nagsilbi rin siyang dalubguro sa UST Faculty of Engineering simula noong taong 1972 hanggang 1999 at kinilala bilang “Outstanding Professor” noong 1989 dahil sa natatanging paraan ng pagtuturo ng matematika na mas naiintindihan agad ng kaniyang mga estudyante.

Isa rin si Mirando sa mga tumanggap ng “Ulirang Ina Awards” noong taong 2003 na ipinagkaloob ng National Mother’s day and Father’s Day Usapang Uste PAHINA 9

4 Opinion

AUGUST 12, 2018

Editorial

Human rights is human lives THE 1987 Constitution, like all humanist charters, provides for Filipinos’ right to life, which comes first in the hierarchy of human rights. But President Duterte has shown again his twisted logic when he claimed in his state of the nation address on July 23 that more than human rights, he was concerned with “human life.” Thus, he declared that he would not be dissuaded by critics and human rights advocates from pursuing what he called his “unrelenting and chilling” war on drugs. “Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives,” he said. “The lives of our youth are being wasted and families are destroyed, and all because of the chemicals called shabu, cocaine, cannabis and heroin.”

The President’s claim that he was in effect “pro-life” stands in mocking contrast to the thousands killed in his megalomaniac antinarcotics campaign. Did the president mean to say that the people who had been killed in the campaign should not be considered human lives?

Any one in his right mind could deduce easily from the President’s remarks that he was simply out of his lawyer’s wits, if not that he was a psychopath and a cold-blooded murderer. One need not read between the lines that he was basically making a distinction—or Balkanizing— between human rights and human lives, and that he was contradicting himself when he claimed that it was in order to uphold “human life” that he was waging a “chilling” war on drugs: Chilling as in the stillness of cemeteries and killing fields.

Nothing in his address did it indicate that the President was addressing the concern that his campaign was fostering a climate rife for genocide. In fact, he seemed not to have addressed the concern that while many of the killings were claimed by the police as the result of intra-wars among drug syndicates, authorities had not investigated them or brought a single one of the perpetrators to justice. Moreover, he seemed not to have presented proof that authorities follow due process, a right enshrined the Bill of Rights. To the President, all of the victims were part of the “collateral damage” of his campaign.

Duterte’s distorted claim he was upholding human life in denigrating human rights was Editorial PAGE 10

FOUNDED JAN. 16, 1928 AMIERIELLE ANNE A. BULAN Editor in Chief BERNADETTE A. PAMINTUAN Managing Editor ALHEX ADREA M. PERALTA Associate Editor MARIA CRISANTA M. PALOMA News Editor HANNAH RHOCELLHYNNIA H. CRUZ Assistant News Editor CHRISTIAN DE LANO M. DEIPARINE, THEODORE JASON PATRICK K. ORTIZ Online Editors RANDELL ANGELO B. RITUMALTA Sports Editor NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS Special Reports Editor CHELSEY MEI NADINE B. BRAZAL Features Editor NIKKO MIGUEL M. GARCIA Literary Editor JOLAU V. OCAMPO Patnugot ng Filipino EDRIS DOMINIC C. PUA Science and Technology Editor AUDRIE JULIENNE D. BERNAS Circle Editor SHAINA MAE L. SANTANDER Art Director DEEJAE S. DUMLAO Acting Chief Photographer News Kevin A. Alabaso, Marem A. De Jemel, Katrina Isabel C. Gonzales, Samantha-Wee Lipana, Job Anthony R. Manahan, Julia Claire L. Medina Sports Jan Carlo Anolin, Mia Arra C. Camacho, Ma. Angela Christa Coloma, Ma. Angelica D. Garcia, Ivan Ruiz L. Suing, Theresa Clare K. Tañas, Justin Robert Valencia Special Reports Lady Cherbette Agot, Ma. Consuelo D.P. Marquez, Arianne Aine D. Suarez Features Louise Claire H. Cruz, Daphne Yann P. Galvez, Sherwin Dane Zauro C. Haro, Julia Camille B. Ocaya Literary Karl Ben L. Arlegui, Elmer B. Coldora, Francis Agapitus F. Braganza Filipino Joselle Czarina S. Dela Cruz, Erma R. Edera, Chris V. Gamoso Witness Eugene Dominic V. Aboy, Lexanne O. Garcia, Pearl Anne Gumapos Science and Technology Miguel Alejandro IV A. Herrera, Beatriz Avegayle S. Timbang Circle Klimier Nicole B. Adriano, Kathleen Therese A. Palapar, Lyon Ricardo III M. Lopez Art Nikko A. Arbilo, Blessie Angelie B. Andres, Rocher Faye R. Dulatre, Joelle Alison Mae Eusebio, Marie Kloi Ledesma, Nathanael Jonas S.J. Rodrigo, Jury P. Salaya, Rica Mae V. Soriente Photography Hazel Grace Posadas, Miah Terrenz Provido, Maria Charisse Ann G. Refuerzo, Michael Angelo M. Reyes, Rhenwil G. James Santos, Enrico Miguel S. Silverio,Mark Darius M. Sulit, Jose Miguel Sunglao, Genielyn Rosario M. Soriano, Mary Jazmin D. Tabuena, Vladlynn Nona Maryse L. Tadeo, Pauline Faye V. Tria FELIPE F. SALVOSA II Assistant Publications Adviser JOSELITO B. ZULUETA Publications Adviser

Letters/comments/suggestions/contributions are welcome in the Varsitarian. Only letters with signatures and corresponding contact details will be entertained. Original manuscript contributions must be typewritten, double-spaced, on regular bond paper, and should include a signed certification bearing the author’s name, address, year, and college. The identity of a writer may be withheld upon request. The editors will not be responsible for the loss of materials. Contributions must be sent to THE VARSITARIAN office, Rm. 105, Tan Yan Kee Student Center, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.

Press won’t be strangled anymore AS SOMEONE who brags about his machismo and ironfisted ways, President Duterte is ironically afraid of being criticized by the media that even with the slightest hint of a bad press, he and his allies would straightaway attack and threaten journalists.

Since his election in 2016, Duterte has been cursing and publicly humiliating journalists and editors that have questioned his bloody war on drugs campaign. At one time, he gave catcalls to a female journalist during a press conference and in another, claimed without evidence that media killings were caused by press extortion. He even appointed Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson, a peddler of fake news, as assistant secretary of his communications office.

Like a true authoritarian, he could not tolerate critical coverage of his administration.

As a result he has made the country more dangerous for journalists.

Duterte’s blatant hatred of and hostility toward media organizations are recorded in the 2018 World Press Freedom Index released by media watchdog Reporters

Intimidation cannot stop us. In fact, it would take long for the media to succumb to these oppressive attacks. We learned to remain faithful in the responsibility of our jobs a long time ago.

Without Borders last May. The president and his allies “openly encouraged” the strong hostility towards members of the media, the organization said in a statement.

The brutal killing of radio broadcaster Joey Llana last July 20 is the 10th recorded killing of a journalist under Duterte’s term. He was shot five times by unidentified gunmen while he was pulling out of his garage in Daraga, Albay. His brother said Llana had texted him a week before saying he had been receiving death threats, “but just took (them) lightly.”

As of May 2018, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility has recorded 11 reported death threats and 14

filed online harassments. There were also six slay attempts and six cases of harassment.

Note that these numbers only mirror filed cases. There are still many journalists who face intimidation through personal and online tirades of Duterte’s blind allies.

During my stay in the Varsitarian, I witnessed how our bold editorials and stern criticisms of the government often received uncivil—and dangerous—comments from readers, mostly on social media.

Even I, who represented the publication’s stand on several issues, have received private offensive messages online.

These kinds of intimidation cannot stop us. In fact, it would take long for the media to succumb to these oppressive attacks. We learned to remain faithful in the responsibility of our jobs a long time ago.

When the country was placed under martial law in 1972 by the dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., several media organizations were shut down and journalists were unlawfully arrested. There was a general order released by Marcos to then defense secretary Juan Ponce Enrile and public information secretary Francisco “Kit” Tatad ordering them to “take over and control or cause the taking over and control” of newspapers, magazines, radio and television facilities and other means of media communication to stop the “propaganda purposes” against the government and its authorities which could “undermine the faith and confidence of the people in the government.”

In the words of journalist Primitivo Mijares, this led the country into a “deathly journalistic silence.”

Anastasis PAGE 10

Pope’s prayer for media-- ‘Remove the venom in our judgments’ POPE FRANCIS ended his World Communications Day (WCD) 2018 message with a prayer for journalists and the journalism industry, of which some of the lines were taken from the prayer of his namesake— Francis of Assisi.

At a time when the Church is taking a lot of abuse from President Duterte, it is instructive for us to revisit the Pope’s WCD message.

Some people would say that the Church is already a spent force and would be unable to provide an effective foil to the excesses of the new regime, but the fact that it continues to be crucified by Duterte should indicate how the President considers it a force to reckon with.

Some of our bishops and priests, despite not having the political clout and charisma of their predecessors like that of Jaime Cardinal Sin, are capable of striking back at the President and putting him in his place.

Last June, Duterte ridiculed the Genesis story of the fall of man and called God

Some of our bishops and priests, despite not having the political clout and charisma of their predecessors like that of Jaime Cardinal Sin, are capable of striking back at the President and putting him in his place. “stupid.”

The remark turned him against a huge number of Filipinos, some of whom were admittedly his supporters.

These rants against the Church might have come to a halt, but only temporarily.

There are a lot of reasons why the President might have been feeling that it is okay to dig out unnecessary dirt on the Church. And while the secular press is always ready to nail Duterte when he speaks ill of the country’s faith, they are not completely blameless.

Journalists after all are wont to present the Church as just another bureaucratic

institution rife with scandal and controversy and also one the press could turn for fiery soundbites in key public issues the better to sensationalize current events.

As what retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz has told the Varsitarian, the press should not insist when they feel that Church officials want to remain silent. And perhaps more important, that the press should not entrap Churchmen to tell them what they want to hear.

The Church is not to be likened to the Duterte administration nor show biz– where scandals and

controversies are the order of the day.

Notwithstanding writing or producing news about the Church at large, journalists are called serve their profession with its main objective–which is to report and disseminate the truth.

In my brief stint as the custodian of the Varsitarian’s Religion (Witness) page, I was able to propose and handle stories that come not only from statements of our moral shepherds but those that come from the level of dioceses and even from the grassroots communities that the Church tends to.

It is not impossible to look for stories like these.

Toward the end of his WCD 2018 Message, the Pope makes the “Prayer for News” ––“[Lord], help us to remove the venom from our judgments.”

Journalists are not the sole bearers of the responsibility to cleanse the world of venomous judgments, the responsibility applies to all the descendants At the helm PAGE 10

Opinion 5

AUGUST 12, 2018

Ang katuturan ng panitikan sa isang ‘V’ staffer at Lit major PARA sa isang Tomasinong manunulat, lalong-lalo na sa isang AB Literature major tulad ko, masasabi kong makabuluhan ang pagsali sa Varsitarian, upang maisakatuparan nito ang paghahangad na magkaroon ng katuturan sa masalimuot na mundo ng panitikan.

Sa katunayan, AB Communication Arts talaga ang aking unang nagustuhan na programa noong ako’y nakapasok sa Uste, sa simpleng kadahilanan na gusto kong gayahin ang kursong tinapos ng Mama ko. Pangalawa lang ang AB Literature sa aking napili, pero dito pa rin ako napunta dahil wala nang slot sa CA. Gayunman, ako’y nagsusulat na ng mga tula at nagbabasa-basa na, kahit papaano, noong high school.

Naalala ko pa nga noong ako’y minsang nag-ayos ng mga papeles para sa aking paglipat noong paparating ang sophomore year. Kaso nga lang, hindi rin ako natuloy sa kung ano mang kadahilanang nakalimutan ko na. Ang masama pa, nangyari ang hindi inaasahan; dahil sa problemang pinansiyal na kinaharap ng aking pamilya, ako’y nahinto sa pag-aaral sa ikalawang semestre ng taon.

Ngunit ito’y, ika nga, isang “blessing in disguise” pala.

Napakinabangan ko nang maigi ang mahigit isang taong paghihintay hanggang sa ako’y

Sa madaling salita, kinakailangan sa pagsusulat—panunula, pagkukuwento, o pagbabalita man—ang pagpapakatao. makabalik, para sa tatlong bagay: ang pagsulat ng koleksyon ng mga tula sa Ingles na siyang nanalo sa ika-31 Gawad Ustetika, “the country’s longest-running campus literary derby”; ang muling pag-aaplay sa ‘V’ at matagumpay na pagpasok dito, matapos pumalya noong freshman year; at ang pagtanto na tama lang na naunsiyami ang aking plano na lumipat ng programa.

Hindi ko na kailangang hanapin ang “greener pastures,” dahil ako’y nasa mabuting kalagayan na’t magiging mas mainam at praktikal ang pagiging AB Literature major ko, bilang isang manunulat para sa Literary section ng ‘V.’ Pwede pa rin naman akong makarating sa paroroonan nang hindi kinakailangang gayahin ang Mama ko. Tingin ko, mas maipagmamalaki niya pa nga ako sa aking naging desisyon.

Kahit na hindi pa rin naman

ako ganoon kagaling magsulat sa kasalukuyan, inaamin kong higit na nakatulong ang ‘V’ para ako’y humusay sa larangan. Nagsilbi itong gabay at impetus sa daanang akin na palang tinatahak, nang walang kamalayan, magmula noong high school pa.

Kung hindi dahil sa ‘V,’ malamang ay napako na ang aking kaalaman sa kawalan, dahil mananatiling lipas at maikli ang aking reading list. Baka hindi na ako nagsumikap basahin ang mga naggagandahan at kinakailangang akda, sa loob at labas ng klase, lalo na ang mga akdang lokal, na dapat ibinabandera natin.

Ganoon din siguro sa aking pagsusulat, na mananatiling madalang at kadalasa’y contrived, kung hindi man corny. Makukuntento na ako sa mediocre o “puwede na,” at hindi na magkakaroon ng tiyaga sa pagrerebisa, at, kung kinakailangan, pagsusulat muli ng lahat mula sa wala.

Hindi ko rin matututuhang tumanggap ng kritika, lalo na ng kritisismo, sa aking mga gawa. Ito pa man din ang isa sa pinakamabigat na aralin para sa sinomang nagtatangkang magsulat.

Kung hindi dahil sa ‘V,’ maliit marahil ang pagkakataong ako’y masigasig na dadalo sa mga mahahalagang panayam, paglulunsad ng libro, at iba pang literary event, maliban na lamang kung gagawing captive audience ang aking kinabibilangang section at mayroong attendance kung saan mapipilitang pumunta ang lahat.

Hindi ko malilimutan, halimbawa, ang aking naging coverage sa pagbisita ng Nobel laureate na si Mario Vargas Llosa sa UST, pati na rin ang pagyao ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining sa Panitikan na si Cirilo Bautista.

Kahit na maituturing pa ring limitado ang aking mga nabasa mula sa malalaking ngalan na ito, masasabi kong higit pa sa sapat ang aking naging danas bilang isang ambisyosong mag-aaral ng AB Literature at manunulat para sa Literary section, na hindi kalauna’y aking pinamatnugutan.

Hindi ako magkakaroon ng pagkatataong makasali sa mga palihang pampanitikan, lalo na ang pag-oorganisa nito, kung wala ako sa ‘V.’ Dito, aking pinangasiwaan ang ika-

Breaking bad PAGE 10

Ang lihim at aral mula sa ‘V’

HIGIT pa sa pagsusulat, pagdidibuho, pagkuha ng retrato at iba pang kuwalipikasiyong makikita sa call for applicants ang hinahanap ng pahayagang The Varsitarian.

Hinahanap ng ‘V’ ang mga taong matatag ang loob at mayroong taglay na kagalakan upang matuto ng mga bagay na higit pa sa kasalukuyang saklaw ng kanilang kaalaman.

Hindi dahil wala kang ibang alam maliban sa mga nasabing talento, hindi ka na maaaring matuto o magkusang magpaturo.

Nararapat na bukas ang isipan ng kung sinumang nais makapasok dito kung paano anyayahan ang iba’t ibang mga kompanya upang maging sponsor sa mga patimpalak

Flood FROM PAGE 1 The first phase of the plan calls for the installation of additional automatic pumps and flood outlets and an improved drainage system with increased capacity and new “flap gates,” Surla said.

Austria said the projected depth of the new drainage system would be four meters, as it would serve as a temporary flood water tank. Flap gates will control the withdrawal of flood water from the drainage.

The drainage will cover Tamayo, Araullo, Intramuros, Arellano and Ruano drives, and half of Osmeña and Quezon drives.

More flood outlets would also be installed along España Boulevard.

These outlets will help drain flood out the University, Surla said.

Hindi tahanan ang ‘V’ ng mga batang patatahanin ang pag-iyak.

Maaaring umiyak, ngunit bawal magpalunod sa sariling luha.

at paunlakan ang mga tanyag na manunulat upang maging hurado o tagapagsalita sa mga seminar o workshop. Hindi pa kasama rito ang pagbubuhat ng mesa, upuan at iba pa upang ayusin ang venue ng iba’t ibang extra-editorial activities.

Kukunin din nito ang iyong oras at pagod na The additional pumps, will also have increased pumping capacity.

The initial phase will cover half of the campus, starting from España Boulevard up to Gonzales and Ma. Guerrero drives.

Construction will last up to two years, with the start of the first phase expected in December this year.

‘Long delayed project’ Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy O.P. said the flood management system would “definitely push through” since it was “long overdue.”

“It has been a long, long, long delayed project of the University. We have been discussing that for the past two years but there were several modifications… not only in terms of cost but also in terms of workability,” Dagohoy said in a chance interview.

Dagohoy said the drainage system underwent

maguudyok sayong ilaan ang 24 na oras sa isang araw sa tamang paraan upang walang minutong masasayang para sa pag-aaral.

Hindi tahanan ang ‘V’ ng mga batang patatahanin ang pag-iyak. Maaaring umiyak, ngunit bawal magpalunod sa sariling luha. Bagkus, isa a lot of research.

“Our concern is how deep would [the flood system] be— whether it is four, five or six. The engineers are still deliberating… so we will see what would be the final proposal of the engineers regarding [it],” Dagohoy said.

Construction cannot start during the rainy season so it will not coincide with numerous activities inside the campus, he said.

Challenges Austria said one of the challenges in the proposed drainage system is the second phase, where construction could affect some sites declared as “National Cultural Treasures.”

“It’s delicate. There is no design yet. It will depend on the engineering design,” he said.

The second phase would cover the Santisimo Rosario Parish, the Central Seminary and the Main

itong newsroom na mayroong pagpapahalaga sa deadlines, malinaw na komunikasiyon sa pagitan ng mga patnugot at kanilang mga manunulat, at pagsunod sa mga nakasaad sa konstitusiyon ng pahayagan at ng Unibersidad.

Hindi tatagal nang siyam na dekada kung mahihinang loob ang nagpapatakbo sa V, at isang pribelehiyo ang mapabilang sa mga piling mag-aaral na pagsilbihan ang Unibersidad sa pamamagitan nitong pahayagan.

Isang malihim na pahayagan ang Varsitarian.

Iba’t iba ang dating nito sa iba’t ibang staffers. Marahil depende ang paratang sa tibay ng dibdib ng pinagmulan nito.

Building, among others.

Austria said the construction might also disrupt classes and student activities.

“There might be an impact on the aesthetics.

There will be diggings. The debris will not look good,” he said.

Surla said they would find the “best way” to ensure that construction would be swift and there would be as little disruption in University operations as possible.

“We are doing our best to address this flood issue,” he said.

Austria hopes the improved flood management system will finally ease the flooding problem.

“It’s always said that one way of being a Thomasian, the nature of a Thomasian is being used to flooding…

We just wait for this [flood management system] to happen and then judge if it is working or not,” Austria said.

JULIA CLAIRE L. MEDINA

Editorial

PH should do a Mahathir RODRIGO Duterte talks tough on drugs and crime and through his murderous speech, incites violence against his foes, including the Catholic Church.

But he turns soft and conciliatory toward Beijing despite China having practically grabbed Philippine territory, with some help from that wimp in Malacanang. In contrast, Malaysia’s comebacking 93-year-old Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad talks with measured tone about the threat China poses on freedom of navigation on the South China Sea, and is firm and steady in voicing his concern about Beijing’s apparent economic enslavement of the region.

Mahathir, who was made an honorary professor of UST during his campus visit and lecture in 2012, recently said he would seek to cancel multibilliondollar Chinese-backed infrastructure projects that were signed by his predecessor, Najib Razak, as his government works to dig Malaysia out of debt. He made the statement before enplaning to Beijing for a working visit. Mahathir said he wants to maintain good relations with China and welcomes its investment, so long as the projects benefit Malaysia.

But he said the Chinese pipelines and a rail struck

by Razak, was putting Malaysia in deep debt. Razak himself faces trial on multiple charges related to the alleged multibillion-dollar looting of the 1MDB state investment fund.

In contrast, the Duterte government has bandied several multi-billion Chinese-funded projects in order to sugarcoat Beijing’s near-aggressive acts, especially its establishment of missile-armed facilities on Philippine marine territory. Duterte has presented the projects as free, when in fact there’s no free lunch. A wake-up call would be the Malaysian example itself.

During his time in office, Razak drew Malaysia closer to China, which sees the multi-ethnic Southeast Asian country as part of its ambitious One Belt, One Road (Obor) global trade initiative. Razak reached deals for the 688-kilometer East Coast Rail Link and two gas pipelines in 2016. The projects have basically benefitted Beijing since they’re being built by Chinese state-backed companies. Malaysia meanwhjile has called for drastic cuts in their ballooning cost, which it estimates at more than $22 billion. Most of the money has already been paid and would be difficult to recover.

Mahathir is obviously alarmed that Malaysia is falling into China’s debt trap, which is what has happened to Sri Lanka. At Beijing’s guidance and prodding, Colombo joined Obor, hoping to boost its global trade tries. But then China started to call on partner-countries like Sri Lanka to invest billions in Obor, saying investments should not purely depend on China. Many of the Obor countries were shocked since they had thought Beijing was cash-rich . Now Mahathir PAGE 10

Rector

Dominicans

FROM PAGE 1

FROM PAGE 2

Dagohoy, however, said the conforme document contained no new provisions.

“That’s not a new thing in the University… [S]ome people thought that this is something new because it became online but we have been doing that [for a long time],” he said.

He said a “concerned office” decided to put UST’s student rules and regulations online to “facilitate the ease of enrollment,” with no intention of stirring criticisms.

The conforme seeks to “to form and improve the students’ character, attitude and moral values, as well as to develop their intellectual, physical and psychological fitness.”

“[O]ur first ministry as Dominicans is fraternity.

That’s the essence of the gospel that even Jesus himself when he started preaching, gathered his apostles. Our first mission is to be in a community,” Sipalay said.

St. Dominic de Guzman founded the Order of Preachers in 1216 to combat heresy and address the spiritual and intellectual needs of the people during his time.

Following the four pillars of prayer, common life, study and preaching, the Dominican Order’s intellectual tradition has produced theologians and philosophers including St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of UST. P. A. M.

JOB ANTHONY MANAHAN

R.

GUMAPOS

6 Witness

AUGUST 12, 2018

Man of faith fights poverty with science A CATHOLIC priest believes science can alleviate hunger and poverty with the use of biotechnology.

Calling for more trust in science, Fr. Emmanuel Alparce stressed that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are completely safe and can be beneficial to farmers and consumers by providing more robust and nutritious crops.

His involvement in biotechnology started when he was appointed executive director of the commission on social action, a branch of the Church that deals with social issues, in the Diocese of Sorsogon.

Encouraged by the late Thomasian bishop Jesus Varela, he joined seminars on biotechnology and eventually studied science communication at Cornell University in New York.

“My bishop told me that if [biotechnology] will deliver its promise to increase the harvest of farmers, reduce the application of toxic pesticides and modify the nutritional content of crops, the Church must to get involved in it,” he said in an interview with the Varsitarian.

He also said that his involvement in biotechnology springs from his Christian convictions to feed the hungry and lessen poverty, which is the greatest cause of criminality.

“I’m passionately involved in [biotechnology] because I believe in my heart and mind that this is one tool that can actually solve a certain portion of the problem of hunger and poverty,” he said.

Alparce, who works with the Department of Agriculture in promoting GMOs, added that biotechnology can attract young people to agriculture by providing a more lucrative

occupation.

“Wala nang gustong mag-farming ngayon. But if the young people see that there is money, babalik sila sa farming and they can diversify,” he said.

He also emphasized the need to educate the Church and open the minds of people regarding biotechnology and genetic engineering, which is often misunderstood because of misinformation regarding its safety.

‘Don’t mess with nature’ Fr. Jerry Manlangit O.P., professor of bioethics at the Graduate School, says that genetic engineering is a form of “playing God” and may create a “mess” by causing pests to mutate into “superbugs,” bringing more harm than good.

“They want a total replacement of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to suit the scientist’s preference or frame of mind,” Manlangit said.

But Alparce points out that insects mutate even without the presence of GMOs and that engineering organisms is only a means to counter such natural genetic mutation.

“Kahit walang gawin ang science, nagmumutate ang peste. So let us not be deceived by arguments na kaya nagiging matapang ang mga peste ay dahil sa biotech,” he said.

Dr. Patrick Moral, professor of bioethics at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, said the advancements of GMOs “require prudence and caution,” and maintaining the safety of the human person as the priority.

“It’s like taking a new drug. When it is consumed, we do not know its effects on the human person. We will never be sure until we

Dominicans urged to emulate St. Dominic’s fight against heresies

Fr. Cielo Almazan, O.F.M.

A FRANCISCAN friar on Aug. 8 urged the members of the Order of Preachers to be missionaries who combat modern-day heresies, during the Mass in honor of St. Dominic de Guzman at Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City.

Fr. Cielo Almazan, O.F.M., minister provincial of the province of San Pedro Bautista, called on Dominicans to emulate St. Dominic, “who worked patiently amid opposition and exasperation” in preserving the teachings of the Church amid heresies during his time.

“If you, fellow religious refuse to walk these talks with God, you will become modern heretics by default,” he said in his homily.

Almazan also called for a stronger relationship between the diocesan clergy and the religious for a deeper impact in fighting for truth and justice in the society.

“We religious cannot build the Church without giving due respect to our bishops and the pope. We need to be in communion with one another. We need to collaborate to advance God’s kingdom,” he said.

By tradition, Dominicans and Franciscans preside over Masses for the feast of the founder of the other order to commemorate the friendship between

JOSE MIGUEL J. SUNGLAO

Saints Dominic and Francis of Assisi.

Filipino Dominicans also launched a countdown for its 50th anniversary in 2021 after the mass.

In a conference, former UST rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P., reminded his brother Dominicans to empower locals to become leaders themselves.

“A missionary must learn to adapt himself to local situations to the point where he becomes an enabler, thereby empowering the local clergy and religious in their God-given tasks of leading the native Church,” he said.

Fr. Rogelio Alarcon, O.P., the first prior provincial of Filipino Dominicans, led the golden jubilee prayer.

The Dominican Province in the Philippines (DPP) was established on Dec. 8, 1971 by the former master of the Order of Preachers, Fr. Aniceto Fernandez, O.P. Since its inauguration, DPP has established missionary outposts, schools, and ministries in the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Some of its members have also been appointed to significant positions in the Church including Fr. Gerard Timoner, III, O.P, the sole Filipino member of the International Theological Commission.

DOMINIC EUGENE V. ABOY, O.P.

Fr. Emmanuel Alparce

Photo courtesy of HAWAII CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

see things in the long run,” Moral said.

Echoing Manlangit, he said GMOs can cause changes in the ecology of a particular place and may alter the organism’s reaction to its environment.

Pope Francis said in his encyclical Laudato Si that although no proof has been found that GMOs are harmful to human beings, the issue lies more on the distribution of such crops to a few owners and the disappearance of small producers.

The Roman Pontiff, who holds a master’s degree in chemistry, also pointed out that the difficulties involved with GMOs lie more on the business practices of those who produce

them and their “ruinous” effects on the environment, rather than health-related issues.

Alparce said he would carry out his work, inspired by his vision of saving lives.

“In the end, when it is for the human salvation, when you save a person from death, you become a co-creator of God. In the end it’s about promoting human life, loving your neighbor, helping them succeed and have a better life,” he said.

“In my involvement in biotech, I pray that God may keep on using this life for his purpose,” he added. DOMINIC EUGENE V. ABOY, O.P.

End ‘contraceptive mentality,’ Filipinos urged on 50th year of birth control encyclical FILIPINOS were urged to put an end to the “contraceptive mentality” in the country as the Catholic Church marked the 50th anniversary of its primary teaching on contraception, “Humanae Vitae.”

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), in a pastoral exhortation last week, said the negative view on having big families encourages the spread of the mentality, which Blessed Paul VI sought to combat in his papal encyclical.

They said it was “natural for married Filipino couples to wholeheartedly embrace each child” and that having a big family shouldn’t hinder them from doing so.

“If family planning is simply reduced to the avoidance of

pregnancy, should we be puzzled when some children feel that they are fruits of “unwanted pregnancies”? Won’t they feel that their parents love them simply because they have no choice?” the CBCP said.

The bishops said parents who worry about meeting the basic needs of their children are normal and are only exhibiting “responsible parenthood.”

“Responsible parenthood is not only reduced to the limiting of children. It is natural for parents to be responsible for their children.

Moreover, family planning is not only about ‘method.’ Every family plans for their future,” it added.

The Church leaders also urged Filipinos to foster a culture that protects children and condemns abusers, saying that it is a parent’s

natural responsibility to take care of his or her children and to prevent their exploitation.

“We are, therefore, challenged to intensify our efforts – in partnership with people of good will and institutions at the service of the common good – to foster a culture which protects children and not their abusers,” the exhortation read.

The bishops also called on dioceses and parishes to include child protection and assistance in their apostolate programs and to extend help to the victims of child exploitation.

Humanae Vitae, released on July 25, 1968, contains the Church’s teachings on conjugal love, responsible parenthood, and the rejection of artificial contraception.

PEARL ANNE M. GUMAPOS

UST Hospital chaplain passes away at 69

Fr. Hector Mariñas, O.P.

UST HOSPITAL chaplain Fr. Hector Mariñas, O.P. died on Aug. 4 following cardiac arrest, at the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas. He was 69.

Mariñas obtained his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and sacred theology at the UST Ecclesiastical Faculties in 1972 and 1976, respectively.

He also earned a master’s degree in education major in mathematics from the University of Philippines in Diliman in 1983.

On December 16, 1976, Mariñas was ordained into

priesthood by the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin and was assigned in a mission station in Mati, Davao Oriental.

He also served as parish priest of the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Camiguin Island from January 1993 to April 1995.

His remains were laid to rest at the Santuario de Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Church in Quezon City on Aug. 7. EUGENE DOMINIC V. ABOY O.P. and PEARL ANNE M. GUMAPOS

Editor: Audrie Julienne D. Bernas

AUGUST 12, 2018

Circle 7

Thomasians a hit in ‘Apo’ musical

THOMASIANS dominate the cast and crew of a musical drama that featured the songs of the Apo Hiking Society, an iconic pop-music trio that spawned several original Philippine music (OPM) hits in the 1970’s up to the 1990’s.

Mounted by 9 Works Theatrical, “Eto Na! Musikal Napo!” is loosely based on the beginnings of Apo in 1972 and tells of the struggles of a motley group of college friends who have joined a musical competition. As they struggle to compose the perfect song, personal problems get in the way and one by one leaves. In the end, only three remain to pursue the dream.

The three remnants are taken to be the Apo as Filipinos know them now—Danny Javier, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garrovillo. Although their band is now famously known as Apo, its original full name was Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society, a playful mockery on the Sublime Paralytic.

Using 26 songs from the vast Apo discography, writers Robbie Guevara and Jon Jon Martin, a Thomasian, build up a narrative of personal and creative struggles at the height of martial law, showing the roots of Apo, particularly renowned for having contributed to the anti-Marcos protest movement. Guevara is the director.

Although Javier et al were Ateneo de Manila University schoolmates, many in the cast and crew are from UST. Chemistry alumnus Jon Philippe Go portrays one of the group members, Ray, a medical student who aims to balance music and medical studies.

The orchestra is led by Conservatory of Music professor Daniel Bartolome, musical director of the 9 Works Philharmonic/Pit/Pop Orchestra.

Under the baton of Bartolome, the orchestra played 26 Apo songs, including “Pumapatak Ang Ulan,” “Lumang Tugtugin,” “Batang Bata Ka Pa,” “Doo Bidoo,” Blue Jeans,” “When I Met You” and “Suntok Sa Buwan.”

“Ninety percent of the orchestra are Thomasians,” Bartolome told the Varsitarian.

“The very important thing here is the ensemble playing. This only goes to show that UST has the best musicians.”

Music students and faculty included in the orchestra were Erskine Basilio and Migs Rañeses (guitar), Gerald Flores (bass guitar), Gian Vergel and Gabriel Zagala (percussion), Mary Anne Espina, Orly Dela Cruz and Edward Talavera (keyboard), Dino Decena and Miguel Estrada (violin) and EJ Celestial and Mark Nicolas (trumpet).

Bartolome, who personally handpicked the orchestra members, stressed that Thomasians are “more trained in ensemble performance” and are easy to work with.

“Thomasians are always my top choice. If you’ll check the people on my list, they also play for other musicals like Rak of Aegis and Huling El

The main cast performs “Suntok sa Buwan” onstage.

Bimbo,” he said.

The cast’s vocals blended well with the orchestra. Vocal coach is tenor Ronan Ferrer, also a faculty member at the Conservatory.

Ferrer said OPM “has more drawing power.” “People can relate because the songs are familiar. It also opens a new perspective since people’s perception of the songs may change when applied to a scene.”

Co-writer Martin, who’s also 9 Works’ public relations manager, said it took them four years to write the script and two months to polish the production.

“We had a lot of revisions,” Martin said.

“Some of the songs we initially decided to include were discarded. We tailor-fitted everything as to the demands of the characters the scriptwriter made.”

“You can never go wrong with themes such as friendship, family and love,” Martin stressed.

Apo’s music tackles just that, which explains why they are legendary. Their songs transcend all ages.”

“Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” runs until Aug. 26 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater.

KATHLEEN THERESE M. PALAPAR

Photos by MIAH TERRENZ PROVIDO

From left: UST graduates EJ Celestial, Gian Vergel. Ronan Ferrer, Daniel Bartolome, Mary Anne Espina, Erskin Basilio and Gerald Flores

When art morphs into life forms: The art of Torrado Cabrera

“The Seed,” “Macrocosm” and “The Element of Fire and Water” by Torrado Cabrera

PRINTMAKER Benjamin Torrado Cabrera showcased 20 pieces of painted and engraved figures of biomorphs and abstractions in his solo exhibit, Dimensional Reality, which ran last July at the Altro Mondo Gallery in Greenbelt 5, Makati.

A representation of his belief that “reality is subjective,” the exhibit displayed Cabrera’s engraving and incisions on an acrylic plastic, which is a shiny and transparent synthetic resin that can be colored by the artists.

The works are attached to a burin—a metal shaft with a wooden handle that is used to carve groves and make images on a variety of surfaces.

Engraving is a style of printmaking that dates back to the 15th century, when it was used by craftsmen to ornate metal and wood works.

The exhibit that plays on the concept of multiple realities or “the different levels of one’s perception of reality,” according to Cabrera.

One would see their own reflection morphed by the variety of surface and dimensions in one of Cabrera’s works. “[The exhibit] is about visual perception,” said Cabrera, who graduated with a fine arts degree from

the University.

“It is an attempt to challenge and engage the viewer to have a dialogue and identify the [multiple] levels of perspective,” he added.

One of his exhibited works, “Merge,” is a 48x18-inch work of assembled colored acrylic plastic on canvas. Its engraving gives an optical illusion with Cabrera’s strategic use of white, red and blue lines.

Geometric shapes are skillfully woven together in “Mask That Best Fit”, a 30x24-inch engraving on mirrored acrylic plastic.

“The Element of Fire and Water,” is a 48x18-inch painting of a biomorph in red, white and green.

Cabrera is known for utilizing basic elements, such as simple line and shapes, in his works. He said, “the simplest elements are what make up the complexities of life.”

Cabrera has held several exhibits on printmaking here and abroad, such as the Contemporary Prints Philippines in Singapore, 2007 and the Bakat: PAP Impressions in New York, 2000.

He is the current vice-president of the Association of Pinoyprintmakers, formerly the Philippine Association of Printmakers. LYON RICARDO III M. LOPEZ

8 Special Reports

Editor: Neil Jayson N. Servallos

AUGUST 12, 2018

Income of small businesses take a hit ahead of Train 2

By MA. CONSUELO D.P. MARQUEZ WHEN President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) bill into law, he promised a “simpler and fairer” tax reform program. But after months of implementation, income of small businesses are hurt amid the robust growth of certain industries.

With the second package of the Train Law coming, small businesses around the University are having a hard time keeping up with the increasing prices of commodities.

The Pit Restobar on Asturias Street had no choice but to keep its prices cheap to adjust with their customers’ budgets amid the inflation caused by Train Law. “Our clientele are mostly students.

‘Di pwedeng sabayan `yong increase nong [Train] Law,” said the restaurant’s manager, who asked not to be named.

He added that their daily income slumped from P10,000 to P7,000 after the law was implemented, cutting the budget for operations.

Jaydee Garcia, owner of the Tapsilogan food stall in Sta. Cruz, Manila, said they were forced to buy products with higher taxes such as rice, sugar and soft drinks, because there were no alternatives.

Market vendors are forced to make do with inadequate income from selling goods, according to Jan Erven Ganacias, who teaches sociology at UST Senior

High School.

“The purchasing power of an ordinary Filipino decreases as inflation rate increases. The amount of exemption is nothing because instead of savings, the exemption will be added to daily expenses,” he told the Varsitarian.

The law is also considered a “burden” to public utility vehicle drivers.

On July 6, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board increased the minimum jeepney fare to P9 following the rise of crude oil prices. Aside from the increased tax on gasoline, higher excise taxes on fuels used for machines in vehicles also put a strain on the budget of drivers.

Under the Train Law, the excise tax per liter of fuel will increase to P4.50 in 2019 and it swell to P6.00 in 2020.

Steve Ranjo, secretary general of Piston transport group, said the law affected jeepney drivers’ takehome pay with the soaring prices of petroleum.

“Anumang pagkwenta ang gawin, mas malaki pa rin ang nakaltas sa hawak nilang pera dahil sa matinding pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at serbisyo dulot ng Train Law,” said Ranjo in an online

interview.

The cash voucher offered for jeepney drivers, worth P5,000, good for six months, is not sufficient for the transport groups’ expenses.

Ranjo said the cash voucher would allot P833 per month for drivers but with P75 spent daily for the fuel, a total o fP1,875 would be taken from their monthly salary.

Income PAGE 9

Tax reform doesn’t justify tuition hikes, experts say

By ARIANNE AINE D. SUAREZ and LADY CHERBETTE N. AGOT THE TAX Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law should not be used by private schools to hike tuition because it does not directly affect the education sector, experts said.

Carlos Manapat, an economics professor at the Faculty of Arts and Letters, said the Train Law does not have a provision involving education.

“There is no direct relationship between those goods that will increase like gasoline prices and sweetened drinks, with tuition,” he said.

Filomeno Sta. Ana III, coordinator of the non-government organization Action for Economic Reforms, said the Train Law affects students and teachers more than the schools.

“It indirectly affects the costs related to pursuing education in the sense that students use public transport in going to school,” he said.

The school will only be affected with the surge in energy costs, which is “very minimal.”

“It will not warrant a high increase in tuition… We have figures to show for it,” Sta. Ana said.

The inflation in the prices of consumer goods and services also impacts the daily expenditures of students and parents, researcher Prinz Magtulis of the Financial Times added.

“Tuition is part of basic goods

and services. If you increase it, there will be an effect on students.

They have to shell out more on money to pay for their tuition,” he said.

In June, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) officer in charge J. Prospero de Vera said 248 HEIs sought government approval to increase tuition and other fees due to the impact of the Train Law and the exodus of faculty members to state colleges and universities.

Magtulis stressed that citing the Train Law for tuition hikes alone was “unjustified and abusive.”

“Instead, schools can cite inflation to increase tuition,” he said. “A university can hike tuition to increase compensation of faculty members.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that inflation continued to rise, at 5.2 percent in June, compared with 4.6 percent in May. Education lawyer Joseph Noel Estrada, however, does “not agree with the view that the Train Law has little or no effects” on higher education institutions,” precisely because the law resulted in higher inflation.

With the “rising cost of operations due to inflation,” Estrada, a legal counsel of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, said tuition hikes are justifiable.

“This is a very sensitive and critical management decision because if tuition increases substantially, it may get substantially low enrollment. It it does not increase, it may not be able to sustain its operations,” he added.

Train 2 The proposed second package of Train Law could either lead to the closure of public schools or further increase tuition, Estrada warned.

Under the proposed Train 2 package, the current 10 percent income tax of private schools could increase to 20 percent if the HEIs display poor performance.

Schools with level 1 accreditation, good passing rate records in licensure examinations and faculty members with master’s degrees are exempted from the income tax hike.

“This will further weaken the private schools,” Estrada said. “The law will affect their sustainability if that is passed and it will further drive their tuition higher.”

The Tax Reform for Attracting Better and HighQuality Opportunities or the Trabaho bill, a substitute to Train 2 approved by a House committee last Aug. 7, seeks to lower the 30 percent corporate income tax to 25 percent to attract new and growing industries.

Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address weighed, found wanting

By MA. CONSUELO D.P. MARQUEZ and LADY CHERBETTE N. AGOT CRITICS scored President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 23 where he declared he was “concerned for human rights and not human lives.”

The two concepts are inseparable, they pointed out.

“The [drug war] highlights the growing division between the concept of human rights and human life which should not be the case,” Amr Solon Sison, who teaches political science in UST, told the Varsitarian.

Duterte should have addressed the flaws in policies such as the drug war and tax reform, Sison said.

“He could have highlighted… the war on drugs and how it could balance the rights-versus-life relationship.

He should have discussed more on how his administration was trying to minimize the negative impact of the [tax reform],” he said in an online interview.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said Duterte’s speech was mere propaganda and failed to show the “real situation of the country.”

“Drug-related deaths are unacceptable lalo na sa mga mahihirap. Patuloy nating tulungan ang mga drug addicts because this is more than a criminal issue, this is a health issue,” he said in a phone interview. “[Although] there might be no stopping the drug war, Filipinos should continue the watch and fight against drug-related killings and promote the rehabilitation of drug addicts,” Pabillo added.

Human Rights Watch claims at least 12,000 have been killed in the drug war as of January 2018.

Opposition senators claimed in February that the death toll was over 20,000.

Recent figures from the Philippine National Police and the Duterte government placed the number of killings at 7,000 and 4,500, respectively.

Critics, however, acknowledged the Duterte government’s headway against corruption, as manifested in the sacking of a few of his stalwarts in the Cabinet.

Former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II was forced to resign because of his controversial dismissal of the complaint against alleged drug lords and his alleged role in the P50million bribery scandal involving former immigration deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles.

Aside from Aguirre, former tourism secretary Wanda Teo was also asked to resign last May following P2.5 billion in questionable transactions by the Department of Tourism.

Still, the 2017 Corruption Index reported that the Philippines ranked 111 out of 180 countries, with a score of 34 that indicated “highly corrupt.”

‘Delayed education subsidy’ The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act or Republic Act (RA) 10931 was one the administration’s milestones in the previous year. However, delays in the subsidy for students in private universities remain a problem, education sector lawyer Joseph Noel Estrada said.

SONA PAGE 9

Editor: Nikko Miguel M. Garcia

Literary 9

AUGUST 12, 2018

UST AB Creative Writing:

Seeking to rejuvenate a literary legacy BEING the birthplace of the country’s literary titans such as Paz Latorena, Ophelia Dimalanta, F. Sionil Jose, Bienvenido Lumbera and Cirilo Bautista, the University will carry on in maintaining its literary prestige and tradition of producing high-caliber writers, as it welcomes another set of students on one of its newest programs, Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing (AB-CW), for the coming academic year.

According to the program description, ABCW is “designed to nurture and guide aspiring student writers in the four major genres of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and drama.”

Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, director of the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies (CCWLS), said the undergraduate program would complement the existing Master’s program.

“The Creative Writing program will feed the MA (Master of Arts) program,” Hidalgo told the Varsitarian in an interview. “Another reason is a lot of undergraduate students have told us that they’re interested in taking up Creative Writing.”

Hidalgo proposed the establishment of AB-CW program to Faculty of Arts and Letters (Artlets) Dean Michael Anthony Vasco and former Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Clarita Carillo in 2012.

Artlets administration, however, decided to postpone the program’s launching due to the advent of the K to 12.

Joselito de los Reyes, chairman of the UST Department of Literature, said the program would validate the University’s status as the “launchpad of writers.”

“It’s high time, I guess, that we cater to those who want to delve into Creative Writing,” de los Reyes said. “Some universities do offer it, but why not UST? We have capable faculty members to teach.”

Chuckberry Pascual, AB-CW coordinator, said the curriculum involves lectures, seminars, and workshops.

Lecture sessions, according to the program description, will utilize the analyses of “literary models (professional examples in the different types and forms of creative writing), highlighting the effectiveness of their literary techniques and rhetorical strategies.”

Workshop sessions will involve students producing their own “creative writing drafts… critiqued by the professor and their peers.” There will also be revisions and re-critiquing before the final submission of works, Pascual noted.

Pascual gave certain “expectations” for those

Income FROM PAGE 8 On July 6, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board increased the minimum jeepney fare to P9 following the rise of crude oil prices.

A 43-year-old tricycle driver, who refused to be named, said he needed to work two more hours to increase their daily income and pay for additional fees in their home.

“Sobrang tipid na yun kasi nagbabaon pa sa eskwelahan yung mga bata at nagbabayad pa kami ng bahay, tubig at ilaw,” the driver, father of two children, told the Varsitarian.

Despite exemption on income tax, the driver still paid P10,000 a month for their house with only P600 daily income.

Some students, however, lauded positive effects of Train Law despite the inflation it caused on commodities and services.

Mark Fernandez, UST journalism student, admitted that the tax increase helped him refrain from using cigarettes which he considered “great because those are not necessities.”

Under the law, P35 worth of tax on per pack of cigarettes was implemented from July 1 this year to December 31, 2019.

who wish to pursue a degree in AB-CW. “I expect them to share their love for reading,” he said. “Whether you are a Literature major or a writer, you must be a reader.”

“For Creative Writing majors,” he added, “here’s one thing I can say, being a graduate of the program myself: they have to be strong. They have to be receptive to constructive criticism.”

AB-CW students are expected to take up Creative Writing for Beginners and the Introduction to Creative Writing for their first and second terms Most of the program’s faculty members would come from CCWLS, where the faculty fellows are award-winning creative writers themselves.

Top authors and regular contributors in journals, magazines and newspapers would also be invited as guest lecturers.

Aside from regular workshop courses in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and drama, there will be specific areas of specialization, such as scriptwriting for film and television, and writing for children and young adults.

AB-CW students will also have the freedom to choose the language of their forte, whether in English, Filipino, or both.

The AB-CW program will be handled by the University’s Department of Literature and UST Literary Society, the organization of AB Literature majors.

AB Creative Writing coordinator Chuckberry Pascual

The Train law is the first package of the administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program. It overhauled the country’s 20-year-old tax regime.

Section 2 of the Train Law mandates the government to enhance country’s tax system, improve levels of income and provide for health, education, jobs and social protection.

The tax reform exempts those with annual income of P250,000 from income tax, while those with P8 million would pay 35 percent of their salary for income tax.

Its full implementation started on January this year which immediately caused inflation or increased prices of sweetened beverage, tobacco, cosmetics and coal, among others.

The proposed Train 2 package opts to decrease income tax from 30 percent to 25 percent to open new chances for businesses and industries.

‘Priority to poor’ Ganacias stressed that the poor will never benefit from the Train Law unless the government will spend taxes on social services like education, housing, health and other social services.

Filomeno Sta. Ana, coordinator of Action for Economic Reforms, urged Filipinos to be vigilant on government’s spending of collected

The AB-CW program for this academic year has produced one block section. It is still accepting late enrollees.

Last Aug. 2, during “Unang Yugto,” the UST Department of Literature’s general assembly, a few AB-CW students gave their expectations of the new program..

Yasmin Medina said she expected “strong and inspiring” professors” who would mentor her to “become better in writing” through “formal education.”

“It may be wishful thinking to hope that they will be nice, but I doubt it,” Medina said. “I really hope that they will encourage me to become better.”

Sheena Cristobal said she prepared for the program by The pioneering batch of Creative Writing students during the Welcome Walk. reading up. “I have been reading annual Thomasian Photo courtesy of UST LITERARY SOCIETY’S OFFICIAL 24/7. I’m really fond of reading a FACEBOOK PAGE. lot of stuff and even though I’m having hard time right now with my ideas, I LGBT because they have been struggling write books,” she said.

Lance Carlo Angelo said he would use for so long until now,” Angelo said. “It’s a his creative training as a “weapon” to uphold great opportunity for me to help them to be the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) recognized, especially here in the Philippines.”

ELMER B. COLDORA with reports from community.

“In this generation, we should promote FRANCIS AGAPITUS E. BRAGANZA

UST-CCWLS director Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo

taxes which could heighten employment in the country.

“By creating the necessary infrastructure and funding human capital, we increase the productivity of our people and this will result in higher income and poverty reduction. It becomes favorable for investment which will lead to better jobs and income,” he said in a phone interview.

Ibon foundation, a local education and information development think-tank, said the tax reform would support the welfare of the rich as their monthly income would be relieved from higher tax cuts.

“The middle class deserve income tax relief but the richest or one percent of Filipinos with monthly incomes of P150,000 to over P7 million can afford to pay much higher taxes while still maintaining their luxurious standards of living,” the organization said in a statement last December 2017.

Section 82 of the Train Law stated that poor households must receive an Unconditional Cash Transfer worth P200 every month on the first year and P300 per month on the second and third year, offered by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Department of Literature Joselito de los Reyes

SONA

Usapang Uste

FROM PAGE 8

MULA SA PAHINA 3

“The enrollment in the private sector is affected now because students are going to state universities and colleges rather than enrolling in the private colleges,” he said.

Estrada said the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) lacked resources and expertise to fully implement the law’s “ambitious loan program.”

Under the law, the Tertiary Education Subsidy will fund school fees such as tuition, as well as the books of students enrolled in higher education institutions.

With the growing number of students going to college, the Duterte administration must properly implement its education policies, Estrada added.

“There’s this tendency to over-capacitate these schools with students. If it becomes a problem, then the cost for the government will also be higher because they’ll need to hire more teachers or professors [and] put up more facilities,” he said.

RA 1093, approved by Duterte on Aug. 3, 2017, grants free tuition in state universities and colleges and mandates the government to offer student loans in undergraduate and graduate programs, including review expenses for licensure exams.

Foundation of the Philippines.

Taong 2006 naman iginawad kay Mirando ng Faculty of Engineering ang titulong “Golden Jubilarian.”

Sa kasalukuyan, nagretiro na siya sa pagtuturo ngunit patuloy na itinataguyod at pinangungunahan ang iba’t ibang proyekto tulad ng “The Basic Ecclesial Communities Ministry” ng St. Paul Apostle Parish sa Quezon City at “Life in the Spirit Seminar” naman ng One Heart One Mind Covenant Community. E.R. EDERA Tomasalitaan sugasogpangngalan. panggagalugad Hal. Sa isinagawang sugasog sa tabi-tabing bahay upang magbigay ng babala, ilang inosenteng buhay ang nawala.

Sanggunian: The Graduate School Outstanding Alumni Awards The Varsitarian Tomo XIII Blg. 10, Setyembre 10, 1940 p.

1-2

10 Limelight

Art Director: Shaina Mae L. Santander

AUGUST 12, 2018

KWENTO NI MATO BY JOELLE ALISON MAE P. EUSEBIO

SI TALA ATBP. BY BLESSIE ANGELIE B. ANDRES

TOMAS U. SANTOS BY NATHANAEL JONAS SJ. RODRIGO

Anastasis

Editorial

Mahathir

FROM PAGE 4

FROM PAGE 5

FROM PAGE 4

obviously directed at his fanatical followers who would do anything at his bidding. His following has a blood lust insatiably fed by their idol’s violent rhetoric. It would only be a matter of time to discover their blood lust would result in cannibalism of their own kind.

Duterte has shown no signs of humanity. This country will continue to lose its people, its youth, to a brutal campaign anchored on pathological narcissism, diabolical megalomania, and sheer irrationality.

Sri Lanka has a huge debt of US$64 billion of which US$8 billion is owed to China.

Other Chinese creditors in the region are Cambodia and Indonesia.

These countries should ask what Mahathir and Sri Lanka have discovered for themselves quite painfully: What’s the really intention behind the massive loans to countries that China calls its friends? It is a question that seems to escape President Duterte, otherwise known as Peking’s Duck.

We are not going to let that happen again, especially now when we know how powerful the voice of the media is. It’s the same voice the president himself even asked to “criticize with moderation” in a speech last January. It’s the same voice his allies try to silence, most especially when it speaks of human rights violations.

It’s the same voice they try to control, as if it is our job to please them with what we write.

We cannot back down with this intimidation. It is high time to raise our voices and practice responsible

CSC

in partnership with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), will hold a voter registration of Thomasians during the opening of the academic year.

“Since the Comelec released a directive that the voter’s registration is from July 2 to September, we will conduct a voter’s registration here in the University from August to September, in between the deadline set by the Comelec,” Santos said.

The Thomasian Voter Education Series will be held in the second semester.

Senatorial candidates from different political parties will be invited for a forum, Santos said.

The council will also launch Pandit, a sevenmonth review program spearheaded by CSC Public Relations Officer Jeanne Nicole Naval for children from the University’s partner-communities who are eligible to take DepEd’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) Accreditation and Equivalency Test.

“Magkakaroon kami ng classes sa second semester,

every Monday, Wednesday and Friday... Para siyang review center [for the children] na seven months before sila mag-take ng exam sa November,” Naval said.

Students who passed the ALS Accreditation and Equivalency Test will be qualified to apply for higher education.

In coordination with the College of Education, the project will be open to Thomasians who are willing to volunteer in teaching children.

“May binibigay naman `yong DepEd na module doon sa exam tapos kami ‘yong magpaplano ng lesson plans [for the children’s review program] with the College of Education,” Naval said.

Aside from these projects, the council will continue to host its staple projects such as Diamonds, Share Your Hair, Scraps at Libro Para sa Kinabukasan Mo, Media Literacy Summit and TEDxUST. SAMANTHAWEE LIPANA

FROM PAGE 2 Santos said CSC will prioritize the amendment of the Students’ Code next academic year as it has already been “seeking approval” for 14 years.

Having a full-slate of executive board officers for the next academic year will hasten the process of the amendment of the Students’ Code, Santos added.

“Since wala na tayong special elections na aasikasuhin ngayon, the Central Board can focus their resources and their time on the passage of the Students’ Code,” Santos said.

“Kung hindi maipasa `yong Students’ Code, at the very least dapat maganda `yong nasimulan and mamake sure na `yong iiwan namin dito macocontinue [ang pag-process],” he added.

Thomasian identity and community development In preparation for the upcoming national midterm elections in 2019, CSC,

journalism, to combat fake news and to remain with an objective point of view— not just neutral. They cannot strangle us anymore. *** As my term in the Varsitarian ends, I extend my gratitude to the people who helped me throughout this challenging publication year: To Sir Lito Zulueta, Sir Felipe Salvosa II and Sir Christian Esguerra, thank you for instilling in me the values of responsible journalism.

Your counsel and directions helped me become the strong aspiring journalist I am today.

To my fellow editorial board members, Bernadette Pamintuan and Alhex Adrea Peralta, you made my stay

At the helm FROM PAGE 4 who have fallen ill to the serpent’s lies.

We have been offered an idea to promote peace and communion in our journalism, atop ensuring accuracy to generate trust from the public, and it is ours for the taking. We now have a choice to put an end to fake news, injustice, and social turmoil. *** This is my final column for the Varsitarian and it is time for someone else to take the helm that I once held for 12 months.

I have experienced digging out a lot of newspapers from the archives to read. And I know that years from now, this copy will be mingling with spiders and dust in the archives. At least, this copy will share a room with copies where the all-time-greats have been a part of one way or another, even if I myself could not become one of them.

At this point, a show of gratitude is in order for their highnesses Lito Zulueta, Ipe Salvosa and Christian

in the Varsitarian more meaningful. I cannot picture myself surviving this year if it were not for your support and commitment.

To the section editors, I appreciate your dedication not only in the editorial process but also for the assurance that I have your support in facing the challenges of ‘V.’ To the rest of the staff, as one popular lyricist wrote, “I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you.” Thank you for making this year possible.

I close the last issue of the Varsitarian under my editorship with a strong heart fuelled by faith in good journalism and in my fellow citizens who raise their voices loud enough to make the leaders of the land listen to their true situations.

Esguerra; I am forever grateful for your inspired work for the Varsitarian and for the knowledge that you have imparted to me along the way.

To my parents who have moved heaven and earth to help me finish my studies, I hope this makes up for all the times that you’ve been called to appear with me before a disciplinary official.

I would have never entered the halls of the Varsitarian without the help of my best friend Champ and his family. Mine and my family’s heartfelt gratitude for all your efforts.

And to my late grandmother, you were right to fear my choosing of a profession in journalism. I will be making ends meet, but you taught me how to pull through hard times. I hope I made you proud.

And my biggest thanks for the Varsitarian who has helped me overcome the ignorance that I was unwittingly nursing throughout these years. I am forever indebted to this publication that taught me things beyond my intent, whether in journalism or in discerning truths.

Thank you for lending me a space for my column.

Breaking Bad FROM PAGE 5 13 Creative Writing Workshop at lupon ng mga inampalan sa ika-33 Gawad Ustetika, mga bagay na hindi basta-bastang gagawin—o sa halip, mga responsibilidad na hindi bastabastang aakuin—ng sinomang hindi kabilang sa organisasyon (kahit ng mga kabilang pa nga).

Hindi rin ako magkakaroon ng pribilehiyo na makapunta sa mga prestihiyosong gabi ng parangal, makakuwentuhan ang mga premyadong manunulat, at makapagpapirma ng libro ng iilan sa kanila, na hindi ko rin naman bibilhin sa simula’t sapul dahil hindi ko pa sila nakikilala.

Higit sa lahat, sa aking pagsali sa ‘V,’ mas lalo kong napagtanto kung ano nga ba talaga ang katuturan ko bilang isang Tomasinong manunulat at AB Literature major na nakikipagbuno sa masalimuot na mundo ng panitikan: ang pagangkla sa katotohanan.

Hindi lamang ito usapin ng paglalabas ng mga istoryang “fair,” “two-sided,” at “objective.” Lumalampas na ito sa pawang pagbabalita sa diyaryo. Bagkus, tungkol na rin ito sa mismong akto ng pagsusulat, na siyang dapat hindi ginagamit ng sino man sa maling paraan. Hindi dapat inaabuso ang kapangyarihan nito upang manlinlang at magmanipula ng kapwa.

Sa madaling salita, kinakailangan sa pagsusulat— panunula, pagkukuwento, o pagbabalita man—ang pagpapakatao.

Kung gayon, para sa akin, kahit na hindi pa man ako ganap na manunulat, talagang lubos ang aking kasiyahan at pasasalamat sa aking pagsali sa ‘V,’ lalonglalo na sa aking pananatili sa AB Literature. Naging puspusan ang aking pagbabasa’t pagsusulat, nang mabuti, mataimtim, at makatotohanan. Kahit na hindi naging madali ang ilang pagkakataon para sa akin, sa propesyonal at personal na lebel, wala akong pinanghihinayangan.

Ito’y isang bokasyon na aking tinugunan, na siyang habambuhay mananatili sa aking gunita.

Editor: Randell Angelo B. Ritumalta

Sports 11

AUGUST 12, 2018

Former Bullpups join Male Woodpushers

From left: Brylle Vinluan, Jeffu Dorog and Antonio Almodal

HAZEL GRACE S. POSADAS

THREE members of the National University (NU) boys’ chess team will bolster the UST Male Woodpushers in an attempt for a podium finish in the upcoming UAAP season.

Brylle Vinluan, Antonio Almodal III and Jeffu Dorog were part of the NU juniors’ squad that bagged silver in the UAAP chess tournament last year but jumped ship to UST for a “better” academic and sports program.

“Maganda ang chess program ng UST, ‘yong trainings at si coach Ronald Dableo mismo.

Nag-consider rin ako ng other factors like quality of education [kaya ako lumipat],” Vinluan told the Varsitarian.

The Male Woodpushers last won the title in 2012 and had placed fourth in the last two seasons.

The closest UST had bagged the crown was in Season 78 when it copped silver.

UST head coach Ronald Dableo has high praise for the three, citing their deep potential to deliver for the team.

“Sila na ‘yong sinasabi kong top-caliber recruits kasi magagaling sila based sa pinakita nila last season kung saan second place sila,” Dableo said.

Even before playing for NU, Vinluan had brought home several medals, including eight golds and one silver combined in the ASEAN Age Group Chess Championships in 2014 and 2017.

The 18-year-old is also ranked an International Master-elect, the second-highest title given to a chess player next to the Grand Master.

PH softball team finishes 14th in int’l tilt CJ Roa

THE PHILIPPINE softball team, reinforced by UST standouts Ann Antolihao and CJ Roa, succumbed to New Zekabd, 2-0, in a rubber match that would have propelled the Blu Girls to the playoffs.

The Blu Girls ended their campaign at sixth place in the group qualifiers with a 2-5 win-loss record, which is also good for 14th place overall.

The team’s two victories came against South Africa via a 10-0 shutout and a 5-4 thriller against the Netherlands.

The Blu Girls dropped out of the top four after succumbing to Asian rivals

Regularization FROM PAGE 1 The University allotted 70 percent of the tuition hike to its teaching and non-teaching staff in accordance with Republic Act 6728 or the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teacher in Private Education Act. The plan to regularize University workers hired contractually was bared by Dagohoy last February.

Workers demand regularization Various contractual workers raised to the UST administration their concerns on low salary and agency management.

A member of the janitorial staff, who has been working for six years in UST, said they experienced wage cuts from their employment agency for various expenses.

“Sa opisina namin, may bayad ‘yong uniporme pero dapat wala naman talaga tapos kina-kaltas `yong sweldo namin sa agency,” said the janitor who asked not to be named.

Lawyer Jose Sonny Matula, head of Federation of Free Workers, said: “As a Catholic institution, UST should offer decent pay to its workers.”

Contractual workers would face difficulties financially due to dependency on agencies and lack of employment security, Matula said.

A 34-year-old security

guard wants to be regularized after experiencing irregular working hours in UST, specifically during suspensions.

“Mga gastos sa arawaraw mahirap, tulad na lang kapag walang pasok, kapag hindi biglaan `yong pagannounce,” he said.

He earns P512 daily but is not paid during holidays.

Despite earnings from consistent overtime work, most workers still prefer regularization to get long-term benefits.

“Medyo mahirap kasi minsan ‘di pareho ‘yong oras namin. Minsan walong oras, minsan may overtime kasi ‘pag eight hours, kulang talaga sa isang buong araw kaya kailangan mag-overtime talaga,” the security guard said.

A 43-year-old bus driver, who has been working for four years in UST, said regularization would assure his employment in future endeavors.

UST taps agencies such as SCI Security & Investigation Inc. (SCI) for security services, City Service Corp. for janitorial services and Serman Workforce Service for housekeeping.

On May 1, Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 51 that prohibited illegal contracting and subcontracting of workers.

But many labor groups called this “useless” because it was merely a reiteration of the Labor Code provision banning certain forms of contractualization such as the “endo” or end of

Chinese Taipei, 7-9. They also got a sound 12-0 beating from defending champion United States.

Aside from the Philippines, the tournament was participated

by USA, Japan, Canada, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Netherlands, Italy, New Zealand, China, UK, Venezuela, Botswana and South Africa.

Antolihao and Roa, along with the rest of the new-look Blu Girls, will try to improve last year’s silver finish at the Asian Games to be held from August 18 to September 2 in Jakarta, Indonesia. MA. ANGELA CHRISTA COLOMA contract system.

A section on the EO that prohibits all forms of contracting and subcontracting should be added so that direct hiring would be the standard for employment relations, labor groups said.

During his recent State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted that his campaign against contractualization was not enough. He urged Congress to speed up the passage of the law banning endo practices days later.

Companies such as NutriAsia, Jollibee and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) have drawn flak for contract hiring practices.

Fr. Emilio Ascaño, director of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School in Paco, Manila, urged Catholic schools to follow the “charitable type” business practice for contractual workers and not the “mall-type” business where workers are replaced after six months.

“Ang Caritas (charitable) way is to absorb them. Ang tinitingnan namin ngayon ay `yong loyal na sa amin [then] eventually we absorb them so that they would not become contractual workers,” he said.

“They are contractual but there is no limit, they stayed for us for so many years, they get the same pay, the same benefits and they are happy with us,” he said.

Ann Antolihao

Volleyball FROM PAGE 12 Lady Falcon Eli Soyud’s drop shot in the third set gave Adamson a commanding 2-1 set lead.

Back-to-back errors from Tigresses Milena Alessandrini and Ysa Jimenez in the second salvo equalized the game at one set apiece.

Jimenez’s down-the-line kill and Caitlyn Viray’s offthe-block hit in the opening canto gave UST an early 1-0 set advantage.

The Tigresses committed 38 errors compared to Adamson’s 28.

The Lady Falcons also dominated the blocking department with 12 points while UST only had five.

Eya Laure did not play due to a right shoulder injury.

Alessandrini led all scorers with 23 points.

Lea Ann Perez chipped in 12 markers for Adamson.

The Tigresses will next face the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Aug. 25, Saturday, 4 p.m. at the Xavier University Gym in Cagayan de Oro while the Tiger Spikers will put their unblemished record on the line against the Arellano University Chiefs on August 22, Wednesday, 8 a. m., at the same venue. THERESA CLARE K. TAÑAS and JUSTIN ROBERT VALENCIA

But despite all the accolades, Vinluan believes he is still a work in progress.

“Wala naman sa akin ‘yong maka-receive ng awards. Ang mahalaga ay ‘yong improvement ko as an athlete,” he said.

Being the youngest of three siblings, Almoda’s passion for the game of kings began at the age of nine after his father Antonio Almodal Jr. introduced it to him.

He was a multi-time UAAP gold and silver medalist during his playing years in NU and was hailed Rookie of the Year in Season 74.

“Gusto ko ‘yong school ko sa college ay ‘yong kung saan ma-i-improve pa ang skills ko saka ‘yong pag-aaral ko at naniniwala akong UST ang makakagawa noon,” Almodal said.

Meanwhile, Dorog sought a new home because he was told the seniors’ team of NU is stacked.

UST came just at the right time for the Cebunative, who has been a varsity player since his elementary days.

Dorog also understood the pressure and the need to double the effort in trainings, now that the chess tournament has been moved to the latter part of the year from the usual second-semester games.

“Dapat mag-perform kami nang maayos para makuha ang place at mag-work hard lang,” the 19-year-old Dorog told.

The Male Woodpushers is tied with the De La Salle University as the second-winningest team in the UAAP with seven championships. MIA ARRA CAMACHO and JUSTIN ROBERT VALENCIA

UST Lady Jins bag nat’l taekwondo titles THE UST Lady Jins took down the National University, 3-2, to win the 42nd National Taekwondo Championships at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex last July 21 to 22.

Laila Delo clinched the gold in the women’s +67 kg division and was hailed the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Colleen Heria and Reign Ragutana also bagged first place in the -57 and -67 kg divisions, respectively.

“Naka-boost ng morale ‘yong competition na ‘to kasi nag-payoff talaga ‘yong rigid na training namin and ang ganda noong performance ng team,” Lady Jins team captain Ragutana told the Varsitarian in an online interview.

In men’s play, the Tiger Jins settled for fourth place after bowing out to the University of the East, 1-4.

Among the teams that joined are De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, College of St. Benilde, Far Eastern University, La Salle-Green Hills, San Beda University, University of the Philippines, Diliman Preparatory School, De La Salle Santiago Zobel and Arellano University.

The National Taekwondo Championships is organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association and is sponsored by PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committe and MILO. MA. ANGELICA D. GARCIA

Tigress

Palaro

FROM PAGE 12

FROM PAGE 12

“Sa training, sobrang tinatrabaho niya,” Capilit said. “Sobrang thankful namin na nakuha namin siya kasi sobrang laki ng matutulong niya sa team.”

But while Irebu may possess the physical attributes and presence inside the court that the Tigresses lacked, she may need to communicate better with her teammates to blend in the team.

Irebu is more fluent in French than in English, which makes conversations harder to comprehend.

“Kumbaga iba ‘yong culture nila roon, so medyo nahihirapan kami makipagcommunicate. Pero tina-try namin,” Capilit said.

Irebu’s addition came just in the right time, since the Tigresses lost five players to graduation, including former team captain Jhenn Angeles.

pitched in for him.

“Malaking factor po na isa sa top schools sa Pilipinas ‘yong UST tapos maganda ‘yong mga binibigay nilang equipment sa mga athletes and maganda ‘yong training ng sports dito,” Castro said.

With roughly two months left before Season 81, Que is confident that Castro will deliver right away. “[N]akita namin na former national juniors’ team siya so malaking plus points ‘yon and nakita ko na lagi siyang nag-eexcel,” Que said.

UST will have to get past hurdles like NU, University of the Philippines and University of the East in their road to the championship. MA. ANGELICA D. GARCIA and THERESA CLARE K. TAÑAS

Sports

AUGUST 12, 2018

UST volleyball squads on a roll in PVL THE UST Tiger Spikers booked an outright ticket to the semifinals of the Premiere Volleyball League (PVL) Collegiate Conference after surviving the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-22, 19-25, 25-22, 25-18, last Aug. 19 at the Arena in San Juan.

The Tiger Spikers remained unbeaten in seven outings while the Fighting Maroons slid to 4-3.

Back-to-back kills from Jayvee Sumagaysay and Joshua Umandal in the fourth frame sealed the victory for UST, 2518.

“In the second set, UP got ahead of us because of their strong serves, thankfully, our reception got better in the next sets,” Tiger Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon said in Filipino.

Down 19-21, UST unloaded a 6-1 spurt, capped by an error from the Fighting Maroons to take third set, 25-22.

Trailing 14-24 in the second canto, the Tiger Spikers mounted a comeback but fell short as UP equalized the match at one set apiece, 25-19.

The Golden Tigresses celebrate their win against the University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas last July 25.

ENRICO MIGUEL S. SILVERIO Sumagaysay’s quick kill

Congolese cager suits up for Tigresses

By JAN CARLO ANOLIN and RANDELL ANGELO B. RITUMALTA AFTER sitting out last UAAP season due to the residency rule, newcomer Grace Irebu is ready to show her wares as the Growling Tigresses’ much-needed reinforcement in the paint.

In Season 80, the Tigresses played 5’6” Sai Larosa and 5’7” Bets Peñaflor at center.

Now with the 6’3” rookie anchoring the paint for UST, the Tigresses can finally have a perfect match-up against other teams’ bigmen.

“The team is good. It’s like family. [We have a good] team spirit and we give effort every day, every game,” Irebu told the Varsitarian in an interview.

The 20-year-old Irebu was also a former member of the Congo national team, a huge factor why she stood out among other Congo players who tried out for UST. Tigresses head tactician Haydee Ong, who formerly coached the

Philippine women’s national basketball team, said she exhausted all her connections to recruit taller wards to try to offset the team’s height disadvantage.

“I got a lot of videos coming in. A lot are perimeter players and some are post players,” Ong recalled.

Irebu’s addition also opened up more options in the team’s playbook, according to Ong. “It is a huge impact for us... I can have different dimensions and options in our offense and defense.”

Last season, UST had no match particularly to the dynastic National University Lady Bulldogs, a team that has 6’2” Jack Animam and 6’4” Congo-native Rhena Itesi manning the shaded area.

Irebu was first tested in the Fr. Martin Cup and the SMART Breakdown Basketball Invitational, where UST both placed second.

Team captain Tin Capilit had high praise for Irebu’s work ethic, evidenced by her consistent double-double production in both tournaments.

gave UST the first salvo, 25-22.

Five Tiger Spikers scored in double digits led by Umandal’s 17.

Mark Millette had 23 markers for the Fighting Maroons.

Adamson snaps Tigresses’ 5-game streak In women’s play, the Golden Tigresses saw their five-game winning streak end following a 25-15, 24-26, 2325, 20-25 loss to the Adamson University Lady Falcons last Aug. 18.

The Tigresses fell to a 5-1 win-loss record while the Lady Falcons remained undefeated in five outings.

Adamson pulled away for good in the fourth frame via a three-point swing, capped by an error from UST to finish the game.

“Naging complacent at satisfied na lang kasi sila sa standings. Ang dami naming errors, tinulungan namin sila [Adamson] manalo,” Tigresses assistant head coach Ian Fernandez said.

Volleyball PAGE 11

Tandem rules beach volleyball tourney THE DUO of Thomasians Jaron Requinton and Baby Love Barbon took home the Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) King and Queen of the Sand championship at the SM Sands by the Bay in Pasay City last July 22.

The pair defeated National University’s James Butraygo and Klymince Orillaneda to cap off an undefeated campaign, 21-14, 2119.

En route to the finals, Requinton and Barbon defeated fellow Thomasians Genesa Jane Eslapor and Efraem Dimaculangan.

Eslapor and Dimaculangan went on to defeat Far Easten University’s Kyla Atienza and Joshua Barrica for third place.

“Medyo mahirap po dahil sinabayan po ng malakas na hangin at ulan. In the end naging maganda naman po ang naging resulta at pumabor naman sa amin ang pagkapanalo,” Requinton said in an online interview.

The four UST players are the picks to partner with Cherry Rondina and Anthony Arbasto in the men’s and women’s beach volleyball divisions, respectively, of the UAAP. MA. ANGELA CHRISTA COLOMA

Tigress PAGE 11

Grace Irebu

Palaro standout now Tiger Paddler THE UST Tiger Paddlers has tapped a Palarong Pambansa standout to boost their chances of reclaiming the title they lost to the National University last season.

Hailing from Bacolod, John Michael Castro will be playing a big role for the Tiger Paddlers in their quest to bring the title back.

“I’m looking forward sa championship talaga this season kasi kailangan naming makabawi and confident ako sa team namin na magagawa namin ‘yon kasi may training months pa naman kami kaya sure na ready na kami pagdating ng UAAP,” he told the Varsitarian.

Castro will fill the gap left by veteran Rian Maldia, who is getting treatment for lymphoma.

Table tennis was not Castro’s first love, having played a variety of sports first before finding his current niche.

He started playing at 12 years old under the tutelage of his father John Castro, who is also a table tennis player.

His potential caught the eyes of officials from Lopue’s Table Tennis Association, a club team in Bacolod, which granted him a

scholarship in the University of St. La Salle.

That became his take-off point in joining the Palarong Pambansa, where he was ultimately discovered by Tiger Paddlers head coach Jackson Que. Upon arriving in Manila, Castro said he was initially shocked with the intensity of trainings. “[T]alagang nanibago ako kasi mahirap ‘yong training dito, hindi katulad doon sa Bacolod. Mas quality talaga rito compared doon kasi sariling sikap lang doon,” he quipped.

Aside from national tournaments, Castro had also experienced international competitions such as the Southeast Asian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships last 2017 in Singapore.

Several schools tapped his services for their respective senior teams, but Castro said UST’s solid sports and academic programs were the deciding factors in choosing his new home.

The De La Salle University, San Beda University, De La Salle-College of St. Benilde and Ateneo de Manila University all Palaro PAGE 11

John Michael Castro