The Varsitarian P.Y. 2015-2016 Issue 06

Volume LXXXVII, No. 6 • January 30, 2016 THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSIT Y OF SANTO TOMAS Manila, Philippines

Nursing scores perfect passing rate

By KATHRYN JEDI V. BAYLON and ALHEX ADREA M. PERALTA

Real Presence. The Papal legate to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar leads the Opening Mass last Jan. 24 at Plaza Independentia in Cebu City.

ANGELI MAE S. CANTILLANA

Papal legate calls for ‘Third World War’ vs poverty

By JOHN GABRIEL M. AGCAOILI and KRYSTEL NICOLE A. SEVILLA CEBY CITY—Pope Francis’ representative to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) called on the faithful last Jan. 24 to embark on a “third world war” against poverty.

At the Opening Mass of the 51st IEC at the Plaza Independencia, Yangon Archbishop Charles Maung Cardinal Bo urged thousands of pilgrims to use the Eucharist in bringing hope to the poor, pointing to widespread starvation and malnutrition which he described as “genocide.”

Living out the Eucharist, he said, requires a “third world war against a world that produces more weapons while more than half a billion don’t have enough food.”

“The Eucharist strips you off of your social status. It remains the beacon of equality,” Cardinal Bo said.

“The love of the Eucharist helps us to love the poor,” he said.

The faithful should not confine themselves to the four corners of churches, but should go out to help the poor with the grace of the Eucharist, he added.

“Christianity offered a new version of humanity through the Eucharist,” he said. “Unity and reconciliation needs to start with the people around us.”

Cardinal Bo also hit abortion, death penalty, and euthanasia as “enemies of the Eucharist,” and called on Filipinos to stay resilient against the “culture of death and indifference” through the Eucharist.

“Devotion is good but not

enough. The Mass of a devotee lasts for an hour but the Mass of a disciple is unending,” Cardinal Bo said.

‘Light of Catholicism’ The papal legate did not only deliver the homily in English, but also in Filipino and Cebuano, which drew cheers from the locals.

Cardinal Bo paid tribute to the contributions of Filipino migrants, noting that Filipinos are everywhere and that in some countries, Catholicism meant Filipino presence.

“In Hong Kong, in Cairo, in Dubai ... The Filipino is in the land.

The Filipino is in the wind. The Filipino is in the water. The blood of the Filipino is in every corner of the world,” he said. “You are a great nation, the light [of] Asia. Your light has shown in every part of the world through your sons and daughters

whose exemplary faith has been the beacon of evangelization.”

The Opening Mass was concelebrated by bishops from around the world—including Archbishop Piero Marini, president of Pontifical Committee for the IEC, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ President and LingayenDagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle.

Before the Mass, the appointment letter of Cardinal Bo as the Pope’s representative was read. Archbishop Palma, who heads the national committee for the IEC, welcomed the pilgrims to Cebu, “the cradle of Christianity in Asia” and Poverty PAGE 7

‘V’ turns 88; launches Papal Visit commemorative magazine THE VARSITARIAN, the official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas, last Jan. 18 launched a special publication commemorating Pope Francis’ historic visit to the Philippines last year, as it marked its 88th founding anniversary.

“Learn how to Love: Francis in UST, The Fourth Papal Visit” chronicles the Holy Father’s apostolic journey to the bastion of Catholicism in Asia, including his memorable meetings with Filipino families and young people in Manila, and his emotional trip to typhoon-stricken Leyte.

It also contains stories of Thomasians’ personal encounters with Pope Francis, as well as images capturing the most touching moments of the five-day papal visit.

The last leg of Pope Francis’ apostolic journey included a trip to the University where he met with religious leaders and had an encounter with the youth. An

estimated 24,000 people flocked to the University grounds to hear the Pope’s message of mercy and compassion.

The Varsitarian mounted the widest coverage of the papal visit among Catholic and campus publications, even rivaling some in the metropolitan press. The Varsitarian contributed content for the official papalvisit.ph website, and was the official media partner of CBCP News and Radyo Veritas 846.

Last November, the Varsitarian was given a special citation by the Catholic Mass Media Awards for its Jan. 14, 2015 special edition that put the papal visit in historical context and outlined preparations made by the University, the Church, and the government for the apostolic journey, which was held Jan. 15 to 19, 2015.

Ralph Hernandez, who was editor in chief of the Varsitarian during the papal visit and who led the production of the commemorative

magazine, said it was providential that the publication came out in time for the first anniversary of the Pope Francis’ trip to the Philippines and the 88th anniversary of the Varsitarian.

The Varsitarian, founded on Jan. 16, 1928, is the Philippines’ oldest Catholic newspaper and one of the oldest campus publications.

Founded by a group of students led by Jose Villa Panganiban, the Varsitarian produced journalistic and literary titans such as Arsenio Lacson, Felix Bautista, Jose Burgos, Jullie Yap-Daza, Neal Cruz, Jake Macasaet, Francisco Tatad, Antonio Lopez, Alice Colet-Villadolid, Ophelia Alcantara-Dimalanta, Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, Norma Miraflor, Eric Gamalinda, Vim Nadera, and Eugenia Duran-Apostol. It has produced four National

Artists: Cirilo Bautista, Bienvenido Lumbera, J. Elizalde Navarro and F. Sionil José. CLARENCE I. HORMACHUELOS

AFTER five years of nearly perfect passing rates, the University finally achieved a 100-percent mark in the recent nursing licensure examinations.

A total of 402 Thomasian examinees passed the exam with 24 graduates making it to the top 10. Topnotcher Alyssa May Madriaga led the new batch of Thomasian nurses with a score of 86.40 percent.

“We made it through the challenging four years to earn our [Nursing] degree and the tough licensure examination to earn our license. [UST] is simply a wonderful ground for building and molding competent, compassionate, and committed individuals,” Madriaga said in an interview, adding that she did not expect to land the top spot.

“All I ever prayed for during the waiting period [was] to just pass and claim that license to save lives,” Madriaga said.

Other Thomasians who made it to the top 10 were Ma. Marceline Rose Cabug and Bella Teresa Rosales (85.60) at fourth place; Jude Brian Burgos, Kristle Anne Santos and Kim Sia (85.40) at fifth place; Heather Diokno Beredo (85.20) at sixth place; Juaymah Leynes, Pamela Agatha Puno and Ryan Jasper Rodriguez (85.00) at seventh place; Khristell Donn Cortez, Zarah Del Libozada, Venz Eryl Sabaldica and Ivan Gabriel Simpauco (84.80) at eighth place; Kristal Dimalanta, Bien Dominic Oamil and Kimberly Querubin (84.60) at ninth place; and Lea Marjorie Corpuz, Ma. Janna Corpuz, Mikaela Denise Cruz, Justin Cedrick Pacquing, Daezen Mae Sera Timog, Mylene Vista and Jana Alyza Zabala (84.40) at the tenth spot.

Nursing Dean Susan Maravilla said she is proud of the college’s achievement and vowed to maintain the status of excellence in educating future nurses.

“We are very proud of the performance of our batch 2015 but at the same time, [we are] quite anxious because the pressure is great for us to really keep up with the expectations of people and to maintain this excellence in Nursing education,” Maravilla told the Varsitarian.

UST was also hailed as the top performing school after achieving a perfect score along with Mariano Marcos State University-Batac and Xavier University.

Nursing PAGE 3

Glimmer of hope as Students’ Code up for review CENTRAL Student Council (CSC) officers have reported some progress in the drafting of the Students’ Code, which has dragged on for years, last Jan. 26.

The draft will be sent to the Office of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs for review by the end of the month, CSC officers said in a forum on the Students’ Code during the week-long Students’ Rights and Welfare event, which was held until Jan. 29.

Central Board Speaker and Faculty of Arts and Letters Student Council President Jan Dominic Castro said he was hoping the code would be subjected to a referendum before the student body.

“It is not solely intended to raise awareness but to encourage everyone to guard their rights as vital stakeholders of this centuries-old institution,” Castro said in his speech at Plaza Mayor.

During the previous CSC administration, the draft reached the Rector’s desk and received numerous revisions, mostly in Article II, which deals with the academic rights of students.

CSC President Anna Mariz Mangalili said the current draft received fewer revisions this year after numerous corrections in the previous administration’s draft.

“Ang kailangan is ma-increase ‘yung Code PAGE 5

2 News

Editor: Dayanara T. Cudal

JANUARY 30, 2016

UST leads in CODs, COEs among private schools

By ROY ABRAHMN D.R. NARRA THE UNIVERSITY has the highest number of programs with a “Center of Excellence (COE)” and “Center of Development (COD)” status among private institutions based on the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) accreditation.

UST has a total of 13 COEs and 11 CODs, making UST the private institution with the highest number of accredited programs.

Eleven programs were added to the University’s roster of programs with the COE status while six programs were declared as COD programs based on a CHEd memorandum released last Dec. 23, 2015.

The new COE programs are Hotel and Restaurant Management, Travel Management, Medical Technology, and Pharmacy while Chemical Engineering and Psychology were upgraded to COE from their COD status.

UST’s Communication Arts, Information Technology and Library and Information Science programs have recently acquired the COD status.

Biology, Chemistry, Medicine, Nursing, and Philosophy retain their COE status while Physical Therapy, Literature and Journalism maintained their COD status.

Only state-run University of the PhilippinesDiliman bested the University with 28 COE accredited programs.

UST is followed by fellow private Catholic institution De La Salle University with 20 accredited programs while Ateneo de Manila University and University of San Carlos shared Schools PAGE 3

UST opens seven more programs for Academic Year 2016-17 applicants UST WILL offer seven more programs next academic year, including psychology, journalism and nursing, due to “insistent demand” from applicants, the Office for Admissions announced last Dec. 23.

The following programs will now be open to enrollees for Academic Year 2016-2017: BS Biology, BS Biochemistry, BS Psychology, AB Journalism, AB Legal Management, AB Economics and BS Nursing. Applicants were allowed to change their priority or alternative programs by submitting a letter of request, personally or by courier, until Jan. 15.

This brings to 20 the total number of programs to be offered next academic year, the start of the transition to the K to 12 basic education scheme that has forced colleges and universities nationwide to shut down or cut their degree offerings. UST expects freshmen enrollment to go down drastically next year as high school students will spend two more years in secondary education, or Grades 11 and 12, instead of going to college.

The University earlier decided to cut its program offerings to 13 from 53 next school year: Accountancy, Architecture, Business Administration major in Financial Management, Business Administration major in Marketing Management, Communication Arts, Computer Science, Information Technology, Medical Technology, Music, Music major in Music Education, Pharmacy, Physical Education major in Sports and Wellness, and Political Science.

Admissions Director Marie Ann Vargas previously said it was possible to open more programs if there were enough applicants.

“If marami ang mga interested applicants [in programs not offered], we can forward [them to] that particular college and let [the college] know that we have this number of interested applicants,” Vargas told the Varsitarian in an earlier interview.

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Clarita Carillo also said in a previous interview that all colleges had been asked to analyze application and enrollment patterns for each program from among “K to 12-ready schools.”

UST will continue to offer all master’s and doctorate programs at the Graduate School. The following post-graduate programs will also be offered: Doctor of Medicine, Master in Clinical Audiology, Master in Pain Management and Bachelor of Laws.

In addition, UST Senior High School will open next year for Grades 11 and 12, with the following academic strands: the liberal arts, education and social sciences strand; the accountancy and business management strand; the music and arts strand; and the science, technology, engineering and mathematics strand.

JEROME P. VILLANUEVA

Civil Law implements ‘conditional enrollment’ THE FACULTY of Civil Law has begun implementing a “conditional enrollment” policy to allow students to enroll this term even if they have yet to receive the previous term’s grades.

As a result, students will no longer get the default 75-percent passing grade in case law professors fail to submit their grades before on time.

Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina said conditional enrollment was not compulsory, and was only a temporary solution. He vowed to improve the enrollment process with the use of computer software.

“There have been complaints in the past na tumatagal daw ‘yung enrollment. Disorderly daw,” he said. “So, para smooth enrollment, we will allow you to enroll conditionally. All of you

Usapang Uste KABILANG ang mga Tomasino noong 1981 sa mga mapalad na nakapanayam ang hinirang na icon ng demokrasiya dahil sa kaniyang di-matatawarang papel sa pagpapabagsak sa diktadura ni Ferdinand Marcos tungkol sa kalagayan ng press sa demokrasya.

Ika-13 ng Agosto 1981 nang magbahagi ng leksiyon si Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc para sa simposyum na pinamagatang “Press Freedom, Myth or Reality” sa audio-visual room ng St. Raymund’s de Peñafort Building.

Sinabi nito na, “kung ibabalik ang malayang pamamahayag, ang mga alagad ng press ay higit na magkakaroon ng pananagutan na ‘di tulad ng press freedom bago magkaroon ng batas-militar, dahil naranasan na nila ang kapaitan ng isang sikil na press.”

“Dahil sa ang press ay kontrolado ng mga malalakas na puwersa, umaasa ito sa suporta ng publiko, at ang publiko rin mismo ang dapat makipaglaban para rito dahil sila rin ang makikinabang sa kaligtasan ng press.”

Para kay Magsanoc, “national security” ang dahilan kaya nagiging sunud-sunuran ang press sa diktadura ng pamahalaan.

Paliwanag niya, itinuturing ng mga tagapaglimbag na masama sa kaligtasan ng bansa ang mga

can go on to the second semester,” Divina told the Varsitarian.

The waiver reads: “I hereby apply for conditional enrollment and duly acknowledge the right of UST to apply the policies, rules and regulations (‘academic policies’) appropriate to my situation once my scholastic grades have been determined and academic standing assessed.”

The Civil Law Student Council met Divina and Faculty Secretary Arthur Capili last Jan. 13 to clarify the new policy.

In a statement posted online, the student council said: “The students have the option either to wait for their grades before they can enroll or proceed with the conditional enrollment by conforming to the waiver.”

“If the student chooses the former and eventually it [is] found out that he is debarred or

has failed to pass a subject in the first semester, such student will not be allowed to enroll,” it said.

The penalty for late enrollment will be waived for those who opt to wait for their grades.

Those who opt for conditional enrollment can drop subjects later and get refunds in case they are placed on probation. Another option is to enroll a few subjects initially then add subjects later.

John Robin Ramos, student council president, said conditional enrollment was “not the best solution” as the real problem was the delayed release of grades.

Students complained of lack of information, he said.

“Nalaman lang nila sa mismong enrollment date. Akala nila ‘yung waiver nila is compulsory.

Optional [ito]… walang

Malayang pamamahayag sulating makakasama sa larawan ng pamahalaan.

Sa bukas na talakayan, tinanong si Magsanoc ng mga mag-aaral ng Journalism at Mass Communications ukol sa campus journalism at mga hakbang na dapat tahakin ng mga Filipino sa media.

Pinuri rin ni Magsanoc ang campus press dahil tinatalakay nito ang mga mahahalagang isyu ng lipunan habang ang mga pambansang pahayagan pa ang mismong naduduwag na gawin ito.

Sa huli, binigyangdiin niya na isang propesyon at hindi para makatamo ng papuri mula sa lipunan ang pamamahayag, na ito ay para sa makabuluhang paglilingkod sa bayan.

Tomasino Siya Tatak Tomasino ang taglay na natatanging husay at talino ng premyadong alagad ng batas na si Atty. Enrique Syquia.

I s a n g abogado at

diplomat si Syquia na napabantog sa kaniyang pagsisilbi bilang Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta para sa bansa noong 1996.

Itinatag ang Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) sa paglalayong maprotektahan ang pananampalatayang Katoliko at mapagsilbihan ang mga nangangailangan. Bilang matatag na samahan ng mga Katolikong layko, naitalang nagsimula Usapang Uste PAGE 6

kasiguraduhan kung kailan lalabas ‘yung grade,” Ramos said.

Starting next academic year, debarment will be done annually instead of every term, the student council also bared.

The yearly debarment policy will allow students who have failed eight units or who did not reach the cut-off grade for two consecutive semesters, to enroll for the second semester.

“If the students performed ‘outstandingly’ in the second semester, [they] will be allowed to enroll for the next school year as if [they have] not been debarred in the first semester. The outstanding performance of the student in the second semester will defeat his performance in the first semester,” the student council explained. JEROME P. VILLANUEVA

CTHM is first PH member of int’l hospitality association THE COLLEGE of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) has been named the first Philippine member of a Netherlands-based nonprofit association of hotel school directors, principals and deans.

EUHOFA International took in UST as member last Jan. 13, with CTHM Dean Maria Cecilia Cuison representing the University.

According to the EUHOFA official website, members can take advantage of its networks and contacts to generate ideas and business opportunities, as well as join exchange programs, contributing to the development of professional training and education in the hospitality industry.

Established in 1962, EUHOFA International is composed of more than 140 hotel schools, colleges and universities worldwide.

The declaration of CTHM as a member of EUHOFA International complements the recent achievements of the college. The Hotel and Restaurant Management and Travel Management programs of CTHM were recently declared as Centers of Excellence by the Commission on Higher Education.

ALHEX ADREA M. PERALTA

Assistant Editor: Danielle Ann F. Gabriel

JANUARY 30, 2016

Two University-wide political parties accredited for Central Student Council elections

By KATHRYN JEDI V. BAYLON WITH the Central Student Council (CSC) elections in the horizon, the UST Central Commission on Elections (Comelec) has accredited two University-wide political parties, but cancelled the registration of another.

In a resolution released last Jan. 19, the Central Comelec said Lakas Tomasino Coalition (LTC) and Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino were able to comply with the requirements set by the UST Students’ Election Code of 2011, despite the late submission of party registration documents.

Both parties were given two days after the Nov. 27, 2015 deadline to complete the requirements.

However, Lakasdiwa failed to meet the minimum number of members required by the election code.

Upon consultation with the Central Comelec En Banc, Lakasdiwa was allowed to meet the membership requirement up to Dec. 7, 2015.

“Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino... is hereby accredited as a political party on the condition that two days will be deducted from [its] campaign period,” the resolution stated.

Lakasdiwa Central Chairperson Bianca De Ramos said their accreditation is a manifestation of their commitment to the political party’s beliefs and principles.

“It’s overwhelming for Lakasdiwa to be accredited this year. Despite the setbacks we have faced, we Lakasdiwa remain competent and true to its beliefs and principles,” De Ramos said in an interview with the Varsitarian.

Meanwhile, LTC Chairperson Annika Alcala said accreditation was just one of the things they would like to achieve.

Central Comelec Chairwoman Alyssa Arreola, however, said the date of the filing of candidacies is yet to be finalized.

“We’re working on another resolution regarding the final dates,” Arreola said.

Aklas registration cancelled Due to its failure to “field official candidates in the last two preceding elections,” the registration of Alyansa ng Kristyanong Lakas (Aklas) party was cancelled by the Central Comelec.

This was in compliance with the requirement of fielding bets for two consecutive years under

Section 9, Article 5 of the election code the student poll body said.

“As a political science student, tama lang naman ang ginawa ng [Central] Comelec, since they are only upholding and implementing the student’s code,” Aklas Chairperson Marvin Olid said in an interview.

Last year, Lakas Tomasino and Aklas were denied accreditation for failing to submit the required documents, leaving Lakasdiwa as the sole accredited Universitywide political party.

Satires raise voter awareness, Prisoners urged to exercise right to vote say broadcast personalities POLITICAL satires do not provide solutions to Filipino’s problems, but they do help voters see social realities in the political realm, broadcast personalities told Thomasians in a forum last Jan. 26.

Lourd Ernest de Veyra and Jun Sabayton, both working for the Manny Pangilinan-led network TV5, said comedy and sarcasm were “natural” to Filipino culture.

“Nasa dugo natin ang sarcasm at pangungutya. [M]insan dapat nating alalahanin na ito ang sandata natin,” De Veyra said. “[M]aaaring hindi [masugpo ang mga social problems] sa pagkalat ng mga pangungutya sa mga politiko, pero kahit papano, mas gumagaan ang buhay kapag tumatawa tayo.”

De Veyra, a UST journalism alumnus and former Varsitarian writer, said the growing popularity of political satires in the Philippines serves as concrete proof that Filipinos are able to exercise free speech. Satires, he claimed, could either defame politicians or help

them win elections.

“Mabuti na lang at nakakagawa pa tayo ng mga ganito, napagtitripan pa natin ang mga pinuno. Kahit papaano, nabubuhay pa rin tayo sa malayang lipunan,” De Veyra said.

Sabayton noted the crucial role of social media in the rapid rise of political satires.

Neil Kirby Ada, Political Science Forum president, said political satires also affect the decision-making of the youth.

“Political satires are not just for entertainment. They are new means that could help us understand reality better. Mas nakakaintindi tayo kapag nakakarelate tayo,” Ada said.

The forum, titled “Political Satire: Ironic Explanation of Philippine Politics” was spearheaded by the Political Science Forum, the official organization of political science students in the Faculty of Arts and Letters. ALHEX ADREA M. PERALTA

NO AMOUNT of bars can hinder a person’s constitutional right to vote.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the PhilippinesEpiscopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (CBCP-ECPPC) urged Filipino detainees in a meeting last Jan. 14 to affirm their right to suffrage enshrined in the Constitution.

CBCP-ECPPC Executive Director Rodolfo Diamante said the commission had been lobbying the government for detainee voting for years, as prisoners were not allowed to vote until the 2010 national elections. This led to the relaunching of the Inter-Agency Committee on Detainee Voting.

“At least they were successful in providing a mechanism para [sa detainee voting],” Diamante told the Varsitarian. “Ngayon, kung merong question on that, tututukan pa rin natin. We will fight at least na ‘yung karapatan nila ay marecognize.”

Election Commissioner Luie Tito Guia said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was able to muster nearly half of the country’s

estimated 101,000 detainees to register and vote.

“I cannot overemphasize the value of giving them the right to suffrage [kasi] dati wala,” Guia said in an interview with the Varsitarian.

He vowed to address problems such as lack of information and the late delivery of election forms.

Paulino Moreno Jr., Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) chief legal service officer, said the bureau had ironed out details on the “special” voting for prisoners.

The Comelec leads the interagency committee on detainee voting, which includes the CBCPECPPC, BJMP, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, Department of Justice, Bureau of Corrections, and the Comelec Election and Barangay Affairs Department.

Data obtained by the Varsitarian showed that 40,248 prisoners voted in the 2013 senatorial elections.

The Comelec has registered 67,511 detainees for the May 9, 2016 polls.

They will vote at designated “special” precincts. JEROME P. VILLANUEVA

maintaining the cut-off scores of our students in first year and second year,” Maravilla said.

The UST College of Nursing, founded in 1946, is designated as a Center of Excellence by the Commission on Higher Education. It has also acquired Level IV or the highest accreditation status from the Philippine Association of Colleges and UniversitiesCommission on Accreditation. and Music education until March 31 to give the commission ample time in completing their evaluation of COE and COD applicants.

The same case applies with the University’s Engineering programs.

UST also has the most number of accredited programs in the country by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation, a private accrediting agency on educational institutions, with a total of 37 accredited programs.

Nursing

is higher than last year’s 38.46 percent.

Last year, UST posted a 99.55-percent passing rate, with 23 Thomasians making it to the top 10.

The national passing rate improved to 49.26-percent with 9,114 examinees passing the test out of 18,500 takers. This

Top program From 2009 to 2013 Nursing was UST’s top-performing program based on licensure exam results, producing the most topnotchers at 78.

For the past five years, UST has been consistent in posting almost perfect passing rates—99.55-percent in

2014, 99.04-percent in 2013, 99.33-percent in 2012, 99.79 percent in 2011 and 99.34 percent in 2010.

In a previous interview with the Varsitarian, Maravilla attributed the success of the college to its faculty and the college’s “high standards.”

“We continue to build partnerships with more hospitals for affiliation. We continue to maintain high standards by

program has the lone distinction of having the COE status, while the Journalism and Physical Therapy programs enjoy recognition of having the sole COD status in their respective fields.

“This is another attestation to the quality of education that the University provides to the public,” College of Rehabilitation Sciences Dean Cheryl Peralta said in an e-mail to the Varsitarian.

However, Department of Journalism Chair Jeremaiah Opiniano said the COD status does

not have a huge implication, and that the UST Journalism program still has a long way to go.

“The Philippines has 32 journalism schools, many of which do need help improving their programs and activities or even their teachers. But what is important is that UST Journalism must be more active in being more helpful to the Philippine Journalism sector,” Opiniano said in an interview.

The CHEd memorandum also validates the COE status of Teacher

FROM PAGE 1

Schools FROM PAGE 2

the third spot with 15 accredited programs respectively.

According to the CHEd website, programs with the COE and COD tags are granted priority in the selection of institutional partners in CHEd development projects, graduate scholarships for faculty members and research subsidies.

The University’s Pharmacy

News 3

UST now part of Asean University Network quality group UST HAS been named associate member of the exclusive Asean University Network (AUN) Quality Assurance (QA) group, joining three other top Philippine universities.

In a letter to UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. dated Jan. 13, the AUN said it had accepted the University’s application to be a sitting member “under the umbrella of AUN Quality Assurance Network.”

The letter, signed by AUN Executive Director Nantana Gasajengi, said the network was “looking forward to a prosperous cooperation between the AUNQA Network and UST to foster quality education in our region and beyond.”

Membership allows the University to join the network’s exchange programs and other projects, as well as initiatives with partner-organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the European Union.

In a statement, UST said AUN-QA membership involved program assessment to ensure quality delivery of educational services, and gave UST the chance to be part of a wider network of excellent higher education institutions in the region.

AUN was founded by Asean member-countries in November 1995 to establish an Asean university. The network now has 30 universities across the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In the Philippines, the University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University are AUN members. UST, along with UP, Ateneo and La Salle, synchronized its academic calendar with Asean universities in 2014 ahead of the 2015 Asean integration plan.

The AUN-QA provides guidelines for overall academic standards of member-universities, with criteria such as expected learning outcomes, program specification, program structure and content, teaching and learning strategy, facilities and infrastructure, and quality assurance of teaching and learning. ROY ABRAHMN D.R. NARRA and JEROME P. VILLANUEVA

UST to offer Clinical Pharmacy as second degree program THE FACULTY of Pharmacy will offer a clinical pharmacy program as a second-degree course exclusively to registered Thomasian pharmacists beginning next academic year.

Pharmacy Dean Aleth Therese Dacanay said the new program would be offered in compliance with international requirements.

“Based on environmental scanning, many of our BS Pharmacy graduates have the capacity to work offshore. However the four-year curriculum does not qualify them to do so because the requirement is a five-year program,” Dacanay said in an email to the Varsitarian. “[Because of this], they are applying in other schools offering the program to comply with the minimum requirement for equivalency in other countries,” she added.

Dacanay said the K to 12 transition would provide an opportunity for UST pharmacy graduates who wish to “specialize” through a second degree.

To be eligible for the one-year program, the applicant must be a graduate of the University’s pharmacy program and a registered pharmacist.

Dacanay said the introduction of the second-degree course would have no effect on the curriculum of the existing clinical pharmacy undergraduate program.

Enlistment at the Pharmacy Dean’s Office lasted until January 15, 2016, according to the UST Clinical Pharmacy Society social media account.

In December, the University’s pharmacy program became the first in the country to be designated by the Commission on Higher Education as a Center for Excellence.

CLARENCE I. HORMACHUELOS

4 Opinion

JANUARY 30, 2016

Editorial

Why gratitude is in order for the Order of Preachers FRIARS or brethren of the Order of Preachers, or the Dominicans, have much to be thankful for their order having reached its eighth centenary.

Their father, St. Dominic de Guzman, would be proud of the achievements of his sons, especially since the reform and renewal of the Church since the medieval ages have always been associated with the mendicant friar orders of which the Dominicans, along with the Franciscans, Carmelites, and Augustinians, are at the forefront.

His pride should extend to the whole Dominican family—not only friars, but sisters and nuns as well as the Third Order and lay confraternities.

We have no statistics but the Dominican religious family is arguably the biggest in the world. In Communist Vietnam alone, the Church is kept alive by the 40,000 Third-Order Dominicans, the biggest in the world.

Dominican achievements have been extensive and pervasive. The reform movement led by the mendicant friars totally renewed the Church in the high middle ages, resulting in the rehabilitation of the papacy and the unleashing of new spiritual energies that saw the establishment of the universities, which may be Europe’s most shining legacy to the rest of the world, after, of course, Latin Christianity.

We in the University of Santo Tomas should be aware of that legacy; we bask in it, thrive in it, and advance toward the future by drawing resources from it, nothing less than the vision and wisdom of the ages.

There may be older educational institutions in Asia than UST (perhaps the Mandarin schools of China are older; or Vietnamese Buddhist schools; or even Indian Hindu monasteryschools). But when one talks about higher education, one talks about the “university,” and the only university in Asia at the turn of the 20th century was UST, a European university through and through.

Pope Benedict XVI, himself the product and perhaps one of the summits of European education (as Joseph Ratzinger, he was professor at Regensburg before he was named archbishop of Munich and Freizing), in his video message to the UST Quadricentennial Mass in 2011, declared that UST was the oldest university in Asia, barring none.

The world of the university reflects the universe of the natural and the supernatural, of civil and sacred concerns. All of this is embodied in UST’s quite extensive curricular Editorial PAGE 14

FOUNDED JAN. 16, 1928 LORD BIEN G. LELAY Editor in Chief ANGELI MAE S. CANTILLANA Managing Editor ARIANNE F. MEREZ Associate Editor DAYANARA T. CUDAL News Editor DANIELLE ANN F. GABRIEL Assistant News Editor DELFIN RAY M. DIOQUINO Acting Sports Editor MARY GILLAN FRANCES G. ROPERO Special Reports Editor ERIKA MARIZ S. CUNANAN Features Editor ALILIANA MARGARETTE T. UYAO Literary Editor MARIA KOREENA M. ESLAVA Patnugot ng Filipino MARIE DANIELLE L. MACALINO Witness Editor DARYL ANGELO P. BAYBADO Circle Editor RHENN ANTHONY S. TAGUIAM Online Editor ROBERTO A. VERGARA, JR. Assistant Online Editor AVA MARIANGELA C. VICTORIA Art Director BASILIO H. SEPE Photography Editor News Kathryn Jedi V. Baylon, Clarence I. Hormachuelos, Alhex Adrea M. Peralta, Jerome P. Villanueva Sports Carlo A. Casingcasing, John Chester P. Fajardo, Philip Martin L. Matel, Randell Angelo B. Ritumalta Special Reports Paul Xavier Jaehwa C. Bernardo, Monica M. Hernandez Features Mary Grace C. Esmaya, Maria Corazon A. Inay, Vianca A. Ocampo Literary Cedric Allen P. Sta. Cruz Filipino Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas, Bernadette A. Paminutan Witness Krystel Nicole A. Sevilla, Lea Mat P. Vicencio Science and Technology Mia Rosienna P. Mallari, Kimberly Joy V. Naparan, Julius Roman M. Tolop Circle Amierielle Anne A. Bulan, Ma. Czarina A. Fernandez, Ethan James M. Siat Art Kirsten M. Jamilla, Freya D.L.R. Torres, Iain Rafel N. Tyapon Photography Alvin Joseph Kasiban, Amparo Klarin J. Mangoroban

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 Bldg., University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.

Year of Church jubilees and the Filipino family THE SERIES of jubilees and other significant religious celebrations in the Filipino Catholic Church and the world at large should indicate that 2016 is a time to strengthen the faith in family and the Church.

Pope Francis has declared December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016 as an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, and he has reminded Catholics to practice “mercy before judgment.”

Meanwhile last November 7 last year, candles were lit for the Order of Preachers’ 800th anniversary. The Dominican family is urged to relive and rekindle its mission of “salvation of souls” and “spreading the lumen (light)” through preaching the Word of God. Aside from the jubilees, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has declared 2016 as the Year of the Eucharist and Family.

As of press time, the Archdiocese of Cebu is hosting of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC).

Filipinos should also not forget that the Universal Church is marking the Year of Consecrated

Given the threats to the sanctity of the family, prayer should be backed with forgiveness and reconciliation.

Life which started in November 2014 and will end in February this year.

All these religious events aim to strengthen the Catholic faith.

To be sure, the success of these events will have an impact on the basic unit of the society— the family.

The mantra “a family that prays together, stays together” has served the families in the Philippines, where strong family ties are evident.

But given the threats to the sanctity of the family, prayer should be backed with forgiveness and reconciliation.

Choosing to depart from

his prepared speech during the Meeting of Families last year in Manila, Pope Francis warned Filipino families of “ideological colonization” and threats on the sanctity of human life.

The Social Weather Stations released a survey last March revealing that 60 percent of adult Filipinos were in favor of legalizing divorce. This is equivalent to 6 out of 10 Filipino adults going against the teaching of the Catholic Church.

A 2014 survey titled “Voice of the People,” conducted by Bendixen &Amandi International, showed that majority of the Filipinos (50 percent) favored the “communion” for the divorced.

Forty-six percent did not agree.

But during the 2015 Extraordinary Synod of Bishops on Family, majority of bishops did not favor communion for divorced and remarried, despite many European bishops more or less favoring it.

But Catholics who have divorced and remarried have nothing to be afraid of because the Church will “walk with them,” according to the final synod statement.

Absolution will however not be granted in a snap. Divorced and remarried people should examine their conscience.

The Synod stand is not cruel.

It shows how the Church acts like a mother who always welcomes, teaches and encourages her child.

Like a mother forgiving and loving her children despite shortcomings, the Church is extending maternal care to make the faithful feel that God’s mercy is limitless, even to those who have committed sins, as reflected in the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Abortion is also one of the Equalizer PAGE 14

Underrated Philippine ecotourism FOLLOWING recent developments in climate change talks and multilateral environment agreements in Paris last December, shouldn’t the Philippine government literally look for greener pastures and consider turning their attention from fancy hotel and shopping mall construction to more ecotourism?

Three years after SM Baguio drew flak for cutting down trees to make way for a parking lot and it seems authorities are still in favor of concrete attractions over sustainable natural development.

Last year, while the nation was busy rejoicing over the visit of Pope Francis, the Court of Appeals finally granted the expansion project of SM to include a “sky park.”

Environmental groups and Baguio residents were quick to file another petition stopping the project, this time backed by the Supreme Court thankfully.

The concrete-paving of the City of Pines is just one of the many incidences where tourism equates to infrastructure catering to the everyday consumer. Resorts in Boracay also got the ire of the public last year for continuing their operation despite the lack of environmental clearances.

Glamorous underwater rooms and over-looking hotel views

With ecotourism, there is less investment needed for infrastructure development since the main focus is the natural scenery and the different activities that are unique to the place.

may not be all that enticing once you find out the destruction it has caused natural areas and preserved beaches. Thus the battle of building permits.

While private corporations claim that the local government has allowed them to operate, persons in position pass the blame to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which appears lax in inspecting tourist accommodations and leisure infrastructures to determine whether they comply with the law.

If there is the difficulty of putting up billions-worth resort hotels only to be taken down once the paper works turn out to be muddy, then why are we avoiding going back to basics to good old camping, trekking, diving, and other forms of tourism that do not ruin Mother Earth?

Despite the strong stance made by the country during the United Nations climate talk in France, advocating the limit of the world’s warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection pushing for stricter measures in urban planning and green building standards, traditional tourism which usually entails a build-and-go mentality in terms of infrastructure, still wins.

As usual, the greener option takes the backseat.

Asian Institute of Management professor Fernando Roxas said in an article released by the Yale School of Management that Philippine government support for ecotourism is still “far from optimum.”

Of course, the more obvious path to economic stimulation would be big shopping centers

and world-class hotel and leisure areas. Never mind the trees uprooted and the dangers of landslides and other environmental disasters as long as there is a luxury commercial structure near the tourist spot.

What the government and the private sector fail to consider is that with ecotourism, there is less investment needed for infrastructure development since the main focus is the natural scenery and the different activities that are unique to the place.

According to Roxas, with the Philippines’ 7,107 islands, many of which untouched, there is potential for ecotourism to lure in more travelers.

Palawan and Puerto Galera are already making their mark when it comes to non-traditional tourism with activities like snorkeling, diving and mountain climbing. Palawan’s famous Tubbataha Reef is a haven for underwater photographers and divers while Puerto Galera, named one of the most beautiful bays in the world, boasts of an music and arts festival mounted yearly on Mt. Malasimbo.

Pinoy pop culture also served Mountain Province well as the movie “That Thing Called Tadhana” paved the way for more attention in the small Vesuvius PAGE 14

JANUARY 30, 2016

Filipinos and smart-shaming IN A COUNTRY where education is of great value among its people, there seems to be a growing trend of making negative comments and expressions to those who have high intelligence or are critical thinkers—hence, the term “smart-shaming.”

Expressions such as “Ikaw na magaling!” or “Edi wow!” are now viewed as common responses to people who presumably share more information than what’s needed.

With the continuous increase in the number of Filipinos on social media, it has always been easy to share and disseminate information that are new to public.

Often times, though, we are also quick to react and even criticize those who have new ideas to share.

More than the intention of poking fun, it is disappointing how good conversations get halted by such responses; instead of engaging people in meaningful conversations, many social media users take such sharing of ideas as an

Filipinos should not settle for the mere ability to read and write, but must pursue for higher education to continuously improve themselves as well as the country. offense. It is as if we Filipinos appreciate being ignorant to things that we find difficult or unnecessary at the moment.

The National Statistics Office’s 2010 Census of Population and Housing shows that 97.5 percent or 69.8 million of the 71.5 million Filipinos aged 10 years old and above are literate or can read and write.

Considering the high rate of basic literacy in the country, Filipinos should not settle for the mere ability to read and write. Rather, we must pursue for higher education to continuously improve ourselves as well as the country.

We value education and

even consider it as a key to a bright future. But how can we attain intellectual progress if we continue considering the pursuit of knowledge as sort of a threat?

It is ironic how most Filipinos want smart and experienced leaders and look down upon politicians who are deemed incompetent due to their minimal educational background, but at the same time, engage in smart shaming among their peers.

Every so often, a lot of Filipinos say “Nosebleed!” when someone fluently speaks English, as if the language is very new to their ears and is

not the second language of the country.

However, this should not be the case considering that the Philippines was named as the best country in business English proficiency for the years 2012 and 2013 by the Global English Corporation, posting better results than that of the United States and United Kingdom.

Smart-shaming is a manifestation of how we value the pursuit of knowledge. It is disappointing that there are people who mock those who zealously try to learn and share new learnings and ideas.

With a quick access to vast information, especially with the Internet, everyone has no excuse not to explore and learn things that are foreign to oneself.

Filipinos should quit smart-shaming if they want continuous self-development.

They should remember that a country’s growth immensely depends on its people. Intelligent minds mean the continuous growth and development of a people.

Opinion 5

Reporma sa sistema ng buwis

MATAGAL nang usapin ang reporma ng sistema ng buwis sa bansa.

Maging si Steve Forbes ng Forbes Media, sinabi na sa katagalan ay mananatiling malakas at matatag ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas kung babaguhin ang sistema ng buwis at pabubutihin ang imprastruktura sa bansa.

Matatandaang tinanggihan ni Presidente Aquino ang panukalang ituwid ang income tax structure ng bansa sa kadahilanang maaari itong makaapekto at magdulot ng pagkawala ng mga benepisyong atin nang natamo sa pagpapabuti ng ating pangkalagayang pinansiyal.

Isa sa mga benepisyong tinutukoy ng Pangulo ay ang “investment grade” credit rating ng bansa.

Para sa mga hindi nakaaalam, katumbas ng seal of good housekeeping ang pagkakaroon ng investment grade.

Pinararating nito sa mga nagpapautang sa bansa na mababa ang “risk” ng pamumuhunan sa ating bansa.

Paliwanag ni Andres James Marasigan ng Manila Bulletin, “It has so far resulted in massive savings in interest expense (from foreign debts) owing to the prime borrowing rates we enjoy. As far as investment goes, its impact has been minimal as the seal of good housekeeping is negated by the restrictive provisions of the constitution.”

Ayon sa Pangulo, magreresulta sa mas mababang government revenue ang pagpapababa ng income tax at maaaring makaapekto ito sa naturang credit rating.

Naroon na ang argumentong pinaghirapan ni PNoy ang gradong ito. Gayunpaman, nakadidismaya na kumpara sa sarili nating pangulo, tila mas naiintindihan pa ng isang dayuhang lider gaya ni Forbes ang reporma sa sistema ng buwis.

Kahit pa tumaas ang kinikita ng mayorya sa Filipino sa loob ng dalawang dekada, hindi pa rin nila mararamdaman ang pag-asenso dahil kakailanganin na rin nilang magbayad ng mas malaking buwis.

Bilang isang pangulo na nagtapos ng economics, dapat alam ng Pangulo na higit na lalago ang ekonomiya kung gagawing mas makatuwiran ang sistema ng income tax na pinakamataas na sa rehiyon.

Maliban sa interest expense savings at “bragging rights,” ano pang mapapala natin sa investment grade na ito kung lugmok naman sa kahirapan ang karamihan?

Humigit-kumulang dalawang dekada na mula nang nabuo ang kasalukuyang istruktura ng pagbubuwis sa bansa.

Kaiba ito sa mga progresibong bansa sa buong mundo na nagkakaroon ng “rationalization” ng tax brackets kada anim na taon.

Paliwanag ni Marasigan, katumbas ng isang piso noon ang P2.27 ngayon at sa paglipas ng panahon, nakaapekto na ang depreciation at inflation sa “purchasing power” ng piso. Sa makatuwid, ang mabibili ng P1,000 noong 1997 ay mabibili lang ng P440 ngayon.

Makaaakit nga tayo ng mga investors dahil sa investment grade credit rate na pinangangalagaan ng Pangulo pero siguradong madidismaya rin sila dahil magastos ang pagtatayo ng negosyo sa bansa.

Layunin ng reporma na isaayos ang “income tax rates” at “bracketing” nito. Kailangan ng reporma dahil ‘yong mga nasa middle class ay nagbabayad ng buwis na katumbas ng binabayaran ng mga mayayaman.

Bukod pa sa pinapasan nilang napakataas na income tax rates, mataas rin ang presyo ng mga bilihin.

Base sa datos na inilabas ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, tumaas ng 110 porsyento ang presyo ng mga bilihin mula 1997 hanggang 2012.

Kahit pa tumaas ang kinikita ng mayorya sa Filipino sa loob ng dalawang dekada, hindi pa rin nila mararamdaman ang pag-asenso dahil kakailanganin na rin nilang magbayad Alinaga PAHINA 14

Code

FROM PAGE 1 knowledge sa students para pagdating ng botohan, hindi na tayo magtatagal doon kasi alam [ng administration] ang insights ng students,” Mangalili said in an interview with the Varsitarian.

Both Mangalili and Castro said they were determined to pass the code before their terms end.

Former CSC president Lorraine Taguiam warned that the code would not survive without a clamor from students. “If you want a new policy to pass, you have to

create the clamor from the beneficiaries,” Taguiam said.

Students must discard the notion that the Students’ Code, formerly known as the Magna Carta of UST Students, was only for student activists, she added, emphasizing that it would benefit both the students and the administration.

The Students’ Code was first drafted in 2004, containing provisions on academic rights, freedom of expression, the right to information, the right to participate in policy-making, the right to organize, and the right to due process, among others. ROY ABRAHMN D.R. NARRA

6 Filipino

Patnugot: Maria Koreena M. Eslava

IKA-30 NG ENERO, 2016

Paragila Nina JOHN GABRIEL M. AGCAOILI at JASPER EMMANUEL Y. ARCALAS

PASADO alas nuebe na nang makahiga si Ernesto at tanging ang bukas na telepono na lamang niya ang nagbibigay liwanag sa kaniyang kulob na silid.

Dahan-dahan niyang itinataas-baba ng kaniyang kanang hintuturo sa screen upang masulyapan ang laman ng kaniyang Facebook: mga bidyo ng makukulit na Corgi, mga meme nila Bill at Juan at mga galit na reklamo tungkol sa mga drayber ng taksi.

“Paulit-ulit na lang,” ani Ernesto sa sarili.

Nakaramdam na siya ng pagbigat ng kaniyang mga mata at dahan-dahang naglaho sa kaniyang paningin ang liwanag ng limang pulgadang screen ng kaniyang telepono.

Inalala ni Ernesto ang kaniyang nakatatandang kapatid, si Estrella, na nagtatrabaho bilang nars sa Singapore. “Kumusta na kaya siya?” Panaka-naka na lamang kung magpost si Estrella sa Facebook nito ng mga bagay tungkol sa kaniyang buhay.

Nakaramdam siya ng animo pagkakahulog mula sa kaniyang kama. Dire-diretso ang kaniyang pagbagsak sa isang lagusan.

Bumagsak si Ernesto sa isang kalye. Pamilyar sa kaniya ang lugar na kinahulugan. Tiyak niya ito dahil sa karatulang nabasa sa kanto—Laon-Laan.

Pinagmasdan niya ang kaniyang paligid. Nakakita siya ng isang 24/7 na tapsilogan sa kabilang kalye at tinungo ito.

“Hello ser, ano pong order nila?” pagbati ng isang lalaking nakaapron sa entrada.

Nagitla si Ernesto. Pamilyar sa kaniya ang lalaki. Pamilyar ang bilugang mga mata nito.

Nakasalamin na may manipis na lente, may katangkaran, nakaarmy cut at katamtaman ang pangangatawan. Hinding-hindi ako magkakamali, ani Ernesto sa sarili.

“Sino ka?” tanong ni Ernesto sa kamukha.

“Ernesto ho. Anong order ninyo?” tanong ng lalaki.

Anong nangyayari? Lumabas siya mula sa tapsilogan.

Nagbago na ang paligid sa kaniyang paglabas. Nakatayo na siya sa Luneta. Kitang-kita niya ang monumento ni Rizal. Sa tapat nito, may grupo ng mga lalaking hindi magkandaugaga sa pagkuha ng magandang anggulo ng selfie.

Nabigla siya sa kaniyang nakita, puro magkamukha ito.

May nagrepikal sa bulsa ni Ernesto. Kinapa niya ito at kinuha.

Telepono niya pala.

“Paano napunta sa bulsa ko ito?” pagtataka niya.

Binuksan niya ang telepono.

May ilang bilang ng notipikasiyon siya sa kaniyang Facebook.

Ernesto added a photo of you.

Ernesto recently liked a post you are tagged in.

Ernesto tagged you in his photo: ‘With Rizal and the national photobomber!’

Tila naputulan ng dila si Ernesto sa nangyayari, iniisip niya kung ano ang eksplanasiyon sa lahat ng mga nangyayari.

Napalingon siya sa kaniyang kanan kung saan may kumpol muli ng kalalakihan.

Dinudumog ng tao ang isang lalaki, isang Ernesto rin.

Nakikipagselfie ang iba pang mga lalaki sa kaniya na puro Ernesto rin.

Tinangkang makipag-usap ni Ernesto, umaasang maliliwanagan

Estrella IGINALA ni Aida ang mata sa langit na kanlong ang mga talang noon nakakubli sa hamog ng makukulay na baga.

Umihip, umihip, ang batang nakasilip.

Bumulong nang marahan at sandaling lumangitngit, Sumumpa sa tala na sa taong sasapit, mag-iipon, mag-aaral, magpapakabuti.

Umihip, umihip.

Nakaalpas sa torotot ang tunog na impit kagaya ng pangakong inusal na rin dati.

Tinangay ng hangi’t samyo ng pulbura ang hinahapong hininga, at bulong sa mga tala.

BERNADETTE A. PAMINTUAN

sa nangyayari.

Ngunit, bigla siyang nakaramdam ng pagyanig sa lupa.

Sumunod ang isang malakas na kulog. Napapikit na lamang siya at naramdaman na niya ang pagkalog na kaniyang mga binti.

Namulat siya muli at nagbago na naman ang paligid.

Nagmistulang gawa sa hologram ang mga poste ng elektrisidad at linya ng mga telepono. Ipinapakita sa poste ang mga istatus ni Ernesto sa Facebook, mga tweet at mga retrato sa Instagram.

Napalitan ang mga ulap ng mga retrato niyang may pinakamaraming like. Naging kulay asul naman ang daanan na nagpapalit-anyo—nagpapakita ng mga balidosong salita ni Ernesto sa Twitter—sa tuwing matatapakan.

“Buti pa ang Twitter 140 chars lang puwedeng sabihin.

‘Yung nanay ko unlimited!”

“What to do? #banyomoments #tronokoto” Nawiwindang na si Ernesto sa nangyayari. Napansin niya ang isa pang kamukha na nakaupo lamang mag-isa sa may damuhan.

Nilapitan niya ito at muling nagtangkang makahanap ng paliwanag sa nangyayari.

“Hi? Hello?”

Wala itong sinambit. Titig lamang.

“Ano ba naman ito?!” bulalas ni Ernesto.

Biglang umihip nang malakas ang hangin at tinangay ang telepono na hawak ni Ernesto at ng iba pang Ernesto.

“OMG! Hindi ko pa napost ‘yung groupie natin!”

“Shet! ‘Yung istatus ko putol! Baka ma-misinterpret.”

“Teka sobra ng 5 characters ‘yung tweet ko. Hindi ko natweet!”

Nagkagulo ang mga Ernesto. Nagkalat at napatakbo sa mga poste kung saan nila sinubukang mag-Facebook ngunit hindi ito gumana.

Ang iba ay napaluhod sa daan at pinaghahampas ito. Nagpapalit-palit ang mga tweet na pinakikita ng daanan. Sa sabay-sabay na paghampas nila rito bigla itong naging itim.

“Oh no!” sigaw ng lahat.

Naging kahapis-hapis ang tanawin ng Luneta sa pagwawala ng mga tao ukol sa kanilang problema sa Paragila PAGE 14

Usapang Uste MULA SA PAHINA 2 ang matibay na ugnayan ng SMOM at ng Pilipinas noong administrasiyon ni dating pangulong Diosdado Macapagal.

Taong 1953 nang magtapos si Atty. Syquia ng abogasiya sa Unibersidad bilang magna cum laude at nanguna rin sa bar exam sa parehong taon.

Nakamit naman niya ang kaniyang titulong Doctor of Civil Law sa Unversidad Central de Madrid noong 1955 na may gawad na sobresaliente.

Itinatag niya ang Syquia Law Offices at naging isa sa mga pinakamagaling na abogado sa bansa subalit mas pinili niyang magbigay-serbisyo nang pribado at malimit tanggihan ang mga alok na sumapi sa pamahalaan.

Ginugol niya ang mahabang panahon sa pagbabahagi ng kaniyang kakayahan partikular sa mga pari, seminarista at sa mga nakapiit na biktima ng maling hatol.

Naitatak niya sa isip ng kaniyang mga malalapit na kaibigan ang mga salitang, “The best lawyers are lawyers who seldom go to court to settle their cases” sapagkat naniniwala siyang mas malalim pa roon ang kahulugan ng kanilang trabaho.

Unang araw ng Pebrero 2005 nang sumakabilang-buhay si Syquia sa edad na 74 sanhi ng pagkaatake sa puso.

Sa isang tribute na ipinalathala ng kaniyang asawa at mga anak sa unang anibersaryo ng kaniyang pagpanaw, inalala nila ang tatlong pangunahing pilosopiya ng kanilang haligi: ang pagpapahalaga sa mga kinagisnang turo, ang pagpili sa pamilya bago ang karera at ang pag-iiwan ng magandang pangalan at edukasiyon sa mga anak.

Kabilang sa kaniyang mga parangal ang Grand Cross of Merit noong 1985, Orden de Isabela Catolica mula sa hari ng Espanya, Order of St. Gregory mula sa Simbahan sa pangunguna ni Jaime Cardinal Sin at ang Gusi Peace Prize International for Humanitarianism noong 2003. MARIA KOREENA M. ESLAVA at BERNADETTE A. PAMINTUAN

Tomasalitaan: Paragas (png) - pagtawag o pagsundo sa isang tao, lalo na kung may kamag-anak na namatay.

Hal. Ikaw na ang pumaragas sa mga kaanak at kaibigan dahil hindi matigil sa kaiiyak ang iyong kapatid.

Mga Sanggunian: The Varsitarian: Tomo LIII Blg. 12, Agosto 1981 Tribute para kay Atty. Enrique Syquia. Nakuha mula sa www. philstar.com/opinion/324237/enrique-syquia-family-tribute

Editor: Marie Danielle L. Macalino

Witness 7

JANUARY 30, 2016

‘Be humble like the Lord,’ devotees told

By JOHN GABRIEL M. AGCAOILI DEVOTEES of the Black Nazarene were encouraged to live a life of humility and spirituality during the Holy Mass of the Feast of the Black Nazarene at Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Jan. 9.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle encouraged the devotees to imitate Christ by being humble, reminding them that the Lord humbled himself by becoming man and dying for the sins of men.

“A person cannot be merciful and compassionate if he could not lower himself in humility,” Cardinal Tagle said.

“Let us make this as the pattern of a life of spirituality.”

With the theme “Banal na Eukaristiya, Buhay ng Sumasampalataya sa Poong Jesus Nazareno sa Taon ng Awa,” the prelate noted that this year’s celebration came ahead of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress to be held in Cebu on Jan. 24 to 31.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene marked the annual tradition of the “traslacion” or procession of the darkcolored life-sized image of Jesus Christ carrying the Cross, from Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.

Prior to the Mass, the traditional “Pahalik” was held Jan. 8 at Quirino Grandstand.

The image passed along Taft Avenue, Quezon Boulevard, Hidalgo Street and Plaza Miranda before returning to Quiapo Church.

Around 15 million devotees participated in the annual event in Manila.

Photo by BASILIO H. SEPE

Poverty FROM PAGE 1 home to the Holy Child and San Pedro Calungsod.

Cebuanos mounted a grand opening for the 51st IEC, with stage performers reenacting the Christianization of the Philippines that began in Cebu, and the origins of the Filipino devotion to the Sto. Niño.

Fireworks lit up the sky to usher in a weeklong festival celebrating the Eucharist as the “source and summit of Christian life.”

‘Eye-opener’ During the press conference for the second day of the IEC, the panel of speakers, led by Palma and Marini spoke about the Eucharist as a source of strength and unity among the faithful especially during times of harsh realities like armed conflicts, natural disasters and poverty.

Palma said the congress seeks to encourage people to not only trust in God but also act like the “Eucharistic people” expected of them.

“We hope and rely on the goodness of the Lord.

But hope also challenges us that we also do what we can do,” Palma said.

Marini also called on Christians to “become signs of what they celebrate,” and turn into action what they celebrate in Mass.

Touching on the issue of Christian persecutions, Palma said the country was blessed for being able to practice faith without the threat of persecution.

However, he warned against being too complacent in practice, considering the Philippines is a Catholic majority.

The Cebu archbishop said people in other countries who celebrate the Eucharist despite the risk of religious persecution display a kind of faith that is “precious to the Lord.”

Earlier during the second day of the congress proper, Hong Kong Bishop Emeritus Joseph Cardinal Zen gave his testimony on the persecution of Christians in China.

“The message of the cardinal is a way of reminding us that when we look at faith, we realize that faith is a gift and it has many dimensions,” Palma said.

Asked on what the Church was contemplating to engage the youth and whether a newer approach in celebrating Mass was needed, Marini explained the need to adapt the liturgy to particular circumstances.

Marini said “inculturation” of the liturgy in different countries, including the Philippines, had obtained the approval of the Vatican but there were still many things to consider before implementing changes.

“It is a slow process. There is a need to return to varieties,” Marini said, referring to the varying liturgies of the early Christians in Rome, North Africa and the Byzantine empire.

The congress proper was preceded by a theological symposium held at Cebu Doctors’ University from Jan. 20 to 22. The symposium coincided with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ 112th Plenary Assembly.

This will be the second time for the Philippines to host the IEC, which is held every four years. The last time was in 1937 in Manila during the pontificate of Pope Pius IX.

The ruins of the Diplomant Hotel at the Dominican Hill in Baguio City.

Photo courtesy of ERIC BANES

Dominican heritage structures designated as important cultural landmarks

By LEA MAT P. VICENCIO THREE Dominican heritage structures have obtained the recognition of the National Museum of the Philippines, in a circular released last Dec. 23.

The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan was declared a “National Cultural Treasure.”

The church, a national pilgrimage site under the Order of Preachers, is home to the ivory image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is affiliated with the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

The National Museum also declared

the Diplomat Hotel ruins in Baguio and the Angelicum School in Iloilo as “Important Cultural Properties.”

Formerly known as the Colegio del Santisimo Rosario, the Diplomat Hotel ruins at Dominican Hill in Baguio City was inaugurated by the Dominicans in May 1915. It was used by refugees during World War II. The Angelicum School in Iloilo, formerly known as the Lizares-Gamboa Mansion, was sold to the Dominicans in 1962 and was converted into a House of Formation for young Dominicans in 1963.

A total of 21 cultural treasures and 32 cultural properties were given recognition by the museum.

To be declared a National Cultural Treasure, a structure must be a “unique cultural property found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic, and/or scientific value which is highly significant and important to the country and the nation.”

An Important Cultural Property pertains to a site or a landmark with “exceptional, cultural, artistic, and/or historical significance.”

8

Editor: Erika Mariz S. Cunanan

FEATU

Playing with colors and the 'Force'

By MARY GRACE C. ESMAYA

Rodelio Gonzalez paints the image of Jedi Master Yoda.

ALVIN JOSEPH KASIBAN

LIKE how lightsabers ignited the battle scenes in Star Wars, Rodelio Gonzalez treats his canvas, paint and brush as his weapons in carving his name in the art industry.

Gonzalez, who studied in the former College of Architecture and Fine Arts in 1976 to 1978, had the exclusive opportunity to be the lone Filipino to paint interpretative pieces for Star Wars when he was invited

by Acme Archives Ltd., the exclusive publisher of Star Wars, to be a part of their team last 2013.

“When Disney was acquiring Lucas Films [Ltd.], I was asked if I am interested to paint Star Wars and be a licensed artist for Lucas Films,” Gonzalez said in an e-mail with the Varsitarian. “I was very honored and excited at the same time knowing that I could be able to interpret the famous scenes [in the franchise.]”

Lucas Films Ltd. is a California-based film and television production company.

Gonzalez’s 11-piece collection includes portrait paintings of Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Yoda, and the Battle of Endor.

His remarkable works went from one exhibit to another, including his participation in the 2015 San Diego Comic Con, an annual gathering for pop culture icons and fans. One of his original works, titled “Captain Phasma” became the cover of the December issue of Rockstar Magazine last year.

With the help of his “weapons,” Gonzalez made a name in the international art scene with his works being featured in several online galleries such as Wyland Gallery, James Coleman Studios.

In addition, Gonzalez had his Star Wars collection exhibit at the Bonifacio High Street last Dec. 16 to 20, 2015.

“The exhibit was only a test run as to how the market in Manila accepts Star Wars or specifically my works,” Gonzalez said.

Since the exhibit was received positively, a follow-up meet and greet show will happen on Jan. 29 at the Hard Rock Café in Makati whereas people who bought pieces last December can come and have a picture and signing with Gonzalez. Another exhibit

is also expected to be installed at Solaire Resort and Casino on Feb. 2.

For Gonzalez, what makes his Star Wars collection different and unique from his previous collections was simply because the inspiration just needed a single tap from the painter by doing his own interpretation of how these scenes have inspired and impacted him the first time he watched the movie franchise.

“I think there is a great responsibility on my part [as an artist] to not cheapen what is already have been done in such an excellent fashion,” he said.

Behind the canvas Aside from being a licensed Lucas Films artist, Gonzalez is also a licensed Disney Fine Art artist since 2008 and is licensed to paint any Warner Bros. franchise. He also painted interpretative pieces of Disney character such as Mickey Mouse and the Disney princesses, as well as movies like Up, The Jungle Book, Pinocchio and Peter Pan. He also creates several pieces of still life, landscapes and wildlife aside from painting pop culture-related pieces.

“My passion stems from the creative process— whether it is music or art, I never want to start creating.

I love painting or conveying what I feel versus what I see. It is seeing a blank canvas coming to a completion that makes me thrive every day to paint,” Gonzalez said.

Even before he started college, Gonzalez was already painting professionally and his works were featured in several galleries owned by his father and late grandfather like Gonzalez Fine Art Gallery located in Manila and Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

Gonzalez spent two academic years in the University after leaving for Philippine School for Interior Design where he obtained his degree in Fine Arts. However, he considers the UST as eye-opener that somehow taught him that there is no right way to create art as long as the final product would be what an artist want in the beginning.

“I love seeing different styles and techniques that people use and that is okay. Whatever technique or process indulges us, it does not really matter.”

Bringing life to Metro streets FROM black and white city walls, a Thomasian can turn grays into vibrant colors.

After graduating with a degree in Advertising from the College of Fine Arts and Design in 2012, Ana Korina “Kookoo” Ramos immediately found her heart drawn to plastering portions of Metro Manila with murals, which she considers as a calling beckoned upon her.

She has done live art for Globe Telecom at the Bonifacio Global City, The Sweet Spot Pasig, and for Jack TV’s Kimbra Concert last 2014. She also painted commissioned graffiti murals in Tuscany McKinley Hill, Lift Hard Philippines, Melody Restaurant, and SM Fairview, as well as personal paintings in Ortigas and Quezon City.

One of her most recent street art was a collaborative painting with other street artist to revitalize the Ayala underpass in Makati.

Her paintings, which mostly depict women, are drawn out of pure imagination, putting emphasis on their facial expressions, hair, and postures that vary from realistic colorful portraits to black and white paintings.

Kookoo was the first female artist to be recognized by Filipino Street Art Project as the “Artist of the Week” and has also been featured as one of the seven major players in the street art scene by in Art Radar Journal, an online and independent news website that writes about contemporary art across Asia.

Ramos

She joined female street artists from Southeast Asian nations in painting several streets in Singapore-such as the Scape, a popular area for graffiti art, the Youth Park, even the façade of the famous Waterfront Theatre, as part of the Revel Daughters Convention in 2014.

“It was my first time to travel to another country and I was proud that I experienced it because of art. We talked about our culture and I got to know the different art scenes of the other countries,” she said.

Hustle and grind Ramos likened the physicality of street art to exercising for five or six hours a day, citing a story where she had to work for 12 straight hours to finish her piece in a football field. All the athletes have gone home, but she was left with her paints and brushes.

“I asked myself why I kept tiring myself; why I was doing art.

The answer was that because I loved it. I can’t imagine myself not doing art,” she said.

It was in 2009 when Ramos started painting the streets after accepting an invitation from her blockmates to visit a spot in Cainta, followed by successive painting sessions in España.

“I would walk the whole stretch of España, from P. Noval to Rotonda, canvassing for walls to paint. One day I found four walls and I invested the following months on them, working on them during long breaks,” she said.

Even Joli’s, the go-to place for CFAD and Architecture students when in need of materials for plate, is not a stranger to Ramos’ spray paint. Her art on their shutter gate is visible until today.

Freelance, free plans Her exposure to the street art scene for a few years have taught her that art is never redundant—that painters will always find new ways to surprise their audience and fellow artists.

“You’ll see that each artist has their own principle, style, and approach. Each has their own thrill, own convenience. Others have their own advocacy, while some, including myself, are still finding their purpose,” she said.

Last year, Ramos was torn between staying inside her office as an employee of an advertising agency and going out to paint the streets as a freelance artist. Lack of motivation and self-fulfillment of being free to create her own visions pushed her to choose the latter.

“It was when I stopped working for an agency that I knew that art was my calling. I couldn’t bear to give it a mistress. There was a fulfilment whenever I worked outside. I thought of my own concepts and created art using my hands,” she said.

Risking everything for her “calling” is rewarding than ever, Ramos said. And it pays off. She now works as a freelance artist, having commissioned projects for different corporations and individuals “First of all, you’ll achieve self-fulfillment that you actually made something; that you created and finished what was inside your head. Second, you’ll see the joy you bring to your audience—the feeling that you gave something positive to other people,” she said.

VIANCA A. OCAMPO & MARIA CORAZON A. INAY

FOR THIS Thomasian pre-school teacher, self-study pays off.

After obtaining degree in Psychology from the University in 2011, Paola Jane Esteron opted to make a name in typography after two months of watching instructional videos uploaded in Youtube.

It was in 2013 thay she started teaching herself how to create artworks using nib pens while working on her master’s studies in Early Childhood, which she eventually finished in St. Joseph’s College in 2014.

The 25-year-old preschool teacher from Lourdes School in Quezon City, however, diverted from nib pen to brushes because it was more convenient.

Her experiences obtained from enrolling in calligraphy workshops resulted in the development of her own style of creating calligraphy characterized by florals, galaxies and children’s illustrations.

“I always add a whimsical feel in my work by putting flourishes around the text layout itself. I think my choice of colors for the words I work on helps, too,” said Esteron, whose pieces are even made appealing with her own texts.

Although she does not avidly practice Psychology, her four-year background in the field helped her improve her communication skills and deciphering what is appealing to the market. Her stint as the editor-in-chief of Infopsych, the official publication of the UST Psychology Society, has also been contributing in composing inspirational statements which serve as curtain-raiser in her every piece.

This proved to be pivotal after conducting successive calligraphy workshops. She first hosted workshop at iChill Theatre Café in Sampaloc, followed by sessions in Maginhawa in Quezon City, Baguio, and La Union. In

addition, Esteron holds private sessions by appointment.

In 2015, Esteron was among the 30 local artists chosen by Tomato, a well-known clothing brand, whose works were featured in “Swap x Type,” a collection of watch that features inspirational texts made by local artists.

Esteron’s artwork was highlighted by minimalist statement “Carry On” and aesthetically enhanced with soft hues of floral designs—both depicting her journey in the field of art.

“If you show compassion and commitment in what you do, you become competent in whatever field you choose in life,” Esteron said.

Tomato was not the only company which recornized her talent.

Copenhagen-based Enfant Terrible Magazine featured her artworks in their travel journal edition.

Esteron also co-designed the cover of the 2016 version of the “This Journal Will Actually Change Someone’s Life,” a planner released by Free Speech Publications, with Michelle Carillo.

As of press time, the planner has been reproduced 975 time, said Judy Jamolangue, marketing director of the Free Speech Publications.

“We are very thankful that Paola volunteered to help us with planner! She is quite well known in the ‘calligraphy’ art circle and we have gotten a lot of orders because people have seen her work,” Jamolangue said in an email.

Moreover, Esteron also runs “Crafty Kitty,” an online store for calligraphy journals, tote bags and other stationaries such as erasers and rubber stamps. Unsurprisingly, Esteron creates everything—from the hand-sewn spines of the notebooks to the handpainted designs of her tote bags and journals.

Gaby Formoso, author of the teen-oriented blog Plain Cutouts

(plainc describ who “e artist.”

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Photo collage from ust.edu.ph

Building communities with Simbahayan

cutouts.wordpress.com), bed Esteron’s artworks as an artist exposed the entirety of her as an

In each of Paola’s works, you will part of her pulsating—[sweating] ry drop of ink on her calligraphy She has made herself vulnerable hat] is what mass produced ls lacked,” Formoso said in her ntry “Melting pot of raw talent: scolta Future Market.” MARIA

ZON A. INAY

9

JANUARY 30, 2016

Esteron

THE HISTORY of UST Simbahayan mirrors the history of community development in the University, a fulfillment of one of the Three C’s in Thomasian core values—compassion.

This is why Simbahayan has been heading the University in helping and guiding communities and institutions that are needed to be developed for a better livelihood, not only for them but for the entire community.

“The mission of the Simbahayan is to empower communities and institutions with the Thomasian students contributing towards social transformation,” said Mark Abenir, director of the UST Simbahayan.

Before Simbahayan was institutionalized in 1981, the University had already been involved in various extensions and community services. It mainly acted through the volunteer organizations within the University. It was in 1997 that a shift in the project was initiated—faculties and colleges were encouraged to identify and work with their own partner communities.

The outreach program “Hanapbuhay, Asal, Sikap, Isip, Kawanggawa” was the first institutionalized project aimed at aiding several communities towards development through the help of the University.

This project first began in Tondo, Manila, one of the most densely populated districts in the country and the location of the landfill called Smokey Mountain. It was soon followed by communities in Sampaloc, Manila and Sitio Layak Bamban, Tarlac.

For nearly 30 years, Simbahayan was able to work with their 37 partner communities from different parts of Luzon such as Tarlac, Bataan, Rizal, and Nueva Ecija.

Unending grace In 2012, the year the University marked its Quadricentennial anniversary, 862 projects were done under the title UST SIMBAHAYAN 400. The SIMBAHAYAN 400 and the Office of Community Development (OCD) were then merged together to form the UST Simbahayan Community Development Office.

The projects done by OCD, along with the projects of student organizations, are evaluated yearly so as to be able to prepare and plan new projects, as well as follow up projects for their partner communities.

“So from there, nagfoformulate yung mga colleges, based on the needs of the community,” Abenir added.

According to Jordan Nava, Community Development Coordinator in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS), Simbahayan chooses its partner communities by looking on what is needed by a certain community.

“We [Simbahayan] provide services to the community, at the same time, they need to match the services we give them,” Nava said.

Colleges in UST have different areas to focus on depending on the expertise of their college or faculty. In CRS, they focus on health and wellness and provide service such as therapy to the elderly in the communities.

“We provide needs such as exercises and assessments but at the same time, they have to do their part in the services we provide,” Nava said.

In 2013, Simbahayan was able to aid several communities through Tulong Tomasino in Leyte and Bohol, two of the provinces that were devastated by typhoon Yolanda.

In the case of Tulong Tomasino, colleges and faculties of the University worked together to aid the victims of calamities.

Tulong Tomasino started last 2013 when typhoon Yolanda struck most part of the Visayas region. With the huge amount of help received, this project provided to most of the needs of the community from Leyte and Bohol.

“Nagkakaroon tayo ng rehabilitation projects doon in terms of livelihood, yung perang nalikap doon para makapagsimula ulit ng buhay,” Abenir said.

According to Abenir, there will be several program areas, with each area focusing on different units based on the people’s discipline and interest, that they will focus on for the second semester.

These program areas will be focusing on health and wellness, equitable and inclusive education, microeconomic employability and social enterprise, environmental sustainability and infrastructure development, heritage, culture and sports and development, leadership, organizational development and good governance, sociopastoral ministry and evangelization, and on risk reduction and disaster management respectively.

“The ultimate goals of these areas are to enhance holistically,” Nava said. “In order to meet the needs of the community, we must focus on their concerns.” MARY GRACE C. ESMAYA and MARIA CORAZON A. INAY

10 Lenspeak

Editor: Basilio H. Sepe

JANUARY 30, 2015

PASKUHAN 2015 Photos by BASILIO H. SEPE, ALVIN JOSEPH KASIBAN and AMPARO KLARIN J. MANGOROBAN

UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. leads the Eucharistic celebration during the Paskuhan mass at the Quadricentennial Pavilion last Dec. 18, 2015.

Several bands perform during the Paskuhan concert and celebration at the Quadricentennial Pavil.ion basketball court including Kean Cipriano of Callalily (left), Tutti Caringal of 6cyclemind (middle) and Acel Bisa of Moonstar88 (right), despite the rainy weather.

(Left) The UST Main Building projects majestic images depicting the birth of Jesus in the manger. (Right) A performer plays the violin during the Paskuhan concert in front of hundreds of Thomasians.

Editor: Aliliana Margarette T. Uyao

Literary 11

JANUARY 30, 2016

How to cook a starfish

By CEDRIC ALLEN P. STA. CRUZ and ALILIANA MARGARETTE T. UYAO

THE FAMILIAR scraping of wooden outriggers against damp sand along with discordant voices awoke Tatad, who squinted as a ray of morning sun seeped in through the gaps of his bahay-kubo. The speed by which those pump boats were being dragged filled him with unease.

He grabbed his towel, hurried himself outside and followed the drag marks of fishing nets across the beach. He came across his friend, Dua, who hung his net by the rim of his boat. An infectious feeling of dismay and dread spread from Dua to Tatad as ten gasping tunas flailed in the metal barrel beside the boat.

“That’s all there is today?” asked Tatad, as he leaned down to inspect the measely catch.

“Same as every other day,” Dua replied.

Tatad turned and began walking back to his bahay-kubo.

He tread along the marks made by Dua’s net, observing how shallow they were and with what little effort the net had been dragged by its owner. He recalled how only a mere five years ago, it took three men to haul in the day’s catch—on a particularly unlucky day.

He gathered his gear: a selfwoven fishing net, a rod and line fashioned from a piece of bamboo and spare nylon, and a pair of recycled painting gloves. He slung his net over his shoulder and proceeded to his dingy—a humble, aging vessel, with a dimming coat of blue paint and faint, washed out lettering that read, “San Sebastian.”

He boarded his things onto the boat and stared into a surreal and rapturous sight. The peculiar dichotomy of the ever-eccentric bay—an almost clear azure stretch of coastline nearest the beach was separated from the tumultuous surf and darker hue of the waters beyond the shallows by a mysterious white line—invited his attention as the glare of the incoming afternoon sun gave way to murkier, but friendlier skies.

Pushing his boat into the breaking surf, he paused for a moment, and clutched the necklace around his neck.

“There’s always a mystery

to be had here,” Tatad thought to himself, reflecting on the questions that have kept him up at night on the shores of this relatively unknown Batangas town.

He sacrificed more than his fair share of hours to the mystery of “The Muhin Man”, the true origins of whom captured his intrigue, now more than ever as the bay seemed to be reminiscing alongside him—the bipolar sea, the cloaked sky and even the gulls swarmed above him.

Tatad turned back to the beach and recalled long time ago; a scrawny, almost anorexic elderly man struggling to regain his footing on the beach. Some of the older men helped him to his feet, whereas the younger folk looked on in curiosity. The man slumped to the ground repeatedly, before the folk decided to let him lay there, as he gasped for air and began pointing to the ocean.

“F...Muhin,” he exhaled.

Tatad recalled himself as an impressionable young lad of eight, squeezing himself through a wall of boots and torn shirts to get a closer look. The man exhaled again.

“Fo...Muhin,” he repeated.

“Fon Muhin!” one of the older gentlemen exclaimed, a migrant and Cotabato-born veteran of the sea who stayed in their community for a while then moved away with his family to escape the increasing competition in the area.

He explained that Fon Muhin was the T’boli deity of the sea, a folktale told in the nearby fishing villages of his home province.

“Fon Muhin”, he claimed, “provides to those who benefit from his domain, but should we meet our end in the waves then our souls belong and bow to him.”

The crowd began breaking into incredulous chatter, including a fascinated Tatad.

The old man suddenly began to seize up and he was soon brought to the nearest station.

“They say he gives rewards,” the man continued, “to those who are willing to take a risk and go endure some unpleasant things.”

After the crowd had left, Tatad approached the spot where the man had lain. Pressed against the sand

Shift THERE was nothing alluring about crackling rays that could shift his own apathy toward the old filled with wishful, wistful thinking, inebriated with regret, cramming their desires on the day of terminus.

He hated the room for its tiring stench of recycled vows and cheap theatrics.

He finished his drink but lit again a cigarette, still in the vice grip of flame refusing to be extinguished, yet in transit of extinction, for old habits don’t die easily as years do.

JOSEF BRIAN M. RAMIL

was a necklace made of a piece of fan coral, its pores still fresh and moist, as if freshly plucked from the deep ocean floor. He clutched it in his palm and returned home.

Everytime he ventured out into the waters of the bay as he grew up, Tatad kept it close as his talisman, its bright purple shade still alive and evident, giving him purpose. Now, it was the last trinket of familiarity to him as he paddled on and neared the divide between the shallows and the coast. A plastic float bobbing in the water caught his eye and an incoming gale swept behind him, communicating its own intentions for him.

“Forward,” it seemed to convey. He felt it push against his back and his vessel, synchronizing with the surf as he crouched down, grabbed the side of the boat and tried to steady himself.

He unfurled his net and casting it beside his boat, pulled it back and tossed it again, but with no profit.

He decided to try his luck with his rod, but each time he only reeled in a few bits of dead coral that had grown stale and chalky.

The boat drifted from the calm, clear shallows into the unsettled deep channels, and soon the outline of distant palm trees began to materialize in the distance. Desperate to fill his boat, he fought his way against the current and made his way to the island.

Halfway through, the rocky embankment became visible and Tatad slowed his approach. But the back end of his dingy suddenly began to rise and the flimsy piece of hardwood picked up speed. The watery bulge raised him higher and he saw the black, jagged edges racing ever closer. All at once there was a loud crashing sound, and Tatad felt his ears ring, as the swirling mass overcame him.

He awoke to find his beloved dingy smashed into pieces, and his net torn in the middle against a protruding boulder. His rod was also broken in half, barely long enough to cast a proper line.

His coral necklace, however, was unharmed and maintained its vibrant color, and hung conveniently on a pointed rock.

Star flock SHALL I really believe that a shepherd rules the sky?

Or that stars collect each night into celestial sheep?

As they wind to and fro, my own life unfolds in his star flock.

The newborn lamb, cradled among fellow stars caught in a milky haze, coddles a boastful young ram, refusing to be sheltered─ raising its hooves and showing off its horns.

Another limps one leg, while the last mourns a broken horn as stars lose their luster along its waning coat.

And at last the dawn leaves nothing to be done but ponder a fate sketched in starlight: to depart from everything as dust in a morning gale CEDRIC ALLEN P. STA. CRUZ

As the hours pass, he surveyed the island’s exterior and observed its unimpressive size and features: a light sandbank protected by what looked to him like chunks of obsidianprotecting the palm trees, crop of figs, and small expanse of beach front from the onslaught of the tide. It barely rivalled his modest beach front property─the perimeter around his bahay-kubo and the thirty meter walk to the beach.

He gathered the pieces of driftwood, dried sticks and rocks, and settled on the far end of the beach, facing the direction of San Sebastian.

“Dua will come looking for me,” he thought, remembering how his neighbor always pays a visit at night to check on him or to ask for some fish sauce and rock salt.

The thought seemed to strike his taste buds and he looked around, only to remember his fishing gear was destroyed. He gazed above, expecting coconuts to be hanging high above, but was again disappointed. He twiddled with his necklace for a while, observing its unwaning purple shade, that brightened in the approaching backdrop of dusk. In his periphery, he suddenly saw a starfish crawling along the bank and its sunburned-red skin began to look like a prime cut of beef to an exhausted and starving Tatad.

Tatad walked with trepidation towards his unsuspecting catch, dipped his hand into the water as he felt its almost callous exterior, protecting a thick bumpy underside. He carried it back to the fire he started earlier, and pondered how he could make a meal, or at least a decent snack out of it. He looked around for the thickest stick he could find, and drove it into the middle of the creature, putting it over the fire and watching its points curl up and blacken. Then he turned it over multiple times, making sure every part was evenly presented to the flame. Satisfied with the even coating, he brought up to his mouth and was surprised to discover a burnt smell, halfexpecting a rancid odor. He took a bite, and crumpled his face at the bitter taste.

He struggled to swallow it while tossing the stick aside.

Desperate to rinse the sensation of crushed charcoal out of his mouth, Tatad ran to the nearest edge of the sea, foolishly bent down with the seawater reaching up to his head then took a gulp and spat it out as soon as the saltiness overcame his taste buds. Spitting out as much as he could, Tatad noticed his coral piece brighten as if winking at him as he emerged it from the water. Stunned into

Starfish PAGE 14

12 Special Reports

Editor: Mary Gillan Frances G. Ropero

JANUARY 30, 2016

Lacson flyover project pushes through DESPITE strong opposition from UST officials, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is pushing through with the plan to build a flyover along Lacson Avenue.

Alex Bote, DPWH project manager of the Lacson flyover since 2014, said the start of the construction period was moved to late 2016 due to revisions in the design.

The four-lane flyover, aimed at easing traffic woes in the area, was originally designed to start at Alcantara Street and end near Dapitan Street. The endpoint has been extended three blocks further to Aragon Street.

The structure was also reduced to second-level height from the third level after the Department of Transportation and Communication junked its plan to build a Mass Rapid Transit line, which would have occupied the second-level height at España Boulevard.

The Lacson flyover was proposed in early 2012. It would have been completed in September had construction begun in October 2014.

Road widening began in June 2012 but was suspended in September the same year after UST opposed the project. In May 2013, the flyover project was put on hold to make way for an underpass project at España Boulevard. A month later, the DPWH reverted to its plan to build the flyover, with revisions in the design.

Bote said the flyover’s revised detailed engineering design (DED) would be completed by the second or third quarter of 2016.

The DED is the bridge between the basic engineering design and the construction phase of the project. It includes the structure’s final design, specifications, and estimates, among others.

Bote added that the budget for the flyover would double to P1.6 billion from its original budget of about P800 million because of the extension.

‘Strong reservations’ UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. said in a letter to the Varsitarian dated Jan. 22 that UST “expressed its strong reservations on the construction of the proposed Lacson flyover” in a meeting held June 2014 between the Council of Regents and the DPWH. Fr. Dagohoy listed UST’s concerns raised in the meeting, such as “issues of safety and security; the need for a noise barrier because of its proximity to the hospital, Roque Ruaño and Albertus Magnus buildings; peace and order; access to and from the campus and the overall architectural design of the project.”

Lawrence Pangan, in-house engineer of the UST Facilities Management Office, echoed Fr. Dagohoy’s sentiments and said alternative traffic routes were needed. The DPWH must also reduce noise pollution during construction. “[The DPWH] should have a concrete [plan to protect the campus population],” Pangan said in an interview, adding that noise would remain a concern even when the flyover becomes operational because of vehicle traffic.

Bote said the DPWH had sent engineers to Japan to “adopt up-todate noise barriers” for the flyover.

Alternative traffic routes will be announced once the new DED is completed.

‘Public domain’ The project’s construction phase will also require a five-meter reduction of the Lacson sidewalks, which will result in the removal of the UST Hospital’s Clinical Division ramp.

Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina

said the DPWH should observe the legal process before removing the ramp. UST’s legal right to the ramp depended on whether or not the ramp had encroached on the sidewalk, he said.

College of Architecture Dean John Joseph Fernandez, in a July 2012 article published by the Varsitarian, said the ramp did encroach on public domain, but there would be a “design solution” upon the removal of the ramp.

However, Divina said that unless the ramp was a nuisance per

se, it could not be removed without “judicial intervention.”

“It was built primarily to cater to the needs of its patients who are mostly members of the community,” Divina said. “If DPWH believes that the ramp encroaches on the sidewalk, it should observe the proper and legal way of doing things; otherwise, court injunction will be available to UST as a remedy.” PAUL XAVIER JAEHWA C. BERNARDO and JOHN PAUL P. CORPUZ with reports from MONICA M. HERNANDEZ

Addressing anxiety and depression among youth ANXIETY is common among Thomasians, according to the UST Counseling and Career Center (CCC).

Results of the “depression scale report” of the CCC for Academic Year 2013-2014, the most recent data, yielded an average score of 57.21, which suggested that Thomasians, mostly sophomores, were feeling lethargic, sad and disinterested but that the score was “not enough to warrant a diagnosis for depression.”

The report added that none of the respondent groups got an average score of 60-69, the significant value indicating if depression was present or not.

The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.”

According to Dr. Encarnita Ampil of the UST Hospital Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, anxiety and depression are the two most common psychiatric illnesses with the same biological basis—medication and therapy. “[Anxiety] is a pathological disease because for no reason you suddenly feel symptoms like being uneasy, restlessness, palpitation, butterflies in the stomach, coldness, hotness and difficulty in swallowing,” Ampil said in an interview.

Observable behaviors among students with high scores include exhaustion, habitual disinterest on enjoyable activities, sadness, hopelessness and isolation.

Marissa Nicassio, head guidance counselor of the Faculty of Engineering, said the statistics helped identify depression cases in the University but did

not paint an accurate picture of the Thomasian population.

“There are times when students who consult us only feel confused and not depressed,” Nicassio said.

Chronic anxiety leads to depression UST CCC Director Lucila Bance enumerated the usual causes of anxiety and depression among Thomasians such as parents’ separation, high expectations from parents, conflict within romantic relationships, lack of attention, bullying, loss of possessions, identity crisis and genetics in some cases.

“Counseling may work well for some people, but for

others medical support and therapy may be needed,” Bance said in an interview.

People experiencing anxiety can bounce back more easily to their normal mood or behavior than those who are depressed.

“Depression has no immediate recovery. Most of the time, the person will feel low,” Ampil said.

Dr. Nicole Tangco, resident psychologist of the University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, said five out of the nine criteria in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) must be experienced by an individual for at least two weeks to be considered “clinically depressed.”

The DSM-V is a thorough classification of psychiatric disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association. It categorizes the nine criteria of the major depressive disorder, namely depressed moods, diminished interest or pleasure in activities,

observable weight loss or gain, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation, fatigue, feeling of worthlessness or excessive guilt, indecisiveness or diminished ability to concentrate, and suicidal tendency.

According to the DSM-V, either the first or second criterion—depressed moods and

diminished interest or pleasure in activities—“must always be present” along with the other four conditions for a person to be diagnosed with depression.

In the University, counseling and case management, with its core program “Thomasian Resources for Intensifying Student Empowerment,” provides services such as interviews, counseling and assessment “to facilitate and enhance students’ self-awareness for empowered decision-making,” Nicassio said.

Fighting anxiety Ampil explained the possible solutions to cure anxiety and depression, the most common kinds of mental disorders.

“There is a biological basis where certain neurotransmitter chemicals in our brain control our behavior and the way we think,” Ampil said.

The specific treatments for anxiety include pharmacological agent medications to target abnormal transmitters and provide psychotherapy, depending on the need of the patient.

“A lot of people suffer with depression because of a tumultuous environment. If families have the bond and a positive relationship, a lot of these will not happen,” Ampil added.

Ampil and Tangco agreed that psychosocial support or family involvement was the best cure for anxiety and depression. “[Medication] is useless if the patient will do it alone. But if he feels someone empathizes with him, then he would be able to cope,” Ampil said. JOHN PAUL P. CORPUZ and MONICA M. HERNANDEZ

Editor: Mary Gillan Frances G. Ropero

JANUARY 30, 2016

Special Reports 13

Gordon, de Lima top choices in UST senatorial survey INCUMBENT and former lawmakers dominated the top senatorial picks of Thomasians for the 2016 national elections, a survey conducted by the Varsitarian showed.

Former senator Richard “Dick” Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, emerged as the top contender, with 61 percent of Thomasians saying they would vote for him if the elections were held on the day they were polled. He was followed by former justice secretary Leila de Lima with 57 percent.

Gordon, a former mayor of Olongapo, served as senator from 2004 to 2010. He ran for president in 2010 and senator in 2013, but lost in both elections.

Senate President Franklin Drilon, a key ally of President Benigno Aquino III, placed third with 53 percent while Sen. Ralph Recto, who is running for re-election, landed on the fourth spot with 47 percent.

Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, former senator, presidential assistant for rehabilitation and recovery, and national police chief, ranked fifth with 46 percent.

Other bets in the top 12 were former Akbayan representative Risa Hontiveros (46 percent), Sen.

Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III (46 percent), former senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan (45 percent) and Juan Miguel Zubiri (40 percent), former Manila vice mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (35 percent), Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (27 percent), and boxing legend Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, representative of Sarangani province (18 percent).

Also within striking distance of the top 12 were Sen. Teofisto Guingona III (17 percent) and Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian (15 percent).

UST alumni Joel Villanueva, a former UST basketball player, and Susan Ople got 11 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Villanueva, who headed the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, finished economics at the College of Commerce and Business Administration. Ople, a former labor undersecretary, finished communication arts at the Faculty of Arts and Letters.

The survey, conducted from Oct. 26 to Dec. 10, had 1,366 respondents randomly selected from the University’s faculties and colleges. Respondents were asked to choose not more than 12 senatorial candidates from a list of 54 names. PAUL XAVIER JAEHWA C. BERNARDO, MONICA M. HERNANDEZ and MARY GILLAN FRANCES G. ROPERO

Thomasians want candidates with moral, educational qualifications WHAT do Thomasians look for in a candidate?

A Varsitarian survey has found that most UST students prefer candidates in the May 9 elections who possess moral values and educational qualifications, as well as those who will fight graft and corruption in government.

The survey, conducted in October to December 2015, asked 1,366 respondents randomly selected from the University’s different colleges and faculties to rank six qualities of a candidate based on importance.

Morality was the most important quality of a candidate for 39 percent of Thomasians, followed by education (28 percent), government platform (16 percent), and experience (13 percent). A candidate’s popularity and his or her having “endorsements” came out the lowest with 1 percent each.

Asked to rank which issues they thought were the most important in the coming elections, 40 percent of Thomasians tagged the fight against graft and corruption as top priority.

Economic development followed with 20 percent; peace and order and good public service, 6 percent; poverty reduction, 5 percent; and resolving traffic congestion, 4 percent.

Scholarship grants, the environment, human rights, job opportunities, and the need to provide mass transportation got 3 percent each.

In the same survey, senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were the top choices of Thomasians for president and vice president, respectively. Santiago, who has multiple academic degrees, got 66 percent; followed by former

senator and cabinet secretary Manuel Roxas II of the ruling Liberal Party, 8 percent; and independent candidate Sen. Grace Poe, 5 percent.

Vice President Jejomar Binay of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, who is hounded by graft and corruption allegations involving construction and supply contracts when he was mayor of Makati, was the cellardweller, getting only 3 percent.

Marcos, son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, topped the vice-presidential survey with 29 percent, followed

by Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo with 17 percent, Sen. Francis Escudero with 15 percent, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano with 13 percent, and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV with 4 percent.

Most Thomasians against samesex marriage, divorce Moral issues like the Reproductive Health Law and proposals to legislate “same-sex marriage” and divorce were the No. 1 priority of just 2 percent of Thomasian respondents.

Varsitarian survey results however showed that most Thomasians were against legislating same-sex marriage (47.4 percent) and divorce (50.6 percent).

On same-sex marriage, 31.8 percent of Thomasians were in favor of allowing such unions, while 17.2 percent had no response. On divorce, 31.3 percent were in favor while 10.5 percent had no response.

Meanwhile, 47.8 percent of Thomasians were in favor of reviving the death penalty, while 38.7 percent were against and 13.1 percent had no answer.

Most Thomasians, or 45 percent of survey respondents, were in favor of the Church

taking an active stance on social issues.

No to dynasties Results also showed that 37 percent of Thomasians won’t vote for a candidate with relatives in other elective positions in government, while 24 percent said they would. The rest did not respond.

Being a former citizen of another country was not an issue for 56 percent of Thomasians, an advantage for Senator Poe who was disqualified from the 2016 presidential race by the National Commission on Elections en banc on Dec. 22 over citizenship and residency issues.

Poe however has appealed to the Supreme Court.

Thomasians were also in favor of women holding the highest and second highest positions in the government, at 66 percent and 58 percent of respondents, respectively.

Senators Santiago and Poe are the two women bets for president, while Congresswoman Robredo is the lone woman candidate for vice president.

The Varsitarian survey took place from Oct. 26 to Dec. 10, with 1,366 respondents randomly selected through a sampling method that involved stratified clusters. PAUL XAVIER JAEHWA C. BERNARDO, MONICA M. HERNANDEZ, and MARY GILLAN FRANCES G. ROPERO

14 Limelight

Art Director: Ava Mariangela C. Victoria

JANUARY 30, 2016

BUHAY USTEDYANTE BY CHINNY MAE F. BASINAG

BEN N’ VIDES BY KIRSTEN M. JAMILLA

USTIPS BY FREYA D.L.R. TORRES

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FROM PAGE 15 perennial champions Adamson University in the finals.

Star pitcher Anne Antolihao and seasoned Kristine Lacupa will be among the players to count on for the Tiger Softbelles as they look to have a more consistent play especially against La Salle and NU. “Marami pang kailangan i-perfect sa practice dahil marami kaming scenario na nag-fail kami,” said Softbelles head coach Sandy Barredo.

Tiger Woodpushers Last year: Third place Prediction: Second place Tiger Woodpushers head coach Ronald Dableo believes maturity and experience would be his wards’ deadliest weapons this

season to bring back the chess championship they last clinched in Season 75. “’Yung men’s team natin matibay naman. Kung by strength ang titignan, masasabi ko na pumapangalawa tayo.

Kumbaga sa man-to-man assessment nangunguna ang NU at pumapangalawa tayo,” Dableo said.

Despite the departure of last season’s captain Steven Dacanay, Christian Anthony Flores is confident to step up alongside veteran and Season 75 MVP Timothy Jon So Kua. “Tingin ko kaya namin ‘yung first or second. Pipilitin namin na kami (So Kua) ang magbubuhat ng team. Tingin ko kaya namin tapatan ‘yung mga team, kaya namin manalo,” captain Flores said.

Lady Woodpushers Last year: Fifth place Prediction: Third place

The Lady Woodpushers are now capable of bringing UST to a higher place in the league standings after a drastic fifth place finish last Season.

“As of now well prepared na kami this coming UAAP. [Basta] gagawin ko talaga mai-prove ‘yung standing namin last year.

Pero pipilitin ko, gagawin namin lahat ng magagawa namin para mas maganda ‘yung maipakita [this season],” head coach Ronald Dableo said.

With Michelle Yaon assigned to sync the squad’s tempo together with sophomore Cyamir Villanueva, the Lady Woodpushers quest of placing a better finish this Season 78 is within the reach.

Defending champions FEU and La Salle are standing in the way of the Lady Woodpushers from nabbing the crown they last held eight years ago.

Tiger Tracksters

Last Year: Third place Prediction: Second place After a podium finish last year amid having a handicapped team due to players being out because of their academic deficiencies, the Tiger Tracksters are primed to reach greater heights with a more experienced roster.

Season 76 gold medalists Lambert Padua, James Borres and Gregg Osorio will beef up the Tracksters lineup in a bid to dethrone champions Far Eastern University.

“Malakas pa din ang FEU, solid pa din ang lineup nila from last year pero we keep coming up. Mahihirapan [makuha ang title] pero at least second place [ang expected],” Tracksters head coach Manny Calipes said.

Olympic Games hopeful Ernest James Obiena would likely play only one event (pole vault) and leave midway through the season for the 7th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships with hopes of qualifying for

Editorial

Equalizer FROM PAGE 4

MULA SA PAHINA 6

offerings that remain true to classic liberal education while also taking consideration developments in the natural and social sciences.

In any case, UST mirrors the richness of Philippine history: the founders of the Philippine nation and republic came from its portals.

Even before that, Dominican thinkers who acquired their degrees from UST became world-class philosophers and theologians, becoming cardinals and prelates and key advisers to popes and potentates.

Dominican achievements have been far and wide, but for now let’s express thanksgiving at the peculiar Dominican achievement of having founded and sustained UST, the cradle of higher education in Asia.

aspects of “ideological colonization” that Pope Francis has been warning Filipino Catholics about, recognizing it as one of the threats to the sanctity of a family. But the Holy Father likewise assures forgiveness for those who have committed such a grave sin.

Thus, Pope Francis has authorized the clergy to absolve the sin of abortion to those who will repent through the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the Year of Mercy.

All of these actions to strengthen the spiritual ties of family are backed by the declaration of the Year of the Eucharist and Family, which stresses the family’s duty to be missionary disciples of the Eucharist.

The 51st IEC is likewise a strong call for Filipinos to make the Holy Mass an occasion for family unity and for mercy for those who may have committed mistakes against life and family.

social media.

Sa gitna ng lahat ng ito, nakatayo si Ernesto. Hindi nagsasalita, hindi umiimik.

“Ganito ba ako? Tulad nila?” usisa niya sa sarili. “Hindi naman ‘ di ba? Hindi ako katulad nila!”

Muling umihip nang malakas ang hangin. Nahulog ang mga telepono mula sa kalangitan.

Kumawala sa pagkakayakap ang mga lalaking yakap-yakap ang mga poste. Nagtakbuhan. Nagkatulakan.

Tumingala si Ernesto. Sa aktong pagtingala niya, mabilis na nahulog ang isang telepono sa kaniyang mukha.

“Ugh.” Nakaramdam ng pangangalay sa mukha si Ernesto.

Nakatulugan niya ang pagpeFacebook kagabi, kaya’t sa mukha niya nahimlay ang kaniyang telepono. Saktong pumasok ang nars upang palitan ang laman ng

suwero.

“Good morning, sir. Lumabas po pala ‘yung mama ninyo para bumili raw ng almusal.”

Binuksan ni Ernesto ang Facebook niya. Mayroon siyang dalawampu’t tatlong notipikasiyon at mangilan-ngilang mensahe.

Karamihan nagsasaad ng “like” sa kaniyang huling retratong pinaskil tungkol sa bagong biling asul na kotse limang araw na ang nakararaan. Sunod niyang pinindot ang mga mensahe. Ang isa mula sa kaklaseng, si Pete: “Pre, hinahanap ka na ni Ma’am Ethics, ma-FA (failure due to absences) ka na raw sa klase.”

Mayroon ding mensahe si Estrella. “‘Yung kotse, huwag mo munang isipin. Insurance na bahala sa pagkakabangga noon. Pasensiya ka na hindi ako makauwi, alam mo naman dito sa Singapore.”

May sumulpot na chatbox.

“Pre! Nakalabas ka na?” Kay Pete ang chatbox.

Vesuvius

attention.

It is ironic and embarrassing to think that foreign nationals and international organizations like French organizations d’Aboville Foundation and Noé Conservation are the ones leading the pack when it comes to preserving the country’s natural endowments. While the men upstairs are busy giving permits to profiteering developers to build the next posh resort or shopping mall, other small-time tourism enthusiasts and stakeholders are working themselves to the bone trying to get support for natural attractions that are underrated but a breath of fresh air for the tourism industry.

Alinaga

Booters

ng mas malaking buwis ayon sa mataas na bracket na kanila nang kinabibilangan.

Kung talagang nagmamalasakit ang Pangulo sa kapakanan ng sambayanan, hindi hadlang ang kadahilanang maikli na lang na panahon ang natitira sa kaniyang termino. Bago niya hikayatin ang mga kapitalista na dumayo at mamuhunan sa bansa, unahin muna sana ng Pangulo na himukin ang ating mga kababayan na manatili dito.

would complement the others’ veteran approach.

“Nag-iiba [yung laro] kasi pagdating ng senior players, may leadership na [at] may nagdidikta na ng laro. Kasi yung mga bata nakatingin sa kanila so naga-guide nila ngayon,” he said.

Allado is hoping this squad won’t be sadded by injuries this time. Last year, UST lost Steven Anotado, who was among the league’s Top 3 scorers, to injury.

FROM PAGE 4

FROM PAGE 4

municipality of Sagada.

Camping out in Mt. Kiltepan will have you a front-row seat to a cinematic sunrise. For the history buffs, Bohol offers a wide selection of old churches dating back to the Spanish colonization period.

If only there are more efforts in marketing these pristine places in the Philippines, then perhaps ecological concerns and climate change threats won’t be as bad and we will not have to depend on sky-rise hotels to gain

Paragila

MULA SA PAHINA 5

FROM PAGE 16

the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Lady Tracksters Last Year: Champion Prediction: Champion Calipes sees a title repeat for the Lady Tracksters after losing only two members from their solid championship lineup while adding national record holders to the team.

Philippine junior record holders Karen Janario (100 m hurdles) and Emily Jean Obiena (pole vault) together with co-recruits Luz Delfin and Feiza Lenton will fill the void left by multi-event medalists Jila dela Rosa and Chairy Palermo who both exhausted their playing years.

Last summer, the Female Tracksters contributed to the Tiger Tracksters’impressive 54-medal haul, including 29 golds in the Luzon leg of the Philippine National Games.

“Sa women’s, all events malakas tayo,” Calipes said. SPORTS TEAM

Starfish

FROM PAGE 11

disbelief, he clumsily stood up and noticed silvery streaks and yellowish, hooked-shaped fins slice their way through the current—the calling card of large fish swimming swiftly and tightly in a school. He was suddenly forced to squint as a light shone directly in his face, and heard the humming of a motorboat, relieved that it was Dua along with some people from the barangay station.

“You got all of us worried with this new quest of yours,” Dua yelled with a grin.

“I found something else,” Tatad whispered to himself, pointing to the streaks that vanished back into the depths as they all turned.

Tatad boarded the boat and quickly asked for a bottle of water, clutching his talisman and eagerly looking back into the calm, collected blanket of ocean.

“Every UAAP [season], ‘di kami nagpe-predict nasecond or third so every year [ang] purpose namin is to win the trophy para ‘yung players masanay na ‘yun ‘yung purpose [at] target namin,” he said.

Returning player Kue also pointed out the immediate impact of the veterans’ return and expressed his optimism for the incoming season.

“Sa akin lang, senior kami lahat, maguide sana namin mga bata last season.

Ngayong season, na nagbabalik kami, I think kayang kaya mag-champion,” he said. PHILIP MARTIN L. MATEL and RANDELL ANGELO B. RITUMALTA

Acting Editor: Delfin Ray M. Dioquino

Sports 15

JANUARY 30, 2016

Laure hailed as new Tigresses captain

By JOHN CHESTER P. FAJARDO

SOPHOMORE EJ Laure’s captaincy proved to be the positive change the Golden Tigresses needed.

Laure was hailed as captain as senior Carmela Tunay “struggled” when she temporarily held the position after captain Pam Lastimosa went out with a season-ending injury last December.

“Noong binigay siya kay EJ, para kong nabunutan ng tinik. Masyado kong inisip na kailangan kong madala ‘yung team. I was pressuring myself,” Tunay said.

Tunay downplayed ideas of a rift between her and Laure and even lauded the younger Tigresses for her leadership on and off the court.

“She knows what to say and when to say it,” added Tunay.

While Laure is captain on paper, the seniors still have the voice on the team, head coach Emilio Reyes noted.

The reigning Rookie of the Year’s

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FROM PAGE 16 Season 74. Veterans Hazel Lustan, Jennizel Cabalan and rookie Charisa Lemoran are also expected to deliver for the team.

Tiger Fencers Last Year: Second Place Prediction: Second Place The Tiger Fencers are looking to bounce back to finally end a threeyear title drought.

Head coach Champ Fuenzalida said that his wards have what it takes to upset the defending champions.

“Walang nadagdag na player, strategy, wala. Nagkakatalo lang ‘yung tiwala nila sa isa’t isa,” Fuenzalida said.

The team has no key additions but the squad remains an intact force with all players from Season 77 returning led by team captain

appointment as captain played a pivotal moment in building the Tigresses’ communication with a democratic set-up where decisions “meet halfway” rather than executing from the top position only.

The move will also give extra drive to the young players and prepare them for the future while taking pressure off the seniors, according to Reyes.

In a separate interview, Laure said the position gave her more confidence in playing.

“Mas naging comfortable akong gumalaw at magsalita sa court. Mas naging vocal ako,” Laure told the Varsitarian.

In the 12th Shakey’s V-League awards, Laure came second for the Best Outside Hitter Award behind former junior Golden Tigress and Ateneo De Manila University Lady Eagle Alyssa Valdez.

In the same stint, Laure led the Tigresses with an average of 13.6 points per game.

Noelito Jose.

Their experience from their consistent finals appearances will pay dividends for the team’s success, Fuenzalida added.

Lady Fencers Last Year: Second Place Prediction: Second Place The Lady Fencers have the same chances of winning the overall fencing plum like their male counterparts as they look to upset the Lady Warriors which is comprised mostly of national team mainstays.

According to Fuenzalida, the team will strongly rely on the play of team captain Maylene Pailma, Kim Camahalan and rookie Ashley Espiritu, a gold medalist from last year’s Philippine National Games.

The tactician rues the more experienced lineup of the Lady Warriors noting that almost all are proficient in all three weapons— sabre, epee and foil.

“Sila nakakapag-international, pero ‘yung mga player, hanggang

In spite of being just a sophomore, EJ Laure was appointed team captain of the Golden Tigresses which is trying to come back to the Final Four for the first time since 2012.

ALVIN JOSEPH KASIBAN

dito lang. Kung meron mang masalihan, hindi kami nakakasali sa ganoong kalakasang tournament.”

The Lady Fencers will try to end the Lady Warriors title reign which held the championship for the last eight years.

Tiger Spikers Last Year: Third place Prediction: Final Four Tiger Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon remains confident that his wards can compete among UAAP’s elite despite the departure of former MVP Mark Gil Alfafara and former team captain Romnick Rico.

National Collegiate Athletics Association juniors’ MVP Jomaru Amagan is one of the key additions alongside co-rookie Manuel Andre Medina and transferees Tyrone Carodan and Jayvee Sumagaysay. “[Dahil] sa addition ng mga bago mas naging competitive ‘yung team. We don’t rely on Thirdy Alfafara or Romnick [Rico] to score

points or lead the team,” Mamon said.

Team captain Paul Castillo and Jason Sarabia will also be vital in their campaign.

Golden Tigresses Last year: Fifth place Prediction: Final Four The Golden Tigresses will try to bounce back with a new captain, a key returnee and six new faces.

Despite the departure of ace libero Dancel Dusaran and the absence of long-time skipper Pamela Lastimosa due to a knee injury, the Golden Tigresses will lean on new captain EJ Laure and the veterans Carmela Tunay, Ria Meneses, Jessey De Leon, Alex Cabanos and returnee Ingrid Reyes.

“Magstart tayo sa Final Four pero ang tinatarget ko ay Finals.

Automatic na pag nag-aim ako ng Finals, gusto ko pumasok sa Final Four. Kaya kami nandito to compete, kaya kami sasali to compete. Finals ang minimithi ko,” Emilio “Kung

Fu” Reyes said.

Season 77 beach volleyball Rookie of the Year Rica Jane Rivera and former Junior Golden Tigresses Alyssa Teope and Tin Francisco will add youth in the veteran squad.

Golden Sox Last year: Fourth place Prediction: Finals Captain Arvin John Plaza may have exhausted his playing years, but the Golden Sox could still win the championship with a more cohesive squad.

“May reinforcements tayo na magagaling and nag-step up na ‘yung mga old players. ‘Yung mga pitchers nag improve na sila. May mga play tayo na nakukuha naman nila, may mga game plan tayo na nakukuha nila. Hopefully during the actual game ma-i-deliver. Masasabi ko na ‘yung team natin ay may laban,” coach Jeffrey Santiago said.

With Arcel Aligno anchoring the team alongside stalwartsAndrew Mercado, Christian Kimferlee

Lopez and Kirk Daquis, the Golden Sox has a chance to challenge league powerhouses Ateneo, La Salle University and UP. Also, rookies Elijah Pagkaliwanagan, Jackson Acuna and Julius Diaz are expected to provide extra firepower this coming Season 78.

Tiger Softbelles Last year: Third place Prediction: Third place After a big comeback last year to salvage UST’s general championship bid with a third place finish, the Tiger Softbelles are primed to go to the last dance with the same core of players.

Powered by the gold medal performance in last year’s South East Asian Games in Singapore as part of the national team, Celestine Palma and Cristy Joy Roa will bolster the team’s chances of getting past last year’s finalists UP to meet

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Fencing: Pailma’s perfect escape Former NCAA juniors MVP joins Tiger Spikers

By CARLO A. CASINGCASING FOR CURRENT women’s fencing team captain Maylene Pailma, it was all about practicality.

Pailma started her fencing career back in her senior year in the UST Education High School when she was persuaded by her classmates to try out for the team in exchange for an exemption in the Civilian Army Training and Physical Education classes.

After a difficult year spent in the junior fencing team, Pailma never thought of extending the struggle to the collegiate level. But the opportunity to study and acquire a full scholarship made her reconsider playing fencing one more time.

“Kahit naman noong high school pa, mas na love at first sight ako sa benefits na ini-offer nila kaysa sa sport,” the third-year Legal Management student told the Varsitarian.

Despite difficulties and time management issues, the Ilocos Norte

Pailma

native asserted that loving a certain sport is possible especially if one owes something worth paying back.

“Natutunan kong mahalin ang fencing mga second year college na. As the time went by, parang sabi ko dapat may kapalit naman yung binibigay ng UST kaya nagpursigi ako. Dapat worth it ‘yung binibigay sa akin ng UST,” Pailma said.

Pailma’s hardships all paid off as she turned to be the prime sabre fencer of the squad and was given the privilege to lead the women’s fencing team in the upcoming Season 78.

The fourth-year fencer saw action in various international fencing events including the Singapore Opens Fencing International in 2014 and South East Asia Pacific Fencing Championship in December 2015 where she bagged a silver and a bronze medal, respectively, against foreign Asian contenders in the individual division.

According to sabre coach Ricardo Fuenzalida, the 20-year-old has the experience to keep the team composed and to finally snatch the gold medal in the individual sabre division.

“Siya na ‘yung pinaka matanda sa team and siya na ‘yung pinaka-matured sa team. Kaya niya na i-handle ‘yung team. And sa experience, mayroon naman na siyang experience,” Fuenzalida said.

Pailma is positive she can bag the gold medal in the coming season after outshining reigning UAAP women’s individual sabre champion Alaine Cortey and perennial contenders Shaira Lanon (FEU) and Justine Joseph (Ateneo), to clinch first place in the Caliraya Fencing Invitational in Laguna.

“Kinakakatakutakan ko siya (Cortey) everytime na may competition kasi siya ‘yung lagi kong nakakaharap and at the end siya ‘yung nananalo. Sobrang nakakaproud na bago magUAAP, natalo ko na siya. It means na nagi-improve ako. Lumakas ‘yung loob ko na sa UAAP kaya ko siya ulit talunin,” Pailma said.

As the newly assigned captain of the squad, Pailma focuses on the team’s cohesiveness and drive to excel rather than her personal goals.

“Maganda kasi pag sabay sabay kayong umaangat at walang iwanan. Kung anong meron ako, dapat meron din sila. Mas masarap kasi sa feeling kapag nakikita kong satisfied at masaya sila,” Pailma said.

By LEIF ARILD F. SYKIOCCO THE UST Tiger Spikers may have lost a valuable gem in former UAAP Most Valuable Player Mark Alfafara but found a diamond in the rough in rookie Jomaru Amagan.

Amagan will be a key addition to the Tiger Spikers who have not tasted the championship since Season 74 as they look to dethrone defending champions Ateneo de Manila University.

The Imus native turned heads during his first and last stint in the National Collegiate Athletic Association donning the colors of Lyceum of the Philippines University Junior Pirates. He bagged four individual awards—Best Scorer, Best Server, Rookie of the Year and the MVP plum.

Schools and universities tousled to get his services in the collegiate ranks but for Amagan, it was a no-brainer on where he wanted to continue his volleyball career.

“Choice ko na talaga ang UST. Third year high school pa lang ako, gusto ko na talaga maglaro para sa UST.” Amagan told the Va r s i t a r i a n .

“Nag-training ako sa La Salle and sa Ateneo. Okay naman sila, pero mas masaya talaga ako sa UST pati yung program ko kasi (Electrical Engineering)”

Amagan said the appointment of Odjie Mamon as the Tiger Spiker’s head coach was also one of the reason why he chose UST. “Ang dami ko natututunan kay coach, lalo na sa mga drills. First time ko lang na-experience ‘yung mga ganun,” he said.

Before suiting up for the Tiger Spikers, the 18-year-old stalwart was once a frequent competitor in various leagues including the Southern

Tagalog CALABARZON Athletic Association and the Palarong Pambansa in his third year in high school.

Amagan started at a young age of five under the tutelage of his father Marwin Amagan, a member of the Philippine volleyball team during the 90s. He added he wants to follow his father’s footsteps and represent the country someday.

After seeing the young spiker’s potential, UST beach volleyball coach Emil Lontoc invited Amagan to play for Lyceum. After being appointed team captain amid being a rookie, Amagan steered the Junior Pirates into its first finals appearance in school history but was swept by the University of Perpetual Help Junior Atlas in their finals series.

Amagan will wear the No. 4 jersey once wore by former Tiger Spiker stalwarts Alfafara and Henry Pecana but he said he does not mind the pressure and will work hard to be at par with his predecessors.

“Gagawin po namin ‘yung best n a m i n para ibalik ang korona sa Espanya. ‘Yung championship, kayang kaya.”

Amagan

Sports

JANUARY 30, 2016

Keeping the lead for the overall crown

THOUGH leading the pack at the end of the first semester, UST cannot afford to slow down since it’s ahead La Salle by just two points in the race for the overall title. That means UST has to dominate the second semester events.

Philippines (UP).

“May chance na mag-champion [and] nandoon lang naman ‘yung target na 1 and 2. [Pero] depende [pa rin] sa execution at performance ng players,” Diego said.

Male Tennisters Last year: Second Place Prediction: Finals Despite the graduation of last season’s team captain Bernanlou Bering, the Male Tennisters are poised for another title shot this season.

Rookies Dave Masqueda, Clarence Cabahog and Christian Lopez will bolster this year’s lineup, while veteran Al Francis Potutan is expected to lead the team as the new captain.

Head coach Alexander Diego said the team focused on conditioning, skill sets and footwork.

Diego also cited the National University (NU) Bulldogs as their toughest opponent along with University of the East (UE) and University of the

Female Tennisters Last year: Second Place Prediction: Finals The relatively intact Female Tennisters will look to reclaim the crown after succumbing to NU last season.

The team will parade rookies Erika Manduriao and Precian Eve Rivera and will be spearheaded by new team captain Macy Gonzales.

“Target ng team is champion or runner up. NU is still the team to beat since intact pa players nila and sila [ang] defending champion,” head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz said.

Defending champion NU is still the team to beat along with De La Salle University (DLSU),

which has two prized rookies and a national player.

Golden Booters Last year: Sixth Place Prediction: Final Four With the return of veterans Darryl Regala, Fidel Kue, Ronald Batisla-Ong and Christian Bronda who all missed Season 77 due to academic deficiencies, the revitalized Golden Booters are looking to return to Final Four contention after a forgettable stint last year.

Key additions Rainer Dosano, Cristian Valderrama, Yanson Abraham and Ian De Castro will also see action for the Golden Booters after serving the residency rule.

“Kaya natin mag-Final Four kasi malaking factor ‘yung pagbalik ng senior players natin.

‘Yun ‘yung kulang natin last year e, nadala tayo sa experience ng ibang teams,” assistant coach Carlos Santiago told the Varsitarian.

Defending champion Far Eastern University

(FEU), UP and Ateneo de Manila University remain a threat to the team this season.

Lady Booters Last year: Fifth place Prediction: Third place After finishing as cellar dwellers last season, the Lady Booters went on a major revamp—resulting in a change in the head coaching job and players shifting to different positions.

“Na-reshuffle kami ng positions and nag-set ng bagong sistema sa laro and maganda naman ‘yung pinapakita ng team,” head coach Prescila Rubio said.

The Lady Booters showed improvement in the pre-season when they placed fourth in the 2015 Philippine Football Federation Women’s Cup but the team has to be at par with elite squads UP and FEU. Team captain Chanda Solite will lead the Lady Booters which last held the championship in

Crown PAGE 15

Tigers coach not suspended, but under probe—UST official Four veterans back in lineup for Golden Booters BONG dela Cruz remains as head coach of the UST Growling Tigers for now, but has been asked to stay out of team practices, the University’s top athletics official said.

Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P., director of the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA), declined to say what dela Cruz, who steered the Tigers to a UAAP finals appearance, was being investigated for.

De Sagon said he did not want to disclose details of an ongoing inquiry, because the coach might be prematurely or unfairly judged, especially on social media.

Dela Cruz’s contract runs until April.

“I cannot call it a preventive suspension because we have not suspended him,” De Sagon told the Varsitarian.

“What I am saying is that he cannot handle the practices until we have made a decision.”

De Sagon sought to downplay the investigation, saying it’s “about our basketball program in reference to the University’s policies.”

As a policy, De Sagon said the school administration acts on complaints and investigates.

“When there is an investigation, the usual thing is that they will not [perform their duties],” he said.

De Sagon confirmed that the Tigers resumed training without dela Cruz on the bench. He said the team “cannot afford to miss training, otherwise they will end up out of shape.”

Alleged maltreatment Four sources, who all requested not to be named, have come forward to claim that rookie members of the UST Growling Tigers had been subjected to verbal and

physical abuse under dela Cruz.

The sources, including two former players who have left the team, claimed dela Cruz hit and threw expletives at players during practices and games.

The Varsitarian tried repeatedly to reach dela Cruz by phone, but the former Tiger cub did not answer or return calls or messages.

The first source claimed the abuses started even before the UAAP season began, and that a person close to the team reported the matter to higher-ups. Top UST officials were sympathetic to the players, the source said.

The first source did not complain immediately, thinking the coach would change his ways. “Hindi ako naninira. Kung naninira lang ako sana noong summer pa lang nagsumbong na ako. Baka kasi mabigyan pa ng chance, kawawa naman mga players,” the source told the Varsitarian.

But the source said many team members were hoping the tactician would not return given the way he handled the team. “Sabi under investigation pa, pero hinihintay na lang ang desisyon ni Father Rector.

Pero most probably wala na talaga `yun. Grabe siya magmura, grabe siya magalit, `yung iba sinusuntok niya, `yung iba sinisiko niya sa mukha,” the source said in a phone interview.

The second source, a parent of a Tiger, said her son had also been physically and verbally abused, but they decided not to file a complaint and just “leave it all to God.” “He would be hit by a basketball. At one time when he’s just gone back to training after clearance from the doctor, he was hit by the knee of a teammate so he was hurt. At that time he was supposed to give

help to a [teammate] but since he was hurt he wasn’t able to help... he was punished by letting him go up and down the [Quadricentennial] Pavilion for 30 minutes,” the parent said.

The parent also said that at halftime in one game, her son was taken to task for “last-minute, ill-advised shots,” claiming only more senior players were allowed to score.

Two former Tigers who had left the team in disgust confirmed the allegations. “I will say my piece when I am summoned by the school but all I can say is it’s true,” one of them said, referring to the physical and verbal abuses.

The second of the two former players said he wasn’t given medical attention upon dela Cruz’ instruction, after he injured his right knee in a game last year.

The first source belied reports (not by the Varsitarian) that the entire team had been disbanded.

“Sa coach lang `yun,” the source said.

Contrary to the team image cultivated by dela Cruz, the Tigers were not really a “family,” the source said, claiming that more senior team members were not punished for mistakes, and even given special treatment.

“Lagi niyang sinasabi, family tayo, family ganun. Tapos sabi niya ganun talaga sa family `pag may anak ka pinapalo mo, para hindi na niya gagawin. Ganun ginagawa niya [sa players]: pinapalo niya, sinasaktan, ganun,” the source said.

“Actually `di naman talaga family [yung Tigers] ‘e. `Yung family lang sila lang ng mga beterano at saka siya.” SPORTS TEAM

FOUR Golden Booters are set to return to this year’s lineup with hopes of steering the team back to the Final Four.

Veterans Ronald Batisla-Ong, Fidel Kue, Darryl Regala and Christian Bronda were unable to play last season due to academic deficiencies.

That was when the Golden Booters crashed to sixth place, their worst finish in UAAP history.

Coach Marjo Allado said defense was a problem last year, owing to a young lineup.

“Medyo butas [‘yung depensa last year],” Allado told the Varsitarian. “Then sa scoring mataas naman yung percentage namin although madali lang sa kalaban na makagoal against sa amin.”

With an inexperienced lineup last season, mostly players from Team B or recruits from the Thomasian Goodwill Games, the coaching staff focused on motivating the players since they were still adjusting to UAAP play.

Allado has high hopes for his younger players, citing their relentless approach to the game. He said this characteristic

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