The Varsitarian P.Y. 2014-2015 Issue 07

Volume LXXXVI, No. 7 • March 7, 2015 THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSIT Y OF SANTO TOMAS Manila, Philippines

HOMECOMING. Surviving American internees of the Santo Tomas Internment Camp during the Second World War open the exhibit of the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences marking the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Manila. Welcoming them back to UST were Vice Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. and Museum Director Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P.

SHERWIN MARION T. VARDELEON

Tuition increase proposed, opposed

Thomasians land in Top 10 of board exams

THE UNIVERSITY again dominated recent licensure examinations for physicians, architects, physical and occupational therapists, and certification examinations for industrial engineers, with Thomasians landing the top 10 lists.

UST recorded a 95-percent passing rate in the February 2015 off-season physician licensure examinations, and saw two Thomasians entering the top 10.

Out of 20 examinees, 19 Thomasians passed. The passing rate was higher than last year’s 83.33-percent or 15 passers out of 18 examinees.

Alrick Anthony Gonzalez headed the new batch of Thomasian physicians after

Boards PAGE 3

SC ruling junking P26M union claim now final THE SUPREME Court has denied the UST Faculty Union's (USTFU) motion to reconsider a ruling junking a claim for P26 million in hospitalization and medical benefits, terminating the case against the University.

In a decision dated Oct. 22, the court denied the motion "with finality," saying there was no “substantial argument” presented to merit a reconsideration.

“The Court resolves to deny the motion with finality, the basic issues raised therein having been duly considered and passed upon by the Court in the aforesaid decision and no substantial argument

Motion PAGE 10

5% to 8% hike would be highest since 2008

By DAYANARA T. CUDAL

Vice Rector for Finance Fr. Manuel Roux, O.P. (left) and Director for Finance Isidora Lee (right) represented the administration during the "conversation" between student leaders and school officials about the proposed tuition increase. BASILIO H. SEPE

UST leads way in barcoding of PH medicinal plants UST IS now one step closer to fulfilling its dream of digitally preserving the Philippines’ rich plant biodiversity.

Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, director of the Graduate Studies, and his team is about to release an online database documenting various plant species found in the country this year.

The project, named the “DNA Barcoding for Authentication of Philippine Medicinal Plants,” is a four-year project that aims to create an online database and a medicinal guidebook for flora found in the Philippines with the help of DNA barcoding.

Along with Alejandro are project staffers Jason Chavez of the Far Eastern University, Axel Arolla of the University of the East, Rosario Rubite of the University of the PhilippinesManila and Danilo Gundan of the Philippine National Herbarium.

His research assistants are

Vincent Cabelin, Hao Wei Hsu, Jay Edneil Olivar, and Propa Joy Santor.

Funded by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology, the project helped place the University as the Center for DNA Plant Barcoding in the Philippines.

Answer to adulteration Alejandro recalled conceptualizing the four-year project last 2012 due to the country’s plant biodiversity.

The project is expected to end next year with the release of an online database and an updated medicinal guidebook.

“We have a very rich folkloric culture, especially when it comes to herbal medicine,” he said. “Aside from prescription medicine, we also rely a lot on herbal plants.”

The World Health Organization said that 80 percent

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of people around the world rely on herbal medicine. However, the adulteration of medicinal plants pose threats to the health of recipients.

Adulteration is the substitution of effective medicinal plants to its similarlooking counterparts. Alejandro explained that just because two plants look alike does not mean their medicinal properties are the same.

“With the help of DNA barcoding, we can avoid health concerns like this,” he said. “A database and a guidebook could help experts and students alike not just with research but with their health as well.”

A genetic supermarket DNA barcoding relies on identifying DNA markers or unique segments of a species’ DNA to separate them apart, like how a barcode differentiates

THE CENTRAL Student Council (CSC) and the Central Board of students have rejected the administration’s proposed five- to eightpercent tuition increase during a consultation last Feb. 20.

Civil Law Student Council President and Central Board Speaker Victor Villanueva vowed to prevent the implementation of the proposed tuition increase, which he said was unjustifiable.

“Our objections will not end today. If the administration pushes through with the proposed increases, which we think are largely unjustified, we will continue to assert our objections,” he said.

Villanueva said thousands of Thomasians had expressed their dismay regarding the proposed tuition hike, particularly on social media site Twitter by using the hashtag "#AyokongMagmahal," which became a top trending topic in the Philippines last Feb. 19.

“It is in the best interest of the students that the University continues its operations [but] we assert that the University can continue to maintain its operations with the present rate of tuition,” Villanueva said.

The proposed increases for academic year 2015-2016 amount to P67 per unit for first-year students, P100 per unit for second-year students, P101 per unit for third-year students, and P64 per unit for fourth- and fifth-year students.

According to Christine Nicolas, officer-incharge of the Office of the Internal Auditor, P47 out of the P67 increase for first-year students would go to the salaries and benefits of University personnel.

Nicolas recalled that during the academic year 2013-2014, tuition collected were distributed as follows: 17 percent for salaries and benefits, 12 percent for improvements, 3 percent for maintenance, 2 percent for supplies and equipment, and 13 percent for other operating expenses.

For the incoming academic year, Nicolas said miscellaneous expenses for the College of Nursing, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, and Faculty of Pharmacy will increase by 50 percent.

For all other colleges, the increase is 30 percent.

Renovations done in the University this academic year, such as lecture room conversions, upgrading of offices and comfort rooms, and installation of closed-circuit television cameras around the campus are some of the administration’s justifications for the proposed fee increases for the next academic year.

On Feb. 26, student council presidents from

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Tuition PAGE 10

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2 News

The Varsitarian MARCH 7, 2015

Editor: Lord Bien G. Lelay

Working group to draft Magna Carta of Students Accreditation denied to CSC ruling party

By ROBERTO A. VERGARA, JR. and JEROME P. VILLANUEVA WHILE the University has yet to adopt its own Students’ Code, lawmakers in the national government are working to pass a bill that will serve as the Magna Carta of Students.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, a proponent of the students’ rights bill, said “intense lobbying” of schools hindered its passage for almost 15 years in Congress.

“Hopefully, within the next two to three weeks, magkakaroon na po ng technical group meeting [para] mapag-uusapan po in detail ang bawat provision,” Ridon said in an interview.

Ridon, however, clarified that the passage of the bill still depended on the entire Congress.

“It’s hard to put the date of the approval of the bill kasi it will be the house majority that will [decide whether to] pass the bill [or not],” Ridon explained.

Former Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman will serve as chairman of the technical working group, which will be composed of representatives from the Commission on Higher Education and the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture. Ridon and Akbayan party-list Rep. Ibarra Guiterrez III will serve as co-chairpersons.

Several house bills (HB) that tackle students’ rights and welfare, namely HB 1098

by Ridon, HB 2870 by representatives Diosdado Arroyo and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and HB 4435 by Guiterrez and Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello, will be consolidated by the technical working group into one Magna Carta for Students.

Moratorium on school fee hike Sarah Elago, National Union of Students of the Philippines president, also said during the meeting last Feb. 13 that the government should guarantee the right of every citizen to quality and accessible education by imposing a threeyear moratorium on all school fee increases.

“Education should not be treated as a commodity but as a public good and public responsibility, as it is necessary for the general welfare of our society,” Elago said.

She called on the government to address problems in the education sector and issue guidelines on school fee increases.

But according to Joseph Noel Estrada of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (Cocopea), imposing a moratorium would result in the loss of the equivalent to Magna Carta PAGE 5

UST places 7th in Shell Eco Marathon Asia THE UST Eco-Tigers placed seventh overall in the gasoline prototype category of the 2015 Shell Eco-Marathon (SEM) Asia held at Rizal Park from Feb. 25 to March 2.

The University’s team of mechanical engineering students again set the longest mileage of 137 kilometers per liter (km/L) among Philippine schools with the vehicle “Tiger-400” or T-400.

However, UST failed to beat its own record of 172.27 km/L last year and 198 km/L in 2010, when it first joined the SEM in Malaysia.

Thailand’s Kong Thabbok Upatham Changkol Kho So Tho Bo School recorded the longest mileage for the gasoline prototype category, with a record of 1,490 km/L. This year’s longest distance recorded for the prototype category was 1,572 km/L, by students of Thailand’s Sakonnakhon Technical College.

Thailand has the longest mileage on record in Asia at 2,903 km/L, set by students of Dhurakij Pubdit University in 2012.

In 2012, De La Salle University’s “Proto” set a record of 255 km/L, the longest mileage recorded by a Philippine school.

Meanwhile, the University’s entry in the urban-concept category was not able to compete in the race after failing to pass technical inspection due to “major delays” in its construction.

“The urban car didn’t make it to technical inspection because of major delays but we will finish the car within the year, so next year we can compete,” Eco-Tiger Meg Celine Cruz said in a text message.

A total of 177 student-teams from 20 countries, including 33 teams from the Philippines, participated in this year’s marathon.

The SEM is an international competition that “challenges student teams from around the world to design, build and test ultra energy-efficient vehicles.” ARIANNE F. MEREZ

By DAYANARA T. CUDAL THE UST Central Commission on Elections (Comelec) sustained its decision to deny Lakas Tomasino Coalition (LTC) accreditation as a University-wide political party for failing to meet requirements.

In a resolution released Jan. 26, Comelec denied LTC’s motion for reconsideration, saying it failed to provide an updated list of members despite several deadline extensions.

Comelec Legal Head James Ballecer said there would be no more extensions.

“We have given [the political parties] enough time to comply. We’ve UST Museum Director Fr. Isidro Abano, O.P., Varsitarian editor in chief Ralph Hernandez, Tina Monzon Palma actually extended [the deadline] twice. of ANC, UST Vice Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., Arnold Clavio of GMA, and Doland Castro of ABS-CBN cut the We also need to consider other matters ceremonial ribbon opening the papal exhibit.

BASILIO H. SEPE and that includes the welfare of the other political parties,” he said in an interview with the Varsitarian.

LTC said in its motion for reconsideration that party representative THE UST Museum launched a all three popes who had visited of ABS-CBN, and Varsitarian Immanuel Raza, executive director of month-long exhibit on Feb. 12 UST served as the exhibit’s editor in chief Ralph Joshua LTC, did not receive the text message to commemorate Pope Francis’ centerpieces. Blessed Pope Paul Hernandez led the ribbon-cutting sent by Comelec Chairperson Julia visit to the University last Jan.18. VI was the first pope to visit the ceremony.

Unarce regarding the deadline for the “After the event, you should submission of requirements last Nov. 13.

The exhibit, titled “@UST: University in 1970, followed by Lolo Kiko Brings Christ to the Pope St. John Paul II in 1981 and have good memories [because] Ballecer however acknowledged Youth,” features memorabilia 1995. Pope Francis went to UST memories keep your spirits alive. that Raza could not be reached through of the Pontiff’s visit to the only as part of a five-day apostolic Let’s hope the students will have mobile phone.

Pontifical university in Asia. and state visit last Jan. 15 to 19. a deeper reflection on what really “Ang means of communication These include photographs, Vice Rector Fr. Richard happened,” Abaño said during a natin ay through [call and text]. hand-written letters, newspaper Ang, O.P. and UST Museum press conference.

Unfortunately during that time, hindi The exhibit is at the ground naman reachable si [Raza]. Ang clippings, various types of Director Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P., merchandise such as shirts and together with veteran journalists floor of the Main Building and caps, and personal items used by Tina Monzon-Palma of ANC, will be open for public viewing Denied PAGE 10 the Pontiff himself.

Thomasian alumnus Arnold until March 28. DAYANARA T. Five papal chairs used by Clavio of GMA, Doland Castro CUDAL

UST Museum opens papal visit exhibit

Artlets council seeks to regain trust after loss of funds THE PRESIDENT of the Arts and Letters Student Council (ABSC) said the council was doing everything to regain the trust of the students after the loss of P50,000 in funds last October.

“Gagawin namin ang lahat ng aming makakaya para maibalik ang tiwala ninyo, pero kung hindi ninyo po susubukan na magtiwala ulit, walang kuwenta ‘yung pagsubok namin na ibalik ulit ‘yung tiwala,” ABSC President Marie Jann Lazo said in a dialogue titled “Speak Up: Face-to-Face with the Student Council and the Administration” held last Feb. 10.

Lazo added that the officers were willing to shell out money to replace the missing funds.

ABSC Vice President for Internal Affairs

Jan Dominic Castro said the council would also accept any disciplinary action.

“The council is willing to accept sanctions to be provided, if and only if the SWDB finds any of the officers or any of its board committee [members] guilty,” Castro said.

Last Nov. 22, ABSC reported that about P50,000 cash, which was supposed to be used for activities like the Athena Cup, NGO fair, and the general staff assembly, was stolen from the student council’s office on Oct. 23.

Students inside the office when the alleged theft occurred were Lazo, Treasurer Julienne Avila, Chief of Staff Emmanuel Arre, and board committee members Patricia Umali, Jancis Valera and Richard Umali.

ABSC and the Students’ Welfare

Development Board (SWDB) are still investigating the alleged theft and have yet to conduct a hearing.

Artlets Assistant Dean Narcisa Tabirara said the hearing was delayed due to the papal visit last January.

“We will try to hold it next week. Don’t think that we are not doing anything. As soon as the matter came to our attention we also consulted legal personalities,” she said.

Tabirara added that the missing funds should not be the sole basis for evaluating the performance of the ABSC. “The matter of the loss funds continues to haunt us [but] I really think it should not deter us from moving on with our activities,” she said. ARIANNE F. MEREZ

Usapang Uste Parada ng mga doktorado

By MARIA KOREENA M. ESLAVA na tinawag na paseo de los doctores.

ANG PAGTATAPOS sa pag-aaral Alinsunod sa University of ay pagtungtong sa panibagong Salamanca at sa iba pang mga yugto ng buhay, kaya naman unibersidad sa España at Mexico, likas na sa mga Tomasino ang napagdesisyunan ng Unibersidad pagsasagawa ng iba’t-ibang na ipatupad ang pagsasagawa ng rituwal ng pagtatapos na tumatak paseo de los doctores sa bisperas sa puso ng bawat mag-aaral at ng pagtatapos. kasaysayan ng Unibersidad.

Kasama ang mga pangBago pa man ang akademikong awtoridad ng kasalukuyang ritwal na paglabas Unibersidad at ang mga miyembro sa Arch of the Centuries sa tuwing ng claustro de profesores o kawani Baccalaureate Mass, nagsimula ng pagtuturo, pinaparada ang na noon pa lamang ika-17 mga doctoral candidates sa kalye siglo ang mga tradisyon ng Intramuros lulan ng mga ng kakaibang paraan kabayong naglalakad kasabay ng paggawad ng ng musiko ng banda. karangalan sa mga Nagsisimula ang parada nagsisipagtapos. sa bungad ng Unibersidad at Isa na rito nagtatapos sa simbahan ng ang paggawad Santo Domingo kung saan pagpaparada sa mga ipagkakaloob ang titulo. gagawaran ng Nakasaad sa mga batas ng doctorate Unibersidad noong 1734 ang degree buong detalye ng seremonya na napanatili hanggang 1785 kung saan sinabi na ipagpapatuloy ang tradisyon hanggang sa katapusan ng ika-

18 na siglo.

Gayunpaman, natigil ang pagsasagawa ng paseo noong 1859 na makikita sa maikling talababa ng batas na “Este paseo no está en uso,” na nangangahulugang “Ang paseo ay hindi na isinasagawa.”

Bago pa man itinigil ang tradisyong ito, nagkaroon pa ng pagpupulong noong 1748 sina Fr. Bernardo Ustariz, rektor ng Unibersidad, at ang claustro.

Nakasaad sa napanukala na: “The common opinion was that the paseo for the major degree [of licentiate and doctorate] prescribed by the statutes should be held with greater decency preferable that those who participate in it must ride in forlones (coaches) rather than on horseback.”

Gayong hindi napirmahan at hindi rin nabanggit kung ano ang nagyari sa panukala, malalamang hindi ito naisakatuparan dahil iniaatas pa rin ng mga batas noong 1785 ang tradisyunal na paraan ng pagsasagawa ng paseo.

Usapang Uste PAHINA 9

Industrial Eng’g professor named ASEAN Engineer ANOTHER Thomasian industrial engineer has made it to the roster of engineers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Carlos Ignacio Lugay, a professor from the Faculty of Engineering, received the title of ASEAN engineer during the 32nd Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations in Myanmar last Nov. 10 to 13, 2014.

Five Thomasian industrial engineers had been given the title ASEAN engineers, namely, Quality Management Office Director Nestor Ong in 2012, and Juanito Chan, Nancy Eleria, Marilyn Mabini, and Joehanna Ngo in 2013.

The ASEAN Engineer Registry aims to promote recognition of engineering teams within and outside the region, safeguard the professional interest of engineers, foster high standards of professional practice in the field, and promote cultural links among members of ASEAN engineering organizations.

ROBERTO A. VERGARA, JR.

MARCH 7, 2015

Thomasians to start wearing summer uniform

By ARIANNE F. MEREZ UST IS dressing down for the dry season.

With classes extending to the hot months of March to May due to changes in the academic calendar, the University has allowed the use of “Type B” uniforms last Feb. 19.

“Following the resolution made by the Council of Regents in June 2014, the Type B or Summer Uniform will be officially used as an everyday school wear from Thursday after Ash Wednesday until the end of the summer period,” read the memorandum signed by Secretary General Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P. last Feb. 3.

The Type B uniform will serve as a complementary school uniform consisting of a t-shirt or a lightmaterial top and pants or walking shorts that should meet UST’s standards on good grooming.

The use of a secondary uniform for the hot months was proposed by the University last year. Each faculty or college and their respective student councils were asked to present designs which were submitted to the Office of the Secretary General and presented to the Council of Regents for approval.

However, Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. said the wearing of Type B uniforms was not mandatory and was

just a response to the request of students. “Type B is suggested by the students. It just so happened that we want to regularize it so that is what the memorandum is for,” Dagohoy said in an interview with the Varsitarian. “It’s not strictly required so some colleges will have a Type B uniform and some colleges will not.”

Some colleges and faculties are still reluctant to implement the Type B uniform. The Faculty of Arts and Letters (Artlets) is set to conduct a poll among students before implementing the Type B uniform.

“Hindi pwedeng ‘yung iba naka-Type B uniform tapos ‘yung iba naka-regular uniform. We should really consider if we want a

Type B uniform or not,” said Artlets Assistant Dean Narcisa Tabirara in a dialogue between the students, administration, and student council last Feb. 10.

The Faculty of Civil Law, Conservatory of Music, and Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy are still waiting for the approval of their respective deans regarding the design and implementation of their Type B uniforms.

Civil Law Student Council President Victor Villanueva said the Law dean has yet to allow the Type B uniform, which would only be used during specific dates starting April. “The design has already been approved by the dean’s office [but] we are still waiting for it to be approved for our use,” Villanueva

said in an interview.

Nursing Student Council Vice President Hans Joseph Lim said their Type B uniforms—a polo shirt with the college logo and khaki pants—would only be used during lecture days.

The Colleges of Education and Commerce started wearing their Type-B uniforms—polo shirt paired with khaki shorts—last Feb.20.

But unlike Education, Commerce students are not required to wear the Type-B uniform every day.

Senior Commerce students are also not required to use the alternative uniform.

Students at the College of Science already wear a white polo shirt with blue stripes paired with long pants and closed shoes every friday.

From July to August Next academic year, classes in UST will begin on the first week of August, according to another memorandum dated Jan. 23, to coincide with the full implementation of the K to 12 curriculum.

“We have to do that so that everything will be in sync. It would be very easy for us to achieve our goal of transfer credits,” Dagohoy said, adding that more students would be able to study abroad.

Based on the new collegiate calendar, the Mass of the Holy Spirit or Misa de Apertura will be held on Aug. 3, while the opening Uniform PAGE 10

UST marks 70th year of liberation of Manila SEVENTY years ago during World War II, UST was freed from the clutches of the Japanese after serving as an internment camp for some 4,000 foreign civilians In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Santo Tomas Internment Camp (STIC), the UST Museum launched an exhibit last Feb. 2, featuring several memorabilia of the camp and its internees that were considered by Japan as enemy civilians.

Maita Oebanda, collection management and documentation assistant at the UST Museum, said the University served as a “safe haven” during the World War II. “[UST is] one of the most important locations as regards the Battle of Manila. UST

was a safe haven for thousands of civilians for three years,” she said.

Surviving internees, some from the United States, visited the exhibit and shared their personal experiences. The exhibit was also an opportunity for the youth to experience the rich history and legacy of the University, Oebanda added.

“This commemoration is so important because it is one of the last major historical milestones where we have people who are still living [and] are able to come back [to] tell their stories,” Oebanda said.

The exhibit, which ran until March 3, was mounted at the second floor of the UST Main Building. It features various photographs and relics of nearly 4,000 internees during

their stay in the University, including a list of names of the internees and their letters to their families. It also has a timeline of the events leading to their liberation by American forces on Feb. 3, 1945.

Museum renovations The UST Museum was closed to the public in August for renovations, such as repainting and installation of new air-conditioning units.

The Museum planned to do a complete renovation of its gallery, which would have taken an entire academic year to finish, but this did not push through since it would have coincided with Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to the University last Jan. 18. DAYANARA T. CUDAL

Thomasians land in Top 10 of board exams FROM PAGE 1 placing seventh with a score of 86 percent, while Angela Pauline Calimag-Loyola grabbed the eighth spot with a score of 85.75 percent.

Last August, UST dominated the physician licensure examinations, with six Thomasians landing in the top 10, including first place.

In the February exams, Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation was declared the sole top-performing school after posting a 93.64-percent passing rate, equivalent to 103 passers out of 110 examinees.

The national passing rate improved to 71.39 percent (594 passers out of 832 examinees), compared with last year’s 52.15 percent (425 passers out of 815 examinees).

UST also reigned as the only top-performing school in the January 2015 licensure examination for architects, with an 83.42-percent passing rate or 161 passers out of 193 examinees, higher than last year’s 78.71 percent or 122 passers out of 155 examinees.

Thomasian Christian Reyes is this year’s topnotcher after getting a score of 84.80 percent. Thomasians Andre Nicolas Alcantara and Shane Ann Estaris were tied at sixth place with identical scores of 82.70 percent, while Francis Michael Padua placed eight after scoring 82.5 percent.

Architecture Dean John Joseph Fernandez attributed the improved exam results to rigid retention policies and review courses. “[This] is the first batch that actually went through the general weighted average cut-off, the Ausat (Architecture Undergraduate Assessment Test) exam [and mock boards]. I guess it helped kasi for the first time, they were able to break the 80 percent barrier of passing rate [of UST],” Fernandez said.

The national passing rate went up to 60.71 percent, with 867 successful examinees out of 1,428. This was higher than last

year’s 54.99 percent, wherein 793 examinees passed out of 1,442.

Meanwhile, UST topped the February 2015 licensure exams for physical therapists (PT), with a 94.12-percent passing rate or 16 passers out of 17 examinees. This was higher than last year’s 83.33 percent or five passers out of six examinees.

Lianne Skye Quitzon, who landed third place and scored 84.05 percent, led this year’s roster of new physical therapists. Another Thomasian, Luigi Montoro, grabbed the sixth spot with a score of 83.35 percent.

The University was also named second top-performing school in the licensure exams for occupational therapists (OT) after scoring a 93.33-percent passing rate or 14 passers out of 15 examinees.

This was higher than last year’s 46.15 percent, in which six passed out of 13 examinees.

Last year, UST failed to enter the list of top-performing schools for both PT and OT board exams.

The national passing rate for PT increased to 53.79 percent or 412 passers out of 766 examinees, from 52.04 percent or 370 passers out of 711 examinees in 2014. The national passing rate for OT also improved to 62.07 percent or 54 passers out of 87 examinees, from last year’s 28.41 percent or 25 passers out of 88 examinees.

UST recorded an 81.25-percent passing rate in the November 2014 Industrial Engineering certification exam, results from the Industrial Engineering Certification Board (IECB) showed.

Heading the new batch of certified Thomasian industrial engineers were seventh-placer Bernard Lorenz Refuerzo, who scored 78.73 percent, and ninth-placer Vincent Alejandrino, who had a score of 78.18 percent.

The national passing rate was 76.20 percent or 205 passers out of 269 examinees, higher than last year’s 57.74 percent.

The certification exam, now on its sixth year, is given by the Philippine Institute of Industrial Engineers through the IECB. The exam, which is a voluntary process, validates an individual's qualifications in the field.

The Varsitarian News

3

Music student council to amend constitution THE CONSERVATORY of Music Student Council (CMSC) has begun the process of amending its constitution amid budget cuts that had forced the college to reduce departments to seven from 14 this academic year.

The council will gather its officers and student senate composed of all department officers and class presidents every Tuesday from Jan. 20 to April 14 for a constitutional convention, according to a memorandum by Music Dean Raul Sunico.

CMSC Vice President Czen Reganit said the new constitution would accommodate the newly implemented seven-department scheme.

“Balak naming ayusin [kasi] nga nagbago ‘yung departments so isasakto na namin sa bagong departments [‘yung constitution] saka ililinaw din namin ‘yung ibang kulang,” Reganit told the Varsitarian.

CMSC President Mary Rose Luzande said the new constitution would also make clear the duties of an elected officer and fix various “loopholes” in the 2012 charter.

“May mga procedures na hindi kami makacontinue kasi hindi s’ya written down,” Luzande said in a round table discussion with Reganit and Secretary Zairra Pili. “May incident kasi na hindi enrolled ‘yung officer tapos hindi namin ma-remove sa position kasi walang nakasulat [sa constitution] na [dapat] bona fide student ka [kapag] officer ka.”

The 2012 constitution allows students to run for office even if enrolled for less than 15 units. Students with a maximum of five units of failed subjects will also be allowed to run during elections.

Luzande said they will pattern the new constitution after the University-wide Central Student Council Constitution and Student’s Election Code of 2011.

Former officers under the 14-department setup will still be included in convention deliberations.

The 2012 constitution was the first ratified charter in the Conservatory’s 68-year history.

JEROME P. VILLANUEVA

Graduate School to offer master's degree in journalism

By BIANCA KRISTIN A. TARAY THE UST Graduate School will offer a masters’ degree (MA) in Journalism next academic year as part of efforts to improve the practice of journalism in the country.

“The University will be able to keep its reputation in the field [by] putting together a program that leads to a master’s degree in Journalism,” Dean Marilou Madrunio said in an e-mail.

Madrunio said the University had proven itself in offering a quality undergraduate degree program in Journalism, producing some of the Philippines’s top journalists.

In 2013, the Commission on Higher Education declared the University’s Journalism program a Center of Development (COD) despite the absence of a graduate program. CODs are either public or private higher education institutions that have demonstrated the highest level of standards in the areas of instruction, research, and extension.

Professors in the Journalism undergraduate degree program at the Faculty of Arts and Letters will also teach in the master’s program since they are “academically qualified” and “experts in the field,” according to Madrunio.

The Graduate School is expecting a good number of enrollees, with the promotion of the MA in Journalism program starting early this year. “We are targeting young journalism and communication graduates, journalism educators, and professionals, not only in the Philippines but also in other countries,” Madrunio said.

Pacucoa accreditation Meanwhile, the Graduate School is preparing for a “consultancy visit” from the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (Pacucoa) on March 21 for its doctorate Journalism PAGE 5

4 Opinion The

Varsitarian MARCH 7, 2015

MARCH 7, 2015

Ask what is only needed

Editorial

Gains and lessons of 4th papal visit to UST THE VISIT last Jan. 18 of Pope Francis reaffirmed UST’s status as a Pontifical University and the center of Catholic education not only in the Philippines but in Asia. The latter status was more than underscored when the Pope held a meeting with other Christian groups and with leaders of other religions on campus. Truly the papal visit trained the world’s spotlight on UST as a worldclass university and a global hub of learning and dialogue on key concerns affecting humanity.

Even before the Vatican officially announced last July that the Pope would visit the Philippines, word had already leaked that for the fourth time, the Vicar of Christ would address the young people of the Philippines and Asia on campus, repeating in the process the gestures of his predecessors, notably Pope, now Blessed, Paul VI, who came in 1970, and Pope, now Saint, John Paul II, who came twice, in 1981 and 1995.

During the July 2014 announcement, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle did not confirm or deny that UST would get a fourth papal visit. But he gave credence to the reports when he explained that the University enjoys a “history” of papal visits. “UST always figured in previous [papal] visits to the Philippines. We’re coming from that historical datum,” he explained.

So it was somewhat anticlimactic when Tagle and Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto announced the official itinerary of the Pope last November that confirmed UST would indeed be graced with another papal visit.

To think that the January papal visit should have been familiar territory for UST, as it had previously welcomed two popes before Pope Francis, one would have expected a more organized way of handling the Holy Father’s visit.

But practice did not make perfect.

Gates last January 18 were supposed to have been open for all at 4 a.m., but the process was delayed reportedly to prioritize the entrance of UST volunteers and other Thomasians, leaving the general public, who had slept overnight outside, frustrated.

The queue before the gates were haphazard and unkempt, so much so that other volunteers were not able to enter the campus.

The performance of the volunteers left much to be desired. When the Pope arrived, they themselves broke the security barricade they had formed in order to take photos and video footage of the Pope.

Sadly, University leaders dodged questions on the rather spotty handling by UST of the important visit.

Though Pope Francis’ UST visit was largely Editorial PAGE 5

The Varsitarian FOUNDED JAN. 16, 1928

RALPH JOSHUA D.R. HERNANDEZ Editor in Chief GRACELYN A. SIMON Managing Editor GENA MYRTLE P. TERRE Acting Associate Editor LORD BIEN G. LELAY News Editor PAUL KENNEDY A. LINTAG Sports Editor ANDRE ARNOLD T. SANTIAGO Special Reports Editor JUAN CARLOS D. MORENO Features Editor JONELLE V. MARCOS Patnugot ng Filipino APRIL JOY E. DY Witness Editor HEDRIX AR-AR C. CABALLE Sci-Tech Editor KRISTELLE-ANN A. BATCHELOR Circle Editor MICHAEL CARLO C RODOLFO Online Editor KENO CARLO C. ENRIQUEZ Art Director JOHN PAUL R. AUTOR Photography Editor News Dayanara T. Cudal, Arianne F. Merez, Bianca Kristin A. Taray, Jerome P. Villanueva, Roberto A. Vergara, Jr. Sports Angelica P. Abello, Karl Cedrick G. Basco, Delfin Ray M. Dioquino, Josiah Darren G. Saynes Special Reports Mary Grace C. Esmaya, Mary Gillan Frances G. Ropero Features Jelina Anne S. Bunagan, Mone Virma Ginry P. Gumapac Literary Josef Brian M. Ramil, Alpine Christopher P. Moldez Filipino Erika Mariz S. Cunanan, Maria Koreena M. Eslava, Kimberly Joy V. Naparan Witness Angeli Mae S. Cantillana, Danielle Ann F. Gabriel, Marie Danielle M. Macalino Science and Technology Maritz L. Lubo, Rhenn Anthony S. Taguiam Circle Elyssa Christine A. Lopez, Ethan James M. Siat, Aliliana Margarette T. Uyao Art Jean Helene C. Estella, Ma. Aurora A. Gonzalez, Kirsten M. Jamilla, Ava Mariangela C. Victoria Photography Nazzi M. Castro, Alvin Joseph Kasiban, Basilio H. Sepe Editorial Assistant Julius Roman M. Tolop

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 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.

Eddie Villanueva and ecumenism THE PHILIPPINE visit of Pope Francis may be a boon to Catholics and a bane to non-Catholic Christian groups who are otherwise critical of and even hostile to the papacy. So it was quite a pleasant surprise for Catholics to hear Eddie Villanueva, leader of the Jesus is Lord Movement, the evangelical church, telling the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Born Again Christians were not prohibited to join the papal events.

“Aside from the Catholic Church, others who value genuine world peace, freedom of worship and interfaith dialogue should also welcome this historic event,” said Villanueva.

This statement drew flak from non-Catholic Christian leaders who accused Villanueva of leading Christians astray.

An open letter published in the Discerning Sheep Ministry website, signed “From a fellow Christian, Nelson of The Discerning Sheep Ministry,” expressed

Detractors of the Pope's visit show what appears to be a canker eating up the Filipino—posting hate messages on the social media the group's disappointment with Villanueva’s “sudden association” with the Catholic Church, which allegedly abets “idolatry and false worship.”

A Facebook user condemned Catholics since they allegedly “worship” and “consider the Pope as their own god.”

A Twitter user who identified herself as an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member wished for the death of those who were blessed by the Pope. She called them “pests.”

“Sana pagpapatayin din ng mga Muslim ang

mga Katoliko sa misa ni @ Pontifex nang mabawasan ang mga salot sa mundo!” her Twitter post said.

“Wanna invite Pope Francis to listen to our Bible study in Iglesia ni Cristo for sure mapapahiya lang si @ Pontifex,” she said. “Sana madapa tong #PopeFrancis na ito para matuwa naman ako sa pagbisita niya."

All these statements were released during the week when the Pope was on a mission of “mercy and compassion” to the Philippines, enjoining everyone not to look at his own person but at the person

and message of Jesus Christ.

I blame this kind of mentality not on differences in religion but on the incurable cancer of the Filipino—criticizing without understanding.

It has become the habit, especially in the age of social meida, to post and say whatever they want, most of the time behind the anonymity of a social media account, without first taking the time to understand.

If we review the Catechism, there’s nothing there that considers the Pope as a god worthy of worship.

The Catechism states that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ, the successor of St. Peter and the apostles; that is he is a human representative of Jesus Christ.

But apparently, some non-Catholics choose to twist what the Church has been teaching all along.

I am not a Catholic. As a Born Again Christian, I ask my fellow non-Catholic Surveillance PAGE 5

U 'Like' me first, then I will 'Like' U, too CHARLES Horton Cooley, an American sociologist, likened the concept of how we perceive ourselves through the eyes of other people to a “looking glass self,” where we, especially teenagers, conform to what others think of us as we build our self-impression.

Social media has revolutionized Cooley’s theory into a much easier, however negative, way of looking at our self-worth— the “liking”-glass-self theory.

Filipinos enjoy building a network over the virtual highway as evidenced in the statistics gathered by the website Addictive Lists in April 2014, which ranked the Philippines as the eighth country in the world with the most number of Facebook users—29 million accounts.

Instagram, a more recent platform, has earned great prominence since it was launched. This photo-sharing medium “is the fastest-growing social site globally earning a spot in the top five most popular sites since its initial release in 2010,” said Tech Crunch, a technology news website.

According to another tech news site, Digital Trends, Instagram had a 23-percent increase in active users in 2013 while Facebook’s active users grew by only three percent in the same year.

What’s common about

Social media may be hastening communications and networking, but they also abet self-obsession and self-glorification. these social networking sites, anyway? What made them gain such huge popularity?

Facebook and Instagram offer a two-sided effect on each user. One side creates a healthy online sphere, which people use as a social channel to share with others their experiences and captured moments with friends and family. The other side of the coin, however, is that it sometimes stirs up an unhealthy social frenzy that leads to teenage anxiety, said a mental health expert in an article on FoxNews.com. This means that people tend to “overvalue” these social media platforms, where they base their self-worth on how many likes or hits they get for each of their posts and on how many followers they have.

This is where Cooley’s theory of a looking-glass self comes into play, except that in our times, framing our selfimage and building our self-

esteem are squeezed into a small “like” button.

A mental health study conducted abroad showed that if people didn’t get an “adequate amount” of likes for their post, they would post another message, and if it still did not garner enough “likes,” they would lose self-confidence and start to look at themselves negatively. To get positive reaffirmation, they would put several hashtags, use likeboosting apps and even buy “followers.” It is not surprising that Filipinos, who are among the leading social-networking aficionados, encounter the same unfortunate circumstances.

“I realized that putting hashtags won’t just let your post be easily seen when searched by people, it also increases likes.

So what I do, I add hashtags to my posts and when I reach my desired number of likes I delete them,” my blockmate from the

College of Science confessed.

One of my friends from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management admitted that she is using one app that boosts likes on Instagram. According to her, it is her way of making herself feel good.

“Whenever I get a few likes [on Instagram], I always think of myself as a lesser being,” she said. “I wonder why some people get more likes than I do. It actually makes me feel less loved. It makes me think I’m ugly. When I boost my Instagram likes, this feeling of being unwanted immediately wears off. Feeling ko ang ganda-ganda ko.”

The liking brigade may seem to be addictive because people have that natural tendency to take pleasure in the feeling of being liked. After all, being loved and having that sense of belongingness are requisites to have a good selfesteem as seen in Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Nonetheless, people must realize that the sense of belonging that online platforms give them is rather artificial.

They create an illusion that makes them view every like they get as something that would satisfy their need, when in reality the “liking-glass-self Parfocal PAGE 5

AMONG top private universities in the country, UST is supposed to provide quality education at more affordable rates.

The University however has increased tuition over the years: 3 percent in 2011, 3.5 percent in 2012, and 2.5 percent in 2013. There was no tuition hike in 2014.

Now the administration is proposing a 5- to 8-percent increase per unit for Academic Year 2015-2016.

This will amount to P67 per unit for first-year students, P100 per unit for secondyear students, P101 per unit for third-year students, and P64 per unit for fourth- and fifth-year students.

The Central Student Council (CSC) and the Central Board of Students have opposed the administration’s proposal, arguing that the University would still be able to operate without increasing tuition or other fees.

The CSC reported that UST officials had disclosed in their consultation last Feb. 20 that for Academic Year 2012-2013, the University collected at least P2.9 billion in tuition and nearly P650 million in other fees from students, almost P300 million from auxiliary services, and around P200 million from interest income and other sources.

Deducting all expenses of the University, at least P900 million remain as surplus for each academic year.

The administration said the surplus money was meant to be used as “buffer funds” or “working capital”

Editorial FROM PAGE 4 managed by Vatican and higher Church authorities, UST should have exerted more leadership by allowing more people eager to be graced, like Thomasians, with the Pope’s presence to the campus.

But it appears UST and its community merely tried to protect their prerogative in meeting the Pope first, not conscientious of the fact that the Pope came to the country to meet everyone who cared for his message of mercy and compassion. Many people had

Surveillance FROM PAGE 4 Christian brothers and sisters to stop speaking without understanding, stop condemning without analyzing, and stop looking for war when they can foster peace.

I do not defend the Catholics, but let us not generalize.

Let us remove the perception that the Catholic Church teaches her flock to worship the Pope because as

Parfocal FROM PAGE 4 theory” has just made them even thirstier for validation.

Sometimes, when a need starts to become a want, people start craving more than what they deserve. This merely lowers their defenses, making them succumb to their own

for contingencies.

But according CHEd Memorandum Order No. 14 series of 2005, only 10 percent of the increases should go to return on investment for higher education institutions that are stock corporations, or otherwise be used for operations. UST is a nonprofit institution.

Seventy percent must go to the payment of salaries, wages, allowances, and other benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel, while the remaining 20 percent is for the improvement or modernization of buildings, equipment, libraries, laboratories, and similar facilities, and payment for other operational costs.

I understand that quality comes with a price. The University needs to increase the pay of faculty to prevent them from transferring to schools that offer more competitive salaries. UST needs to fund research to boost its standing in global university rankings.

It must also continue to aid communities, through the

Simbahayan Community Development Office, and other charitable endeavors.

In my view, the only increase UST should allow is the one that will cover expenses truly needed to improve the University as a higher educational institution. It should avoid unnecessary tuition hikes that will yield another surplus of nearly a billion pesos. It is unfair to students and their parents to carry the burden of paying expensive tuition and not get their money's worth.

UST officials should also consider that quality Catholic education— Catholic means universal— should not become inaccessible to the less privileged. *** My current job in the Varsitarian had prevented me from immersing myself in the whole papal visit experience. I was limited to following the Vicar of Christ behind a computer monitor.

Fortunately, I was assigned to follow Pope Francis during his visit to Yolanda-struck Leyte last

Jan. 17.

Media from Manila following the Pope, including the Varsitarian team, arrived in a gloomy Tacloban City. The province was already under public storm warning signal no. 2 because of tropical storm “Amang.”

Despite the incoming storm, thousands of Filipinos were unfazed and chose to endure the weather to welcome the Pontiff.

The gloomy weather did not dampen the excitement of the crowd at the Tacloban airport as they greeted and sang when the Pope finally arrived.

The local government provided flimsy raincoats to the faithful, and these were useless against the harsh winds and heavy rain. The people endured the stormy weather just to see the Pope and join him in celebrating Holy Mass.

As Mass progressed, the weather became worse.

The howling of the wind became louder, making the Mass inaudible in some parts of the venue.

Nevertheless, the crowd never left. Seeing the Pope was enough reason to stay until the end, even if he was a hundred meters away.

During the five-day papal visit, I never had the chance to see Pope Francis up close, wave at him, or see his warm smile. But witnessing the “waterproof” faith of the Taclobanons, who left the safety of their homes to brave the stormy weather, was a blessing in itself.

in fact expected UST to be as welcoming as in 1995 when it generously opened its campus to non-Thomasians so that all could benefit and be blessed by the presence of Pope John Paul II. But things had apparently changed in 2015. The security considerations, admittedly very urgent this time, might have frozen UST authorities so that they must have felt reluctant and even scared at letting in the thousands eager to see the Pope right on his pontifical campus.

But to be sure, UST should have devised a means to ensure security without denying Filipino Catholics the privilege, nay their right,

to see the Pope. A numbered ticketing system should have been devised. A Pontifical University, UST should have learned from the Vatican itself which organizes the Wednesday general audience with the Pope: only those with tickets are allowed entry to St. Peter’s Square or to the Pope Paul VI Hall. But that was not the case. The least the University could have done was establish better collaboration with the Vatican and other high papal visit organizers.

But even without its history of papal visits and its ties with the Vatican, the University is not entirely ignorant or incapable of

managing huge crowds and ensuring security, especially since it has held vast bigticket gigs such as the Quadricentennial celebrations in 2011 and the annual Paskuhan festivities.

The Pope’s visit to the University, however short, left tens of thousands of Catholics, blessed and inspired but wishing things could have been better handled, if only for UST to be graced again by a fifth and further visits.

Perhaps by then, UST, coming from the “historical datum” of its mixed performance of handling the 2015 visit, would be better organized so it could truly live up to its pontifical tag.

a former writer and editor of the Witness section of the Varsitarian, I have attended several Masses and Catholic events, but never have I heard a priest ask the attendees to worship and bow down to the Pope.

I have read some parts of the Catechism, and never have I seen a statement directing them to equate the Pope with Christ. Catholics know the difference.

It saddens me that religion divides society.

Catholics and Born Again are both Christians. Christians are those who accept Jesus

Christ as their Savior and who believe that Christ is the Son of God. Pope Francis even held a dialogue with different religious leaders last Jan. 18 in UST in fulfilment of one of the goals of the Second Vatican Council to foster ecumenism and unity among all Christian churches.

Yes, there could be differences in the teachings of Catholics and nonCatholic Christians, but these should not be the bases for calling on the former’s death and perdition.

The solution to

religious conflicts is not that complicated. We just have to learn to understand that differences are inevitable and recognize that respect is an important element in achieving peace and unity among churches, religions, and nations.

Just like what Villanueva said: “Let there be no barriers. Let there be a free market of ideas as religious leaders freely discuss the pros and cons of their respective beliefs and push for freedom of worship.

That is, without resorting to violence.”

The administrators should only increase tuition that will cover what is needed to avoid creating another surplus.

insecurities and anxieties.

Always put in mind that you may not get everything you want in this world, but when you seek real feelings from your true friends and your family, you might just get what you need.

The number of likes you get is not the end-all, be-all of your existence. Never let yourself be defined by a simple “click.”

Magna Carta FROM PAGE 2 eight enrollment years in college, or P150 billion worth of school fees, citing a study done by Cocopea.

Also present in the joint meeting were representatives of the Commission on Higher Education, the Philippine

Association of Colleges and Universities, and the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines.

Youth representatives also attended the meeting, including those from Rise for Education, Student Christian Movement, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, Students’ Rights and Welfare Coalition, and the National Youth Commission.

The Varsitarian Opinion

5

Tiwali at tiwala NAKABABAGABAG ang maagang panunuyo at panliligaw ng mga pulitiko lalo na tuwing papalapit ang eleksyon.

Hindi na ito katakataka sapagkat palaging kabilang ang Filipinas sa listahan ng Forbes magazine at Corruption Perceptions Index ng mga bansang may pinakatalamak na korapsyon at katiwalian sa Asya maging sa buong mundo.

Tubong probinsya, hindi na bago sa akin ang buong taon na pagpaparamdam ng mga pulitiko.

Hindi na bago ang makakita ng mga nagkalat na mukha ng mga pulitiko sa aming lugar—sa mga telon ng maliliit na tindahan, tapalodo ng tricycle, arko ng bawat baranggay, bayong na pamalengke, pugad ng mga bibe, itik at manok at maging sa kuwadra ng mga baboy, baka, at kalabaw.

Kadalasan, iisa lang ang hitsura ng litrato para masabing “nagtipid” sa pagpapakuha sa studio ang pulitiko, nag-iiba lang ng kulay at disenyo ng tarapal depende sa okasyon.

Mayroong “Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon,” “Maligayang Araw ng Pagtatapos,” “Maligayang Araw ng mga Puso,” “Maligayang Buwan ng Kalusugan,” “Maligayang Pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika,” “Maligayang Araw ng mga Ina, Ama, Lolo at Lola, Guro,” at marami pang iba—basta ang mahalaga, lahat “maligaya.”

Noong una, inakala ko na sa probinsya lang uso ang ganitong uri ng pagpaparamdam at panunuyo ng mga pulitiko sa mga botante sapagkat sa mga probinsya maraming

Imbis na tumulong, madalas samantalahin ng mga pulitiko ang kahinaan, kahirapan at kawalan ng pinag-aralan ng mga mamamayan. mabibiktima.

Madalang sa aming lugar ang nakatutungtong ng kolehiyo, at karamihan sa mga botante sa aming lugar ay pulos elementarya lamang ang natapos o ‘di kaya nama’y hindi man lamang nakapag-aral. Sila ang kadalasang gusto ng mga pulitiko, iyong mga madaling kumbinsihin at higit sa lahat, mababa ang presyo.

Ngunit nang mag-aral ako rito sa siyudad, napagtanto ko na sikat din pala sa lungsod ang buong taong panliligaw ng mga pulitiko.

Nitong nakaraang Araw ng mga Puso, talaga namang maigi ang pagpapakita at pagpaparamdam ng mga pulitiko ng kanilang pagmamahal sa pamamagitan ng mga naglalakihang tarapal na nagpapahayag ng kanilang pakikipagdiwang, kabikabilang kasalang bayan, mga rosas, tsokolate at lahat na ng bagay na maaaring ipamigay.

Gayunpaman, sa halip na tunay na “makapagpaligaya” at makapagbigay tulong, nakaiinsulto lamang ang mga ganitong uri ng panliligaw ng mga pulitiko. Isa itong paraan ng paggisa nila sa sariling mantika ng mga tao. Pinalalabas nilang kawanggawa ang pamamahagi ng mga tulong gamit ang pondong laan naman talaga para sa taumbayan. Ngunit ang higit na nakaiinis, maraming napapasagot ng “oo” sa pamamagitan nito.

Kung tutuusin, hindi ko rin masisisi ang mga taong nadadala at nabibihag sa matatamis na pagbati at “pagmamahal” ng mga pulitiko lalo na tuwing eleksyon.

Sapagkat para sa mga taong wala, sa mga tila pinagsakluban na ng langit at lupa, sa mga tinatakasan na ng pag-asa, malaking bagay na ang “tulong” at “malasakit” ng pulitikong nakadikit ang larawan sa kalahating kilo ng laon na bigas at de lata. Maaari nang gawing dingding at bubong ang mga naglalakihang tarapal, presko sa pakiramdam suotin ang 100% cotton na t-shirt tuwing eleksyon at hindi rin naman nakasasagabal sa pag-aaral kahit gaano pa kalaki ang mukha at pangalan sa mga donasyong bag sa mga mag-aaral sa pampublikong paaralan.

Nakalulungkot isipin na sa ganitong paraan kinukuha ng mga tiwaling pulitiko ang tiwala ng taumbayan.

Imbis na tumulong, madalas samantalahin ng mga pulitiko ang kahinaan, kahirapan at kawalan ng pinag-aralan ng mga mamamayan.

Nawa’y kung gaano kaaga ang panliligaw at panunuyo ng mga pulitiko sa tao tuwing eleksyon ay ganoon din sila sa oras ng pangangailangan. Hindi iyong marunong lang silang bumati tuwing oras ng kapistahan at kaligayahan.

‘Di kalaunan, mapagtatanto ng mga tao na nakaiinsulto ang mga nakadikit na mukhang todo ang ngiti sa bigas at de latang tulong gayong nawalan na sila ang kabuhayan at tirahan. Isang kabalintunaan ang pagngiti bilang pakikiramay sa harap ng isang taong namatayan.

Journalism FROM PAGE 3 programs.

“The University’s facilities will be assessed and we will be appraised on whether we can proceed with the higher steps such as the self-survey,” Madrunio said. “As soon as we receive the go-signal from the accreditors, we will immediately prepare for the preliminary visit

from the accrediting groups next school year that will hopefully lead to a Level 1 accreditation for our PhD programs.”

Pacucoa is a private accrediting agency that gives formal recognition to educational institutions that maintain excellent standards in their academic programs and educational operations.

The Graduate School is also preparing to apply for Level IV accreditation for all its master’s programs in September.

6

Editor: Kristelle-Ann A. Batchelor

CIRCLE

The

CFAD professor pays tribute to Las Pinas Bamboo Organ COLLEGE of Fine Arts and Design professor Noli Vicedo paid tribute to his childhood past in an art exhibit at the ancient St. Joseph’s Church in Las Pinas City where he once sang as a child chorister and member of the Las Pinas Boys Choir accompanied by the world-famous Bamboo Organ.

“An Artist’s Tribute to the Bamboo Organ,” which ran Feb. 19 to 27 at the Bamboo Organ Museum, was a side show to the 40th International Bamboo Organ Festival.

It consisted of 10 paintings showing romantic evocations of Las Pinas Church and the international music festival built around its celebrated bamboo organ, the only one of its kind in the world.

The famous Bamboo Organ of

An exhibit exhibit honoring the world-famous Las Piñas bamboo organ features (above and right are three of) ten of CFAD professor Noli Vicedo's paintings.

NAZZI M. CASTRO

Las Pinas was built in the early 19th century by Recollect friar Fr. Diego Cera, who was also a naturalist and an engineer. The organ was restored and rehabilitated in the 1970’s and since then, an international festival has been held featuring local and international musicians and choirs.

The organ has been named a National Cultural Treasure.

“I grew up in Las Piñas and practically with the Bamboo Organ.

Being a member of the Las Piñas Boys Choir, I had those opportunities to sing with the organ as accompaniment during Mass and some events,” Vicedo, an advertising professor at the College of Fine Arts and Design, said.

He said he joined the choir when he was 10 years old. He said that aside from the yearly festival at Las Pinas church, the choir also perfomed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Malacanang.

Founder and choir director at that time was Leo Reiner, who’s now the executive director of the Bamboo Organ Foundation which organizes the yearly international festival.

As a member of the choir, Vicedo said he was introduced to classical music.

“I see colors in Baroque music particularly Vivaldi’s concertos and Bach’s extravagant movements. And the visual artist in me seemed to flourish with my musical experience,” he said.

Perhaps Vicedo’s childhood is best evoked in “Bamboo Organ & Baroque,” which shows the bamboo organ surrounded by violinists and choir boys in their red and white choir dress. The painting is redolent of

Journalism alumnus scores with stage adaptation of 'Dangerous Liaisons' LUST, REVENGE, and struggle for power are an explosive combination in Tanghalang Pilipino’s 28th season closer “Juego De Peligro,” staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Feb. 20 to March 8.

The play is a Filipino stage adaptation of French writer Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” and its 1988 film adaptation, “Dangerous Liasons,” directed by Stephen Frears and starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich.

Written by UST Journalism alumnus Elmer Gatchalian, “Juego de Peligro” is set in 19th century Intramuros, in contrast with the original novel that is set in pre-revolution France.

Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte Sébastien de Valmont in the novel are transformed into Señora Margarita and Señor Vicente in the Philippine adaptation.

The play explores themes of corruption and power play between the sexes during the twilight of Spanish colonization and the coming of the Philippine revolution.

Señora Margarita (Shamaine Centenera Buencamino) IS a deceitful widowed peninsulare seeking revenge from those who wronged her by employing fellow aristocrat Señor Vicente to do her favors for personal gain.

Margarita tries to fool the naïve Cecilia, the indio Daniel, and the virginal Teresa but when her schemes are exposed, she is soon driven out of town.

Directed by Tanghalang Pilipino’s associate artistic director Tuxqs Ruquatio, the cast included Arnold Reyes, LJ Reyes, Adrienne Vergara, Lharby Policarpio, and Vin Abrenica.

Gatchalian previous theatrical works include “Ang Tiririt ng Ibong Adarna” and the Palanca-award winning “Ambon ng Kristal.” ETHAN JAMES M. SIAT

nostalgia and innocence.

“Whenever I am painting, I find inspiration from classical music,” said Vicedo. “And it was through the Bamboo Organ and the Las Piñas Boys Choir that I learned these things.”

Formative influences Vicedo said his local influences are Carlos "Botong" Francisco, Vicente Manansala, Mario Parial, and Cesar Legaspi; his foreign influences are Modigliani, Cezanne, Diego Rivera, Picasso and Braque.

“My cubistic forms still reveal the basic image of the subject, but it is just simplified and sometimes deconstructed, forming a visual summary of emotions, gestures and compositions of people and objects,” Vicedo explained.

Painting in oil using the palette knife, Vicedo’s strokes and textures are influenced by the Fauvism, an avant-garde movements that flourished in France in the early 20th century.

In contrast to expressionism, Fauves produced bright cheery landscapes and figure paintings, characterized by pure vivid color and bold distinctive brushwork.

The vividness and bold brushwork are evident in the works of Vicedo, who obtained both his bachelor’s and master’s degree in fine arts from UST. The works reek with musical nostalgia and classical passion to portray what has become an annual celebration of solidarity forged by communal values of faith, music, and beauty. ALILIANA MARGARETTE T. UYAO

A few of the breath-taking scenes from Elmer Gatchalian's "Juego de Peligro," a local version of American film "Dangerous Liaisons." ALVIN JOSEPH KASIBAN

Ventura, other UST artists shine in Art Fair Philippines

By ELYSSA CHRISTINE A. LOPEZ

Men dress up in soldier uniforms to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Manila's liberation at UST. SHERWIN MARION T. VARDELEON

On-the-spot painting contest immortalizes Liberation of Manila

THE LIBERATION of Manila 70 years ago was relived and immortalized through art during the UST annual inter-school on-the-spot painting competition last Feb. 7.

The Battle of Manila that led to the city’s emancipation amid World War II took place from Feb. 3 to March 3, 1945, and left around 100,000 civilian casualties. The University served as an internment camp of the Japanese at that time.

A total of 219 delegates from 15 universities and colleges in Metro Manila participated in this year’s contest themed “Memories of Valor, Dreams of Peace: The 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Philippines” held at the Benavides Garden. UST partnered with the United States Embassy and Metrobank Foundation to sponsor the event.

John Nikko Pelaez from the University of the East-Caloocan won first place with his artwork titled, “Unsung Heroes,” which depicted a smiling boy—his face and body were colored in red, blue, and yellow. He was wearing a helmet and was draped in an army uniform while holding a white dove. Black and white scenes of war serve as the painting’s backdrop.

Ricky Natividad of Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science & Technology (EARIST) placed second for “70 Untold Stories,” an acrylic on canvas painting portraying a large lamp at the center that houses what looked like a father and his son, while varied sights of the sufferings of many soldiers were in the background.

The third prize went to “Past for the Future” by Francis Urquiola from Technological University of the Philippines-Manila while Thomasian

Marina Monina Ceriola’s “The Death March” received the first honorable mention.

Amulfo Ragma III’s abstract painting “Alaala at Pag-asa” received the Metrobank Choice Award.

Other winning artworks were “Kayamanan Pamana sa Aming Kabataan, Alay sa Mahal na Bayan”

by Jhon Macarariola of EARIST for second honorable mention and “Victory at the Pearl Harbor” by Naomi Mendoza of UP Diliman for third honorable mention.

The awarding ceremony and exhibit were conducted on the same night of the competition, which was graced with the performance of the world-renowned UST Singers. The winning entries are on exhibit at the museum’s main gallery until March 7.

ALILIANA MARGARETTE T. UYAO

7

Varsitarian MARCH 7, 2015

BRINGING art mavens and enthusiasts in an unconventional space, the third Art Fair Philippines showcased some of Philippine contemporary art’s finest last Feb. 5 to 8 by transforming The Link’s parking lot at Ayala Center in Makati into an art mecca.

More than 30 galleries from here and abroad participated.

An Advertising Arts graduate of the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD), Derek Tumala was The Drawing Room’s main feature as it displayed his “Sacred Geometry,” a videomapping installation on sculpture.

Sacred geometry is a concept that goes back to 16th century Europe when scientists believed that nature followed geometric patterns.

“I was inspired from the study of sacred geometry that says geometry or shapes can be drawn to anything coming from nature,” Tumala shared. “I would like to present an artwork that will be perceived as a venerated object, so I interwove two media that convey a sense of divinity and tangibility.”

Five sculptures shaped

like rock formations were mapped on the floor with gravel surrounding the pieces while video footage of different forms of water was projected on to them, becoming the only illuminating force upon the sculptures.

This created the illusion of the sculptures generating the light themselves.

“This manifests sacred geometry as an unnatural piece displaced from its origin, positioning the abstraction of the subject as a conceptual object,” Tumala said.

Charting a different territory, local clothing giant Bench, one of the co-presenters of this year’s fair, collaborated with internationally acclaimed artist Roland Ventura for the benefit of Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Ormoc, Leyte. Ventura created seven sculptures called “Eyeland,” showing an eye, with oars of different colors protruding from its center in the likeness of a rainbow.

Ventura took inspiration from the boats used during relief operations in calamity areas by using the paddles’ colorful representation as a symbol of hope.

The CFAD graduate created one large version of the sculpture and six smaller ones, all of which were sold for the benefit of typhoon "Yolanda" victims.

Meanwhile, Tin-Aw Art Gallery staged a

supermarket set-up for its booth as it displayed “Manufacturer’s Advice: Content May Vary.” More than a hundred artists, including controversial UST Fine Arts alumnus Mideo Cruz, painted on tin cans of different sizes, as if art were a commodity on a grocery.

Cruz used large cans of wall paint as his canvases and labeled them “Made in USA,” with the American flag as its color palette. Inside the can was a model of the human brain.

Art by Thomas Daquioag, Pablo Biglangawa, and Melvin Culaba, all of whom are notable CFAD alumni, were also put on view in the TinAw Art Gallery booth.

Displaying his trademark burin engravings on glass was Fine Arts alumnus Benjie Torrado at the Avellana Art Gallery booth.

Usually used for wood engraving, burin is a steel cutting tool, which Torrado meticulously manipulated on glass.

His “Flash of the Mind” featured a face molded on glass with engraved webs on its cheeks and birds flying across its forehead, resulting in a threedimensional piece.

Works by other Thomasian artists, such as National Artist Arturo Luz, glass sculptor Ramon Orlina, and monuments builder Eduardo Castrillo were also featured.

Various artistic mediums showcase Thomasian talents in Art Fair Philippines 2015.

JOHN PAUL R. AUTOR

8 Sci-Tech

The Varsitarian MARCH 7, 2015

Editor: Hedrix Ar-ar C. Caballe

UST named as PH DNA barcoding center FROM PAGE 1 products in supermarkets.

The process starts with the collection of medicinal plants from the Plant Resources of Southeast Asia and using molecular methods in order to amplify and identify its marker.

Alejandro clarified that DNA barcoding in plants is harder compared to animals because animals have a universal marker that contains their “barcode,” unlike plants that have five markers that each need to be tested.

“This is why we also want to find candidates for a ‘universal marker’ in plants throughout the research,” he said.

Alejandro described DNA barcoding as a diagnostic technique for species identification through their genotypes—an individual’s actual genetic makeup.

He added that DNA barcoding could pave the way for a more modern approach for species identification compared to traditional methods, such as the examination of a species’ morphological and molecular structure.

Nearing the finish line Now on its third year, the barcoding project is projected to showcase its online database in

October this year. Alejandro said that the database will have data from the past two years of their research to be merged with the data gathered this year for the expansion of the database and its regular update of contents.

In 2012, a total of 176 medicinal plants were barcoded, with 253 more added in 2013. Alejandro also said 131 endemic plants belonging to families like Begoniaceae, Annonaceae, and Rubiaceae, and to genera like Hedyotis, Praravinia and Uncaria are currently under observation as they could be potentially entered as new species in the database.

An updated medicinal guide book will also be released in 2016, which contains a more comprehensive list of plants with their various medicinal properties and possible health applications.

Although Alejandro is based in the University and is in charge of maintaining the database, the project belongs to the Department of Science and Technology. Aside from being named the Center of DNA Barcoding in the Philippines, UST will also be cited as one of the project’s main contributors in the upcoming online database. MARITZ L. LUBO AND RHENN ANTHONY S. TAGUIAM

(Above) Jay Edneil Olivar, Hao Wei Hsu, Vincent Cabelin, (back row) Propa Joy Santor (not in photo) and Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro (front row) make up the team of researchers that spearheaded the barcoding project.

(Left) Screen grab of the project's official website which will soon include the online database.

NAZZI M. CASTRO

Everything you've always wanted about Blood Type Diet

Book review: 'The Science of God'

By MARITZ L. LUBO

BECAUSE evolution requires “the creation of things that evolve,” its nature is consistent with the notion of creation, the Supreme Pontiff last October said in the gathering of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in Vatican.

In his second book, “The Science of God: Convergence of Scientific and Biblical Wisdom,” physicist Gerald Lawrence Schroeder attempts to reconcile the age of the universe and the Bible’s Book of Genesis, which earned the fascination of some and the ire of others.

The second in the author's series of books that reinterprets the Bible, The Science of God attempts to link the “six days” of Creation in Genesis with our 14 billion-year-old universe using various scientific and religious principles.

Elaborating on the arguments of his first book, "Genesis and the Big Bang," Schroeder used the Anthropic principle, cosmic microwave background radiation, and various interpretations of the Old Testament to fit 14 billion years into the six days of Creation– with the seventh day ongoing with the sixth.

FROM South Beach to Flexitarian diet, people go through different lengths and try every sort of routine just to lose excess pounds. Even if dieticians do not recommend most of these diets, some can’t help but be drawn to the promise of a fit body. One example of these is the Blood Type Diet (BTD).

BTD is the brainchild of Peter D’Adamo, a naturopath, or a physician who studies treatment of illnesses by natural means and without the use of drugs or surgery. BTD promises that ideal dietary habits can be determined through the four basic blood types of the ABO system—A, B, AB, and O. This is not only limited to the food that we eat but also our exercise and intake of supplements.

Also, it aims to explain why some people lose weight quicker, despite having the same lifestyle, and why some recover from diseases faster.

In his book “Eat Right 4 Your Type,” D’Adamo explains that one’s blood type can serve as a guide in understanding the unique genetic composition of a person and can help us better understand why each of us respond differently to health-concerned situations. He believes that compatibility exists between ABO blood types and food, and that each blood type has genetic traits from our ancestors that includes which diet is best for our health.

The science behind Chemical reactions occur between blood types and the food we eat. This is usually caused by lectins, a protein found in most organic food such as beans, grains, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. Also, pure lectin extracts from plants are used as a reagent, a substance used to test the presence of another substance by chemical reactions, in blood typing.

According to D’Adamo, if the lectins that enter our body are incompatible with our blood type, it may bind to the sugar molecules of our blood which causes clumping.

Clumping of blood, also known as hemagglutination, occurs when a foreign

substance enters the body and stimulates our antibodies—a substance that is released to protect our body from diseases or potential diseases. These antibodies will bind to the foreign substances causing clumping.

Lectins bind to sugar molecules that stick to the linings of the human tissue that may cause various diseases and even weight gain. BTD provides a diet plan and list of food that are compatible for each blood type that may help avoid this reaction.

A, B, AB, and O According to D’Adamo’s website, dadamo.com, people with blood type A have a sensitive immune system and are susceptible to heart disease, cancer and diabetes. He recommends a vegetarian and organic diet for people of this blood type.

Avoidance of meat, wheat, dairy, and beans are encouraged. He added that calming exercises, like yoga and tai chi, are also encouraged. If an individual with blood type A is aiming to lose weight, consuming vegetable oil, soy foods, vegetables, and pineapple may help.

In contrast to those with blood type A, blood type B individuals have a very resistant immune system and can survive diseases better. They can eat vegetables and meat, except chicken and pork. But they should avoid wheat, lentils, corn, nuts and tomatoes. Moderate physical exercises that demand mental balance like hiking, cycling, tennis, and swimming are the best exercises for blood type B individuals. Greens, eggs and teas are also recommended for those trying to lose weight.

Meanwhile, a high-protein diet is recommended for blood type O individuals.

Health risks are usually due to highgluten food such as wheat, grain, and dairy products. Seafood, salt, red meat and broccoli are best to take if you’re trying to lose weight. Intense physical exercises, such as aerobics, martial arts, contact sports, and running, are ideal for individuals of this blood type.

Blood type AB is the most complex of all the blood types because it is a

Blood PAGE 10

14 billion years in six days Schroeder argued that because the universe is observable by humans, the universe should have qualities to ensure humans could observe it. This concept, known as the Anthropic principle, serves as the foundation to a house of arguments stating that scientific principles may have been corresponding to Biblical verses, albeit in a subtle fashion.

For example, Schroeder used cosmic microwave background radiation, the residue left from the expansion of the universe, as basis to fit the first chapter of Genesis into the age of the universe.

He argued that because the wavelength of cosmic microwave background radiation is "stretched" while the universe expands, the amount of time that

Day Two, according to Schroeder, spanned approximately four billion years, which happened between the formation of the Milky Way to the formation of liquid water.

Day Three, which lasted about two billion years, ended with the atmosphere becoming transparent to radiation. Meanwhile, Day Four, which endured for a billion years, marked the appearance of the first multicellular animals.

Day Five, which persisted for half a billion years, spanned the massive extinction towards the end of the Palaeozoic era. Lastly, Day Six, which according to him was a quarter billion years and continues to the present, corresponded to the appearance of the first humans.

Much of the book explores these periods in detail, like how dinosaurs could have been mentioned in the Bible, the notion of a soul, and how science may have proven the existence of free will.

"Misuse" Separate from a new "reinterpretation" of the Bible, Schroeder tried to explain other phenomena in the Bible with the aid of scientific principles. His

I

SANG PATUNAY ang pagiging patok ng online writing community na Wattpad sa patuloy na paghahanap ng paraan ng mga makabagong manunulat na makipagugnayan sa mga mambabasa at mailahad ang kanilang kaalaman.

Noong 2011, kinilala ang Wattpad bilang “Hottest Digital Media Company” sa Canadian Innovation Exchange, isang kumpanya na naglilista ng mga patok na website, dahil sa patuloy na paglawak at paglaki ng sakop ng mga nagsusulat at nagbabasa rito.

‘Di kalaunan, nakarating ang kasikatan ng Wattpad sa mga Filipinong mambabasa na nagdulot ng paglilimbag at pagsasapelikula ng mga akda rito tulad ng “Diary ng Panget,” “She’s Dating the Gangster” at “Talk Back and You’re Dead.”

Gayunpaman, tulad ng lahat ng bagay na nagiging patok sa karamihan, hindi nakaligtas sa mapanuring mata ng mga kritiko ang Wattpad na nagresulta sa diskurso tungkol sa mga mabuti at hindi mabuting dulot nito hindi lang sa mga Filipino kung hindi pati na rin sa iba pang lahi na nagbabasa at nagsusulat dito.

Ayon kay Jun Cruz Reyes, kilalang manunulat at kritiko ng panitikan, kinakailangang suriin muna ang pinagmulan ng Wattpad bago ito punahin ng iba pang kritiko.

“Ang Wattpad literature ng mga bata, sino’ng bata? Mga batang may laptop, ang sensibility niyan siyempre middle class. Ano’ng klaseng middle class? Young adult,” aniya.

Sa pamamagitan ng pagtukoy sa pinagmulan ng mga manunulat sa Wattpad, mas madaling matutukoy ang dahilan kung bakit sinasabi ng mga kritiko na mabababaw ang mga kuwento rito.

IKA-7 NG MARSO 2015

The Varsitarian Filipino

Mga kuwentong

Mababang uri ng panitikan?

“Bata yan, ang gusto niyan mga nakakakilig, love story. Ang problema ng Wattpad, ‘yung problemang pangcute. Ang tawag doon, nasa safe topic, nasa comfort zone, ” ani Reyes.

Dagdag pa niya, kinakailangang unawain na pawang mga batang maagang namulat sa paggamit ng mga produkto ng teknolohiya at pawang mga bubot pa sa karanasan ang mga manunulat sa Wattpad.

“Ano ang epekto ng machine sa kaniyang (mga batang manunulat) sensibilidad gayong hindi naman tao ang kaharap niya? Iyong sensibilidad niya, nasasala ng screen at cursor na kaharap niya. Kaya iyon lang ang kaniyang mundo,” aniya. “Hindi pagibig ang problema ng sambayanan, maraming problema ang Filipinas, hindi puro pag-ibig lang.”

Mababang uri ng panitikan Sa usapin naman ng pagtuturing sa mga kuwentong Wattpad bilang makabagong uri ng panitikan, ipinaliwanag ni Reyes na malaking

Science PAGE 10

bahagi ng pinagmumulan ng mga kritiko laban sa Wattpad ang paggamit ng wika sa mga kuwento na naililimbag rito.

Aniya, wika ang siyang dahilan kung bakit mas binabasa ng kabataan ang mga gawa nina Bob Ong at Eros Atalia sapagkat nagsusulat sila gamit ang wikang alam ng mga bata.

Gayunpaman, inamin ni Reyes na basta hindi maaaring ikumpara ang mga gawa nina Ong at Atalia sa mga kuwentong Wattpad sapagkat kahit pangkaraniwan ang wikang gamit, iba ang lalim ng mga usapin kung saan umiinog ang kanilang mga kuwento.

Binanggit din ni Reyes na mayroong dalawang uri ng panitikan—ang high literature at low o pop literature.

Bagaman sinasabi ng karamihan na hindi maituturing na panitikan ang mga kuwentong Wattpad sa kadahilanang mababa ang kalidad nito para sa kanila, iginiit

MULA SA PAHINA 2 Sa pagitan ng mga taong 1844 at 1859, tuluyan nang napawalang-bisa ang paseo kasunod ng ilang kaso na kung saan may ilang mga doctoral na mag-aaral na humiling na payagan silang hindi sumama sa paseo.

Una na rito ang abogado ng Audiencia at propesor ng Pilosopiya sa Colegio de San Jose na si Don Juan de Dios noong 1812 sa dahilang hindi niya kayang sumakay sa likod ng kabayo.

Sinundan naman siya ng dalawang Pilipinong klerigo na sina Pedro Pelaez at Ignacio Ponce de Leon noong 1844 sa kadahilanang magastos ang gawaing ito.

Kasabay ng paseo, naging tradisyon rin sa Unibersidad ang vejamin o vexacious criticism na nangangahulugang nakayayamot na pamimintas.

Sa loob ng 15 minuto, maghahatid ng talumpati sa Espanyol ang pinakabatang doktor ng Unibersidad. Mga nakatatawa ngunit hindi nakaiinsultong puna patungkol sa mga kandidato ng pagtatapos at sa mga nagsipagdalo sa seremonya ang nilalaman ng kaniyang talumpati na kinakailangang kakitaan ng katalinuhan sa kabila ng mga pabirong pangungusap.

Upang maiwasan ang mga nakaiinsultong puna, babasahin at susuriin ng mga opisyales ng Unibersidad ang talumpati bago ang araw ng pagtatapos.

Taong 1866, pormal na pinetisyon ng rektor na si Fr. Francisco Rivas ang pagpapawalangbisa ng tradisyon.

Tomasino siya Alam ninyo ba na isang Tomasinong

Patuloy na pagbabago Sa kabilang banda, sinabi naman ni Roberto Ampil, tagapangulo ng Departamento ng Filipino sa Unibersidad, na mayroon din namang magandang dulot ang pagkahumaling ng mga kabataan na magsulat at magbasa ng mga kuwentong Wattpad.

“Magandang senyales ito na tumataas ang readership ng mga Filipino,” aniya.

Sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na pakikisabay ng mga batang manunulat sa mabilis na pag-usad ng teknolohiya gamit ang computer at Internet, higit na napakikinabangan ang mga ito sa mabilis na pagkakatuto.

“Ang gadget ay hindi lamang luho o pang-display, nakatutulong ito upang mapadali ang access sa impormasyon,” ani Ampil.

Bilang pag-sang-ayon sa pagbabagong ito, binanggit rin ni Reyes na malaki ang tiyansa na humusay ang kalidad ng mga kuwentong Wattpad.

“Yung mga nagsusulat diyan, bata at ang mga nagbabasa, bata. Ten years from now, hindi na bata ‘yung nagsusulat diyan. ‘Yung nagbabasa, mag-mamature din,” aniya.

Dagdag pa niya, isang representasyon ng karanasan ng tao ang panitikan kaya naman nagbabago ito habang dumarami at lumalalim ang karanasan ng manunulat. ERIKA MARIZ S. CUNANAN AT KIMBERLY JOY V. NAPARAN

abogado ang isa sa mga naging Associate Justice ng Philippine Court of Appeals (PCA)?

Nagtapos na magna cum laude sa kursong Bachelor of Arts in Sociology noong taong 1964 at cum laude sa Bachelor of Laws noong 1968 si Rosalinda Asuncion Vicente.

Taong 1969 nang magsimulang magtrabaho si Vicente sa gobyerno bilang abogado sa Land Registration Authority kung saan siya ‘di kalaunang itinaas sa posisyong Senior Special Attorney.

Taong 1975, naging state counsel naman siya sa Department of Justice, kung saan ‘di nagtagal at muli siyang itinaas sa posisyong Assistant Chief State Counsel.

Bago hiranging Associate Justice sa PCA, nanilbihan pa si Vicente bilang Associate Commissioner ng Professional Regulation Commission mula 1989 hanggang 1990.

Naglingkod rin siya bilang propesor sa Faculty of Civil Law ng Unibersidad mula 1997 hanggang 2005 at 2007 hanggang 2009.

Dito itinuro niya ang mga asignaturang Public Corporation, Administrative Law, at Election and Public Officers.

Bukod pa sa pagiging propesor, dati ring Bar Reviewer at Coordinator ng Student Welfare and Development Board sa parehong institusyon si Vicente.

Tomasalitaan Ukilkil (PNG)— mapilit na pag-uusisa o pagtatanong; paggigiit na tanggapin ang isang bagay na iniaalok o ipinakikiusap Hal.: Hindi ka dapat umiwas sa panguukilkil ng iyong mga magulang kung wala ka namang tinatago.

Sanggunian: 2012. A History of The University of Santo Tomas Volume II, Fr. Fidel Villarroel O.P.

14 faculties and colleges join annual Pautakan THE TRIBUTES are drawn. The arena is set. The much anticipated annual battle of the brains is about to begin!

In this game of do-or-die, who will turn the odds in their favor?

Who can outlast the others and survive as the fittest? Watch out for Pautakan 2015, the Varsitarian's Intercollegiate Quiz Contest!

Fourteen teams from the University's faculties and colleges will send their brightest tributes

9

ni Reyes na maituturing pa rin itong anyo ng makabagong panitikan.

“Titingnan ‘yan as low literature. Ang target audience niyan iyong mahihina ang ulo. Ang ikinaaalarma ko riyan, dumarami na sa sambayanan ang mga batang mahihina ang ulo,” aniya.

Usapang Uste

By RHENN ANTHONY S. TAGUIAM light has to travel to reach one end of the universe from the other is affected.

Schroeder further elaborated that there are two perspectives at work, one from the perspective of the Creator, corresponding to "six days" on His time, and the other from the reader, which, unlike the Creator, perceives the universe as 14 billion years old. He suggested that while the universe may have been 14 billion years old, six days have only passed from the Creator's point of view, much like the concept of time dilation.

His calculation, a derivation of the time it took cosmic microwave background radiation to be seen, claimed that each day in Genesis differs from the previous one by a factor of two.

Schroeder explained that Day One began between the moment of quark confinement to the creation of the Milky Way galaxy, which lasted about eight billion years.

Quark confinement is the period just a hundred-thousandth second after the Big Bang phenomenon where quarks and gluons (subatomic particles) become confined together in mesons (an unstable subatomic particle). Today, quarks and gluons could only be observed inside mesons. Schroeder did not elaborate why he chose that phenomenon to make up Day One, which sparked the ire of his critics.

Patnugot: Jonelle V. Marcos

in a bid to take home the sought after Pautakan crown. Now on its 38th year, Pautakan is the longestrunning quiz competition in the country.

MYX video jock Robi Domingo and former UAAP courtside reporter and Pautakan mainstay Claude Despabiladeras will be this year's quiz masters.

Place your bets and show your support, for there shall only be one victor.

10 Limelight

The Varsitarian MARCH 7, 2015

Art Director: Keno Carlo C. Enriquez

MARCH 7, 2015

Editor: Paul Kennedy A. Lintag

The Varsitarian Sports

11

Tennisters return to UAAP finals, post silver finish

TOMTOM! BY AVA MARIANGELA C. VICTORIA

By JOSIAH DARREN G. SAYNES THE UST Tennisters settled for silver medals after falling against defending champion National University (NU) as the UAAP Season 77 tennis tournament wrapped up at the Olivarez Sports Center last Feb. 27.

The UST Male Tennisters came up short against the Bulldogs in the finals, 1-3, as NU notched its third straight title. UST finished with a 7-4 record, and improve from its fourthplace finish last season.

“I’m happy for our team kasi ginusto talaga nila manalo and ginawa naman nila lahat,” head coach Alexander Diego said, “Masaya ako kasi they played like champions.”

Down one match, the UST duo of Joel Cabusas and Francis Patino shocked NU’s Al Madrio and Jigo Pena, 1-6, 6-3, 7-5, in the first doubles match to score the equalizer.

However, the Bulldogs would not be denied and swept the remaining matches to seal the title.

“Babawi nalang kami next year, at least nakita na namin kung ano yung level ng championship games,” Diego added.

BEN N' VIDES BY KIRSTEN M. JAMILLA

Tuition

our consent, but to convince us that the tuition increase is acceptable. We insist, it is not,” the statement read.

During the consultation, the Office for the Vice Rector for Finance, headed by Fr. Manuel F. Roux, O.P., disclosed that UST collected at least P2.9 billion in tuition, nearly P650 million in other fees from students, almost P300 million from auxiliary services, and around P200 million in interest income and other sources in academic year 2012-2013.

“Deducting all expenses of the University, at least P900 million remain as surplus for each academic year,” the student leaders claimed.

Student council officials said the administration had explained that the surplus money was meant to be used as “buffer funds” or “working capital” for contingencies. They however argued that the amount was too much for a non-stock and nonprofit educational institution like UST. “The bottom line is, the tuition increase is not necessary. Any increase is exorbitant. Our primary

consideration should always be the students, the most important sector of any institution of higher learning,” the statement said.

The statement was signed by student council presidents Victor Lorenzo Villanueva (Faculty of Civil Law), Erica Jaira Sanico (College of Commerce and Business Administration), Michelle Baluyot (Faculty of Medicine and Surgery), Jayvee Del Rosario (College of Accountancy), Juan Carlo Dela Paz (College of Education), Diana Angela Dela Victoria (College of Architecture), Carlo Martin Dequina, (College of Fine Arts and Design), Nielsen Ignacio, (Faculty of Engineering), Maria Jann Klaire Lazo (Faculty of Arts and Letters), and Mary Rose Luzande (Conservatory of Music).

having been adduced to warrant the reconsideration sought,” the decision read.

USTFU filed its motion for reconsideration last Sept. 15, claiming the high court erred in its decision that sided with UST. In its July 30 decision, the court rejected USTFU's claim

because hospitalization and medical benefits under the 1996-2001 Collecting Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the 1999 memorandum of agreement did not carry over to succeeding years. The carry-over provision is found only in the 20012006 and 2006-2011 CBAs. The faculty union’s complaint was also dismissed because causes of action for unfair labor practice expire after one year, while money claims within employee-employer relations expire after three years.

“Considering the denial by the Supreme Court of USTFU’s motion for reconsideration, the case is now considered closed and terminated,” UST Legal Counsel Associate Ian Jerny De Leon said in an e-mail interview.

The dispute between the two parties started in 2007, over whether UST’s annual contributions to the USTFU hospitalization and medical benefits fund should be one-time or cumulative given annual increases in tuition.

Woodpushers

Run

FROM PAGE 12

FROM PAGE 11

back from multiple draws to beat NU, 3.5 to 0.5.

The Female Woodpushers were only one point away from the top four spot but were denied by eventual champions Far Eastern University in their succeeding contest.

“Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari sa women’s [team].Ang dami nating puntos na sinayang,” Dableo said.

The Lady Tamaraws reigned in the women’s division with 44 points while La Salle slipped to second place with 43 markers.

losing streak, tried to mount a comeback on top of the sixth frame but failed to score with all bases loaded.

UST pitcher Anne Antolihao sealed the win for the Tiger Softbelles with a no-hitter in the seventh inning to avenge a 3-7 loss in the first round.

“Pitching and defense (were the keys to the win). Na-pressure sila kasi it’s a do-or-die game for us,” UST head coach Sandy Barredo said. “Bagsak kami sa fifth (if we lose) pero pinilit naming bumawi

Ayaw pa bumitaw ng mga bata.”

The Tiger Softbelles had a great start, roaring to a 3-0 lead courtesy of Palma, Kristine Lacupa and Jonalie Almonia.

But the Lady Acrhers responded with a two-run fourth inning after a Patricia Belarmino RBI allowed Jamica Arribas and Mary Joy Son to get to home plate.

The Tiger Softbelles played a near flawless game, committing only a single error compared to La Salle’s six. Their offense also clicked as they scored their six runs on only ten hits.

UST will face the University of East and a victory would mean at least a playoff for the number two slot.

Blood

wherein his patients responded ideally to the diet.

"Most of my patients experience results within two weeks of starting the diet plan,” he said in an interview in the Alternative Medicine Digest.

“They experienced increased energy, weight loss, a lessening of digestive complaints, and improvement of chronic conditions such as asthma, headaches, and heartburn."

But several critics question these results. “To follow any prescribed dietary program with rules and restrictions represents a significant commitment of mental energy toward self-improvement,”

FROM PAGE 1 several faculties and colleges of the University reiterated their objection to the tuition hike in an official statement released online.

“This objection was clearly manifested by the student council presidents during the tuition consultation meeting last Feb. 20, in the presence of several University administration officials,” the statement released on Facebook read.

Student leaders described the consultation as simply a formality to comply with the Commission on Higher Education's Memorandum Order No. 8 s. 2012, which required colleges or universities proposing an increase in school fees to conduct a consultation with students before Feb. 28.

“It was repeatedly said to us that what we were having was a ‘conversation’ as if to emphasize that the point was not to consult us or get

Motion FROM PAGE 1

FROM PAGE 8 combination of blood type A and B. This mix also gives them a longer menu when it comes to food. They may eat vegetables, seafood, and occasionally, red meat. People who possess blood type AB may practice calming exercises and moderate physical and mental balance exercises, just like those of blood types A and B. Critics D’Adamo has reported cases

‘Small price’ Institute of Physical Education and Athletics Director Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P., said the tuition increase was just a small price to pay to maintain a 403-year-old academic

says Andrew Weil, a physician and author of various books on alternative medicine. “That alone can lead to a greater sense of well-being and better health.”

Diane Mendoza, a nutritionist and dietician, and a professor from the College of Education, said that the effectiveness and validity of BTD has no concrete evidence. “As dieticians, we always go with evidence-based practice which BTD lacks. This diet may have too many restrictions which may cause certain nutrient deficiencies.”

Traditional diets

institution such as UST. “What you (students) are enjoying today in terms of the name of the University, the expertise of certain individuals, faculty members, and so forth, [are] already paid for by the past,” De Sagon said in the consultation. “We want the University to go on and on. The little increase we are asking you as students of four years is simply a little contribution to the big picture and you should always look at it that way.”

De Sagon urged students to practice proper financial management by prioritizing their expenses to avoid additional fees due to late enrollment.

“I think one of the alternatives you (students) should do is to convince your parents to do something para talagang makapagbayad kayo on time. In effect, hindi masasayang ‘yung pinambayad niyo na (late enrollment fee of P1,500). Kasi magbabayad din naman [at] gagawan ng paraan, sabihin niyo na ahead of time para makapag-prepare din sila (parents),” he said.

Last academic year, tuition

Science FROM PAGE 8 apparent "misuse" of these principles provoked his critics.

"Egregious errors in a supposedly scientifically consistent mathematical argument are simply inexcusable and led me to question the author's intellectual credibility," Peter Weichman, a theoretical physicist, said in his review of the book.

Denied FROM PAGE 2 contention nila, dapat daw tinawagan namin ‘yung ibang members [pero] kaya nga lahat ng political parties may point person [para] one-way communication lang dapat,” he said.

Comelec Vice Chair Raymond John Naguit also said they met all representatives of political parties to inform them that they lacked some requirements, before releasing the resolution regarding accreditation.

“They can’t say na walang due process na nangyari because they were informed of the requirements they lacked [beforehand],” Naguit said.

According to Mendoza, losing one to two pounds of weight per week is considered as healthy weight loss.

This can be done by reducing one’s intake by 500 to 1,000 kilocalories per day.

“For weight loss, it is still better to balance your energy intake and energy expenditure,” she said. It is still best, Mendoza said, to cut down on sweets, sodas, chips and fastfood items for these have concentrated calories and low nutrient content.

“Crossing out food items is not necessary. There is no such thing as “bad food” as long as you take it in moderation.”

increased by 2.5 percent or P31.23 per unit for second- to fifth-year students, while tuition increased by 3.5 and 3 percent in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Under Section 42 of the Education Act of 1982, “each private school shall determine its rate of tuition and other school fees or charges (…) subject to rules and regulations promulgated.”

By law, 70 percent of the increases must go to the payment of salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits of teaching and nonteaching personnel; 20 percent to the improvement or modernization of buildings, equipment, libraries, laboratories and similar facilities, and payment for other operational costs; while the remaining 10 percent represents return on investment for higher education institutions that are stock corporations, or must be used for operations otherwise. The date of the next consultation between the Vice Rector for Finance and the Central Student Council has yet to be announced.

Much of his criticisms revolved around Schroeder's apparent misunderstanding of scientific principles he was using and the "glaring" logical errors in his arguments.

Weichman cited an instance where Schroeder tried to explain that hominids were “not human” by saying they do not have souls "yet." Meanwhile Adam and Eve were the first "humans" because of the Bible explicitly stating God creating them, hence the provision of a soul.

Not much explanation was offered afterwards.

The UST Student Election Code of 2011 states that unaccredited political parties cannot hold University-wide activities like fora, fund-raising projects, and information campaigns. They are also barred from fielding candidates during elections.

Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino is the lone accredited party this academic year.

Alyansa ng Kristiyanong Lakas was also not recognized for failing to submit requirements on time, but opted not to seek reconsideration.

LTC dominated last year’s Central Student Council election, in which four out of its six candidates won, namely: Ina Marie Angela Vergara (president), Kristi Celyn Banks (treasurer), Patricia Alexis Canoza (treasurer), and John Jacob See (public relations officer).

Booters suffer worst season in recent history Golden Sox end

By KARL CEDRICK G. BASCO TOUGH downfall.

Both UST football squads recorded their worst showing in the history of the UAAP football tournament after separate losses last Feb. 22.

The Golden Booters exited the tourney with a heartbreaking 1-2 defeat at the hands of the Ateneo de Manila University at the Far Eastern University-Diliman pitch.

The Lady Booters finished at the bottom of the standings in the women’s division after a 0-1 loss to Ateneo at the Moro Lorenzo pitch.

The Golden Booters ended Season 77 with a forgettable 4-10 win-loss record for sixth place including four straight defeats.

Top UST striker Steven Anotado equalized the match after a header in front of the goal off a cross pass by team captain Gino Clarino in the 68th minute, one-all.

But Kendall Colet of Ateneo capitalized on an unclean save by UST’s goalkeeper John Rey Catalino, connecting in the right corner of the sixyard box in the 86th minute to seal the win for the Blue Eagles, 2-1.

UST already crashed out of the Final Four since its loss against the National University last Feb. 11. This will only be the third time that the Golden Booters will miss the semifinals since 1988.

“This is the worst standing ever in the history of UST football. We cannot

force the players to do magic,” said head coach Marjo Allado. “Our games were on and off. Sometimes we play better, we have so many possessions.

But sometimes we don’t.”

Veteran Jeremy Mabanag of Ateneo tallied the first goal of the match in the 16th minute after a free kick near at the half line that went beyond the outstretch arms of Catalino.

In women's play, UST was denied of a possible podium finish after Ateneo’sKathleen Rodriguez shot a half-volley strike that hit the far corner of the goal in the 55th minute, 1-0.

Seven minutes later, Lady Booter Sheen Ramores had a chance to even the match but her attempt in the left wing curled out.

Jena Abuan of UST tried to set up another equalizer in the 67th minute after a cross from the right field but Hazel Lustan could not convert the much-needed goal.

The Lady Booters, last season’s runner up, ended their stint with a dismal 2-6 win-loss card for a fifth-place finish.

It is only the second time for head coach JR Judal to miss the championship game since handling the team in 2010.

“Buhos na lahat ng mga bata ‘yan.

Hanggang ‘dun na langang kaya,” Judal said. “It is my first time to finish last. I kept on reminding my players that we should try to place on the top three.”

Former best goalkeeper Zipporah Luna and Pearl Aguilar will bid the team goodbye after exhausting their playing years.

their forgettable stint at fourth

By ANGELICA P. ABELLO

Despite the poor performance, men’s coach Allado promised to lead a strong UST football team next year, citing an intact lineup and the comeback of his veteran players.

“Even Fr. De Sagon understands the situation of the men’s and women’s football team. For next year, none will be graduating then some of the players would come in. They are about eight,” Allado added. “We are not a rebuilding team next year. We are a strong team.”

A Golden Booter buries his face in his hands in disbelief.

JOHN PAUL R. AUTOR

Softbelles making late run for finals slot

By DELFIN RAY M. DIOQUINO

Uniform FROM PAGE 3 of classes will be on Aug. 10.

The first semester will be from August to December of 2015, while the second semester will be from January to May of 2016. Each semester will still have a total of 104 school days.

Classes for the second semester will begin on Jan. 18, 2016. Special classes for the third term, previously known as “summer classes,” will begin June 15, 2016.

In the women’s play, the UST Female Tennisters also suffered the same fate at the hands of the Lady Bulldogs and got swept in their own best-of-three finals series.

UST failed to win a single match in the entire series as Most Valuable Player Clarice Patrimonio led NU to back-to-back championships.

In the first and second singles games, Macy Gonzalez and Kendies Malinis were swept by sisters Clarice and Christine Patrimonio in a dominant display to wrap up the season.

"Kahit binuhos ng team ang lahat, kinulang pa rin kami in the end," head coach Dennis Sta. Cruz told the Varsitarian.

Despite the loss, Sta.Cruz commended his team’s overall effort to improve their ranking from third place last year.

“I am happy kasi they really gave their all, babawi nalang kami next season,” he said.

The UST Tennisters will remain intact next season,missing only the service of men’s team captain Bernanlou Bering who has exhausted his final year of eligibility in UAAP.

The Tiger Softbelles rejoice in victory.

ALVIN JOSEPH KASIBAN

THE UST Tiger Softbelles solidified their bid for a Final Four spot after rolling past De La Salle University, 6-2, in the UAAP Season 77 softball tournament held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last March 7.

A three-run fifth inning allowed the Tiger Softbelles to pull away for good as they scored their third straight win and created a four-way logjam for second place with the Lady Archers, National University and the University of the Philippines with identical 6-2 records.

Tiger Softbelle Tin Palma ignited the offense in the middle of the fifth inning after scoring a run off a batting error by La Salle’s Vanessa Borbon.

Mallows Garde followed it up for UST, making it to home plate off a Sharmaine Oria run batted it (RBI) for a 5-2 lead.

Oria then completed a run of her own to cap a game-changing inning for the Softbelles.

La Salle, which is now on a three-game Run PAGE 10

A DAY late and a dollar short.

After back-to-back wins to kickoff their season, the UST Golden Sox suffered a midseason slump and lost their chance for a finals appearance. UST ended its UAAP 77 campaign with a 9-3 victory against powerhouse Adamson University at the Rizal Memorial Stadium last Feb. 26.

UST finished fourth with a 4-6 record but will not play in the semifinals as the top two squads, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University, will go directly to the finals following a stepladder format.

The Golden Sox suffered a six-game losing skid before winning their last two assignments against defending champion Ateneo and Adamson.

Ahead at 6-3, UST scored three runs in the eighth inning to finish off the Ermita-based squad.

The Golden Sox fended off a Falcon comeback courtesy of Kimferlee Lopez’s refined pitching, allowing the Falcons only one hit in each of the last three innings.

Head coach Jeffrey Santiago rued his wards' listless play in the middle of the season.

“Kaya ako nagsalita dati na kaya naming manalo ngchampionship, sa aking evaluation and skill-wise, kaya nila. Ang problema, di ko naassess ‘yung EQ [emotion quotient] nila, bumigay sila tapos ‘di sila nakarecoverkaagad. ‘Yung mga bata, handa sa tournament pero hindi nag-deliver pagdating sa laro," Santiago said.

Season 73 rookie of the year Arvin Plaza delivered the last homerun in his stellar UAAP career for the Golden Sox as Adamson's left fielder Lorenz Ruiz failed to catch his flyball at the bottom of the second inning to give UST an early 2-0 lead.

Adamson was able to recover in the fifth inning after Nelson Salazar’s hit allowed James Segismundo and Erwin Bosito to complete the diamond, 4-2, but UST answered with a run from Christian Mercado for a three-point lead, 5-2.

Last Feb. 22, the Golden Sox avenged their intial loss against Ateneo de Manila University and handed the defending champions their second upset this season, 7-1.

Up by four on top of the ninth inning, the Golden Sox tallied back-to-back conversions from Gio Martinez,through a Lopez left field hit, and Noriel Valencia, through a Jayrome Kimilat run batted in (RBI), to pull away with a six-point lead at 7-1 and end their six-game losing skid.

In their match against National University (NU) last Feb. 19, UST suffered a crucial 3-4 decision against the Bulldogs.

UST was on top until the sixth inning, 3-0, before a left field hit from Bulldog Junmar Diarao allowed NU to equalize with a three-run possession.

Tied at the 10th inning, NU converted a crucial run after a Julius Mondragon hit sent Ericson Villame to home plate and stole the match, 4-3.

Sports

MARCH 7, 2015

The Varsitarian

Mamon out as Tigresses miss Final 4 again Tiger Spikers lose to Bulldogs in semis

By DELFIN RAY M. DIOQUINO THE SECOND-seeded UST Tiger Spikers’ championship hopes were crushed by two-time defending champion National University (NU) after an 18-25, 23-25, 23-25defeat in their Final Four do-or-die showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Feb. 28.

Despite being tied for the league’s best record at 11-3, UST blew a twice-to-beat advantage in its first trip to the playoffs after a two-year absence.

With the game tied at 21 in the third set, Ruben Baysac and Peter Torres delivered backto-back points to gain the upperhand for the Bulldogs, 23-21.

UST Skipper Romnick Rico retaliated with his own attack but it did not matter as his service error sent the Bulldogs to match point, 22-24.

Mark Alfafara tried to bring UST back with a through-the-block hit, 23-24, but his powertip in the next play went outside as NU advanced to their third consecutive finals appearance and a rematch of last year’s title game against the Ateneo de Manila University.

With UST down 10-12 in the second set, Alfafara anchored a 6-0 run with four points capped by a down-the-line hit and a block.

However, crucial mistakes down the stretch enabled the Bulldogs to snatch the win, 25-23, and establish a 2-0 lead. The Tiger Spikers committed nine errors in the second set alone. “’Yung preparation namin maganda sa training, naintindihan nila. Hindi lang talaga na-execute,” head coach Odjie Mamon said.

“Siguro ginusto talaga ng NU na kami ang makalaban kasi inexperienced kami.”

The Bulldogs went for the kill early in the opening set as they ignited a 10-1 run for an 11-2 lead and never looked back.

Alfafara finished with a game-high 17 points while Rico added 14 points in their final UAAP game. Torres led all NU scorers with 13 markers while Reuben Inaudito and Edwin Tolentino had 12 apiece.

“I'm still proud of them. We've made it this far despite our inexperience. Sabi ko nga hindi naman na sila bagito,”Mamon added.

In their first game last Feb. 25, Alfafara erupted for a UAAP record 37 points but it was not enough to push UST to its first finals appearance since Season 74 after the Bulldogs made all the right plays in the endgame en route to a 26-24, 28-26, 23-25, 25-21 victory.

By JOSIAH DARREN G. SAYNES THE NIGHTMARE persists.

The Golden Tigresses’ Final Four hopes vanished after a fifthset meltdown against a gritty Far Eastern University, 21-25, 15-25, 25-20, 25-16, 6-15, in their do-or-die playoff match in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena last Feb. 25.

The Tigresses Failed to enter the Final Four for the third consecutive year.

Despite a jittery start, UST forced a deciding set after its offense came alive in the third and fourth frame.

But the Tigresses lost steam as the Lady Tamaraws pounded UST with their relentless offense for a fatal 11-2 rally.

“Nawalan ng focus ‘yung team and hindi na sila naka-move on sa kanilang errors," head coach Odjie Mamonsaid, who later announced that he will be stepping down as chief tactician for the team.

Mamon added that his wards let the pressure creep back into them after two quick unforced errors that kicked off the fifth set.

“Sabi ko sa players ko, magmove on na lang sila saerrors nila na for every one point ng kalaban, we need to score three,” Mamon told the Varsitarian. “But it was too late, nabaon na kami.”

Down two sets to none, the Tigresses had a wakeup call in the Dancel Dusaran and Chloe Cortez look devastated after their loss against third set as rookie Cherry Rondina the Lady Tamaraws.

ALVIN JOSEPH KASIBAN

scored five straight points to lead a 10-1 UST run.

Team captain Pam Lastimosa joined Rondina and went ballistic in the fourth canto to open up a 23-14 lead and even things up against FEU. Lastimosa led the Tigresses with 19 points, while Rondinaand Ria Meneses finished with 11 apiece.

UST will remain intact with only Dancel Dusarangraduating this year.

Parting Ways After another missed opportunity, Mamon’s days are counted as head coach of the Tigresses.

Citing better opportunities and incompatibility with the Tigresses, Mamon is set to depart on March 31 ending his four-year stint with the team.

The three-time UAAP champion player admitted that it was a decision he had made earlier this season, adding that it was just in their game with FEU when he told his team “I informed them that it’s our last game together [vs. FEU] kasi I will not renew my appointment,” he told the Varsitarian. “We’re really not compatible, hindi ako compatible sa women’s.”

In his tenure with the Tigresses, Mamon led the team to a third-place finish in Season 74, but they failed to return to the Final Four since then.

Mamon will remain as head coach of the Tiger Spikers and the Men’s National team, while being offered by two other ball clubs.

UAAP general title slipping away from UST

By PAUL KENNEDY A. LINTAG THEY cannot catch a break.

After working up a sizeable lead after the first semester, the UST Growling Tigers’ chance of regaining the UAAP overall title is slipping, with two-time defending champion De La Salle University catching up as Season 77 nears a climactic finish.

Based on the Varsitarian’s latest and unofficial tally of the general championship race, UST has a total of 275 points from all events except softball while La Salle currently has 238 points not including results from women’s volleyball, baseball, softball and men’s football.

As of press time, the Green Archers are locked in finals showdowns with the Ateneo de Manila University and Far Eastern University in baseball and men’s football, respectively, while the Lady Spikers face a thrice-to-beat disadvantage against defending champion Atenedo De Manila University for the women's volleyball championship.

However, their chances against the Lady Eagles were severely hampered after top spiker Ara Galang sustained a torn ACL and MCL in their do-or-die victory over National University in the Final Four.

UST, La Salle, NU, the University of the Philippines and the University of the East are fighting for the last three slots in the Final Four in softball.

As things stands, should the Tiger Softbelles manage to steal second place in softball, UST will have a maximum total of 287 points and assuming that all La Salle teams face worst-case scenarios, the Green Archers will have a minimum score of 278.

However, the Green Archers have a maximum point total of 298 points if they win championships in all four events but if they keep their current pace, La Salle will have a more realistic maximum score of 289 points.

The Growling Tigers’ hopes for scoring their 40th general championship lie on the performance of the Tiger Softbelles although it will not guarantee a victory for UST.

Woodpushers fail to secure top spot

By ANGELICA P. ABELLO UST’S shot at chess redemption will have to wait next season as the Male Woodpushers finished at third place following a draw against National University (NU) in the final round of the UAAP Season 77 chess tournament at the De La Salle University Henry Sy Hall last March 1.

The Male Woodpushers, champions in Season 75 but only placed fourth last year, produced a total of 33.5 points from an 8-2-4 win-draw-loss card.

La Salle dethroned defending champion Far Eastern University (FEU) with 40.5 markers followed by the Adamson University with 37 points.

The lone bright spot for UST against NU was former MVP Timothy So Kua who defeated against Neil Pondoc.

Steven Dacanay and Christian Flores both settled for a draw against Bulldogs Jefferson Mansanero and Vincent Fuerte while Heirry Manaloto was lost.

“Kaya natin mag-champion eh.

‘Yung talo lang natin namagkasunod sa La Salle at FEU, ‘yun ang mabigat. ‘Yun

ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nag-third,” UST coach Ronald Dableo said.

The Male Woodpushers spent the early stages of the tournament tied with the Falcons on top of the standings.

But things started to go downhill for UST after a close 1.5to 2.5 defeat against La Salle in the 10th round.

UST recovered in the 11th round by sweeping the University of the East, 4-0.

But UST succumbed to FEU, 1-3, in the 12th round and remained at third place with 29 points.

The Female Woodpushers failed to secure a podium anew and landed at fifth place with 23 points behind a 3-4-7 slate.

In their concluding match against Adamson, UST’s Michella Concio, Michelle Yaon and Cyamir Villanueva all lost while Shayxanthe Guico’s match against Lady Falcon Jon Ira Dela Cruz resulted in a draw.

Twelve rounds into the tournament, UST bounced Woodpushers PAGE 10

(Left) Mark Alfafara dumps the ball past a blocker. (Right) Cyamir Villanueva ponders her next move.

ALVIN JOSEPH KASIBAN